THE CHRISTENING OF THE INFANT PRINCESS.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 80, 11 August 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE CHRISTENING OF THE INFANT PRINCESS.

The christening- of the infant Princess, daughter of the. Prince Louis of Hesse and the Princess Loais of Hesse (Princess Alice), took place on Monday, at! o'clock, in the Green drawing-room, at Windsor Castle, according to the rites of the Lutheran Church. The baptism was performed in German by t he ]tev. Mr Itender, Court chaplain to the grand ducal family of Hesse who travelled from Darmstadt specially to officiate upon this occasion. At the commencement of the service the following hyrrn, composed by J. K. Able, 10 (54, wad sung- by the gently men and I toys of the choir ot" Sfc George's chspal, Windsor, headed by Dr Elvey, Mr VV. G. Cosins presiding at the organ : — J3l fsscf! Jesus, here wo sand, Met lo do as Thou liust spoken, And this child at tli v oo nmsuid ]N T ou r we brinp; to Thee, 1:1 token, Thut to Christ it here is Riven, For of such shall be His Heaven. Yes : Tiiy warning voice is plain, And wo fain would keep it duly — "Ho who ii not born fieain, Heart and life renewing truly, jjirn of water and the S|>irit "Will my Kingdom ne'er inherit." Make it, ll carl, Thy member now ! Shepherd, Sake T.iy l;>inb and feed it; Prince ot Pence, its r>eaee be thoii ! Way of Life, to Heaven oh lead it! Vine, tliis branch nmy nothing sever, Grafted iirm in Tiico for ever ! Now upon Thy hearfc it, lies, What nuv hearts so dearly treasure ; Heavenward lead our burdened si^lis, Pour Thy blessing without ine.i.-mre; Write Ihe name we now haro sri>en, "Write it in the ijook ot'lleavc'i : The sponsars present were: ihe Queen, Prince Alexander of Hesse (representing the Gi'find Duke of Hesse), Princess Mary of Citmbridjre, Prince of Wales. and I'lince Henry of Hesse, Her Majesty aud liie other sponsors occupied beats on (lie south side of the room. The infant was name-i by the Q,ueen, who held the child at the font, " Victoria Alberta Elizabeth Matilda Mary." The following were also present at the ceremony, and were seated opposite to the sponsors during- the baptism: — Prince and Princess Louis, of He^se, Princess of Wales, Princess Beatrice, Prince Alfred, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Helena, Princess Louisa, Prince Arthur, Prince Leopold, Prince s Marguerite of Orleans, Duke of iNemours, Dnke of Cambridge, and Prince of Leiningen. The font of silver gilt used upon this occasion whs originally made for the christening of the Princess Royal, and was filled with wat^r .brought from the River Jordan by the Prince" of Wales. The itev. Mr Wai ban in assisted at the performance of the sacred rite. At the conclusion of the service a hymn, composed by Martin Luther, 1529, was sung by the choir, viz. : — A sure stronghold our God is ITe, A trusty shield and weapon; Our help Ho'll be arid set us free l<Yom cv'ry ill can happen. That old malicious too Means us deadly woe ; Ar jiM with mijjht from hell, And deepesh craft as well, On earth is not his fellow. Through our own force we nothing- can, Straight were we lost for ever; But fiir us fights the proper Man, By G-od sent to deliver. "A»k ye who this may bo ? Jesus Christ is He, Of SMbaoth Lord, Sole God to he adored — His kingdom ours abidctlv. A great number of the upper ten thonsind were present as witnesses. The gentlemen of the household appeared in thft Windsor uniform, and members of order of knighthood present wore their respective insignia. The ceremony .was concluded at a quarter before two o'clock. The Koyal family were then conducted to the While-room,/ where n register of the baptism was signed and the general company to the dininjafroom. A dtjeuner was served. The christening cake whs ornamented with the arms of Hesse, and also with bouquets of flowers and rows of pearls. vi _..^ n ,,.