Baptism by Immersion.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3867, 23 July 1891, Page 2

Baptism by Immersion.

A Distressing l Occurronoa

A most distressing occurrence is reported in a German medical journal. A young woman, who was a candidate for baptism by immersion amongst the Baptists, after undressing to her chemise and stockings in the vestry, put on a cotton wrapper and came into the chapel to be baptised. She was completely immersed in the baptistry, which was filled with vain water at a temperature of about 40deg. Fahr., the ceremony not lasting above a minute. After this she walked into the vestry, but immediately became unconscious, end nothwithstanding all possible efforts being made to resuscitate her, succumbed. The post mortem examination revealed that there was cardiac disease. As, however, there was no doubt that the immersion was the determining cause of death, the unfortunate minister who performed the ceremony was at first sentenced to a week's imprisonment. This was, however, ultimately remitted. The neighbouring Baptist congregations have, it is said, taken warning by the case, and have arranged to have the water for immersion always warmed in future, ss is, we believe, the custom elsewhere. Another suggestion naturally arises from such an occurrence as the above—namely, that persons suspected of heart disease should have the benefit of a medical examination before being submitted .to the rite of immersion.