Conversion
19
Uniting with the Methodist Church
Soon after our return from the camp meeting, I, with several others,
was taken into the church on probation. My mind was very much ex-
ercised on the subject of baptism. Young as I was, I could see but one
mode of baptism authorized by the Scriptures, and that was immer-
sion. Some of my Methodist sisters tried in vain to convince me that
sprinkling was Bible baptism. The Methodist minister consented to
immerse the candidates if they conscientiously preferred that method,
although he intimated that sprinkling would be equally acceptable with
God.
Finally the time was appointed for us to receive this solemn ordi-
nance. It was a windy day when we, twelve in number, went down into
the sea to be baptized. The waves ran high and dashed upon the shore,
but as I took up this heavy cross, my peace was like a river. When I
arose from the water, my strength was nearly gone, for the power of
the Lord rested upon me. I felt that henceforth I was not of this world,
but had risen from the watery grave into a newness of life.
The same day in the afternoon I was received into the church in
full membership.
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