“Baby and I would like the privilege of praising
the Lord with you,” she said simply, “and
we would like to do our share in keeping up this church
and congregation to His honour and glory. There’s
some water. Can’t you baptize us now?”
The minister turned to the pitcher, which always stood
on his desk, filled his palm, and asked: “What
is the baby’s name?”
“Katherine Eleanor Peters,” said Kate.
“Katherine Eleanor, I baptize thee,” said
the minister, and he laid his hand on the soft curls
of the baby. She scattered the flowers she was
holding over the altar as she reached to spat her
hands in the water on her head and laughed aloud.
“What is your name?” asked the minister.
“Katherine Eleanor Holt,” said Kate.
Again the minister repeated the formula, and then
he raised both hands and said: “Let us
pray.”
Kate turned and placing the baby on the front
seat, she knelt and put her arms around the little
thing, but her lips only repeated the words:
“Praise the Lord for this precious baby!”
Her heart was filled with high resolve. She
would rear the baby with such care. She would
be more careful with Adam. She would make heroic
effort to help him to clean, unashamed manhood.
She would be a better sister to all her family.
She would be friendlier, and have more patience with
the neighbours. She would join in whatever effort
the church was making to hold and increase its membership
among the young people, and to raise funds to keep
up the organization. All the time her mind was
busy thinking out these fine resolves, her lips were
thanking the Lord for Little Poll. Kate arose
with the benediction, picked up the baby, and started
down the aisle among the people she had known all her
life. On every side strong hands stretched out
to greet and welcome her. A daughter of Adam
Bates was something new as a church member.
They all knew how she could work, and what she could
give if she chose; while that she had stood at the
altar and been baptized, meant that something not
customary with the Bates family was taking place in
her heart. So they welcomed her, and praised
the beauty and sweetness of the baby until Kate went
out into the sunshine, her face glowing.
Slowly she walked home and as she reached the veranda,
Adam took the baby.
“Been to the cemetery?” he asked.
Kate nodded and dropped into a chair.
“That’s too far to walk and carry this
great big woman,” he said, snuggling his face
in the baby’s neck, while she patted his cheeks
and pulled his hair. “Why didn’t
you tell me you wanted to go, and let me get out the
car?”
Kate looked at him speculatively.
“Adam,” she said, “when I started
out, I meant only to take some flowers to Mother and
Polly. As I came around the corner of the church
to take the footpath, they were singing ’Rejoice
in the Lord!’ I went inside and joined.
I’m going to church as often as I can after
this, and I’m going to help with the work of
running it.”
