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all as one of our microscopical specimens； almost infinitesimally tiny as I descended into his Titanic arms； I was handed down the steps to him。 He was dressed in a kind of long surplice； underneath whichas I could not； even in that moment； help observingthe air gathered in long bubbles which he strove to flatten out。 The end of his noble beard he had tucked away； his shirt…sleeves were turned up at the wrist。
The entire congregation was now silent； so silent that the uncertain splashing of my feet as I descended seemed to deafen one。 Mr。 S。； a little embarrassed by my short stature； succeeded at length in securing me with one palm on my chest and the other between my shoulders。 He said； slowly； in a loud； sonorous voice that seemed to enter my brain and empty it； 'I baptize thee； my Brother； in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost！' Having intoned this formula； he then gently flung me backwards until I was wholly under the water； and thenas he brought me up again； and tenderly steadied my feet on the steps of the font； and delivered me； dripping and spluttering； into the anxious hands of the women； who hurried me to the tentthe whole assembly broke forth in a thunder of song； a paean of praise to God for this manifestation of his marvellous goodness and mercy。 So great was the enthusiasm； that it could hardly be restrained so as to allow the other candidates； the humdrum adults who followed in my wet and glorious footsteps； to undergo a ritual about which； in their case； no one in the congregation pretended to be able to take even the most languid interest。
My Father's happiness during the next few weeks it is not pathetic to me to look back upon。 His sternness melted into a universal complaisance。 He laughed and smiled； he paid to my opinions the tribute of the gravest considerations； he indulged utterly unlike his wontin shy and furtive caresses。 I could express no wish that he did not attempt to fulfill； and the only warning which he cared to give me was one； very gently expressed； against spiritual pride。
This was certainly required； for I was puffed out with a sense of my own holiness。 I was religiously confidential with my Father； condescending with Miss Marks （who I think had given up trying to make it all out）； haughty with the servants； and insufferably patronizing with those young companions of my own age with whom I was now beginning to associate。
I would fain close this remarkable episode on a key of solemnity； but alas！ If I am to be loyal to the truth； I must record that some of the other little boys presently complained to Mary Grace that I put out my tongue at them in mockery； during the service in the Room； to remind them that I now broke bread as one of the Saints and that they did not。
CHAPTER IX
THE result of my being admitted into the communion of the 'Saints' was that； as soon as the nine days' wonder of the thing passed by； my position became； if anything； more harassing and pressed than ever。 It is true that freedom was permitted to me in certain directions； I was allowed to act a little more on my own responsibility； and was not so incessantly informed what 'the Lord's will' might be in this matter and in that； because it was now conceived that； in such dilemmas； I could command private intelligence of my own。 But there was no relaxation of our rigid manner of life； and I think I now began； by comparing it with the habits of others； to perceive how very strict it was。
The main difference in my lot as a communicant from that of a mere dweller in the tents of righteousness was that I was expected to respond with instant fervour to every appeal of conscience。 When I did not do this； my position was almost worse than it had been before； because of the livelier nature of the responsibility which weighed upon me。 My little faults of conduct； too； assumed shapes of terrible importance； since they proceeded from one so signally enlightened。 My Father was never tired of reminding me that； now that I was a professing Christian； I must remember； in everything I did； that I was an example to others。 He used to draw dreadful pictures of supposititious little boys who were secretly watching me from afar； and whose whole career； in time and in eternity； might be disastrously affected if I did not keep my lamp burning。
The year which followed upon my baptism did not open very happily at the Room。 Considerable changes had now taken place in the community。 My Father's impressive services； a certain prestige in his preaching； the mere fact that so vigorous a person was at the head of affairs； had induced a large increase in the attendance。 By this time； if my memory does not fail me as to dates； we had left the dismal loft over the stables； and had built ourselves a perfectly plain； but commodious and well…arranged chapel in the centre of the village。 This greatly added to the prosperity of the meeting。 Everything had combined to make our services popular； and had attracted to us a new element of younger people。 Numbers of youthful masons and carpenters； shop…girls and domestic servants； found the Room a pleasant trystingplace； and were more or less superficially induced to accept salvation as it was offered to them in my Father's searching addresses。 My Father was very shrewd in dealing with mere curiosity or idle motive； and sharply packed off any youths who simply came to make eyes at the girls； or any 'maids' whose only object was to display their new bonnet…strings。 But he was powerless against a temporary sincerity； the simulacrum of a true change of heart。 I have often heard him say；of some young fellow who had attended our services with fervour for a little while； and then had turned cold and left us；'and I thought that the Holy Ghost had wrought in him！' Such disappointments grievously depress an evangelist。
Religious bodies are liable to strange and unaccountable fluctuations。 At the beginning of the third year since our arrival； the congregation seemed to be in a very prosperous state； as regards attendance； conversions and other outward signs of activity。 Yet it was quite soon after this that my Father began to be harassed by all sorts of troubles； and the spring of 1860 was a critical moment in the history of the community。 Although he loved to take a very high tone about the Saints； and involved them sometimes in a cloud of laudatory metaphysics； the truth was that they were nothing more than peasants of a somewhat primitive type； not well instructed in the rules of conduct and liable to exactly the same weaknesses as invade the rural character in every country and latitude。 That they were exhorted to behave as 'children of light'； and that the majority of them sincerely desired to do credit to their high calling； could not prevent their being beset by the sins which had affected their forebears for generations past。
The addition of so many young persons of each sex to the communion led to an entirely new class of embarrassment。 Now there arose endless difficulties about 'engagements'； about youthful brethren who 'went out walking' with even more youthful sisters。 Glancing over my Father's notes； I observe the ceaseless repetition of cases in which So…and…So