Baptism, as the visible ceremony of union of the penitent, believing, loving candidate with the church, and of the church with the Lord as his bride, holds the same rank in its relation to the Divine Law as the ceremony of marriage holds to human law.  Both are simple in form, yet both are absolutely essential to order and an orderly life both in a religious and social sense.  The ordinance of marriage and that of baptism compare remarkably in another point of view.  Both cement a union to be dissolved only in death.  Both have the stamp of the divine seal, impressed by the Lord’s hand, engraven with the words:  “WHAT GOD HATH JOINED TOGETHER, LET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER.”

Now, friends, let me beg you to take the Lord’s way.  He invites you affectionately to come and take his yoke upon you.  Learn to work in his vineyard.  Your own heart is a vineyard which the Lord will own if you will but give it to him:  and he will help you to keep it clean.  He will give you richly to enjoy the first ripe grapes of a good life lived in his service.  But remember:  “He that is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his Father’s glory, and the glory of the holy angels.”  Then why not come into the church?  None are too poor to come.  It costs no money or goods.  Why not please your King by visibly becoming his subject?  Why not honor your Lord by obeying his commands?  Why not glorify your Husband by publicly taking to yourself his name and living henceforth a holy and virtuous life in his sight?

TUESDAY, March 25.  Aunt Mary Kline, Uncle Frederick Kline’s widow, was buried to-day.  Age, seventy-two years, eleven months and five days.

WEDNESDAY, March 26.  Attend the funeral of Giles Devier’s little child.  It was buried at our meetinghouse.  Age, one year, five months and sixteen days.  It is a pretty thought that angels may gather little children from the arms of their parents, as love plucks roses from their parent stems.  “Of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

THURSDAY, March 27.  Perform the marriage ceremony of Robert Allison and Mary Kline, daughter of Joseph Kline.

TUESDAY, April 1.  William Smith took leave of us for his new home in Illinois.

WEDNESDAY, April 9.  Council meeting at the Brush meetinghouse.  John Wine is elected speaker.

THURSDAY, April 10.  Council meeting at our meetinghouse.  Christian Wine is elected speaker.

FRIDAY, April 18.  Council meeting at Lost River meetinghouse.  Jacob Pope is advanced.  His work in the ministry is very acceptable to the Brotherhood as far as known.

THURSDAY, April 24.  I am sick.  Erysipelas right bad.