252 LAURA BRIDGMAN. very fervent Baptist. She wrote to one of her teachers in 1861: " I am better this morn. I have not been well much of the time this winter and in the fall. But I am much happier in mind concerning God, & his begotten son Jesus Christ. I profess religion since last spring most fervently. I devote a great deal of my time to studying the sacred Bible. I rejoice so highly that God has helped me to comprehend his works in many ways. I read in the blessed Bible daily, which 1 prize the most of all books in this world." During a visit to her native place she was baptized in one of the mountain streams, and admitted to the church of which her parents were members. The account which she gives of the ceremony is exceedingly touching. The thought first occurred to her mind during a visit to her relations at Tlietford in Vermont, where she remained for some months, associating chiefly with her cousin Emily. " I attained," she wrote, " much enjoyment of convers- ing with my cousin about sacred things. I thought how delightful it might have been to my soul if I could be baptized in the pure water by the minister who usually preached the Holy Ghost to the blest church in Thetford. But my dear God did not approve of my doing that away from my home. I felt fearful at times from these thoughts concerning the performance of baptism. I thought that there was danger of sinking my head beneath the water, & I might be drowned in the depth of water. I did not feel strong & confident sufficiently for being in a grave. . . In the fall I had much delight in a religious conversation with my dear adopted sister & her husband, & my dear mother. One sunny p. m. I visited my adopted sister, Mrs. H. We had a very solemn happiness with a talk in the library with Mr. EL, a most excellent minister. We transacted some business con-
