English translation, p. 69; and compare what is said by V. Rohden, in "Duncan's John the Baptist," p. 160.

An early tradition-which may be true-relates another circumstance as attending our Lord's baptism, not narrated in our Gospels. The Ebionite recension of the "Gospel of the Hebrews"-which Gospel was either the original Hebrew Gospel of Matthew, or one based upon it-speaks of "a great light which shone around the place," after Jesus had received the ordinance. Hence, in the Sermon, I have ventured to represent the sky as flashing with "a rosy light of mellow splendor." Willis describes John and Jesus as "enveloped" in "a light bright as the tenfold glory of the sun, yet lambent as the softly burning stars." Justin Martyr moreover, says that as our Lord descended into the water, "a fire was kindled in the Jordan"—a representation like that given in the book styled "Prædicatio Pauli."

NOTE G.-PAGE 230.

SKETCH OF BAPTIST MOVEMENTS IN NEW ORLEANS.

As early as the winter of 1816-17, Baptist preaching was heard in the city of New Orleans. The minister was the Rev. James Raynoldson, who had been sent out by the Baptist Triennial Convention. Mr. Raynoldson preached in the "Long Room" of Mr. Cornelius Paulding, a Baptist of property, who had settled in New Orleans, about the year 1812. This room was the second story of a house, built by Mr. Paulding, in Dorsier street, just out of Canal, and fronting what was then the levee of the Mississippi. Here, for the first time in our city, was Baptist doctrine proclaimed by a minister of our denomination.

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Mr. Raynoldson preached and taught school in this 'Long Room." He formed a church organization, which he served for two or three years with faithfulness and zeal. This self-sacrificing pioneer had to contend with many difficulties and hardships; but he labored cheerfully, and not without success. He died in Louisiana, in 1848, after a long life of unrequited, yet not useless missionary toil.

About the time of Mr. Raynoldson's arrival, Rev. Mr. Hull set up the standard of Episcopalianism in New Orleans; and, not long after, Rev. Sylvester Larned-who died here in 1820-laid the foundation of Presbyterianism. The cause of both denominations has prospered. Each has now seven churches.

In March, 1817, Rev. Dr. W. B. Johnson, of South Carolina, visited our city for the sake of his health. He preached in the "Long Room," "to congregations respectable for numbers and attention." He discoursed also on board a ship; and, by special permission of Père Antoine, he preached a sermon for the benefit of the lately formed Poydras Female Orphan Asylum, in the Roman Catholic Cathedral.

After Mr. Raynoldson's departure, Rev. Mr. Davis took charge of the church. He preached at a brick building of Mr. Paulding, on Canal street, near the pres ent site of Canal street. This church had, at one time, 16 white members and 32 colored. Mr. Davis left in 1820; and, in the end, his church dissolved. Before he left he performed a baptism in the Mississippi, in front of the Custom-house, now being wasted. The candidatethe first baptized in New Orleans--was Mr. Davidson, father-in-law of Alfred Hennen, Esq., of the city.

After the departure of Mr. Davis, Baptist preaching was heard here only occasionally, until 1826, when Rev. Wm. Rondeau arrived from England. Mr. Rondeau formed a new organization, preached about a year-first in the building already mentioned, on Canal street; then

in a school-house in "Paulding's Row," St. Charles street, and then in a building on the corner of Poydras and Tchoupitoulas street; after which he went northward, and finally settled in Kentucky. His church had, at one time, about twenty in its membership-two of whom himself had baptized; but, by the end of 1828, it was dissolved and scattered.

Not long after, Mr. Paulding fitted up a tobacco warehouse, in front of Lafayette Square, for the holding of worship, and here Baptist preaching was occasionally heard up to 1833, from Revs. Mr. Hurley, Mr. Courtland, and others. Soon, however, it was sold to the Presbyterians, and on the same site was erected, in 1835, the late edifice of the first Presbyterian Church of New Orleans.

About this time, Mr. Paulding constructed the large brick building on the corner of St. Charles and Hevia (Lafayette) streets-now known as the "Old Municipal Hall." The lower story was divided into dwelling apartments; the upper story was made a spacious Hall, to be devoted to the religious services of the Baptists. Rev. Pharcellus Church-now of Williamsburg, N. Y.—was invited to take charge of the interest. After having labored for some time amid very discouraging circumstances, Mr. Church took his departure for the North. He formed no church organization.

From this time (about 1834) there was no regularly authorized Baptist preaching in our city, till the coming of the Rev. Russell Holman, in the winter of 1842.

During this interval, Rev. Daniel Roberts ministered for some years, after a manner of his own, in Lafayette, now the Fourth District of New Orleans. Mr. Roberts was an eccentric but a pious man; and he did some good. Nothing permanent, however, was effected by his labors. Meanwhile, moreover, Mr. F. Clark commenced a church movement, in 1841, in Julia street, on his own responsibility; and this, under other auspices, might have been successful. As it was, however, it failed.

Rev. R. Holman, now of Alabama, labored under an appointment from the American Baptist Home Mission Society. No minister ever preached more faithfully in New Orleans; and to this day his memory is dear to those who knew him and his works of love. Mr. Hol"man organized the "First Baptist Church" of New Orleans, with eight male and four female members, the 28th of December, 1843; and this body was publicly recog nized, early in 1844, as a regular Baptist Church, by Revs. H. Malcom, R. B. C. Howell, F. G. Keen, and R. Holman.

In the ensuing May, the Rev. Isaac F. Hinton, of St. Louis, was called to the pastorship of the Church, and Mr. Holman was appointed to collect funds abroad for a house of worship. Mr. Hinton came down in January, 1845, and took charge of the interest; then worshiping, as during the time of Mr. Holman, in the second story of a brick building in Julia street No. 66), opposite the foot of Foncher. The house still stands.

A lot of ground was soon bought for $11,000, on St. Charles street, between Julia and St. Joseph; on which,