Christian Fellowship Members Use Adams Pool for Baptism

Adams House residents looking for a quick dip in the House pool yesterday afternoon found instead a sign reading "Pool Reserved: Baptism."

However, there was no minister at the service and no baby to christen. The Harvard-Radcliffe Christian Fellowship (HRCF) reserved the pool to baptize one of its members, George A. Baker '76.

The service itself was small and brief. About 15 people stood at one end of the pool while Andrew Wiegand '73 read from the Bible, then several HRCF members took turns leading the group in prayer.

"I have accepted Jesus as my Savior now," Baker said just before he was immersed by Wiegand.

The HRCF has used the Adams House pool for about ten baptismal services this year, Brian M. Emmett '74, a member of the group, said. "We use this pool because the Charles is too dirty and too cold, the IAB is too public, and we can reserve the Adams house pool easily," he said.

Emmett explained that baptism is not a prerequisite for membership in the HRCF, but rather a way for individual members to declare their faith in Christ.

No minister officiates unless one of the members wants one present. "We believe that any mature Christian can baptize someone else," he said.