heted or knitted sacks, or dainty bibs--to the baby.

[748 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

The Ceremony.--The baby is usually christened when it is six or eight
weeks old. Clergymen prefer this should be done at the church, and
generally arrange to perform several baptisms at the same time--Children's
Day being a favorite time. Otherwise, the christening usually takes place
after the congregation is dismissed at the conclusion of a service. Only
those interested and a few specially invited friends remain for it. There
is no objection, however, to having a child christened at home, when the
affair is made one of more festivity.

Most young married people prefer to have the clergyman who married them
christen their first baby, when practicable.

Sponsors.--The baby's sponsors are chosen, by the parents' agreement, from
among their relatives and close friends, almost always those of their own
communion. The request is preferred verbally or by personal notes. A boy
has a godmother and two godfathers; a girl two godmothers and a godfather.
Occasionally this rule is broken and a godmother alone chosen for a girl,
and one godfather for a boy. Godparents are supposed to stand in a more
intimate relation to their godchildren than to others, and to take a more
personal interest in them, especially in case of the parents' death. It is
a serious relation, involving a certain religious responsibility, and is
not to be lightly entered into.

The godparents are expected to make christening gifts to the child on his
baptismal day. They are usually in the form of silver cups, porringers,
silver spoons, forks, etc.; these should be solid, never plated ware. If
the babe is named for one of its godparents, the latter is expected to do
something handsome in the way of a christening gift. Sometimes a bank
account is opened in the child's name, the sum deposited being left at
interest until he becomes of age.

Church Christenings.--At a church christening, the babe is dressed in its
handsomest robe and cap. Formerly the robes were very long and miracles of
lace and embroidery; at present the finest of linen lawn or batiste, with
a little real lace at neck and sleeves, and a bit of fine French
embroidery, is thought in better taste, even in the case of the very
wealthy. And many a blessed baby is given his name in a simple little lawn
robe with no embellishment beyond a little tucking--done by the mother's
own hands, perhaps.

The nurse carries