Roman colonies on the Rhine, crossed the river, and
invaded the territory of the Franks. Clovis met the invaders near
Cologne. A severe battle followed. Clovis was hard pressed.

[Illustration: THUS DIDST THOU TO THE VASE OF SOISSONS.]

He called upon his gods, but they did not answer him. He saw he
was in danger of being utterly defeated and losing his army.

He had with him a servant of the queen.

"My Lord King," said this man, "believe only on the Lord of heaven,
whom the queen, my mistress, preacheth."

Clovis raised his eyes in hope towards heaven,--

"Christ Jesus, thou whom my queen Clotilde calleth the Son of God, I
have called upon my own gods, and they have left me. Thee I invoke.
Give me victory, and I will believe in thee, proclaim thee to my
people, and be baptized in thy name."

The tide of battle now suddenly turned, the Allemannians were
beaten, and their king was slain.

When his queen had learned of his vow, she sent for the Bishop of
Rheims to instruct him in Christianity. He publicly renounced his
gods, and his people at the same time accepted the queen's faith.

[Illustration: STREET IN STRASBURG.]

Christmas Day, 496, will be ever memorable in Christian history; it
was on that day that the King of the Franks was baptized.

The occasion was one of barbaric splendor, and such as might be
expected of a warlike king in those rude times. The road from the
palace to the baptistery, over which the king was to pass, was
curtained with silk, mottoes, and banners, like a triumphal way. The
houses of Rheims were hung with festive ornaments, and the
baptistery itself was sprinkled with balm and "all manner of
perfume."

The procession moved from the palace like a pageant for a feast of
victory. The clergy led, bearing the Gospels, standards, and cross.
Hymns were chanted, as they swept along. Then came the Bishop of
Rheims, leading the king; after him, the rejoicing queen; and lastly
the neophytes who were to receive baptism with the king.

On the way, the king seemed impressed with the glittering pageant.

"Is this kingdom promised me?" he asked.

"No," said the bishop; "but it is the entrance to the road that
leads to it."

At the baptistery the bishop said to the king,--

"Lower your head with humility; adore what thou hast burned; burn
what thou hast adored."

Clovis was then solemnly baptized, and