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Gerburts und Taufschein (Birth and Baptismal Certificate)

Gerburts und Taufschein (Birth and Baptismal Certificate)

Printer: Lutz & Scheffer (American (Harrisburg, PA), 1849 - 1850)

Publisher: Lutz & Scheffer (American (Harrisburg, PA), 1849 - 1850)

Made for: Ammon K. Griesemer (American (Reading, PA), 1848 - 1910)

Date: 1848
Medium: letterpress, wood engraving with hand lettering in watercolor and ink on paper
Dimensions:
Sheet: 16 13/16 x 12 1/2 in. (42.7 x 31.8 cm)
Credit Line:Gift, Raymond Heckman
Object number: 1939.70.1

Translation
Birth and Baptismal Certificate.
To both these spouses, namely Jacob L. Griesemer and his wife Cadilla, née Knobb, was a son born into the world, the 28th day of May in the year of our Lord, 1848. This child was born in Oley Township, in Berks County, in the state of Pennsylvania, in North America, and was baptized by Pastor Pauli and received the name Ammon. The Sponsors were: Isaac Kauffman and his wife Lusianna.

[above disciples, in Hebrew]
JHWH [Yahweh]

[in lower center, three columns]
I am baptized in Your name God Father, Son and Holy Spirit! I am counted to Your seeds, to the people that You call holy. I am taken into Christendom, I am rewarded with His spirit.

You have declared me to be Your child and heir, my dear Father. You have granted me the fruit of Your death, my faithful Savior. You want me to dedicate my life to God, Spirit of God himself be my comfort!

My faithful God, at your side this alliance will remain enduring. However, if I overstep it, do not let me get lost! Receive me, your child, in mercy, when I have committed a fall.

[in upper border, four columns]
May my life always be far from all injustice. How could I otherwise be Your disciple, and delight in Your mercy, God.

Whoever violates his neighbor’s rights, thinks maliciously of his harm, hurts his conscience’s duty, and does not honor You, God of love.

Whoever has done damage to others, and could somehow compensate them, but refuses it, will not find mercy before You in judgement.

He cannot do true penitence. Your blessing will not rest upon him, until he has made up for the evil that he has done as much as possible.

[in lower border, two columns]
May neither greed nor poverty lead me away from my duty! See that I am faithful to my duty with each one of my steps.

Blessed is he, oh God, who considers this, and does not hurt others through injustice! You are just, so I may also be; strengthen me in this resolve.

 

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