also is he the child of God in two traditions. We have examined the doctrine of the Church of Humanity Unchained, as the Church of Humanity Unchained has examined that of Mother Church. We find no irreconcilable conflict between them, and as this child stands heir to high office and titles in both of his worlds, we baptize him here in God's most Holy Name for both Mother Church and the Church of Humanity Unchained.'
He paused a moment, then smiled and turned his attention to the parents.
'Has this Child been already baptized, or not?'
'He has not,' Honor, Hamish, and Emily replied in unison, and Telmachi nodded.
'Dearly beloved, inasmuch as our Savior has said none can enter into the kingdom of God, unless he be regenerate and born anew of Water and the Holy Ghost, I beseech you to call upon God, that through our Lord Jesus Christ, he will of his bounteous mercy grant to this Child that which by nature he cannot have; that he may be baptized with Water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Communion, and be made a living member of the same.
'Let us pray.'
Honor bowed her head, and Telmachi's beautifully trained voice continued.
'Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all in need, the helper of all who flee to You for succor, the life of those who believe, and the resurrection of the dead; we call upon You for this child, that he, coming to Your holy Baptism, may receive remission of sin by spiritual regeneration.'Receive him, O Lord, as You have promised by Your well-beloved Son, saying, ask, and you shall have; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. So give now unto us who ask; let us who seek find; open the gate unto us who knock; that this Child may enjoy the everlasting benediction of Your heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom, which You have promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.'
'Amen,' the response came back, and he smiled, looking directly into the parents' eyes.
'Hear the word of the Gospel, written by Saint Mark, in the tenth Chapter, at the thirteenth Verse.
'They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said to them, Let the children come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, he will not enter therein. And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.
'And now, being persuaded of the good will of our heavenly Father towards this child, declared by His Son Jesus Christ; let us all faithfully and devoutly give thanks to Him, and say,
'Almighty and everlasting God,' Telmachi prayed, joined by the gathered celebrants' voices, 'heavenly Father, we give You humble thanks that You have vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of Your Grace, and to faith in You. Increase this knowledge, and confirm this faith in us forever. Give Your Holy Spirit to this child, that he may be born again, and be made an heir of everlasting salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with You and the same Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.'
Telmachi paused, then beckoned once more. In the Grayson tradition, there were four godparents: two godfathers and two godmothers, and Honor smiled as Elizabeth Winton, Justin Zyrr-Winton, Katherine Mayhew, and Alistair McKeon stepped up on either side of the parents.
'Dearly beloved,' Telmachi said to them, 'you have brought this child here to be baptized; you have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would receive him, would release him from sin, would sanctify him with the Holy Ghost, and would give to him the kingdom of heaven and everlasting life.
'Do you, therefore, in the name of this Child, renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world and all covetous desires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh, so that you will not follow, nor be led by them?'
'I renounce them all,' the godparents replied in unison, 'and by God's help, will endeavor not to follow nor be led by them.'
'Do you believe all the articles of the Christian Faith, as contained in the Apostles' Creed?'
'I do.'
'And will you be baptized in this Faith?'
'That is my desire.'
'Will you obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of your life?'
'I will, by God's help.'
'Having now, in the name of this Child, made these promises, will you also on your part take care that this Child learn the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and all those things which a Christian ought to know and believe for his soul's health?'
'I will, by God's help.'
'Will you take care that this Child, so soon as he may be sufficiently instructed and of an age to reaffirm these vows in his own right, and of his own will, be brought before the Bishop or Reverend to be confirmed by him?'
'I will, by God's help.'
'Oh merciful God, grant that as Christ died and rose again, so this Child may die to sin and rise to newness of life. Amen.
'Amen.'
'Grant that all sinful affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow. Amen.
'Amen.'
'Grant that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen.'
'Amen.'
'Grant that whoever is here dedicated to You by our office and ministry, may also be imbued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded to Your mercy, oh blessed Lord God, who lives, and governs all things, worlds without end. Amen.'
'Amen.'
'The Lord be with you.'
'And with you.'
'Lift up your hearts.'
'We lift them up to God.'
'Let us give thanks to our Lord God.'
'It is meet and right to do so.'
'It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should give thanks to You, Oh Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Everlasting God, for Your dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of His most precious side both water and blood, and gave commandment to His disciples, that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Receive, we beseech You, the supplications of Your congregation. Sanctify this Water to the mystical washing away of sin, and grant that this Child, now to be baptized therein, may receive the fullness of Your Grace, and remain always in the number of Your faithful children; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.'
'Amen.'
Telmachi reached out, and Raoul stirred, rolling his head as the Archbishop took him into his arms and looked once again at the godparents.
'Name this Child.'
'Raoul Alfred Alistair,' Elizabeth Winton replied clearly, and Telmachi bent to the font, cupping up some of the water in his palm. He poured it gently over Raoul's dark fuzz of hair, and the baby promptly began to wail.
'Raoul Alfred Alistair,' Telmachi said through Raoul's lusty protests, 'I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.'
'Amen.'
'I've been wondering what to get Raoul for a christening gift,' Elizabeth III said quietly to Honor as they walked out of the cathedral onto its well guarded front steps.
'You already gave it,' Honor said, equally quietly, turning to look at her Queen.
'I did?' Elizabeth quirked one eyebrow.
