The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-11-24


a;sslI 4N ueaied ahkel This charter is
congfhial with the whole Of the civil gov
ernment eaAbIished here by the vcnera-
bic Roger Williams, who allowed no re.
ligious fesfss. and no pre- emi,ence of one
denomination over another; and none
has here been allowed unto this day.
This charter is also congehisl with the
present spirit Of this State, and of this
iown.--Nething here would be more
unpopular than. an attempt to place one
religious sect above another.
: The ancient Baptist Church in this
town never had in it, and probably never
will have in it, any creed but the word
of God; and it is very large and very
fourishing! Of the value OF this spirit Of
religious freedom, no man, perhaps, has a
higher estimation than myself. | abb
hor bigot; and l should be unwilling
toliveamong mcn unwilling that should
think for myself. My sentiments on this
subject (if, indeed, il may be lawful for
a man 10 quote himself) were lately, in
Discourse, which | delivered before the
Bible Society Of this State, expressed in
. the following words :--"Will not Bi6ie
Societies promote religious freedom ? TO
them belong all the varieties Of the Chris
tian denominations; and, however dis
rant in doctrine, in discipline, or afcc-
lion, these denominations, collected in
these societies, seem to forget their party
distinctions and animosities, and tor once
to become friends, brothers, fellow-labor
ers, all speaking the same thing, and all
animated with the same zeal for the cir
culation Of book, the professed ground
ofthe faith and practice ofalI. Is it credi-
table, that these denomination. as soon
as scattered abroad. will now become
enemies and prosecutors, and this too,
on account of that very Book for the cir
culation of which they before had be.
come friends, brothers, fellow laborers? ?
In these societies, | sec great associations
of men, formed, indeed, for different OBJ
jccts, but fitted to fan that fame OF re-
ligious freedom, which warmed the. heart
Of John Carver and his associates, the
first settlers Of Plymouth and which
also warmedthc heart of Roger Williams,
and his associates, the first settlers Of
Providence. God grant that this holy
fame may continue to burn until every
man on earth shall feel il, and until every
one able to read the Bible in his own
language, shall be willing that every 9TH
er should be a discipline OF Jcsus in his
own way !"---" Dcnominational attach
ments, l know, are very natural and,
when kept within the bounds Of moder-
alton, they are very commendable (; but,
whcn carried beyond them, they become
bigotry in its worst form is fury rs
haggard'as the worst of those which flew
from the bDx OF Pandora. -" Religious
bigotry, indeed, ard religious tyranny,
both belong to the sape kennel, and God
grant, that by driving them back to their
native dungeon, Bible Societies may be
! made the means Of accelcrating the pro-
[gress Of that charity, which beareth all
things, belieyeth all things, hopetb all
things, endureth all things These
Thoughts were addressed to a large as
Sembly in this town, and they were well
sisceived.--Hence you may learna little,
Of the sown, and also of me, ard then of
THE CoLLEcE; and this little, l hope,
will not discourage your design Of be-
coming ono of its generous benefaCtors.
= Hoping that you may spend the resi-
ducl Of life in health aud peace, and that,
|if may not meet you on carth, may
|mectyou in Hcaven--I subscribe my.
though stranger. yet, l
tss Your brother.
4 ASA MESSER.
Reverend JS7iiiom yaicAards. ''i ~
"a z. S." This letter, / hope, may be