The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-03-19


affirmed) with three-corded whip,
giving me herewith thirty strokes
When he had loosed me from the post,
having joyfulness in my heart and
cleerlulness in my countenance, as the
spectators observed, told the magis-
,ratcs, you have struck me us with roses
nnd said moreover, although the Lord
hath made it easy to me, yet pray God
may it not be laid to your charge.
"After this many came to me re-
joicing to see the power of the Lord
manifested in weak flesh !; bur sinful
flesh takes occasion hereby to bring
others in trouble, informs the magis-
trate hereof, and so two more nre ap-
pretended as for contempt of authority,
their names were John Hazel and John
Spur, who came indeed and did shake
me by the hand, but did use no words Of
contempt or reproach unto any no
man can prove that the first spoke any
thing, and for tho second, he only said
thus, blessed be the Lord yet these
two for taking me by the hand, and
thus saying after l had received my pun
ishment, were sentenced to pay 4Os. or
to be whipt. Both were resolved a.
gainst paying their fine ; nevertheless
after one or two days imprisonment,
one paid John Spurs fine, and he was
released and after six or seven days
imprisonment of brother Hazel, even
the day when he should have suffered,
another paid his, and so he escaped, e.
the next day went to visit friend about
six miles from Boston, where the same
day he fell sick, and within ten days en-
ded his life. When / wns come to the
prison, it pleased God to stir up the
heart of an old acquaintance of mine,
who with much tenderness, like the
Good Samaritan, poured oil into my
wounds, and plnstered my sores but
there was present information given
what was done, and inquiry made who
was the surgeon, and it was commonly
reported he should be sent for, but
what was done yet know not. Now
thus it hath pleased the Father of mer-
cies so to dispose of the matter, that my
bonds and imprisonments, have been no
hindrancc to the Gospel, for before my
return, some submitted to the Lord, and
were baptized, and divers were put up
on the way of inquiry And now boiog
advised TO make my escape by night,
because it was reported that there were
warrants forth for me, departed and
the next day after, while was OIL my
journey, the constable came TO search
at the house where i lodged, so es-
capped their bands, and was by the good
hand Of my heavenly Father brought
homo again to my near relations, my
wife and eight children. The brethren
Of our town, and Providence having ta-
ken pains to meet me four miles in the
woods where we rejoiced together in
the Lord. Thus have / given you as
briefly as l can, a true relation of things
wherefore my brethren rejoice with me
in the Lord, and give glery to him, for
he is worthy to whom be praise forever
moro, to whom commit you, and put
up my earnest prayers for you, that by
my late experience who have trusted in
God, and have not been deceived, you
may trust in him perfectly. Wherefore
my dearly beloved brethren, trust in the
Lord, and you shall not DO ashamed nor
confounded, so ! also rest.
Yours in the bond Of charity.
OBADIAH Holmes"
GFSoon after Mr. Holmes returned
from Boston, he removed to Newport
where he purchased and settled on an es-
tate in that Fart ofthe town, now middle
town, whichis still owned by his descen-
dunis.-He lived to great age and
left a numerous issue. lie took charge
Of the first Baptist church in Newport
us pastor, when the Rev. John Clarke
went to England, in which he contin-