The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-07-23
ROGER WILLIAMS.
(Report for Class e. By F. B. T

The birth place and nationality of Roger
Williams, one of the founders of the colony of
Rhode Island. has been the subject Of much dis.
pute. but think it would be quite safe to say he
born in Wales about 1899. 1t is we'll known
that he resided in London during his youth where
his skill reporter won him the patronage of
Sir Edward Coke. through whose influence he was
admitted to CharterHouse in 1921. He passed
with honor from that school to Pembroke College,
Cambridge, where he graduated Bachelor of
Arts in 1927. After leaving the university he pur
sued the study OF law, but subsequently aban-
doned it for theology. He ordained clergy.
of the Church Of England, but soon became
a Puritan, holding very decided opinions. To
avoid persecution he left England for Massachu.
sets Bay where he arrived in 1851. He was i'm
mediately rendered the position of minister of
Boston, but declined on the ground that the mem.
bers of the church were an 'unseparated people,"
who refused to rem ounce communion with their
prosecutors. The next four years of his life were
mainly spent in Salem and Plymouth, where he
devoted his time to not only expounding his
novel opinions. but in industrial pursuits. and
also in acquiring knowledge of the languages.
customs and characteristics of the American ma.
tves. But he early came in conflict with the
thorlties Of the infant colonies by declaring that
the civil magistrates should restrain crime, but
never control opinion; should punish guilt. but
never punish a breach of the Sabbath or other
offenses against God alone. 1t was the desire of
his heart to erase from the statue.book the fel.
ony of non.conformity, and to repeal every law
compelling attendance at public worship. He
strongly advocated the doctrine of sou.liberty,
and asserted that 1.-The doctrine of persecution for
cause of conscience is most evidently and lament
obi tho Cbre+
He eventually banshed for having
preached and divulged divers and
dangerous opinions against the authority
of magistrates. also written letters of defama-
ton both of magistrates and churches" To avoid
beng sent back to England, he took to the wilder
in the midst of winter, and after fourteen
weeks of travelling, in which he suffered the most
agonzing pains from cold and hunger, arrived at
his destination-the home of the Indians. He
received hearty welcome. for his respect for the
rights of others had long since their ad.
miration; and 1.-THE ravens" he says, fed me in
the wderness''-an act which he never forgot,
for all through his long and noble life he ever
their staunch friend and benefactor. He re-
manned with the Indians till spring, when, with
few companions, he founded plantation,
which he gave the very appropriate name of Prov
idence because it would be "a shelter for per-
distressed for conscience" He soon fol-
lowed by others who were prosecuted for exer.
cising the liberty of conscience. and the colony
rapidly grew in population In 1855 he was the
recipient of an Indian deed. which made him the
undisputed owner of an extensive domain but
his generosity knew bounds for he gave away
his lands to those whom he thought were most in
want until he gave away all. Other colonies be.
ing established, commonwealth was built
up where God alone was respected as the ruler of
conscience.
AT time writes Bancroft the historian,
"when Germany was desoa ted by the implacable
wars of religion; when even Holland could not
pacfy vengeful sects; when France was still to go
through the fearful struggle with bigotry; when
England gasping under the despotism of in.
tolerance; almost half a century before William
Penn became an American proprietary; and while
Descartes was constructing modern philosophy
on the method of free refection-Roger Williams
asserted the great doctrine of intellectual liberty
and made it the cornerstone of political consti.
tuition"
The first Baptist church in America was
founded by Williams in 1885, but he withdrew
from it short time after and was never again
connected with any church.
On account of Massachusetts, claiming jurisdic.
tion over Rhode Island Williams, in 1913. was
sent to England to apply for charter. which he
obtained through the influence of Sir Henry vane
While in England he published his key into the
Language of America" and 1.-THE Bloody Tenet of
Persecution" his most celebrated work on the
nature and sphere Of civil government. He re.
turned to this country the same year and all Prov.
idence turned out to welcome the return of its
benefactor To secure more explicit charter he
again visited England in 1861, remaining in Lon
don nearly three years. where he enjoyed the