The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-16
VI.

As examples OF the authors singular fairmind-
edness. let us glance at what he says about tho
treatment of Roger Williams and Henry Dunster
by the authorities OF Massachusetts Bay. II 10
pointed ont that when the responsibility came
to rest upon Roger Williams OF dealing practi-
cally in Providence Plantations with disturbers
OF the peace who sought TO make their religious
convictions q pretext for ignoring civil regulA-
lions. thought to DO essential TO the well-being
OF the community. he felt tho necessity OF
guarding against unwarranted and licentious
applications OF the doctrine Of liberty Of con-
science. The statement which he put forth
as TO the Limitation OF this doctrine was
made after many years OF trying expert
ence as Governor and Chief Citizen In
q new colony which, by reason OF the liberal ba-
sis on which IL was constituted. became the re-
sort Of some OF tho most desperate a~gitators
against all civil and religious order. the triumph
of whose principles would have completely sub
verted the basis on which the community was
founded. DIR. Newman recognizes that this view
OF the matter forbids US to censure too severely
the Massachusetts, authorities for seeking to pre-
serve the ecclesiastical and civil order 20 estab-
lish which they had left England, and which
they supposed would DO IeopArded by the tolera-
ton Of such teachings a. those OF Williams be-
fore his Punishment, or those OF the Bap-
lists and QuakerS, which they thoroughly mis-
understood, and which they honestly supposed
to be fraught with the greatest dangers
TO the common veal. WHILE" the author
says. we must accord all honor 70 Roger VIII
liams for advocating liberty OF conscience In all
its length and breadth At a time when he was
almost alone among men OF his class and condi-
ton in g~rasping this fundamental gospel prlnci-
pie, VI must beware OF looking with contempt
on men like Cotton and MAther and Hooker and
Winthrop for following Luther and MelAncthon
and Calvin and KnoX OF tho Reformation time,
and the great contemporary theologiAns OF
Europe, In regarding the doctrine OF liberty OF
conscience as utterly impracticAble, and as
sure TO result in civil and religious anarchy"
The comments on the case Of Henry DunAter
are equally characteristic OF the broad and i'm
partial spirit which peryAdss this book. Henry
Dunster was practically the first President OF
Harvard College. and he ranked with Roger
foremost seventeenth century GntipedObaptists
OF America. The college was only a school when
Dunster assumed the hsadship in l640. and It
was primarily due 70 him that II soon deserved
; higher AppellAtion. some time between lo4s
and 1883 President Dunster reached the settled
conviction that q visible believers only should be
baptized. and he destined 70 the faith that wAS
in him by Withholding one OF his children from
baptism. As might have bsen expected, the
magistrates Of Massachusetts, Bay could not long
avoid taking oOgnizARcs OF the fact that the
President OF ths COLLEGE had turned SntiPedO-
baptist and he was ultimately constrained 70
resign hs position DIR. Newman G~eknowledEos
that 70 have allowed him 70 preach or teach IN
he colony would have BEEN contrary 70 The ESS