The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-13
CHURCH "REMINISCENCES.
Venerable Henry A. Rowland Speaks Of
Aud Lang Syne.

At the anniversary OF the First Uniyer-
saIist Church celebration, among the
many called upon to speak was the ven-
erable Mr.. Henry A. Howland, who is now
near his Goth birthday, and who became a
member OF this church In 1929. His re-
sponse was as follows:
SIT Is rich treat for me to be with
yon here today, Mr.. President, and
friends. The minds OF the aged dwell
very much on the past, and to hear REM
iniscent words of the past is always in
teresting to those who have passed
through the times mainly spoken OF.
81 began to hear the words OF liberal
thought in the First Universalist Chapel
on Westminster street, when boy about
Is years of age-was present at the laying
OF the corner stone and dedication.of the
builo ing--saw its destruction by fire In
the spring OF 1925, attended the dedica-
tion OF the second building the same
year, seven months after the first was
burned. The dedication sermon was by
the Rev. David Piskeving, whose minis
try attended, three sermons each Sum
day, through the 13 years OF his residence
here. Great interest was manifested in
the services OF the dedication in Deem
ber, 1926. Through rain and very bad
walking people crowded to the house.
Every space OF standing room was occu-
PAtb, pSicOn1 oh tA4Sh iSct
through the whole time Of the service. 1t
has seemed to me that people appreciated
at that time more than ever the good news
Of the Gospel, having heard but little
preaching except that of an angry God
and the terror of the law. The bright
gilt letters on the front of the pulpit,
God Is Love- must have seemed almost
audacious to those who had heard little
else than the prophecy theology.
"My own tendency TO liberal religion
came from my maternal grandparents,
at whose mansion the Rev. Elhanon Win
chester made his home when visiting
Providence. l suppose he, was about
the first minister visiting here of our
faith to preach in the last century.
A society was forn ed of which Grand
father Colonel Zephsniah Andrews was
secretary, and In the history of the time
i had read OF his representing his society
by fraterpal letter to society in
Gloucester, Mass, whose pastor was Rev.
John Murray. That was the first society
formed about l2O years ago; yours, 20
years ago, the first 10 live.
"May i not say also that j inherited a
tendency to the faith from my paternal
ancestor, John Rowland, of the MAY
Flower, who landed at Plymouth in
1920, believing as do that the Pilgrim
Band remem bered the words of their de-
voted pastor, Robinson, In his discourse
W tncll db lhcJ Ncfc dDOuo W
for the voyage, saying: If God reveals
anything to you by any other instrument
of his, be as ready to receive it as ever
you were to receive any truth by my min
istry; for am persuaded, am very con-
fident, that the Lord has more truth yet
to break forth out of His Holy Word. .
They took in the wisdom of his prophetic
words, new truths did come 10 them and
through them to the whole country; es-
pecially to New England, to Massa-
chusetts, whose governors, statesmen
and people have had leading influence
from their intelligence, their faith, and
righteouness, in the life of the whole
country.
"Let me say word In closing. why i
have not been actively with you in the
past years. Rev. Mr.. Pickering was q
restorationist; j was welded to his views.
The third pastor, Mr.. Balch, did not con-
firm our views OF the Bible evidence, and
a number Of us left 10 attend the Unita-
rian church. Now both denominations
have similar views on future life, with
much less dogmalic teaching.
81 close with more than my ordinary
heartfelt thanks to the trustees and
league for the cordial invitation to be
present at this 18th anniversary and BAN
quet."