The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-15
RELIGIOUS LIFE.
Topic Of an Interesting Paper
Read Before Veteran Citizens

The regular meeting Of the Veteran Citi-
zens' association was held Yesterday az
ternoon at the Mathewson street NJ. f..
church. After the reading of the records
by the acting secretary. the commit
tees report was read by Mr.. Brown, and
on motion OF Mr.. Rounds, MIR. Gallagher
was elected secretary
Vice President Gammen then introduced
Rev DR.. Henry NJ. King, who delivered a
very eloquent and elaborate historical adj
dress, entitled "The Religious Life OF
Rhode Island as Illustrated by the First
Baptist Church"
Dr. Kings paper was a most interest
ing exhaustive narration OF the rise and
progress OF soul liberty i'm Europe and
America. Long before the Purltans and
Pilgrims, Gov Arnold, Roger Williams
and the revolution OF 1176, the principles
or soul liberty were proclaimed I'm or
about 1877 by the Ana Baptists in Switz-
erland, so clearly and boldly. as TO have
hardly been improved on to this day.
The Ana Baptists were greatly perse-
cuted, and scattered and large numbers
emigrated from Holland, the seat OF
learning the arts and literature, and
other parts OF Europe. To this country
and England. \ hundred thousand emf
grated TO England
And to them England is largely in
debtcd for her great wealth. and her
prominent position la all the mechanical
arts, trades and Inventions as wen as
her learning, culture and literaturc Here.
too, they were persccutcd. and many Rap-
lists. COngregationalists and ChurchInen
emigratcd TO Plymouth, Boston and this
country, the churchmen being changed
by the voyage. and becoming "Separat-
lists on arriving here.
Here also they suffered for their con-
yictions and religious doctrines. Here
Roger Williams came In 1886 and pro-
claimed religious toleration and freedom.
and established church in Providence.
the first being built In 1900 and the next
In l'26. In i1il President Manning came
up from Warren when the r. l. College
was established here, and preached i'm the
present historic church built I'm 1857, and
it greatly prospercd. under his pastoral
care. Or. King gave the names and n
very Interesting history Of the clergy.
aud Of many OF the prominent members
Of the First Baptist church
Ilc spoke ot chad Rrown one of ts
chief beuetactorS, and descendants. Nick
and Nose. Johu and Jose. Of the principal
gifts of Nicholas to- the college. its name
being changed to Browu University. and
thought that probably no family had con.
tribuied moro largely than the Brown
family Go the benefit of the state, the
last splendid munincence being the gift
OF John Nicholas Brown. the beautiful
city public library building
Ia closing. he alluded. hopefully and re.
joicingly. to the answering LOYALTY and
fidelity of the First Baptist mother
church, TO the glorious principles ana
creed, So boldly announced and cham
pioned by the founders Of Soul Liberty "
nearly four centuries ago. 10y the lovers
Of freedom iu Holland. and in the liberty
loving mountains Of Switzerland.
Aftcr the address remarks We're made
by Messrs Cook. stone. Gallrrler and
Arnold. Mr. Arnold moved vote ~
thanks to me speaker Mr. Foster ased
- years was able to be present
Mr Samuel Boyd was elected = mem.
ber Mr. Arnold stated that at tho next
meeting hls recent address would be dis
irihWcd Co the members. After remarks
by the president the association adj
iourued.