The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-11-28
MEMORIAL
TABLET
UNVEILED

An interesting and notable event trans
pired AT the First Baptist church yes
terday I'm connection with the regular
morning service.
II was the unveiling OF the Snow me-
mortal tablet, the gift OF George NJ Snow
OF this city. member OF the church, as
a lasting memorial TO his wife, Emma r.
the parish.
The tablet Is OF bronze. about ga feet
in height by . in width, and Is placed on
the outside Of the front OF the church
facing North Main street. to the right
OF the entrance. The inscription which
the tablet bears is ~ follows "The First
Baptist Church. Founded by Roger VIII
liams. A. u. 1888 The Oldest Baptist
Church in America. The Oldest Church
I'm This State. This Meeting House Erect-
ed \. ID. l775."
Al the close of thel morning service
the exercises attendant on the unveiling
were conducted in front OF the church.
Rev. DR. II. NJ. King. pastor Of the church.
delivered an eloquent address, speaking
In part as follows:
There have been men Of deeds whose
memory IL worthy 10 be perpetuated In
bronze or arble men whose names have
been associated with the discovery or tne
ilustra tion OF gerat principles and deeds
which have been the beginnings OF i'm
portant political or religious movement
and have inaugurated new epochs In the
wbrld'S history. The names OF such men
are written upon the tablets OF the mem
os-y. and the record of such deeds II kept
irnpershable in the annals OF human his
tory. Such a name IL that Of Roger will
lisms. a pilgrim ~ the Pilgrims, the great
apostle OF soul-liberty IN this new world.
the founder OF this commonwealth and
OF this church OF Jesus Christ: and such
deeds are those which he wrought here
In the wilderness. 20 which he was COM
PEELED 10 fee. and wrought In simple faith
in God and honest conviction OF truth. but
with no fsintest dream Of that whereunto
they would grow. deeds which have be-
come immortal as they exerted their de-
termining and moulding influence upon
this expanding republic, its institutions
and It's legislation and which have es-
tablished forever the success OF the live
ly experiment OF a spiritual church under
a government without religious tests, and
I'm which the conscience OF every citizen
is absolutely free. Indeed, IL may be said
that so illustrious has become the name
OF Roger Williams. anc so conspicuous
his deeds that their lines have gone out
through the earth. and their words unto
the end OF the world
I'VE are here as citizens OF this fair
city. which he devoutly named Proyi-
dence in recognition or Gods provdentIal
care over him In his wanderings. and as
his successors in this church OF Christ OF
which he was constituent member and
first pastor. TO give expression. BY tho
erection OF enduring tablets on these
walls. 10 our recognition OF his distin-
guished character and service 20 us and
to the world. our appreciation OF his will
ingness TO suffer persecution for con-
science and conviction and our grateful |
admiration for his courageous LOYALTY to I
truth and freedom
And we are also here to make per- |
and public record OF our graft |
tude to the Great Head OF the church 4
FOR His persevering care over this spirit |
lal organization in the unbroken con-
'inuity OF It's life for cs6 years, and In |
the unceasing manifestation OF divine |
goodness and grace during them all: and |
In sparing to His people this historic /
meeting house through storm and dan
ger for 12s years as the spiritual home
,f nearly four generations OF worship
pers. and the imposing symbol Of Gods
presence In the midst OF human Affairs"
Al the conclusion OF Or. Kings ad-
iress Chester Snow. a son of the donor
,f the tablet. unveiled the latter after
which the choir OF the church sang the l
hymn THE Church's One Foundation"
Or. King then offered prayer and the
service was concluded with the benedic-
ion.