The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-06-17

for His beloved" was not quite applicable
10 the town which bore IT, IL. should nave
signified THE Lord hath made room Tor
some Of His beloved"
II the description OF the town given by
Rev. Samuel Peters. IL D., in his Life
OF Rev. Hugh Peters" in which he
strangely confounds Rev. Samuel New
man who prepard a Concordance to the
Bible with the famous Alexander Cruden,
the author OF "Cruden's CONCORDANCE was
accurate. the town could hardly be re-
garded as an attractive place OF resi-
dence at that time.
This distinguished divine says: 1T also
was a frontier against the Pequod Indians
at the head OF a creek emptying into
Narragansett bay. where were plenty OF
fish and oysters, on which the settlers
might live and protect Boston, II the In
dians did not scalp them.
This pious clergyman tMr. Newman
with his pious companions, not knowing
their danger. went and formed the settle
ment OF Rehoboth. the site being pleasant
the air salubrious and the prospect hor-
rible."
BY VOTE OF TOWN.
In the new town OF Swansea set apart
from this Baptist colony, (an example
which was followed in the early history
OF western Massachusetts,. only there the
boundary lines were very irregularly
drawn so as 10 include the existing
homesteads OF all Baptist families), the
little church found its permanent home.
and through the vicissitudes OF two hun
dred and forty-two years has. by the
protecting grace OF God. continued TO
this day.
They but1t the rrst meeting house about
three miles northeast Of Warren. and
second one in 1879, near Kelley's bridge.
and also a parsonage for their minister.
Both meeting house and parsonage were
erected by vote Of the town.
DIED IN l6s3.
In the midst OF the peace and property
OF the community, the growth or the
church, the provisions for the education
OF the young. the increasing comfort OF
the homes, suddenly. In 1878, King Phlilp
war burst upon the town.
An historian saws: Swansea received
the frst blow I'm this sanguinary war
Houses were robbed and cattle killed.
Four dnys later the massacre commenced.
Nine OF the inhabitants wer slain and
seven wounded"
Mr.. Myles' house was used as a garri-
son. Assistance arriving from neighboring
towns. the Indians fed. leaving In their
vale mutilated bodies and burning build
ings The families OF the parish were scat
tered seeking shelter in Providence and
Newport
Mr.. Myles found his way to Boston.
where in 1865. two years after the Swan
sea church was formed, a Baptist church
had been organized
with the interruption OF a visit or two
to his brethren In Boston. to whom his
his visits were always most welcome. ana
frequent missionary excursions In the
neighborhood. Mr.. Miles spent the little
remainder OF his eventful and laborious
life with his Swansea church.
He died Feb 3. 1853. at the early age OF
Sc years, having spent twenty years In
his adopted couutry. Such was his learn
ing. his piety, his strength OF character.
his courage OF conviction. his conciliatory
spirit and his willingness 10 suffer for
conscience and truth. that he commended
himself 10 friends and foes alike.
MONUMENT DEDICATED.
Adjournment was taken until 4:30
o'clock this afternoon, when another
meeting was held under the same auspices
in an ancient cemetery located at Tyler's
Point, near Kelly's bridge. Warren river
and near the line OF the Warren and Bris-
tol electrics. where monument was dedi-
Gated 10 the memory of the successful
teacher. preacher organizer, pastor. and
patriot, Rev. John Myles.
Hon Thomas w. Bicknell presided as at
the previous meeting being president OF
the organizations under whose auspices
the meetings will be held.
The dedicatory address was given by
Rev. W. H. Eaton. secretary OF the Mas
sachusetts Missionary society OF Boston.
Vocal music was rendered by well
trained singers.
The monument which is n natural boul-
der Is the donation OF Aired j. Kent OF
East Providence and came from near the
spot where the original John Myles
church was organized in ancient Reho-
both now East Providence II Is inscribed
as follows:
'I62l 1853: In memory OF Rev. John
Myles. founder OF the First Baptist
church in Massachusetts"