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

In part he said:
or the government under Charles II.
Macauley says in c.usic language, 1T
had just ability enough 20 deceive and
,ust religion enough to prosecute The
act OF uniformity Of 1862 dispossessed OF
their parishes. II is said. two thousand
ministers who had been appointed by
Cromwell Presbyterians. Independents
and Baptists alike suffered ejectment.
Then came fresh deportation Of "sifted
wheat TO the shores OF New England.
A TESTER UNDER CROMWELL.
Among those who were driven out by
the cruel act OF uniformity was Rev. John
Myles (often now spelled Miles,. the pas
tor OF a Baptist church in Ilston. in Swan
sea. Wales. OF his early life we know
comparatively little.
He is reported TO have been born at
Newton, in Herefordshire. about 1921,
and to have matriculated at Brasenose
college. Oxford. March lith, 1886. He
vprang from a religion whose soil had
been enriched by the blood OF martyrs In
medieval and later times" When the
young man reached his majority there
seemed however TO be few traces OF
primitive spiritual religion remaining In
his country.
Mr.. Myies not only occupied a benefice
under appointment Of Cromwell. but this
name appears as one OF the testers
Tor triers) appointed under the Act for
the Better Propagation OF the Gospel In
Wales" signed February %. i64s. which
had for its purpose the sitting out Of
corrupt and worthless ministers. and the
furnishing OF betten~Slass for the prin-
cipaliry.
BECAME BAPTISTS.
Somewhere about i645 Mr.. Myles en-
tered upon a new spiritual life. which was
10 be a life OF successful service In the
Christian ministry on both sides OF the
Atlantic. He. and a companion, Mr..
Thomas Proud. went UP to London, where
they had opportunity TO follow the new
light which had come TO them. and were
baptized into the Baptist church in Broad
street then In charge OF William Consett
and Edward Draper.
The Londoners believed that the coming
of these Welsh brethren was a direct and
immediate answer to prayer. for they had
just spent a day in earnest supplication
before God, driven by a sense OF the
spiritual need which they saw all about
them, that he would send laborers into
the dark corners OF the land
Mr.. Myles on returning TO Wales gave
himself unreservedly 10 the work OF
preaching the gospel. and with such
marked success that on Oct. 1. l649, Bap-
list church was organized at Ilston. OF
which he became the pastor. According
to the records which have been preserved.
this was the first Baptist church In
Wales.
CHURCH WITH HIM
Rhode Island. Massachusetts,. New
Jersey. Pennsylvania, Virginia and other
sections were all under immense obliga-
ton to this Welsh influence Roger VIII
liams Of he was a Welshman), John
Mylee. Samuel Jones. Isaac Eaton.
Thomas Griffith. Evan Morgan, Abel
Morgan, Morgan Edwards, Morgan John
Rhys. David Thomas. David Jones. John
williams and others, all OF them worthy
compatriots OF Vavasor Powell OF the
18th century and Christmas Evans OF the
18th. both OF whom fulfilled n powerful
ministry in their native land, exerted an
incalculable influence upon American
Baptists. and IL may be said. upon the
religious, educational and political life OF
this republic. Brown university owes its
existence 10 the Initiative of these Welsh
Baptists.
1t was In 1863 that Mr.. Myles and his
little company of devoted followers came
TO this country. 43 years after the May
after the arrival OF Roger williams.
Whether this company was large or
small. the pastor brought the church
records with him, written. OF course IN
the Welsh tongue This fact has given
rise undoubtedly 10 the prevalent belief
that the church was transplanted bodily.
Very fortunately those records. going
back to ls4s. have been preserved. having
been translated by some unknown hand.
CraA L.
American Swansea Baptist church. and
IN good condition.
CONSTITUENT MEMBERS.
The meeting for church organization
and the declaration OF fe.-owship was
held In the house OF John Butterworth.
Seven persons. whose names are given
In the records. then and there entered
into solemn covenant TO walk together
In the truth and ordinances OF the gospel
OF Jesus Christ, as they understood them.
anenable 10 no human authority outside
Of themselves, ecclesiastical or civil.
recognizing only the Lordship OF him.
who Is Head over all things 20 His
church.
The names OF the constituent members
are as follows: John Myles. James Brown,
Nicholas Tanner. Joseph Carpenter. John
Butterworth, --ldad Kingsley and Ben
1amin Abby.
IL will be noticed that the names OF
the sisters are not given with the names
OF the brethren; yet there were undoub,-
edly wives and mothers. who formed an
active and influential part OF that church
organization
Whoever heard OF a good thing start
Ing in this world. in which consecrated
women did not have a hand? The world
has long given 10 women ample-eEaA4t-
for n frf IT, - q
she had her proper recognition IN all
movements for the moral and religious
progresses OF the world. and It's restora-
ton 10 iis lost fellowship with God.
DESCRIPTION OF TOWN.
II seems that the name ''Rehoboth."
ghich means The Lord hath made room