The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-07-29
SIX PRINCIPLE
BAPT|STs HOLD
UNIQUE SERVICE

On the site OF the meeting house In
which their ancestors worshipped from
about 17ls to 1929. worshippers listening
30 the Scriptures read from the identi-
cal copy of the Sacred Writ which Elder
John Hammett used in the old church 16o
years ago. the reader being descendant
of the reverend pastor. and to letter
of "reminiscences from one who became a
church member In the old house. and
still lives. at the age of 101. at yesterdays
Old Home commemorative meeting on the
Old Warwick Six Principle Baptist church
lot In Shawomet
An cpen-sided tent. pitched exactly on
the spot where the ancient church stood.
the temporary pulpit located with regard
for the ancient plan Of the former edifice.
sheltered the congregation OF 100 or so
that gathered morning and afternoon.
The graves OF Elder Manassa Martin and
Elder John Hammett, who died In 2l74
and 1752. respectively, and of the MEM
bers of the Low family, by the generosity
OF a member OF which In 17l6 tho land
for the church was given. are immedi-
ately at the east and north OF the church
site.
The congregation included a consider
able percentage of aged people. and
large number who We're descended from
the ora COiOnldl IdrnlllcS anu Will WHofn
the creed of the Six Principle Baptlsts Is
regarded as family heritage The
Crompton, Mount Olive. Scituate Union
and Knotty Oak churches of that old
Rhode Island denomination were repre-
sented in the gathering.
John l.. Hammett OF Boston came to the
meeting bringing with him the Bible that
Hammett. pastor of the Old Warwick
church used here.
Elder Thomas w. d. Baker OF Arctic,
the elder of the church. conducted the
services. Elder Bowen Sweet led the
singing at the two services. lining out
fashion of olden times. Mr.. Sweet has
opened some 40 annual New England
conferences OF the denomination.
Religious liberty. gs given to Rhode
Island by Roger Williams. was the gen.
eral theme OF the meeting. which was
treated by Elder Charles A. Tillinghast
of Providence. John l.. Hammett of Bos-
ton and other speakers.
The afternoon speakers included Dep
uty Sheriff Franklin b. Ham Of Provi-
dence. who gave the historical address
OF the day; Rev. John n. W. Salisbury
Of Arctic Centre. vice president OF the
Six Principle Conference, who offered
the opening prayer: John L. Hammett
OF Boston who. standing at the head OF
grave Of Elder Hammett, read the Scrip
ture lesson from the old Hammett Bible:
Elder John Willis OF the Mount Olive
church. Kingston: Elder Charles A.
Mitchell. Bethel church. Warwick. and
Elder c. A. Tillinghast. Providence. Most
OF the speakers expounded the Six Prin-
ciple doctrine as laid down In Hebrews.
sixth chapter. An original poem by Mrs.
Thomas L. Pierce was read.
Mr.. Ham traced the the history OF the
Old Warwick Six Principle church from
the deed Of gift ON this hand on which
the meeting OF yesterday was held.
One OF the most interesting features Of
the meeting was the reading by Mr..
Ham of a letter from Mrs. Louise Water
man Carpenter. who was born within
sight of the old meeting house. received
the ordinance Of fellowship at the last
service held within Its walls in 1929. and
who is still living. although lacking but
a few weeks of being 10l years old.
franklin 3. Ham and Thomas l..
Pierce. the committee on the Observance
OF yesterday. when they called on her I'm
Massachusetts, city last week. found her
possessed OF acute mental faculties. un-
impaired memory and eyesight that re-
CURED no artificial aid. She was greatly
interested in the proposed meeting and
would have attended II but for the illness
Of daughter and the fear that the "a
tigue would be too great for herself. Al
though the letter that was read yester-
day was dictated. the signature was in
her own handwriting, and was firm. even
and legible. The letter was addressed
ITO the old friends In Warwick"