far as the case admitted, he thus evinced an enlargedness of mind, which it is always pleasing to observe in a christian teacher. This event was among the last acts of his life, for he died the following year, 1732, at the age of sixty-six. His remains were laid in his own burial place, at the north end of the town, where a stone marks his grave.

The year following Mr. Brown's death, Mr. Windsor was ordained to the ministry, and continued in that office twentyfive years. He was born in Providence, in 1677. His ancestors came from Berkshire, in England, and from the town which bears their name, situated on the bank of the Thames. Being settled in the pastorship, his sentiments touching the importance of the imposition of hands of course prevailed, and from that time the practice of the church became more rigid. His ministry was long and successful. Mr. Thomas Burlingham, a native of Cranston, was ordained at the same time with Mr. Windsor, and for a while aided him in his work. But a church having been formed in his native town, Mr. Burlingham resigned his connexion here in order that he might labor there the more effectually.

In 1758, Mr. Windsor died, and the following year his son, Samuel Windsor, Jr., was ordained to the pastoral office. He served the church ten

a successor.

years, and then requested them to look out for The number and arduousness of his duties, the claims of his family, and the distance of his residence from the place of worship, were the reasons he assigned for this request. At that time, Rev. Dr. James Manning was officiating as President of Rhode-Island College, which had been commenced in 1765, under his direction, at Warren. It was for several years a matter of doubt where the college would be permanently established, but in 1770, it was determined by the Corporation, that the College edifice "be built in the town of Providence, and there be continued for ever." The removal of Dr. Manning to this town was hailed by the church as a happy event, supposing as they did, that by calling him to be their minister, they would carry into effect Mr. Windsor's wishes. Immediately on his arrival he was requested to occupy the pulpit, and as the first sabbath on which he preached happened to be the day for administering the Lord's Supper, he was invited by Mr. Windsor to participate with the church. Soon after that, suspicions seem to have arisen among some, that Dr. Manning held the imposition of hands rather too loosely, and that he practised it more to accommodate the consciences of others, than to meet the demands of his own. A party of these was soon formed,

with whom Mr. Windsor himself sympathized and acted. Still it was thought by some, that this was only "the ostensible reason" of their dissatisfaction, and that they must have some other one more weighty. This was found in the opposition of Mr. Windsor to the introduction of music in public worship, which it was supposed Dr. Manning favored. On that point the sentiment of the Quakers seems to have prevailed, and singing was discarded, as unauthorized by the New Testament. What diversity of opinion once existed touching a point which seems clear to us, may be inferred from the fact, that in 1691, a work was published in London, by the celebrated Keach, entitled, "The Breach Repaired in God's Worship: or the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, proved to be a holy ordinance of Jesus Christ." In this, the author proceeded to show-what it is to sing that there can be no proper singing without the voice, that the essence of singing is no more in the heart or spirit than the essence of preaching," and to elucidate other points connected with the subject. It is probable that singing was first laid aside in times of persecution, on account of the danger of practising it, and that afterwards it was difficult to revive every where a due sense of its worth as a divine appointment. In regard to this, the

teachings of the New Testament seem to us to be quite explicit, and that the church is left to select her own songs and modes of singing; yet it is worthy of note, that among the Scotch Presbyterians there has been more opposition to the introduction of metrical hymns, than there ever was in this place to the introduction of sacred music into worship. Such discussions may seem fastidious now, but it must be remembered that after Popery had long made void God's word by man's tradition, the spirit which produced a reformation would be naturally characterized by an extreme and sensitive jealousy touching every practice on which the seal of divine authority was not clearly seen.

On

this latter point Mr. Windsor strongly insists in his letter to the church touching the controversy before us, though the stress of his argument is applied to the doctrine of laying on of hands. After a series of church meetings, the whole matter was decided in favor of Dr. Manning, who thence became the pastor of this church, while Mr. Windsor afterwards became the founder of a new church in Johnston, which exists to this day.

For three years Dr. Manning preached to great acceptance, but without much visible success in promoting the conversion of men as sinners unto Christ. But in 1774, one of those wide-spread

revivals of religion, with which the American Church has from the first been remarkably blest, pervaded the town of Providence. Its beginning was obscure, but its end was glorious. At a time when there seems not to have been known among the congregation any instance of attention to the nature and necessity of personal religion, two colored women were made the subjects of renewing grace and were united to the church. Soon afterwards others were awakened, and ere long the truths of religion became the subjects of thought and conversation in almost every family. Although before that time there had been a good attendance at church, yet now the sanctuary was found to be by far too small. In the history of this church, no event had occurred since its formation, which we can contemplate with so much pleasure. It is delightful to place ourselves in imagination amidst the scenes of that year, to picture before us the able and faithful preacher who then officiated here as he stood up amidst the large assemblies of the people who thronged around him, listening as they did to the gospel with intense attention as a message from the skies, the very word of God which worketh effectually in them that believe, to mark the lively interest which was kindled in every bosom and beamed from every eye as one after another came forth" on the side of the Lord,"