and professed his faith in public baptism—to contemplate the fresh springs of spiritual life which were then opened in many a house when the family altar was first erected there, and parents and children bowed together, to worship the common Father and Redeemer in spirit and in truth. The wise men and the busy men of this world may deem the subjects of politics and commerce more fitting themes of popular thought and excitement, yet scenes like those, .which this town then presented, were such as now awaken "joy in heaven among the angels of God."

As the fruits of that revival, one hundred and four persons were united to the church, a generous spirit was fostered in the community, and fresh encouragements were furnished to those, who had already projected the erection of the house of worship in which we are now assembled. That subject was discussed in February, 1774, when, at a meeting of the society, it was resolved, "that all would heartily unite as one man in all lawful ways and means to promote the good of the society, and particularly attend to and revive the affair of building a meetinghouse for the public worship of Almighty God, and to hold Commencement in." It appears from the records that the whole matter was conducted with a high degree of unanimity, zeal,

and promptitude. A committee of two persons, Messrs. Joseph Brown and Jonathan Hammond, were immediately appointed to proceed to Boston, "in order to view the different churches there, to make a memorandum of their several dimensions and forms of architecture." A suitable lot of land was selected and bought, the same month. The draught of the house was made by Joseph Brown, Esq., a member of the church, and Mr. Sumner, who also superintended the building. It was completed and dedicated in May, 1775, on which occasion Dr. Manning preached from Genesis, 28: 17,"This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." While we contemplate with pleasure, the spiritual enlargement with which this church was at that time favored, we have reason to congratulate ourselves that those who erected this house of worship for us, have left such a memorial of their religious devotion, and of taste for architectural beauty.*

The same year in which the foundation of this building was laid, a number of persons belonging to the church and congregation, animated with a desire to provide for the support of the ministry of religion, the education of their

*See Appendix J.

children, and necessary aid to the poor, organized themselves into a body politic for these purposes, and were incorporated by a charter under the

title of the Charitable Baptist Society in the town of Providence, in the colony of RhodeIsland and Providence Plantations, in NewEngland. The charter conferred no power of raising money except by contribution, or subscription; and as the proprietors afterwards agreed to pay an annual assessment on their pews, to raise a regular income for repairs, the powers of the society were so enlarged in 1808, as to enable them to tax their property for this purpose. In 1832, the powers of the society were still further enlarged, so as to enable them to lay assessments on the pews, for the support of the ministry, and for other necessary expenses. This was regarded by some as an infringement on the voluntary principle, but certainly without good reason, since no one was thus taxed except by his own consent.

In looking back to the history of those times, we cannot but regard it as a remarkable and happy event, that this temple was finished and the society so firmly organized, before the commencement of the American Revolution. In 1776, independence was declared, and war proclaimed. In that fearful contest, Rhode-Island acted an important part, and bore her share of

suffering. War is generally regarded as a Scourge, on account of the physical evil which it inflicts; but its moral effects are still more to be dreaded. During that of the revolution, the operations of literature and religion were paralyzed, the church was scattered and the college was broken up. The young men of the former were draughted for the army, and the edifice of the latter was used first as barracks for our militia, and then as a hospital for the French army under Count Rochambeau. For the space of seven years Dr. Manning's collegiate exercises were suspended, but he continued to discharge the duties which devolved on him as pastor of the church, and to these he devoted himself with untiring zeal. He was admirably fitted for that crisis. It was a season of great distress, many families left the town, and from the records of the church in 1777, we see that members of it who were possessed of personal and real estate, were not able to avail themselves of its benefits, and were objects of commiseration. It was the delight of Dr. Manning to aid the needy, and to throw the sunshine of christian sympathy around the path of the afflicted. His knowledge of the world, his courtly manners, his christian meekness, combined with great energy of character, enabled him to move at ease with every class of society, and to promote the good of all. In a

recent memoir, which forms an elegant tribute to his memory by one of our fellow-citizens, it is stated, that "he enjoyed the confidence of the general commanding in this department, and in one instance in particular, had all the benevolent feelings of his heart gratified, even at the last moment, after earnest entreaty, by obtaining from General Sullivan, an order of reprieve for three men of the regular army, who were sentenced to death by that inexorable tribunal, a Court Martial. The moment he obtained the order revoking the sentence, he mounted his horse at the General's door, and by pushing him to his utmost speed, arrived at the place of execution at the instant the last act had begun, which was to precipitate them into eternity. With a voice which none could disobey, he commanded the execution to stay, and delivered the General's order to the officer of the guard. The joy of the attending crowd, seemed greater than that of the subjects of mercy; they were called so suddenly to life, from the last verge of death, they did not, for a moment, feel that it was a reality."*

* John Howland, Esq. President of R. I. His. Soc'y; quoted by Prof. Goddard, in his late memoir of Rev. James Manning, D. D.