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about almost every thing which pertained to improvement in the arts. He died in December, 1785. Mrs. Ward, of Providence, and Mrs. Rogers, youngest daughter of Dr. Gano, are all who remain of his terity.

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NICHOLAS BROWN, Esq. was educated to business from his early youth, and was as distinguished for the exhibition of all the social and mercantile virtues, as he was for his success in commerce. Though "diligent in business," his mind and heart were too enlarged to be engrossed by that alone; he cherished a lively interest in the welfare of his country, the progress of learning and religion. "He was an early, persevering and zealous patron of the college, and a most exemplary member of the Baptist Society. The language of his conduct was like that of the patriarch of old, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." His religious zeal was the effect of a rational conviction of the great truths of the christian revelation ; truths which had been his study for many years, and in which his knowledge was deep and extensive. His awful reverence for the Deity impresssed every one who heard him speak, or saw him write the sacred name of the Great Creator and Governor of the world. It was his custom, and he often desired others, to write it in capitals."

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"He was from sentiment a lover of all mankind, especially of good men. He was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, nor of the poorest of his disciples. His manners were plain and sincere. He was a faithful friend and a good companion, and combining with his

excellent social qualities a general knowledge of the world, of books, and of men, his conversation was always pleasing and instructive."

Being generally regarded as a man of piety, and expressing always his religious sentiments with great decision, it seemed remarkable to many that he should have doubted the propriety of his becoming a member of the church. A high sense of the dignity of the christian profession, connected with an humble estimation of himself, seem to have prevented his taking a step to which his principles and his habits would naturally and consistently have led him.

He died on the Sabbath, May 29, 1791, about noon. On the following Tuesday, his remains were borne to the church, where a funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Stillman. A numerous train of relatives and friends followed him to his grave, in the north burying place, for it was justly said of him, that “as in his life he was universally esteemed, so at his death he was universally lamented." Mr. Brown had followed six children to the tomb, one of whom, Moses Brown, died at the age of 16, just after he had graduated at the College, and had awakened the warmest hopes respecting his future character and life. We are happy to say at this day, that two children yet survive him, Hon. Nicholas Brown, and Mrs. Hope Ives, widow of Thomas P. Ives, Esq.

The last of this excellent fraternity of whom we have spoken, was MOSES BROWN, who lived to the extraordinary age of 97 years, and died on the 6th day of September, 1836. Venerable for his age, but still

more so for his intelligence, integrity, and piety, he long remained among us, the representative of a gene. ration that had passed away. From first to last he exhibited a character formed on the principles of a religion which was his guide in life, and his support in death.

At the age of thirtyfive, Mr. Moses Brown joined the Society of Friends. In doing this, he doubtless fol. lowed his convictions of duty. He ever manifested as became him, an interest in religious institutions, and liberally supported those of the sect to which he belonged. He was a founder and patron of the Yearly Meeting Boarding School in this city, was its Treasurer about fiftythree successive years, and manifested a deep interest in the moral and religious improvement of the pupils.

Like those of his family of whom we have already spoken, Mr. Brown ever cherished a generous interest in the welfare of the community, the commonwealth and the country. Though his disposition and his principles led him to keep aloof from party strife, he never failed to exercise the rights of suffrage whenever he saw any important principle to be involved in the issue. He was engaged with his brothers in active business only about ten years, and as early as 1773 he withdrew from the bustle and stir of trade, to that retirement in this vicinity, which his natural turn of mind qualified him to enjoy. There, living in a style of great simplicity, and maintaining habits of regularity and temperance, he passed through a serene and vigorous old age. His intellect was never impaired, his cheerfulness was habitual, and he maintained until his death a lively

interest in all that was passing around him. A friend of education, of peace, of universal emancipation, and of the spread of the bible, his head, and heart, and purse were devoted to the promotion of these objects.

Note J.-Page 110.

The

When we consider that this house was built while Rhode-Island was yet a colony, we cannot sufficiently admire the enlarged and liberal spirit of the men of those times. In addition to what is said in the discourse, it may be well to mention here, that the lot on which the church stands, bounded as it is by four streets, and enclosed with a picket fence, is 150 feet long on Main street, westward, toward which the house fronts. floor of the Building is laid 80 feet square. It formerly contained 126 square pews, but in 1832 these were taken away and 144 slips were substituted. There are large galleries on the south and north. Formerly there were two galleries on the west; in 1832 the upper one was taken down, to make room for a large organ, a donation from Hon. Nicholas Brown. It is of American manufacture,* and cost $4000. The clock with which the house is furnished, and which cost $125, was presented also by Mr. Brown; and the chandelier which contains 24 lamps, and cost $500, was presented by his sister, Mrs. Hope Ives. The roof and galleries are supported by 10 fluted pillars, of the Doric order. The spire at the west end, is 200 feet in height, and is

* Made by the Messrs. Hook, of Boston.

one of the most beautiful models in the country.

It

was at first furnished with a bell, made in London, weighing 2515 pounds, and upon it was the following

motto:

"For freedom of conscience the town was first planted,
Persuasion, not force, was used by the people;

This church is the eldest and has not recanted,
Enjoying and granting bell, temple and steeple."

This last specification was doubtless made with peculiar emphasis, since in England dissenters have ever been forbidden the use of bell or spire.

That bell was split by ringing in the year 1787, and was afterwards recast at Hope Furnace. The weight of it is 2337 pounds, and the inscription on it is, "This Church was formed A. D. 1639, the first in the State, and the eldest of the Baptists in America."

In June, 1837, a committee was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Pardon Miller, Truman Beckwith, Richard Smith, Asa Pearce, and Amasa Mason, to carry into effect the reconstruction of the Vestry. It was formed anew and made more spacious. It is now 76 feet long and 46 wide, and will conveniently seat 600 people. In this change, particular regard was had to the accommodation of the Sabbath School, which meets there on Sunday mornings, and embraces 440 scholars, and 52 teachers. Mr. Richard Eddy is the Superintendent. Several Bible Classes meet with the Sabbath School. A lecture is held in the vestry on Wednesday evenings. The meetings of the Church are also held there. The Church at this time embraces 561 members, and has five deacons, viz. John Hill,

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