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John Dexter, Nathaniel Bump, Varnum J. Bates, and Henry P. Yeomans.

In 1838, a baptistery was added, built on such a plan that when it is used, all the congregation can witness the holy rite to which it is consecrated. Formerly the church resorted to the river on baptismal occasions; but the growth of the city has of late years made that inconvenient. When we remember that spacious baptisteries are among the oldest relics of christian antiquity in Europe, we have reason to believe, that the extensive revival of the primitive baptism would give rise to the building of large and convenient baptisteries in all our cities. Many centuries ago, in Pisa, Florence, Rome, and other cities, there was one great baptistery to which all the churches resorted. Nocera de Pagani, near Naples, there is one which dates its origin back to the third century. These, though forsaken now, or visited only as objects of curiosity, stand there as witnessess of the past, and the testimony which they bear, awakens in our hearts the hope that the simplicity of ancient times will be restored. Ere the lapse of another century, we trust that such means of honoring God's ordinance, will have become common in this country.

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It is but a just tribute which we owe to the memory of a departed friend, to acknowledge our obligations to the Rev. JOHN STANFORD, D. D., for the interest which he manifested in the history and welfare of this church, and the care which he took in arranging our carliest

records. He came to Providence in the autumn of 1787, and supplied the pulpit of this church for one year. The following notice of the invitation which was presented to him, to accept the pastoral care of the church, is copied from the church record, under date of December 31, 1787. "This afternoon, the principal part of the male members of the church and society, attended to the call of Mr. John Stanford, Minister, now of New-York, but sometime of England, to take the pastoral charge of this church and society, for the term of one year." In the evening of the same day, the joint committee of the church and society met at the house of Nicholas Brown, Esq. to report the above call of Mr. Stanford. Mr. Stanford being affected with the unanimity of the church and congregation, declared he had no desire or inclination to take the charge of any church, but would duly attend to their invitation and return an answer by an appointed messenger.

1788, January 1. "Mr. John Jones waited on Mr. John Stanford to receive his answer to the Church's invitation." In his reply, Mr. Stanford said, that he would be willing to supply the church temporarily, but without any expectation of a settlement as Pastor, and that he "would attempt to adjust the scattered affairs of the church, that the people may be better able to settle finally with any other minister whom they might choose." Having fulfilled his design, he returned to New-York, and labored there many years, as Chaplain to the humane and criminal institutions of that city. He died January 14, 1834, in the 80th year of his age. An interesting memoir of him, has been written by Rev. Charles G. Sommers.

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191

The following inscription was copied from President Manning's Tomb Stone, April, 1830.

IN MEMORY OF

THE REV. JAMES MANNING, D. D.

PRESIDENT

OF RHODE-ISLAND COLLEGE.

He was born in New-Jersey, A. D. 1738,
Became a member of a Baptist Church, A. D. 1758,
Graduated at Nassau Hall, A. D. 1762,

Was ordained a Minister of the Gospel, A. D. 1763,
Obtained a Charter for the College, A. D. 1665,
Was elected President of it the same year,
And was a member of Congress, A. D. 1786.
His person was graceful,

And his countenance remarkably expressive
Of sensibility, cheerfulness and dignity.
The Variety and Excellence of his Natural Abilities,
Improved by Education and enriched by Science,
Raised him to a rank of Eminence among Literary
Characters.

His Manners were engaging, his Voice harmonious,
His Eloquence natural and powerful.

His Social Virtues, Classic Learning, Eminent Patriotism,
Shining Talents for instructing and governing Youth,
And Zeal in the Cause of CHRISTIANITY,

Are recorded on the Tables of many Hearts.
He died of an Apoplexy, July 29, 1791,
Ætat 53.

The Trustees and Fellows of the College have erected

this Monument.

1793.

192

At a quarterly meeting of the Charitable Baptist Society, held in the Committee Room of the First Baptist MeetingHouse, on Monday evening, December 9th, A. D. 1839, being the second Monday of December, Hon. NICHOLAS BROWN, Moderator,

It was voted, That the Clerk of this Society be requested to enclose and seal a copy of the Rev. Mr. Hague's Centennial Discourse, together with such other documents as the Centennial Committee may direct, and place the same with a suitable inscription in the archives of the Society, to be opened in the year 1939.

A true copy from the records of said Society.

Attest,

GAMALIEL LYMAN DWIGHT,

Clerk of the Charitable Baptist Society.

ADVERTISEMENT.

In order to guard against any mistake as to the date of the formation of this Church, it may be well to state, that the proper time for the celebration of the Centennial Anniversary occurred in March; but by a vote of the Church its observance was deferred on account of the absence of the Pastor, who was then in Europe.

ERRATUM. Of the two or three misprints which may be found in this work, it is not necessary to direct the reader's attention to any except one on page 24-for district, read distinct.

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