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.

The

That bell was split by ringing in the year 1787, and was afterwards recast at Hope Furnace. 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,

A

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. At 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.

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 earliest

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.

-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.