USA > Rhode Island > History of Rhode Island > Part 30
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Since the Revolutionary war, the Society has decreased in Newport, and on the Island. There are, however, a respecta- ble number, who meet, both at Newport and at Portsmouth, . and hold regular meetings in the middle of the week, on Thursdays and Sundays.
Previous to the war of the Revolution, their meeting house was well filled, above and below ; but at that time many of its most wealthy members removed to other places, and never re- turned-and it is now remarked that there are but few settle- ments of Friends in the State of New York, or in Vermont, where the seed of Rhode Island is not to be found. And it is now easily shown, that within forty years, more of this Society have removed from the Island, than now dwell upon it.
This Society, at one period of the settlement, say from 1660 to 1760, was very influential in the government of the Colony. A large proportion of its Governors and other officers, were of that denomination. Among whom may be enumerated Wm. Coddington, Nicholas Easton, John Easton, Walter Clarke, and Henry Bull, who died the last of the first settlers; and John Wanton, Gideon Wanton, and Governor Hopkins, were all members of the Society.
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
SABBATTARIAN, OR SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was constituted in 1671. Several members of Mr. Clarke's church, entertaining conscientious scruples in re- gard to keeping the first day of the week as the Christian Sab- bath, withdrew from the fellowship of that church, and organ- ized themselves into a church, with Mr. William Hiscox as their leader. He died May 24, 1704, in the 66th year of his age. The second pastor of this church was Rev. William Gibson, of London. He died March 12th, 1717, aged seventy-nine.
He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Crandall, who died in 1737.
Their next pastor was Rev. Joseph Maxson, who was ordained as an Evangelist at Newport, Oct. 8th, 1732, and preached alternately at Newport and Westerly, serving the church with great faithfulness until his death, which occurred in September, 1748.
Elder John Maxson was the fifth pastor of this church, from the year 1754 until his death, in March, 1778.
Mr. Ebenezer David, who was converted in Brown Univer- sity, during his collegiate course of study, became a member of this church, and was ordained May 31, 1775. He accepted a place of chaplain in the army, in which office he died, near Philadelphia, March 19th, 1778.
Mr. William Bliss became their next pastor. He was admit- ted as a member of the church, June 7th, 1764, and was or- dained an evangelist at Hopkinton, Dec. 7th, 1779, and was installed pastor of this church, Dec. 25th, 1780. He con- tinued faithfully to discharge the duties of his office until his death, which occurred May 4th, 1808, aged eighty-one years.
Elder Bliss owned a farm at " Green-End," where he resided. His second wife was the sister of Gov. Ward. The relation- ship of the people of the Island, either by blood or marriage, is quite remarkable, when the matter is investigated. They seem to be one family. Elder Bliss was a fine sportsman, and the neighborhood where he resided furnished much game at that period. The precision with which he took aim, and his great success, led the British, who were often present to witness his skill, to think they had a formidable enemy to encounter in the
بل ال العاب لحد والأملاك -
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SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST CHURCH.
Yankees. His remains lay buried in the family burial ground at Green-End.
On the Bliss farm are excavations, known as the " Bliss Mines." Tradition says " it was the work of money diggers," who believed that treasure was hidden there. Of their success we have no means of knowing. It was a judicious remark of an eminent professor, that " the most gold lay under the ploughshare." Some of late have attempted to invest these subterraneous passages with the marvellous, in order to excite interest in the minds of the credu- lous and unsuspecting. They suggest that it was the chosen retreat of the noted Kid, where he deposited his plunder, and its proximity to the ocean rendered it a safe and convenient re- treat from his enemies. This, however, being of recent origin, should be received with caution, as it carries on its front a strong appearance of fiction.
Since penning the above, we have conversed with Captain Jeremiah Bliss, now in the 82d year of his age, (the son of Elder Bliss.) He remarked : " I have often heard my father say that the excavations were made by his father, in the hope of finding treasure, which he imagined was buried there." If there was no tradition on the subject, its first appearance would lead the mind to the belief that it was the work of nature. But on a more careful examination it will be found to have been the work of art, as the drills in the rock are plainly visible. The passage from the " Mine" to Easton's Pond, was undoubtedly designed for a drain to carry off the water. It is, on the whole, quite a curiosity, and worthy of notice for its antiquity, without making it the abode of smugglers.
The last pastor, Rev. Henry Burdick, was admitted as a mem- ber of this body, January 30, 1802, and was ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, December 10, 1807. He continued to labor with them until his death, which occurred October 22d, 1843. Since that period they have had no regular ministrations.
This church, previous to the Revolutionary war, embraced a number of talented and influential men. The Hon. Samuel Ward, who for several years was Governor of Rhode Island, and a member also of the Continental Congress, belonged to this church. But the war scattered them, and greatly interrupted their prosperity. Since that time this church has never been able to recover her former eminence, and for several years past,
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
having but few if any additions, the church has gradually de- creased, so that its present number is but eight, who reside in Newport. Their first house of worship was built at " Greene End," near Newport.
THE MORAVIANS, OR UNITED BRETHREN.
In 1758, the Moravians, or United Brethren, constituted a church in Newport. The origin of this church is as follows :
In 1749, two missionaries, Matthew Reutz, and George Haske, stopped at Newport, on their way to Surinam. While here, they formed an acquaintance with the Rev. Timothy Peckham, a Sabbatarian preacher, who kindly received them at his house, and introduced them to several pious persons, who desired them to preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ. This re- quest was complied with, and at their departure deep solicitude was expressed by their hearers, that a teacher from among the Brethren might be sent to gather a congregation in Newport. These Brethren no sooner arrived at their place of destination, than they wrote to Bethlehem, Penn., and requested that some of the Brethren at that place, if possible, should make them a visit. Soon after two Brethren from Bethlehem made them a visit, and others from time to time, until the constitution of the church, in 1758.
The first pastor of this church was the Rev. Richard Utley.
The second pastor was the Rev. Thomas Yarrell
The third pastor was Rev. Frederick Smith.
These were pastors of the church from its constitution until the year 1765.
The fourth pastor was the Rev. Lewis Rusmeyer, who held this office from 1766 to 1783.
From 1785 to 1802, the Rev. Frederick Smith held the pas- toral office of this church.
The sixth pastor was the Rev. Samuel Towle, from 1803 to 1819. Mr. Towle was a most estimable man ; he was uni- versally beloved by the church and the inhabitants of Newport, and it is a matter of regret that he and his family were not con- tinued here. It was ascertained after he had left, that the. society in Bethlehem would have afforded her aid in Newport,
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THE FOURTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
without his repairing to Bethlehem. The infirmities of age pre- vented his laboring much in the service of Christ; still his pre- sence was consoling, with those of his amiable wife and two lovely daughters, Mary and Louisa, who have all since passed into the eternal world.
His successor was Rev. George G. Miller, who remained with the church but one year.
In 1821, Rev. John G. Herman became the pastor of the church, the duties of which office he continued to discharge until 1823.
The ninth pastor, Rev. Charles A. Van Vleck, served the church from 1827 to 1834.
The tenth and last pastor was the Rev. Charles F. Seidel, who commenced his pastoral relations in 1837. For many years they have been without a shepherd, and the flock has become greatly reduced. But a few are now to be found in Newport, and they have connected themselves with other religious bodies. The influence of this Christian body had a salutary influence on the hearts of the community ; the weapon which they wielded was love, and this alone will subdue the evil passions of man's nature, and fit and qualify him for heaven.
THE FOURTH BAPTIST CHURCH.
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The Fourth Baptist Church in Newport, was organized June 23, 1783. The original members of the church were nine males, and these were chiefly from the Second Baptist Church in this town, who not feeling satisfied to remain in that church, with- drew and formed another.
They believed that " where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty," and hence they thought all Christians were called upon to exhort, and to teach in public. " Also, the liberty and duty to prophesy or exhort, in all or any meetings of the church, was most fully recognized and maintained."
The first ministers of the church were Rev. Caleb Greene and William Moore, who were ordained November 27th, 1796, and were succeeded by John Ormsbee, a member of the Baptist church in North Providence.
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
Mr. Ormsbee was ordained the 14th of September, 1821, and removed to Wickford in 1822. Between this time and 1826, Elder Greene and Elder James Graham, preached with them a short time, the last being invited to become their pastor, but was under the necessity of returning to Beauford, S. C., in con- sequence of the decease of the minister of the church in that place. Mr. Graham was a highly acceptable preacher.
The next minister was James A. Mckenzie, who was or- dained to the pastoral office, August 12th, 1830. Mr. McKen- zie was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Robbins, of Buxton, Me., November, 1835.
This church can now hardly be said to have an existence, no more than the Sabbatarians and the Moravians. It is painful to see churches which have once existed, lose their visibility.
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METHODIST SOCIETY.
Previous to the year 1805, Newport was occasionally visited by Methodist clergymen, having oversight of that district of country in which Newport was situated.
In December, 1805, the presiding elder of this district was pleased to send to this place the Rev. R. Hubbard, who com- menced his mission in the First Baptist meeting-house, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Michael Eddy. Mr. Hubbard continued here two years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Messrs. Mervin, Webb, Frost, and Lambert, when the latter was succeeded by Mr. Webb, who became a Local Preacher, and remained with the church nine years. He was succeeded by Messrs. Mudge, Norris, Puffer, Tucker, Kent, Lord, Jansen, Ely, and Cady.
There is also a small church, of the Methodist denomination, in Portsmouth, in the north part of the island, which has a convenient house of worship, and is regularly supplied with the ministry of the word of life.
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ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
COLORED UNION CHURCH.
In 1824, several individuals of the people of color, among whom was Newport Gardiner, who subsequently died at Li- beria, formed themselves into a religious society, under a written constitution, by the name of the " Colored Union Church and Society, in Newport, Rhode Island." There is also among them a society for promoting the education of colored children and youth, called the " School Friend Asso- ciation," which sustains an instructress the greater part of the year. They own and occupy a very neat and commodious house of worship. Since the purchase. of the house in 1835, it has been raised, and a basement story added, which is occupied as a school-room, &c.
The people of color, in Newport, are a well-bred class, such as you seldom meet with elsewhere.
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ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
Soon after the extensive works at Fort Adams were com- menced, by the United States, in 1825, Newport was occasion- ally visited by a Roman Catholic Priest, to look after the spiritual interests of that class of our population, belonging to the Catholic Church, many of whom had been induced to take up their residence in Newport, by finding employment at the Fort.
The Rev. Robert D. Woodley, a native of Virginia, was the first Catholic Priest that organized a congregation in Newport, for the accommodation of which, he purchased of E. Trevett, Esq., in 1828, the school-house, in Barney-street, where divine service was maintained for several years.
Mr. Woodley resigned his charge in 1831, and was suc- ceeded by the Rev. John Corry, who officiated in that congre- gation, until August, 1837.
In the spring of 1833, Mr. Corry opened a subscription, for the erection of a church, which was commenced the latter part of that same year, and completed in 1836. The house is
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
spacious, and well-finished, and occupies a commanding site at the head of Barney-street. The estimated cost of lot, build- ing, &c., was about $4000; all of which was contributed, and paid by the Catholics, at Fort Adams.
On the 24th of August, 1837, the church was dedicated under the title of St. Joseph, by the Right Rev. Bishop Fen- wick, of Boston, Massachusetts. On the following day, the Rev. Mr. Corry, under whose superintendence the church had been erected and completed, resigned his charge of the mission, and was succeeded by the Rev. Constantine Lee.
The Rev. Mr. Corry, in a letter to the Rev. A. Ross, speak- . ing of the people of Newport, says : " It is but just for me to add, that I have never seen a town in the United States, among whose inhabitants there is less intolerance and religious bigotry. I have for six years been more or less among them, and during that period none have denied me the common civilities of life, because I was a Catholic priest, but always treated me with the greatest respect." And in proof of the practical existence of re- ligious toleration in Newport, he says : " Our church stood for upward of two years with its windows unprotected by blinds, and during that time not one pane of glass was broken."
The high encomium passed on the people of Newport, by the Rev. Mr. Corry, shews the Catholic spirit which exists there, and which is the fruits of the principle of religious toleration established by Clarke and Coddington, which God grant may ever continue to influence the people. The Catholic population of Newport, numbers about five hundred. A very costly edi- fice of stone is now in the course of completion, which will prove highly ornamental to the town.
SECOND EPISCOPAL PARISH.
Early in 1833, the Second Episcopal parish was formed in this place, by members of Trinity church. After the due or- ganization of the parish, and an application of the Episcopal Missionary Convocation of Rhode Island, the Rev. John West commenced his labors as the minister of the parish. On the 17th of March, 1833, public worship commenced in the State House,
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SECOND EPISCOPAL PARISH.
from which the congregation soon removed, to the house of the First Congregational Society, at that time unoccupied. A sub- scription was immediately opened for building a new church, which as soon as $600 was subscribed, was commenced. In June of the following year, the new church was completed and conse- crated. The cost of the building, including organ and furni- ture, together with the lot, was about $17,000. Of this sum about $11,000 was realized from the sale of pews, and the re- mainder by a noble act of generosity, contributed and paid by individual members of the corporation.
The Parish has now a fund of nearly $5000 in pews, and of the hundred and twelve pews in the church, at least one hun- dred of them are sold or rented. At the present date, this parish has been but five years in existence, and the contemplation of its history affords many pleasing evidences that the Divine Head of the Church has poured upon it the continual dew of his bless- ing. Accessions have been constantly made to the church, and on an average, the additions to the communion have been about thirty a year.
The church from its commencement, has enjoyed great do- mestic tranquillity and peace. No unhappy difference of opinions has arisen among them, resulting in unfriendly dissensions and divisions, or anything found on the pages of her history, to tar- nish the glory and beauty of the Zion of God. The congregation is large, and their attendance on the public and social services of the church, worthy of imitation.
This church has engaged in the cause of missions with a liberality and zeal, becoming the dignity of the Christian char- acter, and the magnitude and importance of the great mission- ary enterprise. Their annual contributions for home missionary purposes in Rhode Island, amount to not less than $150, and for foreign missions and other benevolent purposes, their contribu- tions equal, if not exceed that sum.
The present Rector of the church, is the Rev. Mr. Watson, a man universally respected by his parish, and whose labors have been eminently successful in advancing the interest of the Re- deemer's kingdom in the world.
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
EPISCOPAL CHURCHES IN PORTSMOUTH.
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In the year 1834, a missionary was sent by the Rhode Island Convocation, to Portsmouth, R. I. A parish was organized, under the name of St. Paul's Church, and within one year, a respectable house of worship was erected, and with the aid of about $1200 in contributions, from Episcopalians in other places, was entirely paid for. At the same time, a fund was secured in pews for the support of the minister, amounting to more than one thousand dollars. The labors of a zealous, de- voted missionary in that place, have been blessed to the gather- ing of a respectable congregation, and an addition of about forty members to the communion of the church.
The Rhode Island Convocation has contributed towards the support of the minister of the parish, up to the present time, nearly $2,000.
The church of St. Mary's has been subsequently organized in Portsmouth, and a neat and tasteful church of stone erected by the munificence of Miss Sarah Gibbs, the daughter of the late George Gibbs, Esq., an eminent merchant of Newport.
In Middletown, the Third Episcopal Church has been organ- ized, and a neat structure has been erected, called the " Church of the Holy Cross." . Rev. Mr. Williams is the present Rector.
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THE UNITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
An Association of gentleman friendly to Unitarian views of doctrine, was formed in this town, October, 1835. Their ear- liest meetings for Divine service, were held in the State House ; in the course of the following month, they purchased of the Fourth Baptist Society in this place, the church in Mill street. This church had originally belonged to the First Congregational Church and Society, over which the celebrated Dr. Hopkins presided for many years as pastor.
A charter was granted to this Association by the General Assembly of the State, at their January session, in 1836, incor-
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CHURCHES OF THE CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION.
porating them as "The Unitarian Congregational Church," in Newport. Soon after this, the society commenced rebuilding and remodelling the old house in Mill-street, worshipping in the mean time at Masonic Lodge, in Church-street. The work was completed in the Spring of 1836, and for elegance, neatness, and taste in its internal arrangements, is perhaps unequalled in Rhode Island, excepting Trinity church. The new house (for only the frame of the old building had been retained, together with the corner-stone, bearing the inscription, " For Christ and Peace,") was dedicated on the 27th of July that same year. The Rev. Charles T. Brooks of Salem, Mass., was called as the first pastor, in Jan., 1837, and ordained June 14th of the same year. The organization of a church was begun in the summer of 1837. The Communion of the Lord's Supper was first administered on Sunday, October 3d, and continues to be administered monthly.
The Rev. Mr. Brooks married a daughter of the late Benj. Hazard, Esq., of Newport, and continues the able and efficient pastor of this church, respected and beloved for his amiable traits of character, which preeminently distinguish him in the varied walks of life.
CHURCHES OF THE CHRISTIAN DENOMINATION.
There are three churches of this denomination on the Island, -two in Middletown, and one in Portsmouth. The first church in Middletown was organized Oct. 14th, 1828. Their first pastor was the Rev. Harvey Sullings, who served the church with acceptance for nearly five years from its consti- tution.
They own a very neat and commodious house of worship, about three miles from Newport, erected soon after the organi- zation of the Church.
The house of the Second Society stands on the east road, about three miles from Newport.
The church in Portsmouth was constituted Oct. 16th, 1834. Its first pastor was the Rev. Salmon Tobey. His ministry com- menced with this people in April, 1834, and continued for two years, during which time six members were added to the church. .
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND.
His successor in the pastoral office of this church was the Rev. John Taylor. He commenced his labors with them on the 1st of June, 1837. The house in which they worship was erected in 1821, by voluntary subscription, and is called the Union Meeting-House. It is pleasantly located on the east road about six miles from Newport.
FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE.
" The first date upon record of a new meeting-house at Ports- mouth, is of a monthly meeting being held at our new meeting- house 2d month 28th, 1702."
There was a house built prior to this, "which was sold and afterwards converted into a barn." As the records of the So- ciety were mostly destroyed, the exact date of the first house can- not be ascertained.
The yearly meeting formerly commenced at Portsmouth on Saturday, but the change in the mode of traveling has led to the commencement of the services at Newport, as being more convenient for the Society.
CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH, NEWPORT.
In 1847, a portion of the Second Baptist Church seceded, organized a Church, and invited the Rev. Henry Jackson to be- come their pastor. He accepted the invitation, and is still laboring among them. Their place of worship is in Clarke- street, formerly the Second Congregational house, where the late Rev. William Patten, D. D., labored for nearly half a cen- tury.
The spirit which has characterized the various religious bodies on the Island, has been as catholic as could have been expected in the nature of things. It was not to be presumed that where a diversity of sentiment prevailed, there would be necessarily a perfect agreement in all things; but they have rather agreed to differ on non-essentials, regarding practical
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CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH.
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Christianity as the sum and substance of evangelical religion. No where does the character of the Saviour appear more lovely and attractive, than when his divine power was exercised to soothe and mitigate the evils of hunger and nakedness, with all the attendant miseries which flesh is heir to. And the grati- tude which is evinced by the subjects of His compassion, was in some degree equivalent to the sincerity which prompted these humane and benevolent acts. In truth, there is no blessing like sympathy ;
" It soothes, it hallows, elevates, subdues,
And bringeth down to earth its native heaven. Life hath nought else that may supply its place ; Void is ambition, cold is vanity,
And wealth an empty glitter without love."
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LIST OE SUBSCRIBERS.
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The Hon. John H. Clarke, United States' Senator, Rhode Island George B. Holmes, Rhode Island E. Carrington, Rhode Island Thomas Burgess, Rhode Island N. B. Crocker, Rhode Island The Rt. Rev. J. P. K. Henshaw, D.D., Bishop of Rhode Island J. H. Eames, Rhode Island Thomas F. Carpenter, Rhode Island
W. S. Greene, Rhode Island E. Dyer, Jun., Rhode Island. William Grosvenor, Rhode Island J. Balch, Jr., Rhode Island W. B. Burdick, Rhode Island N. Smith, Rhode Island Allen Brown, Rhode Island H. N. Slater, Rhode Island Benoni Harris, Rhode Island R. Newcomb, Rhode Island George Z. Earl, Rhode Island Marshall Woods, Rhode Island
E. P. Mason, Rhode Island E. B. Burges, Rhode Island Thomas Sukill, Rhode Island S. Ang. Arnold, Rhode Island C. G. Dodge, Rhode Island B. J. Brown, Rhode Island R. J. Arnold, Rhode Island James R. Brown, Rhode Island Benjamin Cowell, Rhode Island The Hon. A. C. Greene, United States' Senator, Rhode Island
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