Page:History of Barrington, Rhode Island (Bicknell).djvu/154

116 like himself dared the censures and even the persecutions of their brethren, for the sake of liberty of conscience.

The dwellers in old Rehoboth were the nearest white neighbors of Roger Williams and his band at Providence. The Rev. Samuel Newman was the pastor of the church in this ancient town, having removed with the first settlers from Weymouth in 1643. Learned, godly, and hospitable as he was, he had not reached the "height of that great argument," concerning human freedom, and while he cherished kindly feelings towards the dwellers at Providence, he evidently feared the introduction of their sentiments among his people. The jealous care of Newman to preserve what he conscientiously regarded as the purity of religious faith and polity, was not a sufficient barrier against the teachings of the founder of Rhode Island. Although the settlers of Plymouth Colony cherished more liberal sentiments than their neighbors, of the Bay Colony, and sanctioned the expulsion of Mr. Williams from Seekonk only for the purpose of preserving peace with those whom Blackstone called "the Lord Brethren," yet they guarded the prerogatives of the ruling church order as worthy not only of the respect, but also the support of all. Rehoboth was the most liberal, as well as the most loyal of the children of Plymouth, but the free opinions which the planters brought from Weymouth, where an attempt had already been made to establish a Baptist Church, enabled them to sympathize strongly with their neighbors across the Seekonk River. "At this time," says Baylies, "so much indifference as to the support of the clergy was manifested in Plymouth Colony as to excite the alarm of the other confederated colonies. The complaint of Massachusetts against Plymouth on this subject was laid before the Commissioners and drew from them a severe reprehension. Rehoboth had been afflicted with a serious schism, and by its proximity to Providence and its plantations, where there was a universal toleration, the practice of free inquiry was encouraged and principle, fancy, whims, and conscience, all conspired to