The Amazing Rhode Island Charter In the Rhode Island State House in Providence, framed in an impressive fire-proof, climate-controlled safe in its own individual museum, is housed one of the most uniquely important documents ever produced in the history of the world.
Thomas E Kresal – Facebook
· The Amazing Rhode Island Charter In the Rhode Island State House in Providence, framed in an impressive fire-proof, climate-controlled safe in its own individual museum, is housed one of the most uniquely important documents ever produced in the history of the world. This document granted “a full liberty in religious concernments” to the people of Rhode Island. The Rhode island Charter, sometimes referred to as the Colonial Charter of 1663, was authored and won virtually single-handedly by none other than Dr. John Clarke. This ancient document, beautifully penned on fine parchment, should be studied, modeled, and appreciated by individuals and governments throughout the world. Carved into the marble above the south entrance of the Providence State House are the following words taken from the charter itself:“To – Hold – Forth – A – Lively – Experiment – That – A – Most – Flourishing – Civil – State – May – Stand – And – Best – Be – Maintained – With – Full – Liberty – In – Religious – Concernments.”The previous principals are what Clarke called, “a lively experiment.”By the time 1663 rolled around, Clarke had spent a total of thirteen years as an ambassador sent from Rhode Island. His sole purpose was to persuade the Crown, through much diplomacy and scholarly evidence, that there was a great need for liberty of conscience in the New World.As had been mentioned, in 1652, Clarke wrote his famous book entitled Ill News from New England. In this book he proclaimed the mistreatment of the Baptist brethren in the New World. One popular statement in this book reads as such: “While Old England is becoming new, New England is becoming old.” This burden he carried and this burden he pled until Charles II granted him the charter in 1663.Thomas E. Kresal: Excerpt from “American Foundations LAID BY THE BAPTISTS” by Ted Alexander p. 48-49 Book Available at: https://www.baptist-books.com/products/american-foundations
Recent Comments