3. Providence Plantations Prior to First Charter, 1636-1644: Arrival. Reception by Indians. First deeds to property. Baptism. Early government. Indian troubles. Neighbors at Pawtuxet, Warwick, Portsmouth, and Blackstone. Williams’ first visit to England. First charter. Indian trading-post near Wickford. His first writings.
4. Providence under the First Charter, 1644-1663: Growth of colony. Indian difficulties. Coddington’s claims. Opposition from the United Colonies. Williams’ second visit to England. His writings. Work of his colaborer, John Clarke, of Newport, in securing second charter.
5. Growth, Destruction, and Rebuilding of Providence, 1663-1676: General pre-Indian War prosperity. The Quakers. The debate and Williams’ writings. Indian War with King Philip. Reconstruction.
6. Closing Days and Death of Roger Williams: Official position. Retirement and death. Burial. Later removal of dust.
7. Providence after the Death of its Founder: Commercially, religiously, educationally, and politically. Its glorious share in the Revolutionary War. Its glory among the brotherhood of States. Growth of its ideal throughout the world.
III
The Evolution of the Roger Williams Ideal of Soul-liberty
1. Prior to Days of Williams: The pioneers, the predecessors of Williams, and the continuity of the struggle for soul-liberty among the early Christians. The work of the Anabaptists or Baptists in the Dark Ages in northern Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, and England and Wales. Study their published confessions on the subject of soul-liberty.
2. Contemporaries of Roger Williams: The General and Particular Baptists of England. A consideration of the ideals of toleration, liberty of conscience, and absolute soul-liberty in the settlements of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Connecticut; and the Indian’s position also. Compare all these with the peculiar position of Roger Williams.
3. Successors of Roger Williams: The American Baptists. Study especially the Warren Baptist Association with its committee on grievances. Study the work of the Philadelphia Baptist Convention. Study also the work of the Baptists in other States. Cooperation of Quakers, Presbyterians, and others.