Providence Plantation, as it was called, became a shelter for all who were distressed for conscience sake; and so it has continued to the present time. Rhode Island has no record of persecution in her history. Massachusetts continued to drive out misbelievers. Rhode Island took them in. When Massachusetts was convulsed with supposed witchcraft and the horrors of witch-burning, Rhode Island gave no heed to such delusions. In after years, Roger Williams became the president of the colony which he had founded.
The neighboring states were at that time severely punishing the Quakers with the lash, branding-iron and imprisonment; and they invited Rhode Island to join in the persecution. Mr. Williams replied that he "had no law to punish any man for his belief." He was opposed to the doctrines of the Quakers. In his seventy-third year he rowed thirty miles in an open boat to wage a public debate against them. In this manner, and this only, would he resist the progress of opinions which he deemed pernicious. Thus to the end of his life stood forth this good man's loyalty to the absolute liberty of the human conscience. From the foregoing, we may get some idea of the moral and social condition of England and her colonies during the latter part of the seventeenth century.
CHAPTER XVI.
MODERN ENGLAND AND HER COLONIES.
CONDITION OF ENGLISH SOCIETY—MANUFACTURE OF GIN AND RUM—ORIGIN OF METHODISM—ELOQUENCE OF WHITFIELD—JOHN AND CHARLES WESLEY—REMARKABLE TEACHINGS—ROBERT RAIKES—JOHN HOWARD—WILLIAM WILBERFORCE—MECHANICAL INVENTIONS—GROWTH OF AMERICAN FREEDOM—THREE GREAT BATTLES—COOK'S VOYAGES—EXTENSION OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE—GREATNESS OF PITT—WASHINGTON'S EARLY LIFE—BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
"Westward the course of empire takes its way."
From the first settling of the North American colonies, the relations between Europe and America were such that every great revolution occurring in the parent country had its due effect in the colonies.
In 1688, just sixty-eight years after the sailing of the pilgrims, another famous departure took place from the coast of Holland. It was that of William, prince of Orange, coming to deliver England from tyranny, and give a new course to English history. A powerful fleet and army sailed with the prince, the wicked and foolish King James fled from the people he had so long misruled, and William, prince of Orange, with Mary his wife, were proclaimed joint king and queen of England.