Callender, John; Elston, Romeo. An Historical Discourse, on the Civil and Religious Affairs of the Colony of Rhode-Island; (Collections of the Rhode-Island Historical Society, Vol. IV.). Providence: Knowles, Vose & Company, 1838. [11104]
Green cloth with an ivy or fern pattern, title in gilt to spine, binding has light wear and stains, but no damage, 8 3/4 x 5 3/4 inches, tight. 272, [2] pages, foxing of varying intensities. Good. Hardcover.
Howes C 74.
Title continues: With a Memoir of the Author; Biographical Notices of some of his Distinguished Contemporaries; and Annotation and Original Documents, Illustrative of the History of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, from the First Settlement to the End of the First Century. By Romeo Elton, M. A., F.S.U.S., Member of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, at Copenhagen; one of the Vice-Presidents of the Rhode-Island Historical Society; and Professor of the Latin and Greek Languages and Literature in Brown University.
A Memoir of Callender, with Notes is pp. 8-44. The Historical Discourse is pp. 47-176, with quite interesting Notes on the Discourse being pp. 177-270.
Rev. John Callender (1706-1748), b. Boston, Massachusetts; d. Newport, Rhode Island). He graduated Harvard in 1723 and that same year he was baptized on profession of faith and joined the First Baptist Church of Boston., where his uncle was pastor. He was licensed to preach in 1727, was pastor of the church in Swansea (1728-1730), and of the First Baptist Church in Newport (1730-1748), the second oldest Baptist church in America.
"In 1739, Mr. Callender published a historical discourse on the civil and religious affairs of the Colony of Rhode-Island, from the settlement in 1638 to the end of the first century, usually known by the name 'Century Sermon.' This is the only history of the Colony or State of Rhode Island, which has been written, and though small, is a noble and enduring monument to the talent and piety of its author. It is written with great fidelity, is distinguished by solid and profound philosophical views, and by an ardent attachment to the principles of civil and religious freedom. It breathes a spirit of candor, impartiality, and enlightened piety, in ever[y] page. Mr. Callender evidently took great pains in investigating the sources from which he drew his information, and his observations on men and things indicate an acute, observant, and reflecting mind." - p. 19.
Appendix contains valuable information, including Biographical Notice of Rev. Thomas Prince; Ante-Columbian Discoveries; Roger Williams - His Address to the Clergy; Deed of the chief Sachems of Narragansett to Roger Williams; Indian Deed of the Island of Aquetneck; Laws of Rhode Island, 1647; Letter from Oliver Cromwell to Rhode Island; Philip's War, 1675; etc.
