In "American Lit to 1865":
A Letter to the Town of Providence
That ever I should speak or write a tittle, that tends to such an infinite liberty of conscience, is a mistake, and which I have ever disclaimed and abhorred. To prevent such mistakes, I shall at present only propose this case: There goes many a ship to sea, with many hundred souls in one ship, whose weal and woe is common, and is a true picture of a commonwealth, or a human combination or society. It hath fallen out sometimes, that both Papists and Protestants, Jews and Turks, may be embarked in one ship; unpon which supposal I affirm, that all the liberty of conscience, that ever I pleaded for, turn upon these two hinges- that none of the Papists, Protestants, Jews, or Turks be forced to come to the ship's prayers or worship, nor compelled from their own particular prayers or worship, if they practice any. I further add, that I never denied, that notwithstanding this liberty, the commander of this ship ought to command the ship's course, yea, and also command that justice, peace and sobriety be kept and practiced, both among the seamen and all the passengers. If any of the seamen refuse to perform their services, or passengers to pay their freight; if any refuse to help, in person or purse, towards the common charges or defence; if any refuse to obey the common laws and orders of the ship, concerning their common peace or preservation; if any should mutiny and rise up against their commanders and officers; if any should preach or write that there ought to be no commanders or officers, because all are equal in Christ, therefore masters nor officers, no laws nor orders, nor corrections nor punishments; I say, I never denied, but in such cases, whatever is pretended, the commander or commanders may judge, resist, compel, and punish such transgressors, according to their deserts and merits. This if seriously and honestly minded, may, if it so please the Father of Lights, let in some light to such as willingly shut not their eyes.
I remain studious of your common peace and liberty.
Roger Williams
From "Intro To Social Work":
Isaiah 61
1.The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the por.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2. to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3. and provide for those who grieve in Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of His splendor.
4. They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
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4 comments:
Ooh I didn't know you have American Lit. You get to read the Transcendentalists! And Poe! And Hawthorne and Melville.... I hope Moby Dick isn't on your syllabus...
I didn't see Moby Dick... I think we're reading a bunch of short writings. I'll show you when you get up here. =)
Yeah, speaking of which...phone number, please? :)
I love that letter! I love its implicit logic; the way it doesn't force its point down the readers' throats, but still forces the reader to conclude how a Christian aught to behave in government, and the legitimacy of such government.
Here is a similarly styled letter that I also enjoyed.
I didn't know Moby Dick had a phone number.
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