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Brown, Chad

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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a Baptist minister, the ancestor of the well-known family which bears his name in Providence, R.I., was born in England about 1610. He came to America, it is supposed, in July 1638. Sympathizing with Roger Williams in his views on civil and religious liberty, he fled from the colony of Massachusetts, and took up his residence in the newly planted town of Providence. In the early colonial times he was a man of no small influence in the community in which he lived. With four other citizens he was chosen to draw up "a plan of agreement for the peace and government of the colony." For several years this instrument constituted the only acknowledged constitution by which the colony was governed. By the records of the First Baptist Church in Providence, it appears that Mr. Brown was its first elder or regular minister, although for a short time Roger Williams preached for the Church. The Church for more than half a century had no meeting-house.

The tradition is that they were wont "to assemble in a grove or orchard for public worship, and, when the weather would not permit this, in private houses." Mr. Brown's name has been made somewhat memorable in the ecclesiastical history of Rhode Island, from the position which he took in a controversy which seems to have greatly agitated the little state. He maintained very stoutly the obligation of the rite of "laying-on of hands" as necessary to constitute one a member of Christ's Church. This rite, however, has long since, except by a few Baptists of Rhode Island, ceased to be regarded as of divine authority. Mr. Brown died about 1665. His name and influence were transmitted through an honored posterity, which has made itself felt in many of the literary and benevolent organizations of its native state. See Guild, Life of Manning. (J.C.S.)