NEW ENGLAND BAPTISTS OVERWHELMINGLY NOT CALVINIST

 In 1729, the following is recorded in Isaac Backus' A history of New-England, with particular reference to the denomination of Christians called Baptists. (chapter IX, page 230-231) Once again, Backus was a Calvinist, so another Calvinist source affirms my belief that Calvinism was not the norm among Baptist as a whole very early in American Baptist history, nor later with the advent of the Separate Baptists. In ALL of New England, there were only three Calvinist Baptist churches according to Backus. The following is taken directly from Backus' history. Read for yourself here .

 

"The doctrine of laying on of hands upon every member, came into the first church in New-port in 1652, and the second church was formed about 1656. Mr. William Vaughan was their first pastor, and continued so until his death in August, 1677. Mr. Thomas Baker succeeded him for a time, and then he removed and began a society in North-Kingston. Mr. John Harden was their third pastor, who died in the year 1700. Mr. James Clarke was the next, who was ordained in 1701, and continued with them until he died, December 1, 1736, aged 87. Mr. Daniel Wightman was ordained a colleague with him in 1704. He was born in Narraganset, January 2, 1668, and died in New-port August 31, 1750. They were well esteemed among their brethren, as faithful ministers, and exemplary walkers; and in January, 1729, when elder Clarke was not able to preach, through the infirmities of age, Mr. Comer was received to preach one half of the Lord's days with elder Wightman, and continued to do so for two years. Their church increased to 142 members, being the largest church then in their colony. They had built the first meeting-house in the colony, in 1707. On June 21, 1729, they had the largest Association of Baptist ministers and churches that ever had been seen in America. The elders present were, James Clarke, Daniel Wightman, and John Comer, of Newport, Jonathan Sprague and James Brown, of Providence, Nicholas Eyers of New-York, Valentine Wightman of Groton, Philip Tabor of Dartmouth, Stephen Gorton of New-London, and Daniel Everet of South-Kingston. Beside whom the elders, Peter Place of Smithfield, Samuel Fisk of Scituate, Joseph Mason of Swansea, Manassah Martin of Warwick, and Richard Sweet of North-Kingston, were in their connexion of churches; and Mr. Comer says, "Each of these hold to general redemption. Three other churches hold to the doctrine of free grace (calvinism). One in Newport, formerly my flock; one at Swan∣sea, Mr. Ephraim Wheason; one at Boston, Mr. Elisha Callender." And these, with one at New-port, and one at Westerly, who kept the seventh day, were all the Baptist churches then in New-England." (parentheses and emphasis mine) The term "free grace" was a common term among Calvinists to describe their doctrine)