230 – Aug 18 – This Day in Baptist History Past

 

First Meeting House

 

They refused to Bow

 

1666 – Thomas Gould, and others, according to the General Court papers of Massachusetts, the Assistants’ Court, decided that Gould and Osborne could be freed, if they would pay the fine and costs, but if they refused, they were to be banished. From the trials of Gould, the First Baptist Church of Boston came into existence. Those who dared unite with that church suffered fines, banishment and  imprisonment. [William Cathcart, The Baptist Encyclopedia, ed. Louis H. Everts ( Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts, 1881), 1:461-62.]  Prepared by Rev. Dale R. Hart – rom623drh2@msn.com