Colossians 2:7 GNT
Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.
I love the imagery of a family tree. It’s my life on display, but what is unseen is equally, if not more, important than the seen trunk and branches. My tree would easily topple but for deep roots provided by my ancestors. I can trace my roots in America as far back as 1713, but I am grateful for the ancestors of others that forged out into a New World long before the 1700s.
Roger Williams was born in London in 1603. Growing up, he was a bright student and had an affinity for learning languages. He also felt a calling to be a minister at an early age. He was granted a position with the Church of England, but he declined, feeling that the Church of England had become corrupt and false. Roger Williams would have certainly studied Matthew 23 during his education. Did he feel convicted by Jesus and his teaching on hypocrisy? Matthew 23:13, “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock the door to the Kingdom of heaven in people’s faces, but you yourselves don’t go in, nor do you allow in those who are trying to enter!” So, Roger Williams became a Puritan and immigrated to the New World aka America in 1630.
After spending time in Plymouth Colony and Boston, he was instated as the Pastor of Salem church. He was very vocal in his opinions, especially in regards to fair treatment of Native Americans. Although his letters stating his objections were burned, I can’t help but believe he would have again thought of Matthew 23:23, “but you neglect to obey the really important teachings of the Law, such as justice and mercy and honesty.” In January 1636, he was exiled because of his ardent and outspoken dissension of the King’s policies, particularly the seizing of Narragansett land without payment. He was offered shelter by the Wampanoags, and spent the rest of the winter with Sachem Ousamequin, known to the colonists as Chief Massasoit.
Feeling that the Puritans were reverting back to the ways of the Church of England, did Roger Willams again feel the sting of Matthew 23:15? “How terrible for you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You sail the seas and cross whole countries to win one convert; and when you succeed, you make him twice as deserving of going to hell as you yourselves are!” So, Roger Williams then set out to create a settlement for those who were “distressed of conscience.” This settlement was known as Providence Plantations. Here he was joined by others that also believed in the defense of Native Americans, anti-slavery, and separation of church and state in civil matters. A prolific writer and using his penchant for language, he penned A Key into the Language of America, an early record of the Native American languages, customs, and spirituality. Eventually, Providence Plantations became the state of Rhode Island.
The exact date of Roger Williams death is uncertain other than early in 1683. Buried on his own property, this founder of Rhode Island was basically forgotten for 177 years. In 1860, residents of Providence, RI, decided their founding father needed a proper memorial. Oral history suggested the location of his grave was in his old apple orchard. As they dug, they indeed found nails, teeth, and a few bone fragments, as well as a root to an old apple tree. Upon inspection, they realized the root had followed the form of Roger Williams. It had curved at the top where his head would have been, then traveled down his spine and split at the hips. It continued to travel down both legs, even bending at the knees before turning up at the feet.
Although there is now a formal monument commemorating the life of Roger Williams, perhaps the most appropriate tribute to his life is the apple tree root that is in the care of the Rhode Island Historical Society to this day. Armed with the teaching of Jesus, he was a man so firmly rooted in his love of God that he faced a new world, exile, and grave danger to stand up for the rights of others. He truly, in life and death, was an example of Colossians 2:7, “Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.”
