NEW ENGLAND---CRADLE OF LIBERTY & BAPTISTS!

Since today is Independence Day in our beloved country, it just seemed that we couldn't overcome the urge to share with you, our family and friends, a bit about the  history which surrounds us as we serve as missionaries here in New England!  We hope you enjoy the narratives and pictures!  But---we warn you---there could be more coming at a later date!!!
From our study of history, we remember that it was in New England that the protests against the tyranny of England came to a head, leading to the American Revolution and our country's freedom from England.  Northborough, Massachusetts, where we are living this year, is only a few miles from Concord, Lexington, and Boston - and so was involved in revolutionary activities.

                                                                   Look at that date!
More important for us, Northborough, MA is the location of the Baptist Convention of New England!  The property includes the Convention headquarters building and the Luther Rice Homesite.  Of course, the importance of Luther Rice to Baptists and Baptist involvement in missions is inestimable!  Luther Rice was born on this homesite in 1783, the youngest boy among nine children.  Many early notables passed through Northborough and by the Rice farm: Benjamin Franklin, John Quincy Adams, and John Hancock, among others.  Particularly memorable for young Luther was the day in October, 1789, when President George Washington passed right by the farm, his coach being led by Luther's father!

Rice was responsible for the first national meeting (Philadelphia, 1814) of "The General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination in United States of America, for Foreign Missions."  Because of his tireless efforts on behalf of missions, Baptists today are heavily involved in mission efforts and mission organizations.  As an outgrowth of his work with mission causes, Rice and the University Board of The General Missonary Convention founded Columbian College in Washington City (now Washington, D. C.), the first class of which convened in the fall of 1821.  Later, because of dissention, unrest, and a stark depression, the college passed from Baptist hands and in 1901 became  George Washington University.  Also as a result of hearing Rice speak later, several men in Kentucky caught a vision and founded Georgetown University in Kentucky.  Even today, the Rice legacy lives on in two institutions which bear his name:  Luther Rice University and Luther Rice Seminary.

Luther Rice believed in missions,
                                       cooperation between churches,
                                       Christian education,
                                       the authority of the Bible,
                                       the power of the Holy Spirit, and
                                       Bible preaching.
                     

                                                     We are living upstairs in this house

We feel honored to be living in this house (c 1911) on the Rice homesite!  The residence, which sits on a hill facing Lincoln Street in Northborough, bears the marker shown above.  The Suite (1st floor) and the Apartment (2d floor) are made available for Southern Baptist missionaries who are temporarily staying in the area, pastors and others looking for permanent housing, or those serving in New England on short-term assignments. We live in the second floor apartment (which includes a loft) - compact, yet roomy.  Come visit!  We have a couple of extra beds in the loft!

                                                           The Rice Cottage
Also next door to us just a few feet away is the Rice Cottage which was the barn, probably originally used as storage for hay, equipment, etc.   It has been thoroughly renovated and converted into housing for the caretakers of the property.

OOPS!   I'm sorry, but somehow I hit the wrong button and displayed this fun photo of a member of our furry neighbor family seen just outside our dining room window!  Just decided you'd like it, too!!!

                                           Now, back to the Rice Story!!!

                                          The Rice Lodge---home to lots of mission teams!
The third building on the property is the Rice Lodge.  This building was once a blacksmith shop, built by later owners of the property.  Inside are remnants of that occupation: the old forge and the large stock apparatus which was used to suspend horses and oxen that were difficult to shoe.  The lodge building now includes a conference room, a comfortable sitting area, a full kitchen, and four dorm-style rooms.  The Lodge can accommodate approximately twenty-five people and accommodates meetings, retreats, and lodging for seminary students, mission teams, and other guests.  It's such fun to get to meet Baptists from all over the country who come to stay for a few days right across the parking lot!  Perhaps you or someone from your church would like to join us some time soon to fulfill a mission need!!!

Below are pictured two fascinating parts of the blacksmith shop (now the lodge) which have been retained:  the forge (left) and the stocks (bottom) where the sign on the wall reads:  "Horses shod in this stock at your OWN RISK"!!!

As you can see, the historic Luther Rice Homestead  and grounds are a beautiful area made possible by monies from the Southern Baptist Convention, North American Mission Board and donations from generous individuals.  However, there are always maintenance needs - preservation, updating, remodeling, etc.  In fact, right now we're looking for a team who would come up to powerwash, do small repairs, and paint the Lodge before Winter 2011 sets in!  Please let us know if you'd like to help or know someone who might like to minister in this way. . .(508) 393-4133 or sherilynbj@gmail.com. 
We are thrilled and humbled to be living on this historic Luther Rice homestead now owned by The Baptist Convention of New England and made available to so many from all over the country who come here to serve the Lord!