The First Baptist Church in Boston was born in the midst of persecution. Its first pastor, Thomas Goold was in and out of prison for more than ten years. He was robbed of his home, property and health. He may not have been beheaded or burned at the stake, but he died a martyr, without ever faltering. Upon the death of Pastor Goold, John Miles of Swansea, Massachusetts was invited to become the under-shepherd of the church. He had often preached in Boston, but he refused to leave his responsibilities in Swansea.
Eventually, John Russell, one of the church members, felt God’s call to take up the leadership of those saints, and he was ordained on July 28, 1679. Russell was a man fully acquainted with the responsibilities and dangers of serving Christ in the city of Boston. He had already been arrested, jailed and fined on numerous occasions. He knew that things would not change for the Baptists in the immediate future.
Up until 1679 the Baptist Church in Boston had been meeting secretly and privately. However, on February 15th of that year they met openly for the first time in their own building with Pastor Russell preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. About a year later the doors were nailed shut by order of the government.
In the wisdom and love of God, John Russell was pastor of the church for only one year and five months, but much was accomplished during that time. He died on this day in 1680.
Once again, we need to point out that religious liberty in this country exists because of men like John Russell.