Same date, two New England moments, one hard question: can you force someone into real faith — or scare them into it? On July 8, 1663, Roger Williams's Rhode Island secured one of the first charters on earth guaranteeing full liberty of conscience. On July 8, 1741 — seventy-eight years later — Jonathan Edwards preached the most famous fire-and-brimstone sermon in American history at Enfield, Connecticut. Today's Scattered Moments Almanac holds these two side by side and asks what they actually have in common. Take heart. Notice the scattered moments. Share the grace.

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