“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5
As the Pilgrims left worlds known for a new land that was unknown, they did so on a very small ship. In December, they finally decided on a place to start their colony. They debarked at Plymouth Rock on December 18, 1620 and immediately sought God’s blessing on their endeavor.
It had been a long and arduous trip across the Atlantic and they had some births and deaths on board the Mayflower. They landed much later in the year than they wanted to. Captain Jones agreed to wait until spring to return to England so that the Pilgrims could use the ship as a place to live while they built their homes. The sailors were not excited about this and Jones almost had a mutiny on his hands but his word stood.
The first building they built was their meeting house.
This would also serve for a communal living area as they built the homes. They tried to quickly get the meeting house built and then started on the homes. Each family took in at least one single person so this lessoned the amount of homes needed to be built.
That first winter many died of disease and starvation. Forty-one of the 102 passengers, in fact, did not survive through the first winter.
Seeing Indians here and there, they decided to make a peace treaty with them. This became crucial for their survival as the Indians taught them how to survive on the land.
While the building was in progress, the men of the colony, signed a very important paper regarding the governance of their new colony. They were on the Mayflower when 41 men signed this governing document. It is called the Mayflower Compact.
This story of the Pilgrims has become central to the history of the birth of our nation.
Not only do they symbolize the resilience of our people but determination to pursue religious freedom. Still today, anyone in any state of our great union can worship any god they desire. Their right to their own religion is not infringed upon. (We must keep it so)
The first year was extremely difficult and I have read many books about it. However, they never stopped worshipping God or thanking Him for His provision. So, at the end of their first year, they got together and celebrated their Savior in a thanksgiving day of worship and food. The Indians came and brought food as well. We don’t know much about that first meal of gratitude to God but it is what our Thanksgiving Day celebrations are now based upon.
God started this great land on Christian principles and in the face of hardship these Christian people did not waver. The song that comes to mind is “Like A River Glorious”. Part of this song says, “stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed…” They didn’t ask for rich coffers of money or things but they asked for strength, help and peace to worship and God richly provided those.
I am grateful, today, for our Pilgrim ancestors and what they sacrificed for us to be able to enjoy the freedoms we do today.