from EAGLE’S AERIE by James and Barbara Rose
In 1620, 134 passengers and crew arrived at North America, in New England on the cargo ship, Mayflower. They were known as Separatists because they separated from the English church. Before leaving the ship, the men signed the first covenant of self-government, the Mayflower Compact, which states the purpose of their coming: “Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and the advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia…”
There were more “strangers” – non-Pilgrims – aboard than there were Pilgrims – a total of 76 men including crew, 25 women and 33 children. Can you imagine the 102 passengers living, eating and sleeping for over two months between the leaking decks of a 90 foot long by 26 foot wide ship? Only about 50 Pilgrims survived the first winter. Of eighteen married women, only five survived. Of twenty-nine unmarried men, servants, and hired hands, only ten survived.
The First Thanksgiving in America goes back to 1621. But the most memorable Thanksgiving occurred in 1623, when, after two months of drought, the Pilgrims had a day of prayer and fasting to seek the Lord in their great distress. God gave them a “gracious and speedy answer” as “sweet and gentle showers” came which eventually produced an abundant harvest. Thanksgiving for the Pilgrims was a time to thank God for His provision.
FOUR PRIMARY REASONS the Pilgrim came to America:
- To protect their children from degeneracy and corruption of youth in Holland
- To propagate and advance the Gospel of Christ
- To obtain and preserve Religious Liberty
- To be as “stepping-stones” unto others for the performing of so great a work.
“God’s children are like stars that shine brightest in the darkest skies; like the chamomile, which, the more it is trodden down, the faster it spreads and grows.
“The glories of Christianity in England are to be traced in the sufferings of confessors and martyrs in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; and it was under the influence of Christian principles, imbibed at this very period, that the Mayflower brought over the band of Pilgrims to Plymouth . . . We should never forget that the prison, the scaffold, and the stake were stages in the march of civil and religious liberty which our forefathers had to travel, in order that we might attain our present liberty . . .
“Before our children remove their religious connections . . . before they leave the old paths of God’s Word . . . before they barter their birth right for a mess of pottage – let us place in their hands the chronicle of the glorious days of the suffering Churches, and let them know that they are the sons of the men ‘of whom the world was not worthy’, and whose sufferings for conscience’ sake are here monumentally recorded.” (John Choules, Preface to Neal’s “History of the Puritans”, 1731, The Christian History of the Constitution of the United States of America, Christian Self-Government, Foundation for American Christian Education, p. 183)
“The Pilgrim wanted liberty for himself and his wife and little ones, and for his brethren, to walk with God in a Christian life as the rules and motives of such a life were revealed to him from God’s Word., For that he went into exile; for that he crossed the ocean; for that he made his home in a wilderness.” (Leonard Bacon, IBID, p. 182)
“Lastly, our ancestors established their system of government on morality and religious sentiment. Moral habits, they believed, cannot safely be trusted on any other foundation than religious principle, nor any government be secure which is not supported by moral habits. . . . Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens. . . .” (Daniel Webster, IBID, p. 247)
How can we become a thankful people again? Thanking God should be a daily habit not just once a year. A thankful heart infuses hope and joy. We are commanded to rejoice in the Lord always and in everything to give thanks.
“When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which He hath given thee.” (Deut. 8:10)
“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth…” (Ps. 105:1-5)
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which (peace) also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Col. 3:15)
As Pilgrim Governor Bradford reminds us: “Being thus constrained to leave their native soil and country, their lands and livings, and all their friends” . . . These things did not dismay them . . . for their desires were set on the ways of God and to enjoy His ordinances.” “By God’s assistance they prevailed and got the victory.”. . . “All great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be both enterprised and overcome with answerable courages.” “Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, AS ONE SMALL CANDLE MAY LIGHT A THOUSAND, SO THE LIGHT HERE KINDLED HATH SHONE UNTO MANY, yea in some sort to our whole nation; LET THE GLORIOUS NAME OF JEHOVAH HAVE ALL THE PRAISE!”
(Bradford’s History of Plymouth Plantation)
So, give thanks to the Lord, and remember His wonderful works in your life and in the history of our nation. HAPPY THANKS LIVING
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