ABOUT 300 years ago there were great religious changes going on in England. The English rulers wished to throw off the power of the Pope at Rome, and have an independent church system of their own. This was more for political and personal reasons, than because their consciences were exercised by the truths that had spread since the time of Luther and the reformation.
There were many, however, especially among the common people, who had learned the precious truth about Christ and the way of salvation, since the Word of God had fallen into their hands.
Because they were true followers of God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, they were greatly persecuted by the Catholics, and later by the church of England.
In 1604, when King James of Scotland came to the English throne, there were in England more than 30,000 of these persecuted people.
They were called Puritans because of their desire to live a pure life. Three hundred of the Puritan ministers were silenced, imprisoned or exiled during the first year of King James’ reign. Many of them fled to Holland, to escape persecution. Here they were undisturbed, yet they could not feel that it was home, surrounded, as they were, by another nation.
At this time young America was just beginning to be settled. The Puritans thought they would find in this country plenty of room and freedom, and believed it would be a good place to start a colony.
Accordingly preparations were made and on the 6th of September, 1620, one hundred one (101) of these pilgrims sailed away from Holland in a ship called the “Mayflower”.
For nine weeks they were tossed about on the stormy ocean, but finally reached Massachusetts Bay in safety. Here they landed in the cold November weather, with no homes to go to. But they were brave and courageous, and though many died from the cold and exposure of that winter, not having sufficient shelter, some of them lived to build homes.
Later on they sent for more of their friends in Holland. Year by year others came over, and the colony at New Plymouth grew rapidly.
Many of you readers can trace your ancestry back to these people and be thankful that the Lord spared them to spread His blessed gospel in a new country. Many of them were God-fearing Christians, and it was God’s will that they should come here when they did—where they could worship Him in peace and teach their children all about Him.
It was truly God’s mercy to many individuals and to this great country of America, to send to it such people. Let us thank Him for all His wondrous ways in the past as well as in the present.
ML 11/10/1912