Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-12-26
! X 50 C r. L e ID R ALTON e
OF THE LANDING OF THE PlLGRIMA
s By THE NEW ENGLAND s0cIxgY,e


BY THE NEW ENGLAND socuxy,s sas
~ AT THE ~ NH
: WINSLOW HOUSE, DECEMBER 22d, 1854.
The first Celebration Of the kind on the shores u
80 the Upper Mississippi. y Ns
a large number presemt-Specches, 1odas, &c.
One Of the largest and most interesting gather
ings of the season, took place at the Winslow
House on Friday evening last, in commemoration
of the landing of the Puritans on Plymouth Rock.
Upwards of one hundred and ten persons sat down
to the tables in the Dining Hall, and many more
could not gain ingress, but were obliged to pass
the evening around the festive board in an adjoin-
ing room. .i .}tt. ttl~N lt.t
Music from Hoisington's Brass Bank gave addi-
tional charm to the occasion. We have seldom,
anywhere, met so happy an assemblage of ladies
and gentlemen, who we'll might boast as being the
descendants of those glorious Pilgrim Fathers
and Mothers, who by their intelligence, religion
and virtue have shed halo of glory on the world.
We give below the toasts and report of the
several speeches. o..
Judge Sherburne opened the proceedings by the
following remarks as nearly as we could catch
them from our remote position: owe have met,
Sons ofaNew England, on this, the 22nd day Of
December. to commemorate the landing Of our
Pilgrim Fathers; and while we hold them in fond
remembrance, we would desire to emulate their
virtues. On such ON occasion l am proud to see
so many sons of New England present in " Terri
tory so remote from the spot where their forefath-
ers landed. More proud and happy that the great
truth is demonstrated that the sons and daugh-
tiers of these pilgrims, wherever they may be, are
mbued with their feelings and intelligence. 1t is
we'll that we are here to join in the festivities
of the passing hour. 1t will serve to extend our
social relations and trust that the memory of
those gone from us, whose names we now connect
with this happy occasion, will tend to increase
our social virtues"
Rev. Mr.. Secombe here followed in an eloquent
and appropriate prayer.
The eatibles were now attacked. with vigor and
when justice had been done to the excellent sup
per prepared by Clement Il Parker, the first regu-
lar toast was announced.
LIST. The Pilgrims who landed from the May
flower upon Plymouth Rock.-May their names
and the institution which they founded, be as last
ing as the rock upon which they landed.
Responded to by Rev. Mr.. Neil.
Though not New Highlander, nor the son of a
New Highlander, my heart beats deep and full
response to the sentiment which has been read,
and in appreciation of which this goody company
of the sterner and gentler sex have ass mbled in
this hall.
The Pilgrims of the May Flower who are they,
and what were their principles? Queries thou
sand times asked and as many times answered, but
as oft they have been asked and answered, We do
not tire with the repetition, but the story appears
to our mind fresher, by the lapse of time.
Who were the Pilgrims of the May Flower?
In the rotunda of our Capitol at Washington, a
large, appropriate, impressive painting, the pro-
duction of the gifted Weir of the Military Acad-
envy of the United States, occupies one of the
panels.
The scene represented is the embarkatisn of the
Pilgrims from Delft Haven.
Among other objects is that barque of only
$50 tons burthen, known all the world over, as
the barqus May Flower.
Huddled together ON the deck, are fearful
countenances listening to the parting, faltering
soulstirring benedictions of their venerable pas
tor.
On the 22nd day of December, 1920, we behold
that same vessel in the harbor of Plymouth bay
and those dcbarking and occupying the site Of
the Indian village of Accomack, recognized in the
sentiment as the Pilgrims of the May Flower.
We remember them tonight. Why? Not be-
cause they were rich in this worlds good, clothed
in purple and fine linen. and Jared sumptuously
every day, for sober history doth affirm that they
were not sborn with silver spoons IN their mouths
but were so poor that they were obliged to hire
themselves out for seven years in advance, to a
souless corporation of spectators in London, tc
obtain the privilege of passage to the bowling
wilderness.
We remember them tonight. Not because Of
their connection with the ancient and respectable
nobility of Great Britain.
They ssdcduccd not their birth from loin's en-
throncd, and rulers of the EARTH"
They were generally of the poorer, middine
class, who had been accustomed to live bv the
"sweat of their BROW But we remember them
tonight, for their principles and for the institu
tions which have given visibility of those princi-
piles.
What arc those principles? First.-An abiding
faith in an ovcr-ruling Providence. They held to
no theory of development from some lower Or
der of being which had assembled from an infinite
series Of continually degrading organism. Events
occurred not to them by the operation of hap
hazard or some unthinking law.
The great concave of Heaven was to them, one
great, mild, hear; piercing eye of Jehovah.
Ashley looked up to the nest of the humming bird
they beheld the delicate fngcr-work Of the great
Builder of the Universe; as they looked down up
on the sparrow that had fallen dead to the ground
they felt that that ent was recorded in Heaven by
Him, who considered nothing too triAing for his
notice, not even the numbering of the hairs of Our
head. As they pacel on the deck of the May
Flower during the long passage ami noted tho
cloud sailing in majesty across the armament,
they recognized God as their Pilot, and felt that
he would also be Pilot unto them.
Men with such faith in Him who " clothes
the lilies of the fcld,' were not to be daunted.-
Though their garments as they approached the
Plymouth Coast were over co atcd with the frozen
spray of old Ocean their souls did not shiver for
seraphims had cine into their hearts, with
Goals IN their hands from off the altar of Heaven.
Though reduced to pint of corn, they felt that
God had something in store for them.
They had another distinction, which was, the
most exalted appreciation of the Holy writings.
The Pilgrims were not progressives in the cant