National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-09-02
Written for the Opinion.
PiigriIH -ueHtOIidi No 4.

ham, about one hundred miles north
aud a little west Of London, and fl
~ miles from the sea. Richard
Clifton was its pastor, John Robin
son its teacher, and William Brews
ter the most considerable private
member. 1t held its meetings at
the pastors house, who entertained
the members with great love and
expense but the arrogance to which
they were subjected was so annoy
inc that the whole church determ-
incd to remove across the sea to
Amsterdam in the Netherlands, for
that liberty Of conscience which was
denied them in their native land
They met with much difficulty in
removing, were harasSpd by soldiers
and some were imprisoned. They
must travel fifty miles by land
They found much difficulty in pro
caring transportation by water, and
a year was consumed before they
got together at Amsterdam. In an
other year they removed to Leyden
"lor better opportunities this was
in 1910. Here they established
themselves rs best they could. and
set up public worship and schools.
Their pastor, Clifton, was left be
hind. Tie old teacher, John koh>
inson, became pastor, "a man of
learned, polished and modest spir-
it," William Brewster became help
er with him in the eldership, man
Of approved piety, gravity, and in,
teglity, very eminently furnished
with gifts suitable to such an Office
He had been employed at Court as
assistant by one of Queen Eliza.
beth'S secretaries who was a rclig
ious and godly man. Brewster was
man Of learning and ability. AT
ter the death of Elizabeth and the
change Of her administration, here
turned to Scrooby, his native town.
and become the leading member OF
Cliitou'S church. This is the man
who come over to plymouth, and
was for many years the chief officer
and teacher of the Pilgrim church.
| AT LeNdcn this Pilgrim band soon
| tlnued divers years in comfortable
condition. enjoying much sweet so
cicty and spiritual comfort in the
ways Of God, living pcacably among
themselves, and being courteously
entertained and lovingly respected
by the Dutch among whom they
were strange ). Yet they took up
thought OF removing themselves to
America with common CONSENT
Morton gives five weighty grounds
for this. L. They had been unable
III ten years to bring the Dutch t,
properly observe the Lords day, o,
religious reforms. and began to de
! SPAR Ct ever doing so. .. AItho'h
many Of their couutrymcu had com,
over to Join them SO that they had
become great congrcgation-tWo
on three hundred adultS-aud 10y
upright and peaceful lives had gain
ed the confidence and respect Of the
strangers among whom they lived
were uuacquainted with the trade
Of the country, their labor was hard
and not largely lcmuncrative, then
estates were spent, and many WcIC
forced to turn back to England, OF
to live very poorly. 3, Many o
their children were compelled tC
such toll that they became dccrcpeo
in early youth, the vigor Of nature
was consumed IN the very bud, and
what WAS of all sorrows most heavy
to he borne, many Of their children
were tempted by the evil examples
around them, aud were drawn awaN
: from their parents, their faith anC
, gOdly life, into eXtravagant and dan
gcrOuS courses. to the destruction
of their souls, the great grief o
their parents. and the diShonor o
= God. !, Their poStcrity would in
j few generations become Dutch, ant
lose their interest in the EngliSl
nation, if they remained where the,
= were. ,, They were urged ON Will
! Il great hope and inward zeal to "a,
t some good foundation tol the prom
/, agaUng aud advancement Of th
gospel.
After much private and publ
! debate, and after solemn days q
Z. humihLjiou, observed both in publ
/, and in private, these reasons pre-
vailed. Some. of course, were +,
luctaut to SO great an undertaking
Some found it difficult to 90 at one
aid so it was agreed that those VII
{ chose, shoUlA 30 and prepare tor I'll
u rest, and that he good pastor sho'
y he with the major part. All unite
= tatcrnally III preparing for the +
mova. \ minority determined
= go III the first colony. Hardly
+" minority, however, of the youn