National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-09-23
Written for the Opinion.
PILGRIM MEMORIAL NO. 3.

N England to assist them with ships
and money, and formed themselves
into a stock company, plcdging the
profits of their joint labors for seven
years to repay these merchants
They obtained through friends in
letters patent from King
James, to settle in the northern part
of Virginia.
Before leaving Leydcn, a whole
day was spent, a part Ill receiving
fit public instruction from their be
loved pastor, John Robinson a part
Sin pouring out of prayers unto the
Lord, in great fervency, mixed with
abundance of tears" On the day |
of departure they were accompanied |
by most of their brethren to Delft |
Haven, the port some dozen miles
from Leyden, where the ships lay,
and all things were ready. The night
was spent with little sleep, and much
christian discourse and tokens of
love. The next day the wind was
favorable. They all went On board.
fell on their knees, their pastor lead
ing them, and commencing them to
Gods mercy and protection; with
watery cheeks, mutual embraces,
and many tears, they took their leave
of one another-a last leave to ma
ny of them. This was July ., 1920.
Across the channel at Southamp.
ton they were joined by anothcr YES
sci, and others of their friends, and
the two vesselS-thc Spcedwell and
the May hower-startcd on the me-
morable voAag Their pastor, Rob
insOn, was left behind with the ma
,jor part. He and they hoped in
Gods good time to follow. Many
of them did follow from time to time
till the colony in Holland was ell
tirely broken up. Robinson died a
few years after in Holland, before
his cherished hope was accomplish
ed. William Brewstc elder or dea
con, but never pastor, went Will
them and continued for many year;
the teacher and spiritual leader o
the church, most ably and acceptab
ly filing his Office. Pastor Robin
son sent with them his blessing ant
letter of instruction. He tell
them of his love, his solicitude 70
their welfare, his hope to follow then
and of his confidence in them. IL
cXhorts them to put away sin b.
earnest repentance, to love each 9th
er and avoid giving or easily to tax
offence. lie reminds them that thei
intended course of civil cOmmunit
will minister continual occasion fC
offence, which must be qucnched b
brothcrly forbearance. They wel
to choose their own rulers out ,
themselves, and must not be cnv
GUS of place, but '!chooSc such rs {
entirely love, and will promote Il
common good to yield 20 such Il
due honor and obedience in the
lawful administration, and not to
like the foolish multitude who mo
honor the gay coat than either Il
virtuous mind of the man, or Il
glorious ordinances of Cod Sund
other thin IS he could put them
mind of, but he would not so wro,
their godly minds as to think tn,
needless of them. And thus
closes: "Fare you well in Him
whom you trust, and in whom
trust
With this letter and the farew
of their brethren. trusting in G.,
they put to sea from Southampt
Ausust 9th. In few days,
master of the smaller ship colnpla
ed that she was leaky, and they |
back to Dartmouth and repaired.
hundred leagues ont the secC
time, the same Captain complain
that his ship leaked, and they b
mp again and put in at Plymouth
the sonth of England. Here Il
sent back the fearful, perhaps e
ardly, perhaps treacherous Capt.
with a few Of the weaker and
Jealous passengers, took the mi
part on board the MayiloW cr-
in all, besides sailors--and q
more committed their way To {
Palirey calls their spirit gent
and trustworthy heroism. 1t is
and more. II is christian "a
trusting itself, beyond human
soning, on Gods word and will (;
hcroism Of Abraham, of Jacob,
SEES, Paul, the martyrs; tho here
that does what God requires,
durcs what God permits, SEEK
follow Gods will, and copects
cess through Gods help.