National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-12-30
PILGRTiT MEMORLfL No. g.

ness, with only here and there small
spots which the Indians had former
" rudely cultivated. The soil was
not fOrtile. No rich mines OF pre-
cious productions, or valuable trade
attracted adventures. They were
left to themselves and to Gods
word, to build houses, clear and
plant fields, organize government
and a church, and devrlope enter
prise, a christian faith and forms of |
worship, dictated by the teachings
of Gods word, b, the tree con-
science and the untramelled iudg- !
mcnts Of men, who, fearing God ard
searching for his will, had twice left
their homes and AL the loved priv
lpges of civilized land, to escape
oppression and the corruption OF
surrounding impietv.
Pastor Robinson had taught them
that they were tC govern themselves.
Some uneasy and troublesome mem
bers of their colony, in their long
voyage, and especially while determ.
lining a spot on which to settle, re-
minded them that organized gov
eminent would he necessary. SO
while lying anchored near Cape
Cod, and before landing, they drew
mp a compact setting forth thei. civ
il rights, and the manner in which
they agreed to maintain them,as fol
lows:
ain the name of God, amen. We
whose names are underWrttcn, the
loyal subjects OF our dread sOvcr-
cign lord, King James, by the grace
of God, of Great Britain, France
and Ireland, King, Defender of faith
&c. Having undertaken for the
glory of God and the advancement
of the Christian faith, and the hon
or of our king and country, voy
age to plant the first colony in the
northern parts of Virginia, do by
these presents solcmnly and mutu
ally, in the presence of God and one
another, covenant and combine our
selves together into civil body pol
itic, for our better ordering and
preservation, and furthcrancc of the
ends aforesaid: and by virtue here
of do enact, constitute and frame
such Just and equal laws, ordinanc
es, acts, constitutions, and Officers
from time to tiine, as shall he thought
most meet and convenient for the
general good of the colony, unite
which we promise all due submls
sion and obedience. In virtue
whereof we have hGrcunto sub
scribcd our names, at Cape Cod
the eleventh of November, III til,
name of orr sovereign Tor! Kins
james, OF England, France and Ire
land the eighteenth, and of Scotland
the fifty fourth, Anno Domini 1920.
Forty one names were undcrwrit
ten; probably all of the adult me-
of the colony signed it. 1t is tn
germ Of the civil government whlcl
has since taken deep root in our sol
and spread wide its branches owe
the American Continent.
The compact signed Ivy the I'll
prims in the cabin of the Mayflow
or, as ia, germ Of civil govcrnmcn
on the territory of the United State
deserves further consideration.
sets forth the character and the pril
ciplcs of our Fathers, and the elc
ments OF civil and church polit
which they and their children hay
succeeded in imprcssng upon III
State and the churches under wlic
we live, and which have made 4
and ours what they are. yet us I,
call the six prominent points III tn
compact, and notice the power an
the results of them on the Chara,
ter of the American people, an
their civil and religious institutions
/. ain the name of God, amer
They began with Il solemn appc
to God solemn recognition
Ills sovereignty over them, and
their power 10 be, their right to 90
crn themselves and others, only
him u, Il according TO his will. II
WAS their habit and their life in .
things. On every new cnIrrni'
every new labor. every new da
they were accustomed TO ask Go,
guidance aud blessing. This urg
them 10 form their character, rec
late their conduct, frame all the
fairs Of social life. state aud chnl,
To meet Coils will. They bclicv
that God had made known His "
IN the Bible, aud would grant {
spirit Of truth aud wisdom TO n