Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-07-30

essential. In Leydou the congregation
remained IL years, John Robinson,
having heen admitted in 1915 as a
member OF the Leyden University
pursuing diligently his studies in
theology.
1t ia noticeable that the same toll
Grant and generous welcome was OK
tended to the Huguenot refugees, who
equally found asylum in Holland; and
a declaration recorded by Robinson
contains the interesting historical fact:
Touching the ecclesiastical ministry,
namely, of pastors for teaching. elders
for ruling, and seasons for distributing
the church contributions as also for
the two sacraments, baptism and the
Lords Supper, we agree in all things
with the French reformed churches. !"
But despite the liberty of conscience
afforded by Holland, the English pill
grims were restless until they should
again live under English laws and
that their children should retain the
language and name Of Englishmen.
[Cheers. Their lives. too, were full of
toll. They felt themselves constrained
to live by leave In foreign land,
exiled from home and country, spoiled
of gools. destitute OF friends, few in
number, and mean in condition. They
were undoubtedly in danger of becom-
ing absorbed in the community around
them, of losing their distinctive
church traditions, and believing this,
John Robinson favored the eettlement.
and promoted the plan for their
removal to the new colony beyond the
Atlantic, and measures were taken to
carry il out. He made IL condition
precedent Of the removal from Holland
to Virginia that they should not be
disturbed or injured in their new
homes on account Of their peculiar
religious practices and opinions. Not
without many delays and serious
difficulties was the expedition fitted
out, but finally in August, 1920, the
embarKation of the congregation took
place at Delfshaven. in the Speedwell,
which was to meet her consort. the
port, on September 9th, 1920, the two
little vessels set sail. need not recite
TO you how they were compelled to
return to port because tho Speedwell
was thought to be unseaworthy, and
tho Mayflower proceeded alone, bound
for the Hudson river; but by stross of
weather was forced northward, and with
her 10l passengers, men, women and
children, in stormy weather, made her
landing on Cape Cod on November 9th.
1t wac the intention of John Robinson
to have followed, but circumstances pre-
vented, and his death occurred q few
years after; but iD 1929 his SONS, John
and Scare. with the remainder Of the
Scrooby congregation, joined the settle
ment in America in which his heart
was 80 enlisted, but which he was
destined ever to sec. 1t is clear and
plain to us now that the departure
from England Of this small body OF
humble men was a great step in the
march of Christian civilization.
Cheers. 1t contained the seed Of
Christian liberty. freedom of inquiry,
freedom of mans conscience. Like
to grain of mustard seed, which a
man took, and sowed in his field,
which is indeed the least OF all seeds I;
but when it is grown, it is the greatest
among herbs, and becometh a troe, SO
that the birds of the air come and
lodge in the branches thereof. !"
Cheers.
Little regard had John Robinson for
worldly fortune, fame, or what goes by
the general name of SUCCESS. He de-
duced his duty from the profound prin-
ciple disclosed TO his personal con-
science, enlightened by religion, and
founded on the moral order revealed to
the world by the teaching and example
of the Saviour Christ His simple.
unselfish, courageous life is iIumi-
mated by the principle of his Divire
Maker, and therefore he still lives, and
this is the origin of the editice whose
cornerstone we lay to day. [Cheers. !
In his memorials of Canterbury Dean
Stanley, kindred spirit to John Rob
inson, asks: Had tho great stephen
Langton, the Cardinal Archbishop,
been asked which was most likely to
endure-the Magma Charta, which he
won from John, or the Shrine which
five years afterwards he consecrated in
the presence of Henry III-he would
boyondz all question have said the
Shrine uf st. Thomas. But we see,
what he could not eee-we soc that the
Charter has lasted, because ii was
founded on the eternal laws OF truth !,
Of Justice and freedom; the Shrine has
vanished away, because it was founded
on the passing opinion of the day
because 1t rested in ignorance, which
was gradually dissolving because II
was entangled in exaggerated super
stitions which were condemned by the
wise and good oven in those very
times" Cheers. And the works,
the name, the fame of this simple
pastor OF human flock will endure
and generations yet unborn shall seek
in this church a touch OF his vanished
hand-a scent of his fragrant memory
redolent, as it is, with the sweet odor
of unseltish devotion to the services of
God and loving kindness to his fellow
creatures. Cheers. He had lived moi
quito so years when he was called back
to God, and on March LIST, 1925, he heard
"the one clear call" and as was then
written of him " If other prayers, tears
or means would have saved his life, he
would not have gone hence..'' John
Robinson, minister in Christ, died in
exile and in poverty, and to day two
great nations are represented here in
paying honor and respect to his
memory and moral worth. [Cheers. /
I, His name and character create a tic
between those who feel the kindred,
| not merely Of common language-the
| mother tongue Of both peoples-but
| of the thoughts and feelings Of which
| language is merely the clothing and
tho symbol = [Cheers] and out OF
these thoughts have grown convictions
Of mutual duty from which we cam OF
detach ourselves if We would, and, as
sincerely believe, would not IL we
could. [Cheers. The wide ocean he
never crossed, and what lies between
bis grave and the colony he planted on
l ha 9TH uid hne