The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1902-07-04
1.-THE Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not
want"
FRANCES ADAMSoN.
1.-THE PILGRIM FATHERS-WHERE
THEY CAME FROM AND WHAT
WE OWE THEM


estants who disobeyed its ordinances
or who wished to worship God indie
pendently of the forms and ceremonies
of the established church.
Their preachers were imprisoned;
their sanctuaries broken up and their
meetings disturbed.
Those who wished to reform the
mother church without leaving it were
called Puritans. while those who want
ed nothing at all to do with it were
called Separatists. Driven by this per-
secution to seek a refuge in some for
pie fled with their pastor to Holland,
where they might worship God as they
pleased.
kindly and the Pilgrims took UP their
residence in the city of Leyden. But
the eXiles felt that they were strangers
in a strange country.
Here they dwelt in peace and love
for about twelve years. struggling Wlsh
poverty all the while. But at the end
of that time those who left home IN
the prime of life were getting to be old
daughters had grown to manhood ana
womanhood The younger generation
was beginning to adopt the habits and
customs of the Dutch.
Not only were they beginning to
adopt their habits and customs. ana
even to speak their language, but they
were beginning to intermarry with the
Dutch. Should this go on soon there
would be left no tract of their own ma
tionality. The eXiles knowing this be-
gan to consider how this might be pre-
vented. for they hoped to increase, not
to diminish. and draw other Christians
to them. But how should this be done?
They talked this matter over quietly
and earnestly around their flresldes,
and after much anxious thought about
it. they decided to seek another home
in a distant land. Some wanted to go
to Guiana, some to Virginia. and others
took council of their Dutch friends. who
urged them to go to the new country
After having decided that they would
go to some part of Virginia, they
sought. and with much trouble finally
obtained. through friends IN Engian ma
patent giving them permission to set
tie within the southern company's linn
it's.
The men who were most prominent in
were Reverend John Robinson, the pas
tor. Elder William Brewster. John
Carver and Robert Cushman.
The exiles feared persecution on ac-
count of their religion, even in Viz
ginia They could get no pledge from
| the king permitting freedom or wor-
ship. He merely allowed them to go
unnoticed.
Being people of small means. they
procured money, on very hard terms,
! of certain London merchants, or from
| adventures with whom they formed
| partnership. With this money they
|
and hired the Mayflower. of one hun
| dred and eighty tons.
The Speedwell came to Deli Haven To
| take the passengers on board. Not half
| of the whole number went. as the more
aged and infirm were left behind. This
first party was to be the pioneer COM
| pany.
| land, while BREWSTER took charge OF
the eXiles. or Pilgrims, as they called
! themselves. A fair wind soon brougal
! the Speedwel to Southampton. where
the Mayflower. with other em !: st
August. 1920. the two ships put to, sea;
] Shortly after sailing. = the SpeedWeil
sprung a leak and the two ships had
| to go back to Portsmouth.
The Speedwell proving unseaworthy
| the Mayflower on the sixth of Septem--
Der. sailed alone with a hundred and
| two passengers on board.
| After a long and stormy voyage the
Mayflower came in sight of Cape Cod
on the ninth of November. The Pill
grims now consulted together about
| their destination. for they had not yet
decided where it should be. After some
discussion it was decided to find some
| place near the Hudson river. Accord
| ingly the ship was steered to the south;
but she soon ran among the rocks and
narrowly escaped being shipWrecked.
| The captain then put back into the lit
tie harbor around the cape, and on the
eleventh of November the MayfloWer
| rode safe INTO the harDOr.
| During the voyage two important
| things happened-a child had been born
and there had been one death.
Eagerly the weary Pilgrims scanned
| the shore, which was wilderness OF
| barren SandhillS.
Before going to shore the Pilgrims
| drew up a compact by which they
agreed to be governed. This compact
was signed in the Mayflower cabin,
and they chose John Carver to be their
|
Next they sent out exploring parties
to explore the coast. When the Indians
| saw these men they abandoned their
wigwams and ran away. but later they
returned and attacked these white men.
| but were driven back into the forests.
! They then went on board their shallop
\ to go to another place along the coast,
| where they had been told by their pilot
fhere was a good harbor.
| After encOuntering new dangers they
| arrived at an island. where they landed
| and gave thanks to God for their es-
| cape from the savages and from the
| sea.
| Nearly a whole month had been use
| lessly spent in searching the shores OF
Cape Cod. December was already here.
with its short days and long. weary
| nights.
After further examining the coast
| they made choice of Il hilltop shore:
A common house was first built ana no
| in the same way. The structure was
| simple, but the houses were strong and
\ warm. During the first winter many
| of the Pilgrims died from the lack OF
| good food and clothing.
The Pilgrims were very religious and
| only church members could have any
| thing to do with the affairs of the
community. and it is to them. then,
| that we owe the religious freedom
which we today enjoy.
We also owe to them our independ-
ence. The Pilgrims were very indie
pendent class of people. and this feeling
| of independence descended from father
| to son. until the year ITS we. find the
descendants of the Pilgrims rising and
| throwing off the yoke of England. and
| finally obtaining the much-desired in
| dependence.
| The Pilgrims did not believe in slav-
cry and were opposed to it in every
way. and at the proper time the New
England states took an active part in
| freeing them.
We also owe to the Pilgrims that
steadfastness of purpose and that DOW
| err which was so necessary in making
| the American nation what it is today.
Our idea of town government and dem
ocracy also originated among the Pill
grims In the town meetings. which
| the Pilgrims held in Plymouth. every
| individual had voice in making those
| laws, which he must obey and also in
L