New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-29
TABLET TO PILGRIMS.
Many americans at UnUeiRng of
Memorial at DeIfshaUen.

tercentenary of the immigration TO Holland in
1906 Of the Pilgrim Fathers. the beginning OF the
pilgrimage which resulted in the settlement Of
New England, a bronze tablet, presented by the
Congregational Club of Boston, was unveiled this
evening IN the Reformed Church, at Delfshaven,
I a suburb Of Rotterdam. The tablet commence
rates the sailing from Rotterdam in the Speed
we'll, on July %. 1920 of the first pilgrim COM
pany and gives recognition to the generous hos
pitality extended to the Pilgrims during the
fourteen years of their sotourn in Holland pre-
paratory 10 setting out for New England The
Rev. DR.. w. E Griff1s, OF Boston, delivered the
presentation address. NJ. Van Bentveld accepted
the tablet on behalf OF Delfshaven- Many Amer
leans were present at the ceremony.
DR.. Griff1s said IN part
They who admire Pilgrim principles marx
with historic memorial the three homes and
me stations of the journey made byethese bear
ers or the divine fire They feel tied in a
strict obligation" because the Pilgrims them
selves taught the lesson set the example and
gave the mandate TO be grateful for all kind
nesses shown the eXiles who found a homo
IN hospitable Holland: yes, and TO all who
gave them courteous entreaty." As guests at
the table of freedom spread by the Dutch re-
public the Pilgrims sat
1t was In this spirit that the members of the
Boston Congregational Club voted to rear at
Delftshaven some durable token OF both hosts
ana guests 1t is in recognition of Dutch
hospitality" that we to-day carry out their pur-
pose 10 record the gratitude of later generations
FOR kindness long ago shown 70 the fathers
Nor is such an idea-that the first founders
OF New England enjoyed a home and found a
good home-a notion. Of yesterday, after
memory and OF oratory. Mol We have the
written word, the ancient scripture of 1927 even
or one who was with the Pilgrim company in
poyhocd, shared its yicissitudes by land and
sea- spoke and wrote both Dutch and English
while knowing the hearts OF men and what
false profession and true averment were. It
IN fNTVn rrz7 SIoNh
missive, March 8, 1927, in response TO the '1et-
tiers and messengers from We Dutch planta-
tons" on Manhattan Island, inviting friendship
and cooperation with the Plymouth colony in
America; the translation from his own Dutch
is also his own. and is as follows:
Now, forasmuch as this is sufficient 20
unite US together in love and good neighbour
hood. by the good and courteous entreaty which
have found in your country; having lived
there many years with freedom and good con-
tent, as also many OF our friends do this day:
for which we, and our children after US, are
bound to be thankful to your nation. and shall
never forget the same, but shall heartily desire
your good and prosperity. our own for ever"
What shall a man say who corneth after the
KingT' William Bradford is sovereign witness.
He was born at Austerield in 1890 The find
ing OF his baptismal record in the church list
was In a large sense. the beginning Of the
modern recovery of the Pilgrim story-long
hidden as 10 it's locality and North British
origin His autograph narrative, composed in
his mature life and old age, is the book OF
genesis in the bible Of the history OF the United
states or America
It seems wholly fitting that this memorial
should be placed upon the walls OF the oldest
public edihce in Delftshaven, and within house
OF worship that is Of the Reformed Church in.
the Netherlands-the first OF the national
churches in Europe to accept the principle Of
liberation. well as to make laymen trustees
OF church property, and to share with the mag
istrate the government of the congregation IN
all secular matters. Hence, In recording history
in artistic symbol set forth first and highest
on the brass, the seal Of the Reformed Church
Ta1EF he
IT was in the sixteenth century, with waterway.
ouays and haven. Within the encircling motto
we read first, IN Hebrew letters. mystic
sonants and unseen vowels the pre-ancient COW
enant name Jehovah" and then, in Dutch
speech. the motto and confession OF faith. thus
rendered into English: THE haven of saliva
ton alone with God of Zion is" Below this
holy name Of Jehovah and Of the city of saliva
ton we set, first to meet the eye, the true words
accepted by US all and binding ali in unity
OF loyalty TO a common Saviour revealer of
Jehovah and Of Our Father, "One in Christ"
Next, confronting each other across friendly
space, are the arms OF the State of MasSachu-
sets including fits motto with the figure Of
the red Algonquin Indian, oldest inhabtant OF
the Western world and the town arms of Delfts-
haven-once the port Of Delft and a community
by itself. but now part OF Rotterdam. seventh
shipping port of the world-with its green and
silver herrings and wheat-the verdant fields
and the fields white TO harvest-emhlems OF
agriculture and Of the fisheries. These tell the
eye how the men by the Mas won their food
from the sea as well as from the land
Then follows the text from the American
hook of genesis, Bradford's testimony to Dutch
hospitality. His words bind hearts and our
consciences 10 this day.
Below this is the inscription giving the name
of the corporate body, the donor, and the tribute
which its members pay also to the Pilgrim
Fathers and TO the Dutch, following the ex-
ample Of Bradford the Pilgrim. 1t records
also a fact of history which meant one OF the
decisive events OF the world The date is ap-
nroximate and possibly exact
Therefore TO you, the governing body of the
Reformed Church Of Delftshaven. minister eld-
ers and deacons, in the name of the Congrega-
ttopal Club Of Boston, commit this bronze
Toemorial--our expression Of appreciation OF
10th hosts and guests" BY this and to sue
ceeding generations Of those who dwell and
those who visit here, we make known our CRATE
Ell feelings and those Of the people of the
1Gnited states who honor the Pilgrim name TO
- Netherlands, and we mark the place of an
.rodus famous ana significant in human devel-
lament We pay our tribute both TO hos
pjtality and heroisIn
Gad NJ the friendship between this little coun-
~ the old home of freedom, love learning and
enterprise, and the great Republic beyond the
sea NAV there never be an end