Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-10-21

Purltans could have framed that document of DO
litlca freedom.
One fundamental difference between the Puri-
tans and the Pilgrims was their attitude toward
the church Of England. While the Puritan did
not agree with all the forms and rituals of the
established church, he steadfastly refused to leave
1t. His attitude was that the church could be re-
formed more quickly from within than from with
out. Even that sturdy old master Puritan, John
winthrop, on the eve of sailing for America, is
sued the Yarmouth declaration, swearing his last
ing allegiance to the dear mother church." The
Pilgrim. on the other hand, first separated himself
from the established church and then, rather than
worship contrary to his conscience, was compelled
to leave his native land.
The term "Separatists" which was so contempt
uousy applied to the Pilgrims, was literally true
1t is also true that his first thoughts of democracy
grew out of this church dissenson. While still
living in England the Pilgrims gave expression to
the broad principle that the people did not require
a bishop of the established church to select their
preacher, but, on the other hand they were per-
fectly capable of choosing their own. This doc.
trlne so startled King James that he exclaimed,
mo bishop would soon mean no king"
Not only did the Pilgrims and Puritans differ In
the fundamentals Of church, but In matters Of
state as well; for the Pilgrims held that church
and state should be separated Any respectable
man In Plymouth could be free man and vote
whether he was a member of the congregation or
not. Capt Miles Standlsh, one of the most promi-
nent men of the colony, was never a member of
the church The Puritans of Salem and Boston,
however vigorously held that only members of
the church had the rights of freemen and the pow
err to vote In their minds the church and state
were one. The result was that the Pilgrims had
a liberal form of government, while the Puritans
developed theocracy sternly despotic.
The liberal spirit of Plymouth was never better
demonstrated than during the witchcraft frenzy
which for time completely Frustrated its more
powerful neighbor. While Salem and Boston were
hanging witches, Plymouth would have none of 1t.
The Pilgrims were simple country folk. Gov
ernor Bradford, the one great authority of these
people, says of them: "They were not acquainted
with trades nor traffic, but had been used to a
plain country life and the innocent trade of hus-
bandry." For IL long years they had labored to-
gether IN Holland. Without means to carry for
ward their exodus into the American wilderness,
they turned to company Of London merchants
for aid Their only collateral was the pledge Of
the labor of their hands for seven years In the
forests. After many grievous disappontments
they sailed on one ship. Most of them were with
out arms, and their poverty was so pressing they
did not even have extra leather sOes for their
Shoes Yet 1t fell TO the lot Of these men, who
lived in log huts and fed upon the bread of corn,
to found nation
On the other hand, the Puritans included many
of the gentry. Some even were personages of
wealth and influence. When Gov. John Winthrop
and his Puritan associates sailed for Massachu-
sets bay from Yarmouth, April, 1880, there were
ten vessels in the fleet. Ample food was abroad.
There were numerous shep, swine, cattle and
horses Everything had been provided to make
the coonists comfortable and contented In the
new country. If John Josselyn, who was In the
colony in 1895, is to be believed, the total value
of the cargoes of this Puritan fleet was upward
Of one million unreasonable wealth COM
pared with the bankrupt voyagers of the May
flower.