New Britain herald., 1929-10-28
'DR. BRADFORD USES TEXT ID PILGRIMS
Says People Are Concerned
 With Comfort and Security

the decision was still hanging in the balance as to whether or not they would venture overseas to America was taken again Sunday morning by Rev. Dr. Arthur II. Bradford who preached at the First church in connection with the annual New England regional meeting of the Congregational churches.
 Comfort and Security Sought
 We may wonder indeed" the Rev. Dr. Bradford said, If John Robinson, Elder Brewster. William Bradford and Miles Standish would consider us, after careful scrutiny, to be giving in our own time an outstanding expression of the spirit which impelled the beloved adven- turers' on the Maynower 10 risk everything in an effort to plant their idea in the virgin soil of this con tinent. The fact is that many of us are far too much concerned with our own comfort and security"
 The Rev. Dr. Bradford said he used Robinson's text with the earn est hope and prayer that it "may help us to carry the spirit of the Pilgrims into the life and work of our New England churches"
 The story of Robinson's sermon was quoted from an account writ ten in diary by a member of the Leyden congregation:
 --they had a sollemnc meeting and day of humiliation to secke ye Lord for his direction; and their pastor tooke this texte, Sam. 23:3 & 4. 'And David's men said unto him, see, we be afraid here in Judah, how much more if we come to keilah against yc host of the Phils- tines? Then David asked counsell of ye Lord againc, &c. From which texte he taught many things very aptly and beftting their present oc- casion and condition, strengthenine them against their fears and perlex- ties, and incouraging them in theil resolutions"
 Pilgrims Like Dayid's Men
 So far as I know" the Rev. Mir Bradford continued. "the sermon which John Robinson preached or that occasion is not in existence. We can easily imagine, however, that he painted vivid word picture of David and his men gathered in 8 wild, rocky place in the hills of Judea. It seems that there were some six hundred of them-an un- couth, rudely armed band of out laws. David had told them about a httle village much in need of helr in it's warfare against the PhiIis- tines. He had asked them to leave thelr safe camp among the hills tC rlsk all in an attempt to succor this village. The proposal met with scant favor from his men who said We be afraid here in Judah: how much more than if We come tc keilah against the armies of the Philistincs?' Finally, however. ir response to what they believed to be a clear call from the God whom they f'' ''''Nt tC lONt anu StlNc they ut- cided to make the venture. Turning their backs on the security of theil mountain stronghold they marched TO kellah, where, against great odds they won a decisive victory. Then pressing on, step by step, they a last gained a kingdom, and theil leader took his place on the throne 1 of Israel
 Pilgrims Cast Out Fear
 What perfect material this olt story gave the Pilgrim pastor for hi message to the Pilgrims in Leydcn They, too, were a little company o outlaws, poorly equipped with tn, worlds goods. They were safe il Holland. No wonder some of then hesitated to exchange their securit, and comfort for what they bclievet 1 to be the many inconceivable peril and dangers of sea voyage an, life in an unknown land. The pro position, we are told, raised man, variable opinions amongst men ant caused many fears and doubt amongst themselves But such wa their love of the truth as they say it. and their love Of the God whom they trusted, that for the sake o the truth and their God they chos to make the venture; comfortin themselves with the thought 'Tha all great and honorable actions ar accompanied with great difficulties and must be both cnterpriSed an overcome with answerablc couragcs
 These two scenes suggested b our text, that one from Hollan three hundred years ago, the othe from Palestine three thousand year ago. both Illustrated the truth S finely phrased by Bayard Taylor The loving are the daring Whe men love a great cause they becom reckless of their own safety. ] they love the truth they know tha
 This mans perdition to be saf
 When for the truth he ought { dic.'
 There are many ways in Whic perfect love casteth our fear. Lov for a leader though he be an out law like the young David or lik Robin Hood, will start men march ing gaily to their doom when thei leader bids them march, Love C homeland will send the flower of
 nations young manhood 10 giv their merry youth away for cour try and for God Love of Chris and ones fellowmcn will turn
 man from a career of security an success tc a missionary adventure full of peril and the chance ( failure. The loving are always tn daring; and it is by the daring C those who greatly love that righte ousness is brought to this trouble world and the kingdom Of Chris comes on earth.
 How Is It Today.
 How is it with our churches tt day? Your church and mine; a the churches invited to this All-Ne
 England meeting in this old mee