tion of the bishops and their chancellors, in their spiritual courts, as derived from the law of the pope and not from the word of God. They lamented the general access of all persons to the Lord's table, and the expression in the funeral service, to be pronounced over the worst as well as the best of men—in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life. They disapproved of some of the church festivals or holy days in commemoration of particular saints, without any scripture example. They were unwilling to conform to certain rites and ceremonies, as the sign of the cross in baptism, it being no part of the institution, as recorded in scripture, and it having been abused to superstitious purposes by the church of Rome." To these things prescribed by authority they could not conscientiously conform and submit. It is well known, says Dr. Mather, that "nearly five and twenty hundred faithful ministers of the gospel were silenced in one black day, because they would not comply with some things by themselves counted sinful, and by the imposers confessed indifferent. And it is confirmed by a modest calculation, that this persecution procured the untimely death of three thousand non-conformists, and the ruin of three score thousand families within five and twenty years. 99* "There was no essential difference in doctrine between the conformists and the puritans ; but the latter insisted on the natural right of every man to judge for himself, and make profession of that religion, which he apprehends to be most agreeable to truth, as far as it does not affect the peace and safety of the government he lives under.' The puritans are thus characterized by Mr. Neal. men of undissembled piety and devotion; mighty in the scriptures; zealous for the protestant religion; of exemplary lives; far remote from the liberties and fashionable vices of the day, and indefatigably diligent in instructing those committed to their They were the most pious and devout men in the land : men of prayer, in secret and public, as well as in their families. Their manner of devotion was fervent and solemn. They de

care.

* Mather's Maga

"They were

pended on the Divine Spirit, not only to teach them how to pray, but what to pray for. They had a profound reverence for the holy name of God; and were great enemies not only to profane swearing, but also to foolish talking and jesting. They were strict observers of the Lord's day; spending the whole of it in acts of private and public devotion and charity. It was a distinguishing mark of a puritan in the days of queen Elizabeth, to see him going to church twice a day with his bible under his arm, and while many others were at plays and interludes, at revels, or walking in the fields, or at the diversions of bowling, fencing, &c. on the evening of the Sabbath; these with their families were employed in reading the scriptures, singing psalms, catechising their children, repeating sermons and prayers. Nor was this the work of the Lord's day only; but they had their hours of family devotion on the week days, esteeming it their duty to take care of the souls, as well as the bodies of their children and servants. They were circumspect, as to eating and drinking, apparel and lawful diversions; frugal in housekeeping; industrious in their particular callings; honest and exact in their dealings; and solicitous to give to every one his own."

Elizabeth was in many respects a wise and politic queen. Her administration was marked by an energy, which commanded the respect of all foreign nations, and contributed greatly to the renown of her own. She held the balance of Europe. She commanded the veneration of her age; and has secured the admiration of posterity. She was however in religious things a perfect tyrant. She was either ignorant of the rights of conscience, or disposed to trample them under foot. She exercised the same persecuting spirit toward the puritans, which her sister had exercised toward the protestants.

Under the administration of James 1st, successor to Elizabeth, the puritans were persecuted with great cruelty. Many therefore fled from their native country, to enjoy religious liberty. The puritan church in the north of England, in 1606, was divid

ed into two distinct churches; to one of which belonged Mr. John Robinson, afterward its minister, and Mr. William Brewster, afterward its ruling elder. This church, being exceedingly harrassed for its non-conformity, sought an asylum in Holland. After residing there 12 years, in the cities, Amsterdam and Leyden, they meditated the design of removing to America. Having offered many addresses to heaven for direction, they resolved to cross the Atlantic. It being thought expedient that a few of them should go first, and the rest follow at a convenient time, a majority of them, with Mr. Robinson, remained at Holland, while Mr. Brewster, and one hundred others, 18 of whom were women, and 42 children and servants departed. The season of separation was most interesting. “The night before their departure was spent in fervent and affectionate prayers and in that pathetic intercourse of soul, which the feeling heart can better conceive than describe. The affecting scene drew tears from the eyes of strangers. When the time, at which the voyagers were about to depart, arrived, they all with their beloved pastor fell on their knees, and with eyes, hands, and hearts, raised to heaven, fervently commended their adventuring brethren to the blessing of the Lord."*

They sailed from Plymouth, England, Sept. 6th; and arrived at this country Dec. 11th, Old Style, answering to Dec. 22d, New Style, 1620. Before landing, having devoutly offered their grateful acknowledgments to God for his protecting care, they formed themselves into a body politic, and chose Mr. John Carver their Governor. In thankful remembrance of the christian friends, whom they found in the last town they left in their native country, they called the place of their settlement Plymouth. That was the first town settled in New England.

My friends and brethren, it is now winter. Desolation reigns around us. But we have warm habitations and things conveni

* H. Adams' Hist. of N. E.-For Mr. Robinson's parting address, see Neal's Hist. of the Puritans, vol. 2, page 146.

t Holmes' American Annals.

ent for us. Not so our venerable forefathers, who, 200 years ago landed on these then dreary shores. They sat down on bare creation, without a house to shelter, or a friend to welcome them." With hearts of sensibility, behold them, after a tedious voyage across the Atlantic, 101 in number, three thousand miles from their native country, at the commencement of a gloomy winter, in a land uncultivated, and inhabited by savage men and savage beasts; the only English settlement in North America, being the Virginia colony, planted 13 years before, and that at the distance of several hundred miles. A mortal sickness, occasioned by fatigue, and cold, and want of all things, raged among them, and swept away about half their number before the opening of the next spring. But, in the principles and motives, which induced them to leave their native country, and especially in the exercise of faith in God, they found firm support under all their trials and hardships. Divine providence smiled upon them, by disposing several Indian chiefs, and particularly the powerful Massassoit, to make peace with them the year after their arrival. In four years their number was 180, and they had erected 32 dwelling houses. The fifth year they received the heavy tidings of the death of their beloved pastor. Mr. Robinson is characterized as a man of distinguished natural abilities, of a well cultivated understanding, eminent piety, and a mild, candid, and amiable temper. Mr. Neal stiles him the father of the Inde

pendants.

"The new colonists made it their principal object to form churches on what they supposed to be the gospel plan." Thus they laid the foundation of the first church in Plymouth. "They aimed wholly," says Mr. Hubbard, *" at the primitive pattern described in the word of God, and the practice of the apostolic churches." They embraced the congregational system, because It was they thought it agreeable to the christian scriptures.

their firm belief, that "no churches and no church officers have any authority from scripture to control other churches and church officers; and that all church members have equal rights

*History of New England.

and privileges." In doctrine they agreed essentially with the church of England and the reformed churches generally. They were strictly Calvinistic. "They were a plain, industrious, conscientious, and pious people. Tho' their piety was fervent; yet it was also rational, and disposed them to a strict observance of the moral and social duties.* The learned men among them were men of superior abilities and undaunted fortitude. The respectable names of Carver, Bradford, Winslow, Prince, and others, are immortalized in the annals of New England."+

Let us, my friends, delight to read their history, and endeavor to profit by the lessons of wisdom they have left us. By cherishing ardent love of liberty; by bearing trials and sufferings with fortitude; by promoting solid and useful learning; by avoiding profligacy of manners and every vice that degrades our nature, and practising every virtue that adorns it; by maintaining supreme reverence for religion, and clinging with unalterable attachment to its sacred institutions; let us show ourselves sons of these pilgrims. And let us relate the history of their sufferings and their virtues to our children, and charge them, in remembrance of their pious progenitors, to imbibe and cherish those religious principles, which are the foundation of all that is great and good, amiable and happy.

*Note. Are Calvanistic sentiments of good moral influence? So long as the history of New England is read, the lives of those who laid the foundations of its civil and ecclesiastical order, formed under the influence of those sentiments, will answer-Yes.

+ H. Adams' History of New England.