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Departure of the Pilgrims from England, and their sojourn in
Holland.

1. IN 1592, a law was passed in England, requiring all PT. 1. persons to attend the established worship, under pen- P'D. III. alty of banishment, and if they returned, of death. CH. 1. Among those who could not conscientiously comply 1592. with these exactions, were JOHN ROBINSON and his Robinson congregation, who lived in the north of England. and his They belonged to that sect of the Puritans, or dissenters from the church of England, called Separatists.

2. To enjoy their religion, the pastor, and his whole flock, determined to exile themselves to Holland. But CHAPTER I.-1. Who were John Robinson and his congrega 2. What was their object in seeking to change their

tion? country?

people.

52

D'D. III.

1607.

Attempt

THE PILGRIM MOTHERS.

PT.I. this was a difficult undertaking. Once they embarked with their families and goods at Boston, in LincolnCH. I. shire. But the treacherous captain had plotted with English officers, who came on board the vessel, took their effects, searched the persons of the whole como go to pany for money, and then, in presence of a gazing multitude, led them on shore, and to prison. They were soon released, except seven of the principal men, who were detained and brought to trial, but at length freed.

olland.

Second

3. Again they bargained with a Dutch ship-master at Hull, who was to take them in from a common, hard by. At the time appointed, the women and children sailed to the place of rendezvous in a small bark, and 1608. the men came by land. The bark had grounded; but attempt. the Dutch captain sent his boat and took the men from the strand. But, in the meantime, the authorities of Hull had notice; and the Dutch commander, at the sight of a large armed company, having a fair wind, with oaths, hoisted anchor, and sailed away; although the pilgrims even wept, thus to leave their wives and children.

4. Behold now these desolate women, the mothers of a future nation, their husbands forcibly carried off to sea, while on land an armed multitude are approach3 Distress of the ing! They are taken, and dragged from one magistrate women. to another, while their children, cold and hungry, and

affrighted, are weeping and clinging around them. But their piteous condition and Christian demeanor softened, at length, the hearts of their persecutors, and even gained friends to their cause.

5. The men, in the meantime, encountered one of Storm at the most terrific sea storms ever known, continuing fourteen days, during seven of which, they saw neither sun, moon, or stars.*

sea.

At length they all arrived in Holland. They settled at first in Amsterdam. They did not, however, find

For the use of or after neither, which euphony here requires, we have the authority of Noah Webster, and the usage of the best English writers.

2. What happened on their first attempt?--3. What or. thei second?-4. What trouble did the women meet with ?-5. What the men? When in Holland, where did they first tule?

PECULIARITIES OF THE PILGRIMS,

53

P'D. III

Leyden

cause to be satisfied, and they removed to Leyden. PT.I.
Here, by hard labor and frugal honesty, they lived
highly respected; but after a few years they experi- ca. 1.
enced evils, which made them think of another removal.
6. Not only were their own toils constant and se-
vere, but they were obliged to employ their children,
so that they were necessarily deprived of education
And the health of the young, often fell a sacrifice to for re-
the length of time and confined positions, in which moval.
they labored. Some died, and some became deformed.
Their morals also were likely to suffer from the ha-
bitual profanation of the sabbath, witnessed around
them.

Reasons

Agents

7. The Pilgrims had heard of America; and in its wilderness, they believed that they might serve God unmolested, and found a church, where not only the oppressed in England, but unborn generations, might enjoy a pure worship. The Dutch wished them to colonize under their government. But they still loved gland. their country; and they sent agents to England, to procure, by the influence of Sir Edwin Sandys, a patent under the Virginia Company.

go to En

8. For the encouragement of this company, disheartened by the failures at Chesapeake Bay, Robinson, and Brewster, the ruling elder of his church, wrote to Sir Edwin, showing, in five particulars, the difference vetter to of their motives, their circumstances, and characters, Sir E. Sandys, from those of other adventurers. First, "We verily believe the Lord is with us, to whose service we have given ourselves, and that he will graciously prosper our endeavors, according to the simplicity of our hearts therein. Second, We are all well weaned from the delicate milk of our mother country, and inured to a strange and hard land, wherein we have learned patience.

9. Third, our people are as industrious and frugal as any in the world. Fourth, We are knit together in a

5. Where remove? In what estimation were they held? C. What reasons had they for another removal?-7. What for thinking of America? What did the Dutch wish? What moved the Pilgrims to send agents to England?-8. Who wrote a letter? To whom? To show what? Mention the first particular f The second?-9. The third ?-fourtha ?

The Pil
grims a
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64

CH. 1.

THE PARTING AT DELFT-HAVEN.

P'T. I. sacred bond of the Lord, whereof we make great n PD. III. science, holding ourselves tied to all care of each other's good. Fifth, It is not with us as with other men, whom small discontentments can discourage, and cause to wish themselves at home again. We have nothing to hope for from England or Holland, and our lives are drawing towards their period."

Contract

with

10. By the aid of Sandys, the petitioners obtained the patent. But they needed money. To provide this, their agents formed a stock company, jointly, with some men of business in London, of whom Mr. Thomas London Weston was the principal; they to furnish the capital, chants. the emigrants to pledge their labor for seven years, at ten pounds per man and the profits of the enterprise, all houses, lands, gardens, and fields, to be divided at the end of that time among the stockholders, according to their respective shares.

mer

11. They then prepared two small vessels, the MayFlower and the Speedwell; but these would hold only Aug. 3d, 1620. a part of the company, and it was decided that the Prepara- youngest and most active should go, and the older, among whom was the pastor, should remain. If they were successful, they were to send for those behind; if unsuccessful, to return, though poor, to them.

3

tion.

12. Previous to their separation, this memorable church worshipped together for the last time, on an appointed day, when they humbled themselves by fasting, and "sought of the Lord a right way for themselves and their children." When they must no longer Parting tarry, their brethren accompanied them from Leyden at Delft to the shore at Delft-Haven. Here the venerable pas

3

Haven. tor knelt with his flock upon the ground; and the

wanderers, while tears flowed down their cheeks, heard for the last time, his beloved voice in exhortation, and in prayer for them. "But they knew they were PILGRIMS, and lifted up their eyes to heaven, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits."

9. The fifth. 10. What did they obtain? What did they then need? How contrive to procure it?-11. What did the agents then prepare? Could all go? Which part was to go? On what condition did the others remain ?-12. Give an ac count of their parting?

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