The Pilgrims’ Mission of Destiny On this 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival in America, we should understand some biblical aspects of what the Pilgrim fathers and their Puritan successors achieved and passed on.
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by Mario Seiglie
Jennie Augusta Brownscombe
n this surreal year of riots attempting to tear down cultural heritage comes a significant milestone—the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ landing in America. From their storied ship the Mayflower, these New World settlers from Europe first set foot on Cape Cod in New England at what later became Provincetown, Mass., on Nov. 13, 1620—before moving on to finally land at nearby Plymouth Rock on Dec. 18. The journey and its aftermath have long been recalled in the American observance of Thanksgiving each November. This year the fateful voyage is being commemorated by quadricentennial celebrations in not only the United States, but also Great Britain and the Netherlands. Why was this event so significant in world history?
the Pilgrims were not out to become wealthy entrepreneurs but to work the land and serve God without government hindrance. The social and legal systems of the colony, begun with the famous Mayflower Compact, were closely tied to their religious beliefs and English tradition. More of the Separatists soon came to Plymouth. And over the next 20 years, 16,000 Puritans would follow in emigrating from England to the nearby Massachusetts Bay Colony, which was later merged with Plymouth. Many more Puritans settled in Connecticut and Rhode Island. And the faith and practice of these early settlers established a lasting influence on American culture and national character. Of the initial journey, American naval historian Henry Culver says: “No vessel, neither the Santa Maria [Columbus’ flagship in the discovery of America], nor the Constitution, most A world-changing enterprise noted and glorious of all the warships of the United States, can compare in romantic interest and patriotic reverence with the Fleeing religious persecution in England, a group of Puriproperly accorded fame of the Mayflower. Her name is indistans who regarded themselves as Separatists had gone to solubly linked with the fundamentals of American democratic Leiden in Holland. After enduring difficulties there for more institutions. She was the wave-rocked cradle of our liberties” than a decade, a number decided to move to America, setting (The Book of Old Ships: From Egyptian Galleys to Clipper Ships, sail from Plymouth in England, hoping to make a better life for their families by being able to worship freely and in peace. 1924, p. 84, emphasis added throughout). What are some of the biblical aspects we should reflect on Later known as the Pilgrims, these are among the most famous colonists in history. Their faith and self-governing system laid today in remembering these early founders of what became the United States of America? the religious and cultural cornerstone for a new nation. A group of British merchants was persuaded to back the A pilgrimage into the wilderness venture, forming a joint-stock company with the colonists. “And the Lord spoke to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh and say to Of the 102 passengers aboard the Mayflower, just 37 were him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Let My people go, that they may Pilgrims—with the others recruited by the London company serve Me’”’” (Exodus 8:1). to protect its interests. Over the ages people striving to follow God have had to flee The new settlement, Plymouth Colony, was the second sucreligious persecution, with the Exodus from Egypt being an cessful English colony in America after Jamestown, Virginia, outstanding example. Many centuries later, the apostle Peter founded in 1607. Yet unlike many of the Jamestown settlers, B Tm a g a z i n e . o r g
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November-December 2020
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