years, and yet we never had any suit or accusation against them, or any of them, but your strifes and quarrels are continual.
The reasons of their removal above named being debated first in private, and thought weighty, were afterwards propounded in public; and after solemn days of humiliation observed both in public; and private,4
The fasts and feasts of the Episcopal Church had been cast off by Mr. Robinson from the first, and he and his church observed such days only when the dispensations of Divine Providence seemed to indicate their propriety. The church at Leyden observed no holidays, except fasts and thanksgivings, and the Sabbath. They held several seasons of fasting and prayer, preparatory to their great enterprise, within a few months of leaving Holland. And when they arrived at Plymouth, they observed such seasons as suited to benefit themselves and their posterity.
The magistrates of Plymouth officially ordered such days to be kept, as early as 1623; and in 1637 an ordinance was passed, “that it be in the power of the governor and assistants to command solemn days of humiliation, and also for thanksgiving, as occasion shall be offered.” The deputies sometimes acted with the governor in designating such days. In 1682, servile work and sports were prohibited on these days, under the same penalty as breach of Sabbath. This was continued as long as Plymouth was a separate colony. On the settlement of the ministry at Salem, Gov. Endicott ordered a fast, as was done on a like occasion at Charlestown. The magistrates of Boston ordered a fast in 1634, and continued the exercise of that authority till 1692, after which these celebrations were ordered many times, with the concurrence of the representatives.—Col. Christian Antiquities.
Many occasional fasts have been appointed and kept with great solemnity by the church at Plymouth, as appears from their records.
it was agreed, that part of the church should go before their brethren into America, to prepare for the rest; and if in case the major part of the church did choose to go over with the first, then the pastor to go along with them; but if the major part stayed, that he was then to stay with them.They having employed sundry agents to treat with several merchants in England, who adventured some considerable sums in a way of valuation to such as went personally on in the voyage; the articles of agreement about the premises being fully concluded with the said merchants, and sundry difficulties and obstructions removed, having also obtained letters patent for the northern parts of Virginia, of King James of famous memory,5
all things were got ready and provided, a small ship was bought and fitted out in Holland, of about sixty tons, called the Speedwell, as to serve to transport some of them over, so also to stay in the country, and attend upon fishing, and such other affairs as might be for the good and benefit of the colony, when they came thither. Another ship was hired at London, of burden about nine score, called the Mayflower, and all other things got in readiness; so being prepared to depart, they had a solemn day of humiliation, the pastor teaching a part of the day very profitably, and suitably to the present occasion.6 The rest of the time was spent in pouring out of prayers unto the Lord, with great fervency, mixed with abundance of tears. And the time being come that they must depart, they were accompanied with most of their brethren out of the city, unto a town called Delft Haven,7 where the ship lay ready to receive them, so they left that goodly and pleasant city, which had been their resting-place above eleven years; but they knew that they were pilgrims and strangers here below, and looked not much on these things, but lifted up their eyes to heaven, their dearest country, where God hath prepared for them a city, Heb. xi. 16, and therein quieted their spirits.When they came to the place, they found the ship and all things ready; and such of their friends as could not come with them, followed after them, and sundry came from Amsterdam to see them shipped, and to take their leave of them. One night was spent with little sleep with the most, but with friendly entertainment, and Christian discourse, and other real expressions of true Christian love. The next day the wind being fair, they went on board, and their friends with them, where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting, to hear what sighs and sobs, and prayers did sound amongst them; what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each other’s heart, that sundry of the Dutch strangers,
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