12. Unanimity, prosperity, and happiness to the Colonies.--_Russell's
Guide to Plymouth._
[I] The address was published, and has passed through several editions,
and been a source of considerable income to the Society.
[J] It is said of Capt. Standish, He possessed much native talent, was
decided, ardent, resolute, and persevering, indifferent to danger, a
bold and hardy man, stern, austere, and unyielding; of exemplary piety,
and of incorruptible integrity; "an iron-nerved Puritan, who could hew
down forests and live on crumbs."
The Rev. John Thornton Kirkland, D. D., President of Harvard College,
and the Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, D. D., first President of Dartmouth
College, were descendants of Capt. Standish.
[K] Dr. Thacher was appointed Librarian and Cabinet-Keeper of the
Pilgrim Society at its first organization, and his indefatigable
efforts contributed largely to the promotion of its objects. The
following extract from the report of a Committee of the Society
indicates the sense entertained of his services. "The undersigned,
to whom was referred the report of Dr. James Thacher, respecting the
Iron Railing around the Forefathers' Rock, report that the Society are
indebted to Dr. Thacher for this beautiful and costly monument, which
while it secures the Pilgrim Rock from further depredation, records
for the benefit of posterity, the names of our fathers, and affords a
pleasing subject of contemplation to many strangers who visit us." Dr.
Thacher died May 23, 1811, aged 90--The two extracts above are taken
from the Guide to Plymouth.
[L] "On the 11th of November, [1621] Robert Cushman arrived at
Plymouth, in a ship from England, with thirty-five persons, destined to
remain in the Colony. By this arrival the Plymouth colonists received
a charter, procured for them by the adventurers in London, who had
been originally concerned with them in the enterprise; and they now
acknowledged the extraordinary blessing of Heaven, in directing their
course into this part of the country, where they had happily obtained
permission to possess and enjoy the territory under the authority of
the president and council for the affairs of New England."--_Holmes's
Annals._
The names of the thirty-five persons who came in the Fortune, (for
so the vessel was called,) are, Robert Cushman, William Hilton, John
Winslow, William Conner, John Adams, William Tench, John Cannon,
William Wright, Robert Hickes, Thomas Prence, (Prince,) afterwards
Governor, Stephen Dean, Moses Simonson, (Simons,) Philip De La Noye,
(Delano,) Edward Bompasse, (Bumpus and Bump,) Clement Brigges,
(Briggs,) James Steward, (Stewart,) William Pitts, William Palmer,
probably two in his family, Jonathan Brewster, Bennet Morgan, Thomas
Flavil and his son, Hugh Stacie, (Stacy,) William Beale, Thomas
Cushman, Austin Nicolas, (Nicholas,) Widow Foord, probably four in her
family, Thomas Morton, William Bassite, (Bassett), two probably in his
family.
Mr. Cushman was one of those who left England for the sake of religious
liberty, and settled at Leyden. In 1617 he was sent to England, with
Mr. Carver, the first governor of the Colony, to procure a grant of
lands in America, and in 1619 he was sent again, with Mr. Bradford,
second governor of the Colony, and obtained a patent. He set sail
with the first company in 1620, but the Speedwell proving leaky, he
was obliged to relinquish the voyage. He came, however, to Plymouth,
November 10, 1621, but remained there only one month, when he returned.
While preparing to remove to America, he died, 1626. He was a man
of activity and enterprise, talents and piety, and well versed in
the Scriptures. Though not a minister, yet, while at Plymouth, he
delivered a discourse in the form of a sermon "on the Sin and Danger of
Self-Love," which was the first sermon from New England, ever printed.
It was first published at London, 1622, then at Boston, 1724, and at
Plymouth, 1785. After his death, Mr. Cushman's family came to New
England. Many are their descendants in this country.--_Allen's Biog.
Dict._--_Farmer's Register._
[M] "Brethren," said he, "we are now quickly to part from one another,
and whether I may ever live to see your face on earth any more, the
God of heaven only knows; but whether the Lord hath appointed that or
not, I charge you before God and his blessed angels, that you follow
me no farther than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. If
God reveal any thing to you by any other instrument of his, be as ready
to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth by my ministry;
for I am fully persuaded, I am very confident, that the Lord has more
truth yet to break forth out of his holy word. For my part, I cannot
sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are
come to a period in religion, and will go at present no farther than
the instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn
to go beyond what Luther saw; whatever part of his will our good God
has revealed to Calvin, they will rather die than embrace it; and the
Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man
of God, who yet saw not all things.
"This is a misery much to be lamented, for though they were burning
and shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated not into the
whole counsel of God; but were they now living, would be as willing to
embrace further light, as that which they at first received. I beseech
you to remember that it is an article of your church covenant, that you
shall be ready to receive whatever truth shall be made known to you
from the written word of God. Remember that, and every other article of
your sacred covenant. But I must here withal exhort you to take heed
what you receive as truth. Examine it, consider it, and compare it
with other Scriptures of truth, before you receive it; for it is not
possible that the Christian world should come so lately out of such
thick antichristian darkness, and the perfection of knowledge should
break forth at once."
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