One of the most wonderful events in the history of the world, was the
voluntary exile of the forefathers of New England from their native
country, and their landing (December twenty-first, 1620) at
Plymouth—here, in the new world, to organize a community where they
might enjoy personal freedom, and liberty of conscience, and to worship
God as seemed right to themselves. The engraving on the following page
gives a view of them as they landed, in a howling wilderness, inhabited
only by savages and wild beasts, in the depth of winter, with no place
of abode, or even shelter, and no trust but in their own resources and
the kind providence of God which had thus far watched over and protected
them. The history of their trials, their preservation, their growth and
prosperity as a people, and of the wonderful country that has sprung up,
and is still growing, with a giant growth, in the broad land which they
found a wilderness, is one that fills us with wonder as we ponder it,
and that should fill us with deep thankfulness to the great source of
all mercies, both to them and ourselves.
[Illustration: LANDING OF THE PILGRIMS.]