Each year before Thanksgiving Dinner I read a quote from William Bradford, the principle leader and historian of the pilgrims for three decades. He was a strong spiritual leader and mentioned God’s working among them often. When his lost record of the Pilgrims was found, a member of Congress said that Of Plymouth Plantation was the most important book to America outside of the Bible.
This year I read of the Pilgrim’s departure from Leyden to sail to England and hence to the New World (America). As I read my emotions were stirred and my guess is yours will be also. It reminds us of Paul’s tearful farewell to the Ephesian elders in Ephesus (Acts 20:32-38). Bradford described the Pilgrims boarding the ship never to see almost of their friends again. I think you can figure out some of the old English words.
“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 also came from Amsterdam to see them shipped and to take their leave of them. That night was spent with little sleep by 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 aboard and their friends with them, where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting, to see what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound amongst them, what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each heart; that sundry of the Dutch strangers that stood on the quay as spectators could not refrain from tears. Yet comfortable and sweet it was to see lively and true expressions of dear and unfeigned love. But the tide stays for no man, calling them away that were thus loath to depart, their reverend pastor falling down on his knees (and they all with him) with watery cheeks commended them with most fervent prayers to the Lord and His blessing. And then with mutual embraces and many tears they took their leaves one to another, which proved to be the last leave to many of them.”
Old artist illustration of pilgrims in prayer before their departure. Getty image.
Imagine saying farewell to friends, parents and grandparents, as well as,, other believers from your church who stayed behind. As they departed the Pilgrims knew a fall crossing of the Atlantic was a difficult and dangerous task in itself. But they were committed and we benefited.
The Pilgrims sailed first to England where they boarded the Mayflower and crossed the Atlantic in 66 days arriving on November 11th 1620, just 400 years ago. As we celebrate Thanksgiving let’s give thanks to God for how He worked through them to raise up a country that is in many ways unique in history.
Be thankful for the pilgrims’ but also that our building project is coming a long well as you can see below. Keep our builders and building committee in prayer.
Nancy and I wish you a blessed Thanksgiving. We are in Texas to celebrate with our son Ezra and family.
Pastor Mark
(L to R) Kitchen, new class rooms, offices, new foyer, and main entrance which will be under the special trusses seen in center of the picture.. To the far right see the new auditorium extension with the light bluish roof underlayment for the new roof..
Here is a front view of kitchen and class room part being framed up. In the left foreground the new fellowship hall will be framed up soon on the cement slab.
View of south side class room extension, not seen in above pics.
New auditorium extension on the west side of our property. It will make our auditorium about 45% longer. The cross window will be cut into the end wall as it was on the original wall.
Happy Thanksgiving from Nancy and myself here in Fort Worth, Texas with our son Ezra and wife Heather and kids (l to R) Noah, Bella, and Luke.