The Bible Says
That Good Part
It isn’t always easy to do the right thing. So, naturally, we like some positive recognition when...
Flashing Lights
Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to learn a lesson or two about what it means to share the...
The Bride is Coming!
You could hear a pin drop. All heads were turned toward the back of the church. At the end of the...
News
Heal the Planet
Victor Parachin believes we can all help heal the planet by simply becoming vegetarian. More
God's Gifts
God loved the world so much that He gave us His Son Jesus. But Ed Dickerson points out that He’s also given us many other gifts. More
The Davison Brothers: Continuing the Dynasty
As motor-sports fans rev up for Australia’s iconic Bathurst bash, Glenis Lindley speaks with two brothers, both with hopes of winning. More
The Pilgrims
Signs of the Times - http://signsmag.adventistconnect.org/news_entries
The Pilgrims
The Pilgrims’ journey to North America began with the Puritans of North Nottinghamshire, England, who were frustrated by the lack of reform in the established Church of England and so chose to separate themselves from it. They believed in freedom of worship and religious tolerance. Thus they became known as Separatists. This of course brought persecution, as religion and loyalty to the crown were seen to go hand in hand.
Originally from Britain, the group made their way—with a number of interruptions— to the Netherlands. However, within a few years, conditions in that country had deteriorated to the point that the decision was made to start over in the New World far to the west.
The group purchased a ship called the Speedwell, a 60-ton craft that had originally been built in 1577 with the name Swiftsure. Some 55 of their number sailed from the Netherlands in July 1620, to Southampton, England, where other likeminded folk joined them. More would follow once the New World colony was established.
negotiations
Getting permission to sail to America was most difficult. It had been illegal for them to leave the country when they’d first fled to Holland. Now, in order to get permission to go to America, arrangements had to be made with those British companies that had been granted permission by the English Crown for the right to settle and trade in the New World. The negotiations divided the group into two. The first were those who had an overwhelming desire to worship as they saw fit. The second group could be called “company people”—those going to grow a business in the New World.
A large group of Puritans and Separatists made plans to emigrate. On behalf of the entire group, a man by the name of Robert Cushman hired the Mayflower to take them to the New World. Today, a plaque located at 59 Palace Street in Canterbury notes the occasion and place where the contract to hire the Mayflower was signed.