  The Migration to Holland was not accomplished without its set-backs and misgivings. In the first place it was unlawful under an old statute which made emigrating without authority a penal crime. They were several times intercepted in their attempt to depart from English soil. But they were determined in purpose and brave in heart. “Being thus constrained to leave their native country, their lands and livings, and all their friends and familiar acquaintance, it was much, and thought marvellous by many. But to go into a country they knew not, but by hearsay, where they must learn a new language, and get their livings they knew not how, it being a dear place, and subject to the miseries of war, “There was a great company of them purposed to get passage at Boston, in Lincolnshire; and for that end had hired a ship wholly to themselves, and made agreement with the master to be ready at a certain day, and take them and their goods in, at a convenient place, where they accordingly would all attend in readiness. So after long waiting and large expenses, though he kept not the day with them, yet he came at length, and took them in, in the night. And when he had them and their goods aboard, he betrayed them, having beforehand complotted with the searchers and other officers so to do; who took them and put them into open boats, and there rifled and ransacked them, searching them to their shirts for money, yae, even the women, further than became modesty; and then carried them back into the town, and made them a spectacle and wonderment to the multitude, which came flocking on all sides to behold them. Being thus by the catchpole officers riffled and stripped of their money, books and much other goods, they were presented to the magistrates, and messengers sent to inform the Lords of the Council of them; and so they were committed to ward. Indeed the magistrates used them courteously, and showed them what favor they could; but could not deliver them until order came from the Council table. But the issue was, that after a month’s imprisonment the greatest part were dismissed, and sent to the places from whence they came; but seven of the principal men were still kept in prison and bound over to the assizes.” In the spring of 1608 another attempt was made to embark and another Dutch shipmaster engaged. This second party assembled at a point between Grimsby and Hull not far from the mouth of the Humber. The women and children arrived in a small bark which became grounded at low water and while some of the men on shore were taken off in the ship’s boat they were again apprehended. And to quote again: “But after the first boat-full was got aboard, and she was ready to go for more, the master espied a great company, both horse and foot, with bills and guns and other weapons: for the country was raised to take them.” “But the poor men which were got on board were in great distress for their wives and children, which they saw thus to be taken, and were left distitute of their helps, and themselves also not having a cloth to shift them with, more than they had on their backs, and some scarce a penny about them, all they had being on the bark. It drew tears from their eyes, and anything they had they would have given to have been on shore again. But all in vain; there was no remedy; they must thus sadly part; and afterwards endured a fearful storm at sea, being fourteen days or more before they arrived at their port; in seven whereof they neither saw sun, moon, nor stars, and were driven to the coast of Norway; the mariners themselves often despairing of life, and once with shrieks and cries gave over all, as if the ship had been foundered in the sea, and they sinking without recovery. But when man’s hope and help wholly failed, the Lord’s power and mercy appeared for their recovery; for the ship rose again, and gave the mariners courage again to manager her; and if modesty would suffer me, I might declare with what fervent prayers they cried unto the Lord in this great distress, (especially some of them,) even without any great distraction.” Those left ashore were in a pitiable state, women were left without their husbands and children without their fathers, their property had been sold in anticipation of a Let us pause here a moment and reflect. In our contemplation of the present and concern for the future, we must not be unmindful of the past. It was not easy to make final decision in such matter as permanently breaking away from homes, relatives and friends, not to mention the material factors involved. Fortunately however for them and for us, this devout band was imbued with enduring faith. Faith fortified by grim determination. Thus they planned and executed. They left the land of their nativity. They braved the perils of an unknown ocean and a still more unknown future that they might find a refuge free from religious bondage and where they might worship God according to their conscience. This they accomplished in the face of almost insurmountable hardships. They made concord with the Indians, they builded homes, they framed laws and agreements in accordance with the time and the necessity. They established a governmental process sufficient for their needs, an outgrowth of the government of their religious life in which decisions were made by the will of the majority. They paved the way for future generations. They suffered much. They attained much. They left a heritage that must not be sacrificed. We of today are faced with ominous problems. A re-dedication to the faith, vision and determination of our fathers, will be America’s salvation. Love Scene, showing actual bridge and the Cloth Hall in Leyden, headquarters of the guild of woolen workers, of whom the Pilgrims were a part |
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