Pilgrims and Puritans - Danny

There has always been a desire in man’s heart to search for and explore new lands, and there are many different reasons why. Some men go for riches and wealth, others for the expansion of their countries and some for religious freedom. This desire for religious freedom is what brought the Separatists, also called Pilgrims, to Holland and eventually to America.

In 1607 a group of English Separatists migrated to Holland because of their desire to practice their religion without persecution. They stayed in Holland for ten years but they chose to leave when they realized that their children were picking up the Dutch language and culture, which not only threatened their English heritage, but more importantly, their religious faith. The Separatists obtained a land grant from the Virginia Company to settle in America. In 1620 they set out for the Virginia, but during bad weather the ship was blown to Massachusetts. They tried once more to go south to Virginia but were again blown back, so they decided to stay in Massachusetts. Because of their being outside the authority of the Virginia Company, they created their own system of government called the Mayflower Compact. This system was very important because that kind of self-government was not common, and it was the first document like it in America.

The Mayflower Compact has a big effect on us today because it opened up the path for the democratic government of the United States. The ideas found in the Mayflower Compact are similar to those that we follow today. The United States might not exist today if it weren’t for the storm which sent the Pilgrims to Massachusetts, where they were able to set up their own government. This shows that God is sovereign over all nations and kings, and will bring about whatever purpose he desires.

Danny (grade 9)