by Rod Gragg
With their typical courtesy, Pastor Robinson and the leaders of the Leiden congregation allowed the “Strangers” to select a representative in England to help Cushman and Carver make arrangements for the voyage. They selected a man named Christopher Martin, who appears to have shared some of the same theology as the Leiden church members, but not their temperament. He soon fell to bickering with Carver and Cushman. “And to speak the truth,” Cushman frankly observed, “. . . we are readier to go to dispute than to set forward a voyage.” Cushman, however, continued working with Weston and the Merchant Adventurers to hire a second ship and crew. As evident in the excerpted letter below, he was brimming with frustration. Not only did he have to help find the second ship and deal with the unpredictable Thomas Weston, but he was also painfully aware that church leaders back in Holland had lost confidence in him because he had pleged them to Weston’s new terms. If, he wrote them, they really believed that he had bungled the negotiations—that they “set a fool about your business”—then he would quit.
Salutations, etc.
I received your letter [and] the many discouragements I find here together with the demurs and retirings [from] there made me to say, “I would give up my accounts to John Carver, and at his coming acquaint him fully with all courses; and so leave it quite, with only the poor clothes on my back.” But gathering up myself, by further consideration, I resolved yet to make one trial more: and to acquaint Master Weston with the fainted state of our business. And though he hath been much discontented at something amongst us of late, which hath made him often say that save for his promise he would not meddle at all with the business any more, and yet . . . advising together, we resolved to hire a ship; and . . . a fine ship it is.
A Separatist mother and child pack for America. After serious prayer and discussion, the Leiden congregation decided that one group would go to America immediately, and another would go later.
STORIES OF THE PILGRIMS
. . . I hope our friends there, if they be quitted of the ship hire, will be induced to venture the more. All that I now require is that salt and nets may there be bought; and for all the rest, we will here provide it. Yet if that will not be, let them but stand for it a month or two, and we will take order to pay it all. Let Master Reynolds tarry there and bring the ship to Southampton. We have hired another Pilot here, one Master Clarke, who went last year to Virginia with a ship of [cattle]. . . .
“Give us quiet, peaceable, and patient minds in all these turmoils”
I hope such as are my sincere friends will not think but I can give some reason of my actions. But of your mistaking about the matter, and other things tending to this business: I shall next inform you more distinctly. Meanwhile entreat our friends not to be too busy in answering matters before they know them. If I do such things as I cannot give reasons for, it is like you have set a fool about your business; and so turn the reproof to yourselves and send another, and let me come again to my combs. But (setting aside my natural infirmities) I refuse not to have my cause judged, both of God and all indifferent men; and when we come together I shall give account of my actions here.
The Lord, who judges justly without respect of persons, see unto the equity of my cause, and give us quiet, peaceable, and patient minds in all these turmoils, and sanctify unto us all crosses whatsoever! And so I take my leave of you all, in all love and affection,
Your poor Brother,
Robert Cushman
June 11, 16203
Robert Cushman did not quit his post as the Pilgrims’ business agent in England, nor was he recalled, and his search for an English ship worthy of a voyage to America would eventually prove successful.
“They Knew They Were Pilgrims”
The Leiden Separatists Become Pilgrims to America
Edward Winslow listened to his fellow Separatists sing from the Psalter and was moved to tears. It was late July of 1620, and the Leiden congregation was worshipping together in Leiden for a final time: the next day more than fifty of them were leaving for faraway America. Edward Winslow would be among them. A twenty-five-year-old Separatist from Droitwich, south of Birmingham, Winslow had been born to a prosperous family, and had discovered Pastor Robinson’s Leiden congregation while traveling in Holland. He had taken up a trade as a printer, perhaps in William Brewster’s publishing firm, and had also taken up an English wife, Elizabeth Baker Winslow, just two years earlier. He and Elizabeth were active members of the Leiden congregation, and now they were going to America together. Finally, the long-planned, much-discussed vision of establishing a Separatist colony in America was becoming reality.
To determine how to proceed amid all the problems, Pastor Robinson had called for a solemn assembly, in which the congregation had engaged in fasting and prayer to determine the Lord’s will. They had thus determined to go forward with their plans—but only those who felt so led would go to America. Almost the entire congregation professed an intent to go, but funding an expedition that would accommodate all who wished to go was tremendously expensive. Some would have to go later. Pastor Robinson, it was decided, would head whichever group proved to be larger, and the remainder would be led by Elder Brewster.
When the numbers were finally tallied, fifty to sixty members of the congregation chose to go to America immediately. The rest, which included older members of the congregation, would follow later—presumably when the colony was established and secure. According to Edward Winslow, “the difference in number was not great,” but the group that would come later outnumbered those who chose to leave immediately. That meant Pastor Robinson would not go. Robinson may also have worried that his presence as a Separatist minister might unnerve the Merchant Adventurers and undermine their support. So, after all the prayers, all the planning, and all the problems—he would remain behind. When the colony was secure, the plan was for him to lead the other group to America. The capable Elder Brewster, meanwhile, would lead the first group on the voyage to America, and could act as lay pastor as well as group leader. At the moment, however, Brewster was keeping a low profile: his Leiden publishing firm had printed and distributed a work that was harshly critical of King James. English authorities wanted Brewster arrested, and in response Dutch officials were also searching for him. So as the Separatists bound for America were preparing for their departure, their leader had become a hunted man forced into hiding.
Twenty-five-year-old Edward Winslow, who would become a leader in the new colony in America, recorded an account of the Leiden congregation’s heart-rending final worship service together in Holland. He wrote: “we refreshed ourselves, after tears, with the singing of psalms. . . .”
PILGRIM HALL MUSEUM
While Cushman and the Merchant Adventurers searched for a ship and crew in England, church leaders had found a ship in Holland—the Speedwell—and had hired a captain and crew for a year. At sixty tons and not quite fifty feet in length, the Speedwell was small but adequate for the voyage across the Atlantic. Smaller ships had made the voyage for decades, sailing to America to haul fish from its rich offshore waters. Church leaders intended to use the Speedwell as a backup to the larger ship that the Merchant Adventurers would provide, and it could also be used for the fishing trade once in America. Those who had chosen to go to America sold their homes or made other arrangements, disposed of their furniture and furnishings, and packed the belongings they planned to take to America. All that done, it was finally time to say goodbye.
While their investors were searching for a ship and crew in England, the leaders of the Leiden congregation conducted their own search in Holland—and they were successful.
RIJKSMUSEUM OF AMSTERDAM
It was no small decision to go. Those leaving for America knew that they might never again see those loved ones and friends they were leaving behind. They also knew at least some of the dangers they faced. Would they drown in a storm crossing the fierce Atlantic or die of the “bloody flux” like others before them? Would illness or accident claim them
in the mysterious American wilderness? Would they be murdered by the natives—the Indians—who were known as “savages” in England? Would they be up to the hard labor of building new homes and lives in a strange and untamed new land? For most, who had fled England a decade earlier, this would be their second exodus: Would it finally resolve their quest for freedom of faith? The answers to such life-and-death questions, they left to the sovereignty of God. After all—in the words of William Bradford—“they knew they were pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, but lifted up their eyes to heaven, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits.”
“[They] lifted up their eyes to heaven, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits”
Bradford’s observation was an obvious reference to chapter eleven of the New Testament book of Hebrews, which cites a hall of heroes of the faithful, and notes that believers, who are promised a true home in heaven, are but temporary “pilgrims” on earth: All these died in faith, and . . . confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. It was also a clear reference to chapter two of the New Testament book of I Peter, which emphasizes salvation in Christ and the responsibility of believers as “pilgrims” in this world:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye would show forth the virtues of him that hath called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light. . . . Dearly brethren, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which fight against the soul, and have your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that they which speak evil of you as evil doers, may by your good works which they shall see, glorify God. . . .
Now, in July of 1620, these “Pilgrims” from England via Holland would board the Speedwell at the Dutch port of Delftshaven, which was located near Rotterdam at the mouth of the Meuse or Maas River. From there, they would sail to the English port of Southampton, where Deacons Cushman and Carver and the “Strangers” all awaited them aboard the larger ship leased in England.
The day before their departure, the congregation held another solemn assembly, led by Pastor Robinson. The sermon text came from the Old Testament book of Ezra, chapter eight, where Ezra preached to a large group of Jews gathered on a riverside in Babylon before leading them back to Jerusalem from exile.
And there at the river, by Ahava, I proclaimed a fast, that we might humble ourselves before our God, and seek of him a right way for us, and for our children, and for all our substance.
The application was obvious: like the exiled Jews leaving Babylon for Jerusalem, the Pilgrims would be abandoning Europe for a freedom of faith in “New Jerusalem”—America. Unlike Ezra, however, Pastor Robinson would not be going with his people.
On the eve of their departure for Delftshaven, the Pilgrims were treated to a farewell feast by the rest of the congregation at Robinson’s home in Leiden. There, in their Sabbath meeting place, they also united in an emotional farewell worship service. It was marked by praise, prayer, and tears, as recorded by Edward Winslow:
In July of 1620, the Pilgrims and others from the Leiden congregation traveled to the Dutch port of Delftshaven, depicted here in a seventeenth-century engraving. From there, they would depart for England and on to America.
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
I persuade myself, never people upon earth lived more lovingly together and parted more sweetly than we, the church at Leyden, did; not rashly, in a distracted humor, but upon joint and serious deliberation, often seeking the mind of God by fasting and prayer; whose gracious presence we not only found with us, but his blessing upon us, from that time to this instant, to the indignation of our adversaries, the admiration of strangers, and the exceeding consolation of ourselves, to see such effects of our prayers and tears before our pilgrimage here be ended. . . .
“Never people upon earth lived more lovingly together and parted more sweetly”
Whereupon . . . we further sought the Lord by a public and solemn Fast, for his gracious guidance. And hereupon we came to this resolution, that it was best for one part of the church to go at first, and the other to stay, viz. the youngest and strongest part to go. Secondly, they that went should freely offer themselves. Thirdly, if the major part went, the pastor to go with them; if not, the elder only. Fourthly, if the Lord should frown upon our proceedings, then those that went to return, and the brethren that remained still there, to assist and be helpful to them; but if God should be pleased to favor them that went, then they also should endeavor to help over such as were poor and ancient and willing to come.
These things being agreed, the major part stayed, and the pastor with them, for the present; but all intended (except a very few, who had rather we would have stayed) to follow after. The minor part, with Mr. Brewster, their elder, resolved to enter upon this great work, (but take notice the difference of number was not great.) And when the ship was ready to carry us away, the brethren that stayed having again solemnly sought the Lord with us and for us, and we further engaging ourselves mutually as before, they, I say, that stayed at Leyden feasted us that were to go, at our pastor’s house, being large; where we refreshed ourselves, after tears, with singing of psalms, making joyful melody in our hearts, as well as with the voice, there being many of the congregation very expert in music; and indeed it was the sweetest melody that ever mine ears heard. . . .4
“Indeed it was the sweetest melody that ever mine ears heard”
“Store We Up . . . Patience against the Evil Day!”
The Pilgrims Depart with Words of Wisdom from Pastor Robinson
More tears marked events the next day, as the Pilgrims headed for the docks at Delftshaven where the Speedwell lay at anchor. They presumably traveled the twenty-five miles by canal, which consumed most of the day. They were accompanied by the congregation members who were staying behind, who again hosted a meal for them in Delftshaven. There too were friends and perhaps family from the church in Amsterdam. Among the departing Pilgrims was William Bradford, now age thirty, and his wife Dorothy. Departure was no doubt especially painful for both: they had chosen to leave their only child, three-year-old John, in the care of others—most likely Dorothy’s parents in Amsterdam—until he could be brought to America when the colony was securely established. Mentored by Pastor Robinson and Elder Brewster, Bradford had become a key lay leader in the Leiden congregation, and played a major role in preparations for the expedition to America. “The night was spent with little sleep by the most,” Bradford would later recall, “but with friendly entertainment and Christian discourse and other real expressions of true Christian love.”
The next morning—Saturday, July 22, 1620—they assembled at the Speedwell, which was riding at anchor dockside. There, Pastor Robinson preached a final sermon, charging the Pilgrims with biblical advice “of great and weighty consequences,” in the words of Edward Winslow. In America, he counseled them, they should focus on unity and not division, including unity with other Christian believers outside of the Separatist ranks, such as the Puritans. He also urged them to let the Bible be their guide in all things—“to take heed what we received for truth; and well examine and compare and weigh it with other Scriptures of truth before we received it.” Then, kneeling, he led the group in prayer. Many realized they might not see one another again in this world, and “tears did gush from every eye,” according to Bradford. The Speedwell was moored dockside outside a Reformed church—the Herformde Kerk—and even Dutch onlookers watching the gathered congregation were moved to tears.
William Brewster, the revered elder of the Leiden congregation, would lead the Pilgrims to America, church leaders decided. Pastor Robinson planned to come later with more members of the congregation.
ARCHITECT OF THE U.S. CAPITOL
The tide was shifting from incoming to outgoing, the Pilgrims were advised, and it was time to go. The Speedwell’s sails were hoisted and were immediately filled by a strong breeze. Lines were loosed, and the ship and its passengers slowly moved away from the
Delftshaven dock and headed seaward for the North Sea and England. For many, including Pastor Robinson, the Speedwell’s departure would indeed be a final farewell. Various events would prevent Robinson from joining the Pilgrims in America as planned. Five years later, a deadly plague would ravage Leiden, killing thousands of its residents. Among the dead would be many members of the Leiden congregation—and their beloved pastor, John Robinson.
As the Pilgrims sailed into the open seas toward England was a letter of farewell written to them by their their pastor. It would be read aloud at dockside in Southampton, likely by William Brewster. In it, Pastor Robinson again encouraged them to be tolerant of each other—not to “give, no, nor easily take offense”—and to demonstrate “wisdom and charity” to all. When the time came to establish a form of government—“a Body Politic,” he called it—he urged them to “let your wisdom and godliness appear, not only in choosing persons as do entirely love, and will diligently promote the common good, but also in yielding to them all due honor and obedience. . . .” Remember, he beseeched them, to always choose “the glorious ordinance of the Lord” and a “virtuous mind” over the ways of the world. Pilgrim leader John Robinson would never see America, but his vision and his words would deeply inspire and mold America’s Pilgrims. Here, reprinted in full, is his farewell letter:
Loving and Christian Friends,
