Leader for the New World

Transcription

1 1 Leader for the New World The Story of William Bradford By Trudy Wright Act I England Scene I Childhood Scene II Heretic Scene III Reformation Scene IV Attempts Act II Exiles Scene I Netherlands Scene II Vision Scene III Departure Scene IV Troubles Scene V Voyage Scene VI Arrival Scene VII Fears Scene VIII Exploration Act III New Plimoth i Scene I Founded Scene II Death Scene III Visitor Scene IV Treaty Act IV Leader Scene I Governor Scene II Unrest Scene III Thanksgiving Scene IV Fortune Scene V Christmas Scene VI Summer Scene VII Winter Scene VIII Anne

2 2 Leader for the New World, The Story of William Bradford *William Bradford, Governor , 35, 37, 39-43, 45 Robert Bradford- William s uncle Thomas Bradford- William s uncle *William Brewster- Statesman, postmaster, spiritual leader *Mary Brewster- Wife of William Brewster *Dorothy May Bradford (Dority)- William s 1 st wife *Alice Southworth Bradford- William s 2 nd wife *Richard Clyfton-Pastor of Scooby group in England and Amsterdam *John Robinson- Pastor of the Separatists in Leiden *Mrs. Robinson- Wife of Pastor Robinson *John Carver- Merchant, 1 st Governor *Katherine Carver- Wife of John Carver Master Christopher Jones- Captain of the Mayflower Miles Standish- Military leader *Dr. Samuel Fuller- Physician Priscilla Mullens- Family died the first winter John Alden- Sailor, cooper, colonist *Edward Winslow- Colonist, leader Susanna White (Winslow)- 2 nd Wife of John Winslow Sachem Massasoit- Chief of the Wampanoag Sachem Samoset- Algonkain, from Pemiquid Point, Maine Tisquantum (Squanto)- Pawtuxet (sole survivor), Interpreter Hobomok- Wampanoag, interpreter Joe- Young sailor John Billington- Boy, son of John Billington executed for murder Thomas Weston- Capitalist, Merchant Adventurer *Robert Cushman- Helped in planning the colony *Fear Brewster- William and Mary Brewster s daughter *Patience Brewster- William and Mary Brewster s daughter * Indicates Separatists

3 3 Act I England Scene I Childhood Narrator: William Bradford was born on March 29, 1590 to a rather wealthy landowning family in Austerfield, England at a time when Queen Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII, was on the throne and head of the Anglican Church of England. Elizabeth compelled all to attend Sunday services and no other or experience: prison, exile, and ultimately, sometimes execution. The Church of England may have broken from popery, but still had much in common. Young William was heir to the lands and flocks of sheep his ancestors had purchased over the years. It is Bradford Home (Lights on Home Stage) Uncle Robert: (Angrily) I ask you now, what are we to do with the boy? Uncle Thomas: (Sympathetically) Show some mercy. Robert! Our brother, his father, died when he was but a baby. Uncle Robert: Yes, I know, and his mother shucked him off to our father so she could marry. Uncle Thomas: (Defensively) She did take him back when father passed away. Uncle Robert: (Spitting it out) She was forced to. He had no one else to take him! Uncle Thomas: Come, Come! He is only seven and his mother s dead. We are his only kin and much of the property we work is his inheritance. Uncle Robert: (Pacing and gesturing) I thought he could help us run the farms; instead he is sick and weak. He isn t even strong enough to go into the fields. Why Thomas, you and I did man s work by his age. What are we to do with an invalid boy? We must find some use for the boy. Uncle Thomas: (Thoughtfully) Since William cannot contribute to the farm work, why don t we send him to the vicar to learn to read and write? Like our neighbors, we can barely sign our own names. William could give us an advantage. He could draft deeds and other legal documents, keep accounts, and conduct our family business. Uncle Robert: Hmm Yes, I like it. I ll speak to the vicar tomorrow. (Emphatically) He must contribute!

4 4 Scene II Heretic Narrator: So, William was sent to Reverend Sylvester of Alkley to learn English and Latin. He read theology books: Erasmus The Praise of Folly and John Foxe s Book of Martyrs about the martyrdom of Christians under Bloody Mary. He also read the Bible, a feat few achieved. William found studies to his liking and he began to question the Church of England and its similarities to popery. By age twelve, William was immersed in the Scriptures. He was frail and weak from his sickness, but loved his studies. Sometime later a young friend invited him to go to a church in Babworth to hear Richard Clyfton preach, a grave and fatherly old man. It is Bradford Home (Lights on Home Stage) Robert Bradford: (Loudly) William, we told you to stay away from that fanatic schemer, Vicar Richard Clyfton in Babworth. He is a dangerous man. Thomas Bradford: (Imploringly) William, we are an important family. Mark my word, it will not go unnoticed. You will bring disgrace on our family yet. Robert Bradford: (Strongly) In fact we are forbidding you to attend church in Babworth. You will lose your reputation, your soul, and all of the family lands. Come back to your church here in Austerfield. You re You re turning into a heretic and you know what happens to them! Thomas Bradford: And you don t need to walk sixteen miles to worship. Robert Bradford: (Angrily) You re being very stubborn, William! Thomas Bradford: That church is trying to reform the Church of England. No good can come of it. William Bradford: (With conviction) Uncles, if I am to suffer disaster for my new beliefs, it will be for a good cause. Please, don t be angry with me and don t feel sorry for me. God is calling me. He has given me a heart to do this. Thomas Bradford: (groaning) Robert Bradford: The neighbors tell us you have been going to Scooby Manor, as well, to see William Brewster. This is just going from bad to worse. Thomas Bradford: I know Brewster is a very intelligent, prestigious gentleman educated at Cambridge University and well respected. It was thought that he would have a brilliant political career as he was connected to the court and traveled with Ambassador Davidson to Holland. (Shaking his head) He remained faithful to Davidson though Queen Elizabeth threw Ambassador Davidson in prison for two years as a scapegoat for the murder of Queen Mary, when it was no more than Queen Elizabeth s own dastardly deed! He is a good man, but he is headed for trouble and you with him. Robert Bradford: (emphatically) But, even Brewster s political connections will not keep him out of prison or keep his head. He is trying to reform the Church of England. The new king will have none of that. Thomas Bradford: Think of it. Elizabeth signed the execution of her own half-sister Mary. Now James the first is on the throne. He has sworn to put down anyone who challenges the authority of the Church and is putting them in prison and worse. (Motion of cutting his throat)

5 William Bradford: (Calmly) William Brewster is a humble, wise, peaceable, tenderhearted man. He is plain and distinct in his teaching. He is an example to me. He preaches the Scriptures as does Richard Clyfton. (Resolutely) I will follow the word of God, not man! (Uncles shake their heads) William Bradford: (Resolutely) No man or church can forgive sin, only God. Jesus Christ s blood covers me. Robert Bradford: (Emphatically) William, you are bringing disgrace to our family. 5

6 6 Scene III Reformation Narrator: Those following the gospel, those wishing to reform the Church of England were being labeled Separatists and thrown into prison by droves because they were a threat to authority. They were not allowed food, drink, fire, lodging, or visitors. Sometimes they went without a trial for months and even years. They were treated worse than felons or murderers. Some were killed. The authorities watched the homes of those suspected of dissent from the church. It became a dangerous thing to even speak of reforming the Church of England. It was called disobedient in matters of religion. It is Home of William Brewster (Lights on Home Stage) William Brewster: I am back and very fortunate to have escaped imprisonment. I was fined heavily, but thankfully, they still prefer my money to me. Pastor Richard Clyfton: Mr. Brewster, it is getting very dangerous to meet here at Scooby Manor. Fifty people coming to your house, even a few at a time, will not go unnoticed. We must act soon. Some of our members are already in prison and you have barely escaped. We must make plans to leave our dear old England. William Bradford: (Incredulously) Go into exile? Where will we go? William Brewster: (Nodding) Prison was no more than the disciples suffered for their Lord, but you are right. Yes, we must sell our property and leave our friends and family. We must come out from among them and be separate. We have become separate from the church and now we must separate from England. William Bradford: (Worriedly) I have no funds. I am only seventeen and will not come into my inheritance for four more years. How will I go with you? William Brewster: With us that have means. It s an adventure most desperate. William, you can live with my family. John Robinson: It is time to embrace a new land, a new language, a new living. (Shaking his head) We know not how, but we must be free to worship. Pastor Richard Clyfton: (With assurance) We will rest in the providence of God. Colossians 1:28 says, That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. This is the reason we must go. William Brewster: (To the others) Tell those willing to sell their landholdings as quickly and as quietly as possible. Let them know we are making arrangements to leave England. Hopefully, we will find a Captain to take us to Amsterdam for a fair price. I have some connections from my years in Holland with Ambassador Sir William Davidson. I will see what I can do. John Robinson: We must stay in inns separately and await a ship to be ready. Pastor Clyfton: (Confidently) Salvation is by faith. God will deliver us from this tyrannical power! We will find freedom in Holland.

7 7 Scene IV Attempts Narrator: The group sold their property and waited in separate inns for several days. Finally the ship put into harbor. When they were all gathered on board and had paid for their passage, the Captain betrayed them to the magistrates. All the separatists on board including William Bradford were humiliated before a crowd. They were dragged before the magistrates of Boston, England and imprisoned for a month then sent back home. William Brewster, Pastor Clyfton, John Robinson, and four others were kept for trial, but were eventually released. Many lost everything and had no homes to return to. Some gave up trying to escape England and its tyranny. Their second attempt to leave England proved only successful for some of the men when the group tried to depart from Grimsby Common at the mouth of the Humber River. Those captured were released and sent back home. It is Home of William Brewster (Lights on Home Stage) Mary Brewster: Come in, come in, Pastor Robinson. Welcome Mrs. Robinson. Pastor Clyfton, come in. William Brewster: Thanks for coming. We have much to discuss. How are you my friends? Where have you been staying? Mrs. Robinson: Neighbors have kindly taken us in. Pastor Clyfton: Our family is at my wife s parents. They are not happy with us, but are letting us stay. Mrs. Robinson: Dear, dear. If only some of us women had not gotten seasick going down the Humber River to the ship. We might have made it onto the ship with the men, but we put ashore and got stranded by the tide. (Sighing) Once again we are penniless, and they have taken all our belongings. I should be thankful they released the men. Mary Brewster: (Wagging her head) I shall never forget the sight of all those militia bearing down on us with pikes and guns. William Bradford: (Cringing & shuddering) I will never forget the women s tears and seeing the children clinging and crying from fear to their mothers and quaking with cold. (Shaking his head and looking at the men) I am glad we stayed to help the women and children. I know the rest of the men ran off in fear for their lives, but I just couldn t. Pastor Robinson: Yes. God protected us. You are a brave young man. Mr. Brewster, have you had any word yet from the men on the ship? Did they make it to Amsterdam? William Brewster: I received word this morning. As you know the men only had what was on their backs and little in their pockets and they are without their families. It was a terrible trip for them. They were caught in a storm and blown off course clear to Norway. The two day trip took fourteen days. They didn t see the sun, moon, or stars for seven days. Even the mariners despaired for their own lives. Mary Brewster: The men prayed continually even when their mouths were full of water. One wave caught their ship and turned it completely onto its side. But the hand of God saved them once again and brought the ship back upright. Why, it is a wonder that no men were lost! The ship was finally brought safely to Amsterdam. Mrs. Robinson: I am so relieved they are safe. God s providence once again saved the women and children from such a trip. We might have lost children at sea. Think of it! What we saw as a curse was really a blessing. We must trust in the providence of God.

8 8 Pastor John Robinson: Yes. And the witness to our faith has brought much fruit. Though we lost some members from the hardship, our members are increasing. Pastor Richard Clifton: It is exciting how they flock to us because of the way we have stood through persecution. We must be faithful. William Bradford: It is true! And the newcomers have fresh courage and inspire others. William Brewster: But, we must use a new strategy. We are watched much more closely. We must go in pairs and small groups to Amsterdam to avoid notice. We will all get to be in Holland soon. I, in fact, must go immediately secretly. Mary Brewster: Yes, he has received orders to appear before the Archbishop of York. That can only mean one thing-- imprisonment, or worse. Only God can save us. (Looks worriedly at her husband) Mrs. Robinson: We must be leaving and get back to our children. We must trust in the providence of God. Pastor Robinson: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and In righteousness. Numbers 8:7 Pastor Clyfton: God will save us. Keep us informed. Praise God! We will soon be in the Promised Land.

9 9 Act II Exiles Scene I Netherlands Narrator: King James the First was now own the throne and decided it was best to let the separatists go out of England. Stories of the separatist s persecution only increased their numbers. He wanted to be rid of them. But, on arrival in Amsterdam, William Bradford was accused of being a fugitive from English justice, but it was quickly righted. Thirty years earlier a Dutch law declared freedom of religion in Holland to break from popery. They granted William Bradford that freedom. Finally the Scooby Manor group was in Amsterdam, a city of 240,000 people, a city of narrow lanes, interlocking canals, and an uncouth language. The Brewster s, Clyfton s, and Robinson s each brought their three children with them. To simply survive they had to take the lowest paid, unskilled positions. They saw and knew the grime of poverty. Nine months later, because of doctrinal disagreements with other separatist groups already in Amsterdam, some of the Scooby group decided to move southwest to Leyden, a city of 40,000, a city of weavers. Pastor Clyfton stayed in Amsterdam with part of the congregation. John Robinson became the pastor in Leyden. William lived with the Brewster s. It is Home of William Brewster in Leyden (Lights on the Home Stage) William Bradford: (Cheerfully) Good evening. Supper sure smells delicious. How is little Patience? Mary Brewster: (Sadly) She is weaker every day. This is a dark, damp unhealthful place to live. The lane is only five feet wide and we rarely see the sun because the houses are so tall and close. Infection and fumes are everywhere. Patience needs better food, sunshine, and air. (In despair) Our children are dying here! We must do something! William Brewster: Yes, we must! William, how was your work today at the corduroy factory? William Bradford: Fine. They like my work and they are increasing my wages. William Brewster: I am thankful the burgomiester brushed aside King James protest that we are all English fugitives and should be sent back to England. William Bradford: For that we can be thankful. (Knock on the door) William Brewster: King James only wishes to worry and torture us. (Knock on the door) Come in, come in. Pastor John Robinson: Good evening. William Brewster: Good evening. Come in. We were just discussing the burgomeister s ruling to allow us to remain in Leyden. Once again God has been gracious unto us, his people in exile. Pastor John Robinson: We have much for which to be thankful. William Bradford: True. I am anxious to tell you my news. Perhaps it will be a blessing to our whole congregation. Perhaps it will be a blessing to Patience. As you know I have been negotiating the sale of my property in England since I turned twenty-one. The transaction is finished. I have found a large old house for sale facing the south of Pieterskerk Cathedral. We could use it as a meeting house. Pastor Robinson, your family could live upstairs. It has a very large garden in the back. It will mean a five-hundred-guilder mortgage for three years, but I think we can do it. I have been

10 eyeing it for some time. There is enough space to build thirty small homes for our congregation in the garden area. We have so many that are in destitute circumstances. Mary Brewster: William, you are a generous young man. I know the place. It is indeed a blessing from the Lord. How can we ever thank you? William Bradford: (Sincerely) Mary, You have already repaid me ten-fold. You both have been the parents I never had. Pastor Robinson: Praise God. We will have a real meeting house. Our congregation is increasing and we need it badly. We have a wonderful congregation living in peace, love, and holiness. The spirit of God is truly with us. William Bradford: It is a sweet and delightful society that takes care of each other s needs. 10

11 11 Scene II Keeping the Vision Narrator: On March 30, 1612 William Bradford became a citizen of Leyden and a member of a guild. He spoke fluent Dutch. He used the last part of his money to purchase a house on the Achtergracht Canal close to the University of Leyden and bought a loom to begin his own business. In 1614 William sent for Dorothy May, a girl he thought was too young to marry when he was in Amsterdam. They were married in a civil ceremony. Their son John was born in It is Home of William and Dority Bradford (Lights on the Home Stage) William Bradford: Come in, Mary. I am glad it is just you. (Motioning for William Brewster to join them) We must be so careful. Mary Brewster: (Nervously) I must not stay long. I am fearful the authorities will come. (Wringing her hands) (Speaking to her husband) They have identified your type. They know you published the Perth Assembly paper. This is not good, you living in hiding for months, house to house. I must not stay or they will know you are here. (Putting her cloak on to leave) I brought you some things. (Handing him a paper parcel) Promise me you will be careful. William Brewster: (Soothingly) Now do not be concerned, my dear Mary. Perhaps it was foolish of me to publish an attack on King James for forcing the Scottish Presbyterians to accept the rule of the English bishops. But the scholar in me forces me to write and we must publish truth. God has always watched over me. We can trust his mercy and providence. (Sees Mary to the door) William Bradford: Pastor Robinson, what are we to do? He cannot live in hiding forever. Pastor John Robinson: I have been praying about it. Parents are complaining. The youth in our congregation are taking on the ways of the Dutch and not keeping the Sabbath. They want the Sabbath to be a holiday. They are departing from the ways of their parents and are on a dangerous course. Part of our congregation has returned to England because of the hardships of exile here. William Brewster: This is a serious thing. Our congregation is very poor, so poor the children are forced into work to put food on the table. I am grieved about the loss of their education. Their bodies are growing old before their time. They need to be in school. William Bradford: The ten year truce the Dutch have with Spain is almost up, as well. If Spain wins a war with the Dutch, the Inquisition would be upon us and our religious freedom would be finished. Pastor John Robinson: If we are going to keep our vision alive, perhaps it is time to continue our pilgrimage. William Brewster: Captain John Smith is writing about a place in America. He writes it is much like England. It has fish and furs, harbors and fertile land. We could begin in a new land and form our own congregation there. Mary Brewster: (Turning to Dority) and health for our children. Dority Bradford: (Fearfully) But, what about our safety? I have heard it is a savage land and many die there. William Bradford: All great and honorable actions come with great difficulty and sacrifice. We must act and overcome with courage.

12 12 Dority Bradford: (Sadly) I am afraid I don t have your courage. William Bradford: All courage is from God. Pastor John Robinson: Now, Dority, God will give us all courage. We will talk to the congregation. We will call a day of humiliation and seek the Lord for His direction. William Brewster: It is a good purpose and God will bless it even should we lose our lives.

13 13 Scene III Departure Narrator: The Leyden group decided some would go to the new world. They decided to go to Virginia and form a colony apart from the Jamestown Colony. They selected John Carver, a merchant, and Robert Cushman, a deacon, to go to England to secure a patent from James I. They hoped they could gain financial backing from the London Company that financed the Jamestown Colony. The company jumped at the chance. The sticking point was that the Separatists insisted upon a statement from the king that would ensure their religious freedom in the new land. King James backed down and wanted a meeting to settle their religious differences. Knowing what the consequences were sure to be, they decided against it. A new offer came from the New Netherlands Company: Free transportation, cattle, and religious freedom if they would settle in a Dutch colony but, they would still be under the worldly influence of the Dutch. And then Mr. Thomas Weston and Mr. Martin from a new company in London the Merchant Adventurers made them a proposal to colonize and plant religion. Negotiations were long and hard. There had been a failed attempt to establish a colony on the Kennebec River in 1607 and none since. The Leyden group chose to sign an agreement with the Merchant Adventurers that had a patent for the northern part of Virginia on the Hudson River. They would pay 10 pounds each, purchase their own provisions, and labor for seven years in the colony to repay their debt to the Merchant Adventurers. The Leyden group selected William Brewster as the elder to lead the group and decided to send young men and families to begin the colony. Pastor Robinson remained to pastor the Leyden congregation and kept William and Dority Bradford s son John for fear of the hardships involved in a new land. The Separatists sold their homes and purchased a small 60 ton ship the Speedwell to take them to England to meet up with the main ship, the Mayflower, a 180 ton ship. The Speedwell was to go to America and remain there for fishing. It is July 22, 1620, Delftshaven, Holland. Delftshaven, Speedwell (Lights on the land and Speedwell) (A gathering of: William and Dority Bradford, Pastor and Mrs. Robinson, William and Mary Brewster, John Howland, Samuel Fuller, Edward Winslow, Katherine Carver) Pastor Robinson: (Quoting from Scripture) 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. Ezra 18:21 The time has come for us to separate. (They all begin to sing: Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, Page 506, A Mighty Fortress is our God) A Mighty Fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great; And armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal. And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, Were not the right man on our side, We will not fear for God has willed, His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! His doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. Pastor Robinson: (Quoting Scripture) But now they desire a better country, that is a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16

14 Should we not meet again on any fair shore, God has prepared a better place that we may all be together again. He will cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler... For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways... Remember God bids us to call upon me, and I will answer. Psalm 91:4, 11, 15. William Brewster: Pastor you have led us well. We will be faithful to our Saviour. John Robinson: I know you will continue to lead them, William. Here is a letter for you to read when you are all together sailing for the new land from England. (Giving a letter to William Brewster) Make sure the Merchant Adventurers stick to our agreement, financial and otherwise. William Brewster: As soon as I meet up with John Carver and Robert Cushman, we will assess the provisions and resolve financial differences. Thomas Weston is not the honest man we thought. It is my hope that Robert has not made concessions we are unable to keep. William Bradford: Come to us with our son as soon as you can. Dority Bradford: (Weeping openly) I cannot bear to be separated from Johnny. William Bradford: Now Dority, you know this is for the best. Johnny is barely three years old and not strong yet. We will establish a safe home for him. He will be well here. God willing, we will be together soon. Dority Bradford: I know, I know, but my heart breaks. My faith is weak. (Puts her face in her hands) Mrs. Robinson: Dority, we will love John as our own. We will bring him as soon as tis wise. Mary Brewster: (Putting her arm around Dority) Come Dority, (Patting her back) There, there. Tis for the best. Dority: (Sobbing) Katherine Carver: I am sad to depart, but I am anxious to meet John in England. William Bradford: We hate to depart. We have many friends here and it has been twelve years of peace. William Brewster: (Wiping his eyes) We must be off, the tide will not permit us to stay any longer. All: (Fall to their knees) Pastor John Robinson: (Earnest prayer and quoting Scripture) Father in Heaven, you have said in Scripture, Because thou has made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation: There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For, he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. ii Father in heaven we commend these, thy servants, into your keeping. We trust to your providence. Amen. All: (Rising and wiping tears they board the Speedwell) (Waving and saying goodbye) Pastor and Mrs Robinson: (Rise, but remain on shore. They return to their knees after all are on board kneeling and praying with hands uplifted) (Lips move) All: (Those on board sing while wiping their eyes.) Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill; God s truth abideth still, His kingdom is forever. (Lights off) 14

15 15 Scene IV Troubles Narrator: The Speedwell met up with the Mayflower in Southampton, England. The separatists were charged 100 pounds per person instead of ten and had to sell provisions to pay. They mainly sold their butter. It was here the Separatists met up with the Strangers, people chosen by Thomas Weston for their skills for the new colony: Tanners, weavers, shopkeepers, coopers, soldier. On August 5, 1620 they set out to sea, but three hundred miles out to sea the Speedwell was not seaworthy and they turned back to England. Another attempt was made, but the captain of the Speedwell deemed the ship unseaworthy and they turned back once again. This time twenty people remained in England. Some remained for seasickness, others because of the well-being of their children, some for the lateness of season, and fear. It was September 6, 1620 when the Mayflower lost sight of Ole England. So it was that 102 souls crowded together onto the Mayflower with fewer provisions. They set out for the New World with Captain Christopher Jones and his crew of thirty men. The Captain of the Speedwell later confessed he had cunningly and deceitfully overmasted and pressed his ship with much sail so he would not need to make the trip and be forced to stay the year of his contract in the new world. Mayflower (Lights on the Ship) (Brewsters, Bradfords, Winslow, Fuller) William Brewster: Like Gideon s army, we have been divided; our Lord through his providence has shown us the need for fewer to do His great work. It is time we read together the letter from Pastor Robinson. (Takes out the letter, opens it, and begins reading.) (These are the main points from John Robinson s letter) Loving and Christian Friends, You are in my thought sand affection, though I cannot be with you. It is my duty to give you advice in love. First, daily renew your repentance with God, particularly for known sins, and then for the unknown. The Lord calls us to reformation. Next, after being at peace with God and your conscience, as far as possible be at peace with all men, especially your associates, for as the Scripture says the work of grace is not true in that person who wants charity to cover offenses. Then, many are strangers and may not act the way God would have them. Be careful to behave like Christians to them. A fourth thing to be careful of, provide for the general good avoiding as a deadly plague your own common and special comforts. Do not esteem one person above another. Lastly, when you become a political body, let your wisdom and godliness help you to choose virtuous men as leaders that will love and promote the common good. Also, give them honor and obedience in their lawful administrations. These few words I commend unto your care and conscience with my daily prayers. I truly wish you success in this hopeful voyage. Pastor John Robinson (All reverently nod their heads) William Bradford: We shall miss Pastor Robinson s counsel, but God is with us. (All nod their heads again) First Peter 12:11 says, Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and Pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. William Brewster: We will now pray and ask our Father s watch care. (Lights off)

16 16 Scene V Voyage Narrator: The winds blew the Mayflower out to sea. The passengers lived below, between the cargo stored in the bottom hold and the ship s main deck. The tween deck was only five feet in height and was not large enough to sleep all 102 passengers at once. Needless to say, there was hardly any privacy. The passenger s meals were mostly cold biscuits and salt beef. It would be a long voyage as the ship only averaged two miles per hour. Halfway across their passage, storms of the equinox confined them much of the time below deck. The passengers became seasick even before the storms and the trip took twice as long as planned. Mayflower (Lights on the Ship) Sailor Joe: (Singing and Dancing around) Dumping them into the sea, Oh, Dumping them into the sea, Oh, how fun it will be to dump them into the sea. (Repeat) Priscilla Mullens: (Leaning over the side of the boat retching) Joe, please stop. Tis wretched business this seasickness. Haven t you ever been sick? Sailor Joe: I have me sea legs. (Dancing around) Me thinks your food is getting separated from you. Ha. Ha. Separated! It will be my pleasure to dump the whole lot of you into the sea. Tis no more than King James should have done with the lot of ya. Priscilla Mullens: I am not a Separatist. Have mercy on us. Sailor Joe: Better be asking your God to have mercy on ya. I ll be having a merry time with your belongings. I could use me some new duds. (Tugging his ragged shirt) Priscilla Mullens: I shall pray that God will have mercy on your soul! Sailor Joe: Where is your God? You think you are better than the rest of us. I worship the God of King James. You don t see me sick, now do you! (Goes off singing the same song) (The ship s cooper John Alden comes on deck) John Alden: Joe, leave Priscilla alone, get! (Takes his hat and motions him to leave) Say, Priscilla, if he should bother you again, you just call for me. I ll take care of Joe and knock a little sense into him. (Winks at Priscilla) (Priscilla blushes and turns away) (Dr. Samuel Fuller and William Bradford come on deck) (John Alden leaves) William Bradford: I heard Joe was bothering you. I will go and have a talk with him. We must show patience and forbearance. I will see what I can do to help him show a little kindness. The ship has probably been his up-bringing. (William Leaves) Dr. Samuel Fuller: (to Priscilla) William has become quite a peacemaker. He has helped resolve many disputes since we ve been cooped up together. He has also helped the sailors keep peace with each other. Priscilla Mullens: I noticed that as well. Dr. Fuller, isn t there anything more you can do for us? I am afraid some will die from this seasickness.

17 Dr. Samuel Fuller: I know some are very weak, but I think once the sea is calm and more are able to come up on deck, they will get well. The fresh sea air is good for them. My concern is about the length of this voyage and other illness. Priscilla Mullens: I am also very concerned about Dority. I think it is more than seasickness. Why, she is either crying or looking so sad it breaks my heart. She has an awful faraway look I have never seen before. She just stares out and I have even heard her cry out for Johnny in the night. I am afraid for her mind. Dr. Samuel Fuller: Yes, I have the same concern. William is doing all he can for her. He wonders if they have done the right thing in leaving their Johnny. I think they have for the conditions we are in and will be in for some time, though the children seem to be faring better than the adults. Priscilla Mullens: Dority has talked to me and she is without hope. She senses she will never see Johnny again. She is also afraid of the wild beasts and wild men we will meet on land. Dr. Samuel Fuller: She is a very fearful young woman. We all have concerns about landing as well. We must all place our trust in God. You look like you are feeling better. Priscilla Mullens: Yes. I am beginning to get my sea legs. (Laughs) I don t think Joe will have my belongings right away. Dr. Samuel Fuller: (Laughs) Good Girl. I hear John Alden may stay in the colony with us. (Just then they hear a splash and turn around to see John Howland falling overboard) John Howland: (Leaning over the ship rail falls into the sea but catches onto a lanyard. Captain Christopher Jones and John Alden rush out and pull in the rope hauling him in.) Captain Christopher Jones: He caught a lanyard!.what are you doing, mate? Are you trying to swim back to jolly England? John Howland: (Spewing water from his mouth and sputtering.) Praise God. Praise God. Dr. Samuel Fuller: John we must get you below and out of those wet clothes before you catch your death of cold. John Howland: I am none the worse. Perhaps God s providence saw fit to give me a bath. Maybe it will take away my seasickness. (Laughing) (They laugh) Captain Christopher Jones: Haven t we had enough excitement for one day. The men and I have just finished fixing the main beam that cracked in that last storm. Thankful we are that you folks were carrying a great iron screw that could sure up that beam. It should get us to land and we can hew us a new beam. With a little caulking we will be fit, tight, and seaworthy again. (Loud Boom) Captain Christopher Jones: Now what? William Bradford: (Coming in) That was John Billington. That lad is going to be the death of himself and the rest of us. He fired a musket below and nearly exploded a keg of powder. (Off stage John Billington, screaming and hollering) Ow! Ow! Ah! Nooooo! William Bradford: (Laughing) I think that would be his father giving him some instruction. 17

18 18 Captain Christopher Jones: (Scratching his head) I thought I just said we have had enough excitement for one day. Someone better get that lad under control before he kills us all. (Joe stumbles onto deck groaning and sick) Priscilla Mullens: Runs below and returns with a blanket for him to lie on. Sailor Joe: Thank you. I am not deserving of your kindness. Priscilla Mullens: Tis no more than our Lord would do for you. He cared for the sick, you know. Dr. Samuel Fuller: I will see what I have that could make him comfortable. Sailor Joe: Tis no use. I am going to die. Dr. Samuel Fuller: Now lad, I am sure you have many more years to sail the seas, but I am in hopes you will be kinder to your passengers even if they are Separatists and Strangers. Sailor Joe: Do you think God will pardon me? Dr. Samuel Fuller: Yes, lad, I am sure of it. We have only to ask. He longs to forgive a repentant soul.

19 19 Scene VI Arrival Narrator: The passengers cared for Joe day and night, but the sickness he had was not sea sickness and it was Joe that was cast into the sea. After Joe was thrown into the sea, the rest of the sailors were much kinder to their cargo of separatists and strangers. All wondered if it was justice. They sailed for sixty-six days and nights and on Friday, November 10, 1620, land was sighted. Master Christopher Jones confirmed their location from his charts: Truro on Cape Cod, New England. Not the land they had a patent for, but land none the less. They turned south, to get to the Hudson, but at an area called Tucker s terror they fell amongst dangerous shoals and roaring breakers. They were in such danger they turned back and went north around the Cape. Ship (Lights on the Ship) Dority: (Looking sad) William Bradford: Now that we are in a good harbor, everyone is praising and thanking God. William Brewster: God be praised. It will take the men a week to put the shallop boat back together as it is in four parts. It took a mighty beating in the hold during those storms. We will be meeting in a few minutes to make decisions regarding our future. I have been working on writing the document we have discussed. (Katherine Carver, John Carver, Standish, Winslow, and Fuller enter) John Carver: Is the document ready, William? William Brewster: Right here. Why don t you read it aloud before we all sign it? John Carver: (Reading from the Old English document) In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord, King James Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honor of our King and Country do by these present solemnly & mutually in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civill body politick and by virtue hearof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just & equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for the generall good of the Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. iii (They sign the document) William Brewster: Now we need to choose our Governor. I know this isn t usual for a group to choose a Governor, but we are in unusual circumstances. William Bradford: I believe we would have a just, wise, and patient man in John Carver. We have in our group: elders, merchants, tradesmen, and servants. He treats all as equals no matter their station in life or their religious persuasion. William Brewster: A grand choice. (Nods all around) The people have spoken. Will you take this office at the will of the people, John? John Carver: With God granting me wisdom and with your support. Samuel Fuller: He never lets us down.

20 John Carver: As soon as the shallop is ready, we need to explore and find a suitable location for the colony. It is already winter and Master Christopher Jones needs to return his ship to England. Miles, will you and William form a group of young men willing to explore? We must find a suitable place to live. Miles: As soon as the shallop is ready and we have the men. William Bradford: I will help Miles in every way I can. Dority: (to William, distraught) Must you be the one to go? What if you meet up with the wild men? What if a beast is lurking? William Bradford: Now, Dority, you must realize we are all going to be on land soon. We must find a place to live. The ship must return. And it is winter; we must build homes to get the women and the children off this ship. The hold is an unhealthy place to live and there is no privacy. Dority: (Turns away crying) Yes, William. Tis right. William Bradford: We will be careful. God goes with us. His providence has brought us to this place. 20

21 21 Scene VII Fears Narrator: For weeks the men searched for a suitable location to establish a colony. Finding a place with fresh water, a place suitable to grow food, and a safe harbor was a monumental task. It was now mid-december, Mayflower (Lights on the ship) Katherine Carver: I am anxious for the men to return. John will be relieved when they return. Mary Brewster: He is bearing a lot of responsibility with winter on us. Katherine Carver: It is very important that we find a place to build. Priscilla Mullens: (Shivering) It is very cold. I am worried about poor Dority. Mary Brewster: I know. I am as well. What a pity. I sympathize as we left our daughters Fear and Patience. It is very difficult, but I would rather we are settled before they come. Priscilla Mullens: She continues to grieve for her son... Katherine Carver: and worry about William out exploring. Perhaps, he should have stayed on ship this exploration. Mary Brewster: It doesn t help that every time the men come back to the ship they tell such tales. Priscilla Mullens: Yes! Imagine! It seems there is evidence that just a few years ago a plague killed many Indians. Have we come to a place of the dead? Mary Brewster: and they had a skirmish with some Indians this last time out. Katherine Carver: Did you hear they found the body of a man with blond hair buried with his little son? Think of it! Priscilla Mullens: (thoughtfully) and that is what put Dority on edge even more. She fears that the wild men will kill us. Mary Brewster: (Cheerfully) It is a good sign that they have found food. I tasted some corn and beans. Katherine Carver: The food is really quite good. Priscilla Mullens: and the food from the sea was delicious. It is just what we need. Mary Brewster: When William returns, I am going to tease him about the deer trap he stepped in. Imagine. It pulled him upside down just hanging there in the air from a tree. I would have liked to have been there. (Laughing) Priscilla Mullens: (Laughing) Good idea, I can t wait to see his face. (The three women leave) Dority Bradford: (Sneaking on top deck, she sits with very far away staring look of sadness) (She rises and looks furtively around) (She disappears behind and you hear a big splash) (Silence for a minute) Master Christopher Jones: (Calls from off stage) Over board! Man, Overboard! (Splashes and scuffling) (He carries her limp wet body on top deck)

22 22 Mary Brewster: (Mary Brewster, Katherine Carver, and Priscilla rush back on deck) What happened? Priscilla Mullens: Oh, no! Its Dority! Is she all right? Dority, oh, Dority! Master Christopher Jones: I am afraid not. (They cover Dority) (Looks up) (Wind blows) We must get below. A storm is coming. Katherine Carver: Poor William. He will be heartbroken. He loved Dority so much. All: (Leave stage)

23 23 Scene VIII Exploration Narrator: The men were having their own difficulties exploring. Clarks Island (Lights on the Land) (With dim light) (fire light) Miles Standish: I am glad we were able to land this skiff. What a storm! William Bradford: I thought we were going to be blown out and lost at sea! God s hand has plucked us from the sea. Miles Standish: I thought for sure we were going to capsize and drown. William Bradford: But when the mast snapped off... (Shakes his head) I can hardly believe we were able to save the sail and line. Tomorrow we will make a new mast and we can be on our way again. What a day. John Howland: I hope we don t hear any more Indians tonight. Hopefully they won t be out on a night like this. William Bradford: Their wolf howls last night were very unsettling. Miles Standish: We ll set a guard again tonight. William Bradford: I am glad no one was hurt in that skirmish today. There must have been thirty Indians. I didn t think we would make it to the skiff to get our weapons so many arrows were flying at us. That one was so bold and fired arrow after arrow at us. He must have had four arrows in the air at the same time. Miles Standish: They are fast all right. I sent a charge very near that one and it finally scared them all off. William Bradford: We need to make friends with them not enemies, but how? (Shakes his head) Miles Standish: They need to see that we are strong and not afraid of them. That will make better friends. Let s build a fire to warm and dry us. Then we need to get some sleep. That will put some heart into us. John Howland: I wonder what tomorrow will bring. William Bradford: Tonight let us just thank God for the mercies of our twice deliverance, once on land and once at sea.

24 24 Act III New Plimoth Scene I Founded Narrator: In the morning the explorers found that they were on an island and named it Clark s Island after the first man ashore. They cleaned their muskets and dried their supplies and prepared for the Sabbath. On Monday, December 11, 1620, they went ashore on the mainland to find: a good harbor that could accommodate ships one mile from shore, a brook with fish, and land that had been cleared for crops four years earlier and then deserted. After six difficult weeks, they had found a place of habitation. They returned to the ship and William learned of his wife s drowning and skeptic conclusions. He called her his dearest consort. He wrote: Faint not, poor soul, in God still trust. Fear not the things thou suffer must; for whom he loves he doth chastise, and then all tears wipe from their eyes. He dried his tears and went about working for the good of the colony and never mentioned Dority again. After the ship mourned Dority for three days, they returned to the place that John Smith had named New Plimoth in the year It is now December New Plimoth (Lights on Land) (Group walks onto the land, men and women: John Winslow, William and Mary Brewser, William Bradford, Dr. Samuel Fuller, Miles Standish, Priscilla Mullens, Susanna White holding baby) All kneel and bow their heads (William Brewster lifts his folded hands and looks heavenward as he prays) William Brewster: Blessed be the name of the Lord. Father to you we give thanks this day, December 14, 1620, for your tender mercies toward us. Thank you for bringing us safely over the vast and furious sea. Thank you for providing a land in which we can worship you according to the Scriptures. Thank you for providing a land that has been prepared and ready for us to plant. I pray that you will bless this land and may it be fruitful to us, your people. Amen. (All rise) All Sing: We gather to Gather (Seventh-day Adventist Hymn Book, Page 8) (Netherland Folk Hymn) We gather together to ask the Lord s blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing, Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own. We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant, And pray that Thou still our Defender wilt be. Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free! William Brewster: We have much to be thankful for. Only one died on the voyage and (looking at William Bradford) one here. And then we had the birth of Susanna White s baby. Now we must look to the future and plot out the village with road and 19 lots, a common house, and storage house. We will build the common house first and then prepared homes for the people, but we must also secure the colony from attack. John Carver: Men, we will remain here and begin again in earnest to build the common house. Alden and Winslow will take the women back to the ship in the Shallop. Bradford will fell timber and Brewster, you, and I can saw; Samuel you can hew; the rest can carry and set in place. (Women leave) (Men remain) (Lights on Land Stage off)

25 25 Scene II Death Narrator: Not much was accomplished that day. A cold wind and rain set in so the men were unable to get back to the ship. They suffered from wet and cold for three day before they could get back to the ship to recuperate. On Christmas day the real work began, but the long voyage, poor ventilation, lack of proper food, cold, and wet brought disease to the Pilgrims, scurvy, pneumonia, and tuberculosis began to take its toll on the pilgrims. The men became sick from cold and wet on the sea and land and the women from living in the hold of the ship where disease spread. Few were exempt in January & February of Mayflower (Lights on the Ship) John Carver: Master Jones, we came to get some medicine Samuel had on board the Mayflower. We are losing two or three people to sickness each day. We have so many people sick in the Common House that there is hardly room to walk. Dr. Samuel Fuller: I don t know what we would do without William Brewster and Miles Standish. They are nursing the sick and cooking food for them, and even washing the clothes and bedding. (Amazed) They do it cheerfully and willingly. John Carver: It seems the Lord has kept sickness and lameness away from those two men. We are burying the dead in the night as we do not want the Indians to know how many of us have died. We dare not show signs of weakness. Master Christopher Jones: I know my men have been making fun of you again and refused to give you any help with the sick, but now they are sick and dying. John Carver: What can we do to help you, Master Jones? You have kept the ship here for our benefit until we can get shelter made. Master Christopher Jones: It can t be helped. I wanted to be on our way months ago, but I needed to make sure you were settled on land since I failed to get you to Virginia. John Carver: Well, we really appreciate it. You have certainly been fair to us, more so than Thomas Weston and Mr. Martin were on leaving England. They insulted us, flew away with our money and food, and then said we were unthankful and mutinous. (Shaking his head) Robert Cushman and I did our best with those capitalist thieves. Master Christopher Jones: An honest lot they are not. They will be very unhappy with me. I should be bringing back a shipload of lumber and fish! I can t leave until the crew is well enough to get the ship back to England! John Carver: Store up patience for such men that do not honor man nor God. We must rest in God s providence. Master Christopher Jones: My men let each other die like dogs. You folks help each other and the sailors like true Christians, though the sailors have continued to abuse you. John Carver: It is what our Master taught us to do. It is more blessed to give than to receive. iv Master Christopher Jones: Well, whatever I have on the ship to help you is at your disposal. My own cook died this morning. I have now lost my cook, boatswain, gunner, three quartermasters and a dozen sailors and my cooper, John Alden, says he is staying in Plimoth. I think he is sweet on Priscilla Mullens. I am afraid I will be returning with only half the sailors. We will be limping back to England. By the way, how is William Bradford?