Captain Miles Standish:
“It looks like this will be a good home for you and your families. There
is plenty of good water and the
land is ready for planting in the spring.”
William Bradford: “I
wonder who lived here before, and I wonder why they left. I truly believe
that God has given us this new land. He has provided it for us.
The Bible says that God will always be with us and He’ll give us what
we need.
3.
John Carver: “Maybe you too will have faith in our great God, some day,
Captain Standish.”
(The first winter is finally over and it is early spring, March, 1621)
John Carver: “It has been a hard winter, Mr. Bradford. Nearly half of our people died with the terrible sickness.”
William Bradford: “It
has been so difficult losing so many of our friends and family, but still
God has been good to us. I
heard that the sickness was much worse in Jamestown, Virginia, where we had
planned to settle.
Perhaps more of us would have died, if God had not used the storm to bring
us to this place.”
Dr. Samuel Fuller: “It
looks like spring is finally here! I thought that winter would never end.
Feeling the warm sunshine
and hearing the birds sing today reminds me that life does go on. God gives
us new hope every morning.”
William Bradford: “We thank God that He gave you strength to take care of all of us who were sick this winter, Dr. Fuller.”
Dr. Samuel Fuller: “I
pray that none of us will ever know another winter like this one. My strength
comes from God. I
could not continue to be a doctor, if I didn’t put my trust in God,
the Great Healer.”
(A meeting of the chiefmen in the common house in the middle of March, 1621)
John Carver: “I
called everyone together today to be instructed in military defense. Even
though we don’t want to kill
anyone, it is necessary to know how to use our weapons to protect our families
and our colony from the
savage Indians.”
Edward Winslow: “We
haven’t been attacked yet, but I agree that we must be prepared. Now
that spring is here, Indian
raiders may try to force us to leave this land.”
John Robinson: “Surely,
the Indians were created by God too. We must try to share our faith with them
and help them to
know the one true God who loves them. Isn’t that one of the reasons
why we came to this new land?”
Edward Winslow: “Yes, that is true. We ask God to bring peace between us and the Indians, instead of fighting and war.”
(Samoset walks into the meeting)
Samoset: “Hello,
my name is Samoset. I was on my way back to Maine where my tribe lives, when
I saw your
little village. I was so surprised to see Englishmen living here. I didn’t
see you last fall when I passed through.”
4.
John Carver: “We arrived last November, just before winter. God protected
us from a terrible storm and the hard
winter. We thank God for bringing us here. This is a good place. The ground
is ready for planting and
there is plenty of fresh water.”
Samoset: “The Patuxet
Indian tribe had lived here, but they all died of a mysterious plague four
years ago. They
were known to be very violent. They probably would have killed you as soon
as you arrived. Perhaps
your God has protected you.”
John Robinson: “It really is true! God has protected us and brought us to a place that He has already prepared for us.”
John Carver: “Welcome to Plymouth colony. Our women have dinner ready. Please join us for roast duck, bread & pudding.”
Samoset: “Thank you for the delicious food. You have been so kind to me.”
John Carver: “You are welcome. We are happy to share what the Lord has given us.
Edward Winslow: “It was so good to meet you, Samoset. Where did you learn to speak English?”
Samoset: “I learned
your language from English sea captains as I traveled along the coast. Thank
you for your
hospitality. I must be going now. Perhaps I will visit again soon.”
John Carver: “You are welcome anytime. May God be with you.”
(One week later Samoset brings Squanto to meet the Pilgrims)
Edward Winslow: “Samoset is back. He has brought another Indian with him.”