A Site for a Free Cuba
Un Sitio para Liborio
A Site for a Free CubaUn Sitio para Liborio |
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The Pilgrims' First ThanksgivingReprinted from November 2001 issue of Freedoms' Alertby Rev. John A Dekker, D.D. In Defence of Truth Though the duty to give thanks to God has been incumbent on the family of man since the beginning of history, the observance of Thanksgiving in America dates back to the time of our Pilgrim Fathers, who in the Fall of 1622 discovered the secret of success and gathered to thank the Lord for His blessings. Each year at this time we would do well to remind each other of the trials and experiences of the 102 Christian Separatists, who in 1620 set sail for the "New World" on the Mayflower, hoping to build their homes, educate their children and worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences. The story of the Christian settlers at Plymouth is one of the most important chapters in the history of America. That they observed Thanksgiving is a matter of record, but few people know about their sufferings and what caused their fortunes to change for which they thanked God. Soon after the Pilgrims landed in December 1620, it was agreed that they would work as a communal group for seven years. Private property was abolished, and all products were to be gathered into common storage, to which each would contribute according to his ability, and from which everyone would receive according to his need. Under this socialist system, our fathers almost starved to death. So-called economic-equality discouraged work and bred discontent. The Pilgrims' experience in this "common course and condition", as Governor Bradford termed it, clearly proved "the vanity of that conceit of Plato... that the taking away of property and bringing... all into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing, as if they were wiser than God." In his "History of the Plymouth Plantation", Gov. William Bradford tells what was done to correct the situation. It was decided that instead of each man being responsible for his neighbors' wellbeing, every family would work on its own parcel of land, and when the Pilgrims abandoned the equality of socialism for the inequality of freedom, their economic problems vanished. Here, in the words of Governor Bradford, is how the Pilgrims won their war on poverty: "At length, after much debate of things, the governor gave way that they should set corn every man for his own particular, and in that regard trust to themselves... This had very good success; for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been... The women went willingly into the field... and by the time harvest was come, instead of famine, now God gave them plenty, and the face of things was changed to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God." No wonder the Pilgrims were thankful to God that first Thanksgiving Day. They had discovered the secret of success in free enterprise and personal application. In the words of Bradford: "And the effect of their particular (private) planting was well seen, for all had, one way and another, pretty well to bring the year about... so as any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day." This Thanksgiving, let us give thanks to God for the knowledge of history and the witness of our fathers, who discovered that socialism brings poverty and that paternalism destroys freedom and character. Let us thank God for the "good land" which He has given us... a land in which we eat bread without scarceness" (Deuteronomy 8:7-20). Let us resolve to reject socialism and every other "ism" that embraces this Marxist concept. Let us heed Moses' warning: "Beware, lest thou forget the Lord thy God... and say in thine heart, My power and the might of my hand hath gotten me this wealth" (v. 17). May God bless us in America, as He cared for our fathers and gave us the heritage of freedom.
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