The pilgrims arrived in Plymouth Bay in December of 1620. They had endured a harrowing 3-month voyage in a marginal vessel (sold 4 years later for scrap). Establishing their settlement was difficult going and survival of the colony itself was uncertain for about seven years. At least half of the group died by the spring of 1621. Yet, in spite of the overwhelming loss of that year, the remaining pilgrims gathered in November of 1621 and gave thanks to God for his blessings.
From that little group of brave souls, God formed an indelible part of American heritage – a sign post reminder of the kind of men and women that birthed our nation. I’m thankful today for their example of audacious courage and faith in the face of overwhelming odds. God doesn’t need a million people to change the world. With the blessing of God, faithful men and women, even one, can leave their mark – a legacy blessing those who follow after, even hundreds of years later.
Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing…and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation.
William Bradford (Governor Plymouth Colony, intermittently 1621-1657)
*The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, 1914
