in this hopefull business, and in the meane time, these relations comming to my hand from my both known & faithful friends, on whose writings I do much rely, I thought it not a misse to make them more generall, hoping of a cheerfull proceeding, both of Aduenturers and planters, intreating that the example of the hon: Virginia and Bermudas Companies, incountering with so many distasters, and that for diuers yeares together, with an vnwearied resolution, the good effects whereof are now eminent, may preuaile as a spurre of preparation also touching this no lesse hopefull Country though yet an infant, the extent & commodities whereof are as yet not fully known; after time wil vnfould more: such as desire to take knowledge of things, may informe themselues by this insuing treatise, and if they please also by such as haue bin there a first and second time: my harty prayer to God is that the euent of this and all other honorable and honest vndertakings, may be for the furtherance of the kingdome of Christ, the inlarging of the bounds of our Soueraigne Lord King Iames, & the good and profit of those, who either by purse, or person, or both, are agents in the same, so I take leaue and rest

Thy friend G. MoVRT.

EXPLANATION OF THE INITIALS I. R.

ROBINSON'S LETTER TO THE PILGRIMS.

THE initials I. R. appended to the following admirable letter are those of John Robinson, pastor of the Pilgrim Church at Leyden, and the letter is his. It was written on occasion of the embarking of the Pilgrims in 1620. They received it at Southampton, whither they had sailed from Leyden, from Delft-haven, July 22d, having at that time bade farewell personally to their beloved pastor and the members of the church they were leaving. Mr. Robinson seems to have written this letter for the company of Pilgrims, with a shorter one to Mr. Carver, a deacon of the church, at the same time, July 27th. The reading of it was made a special occasion at one of the last meetings of the Pilgrims at Southampton, just before they went on board ship; and under such apostolical benedictions, instructions, and fervent prayers, from him whom God had set over them in the ministry of the gospel, they departed. Governor Bradford gives a short mention of this letter in the following words: " Mr. Robinson writes to Mr. Carver and people letters, which they receive at Southampton; and the company being called together, theirs is read among them, to the acceptance of all, and after-fruit of many."

The letter is such as might well produce after-fruit. It breathes the same spirit of far-seeing wisdom and love as that manifested in Robinson's celebrated parting discourse, at the day of fasting and prayer, "ready to depart on the

morrow." It will be noted with what prudence and affectionate earnestness he warns and instructs the flock for their conduct in the wilderness. He begins with the duty of daily individual repentance and peace with Christ; next peace with all men, especially with one another, by love, by gentleness and patience towards the infirmities of one another, by great watchfulness against either giving or taking offence, reminding them what cause the beginning of their civil community will minister for such extreme and tender care. And how beautiful the added injunction, to take none offence at God himself, whose loving providence they were now sure to meet in the shape of many crosses!

Next, to guard anxiously against private selfishness, and have in all things an eye single to the general good, avoiding the indulgence of particular fancies and singular manners apart from the general conveniency. In this he refers also to the danger from the pushing of private opinions as law for others. And that sentence which follows ought to be engraven in every mind: "AS MEN ARE CAREFUL NOT

TO HAVE A NEW HOUSE SHAKEN WITH ANY VIOLENCE BEFORE IT BE WELL SETTLED AND THE PARTS FIRMLY KNIT, SO BE YOU MUCH MORE CAREFUL THAT THE HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH YOU ARE, AND ARE TO BE, BE NOT SHAKEN WITH UNNECESSARY NOVELTIES OR OTHER OPPOSITIONS AT THE FIRST SETTLING THEREOF."

Then how important and just his hints for their guidance in regard to the choice and obedience of their officers of government. In all respects, this letter is one of the most remarkable ever penned. No wonder that it bore fter-fruit in many; for it was full of precious germs of truth, every word and phrase being well weighed; and its brief but heavenly instructions fell into hearts softened and prepared. Who can tell how great the effect of that letter must have been upon the prosperity of the colony, the church; how it grew beneath Christ's care, by the

guidance of its under-shepherd's instructions, even after he had gone to his rest!

He speaks in this letter of many of the intended pilgrims being strangers to the persons and infirmities of one another. This could not have been the case with those who had been members of his own church so many years together at Leyden, or were there acquainted with him or with one another, and therefore it must refer to those who expected to join them in England; of whom it is probable the greater part were those who put back in the Speedwell. The colony of Pilgrims was thus rendered, by the good providence of God, more completely one, and better acquainted from the outset with each other's characters, and therefore more confident in one another, and less exposed to dissensions than Robinson himself had anticipated.

God not only "sifted three kingdoms" to get the seed of this enterprise, but sifted that seed over again. Every person, whom he would not have to go at that time to plant the first colony of New England, he sent back, even from mid-ocean, in the Speedwell.

It was like God's dealings with Gideon and his army. "The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there; and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go."