The Pilgrims Persevered in Adversity
Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth by N. Currier, 1820
When the Pilgrims arrived in America and landed at Plymouth in 1620, they faced overwhelming problems and challenges. The Pilgrims lacked food, clothing, supplies, and shelter. In addition, they experienced a harsh winter climate and poor soil, which made hunting and farming very difficult. They also initially had a communal system of food distribution that stifled motivation to work, and visitors to the colony burdened supplies even further. They suffered from starvation, sickness, and death. Only half of them survived the cold winter and “starving time.”
In the spring, however, the Pilgrims’ condition notably improved. Though diminished in number, they forged a relationship with friendly natives who taught them how to plant crops. They were allowed to farm their own land for their own sustenance. They also enjoyed beneficial weather. Thus, they reaped a great harvest. In addition, more supplies were finally brought to the colony. Ultimately, Plymouth Colony survived.
In recounting their days of trial during that first winter, Pilgrims William Bradford and Edward Winslow share in their Journal that God’s Word and the Pilgrims’ faith comforted, encouraged, and strengthened them to press on during their trial and to trust in God’s deliverance and provision.
Bradford and Winslow identified the Pilgrims and their difficult experience with the ancient Israelites in the Bible who were led by God out of Egypt, through a desert wilderness, and into the promised land of Canaan. Though God similarly led the Pilgrims through a trying wilderness, His grace “suffered them not to distrust Him or repine.” Like the Israelites, the Pilgrims’ were ultimately delivered to their promised land of America. Citing Isaiah 58:12, they observed that God “built up by all this discipline, a hardy and cheerful piety, and a strong enduring faith; fixtures of character requisite for those who were ‘to raise up the foundations of many generations.’” Through their faith and trust in God, the Pilgrims persevered through extreme adversity and became key figures who laid the groundwork for a new nation and new life for many generations to come.
From AHEF and Angela E. Kamrath.
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Additional Reading: Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in New England, edited/reprinted by George B. Cheever. Chapter 16, pp. 274-288. Google Books. Also known as “Mourt’s Relation.”
Related Posts:
1. Three P’s That Led to Freedom in the West: Printing Press, Protestant Reformation, & Pilgrims
2. Who were the Pilgrims? Why did they come to America?
3. Why the Pilgrims Identified with the Ancient Israelites
4. The Mayflower Compact: The Pilgrims’ First Self-Governing Act in America
5. The Pilgrims’ Mayflower Compact as a Covenant
6: The Pilgrims & Private Property: What the Pilgrims Might Have Thought About Communism & Socialism
7. The First Thanksgiving in America
8. The History of Thanksgiving Day in America
9. Early Americans Valued a Strong Work Ethic
10. The Puritans’ Moral Authority Was the Bible
11. A City on a Hill: Why John Winthrop and the Puritans Came to America
12. The Puritans in America Identified with the Ancient Israelites and Practiced Covenants
13. Why and How Did Schools Begin in the United States: The Puritans Supported Education for Bible Literacy
14. Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army Rely on God in the American Revolution
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Activity: Miracle of America High School Teacher Course Guide, Unit 2, Part 3, Activity 3: Persevering in Adversity, pp. 91-92, 94. MS-HS.
Persevering in Adversity
Purpose/Objective: Students learn about the Pilgrims’ settlement at Plymouth Colony, challenges and trials, perseverance and reliance on God and the Bible, and the First Thanksgiving in America.
Suggested Readings: 1) Chapter 2 of Miracle of America sourcebook/text. Students read sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.7, 2.8.
2) William Bradford and Edward Winslow, letter on First Thanksgiving and Chapter 16, pp. 274-288, “The First Fast Day and Thanksgiving” in Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in New England. Edited/reprinted by George B. Cheever. Also known as “Mourt’s Relation.”
Activity 1: Student Presentation of Potential Problems and Solutions in Plymouth Colony:
Before primary source readings and lesson, a group of 3 or 4 students pretends they are Pilgrims who have landed at Plymouth. Another group of 3 or 4 students pretends they are Native Americans. The Pilgrims must deal with various problems/issues based on original Pilgrim accounts (which might be raised by teacher or other students at opportune times) including: lack of food, shelter, clothing, supplies, harsh winter climate, sickness & death (half of Pilgrims die); threat of unfriendly Native Americans, poor soil & difficulty farming, food hard to obtain, drought, communal distribution of food with lack of motivation, non-Pilgrim visitors eat food, and incoming settlers have no provisions. How would students (indvidually and together) approach/deal with problems that arise? What solutions would they create? How would they interact with one another in the face of such challenges? After activity, students think about whether they could or would have survived in such a situation. Students then discuss what the Pilgrims did to address their problems and survive. Students may read Winslow’s letter on the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving and Chapter 16 in the given link on “The First Fast Day and Thanksgiving” in William Bradford’s and Edward Winslow’s Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in New England. Students discuss reasons they think some Pilgrims survived.
Activity 2: Reading, Research, and Discussion:
a) Students read Chapter 16 on “The First Fast Day and Thanksgiving” in William Bradford’s and Edward Winslow’s Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in New England. In this chapter, Bradford describes the Pilgrims’ severe adversity in the harsh environment and how the Pilgrims ultimately persevered. Have students discuss the problems and issues the Pilgrims faced.
b) The teacher introduces students to the Bible Gateway website at www.biblegateway.org. The teacher will explain how to use the site to search for Bible passages or words in passages. In small groups, students will try to locate six (6) Bible references given by Bradford on faith and perseverance in adversity. Students go to the Bible Gateway site and try to locate and identify the exact biblical passages to which Bradford refers. (Students will be able to find these verses using the New King James Version.) Bradford alludes to at least one Bible passage without quotes. Hint: It is found in Daniel. (Teacher: Daniel 3:14-18). The teacher should explain to students why it is important for them to read and know the Bible in order to understand historical writings and literature and the frequent biblical references/allusions found in them. Each student should write the scripture numbers and text of the identified passages. Students may share and discuss their findings in groups.
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