The Hand Of Providence

by Lori Thacker

When one looks back through the pages of history, the truly astute student sees the fingerprints of Divine Intervention. Long before the Pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower, Providence was at work, not only preparing people to shape history, but also protecting a land for which a divine purpose was intended.

Although America was not “discovered” by Columbus until 1492, stories of a great new land were told in almost every culture. Yet, in spite of these early explorers, whose accounts leave little doubt that their travels indeed brought them to America, this land of such great promise and wealth mysteriously remained unclaimed and unsettled. In an age where conquering and claiming new lands was universally accepted, how is that the Americas remained relatively untouched.

Inspired by tales of Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus landed on an island in the Bahamas, thinking he had discovered part of India. Providence used him to bring this wild and unexplored land to the world’s attention. John Cabot, formed an expedition with the purpose of securing some of this wealth and glory for England. In 1497, he landed on the mainland of America, and three months later he arrived home in England proclaiming that he had discovered the territory of the Emperor of China. In the 1500’s, several attempts were made to settle on America’s shores, but none endured.

Each of the attempts to colonize the New World, were funded by men and governments with one aim in mind, to control and profit from the wealth to be found in the America’s. Could it be that Providence was truly preserving this continent until the events taking place in Europe culminated in fulfillment of a Divine Plan through which the entire world would know and see the Arm of Heaven revealed in might and power, such as had not been seen since Israel came out of Egypt.

The Virginia Company used every method they could think of to make a profit. They wooed stockholders, held lotteries, sought support from the King, and appealed to God, By 1620 the Company was severely in debt and preparing to form another expedition to America. The Separatist assembly of Scrooby, having determined to leave their homeland to seek a new land where they might worship in liberty, sent Robert Cushman and John Carver to obtain such a patent. An outline was submitted to the Company to emphasize the strengths and convictions of the applicants:

Letter to Sir Edwin Sandys, a founder of the Virginia Colony,
from those who would become the Plymouth Colonists, 15 December 1617
... As for the present you rightly behold [God] in our endeavors, so shall we not be wanting in our parts (the same God assisting us) to return all answerable fruit and respect unto the labor of your love bestowed upon us....
1. We verily believe and trust the Lord is with us, unto whom and whose service we have given ourselves in many trials; and that He will graciously prosper our endeavors according to the simplicity of our hearts therein.
2. We are well weaned from the delicate milk of our mother country, and inured to the difficulties of a strange and hard land, which yet in a great part we have by patience overcome.
3. The people are, for the body of them, industrious and frugal, we think we may safely say, as any company of people in the world.
4. We are knit together as a body in a most strict and sacred bond and covenant of the Lord, of the violation whereof we make great conscience, and by virtue whereof we do hold ourselves straitly tied to all care of each other's good and of the whole, by every one and so mutually.
5. Lastly, it is not with us as with other men, whom small things can discourage, or small discontentments cause to wish themselves at home again. We know our entertainment in England and in Holland. We shall much prejudice both our arts and means by removal; who, if we should be driven to return, we should not hope to recover our present helps and comforts, neither indeed look ever, for ourselves, to attain unto the like in any other place during our lives, which are now drawing towards their periods.
These motives we have been bold to tender unto you, which you in your wisdom may also impart to any other.... We take our leaves, committing your persons and counsels to the guidance and direction of the Almighty.
Yours much bounden in all duty,
John Robinson [and] William Brewster

This small company was searching for a place to worship God, and they were trusting Him alone to guide and protect them as they ventured in His name across the ocean to build their homes and secure their futures. One wonders what these men, who left all, would think of the people who have inherited their precious legacy; the godless, narcisstic, effeminate, greed-driven society that we have become. Would their very souls weep at the indifference to the sacrifices that were made for the enlightened and advanced society that America imagines herself to be.

The true character of our forefathers is found written in one simple phrase. Oh for a group of men who would stand up again and say “… it is not with us as with other men…”