“Now the Lord is that Spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
America’s heritage of Christian character is beautifully detailed in William Bradford’s History of Plimoth Plantation. He records the Pilgrim’s trials and tribulationsin the early years of the Plimoth colony and how these challenges forged their faith and endurance.
This story is an account that American Christians should cherish because it is the seedbed of the Christian government that grants us liberty in America today. Bradford recounts the many difficulties of the Pilgrims but explains that they valued liberty of conscience and spiritual comfort above riches or security.
This model of Christian character of the Pilgrim forefathers carried the seeds of Christian life, Christian character, and Christian self-government into all the activities of Plimoth Plantation, firmly planting Christianity into our American institutions—our heritage.
Teach the Children:
Question: What is Christian character?
Answer:
- Faith and Steadfastness But these things [trials and adversities] did not dismay them…for their desires were set on the ways of God and his ordinances. William Bradford
- Brotherly Love and Christian Care After this heavenly peace with God and our own consciences, we are to carefully provide for peace with all men, especially those close by. William Bradford
- Diligence and Industry Among the qualities which enabled the Pilgrims to successfully plant Christian Liberty on these shores were those qualities of individual enterprise—diligence, and industry. Verna Hall