Morning on November 9 was no different from the other mornings since they had come aboard. Abovedeck the crew plodded through their routines. Out of the west came a curious gull, to dip and weave above the weary freighter. An old salt scrubbing down the deck vowed he could smell land. A seaman pointed to the changing color of the water -- indigo blue had blended into emerald. Another good sign. Land was close, and they had better begin to take soundings. In a few moments the hiss and plop of the lead line was followed by the singsong call of twenty, thirty, forty, fifty fathoms. Then a sudden break in the sleepy chant and the excited bellow: "Andbottom at eighty fathoms, sir!"
Land. It was there, beneath the Mayflower's encrusted keel, the continent of North America, reaching out into the sea to welcome them. The sun was making the ship'sworn sails gleam as if woven with gold. Then from the maintop lookout burst the cry that passengers and crew had been hearing in their dreams for weeks.
L-A-N-D HO! L-A-N-D HO!
Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong went the ship's bell. It was seven o'clock on the morning of November 9. Shouts of joy and tears of relief mingled. Many fell on their knees and thanked God with simple spontaneity. William Brewster suggested a song of gladness and gratitude, and from the Mayflower soared the words of Psalm100.
Shout to Jehovah, all the earth
Serve you Jehovah with gladness
Before him come with singing mirth
Know that Jehovah he God is
It's he that made us, not we
His folk and sheep of his feeding
O with confession enter ye
His gates, his courtyards with praising.
Confess to him, bless you his name
Because Jehovah he good is
His mercy ever is the same
And his faith, unto all ages.
Excerpts from the book by Thomas J. Fleming,
ONE SMALL CANDLE
The Pilgrims' First Year In America
1 comments:
Amen and amen ! we too, no matter what; should fall to our knees more often and say Thank you dear Lord for all You have given us and done for us !!!!!
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