Puritans and History

Origin of the Puritans: The "Separatist" was formed that this movement produced such leaders as John Smyth (whom some regard as the father of English Baptists), John Robinson, William Brewster, and William Bradford. Like Luther and the Catholic Church, the Separatists wanted to remain as part of the English establishment, working for biblical reform from within. Puritans: Pilgrims and Thanksgiving The Puritans were "The Separatists" in England in the 16th century. These are the founders of our country for whom immigration to America constituted withdrawal from the mother church. The Puritans reached North America with the English settlers who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. It remained the dominant religious force in New England throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. It was the Puritans who started "Thanksgiving". In 1620 one of the separatist congregations sailed for New England on the Mayflower. In New England the colonists established independent congregations, each congregation having the right to choose its own leaders and discipline its members. While church and state supported each other, neither one was allowed to interfere in the affairs of the other. The Puritans and Democratic Principles Before America was born, Puritan devotion to democratic principles by having town meetings in their church that every church member had the right to speak, and decisions were made by majority rule. The Puritan devotion to democratic principles had an important effect on American life. Puritans and Education The New England Puritan established a tradition of free, popular education, which later became the American tradition. Puritans formed the first formal school in 1635, called the Roxbury Latin School. Four years later, the first American College was established; Harvard in Cambridge. Children aged 6-8 attended a "Dame school" where the teacher, who was usually a widow, taught reading. "Ciphering" (math) and writing were low on the academic agenda. Puritans and Publications In 1638, the first printing press arrived. By 1700, Boston became the second largest publishing center of the English Empire. The Puritans were the first to write books for children. Puritans and Economics Capitalism was adopted by following Puritan work ethic in form of stewardship and that economics are called for efficiency and productiveness of common sense and a strong sense of disiring to be a good steward of God’s gifts. The Puritan attitudes towards money that their conviction that money is a social good, not a private possession and that the economic main purpose is the welfare of everyone in society, not the personal pleasure of the person who happens to have control over it. Richard Baxter's quote: “The question is how they (Puritans) use that which they labour so hard for, and save so sparingly. If they use it for God, and for charitable uses, there is no man taketh a righter course.” (Richard Baxter (1615-1691) was a prolific writer and included in his works is The Christian Directory which consists of a practical detailed application of the gospel to every aspect of life. This is probably the most comprehensive exposition of its kind ever written.) Puritans and 'ONE NATION UNDER GOD' How did the Puritans get the zeal for 'one nation under God' come from? The pilgrims back in days of old were a nation, an 'ekklesia' or congregation/church of "called out" people. Moses, back at Sinai, had set before Israel a great quest. He charged them to walk on with their God to become a 'kingdom of priests, and a holy nation'. (Exodus 19:6). This very same charge and destiny, to become 'a royal priesthood and a holy nation', was laid out for the Church by our Apostle Peter. (1Pet.2:9). They basically adopted that thought and used "Nation" from the greek word "Ethnos". Strongs defines Ethnos as a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together as a company, troop, swarm. A multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus the human family a tribe, nation, people group (Culture). Puritans and Church & State The Puritans were interested in establishing a degree of separation of church and state because they had been persecuted by the English government and wanted to ensure their own freedom of religion in Massachusetts Bay. They also disagreed with the Catholic/Anglican idea that the church should be should be universal, encompassing every member of the community. This implied a division between the institutions of society (government) and the institutions of the church. Puritans and Government (before America) After Plymouth, between the 1620s and 1630s groups began to move and found new towns : Duxbury (my hometown), Marshfield and Scituate to the north, Taunton, Rehoboth and Bridgewater to the west, and Eastham and Barnstable on Cape Cod. Puritans have established democratic government system before "America" was born. Puritans may have been very well-known for their witch-craft trials but if we study true history, the Puritans have impacted more on the America culture. I wished people studied history between 1620 to 1776 so that they can see how American was born through Puritans' influences.