_The word of God to Leyden came, Dutch town, by Zuyder Zee: “Rise up, my Children of no name, My kings and priests to be. There is an Empire in the West Which I will soon unfold, A thousand harvests in her breast, Rocks ribbed with iron and gold.”_ * * * * * _They left the towers of Leyden Town, They left the Zuyder Zee, And where they cast their anchor down, Rose Freedom’s realm to be.”_ J. E. RANKIN THE PILGRIM FATHERS _So they left that goodly and pleasant city which had been their resting place near twelve years._ _But they knew they were Pilgrims, and looked not much on these things; but lift up their eyes to the Heavens, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits._ _Governor_ WILLIAM BRADFORD WILLIAM BRADFORD was born about 1590 The _Mayflower_ reached Cape Cod; Mayflower Compact signed, November 11, 1620 The Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, probably December 20, 1620 William Bradford died, May 9, 1657 THE FATHER OF THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES William Bradford’s birthday, we celebrate on the anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock. We do not know the exact date of his birth. He was just an ordinary boy living in a small English village. He was brought up by relatives, for his father and mother had died when he was a child. They had left him a small fortune, so he was not in want. When about twelve years old, he began to read the Bible. It interested him so much, that when older he attended the meetings of some neighbours who were studying the Bible and worshipping God in their own little Assembly. Separatists, they were called, for they had separated from the Established Church of England. In those days, it was a crime in England for any one to hold or attend religious meetings of Separatists. The Bible printed in the English tongue, had long been forbidden reading, but in William Bradford’s days, it was beginning to be read quite widely, specially by Separatists. These poor people’s Assemblies were watched by spies and informers. Separatists were arrested and imprisoned, while some were executed. Others fled into Holland--brave liberty-loving Holland--where there was no persecution for religion’s sake. William Bradford became a Separatist. When about eighteen years old, he, too, fled into Holland, where he might serve his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in full liberty of conscience. For ten years or more he lived in Holland. He was a member of an English Separatist Church in Leyden, under the gentle rule of its beloved pastor, John Robinson. The Separatists believed that every man in the church-congregation should have a voice in its management; thus they elected their pastor.