Three Young Pioneers: A Story of the Early Settlement of Our Country — John Shaqi
Three Young Pioneers: A Story of the Early Settlement of Our CountryMueller, John Theodore
History
Three Young Pioneers: A Story of the Early Settlement of Our Country
Mueller, John Theodore
Massachusetts -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 -- Juvenile fiction; Puritans -- Juvenile fiction
As often as the emigrants gathered for worship, she was present with
the children, and joined in the singing, for she had a fine, melodious
voice. There was no organ on board the ship, neither did the colonists
have musical instruments. Yet they sang so wondrously that it was a
pleasure to listen to them. The hymns were learned by heart, not only
by the older members, but also by the children, who joined their clear
young voices with those of their fathers and mothers. So also they
learned the Bible, and while not all had copies of that holy Book, the
majority of them knew whole portions by heart; especially the psalms
which they sang every day. Furthermore, there was instruction in the
Catechism each day, so that the children were well occupied, as were
also their elders. For when they were not worshiping God by song and
prayer, they served Him by doing useful work, of which there was much
to do.
The colonists, knowing that they would settle in a primitive country,
had brought plenty of wool, which the women spun into cloth from which
to make garments. At that time there were no readymade clothes.
Everything had to be made at home. This kept the women busy almost all
day, and kept them from brooding over their trials and difficulties.
After all, it was not easy for them to leave their homes and settle in a
new, uncivilized country. There, as they knew, the winters were much
longer and harder; the woods were filled with Indians, who at times were
hostile, and before the soil could be tilled, trees had to be cut down
and stones had to be removed. The future, therefore, was not promising.
The life that awaited them, was not one of ease. Yet they were resolved
to carry out their plan and secure a home in inhospitable America, where
at least they were not persecuted on account of their religious beliefs.
But also the men were busy in various ways. Some of them were skilful
in weaving and spinning, and these helped the women in providing
necessary garments. Very often father and mother with their children
labored at one piece of work, and there was much jollity, as the parents
related many a good story to their children. Others who were skilled in
carpentering, made implements which could be used on the farm, in the
woods, or in the homes. Others again attended to the sick, of whom
there were many at all times, while still others joined in instructing
the young.
In short, each emigrant was given some task to do, and the whole
activity was superintended by Governor Winthrop, who led the men in
wisely employing their time.
He was genial and affable, and even the humblest could go and speak to
him. Though he was still a young man, yet he was like a father to every
one. In spite of storms and many unpleasant things, the voyage was not
altogether dreary, and when the emigrants finally landed, they thanked
God heartily for the innumerable blessings bestowed upon them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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