The Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact was the first document of what would evolve into the republic of the United States. It should never be assumed, however, that the Pilgrim Fathers intended to break with the Old World. Rather, the Mayflower Compact demonstrates commitment to what the Pilgrims had known and believed. This fact has been aptly captured by C. P. Breckinridge in his 1889 oration at Plymouth. He noted that the Mayflower Compact was ". . . not a constitution, nor yet a charter; nor yet in a true sense a social compact," but rather "...the complete demonstration that they were planting the seeds of the old truths, not attempting to make some new and unknown harvest from untried seed." As is evident from the reading of the Mayflower Compact below, the "old truths" which the Pilgrim Fathers brought with them to the New World was the Christian faith!

Mayflower Compact

Mayflower Compact

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.

Mr. John Carver,
Mr. William Bradford,
Mr Edward Winslow,
Mr. William Brewster,
Isaac Allerton,
Myles Standish,
John Alden,
John Turner,
Francis Eaton,
James Chilton,
John Craxton,
John Billington,
Joses Fletcher,
John Goodman,
Mr. Samuel Fuller,
Mr. Christopher Martin,
Mr. William Mullins,
Mr. William White,
Mr. Richard Warren,
John Howland,
Mr. Steven Hopkins,
Digery Priest,
Thomas Williams,
Gilbert Winslow,
Edmund Margesson,
Peter Brown,
Richard Britteridge,
George Soule,
Edward Tilly,
John Tilly,
Francis Cooke,
Thomas Rogers,
Thomas Tinker,
John Ridgdale,
Edward Fuller,
Richard Clark,
Richard Gardiner,
Mr. John Allerton,
Thomas English,
Edward Doten,
Edward Liester[1]

Conclusion

One Nation Under God

Throughout the twentieth century, anti-American groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – which was initiated under the influence of communism – have suppressed and denied America's true Christian origin. Children and youth have been subjected to redacted forms of historical sources which have been edited to remove their Christian origin. In fact, the charters of all Thirteen American Colonies were based upon the Bible and Christian principles, while eight of the Thirteen Colonies had state churches. However, America's courts began to deny the nation's Christian origin during the mid-twentieth century. America's Founding Fathers understood it would require great commitment and resolve if they were to bequeath a heritage of Christian freedom to succeeding generations, and that responsibility is no less great for the present generation.

Related Articles

Lewis Morris

American History | Christian Calendar (Holidays) | Christian History | January Articles | Signers of Declaration of Independence

Lewis Morris (April 8, 1726 – January 22, 1798) was an American landowner and developer from Morrisania, New York. He signed the Declaration of Independence as a delegate to the Continental Congress from New York. The brief biographical sketch of his life presented below is taken from the nineteenth-century work, Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by Rev. Charles Goodrich. Article Contents A Thumbnail Sketch Related Articles Anchor Elements Article Notes and Sources A ThumbnaiRead more...

Christianity and America's First Constitution

American History | Christian Calendar (Holidays) | Christian History | January Articles

Have you ever seen a car license plate from the state of Connecticut? If you have, do you remember the slogan emblazoned on it? Connecticut is called the "Constitution State," but very few of us know why it has been given this title. The reason Connecticut is called the Constitution State is because of a Christian minister and his belief that the Bible contains all of the principles necessary for happy contented living including the Christian's involvement in matters of government or politics. The pastor's name was Thomas Hooker. He was born oRead more...

George Clymer

American History | Christian Calendar (Holidays) | Christian History | January Articles | Signers of Declaration of Independence

George Clymer (March 16, 1739 – January 24, 1813) was an American politician and founding father. He was one of the last Patriots to advocate complete independence from Britain. As a Pennsylvania representative, Clymer was, along with five others, a signatory of both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Points of significance include the following:George Clymer Orphaned at seven, was raised by an uncle, and followed his uncle into mercantilism in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Accepted a commission as captain over a coRead more...

Preacher Begins Prelude to American Revolution

American History | Christian Calendar (Holidays) | Christian History | January Articles

Nearly one hundred years prior to the American Revolution, the causes for the break between Great Britain and America were already at work. While most Americans are unaware of the pivotal role American pastors exercised in the break with Britain, even fewer are aware that pastors were exercising similar roles of influence in American colonial life well before the Revolution. In fact, from the first settlement at Jamestown, Christian pastors exercised remarkable cultural influence upon America. This was true in all of the American English settleRead more...

Edward Rutledge

January Articles | Signers of Declaration of Independence

Edward Rutledge (November 23, 1749 – January 23, 1800) was an American politician and youngest signer of the United States Declaration of Independence. He later served as the 39th Governor of South Carolina. The brief biographical sketch of his life presented below is taken from the nineteenth-century work, Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by Rev.Charles Goodrich.Edward Rutledge Article Contents A Thumbnail Sketch Related Articles Anchor Elements Article Notes and Sources A Thumbnail Sketch Edward RutlRead more...

Article Notes and Sources

[1]The Federal and State Constitutions, Colonial Charters, and Other Organic Laws of the State, Territories, and Colonies Now or Heretofore Forming the United States of America, ed. Francis Newton Thorpe, 7 vols. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1909), 3:1841.

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *

* Mayflower Compact *