With what, were Lyford's letters filled? Why did Bradford say nothing of Lyford's letters, for some weeks What officer did Oldham abuse with most opprobrious language? What duty had Standish required him to perform? ford sent a messenger to quell the tumult ? What punishment was then inflicted upon Oldham ? Who soon held a separate meet. ing on the Sabbath? Who were assembled, when a court was formed, to try the disor Conduct of Oldham, when Brad-ganizers ? to his care. Twenty were found from the pen of Lyford; many of them long, and most copiously replenished with slanders and railing accusations against the Plymotheans, tending to the injury and ruin of their colony. Of most of these, they took copies, and sent the originals to England. Of some of the worst, they kept the originals, and sent copies to England. These originals they kept, to witness against him, and to prevent the possibility of his denying them to be his. The conspirators, suspecting what was the governor's errand to the ship, appeared somewhat abashed, when he returned. But the discoveries being kept a profound secret, in a few weeks, they appeared as brisk and cheerful as ever, and proceeded to the completion of their nefarious arrangements. The design of this silence was to discover their accomplices. That they had accomplices, was too evident already. For besides the letters of Lyford and Oldham, they found one from another hand, stating, that these men intended to have a reformation in church and commonwealth, and that as soon as the ship was gone, they intended to join together, and have the sacrament separately. Oldham's letters showed him to be as deep in the plot as Lyford., At length, the conspirators began more openly to attempt the execution of their wicked designs. They manifested a disposition to find fault and contend with one and another for the merest trifle. As it was judged necessary to keep a guard, to prevent being surprised by hostile Indians, Oldham was called upon by Capt. Standish, to take his turn in the performance of that duty. But Oldham refused to obey the Captain's order, called him rascal, and beggarly rascal, and drew his knife at him, though Standish offered him not the least violence, nor gave him one unpleasant word. Gov. Bradford hearing the tumult, sent a messenger to quell it. But Oldham, becoming still more outrageous, ranted with great fury, and called them all traitors. Upon this, he was apprehended, and committed to prison. Appearing much moderated by the infliction of a small punishment, he was released upon trial. Shortly after, Lyford and his accomplices, without the least intimation to the Gov. the elder or the church, withdrew themselves, and held a separate meeting on the Sabbath, with many manifestations of an insolent and factious disposition. It was thought high time to call these disorganizers to account. A court being formed, and the whole company assembled, Lyford and Oldham were called to the bar of justice. They were accused of plotting against the colony, and disturbing the peace of both church and state. These charges, drawn out in many particulars, they almost totally denied, and boldly demanded proof. Lyford pretended to regard many allegations with astonishment. His letters were then produced; and he was instantly struck dumb. Not so with Of what, were Lyford and Oldham accused? How did they treat these charges? What evidence was then produced against Lyford? How was Lyford affected? Oldham. He broke out in rage and fury, bitterly complaining, that their letters were intercepted. Nor did he stop here. Then, and there it was, that he erected the standard of open mutiny, and called his partizans to immediate rebellion. "My masters," said he, where are your hearts? Now show your courage. You have often complained to me. Now is the time, if you will do any thing. I will stand by you," &c. &c. But none of his party dared to speak, or to move, in opposition to authority. The Gov. then turned to Lyford, exhibited his letters, caused them to be openly read, and made such a striking exhibition of his hypocrisy, treachery and ingratitude, as filled all his confederates with shame and confusion. After a while, poor Lyford recovered a little courage, and attempted to palliate his crimes. He said, that several persons had made To what, did he then call his partizans ? ? How did his partizans appear With what, were Lyford's confederates filled, when his conduct was more particularly exposed? How did Lyford attempt to palliate his crimes? Why did he not succeed in this? he had written against them, was false and naught, both for matter and manner; and all this he did with as much fulness, as words and tears could express." sen Thus convicted and condemned, Lyford and Oldham were tenced to banishment; Oldham, to depart immediately, and Lyford, after six months. They had some hope that Lyford's repentance was sincere, and that his conduct would be such, as to render it consistent to remit his punishment. Accordingly, the one departed, and the other remained. Lyford acknowledged, that his censure was far less, than he deserved, and afterwards confessed his sin to the church with more fulness and more weeping than before. He confessed, that if God should make him a vagabond in the earth, like Cain, it would be just. He confessed, that three things had excited him to these works of ini love. complaints to him, and stated par-quity, pride, vain-glory and selfticulars. But this only conduced to plunge him deeper in the mire. The persons being all present, denied every word. They then proceeded to deal with him more particularly respecting his dissimulation in the church, &c. &c. "In conclusion, he was fully convicted, and burst out into tears, and confessed, he feared he was a reprobate; his sins were so great, that he doubted, that God would not pardon them; he was unsavory salt, &c. and that he had so wronged them, as he could never make them amends; confessed all Some were so affected with the appearance of his deep sorrow and repentance, that they were willing to fall on their knees, and beg for his restoration. About two months after, he wrote a letter to the adventurers in England. The person, to whom the letter was entrusted, delivered it to Gov. Bradford. What must have been the grief, as well as amazement of that good man, when he saw its contents. After all Lyford's convictions, confessions and public acknowledgments in the How did he manifest his sorrow, when he was fully convicted? What did he confess respecting what he had written against the people of Plymouth? What sentence was pronounced against Lyford and Oldham ? Why did they give Lyford a respite of six months? presence of God and his church and the whole company, with so many tears and censures of himself, he had now the hardiness and presumption to justify almost all things contained in his former letters, which he had acknowledged to be such egregious lies and slanders. Early the next year, 1625, Oldham had the presumption to return to Plymouth, contrary to his sentence of expulsion. He now appeared more outrageous than ever. He called them all rebels and traitors. His fury was soon moderated, however, by imprisonment. Being taken out of prison, he was compelled to pass between a number of soldiers, each of whom was ordered to give him a blow with the but end of his musket. He was then conducted to the water-side, and consigned to a boat, with this farewell, Go, and mend your man ners. About a year afterwards, he was exposed to imminent danger at sea, on the shoals of Cape Cod. At that awful extremity, fearing that every hour would be his last, a sense of his guilt rushed upon him, like a giant. He trembled; he prayed; though perhaps he had never before so much as attempted to offer up a desire to God. To his companions in danger, he confessed, that he had exceedingly injured the church and people of Plymouth; and that, as he had sought their ruin, so God had now met with him, and might destroy him. He prayed God to forgive him; and made a vow of reformation, if his life should be What did Lyford acknowledge respecting his sentence? To whom, did he afterwards make more full confession? How soon after, did he justify almost every slander, that he had confessed? In what year, did Oldham return to Plymouth? spared. The vow thus made in the deep anguish of his soul, there is reason to hope, he was enabled, in some measure, to keep. His conduct toward the good people of Plymouth, was afterwards very different. About ten years after, he was murdered by the Indians, in his own vessel, near Block island. His death was one cause of the Pequot war the next year. When Lyford's six months were expired, so far from reformation, he had doubled his crimes, and was only fit to be cast out, as unsavory salt. It appeared upon farther in quiry, that he had been a profligate character, and had caused many a heart to bleed in Ireland and England. Banished from Plymouth, he went to Nantasket, (now Hull near Boston) thence, to Salem; and thence, to Virginia, where he died. The conduct of Lyford is suited to teach us a most solemn and awful lesson. We can hardly help supposing, that he was in some measure, insane. This is perhaps always the case with those, who are guilty of such horrible inconsistency. But this insanity, no doubt, is generally produced by the indulgence of pride, passion, sensuality, &c. By the excessive abuse of reason, the faculty is essentially impaired. Let him, that thinketh he standeth, take heed, lest he fall. Let us beware of hypocrisy in ourselves and others. But while we detest the hypocrite, as the vilest of the vile, les How did he then appear? With what farewell, was he sent off the second time? Where was he in great peril, about a year after? How was he then affected by a view of his conduct at Plymouth? What did he confess to his shipmates ? What vow did he make? What was his conduct afterwards? By whom, was he murdered in 1636? Of what war was his murder a cause? Where did Lyford die ? If Lyford was in some measure insane, by what was his insanity probably produced? Meaning of insane? What is likely to be the effect upon reason, if we greatly abuse it? How many magistrates had the Plymotheans at first? - See p. 46. What were they? How long were they governed by two magistrates? How many magistrates had they in 1624 ? What number of assistants had the Gov. in 1633? 7. In what year, did the towns in that colony begin to send deputies? How long after the first representative assembly in Va. ? In what year, was Plymouth colony united with Ms.? In 1692. How many years, had it been a separate jurisdiction? Why did not Mr. Robinson remove to this country? He died, before he found it convenient to come. In what year, did he die? 1625. none presume to think, that there is no such thing as true religion. Christ has promised, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against his church. If religion were not a reality, and a real excellence, it would When commenced the settlement near Mount Wollaston? In 1625. Where is Mount Wollaston? In Quincy, near the seat of Mr. John Adams, second president of the United States. Where is Quincy? Eight miles S. of Boston. From whom had Mount Wollas ton its name? From Capt. Wollas ton, who was the principal man in forming the settlement. Whom did Wollaston place over his plantation, to govern in his absence? Mr. Filcher. Who persuaded the people to depose Filcher, and take himself for their leader? Thomas Morton. Under what circumstances, did Morton do this? When they were very merry and partly intoxicated. What was the character of MorHe had more craft than ton? honesty. What was the conduct of Wollaston's people under Morton? never have counterfeits. Gold, silver and precious stones may be counterfeited by thousands, but who ever thought of counterfeiting chaff and stubble? They were extremely licentious and profane. What did they erect upon Mount Wollaston ? A May-pole. Meaning of may-pole? What did they then call Mount Wollaston? Merry Mount. What forbidden articles did Morton sell to the natives? Fire arms and ammunition. Who had forbidden the sale of these articles? The king of England. In what, did Morton instruct the natives? In the use of fire arms. Who united together, to suppress the mischief at Merry Mount? The people of Plymouth, Naumkeag, Piscataqua, Dover, Nantasket, and several other individuals. What method did they first adopt with Morton? They seriously admonished and entreated him to discontinue his dangerous practices. How did he receive their admonition? With insolence and threatening. Who then conducted an expedition against Merry Mount? Capt. Standish. With what success? He took Morton prisoner. How? As Standish advanced to Morton's house, Morton stepped out to shoot him; but Standish seized the gun, and took him prisoner by main strength. What was done with Morton ? He was conducted to Plymouth," and soon sent to England. Who cut down the May-pole at Merry Mount? Mr. Endicott, afterwards Gov. of Ms. In what year? 1628. What name was then given to Merry Mount? Mount Dagon. When did Morton return to Mount Dagon? The next year. How was he punished in the year 1631? His house was burnt down, and he was again sent a prisoner to England. Why was his house burnt? To give satisfaction to the Indians, whom he had greatly injured; and "that it might no longer be a roost for unclean birds." Miscellaneous Questions. No. 2. Of what colony was Edward Wingfield president? How soon after the first settlement of Jamestown, were the people reduced from 500 to 60? In what year, did Alexander unite with Massasoit in confirming the treaty of Plymouth? Who was John Lyford? What period is distinguished for settlements? Of what colony is Capt. John Smith considered the father? What is meant by the starving time? What magistrates gave a most favorable testimony to the conduct of the church at Leyden? Principal bay in Ř. I. ? In which of the U. S. was a settlement commenced in 1623? Who formed a conspiracy, to new model the church and government of Plymouth? Who was Thomas Morton ? In what year, were the London and Plymouth Companies formed? Who was unjustly excluded from the first council at Jamestown? Who offered 500 bushels of corn. to ransom his daughter? What minister went with the Pilgrims from Leyden to America? What great tribe of Indians lived principally in R. I. ? First permanent settlement in North America? How much older is Plymouth than Dover? Who abused Capt. Standish with most opprobrious language, at Ply mouth? |