Repository: UIHistories Project: Convocation - 1896 (Forefathers' Convocation) [PAGE 6]

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acute under his reign. The Puritan minority bad no lights which the monarch recognized or the majority respected. They were subjected to fines and exactions jo subtle annoyances and open persecutions until, of necessity, their religious movement became a political movement, in time they grew to be the majority in numbers. It was then thai their religious fortitude nerved the arm that struck offCharles' head. If the Puritans who adhered to the Church were harrassed, the Separatists who left the Church were bunted. Imprisoned, burned and banged, until all must flee th< country if they would keep their lives and worship God in their own independent way. In large numbers they went to Holland, where the good cause of religious freedom and toleration was lighting its first and bloodiest battle and winning its most signal triumph in the history of the world. The little congregation of Separatists at Scrooby is of great interest tons, for out of its numbers came the leading Pilgrims at Plymouth in New England. The patriot and the student will study every particle of original material bearing upon the careers of the members of this congregation, as well as upon the acts of the collective body. Hut we must, unfortunately, be mtenl today with the merest glance at the most signili mt step< in its progress from obscurity to the highest pinacle of world-fame and a most consequential factor in th development of nations. In 1607 persecution bad become so dreadful that it v i- determined to seek refuge in the Netherlands. Elizabeth had consented to these migrations during her /ii. but .lames was intent upon preventing and punishing th 111. As Bradford says: " Though they could notsta; yel were they not suffered togo." En their tb.it to " ' '>iit of England and reach a land where

t h o u |,i c u l d be \\i'c a n d w o r s h i p u n t r a m m o l o d , t h e i r i,,. ,,,l rfl W o r e robbed of t h e i r money, despoiled of

th, | i, L|

„„i , thrown into prison in the name of English lll( | ca ttered In all directions by ecclesiastical „ liming i.. act in the name of the Living i'*od.