*Ding*Ding*Ding* In one corner, we have the infamous most Puritanical men known Mr. John Winthrop and minister Wilson! Both anxious to correct the incorrect at any costs. In the other corner, is a mother of 15 ready to bump the Puritan ways of Winthrop to the next level with her accomplice and husband William wheelwright. And standing in the middle, torn by either side of this conflict is the well-known John cotton. Like a good wrestling match on television, this battle between Hutchinson/Wheelwright v.s Winthrop/Wilson, is going to be a messy one and wits are going to be tested.
Coming from England, Ann Hutchinson had been attending John Cotton's sermons for a while now, and was determined to follow him to New England. But upon her arrival, Ann had noticed the current status of the Puritan way of life and religion and thought it was a good idea to bump it up a notch. Starting her own "religious group," Hutchinson started to convert people over. She believes, "that the person of the Holy Ghost dwells in a justified person." (Pg. 209) She also, "rejects the Puritan conclusion that a member of the Elect is a visible saint who seems like a member of the Elect." (Pg. 211) These beliefs go directly against what John Winthrop has securely enforced within their current Puritan society. Winthrop sees Hutchinson as a threat, issues an order, "to keep out all such persons as might be dangerous to the commonwealth," (Pg. 217) and puts her on trial. This period which follows is now named the "Antinomian Controversy" ("or against the law" Controversy) with Winthrop as the magistrate and siding with the law and Hutchinson on the opposing end. The bickering between the two go on for a while, and after a bit, it is obvious Hutchinson is keener than Winthrop when it comes to arguing ones side. Vowell comments on their discussion, "Winthrop really is no match for Hutchinson's logic. Most of his answers to her challenges boil down to 'Because I said so.'" (Pg. 225)
In the end Ann Hutchinson actually ends up banishing herself and founded the city of Portsmouth. With this the Puritan society growing daily through its hardships and frequent disturbances, whether it be an attack of Native Americans or a very talkative, but dangerous, person, they were able to pull through and flourish.
I really enjoyed Sarah Vowell's writing style and many, many references to the America we know today. She used a lot of famous quotes from Winthrop, Cotton and many others who sailed across those ships to an unknown destination, trusting in God that he will guide them through the good, the bad, and the ugly. With Vowell ending her book with JFK's speech it set a great stopping point to her book, but also kept me thinking afterwards as well.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
"The Wordy Shipmates," Chapters 11-20
During these next 10 chapters of Sarah Vowell's book, a lot happens in the communities of the English settlers and Native American's. Vowell begins talking about her trip to Plymouth, Boston and Charleston with her nephew and sister. I can relate to her going to these places because one summer my family went on a trip down the coast and visited many places from Salem to Boston. One of those places was Plymouth and the famous Plymouth Rock. Before the trip I pictured the rock, a huge and majestic piece of earth which stood high and mighty. But I was wrong. It sat 10 feet bellow fenced in by an iron railing, small and lonely, and out of the picture. The replica of the Mayflower, the Mayflower 2, was getting more attention. At that time I thought it was pretty cool, but looking back at it now and learning all these things of what shaped America to what it is today, I am amazed that it all began with this rock. Apparently, as I came to find out, the rock had been moved, I believe, several times for whatever reasons.
Getting back to the early 1600's, there were several problems brewing within not only the Massachusetts Bay colony, but as well as Plymouth, Providence and the surrounding Indian tribes about to get a wake-up call. But before all of that, Winthrop takes us back to his journey across the Atlantic. "During Winthrop's two months on the Atlantic, he writes of the cold and the fog. There are tempests. There are days when the sea is 'beating us back as much as the wind put us forward.'" (Pg. 86) This was pretty much what it was like throughout their journey across the Atlantic. I would imagine that these events would lower a persons yearning to travel to a New World, or for that matter on a boat. Some days, you would see a whale, and on others you would get lucky fishing and catch enough fish to hold a feast.Nowadays, the boats are literally floating hotels. Which I think is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. But once through their perilous journey across the dangerous sea, Winthrop and his crew set their eyes on the best thing on Earth at that moment, land. This is where the fun starts. Unlike the "Mayflower Puritans," Winthrop had become lucky and ran into a colony welcomed by a man named John Endecott.
Once settled and doing well for a new colony, a man by Roger Williams steps into the picture and drastically changes history forever. Williams is a truthful man, unlike many. He sticks to what he believes in and doesn't change his mind. William's believes that the sacred and secular authorities should be different and there should be a wall separating the two. He also believes that, "a civil state should permit all forms of religion, including 'the most paganish, Jewish, Turkish [Islamic] or Antichristian consciences.'" (Pg. 136) With this I think is what got people talking about what if he is right But that was enough out of Williams and he was banished from Massachusetts Bay. Comparing Winthrop's "Model of Christian Charity" speech Vowell looks at Williams as an infection of the body. "Williams was no longer a member of their body-he was an infection that needed to be surgically remove." (Pg. 144) I agree with Vowell on this one and I think many of those people exist today in our society. I look at former president George Bush as an infection to the head of America making all the wrong decisions and making our country sick. His term eventually was up and the infection was successfully removed, but a little too late. Now our new president, Barrack Obama, needs to mend our wounds and heal alliances with other nations.
What I found interesting was the fact of the bigger Puritan churches had two jobs to fill. A pastor and a teacher. "'The pastor's special work is to attend to exhortation, and therein to administer a word of wisdom; the teacher is to attend to doctrine and therein to administer a word of knowledge.'" (Pg. 98) I had never heard of this before and just thought to point it out. Do churches still practice this way to this day?
When the Puritan settlers traveled to America they wanted to start something new and fresh and get away from the old. In their old country the ministers participated in the government and held office. Seeing that this didn't work out well, Winthrop and his fellow Puritan's went on a different course and separated the two. So, when Williams proposed that the church and state should exist separately, they agreed with him, somewhat. "Winthrop and his shipmates came here to get away from Bishop Laud, not create another one, and Laud's recent attacks on the charter only confirm that clergyman should not moonlight as magistrates." (Pg. 138) The only thing that would make this whole trip of Winthrop and his followers abandoning their homeland pointless, would be to become like they once were in England. Looking at America today, our current way of life has been shaped and molded a countless number of times. Those little and sometimes big changes for example the Great Depression changed the lives of many people. Inventions of the television, computer, telephone, and electricity changed the whole world sometimes for the better and other times for the worse. Disasters like Katrina and 9/11 has torn our country's emotions apart but has brought our families closer together. Either it be for the worse or the better, each event in history has shaped what we call America today and will continue to mold it in every way.
The second half of these chapters mainly focuses on the bloody and horrific Pequot War. I have only heard about this war, but when i started reading it I grimaced and couldn't believe the human nature of some people. But before the events of the Pequot War, it seemed as though a savior had arrived, Henry Vane the Younger. "Vane will have a long career...whenever he turns up-New England now and the English Parliament later-he is usually a voice of reason, moderation, liberty, and love." (Pg. 140) This was Vowell's explanation of Henry, but sadly never get to here of him besides his background. After Henry arrives, Williams is banished and creates his own community devoted to people with different religions. He also sides with native Indians in the south, and is determined to write a book he called The Key.
The Key was used by many persons, usually trappers, who knew close to nothing about the Algonquian language, and wanted to trade goods like animal furs. This close relationship Williams had set-up with the Indians was used by the Massachusetts Bay colony as a spy, negotiator, and an ambassador. When I read this I thought of 007 and his usual spying and undercover work he goes about doing in his movies. Searching for clues and useful information. During his stay in the Native Americans village he attempted to convert some of the people to Christianity because what he saw them do while worshiping their gods looked like the devils doing. But he had no success because they had spent all their lives worshiping many many Gods and couldn't except the fact that there was only one. Now, their are a countless number of religions and you can choose a religion that is either going to be monotheistic or polytheistic. The Indians were obviously polytheistic.
Now began the Pequot War, the first most bloodiest battles of the new settlers lives. It was a battle of deceit and lies, which are usually what most wars are, where one Native American tribe named the Pequot's were overthrown and defeated by the other two rival tribes, the Narragansett, the Mohegans, and the Englishmen. Like every war that is fought, the Pequot War was bloody and merciless. The three groups of men came together as one and surrounded the Pequot village. The other Native American's politely asked the Englishmen to spare the women and children. But of course, blinded by revenge and rage, they killed without thought. Slaughtering hundreds of people, it wasn't a war, it was a massacre. "'And thus...in little more than an hour's space was their impregnable fort with themselves utterly destroyed, to the number of six or seven hundred...' some of them babies, some of those babies' mothers, were burned alive in their homes." "Two Englishmen die and about twenty are wounded." (Pg. 193) Then they thank the lord for, "burning them up in the fire of his wrath, and dunging the ground with their flesh: It is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes!" (Pg. 194) This is probably one of the creepiest things i have heard ever. The sad thing is that, this is still happening today with the wars we are fighting now. It is unbelievable that we as human beings, all the same, continue to kill each other the way we do. Not even sparing a single child sometimes. I hope someday we will be able to realize what we are doing, that includes everyone, step back and say, "Why?"
Getting back to the early 1600's, there were several problems brewing within not only the Massachusetts Bay colony, but as well as Plymouth, Providence and the surrounding Indian tribes about to get a wake-up call. But before all of that, Winthrop takes us back to his journey across the Atlantic. "During Winthrop's two months on the Atlantic, he writes of the cold and the fog. There are tempests. There are days when the sea is 'beating us back as much as the wind put us forward.'" (Pg. 86) This was pretty much what it was like throughout their journey across the Atlantic. I would imagine that these events would lower a persons yearning to travel to a New World, or for that matter on a boat. Some days, you would see a whale, and on others you would get lucky fishing and catch enough fish to hold a feast.Nowadays, the boats are literally floating hotels. Which I think is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. But once through their perilous journey across the dangerous sea, Winthrop and his crew set their eyes on the best thing on Earth at that moment, land. This is where the fun starts. Unlike the "Mayflower Puritans," Winthrop had become lucky and ran into a colony welcomed by a man named John Endecott.
Once settled and doing well for a new colony, a man by Roger Williams steps into the picture and drastically changes history forever. Williams is a truthful man, unlike many. He sticks to what he believes in and doesn't change his mind. William's believes that the sacred and secular authorities should be different and there should be a wall separating the two. He also believes that, "a civil state should permit all forms of religion, including 'the most paganish, Jewish, Turkish [Islamic] or Antichristian consciences.'" (Pg. 136) With this I think is what got people talking about what if he is right But that was enough out of Williams and he was banished from Massachusetts Bay. Comparing Winthrop's "Model of Christian Charity" speech Vowell looks at Williams as an infection of the body. "Williams was no longer a member of their body-he was an infection that needed to be surgically remove." (Pg. 144) I agree with Vowell on this one and I think many of those people exist today in our society. I look at former president George Bush as an infection to the head of America making all the wrong decisions and making our country sick. His term eventually was up and the infection was successfully removed, but a little too late. Now our new president, Barrack Obama, needs to mend our wounds and heal alliances with other nations.
What I found interesting was the fact of the bigger Puritan churches had two jobs to fill. A pastor and a teacher. "'The pastor's special work is to attend to exhortation, and therein to administer a word of wisdom; the teacher is to attend to doctrine and therein to administer a word of knowledge.'" (Pg. 98) I had never heard of this before and just thought to point it out. Do churches still practice this way to this day?
When the Puritan settlers traveled to America they wanted to start something new and fresh and get away from the old. In their old country the ministers participated in the government and held office. Seeing that this didn't work out well, Winthrop and his fellow Puritan's went on a different course and separated the two. So, when Williams proposed that the church and state should exist separately, they agreed with him, somewhat. "Winthrop and his shipmates came here to get away from Bishop Laud, not create another one, and Laud's recent attacks on the charter only confirm that clergyman should not moonlight as magistrates." (Pg. 138) The only thing that would make this whole trip of Winthrop and his followers abandoning their homeland pointless, would be to become like they once were in England. Looking at America today, our current way of life has been shaped and molded a countless number of times. Those little and sometimes big changes for example the Great Depression changed the lives of many people. Inventions of the television, computer, telephone, and electricity changed the whole world sometimes for the better and other times for the worse. Disasters like Katrina and 9/11 has torn our country's emotions apart but has brought our families closer together. Either it be for the worse or the better, each event in history has shaped what we call America today and will continue to mold it in every way.
The second half of these chapters mainly focuses on the bloody and horrific Pequot War. I have only heard about this war, but when i started reading it I grimaced and couldn't believe the human nature of some people. But before the events of the Pequot War, it seemed as though a savior had arrived, Henry Vane the Younger. "Vane will have a long career...whenever he turns up-New England now and the English Parliament later-he is usually a voice of reason, moderation, liberty, and love." (Pg. 140) This was Vowell's explanation of Henry, but sadly never get to here of him besides his background. After Henry arrives, Williams is banished and creates his own community devoted to people with different religions. He also sides with native Indians in the south, and is determined to write a book he called The Key.
The Key was used by many persons, usually trappers, who knew close to nothing about the Algonquian language, and wanted to trade goods like animal furs. This close relationship Williams had set-up with the Indians was used by the Massachusetts Bay colony as a spy, negotiator, and an ambassador. When I read this I thought of 007 and his usual spying and undercover work he goes about doing in his movies. Searching for clues and useful information. During his stay in the Native Americans village he attempted to convert some of the people to Christianity because what he saw them do while worshiping their gods looked like the devils doing. But he had no success because they had spent all their lives worshiping many many Gods and couldn't except the fact that there was only one. Now, their are a countless number of religions and you can choose a religion that is either going to be monotheistic or polytheistic. The Indians were obviously polytheistic.
Now began the Pequot War, the first most bloodiest battles of the new settlers lives. It was a battle of deceit and lies, which are usually what most wars are, where one Native American tribe named the Pequot's were overthrown and defeated by the other two rival tribes, the Narragansett, the Mohegans, and the Englishmen. Like every war that is fought, the Pequot War was bloody and merciless. The three groups of men came together as one and surrounded the Pequot village. The other Native American's politely asked the Englishmen to spare the women and children. But of course, blinded by revenge and rage, they killed without thought. Slaughtering hundreds of people, it wasn't a war, it was a massacre. "'And thus...in little more than an hour's space was their impregnable fort with themselves utterly destroyed, to the number of six or seven hundred...' some of them babies, some of those babies' mothers, were burned alive in their homes." "Two Englishmen die and about twenty are wounded." (Pg. 193) Then they thank the lord for, "burning them up in the fire of his wrath, and dunging the ground with their flesh: It is the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes!" (Pg. 194) This is probably one of the creepiest things i have heard ever. The sad thing is that, this is still happening today with the wars we are fighting now. It is unbelievable that we as human beings, all the same, continue to kill each other the way we do. Not even sparing a single child sometimes. I hope someday we will be able to realize what we are doing, that includes everyone, step back and say, "Why?"
"The Wordy Shipmates," Chapters 6-10
This section of Sarah's book really hones in on John Winthrop's "A Model of Christian Charity" and looks at the different ways it has been used throughout history. This speech was pretty much the beginning of all speeches. Vowell comments, "Talking about Winthrop's 'A Model of Christian Charity' without discussing Ronald Reagan would be like mentioning Dolly Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' and pretending Whitney Houston doesn't exist." (Pg. 59) This obviously is important because throughout Reagan's political career, he quotes Winthrop several times. Like the night before winning the 1980 presidential election he said, "'Let us resolve they will say of our day and our generation, we did keep the faith with our God, that we did act worthy of ourselves, that we did protect and pass on lovingly that shining city upon a hill.'" (pg. 59) Reagan takes Winthrop's "city upon a hill" saying and adds "shining" to brighten it up. By using Winthrop's brilliant speech, Reagan improved his own speech. Another part of Winthrop's inspiring speech was read at Reagan's funeral by Sandra O'Connor, "'We must delight in each other, make other' conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work as members of the same body.'" (Pg. 68) So either it be an inspiring election or a sad funeral, Winthrop's words are heard everywhere.
The beginning of this set of chapters talks about the "most ironic and entertaining" example of the Puritan mind-set which is the seal. The seal, a picture of an Indian saying "Come over and help us." With this seal it looks as if the Indians need help and they're gonna get it no matter what. Ironically many Europeans who set out before the Puritans carried "European mutagens" across the Atlantic and killed off ninety percent of the native population . Think about that. Ninety Percent. The Puritan's believed it was God who "consumed the natives with a great plague...so there be few inhabitants left." (Pg. 30) When I read this it reminded me of the bugs "accidentally" carried by plane or boat from around the world and has destroyed thousands of acres of trees and shrubs. Or the recent Swine Flu which developed in Mexico and spread into the U.S., but didn't kill as many. These things happen, and are usually accidents. The first Europeans who brought the mutagens to a different habitat were unaware of the deadly consequences, and just in case they thought someone knew what really happened, they blamed it on God.
When Vowell commented on the "snowball moment" and how when at the snowball's impact on someone's head, there is only the happiness and hope of the world in front of his eyes for only a moment. But afterwards there is "the downbeat of gloom" that has yet to come. Just like Winthrop when he is on the boat giving his speech, but his gloomy and days as governor has yet to come. This reminded me of someone in war. Typically when someone joins the army, especially in history, you contain an uncontrollable amount of vengeance, and will be happy to kill the opposing side. Before the fight, you are getting revved up and ready for battle, waiting to avenge your own country. Once you rush out to the battle field, and fight a couple of enemies you are in that moment of, not necessarily happiness, but of pleasure and contentment of killing the people who hurt your people. Then you realize you are alone. You look around and your friends are dead by your side, gone forever. This is another example of a gory yet sadly true snowball effect still present even today in Iraq.
I really enjoyed Vowell's view on the Puritan's obsessed idea of providence. She makes a very good point, later on, when she starts talking about how Winthrop's fellow Calvinists "believed in the doctrine of predestination. Since God decides everything, god decides whether a person will end up in heaven or hell before the person is even born." (Pg. 41) This is an interesting point because how can anyone ever know. I am not quite sure myself but this really got the Puritan community working hard and trying to become "saved."
These past chapters really broadened my view of Winthrop's speech and how famous it is even to this day hundreds of years after it was given. The speech, "A Model of Christian Charity" was given as guidelines to the Puritan soon-to-be community and was uplifting. Winthrop wasn't even aware that someday people will look back at them with respect and gratitude. Most likely someday in the future Winthrop's words will be used again, and will certainly be welcomed.
The beginning of this set of chapters talks about the "most ironic and entertaining" example of the Puritan mind-set which is the seal. The seal, a picture of an Indian saying "Come over and help us." With this seal it looks as if the Indians need help and they're gonna get it no matter what. Ironically many Europeans who set out before the Puritans carried "European mutagens" across the Atlantic and killed off ninety percent of the native population . Think about that. Ninety Percent. The Puritan's believed it was God who "consumed the natives with a great plague...so there be few inhabitants left." (Pg. 30) When I read this it reminded me of the bugs "accidentally" carried by plane or boat from around the world and has destroyed thousands of acres of trees and shrubs. Or the recent Swine Flu which developed in Mexico and spread into the U.S., but didn't kill as many. These things happen, and are usually accidents. The first Europeans who brought the mutagens to a different habitat were unaware of the deadly consequences, and just in case they thought someone knew what really happened, they blamed it on God.
When Vowell commented on the "snowball moment" and how when at the snowball's impact on someone's head, there is only the happiness and hope of the world in front of his eyes for only a moment. But afterwards there is "the downbeat of gloom" that has yet to come. Just like Winthrop when he is on the boat giving his speech, but his gloomy and days as governor has yet to come. This reminded me of someone in war. Typically when someone joins the army, especially in history, you contain an uncontrollable amount of vengeance, and will be happy to kill the opposing side. Before the fight, you are getting revved up and ready for battle, waiting to avenge your own country. Once you rush out to the battle field, and fight a couple of enemies you are in that moment of, not necessarily happiness, but of pleasure and contentment of killing the people who hurt your people. Then you realize you are alone. You look around and your friends are dead by your side, gone forever. This is another example of a gory yet sadly true snowball effect still present even today in Iraq.
I really enjoyed Vowell's view on the Puritan's obsessed idea of providence. She makes a very good point, later on, when she starts talking about how Winthrop's fellow Calvinists "believed in the doctrine of predestination. Since God decides everything, god decides whether a person will end up in heaven or hell before the person is even born." (Pg. 41) This is an interesting point because how can anyone ever know. I am not quite sure myself but this really got the Puritan community working hard and trying to become "saved."
These past chapters really broadened my view of Winthrop's speech and how famous it is even to this day hundreds of years after it was given. The speech, "A Model of Christian Charity" was given as guidelines to the Puritan soon-to-be community and was uplifting. Winthrop wasn't even aware that someday people will look back at them with respect and gratitude. Most likely someday in the future Winthrop's words will be used again, and will certainly be welcomed.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
"The Wordy Shipmates," Chapters 1-5
"The only thing more dangerous than an idea is a belief." (Pg. 1) This is what Sarah Vowell begins with in her book "The Wordy Shipmates" and I have to agree with her. An idea is a conception or plan that you strive to do. You continue to follow that idea but might run into problems along the way and discontinue to follow the idea. A belief, on the other hand, is a devotion to whatever it is someone feels strongly about. Whether it be a religious or political belief, many people would sometimes kill for their belief. Like the many assassination attempts throughout our countries politically historical leaders including Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy. These people who shaped the America we know today were all killed because some people believed they weren't doing the right thing and continued with their motive until it was complete. Our presidents were only helpers in the America we know today, but the true shapers were our Puritan ancestors and Governor John Winthrop who set the foundation for our nation to flourish upon.
Going back to the departure of the Arbella, led by Governor Winthrop, another man by the name of John Cotton gave a farewell speech to the people about set sail towards a new home. Later in his speech about how they are "God's chosen people" he says, "when the hive is too full, they seek abroad for new dwellings."(Pg. 4) Of course, Cotton is referring to bees and immigration to a new land of hope. When he said this, it reminded me of the people of Mexico coming to our country today seeking a place of refuge and a place to call home for their families. Some although are coming over illegally, which poses many problems for our government and communities. But the people of Massachusetts Bat colony sought a new place to live, and wanted to get away from their king who they thought was destroying their country.
Vowell also discusses the topic of how different our learning styles today differ from the Puritans. Without electricity, plumbing, or many transportation methods, the Puritans had to live without these things all their lives. It is funny that most Americans today probably couldn't even comprehend the fact of no television. Don't even ask what life would be like without electricity. The Puritan's, without any of these things we have today, had to make do with writing and reading their own books including their favorite book of all, the Bible. "The United States is often called a Puritan nation. Well, here is one way in which it emphatically is not: Puritan lives were overwhelmingly, fanatically literary. Their single-minded obsession with one book, the Bible..." (Pg. 13) Knowing our nation today, many Americans enjoy reading and writing books, don't get me wrong, but since the development of television and movies, people have different interests other than books, but are also able to learn from them in some situations. I think this is sad that the newer generations are spending more time in front of T.V. and less time in front of a book. What is to come of books in the future? But that's the way history steered itself towards and that's how many people today learn. For example, the discovery channel is a channel which teaches its viewers about different animals around the world, how they live and certain dangers that they have to fight everyday. It reminds me of myself having to fight certain issues that come up everyday of our lives whether it be a broken car or my little sister. Either way, we are all connected by the little daily issues we face and eagerly solve them until they're fixed.
Going back to talking about learning and an education, the Puritan's were always very excited to learn and receive a proper education. "The magnitude of the Puritan devotion to high education is on display in a letter Reverend Thomas Shepard, Jr., wrote to his son upon the lad's admission to Harvard... But Shepard's note is note so much a letter to his son as a love letter to learning..." (Pg. 14) This letter to his son not only shows that he thinks he should take advantage of going to school and that he himself loves to learn. In the America today, a good education means a good job, and a good job means money. So, taking advantage of going to a school like Harvard can be very advantages in the long run, and it is very important to take in every aspect of it in order to get the most out of it. I would say, since the Puritans immigrated to Massachusetts Bay, the love for learning is still here but may have decreased due to loss of interest in learning or maybe not caring to learn at all. All i know is that learning is to be used to our advantage and you can never learn to much.
Going back to the departure of the Arbella, led by Governor Winthrop, another man by the name of John Cotton gave a farewell speech to the people about set sail towards a new home. Later in his speech about how they are "God's chosen people" he says, "when the hive is too full, they seek abroad for new dwellings."(Pg. 4) Of course, Cotton is referring to bees and immigration to a new land of hope. When he said this, it reminded me of the people of Mexico coming to our country today seeking a place of refuge and a place to call home for their families. Some although are coming over illegally, which poses many problems for our government and communities. But the people of Massachusetts Bat colony sought a new place to live, and wanted to get away from their king who they thought was destroying their country.
Vowell also discusses the topic of how different our learning styles today differ from the Puritans. Without electricity, plumbing, or many transportation methods, the Puritans had to live without these things all their lives. It is funny that most Americans today probably couldn't even comprehend the fact of no television. Don't even ask what life would be like without electricity. The Puritan's, without any of these things we have today, had to make do with writing and reading their own books including their favorite book of all, the Bible. "The United States is often called a Puritan nation. Well, here is one way in which it emphatically is not: Puritan lives were overwhelmingly, fanatically literary. Their single-minded obsession with one book, the Bible..." (Pg. 13) Knowing our nation today, many Americans enjoy reading and writing books, don't get me wrong, but since the development of television and movies, people have different interests other than books, but are also able to learn from them in some situations. I think this is sad that the newer generations are spending more time in front of T.V. and less time in front of a book. What is to come of books in the future? But that's the way history steered itself towards and that's how many people today learn. For example, the discovery channel is a channel which teaches its viewers about different animals around the world, how they live and certain dangers that they have to fight everyday. It reminds me of myself having to fight certain issues that come up everyday of our lives whether it be a broken car or my little sister. Either way, we are all connected by the little daily issues we face and eagerly solve them until they're fixed.
Going back to talking about learning and an education, the Puritan's were always very excited to learn and receive a proper education. "The magnitude of the Puritan devotion to high education is on display in a letter Reverend Thomas Shepard, Jr., wrote to his son upon the lad's admission to Harvard... But Shepard's note is note so much a letter to his son as a love letter to learning..." (Pg. 14) This letter to his son not only shows that he thinks he should take advantage of going to school and that he himself loves to learn. In the America today, a good education means a good job, and a good job means money. So, taking advantage of going to a school like Harvard can be very advantages in the long run, and it is very important to take in every aspect of it in order to get the most out of it. I would say, since the Puritans immigrated to Massachusetts Bay, the love for learning is still here but may have decreased due to loss of interest in learning or maybe not caring to learn at all. All i know is that learning is to be used to our advantage and you can never learn to much.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
John Winthrop's "Model of Christian Charity"
"For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a by-word through the world." This was one of the many famous parts in John Winthrop's speech "A Model of Christian Charity" during the voyage from England to a new home of New England on the ship Arbella. John Winthrop believed that in order to become successful in planting this society of Puritans in new soil, rules were to be made and followed very strictly in order to thrive. The whole world will be watching their every move, some with excitement and others who could care less. But this didn't matter to Winthrop because he was confident in their survival.
During his speech, Winthrop addresses several important rules that needed to be followed for their survival. First of all, Winthrop immediately talks about the issue between the rich and the poor. We have all seen the issues in the past from the Roman Empire to even to here, today in modern-day America where the almighty faction of the Rich try to attempt to overpower and smother the poor because they want the only thing they need more of, which is more power. Winthrop works around this dilemma very delicately by creating two rules both the rich and poor have to abide by. The rules of Mercy and Justice. The poor are to abide by the rule of mercy towards the rich if some sudden danger or distress should arise, while the rich are to show the poor justice as well.
Secondly, Winthrop talks about the way people should treat one another under certain circumstances. When someone is in need of something but cannot repay you, give him what he needs instead of what he wants. But when someone is in need of something and is able to repay you, look at it as if it was a trade of goods.
When forgiving, even if he has nothing to offer for his wrong doing, you must forgive. Then there will be times when you will have to give up everything you have in order to help others. "There is a time when a Christian must sell all and give to the poor, as they did in the Apostles' times." Also, "There is a time also when Christians (though they give not all yet) must give beyond their ability..."
What Winthrop is saying, is that, when another is in need you are expected to give what is needed under any circumstance, even if it means giving everything you have. Even to an enemy you are expected to treat as one of your own, "If thine enemy hunger feed him; 'Love your enemies... Do good to them that hate you." (Matt. 5:44)
During his speech, Winthrop points out the specifics of what he believes as the perfect floor plan for the perfect Puritan community. This speech is a uplifting and hopeful speech towards the future, but also contains hints of warning as well. In order for them to thrive they must be as if all the same body and suffer together through the difficult times ahead. If they can avoid disobeying and turning away from God, working as one, and build a strong community, the Puritan's will have successfully planted their roots into this new soil and begin to grow.
During his speech, Winthrop addresses several important rules that needed to be followed for their survival. First of all, Winthrop immediately talks about the issue between the rich and the poor. We have all seen the issues in the past from the Roman Empire to even to here, today in modern-day America where the almighty faction of the Rich try to attempt to overpower and smother the poor because they want the only thing they need more of, which is more power. Winthrop works around this dilemma very delicately by creating two rules both the rich and poor have to abide by. The rules of Mercy and Justice. The poor are to abide by the rule of mercy towards the rich if some sudden danger or distress should arise, while the rich are to show the poor justice as well.
Secondly, Winthrop talks about the way people should treat one another under certain circumstances. When someone is in need of something but cannot repay you, give him what he needs instead of what he wants. But when someone is in need of something and is able to repay you, look at it as if it was a trade of goods.
When forgiving, even if he has nothing to offer for his wrong doing, you must forgive. Then there will be times when you will have to give up everything you have in order to help others. "There is a time when a Christian must sell all and give to the poor, as they did in the Apostles' times." Also, "There is a time also when Christians (though they give not all yet) must give beyond their ability..."
What Winthrop is saying, is that, when another is in need you are expected to give what is needed under any circumstance, even if it means giving everything you have. Even to an enemy you are expected to treat as one of your own, "If thine enemy hunger feed him; 'Love your enemies... Do good to them that hate you." (Matt. 5:44)
During his speech, Winthrop points out the specifics of what he believes as the perfect floor plan for the perfect Puritan community. This speech is a uplifting and hopeful speech towards the future, but also contains hints of warning as well. In order for them to thrive they must be as if all the same body and suffer together through the difficult times ahead. If they can avoid disobeying and turning away from God, working as one, and build a strong community, the Puritan's will have successfully planted their roots into this new soil and begin to grow.
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