感恩節的由來

文 | 傅凱彬
生命季刊專稿

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感恩節的由來

傅牧師信息音頻如下：

有人認為，美國的歷史開始於印第安人；還有人認為，美國的歷史開始於1619年的一艘運奴船。

歷史就像一個任人打扮的小姑娘。小姑娘打扮成什麼樣，體現了化妝師的審美觀；而歷史的論述，則體現了論述者的價值觀。美國的傳統價值觀來自何處呢？

今年的感恩節，讓我們一起來重溫400年前，第一批清教徒來到美國的歷史；一起來確認，美國的傳統價值觀、和背後的美國精神。

1607年，在英格蘭的諾丁漢郡有這樣一群清教徒，他們想脫離國教的控制，自由地敬拜上帝。他們離開家鄉，經歷艱難困苦來到了加爾文派基督徒佔主要地位的荷蘭阿姆斯特丹。1608年又搬到了荷蘭的萊頓。

他們掌握了先進的生產技術，再加上勤勞肯干，很快就在荷蘭安居樂業。 然而，漫長的荷蘭獨立戰爭看不到盡頭，天主教勢力隨時可能捲土重來，富裕荷蘭的享樂主義、世俗主義氛圍已經威脅到下一代子女信仰的純正。 於是，這些清教徒產生了移居北美新大陸的想法，並在1620年付諸行動。

清教徒們選擇“逆向移民”，從已經進入近代文明的歐洲，移民到仍是蠻荒之地的美洲新大陸。反對的聲音不小。但是贊成者們相信，所有偉大和光榮的行為都伴隨着巨大的困難，必須以負責任的勇氣來面對，並且戰勝困難。如果目標崇高，合乎上帝的律法，就可以尋求上帝祝福。這一切的努力配得上帝的榮耀。

於是這些清教徒分成兩批，一批留在荷蘭，一批去了新大陸，許多人從此再沒見面。出發之前，羅賓遜牧師在講道中引用《以斯拉記》8章21節“那時，我在亞哈瓦河邊宣告禁食，為要在我們上帝面前刻苦己心，求他使我們和婦人孩子並一切所有的，都得平坦的道路。”

1620年7月22日他們從荷蘭的代夫特港出發，臨行前在船上一起禱告。

他們離開了美麗宜人的城市，深知自己是追尋神聖榮耀的天路客，他們抬眼定睛朝向高天穹蒼，那令他們的靈魂得安寧的至愛國度。

他們先回到英國，尋求商人贊助，也因此有各色人等與他們一起去新大陸。1620年8月5日，大約120人坐着兩艘船Speedwell和五月花號離開南安普頓。有一艘船漏水很嚴重，也有可能是船長不想去了，船上有些人留在了英國，大部分人上了五月花號。9月6日五月花號離開普利茅斯，船上共有102人。

五月花號長32米，寬七米半，它的船速雖然只有每小時2英里，整個65天的航程其實並不艱難。這期間兩個人死亡; 兩個嬰孩出生。

11月11日他們到了新英格蘭地區鱈魚角（Cape Cod），12月11日定居在距波士頓35英里的Plymouth Rock，12月25日開始修建第一所公用房屋。

他們為了共同生活，制定了五月花號公約。這份公約帶來了一個特別的公民政治團體，他們一致同意：在基督信仰的基礎上擬定公正公平的法律法規，並且遵守服從。

這是創立美國的主要思想之一：同一個社會裡的所有公民通過制定對大家都有益處的法律來管理自己。誕生於“五月花號”，並以“五月花號”命名的這份文件預告了一個新時代的來臨。可以說，沒有《五月花號公約》，就沒有《獨立宣言》和美國憲法。《五月花號公約》是美國憲政共和理念的源頭。這一公約構成美國憲政的雛形，它在美國政治與法律制度演進中具有重要的意義與影響。

五月花號上的這批乘客還帶來了美國最重要的節日傳統：感恩節。

他們踏上北美新大陸獻上讚美時正值冬天，四處看見的都是荒原，背後是剛剛渡過的茫茫大海。那年冬天極其艱難，兩三個月的時間內死了一半人。有時一天之內就有兩三個人死亡。最緊張的時候只有六七個身體健康的人能夠工作。諸般艱難中，除了三一真神，他們還能依靠什麼呢？

剛開始他們和印地安人是敵對的，1621年春天有個會講一些英文的印地安人（Samoset 薩摩塞特）來到他們中間。Samoset 介紹了一位去過英國的印地安人 Squanto(史廣多)， 他的英文非常好，幫助清教徒與 Wampanoag 萬帕諾亞格族的酋長締結了和平協議。

1621年4月William Bradford(威廉布拉福德) 被推選為總督，他連任30次直到1657年去世。他所寫的《普利茅斯開拓史 Of Plymouth Plantation》是這段時期的重要歷史資料。他留下了這樣的話： “我這樣做的目的是想要孩子們今後能看到自己的父輩如何完成第一次冒險之旅，他們經歷了何等的艱難和奮鬥。儘管他們有種種的弱點和缺失，卻最終被上帝拯救。”

1621年的秋天有了大豐收。他們決定用3天的節日來慶祝豐收，感謝上帝的恩典。參與者包括所有從1620年冬天倖存的人和大約90個印第安人。準備食物的人只有四個已婚的婦女和五個待嫁的少女。食物中包括：5支鹿及各樣鳥類（可能有火雞); 南瓜及各樣蔬菜……

這就是第一個感恩節的由來！此後，1789年美國第一任總統喬治華盛頓發表感恩宣言；1863年林肯總統發表感恩宣言；1941年美國國會決議，每年11月的第四個禮拜四是法定的感恩節國家假日。

1630年，“阿貝拉號”橫渡大西洋的途中，清教徒領袖約翰. 溫斯羅普牧師在一次布道中說：“我們將如山巔之城，為萬眾矚目。因此，如果我們在已經着手進行的事業中欺矇我主，使主收回目前賜予我們的庇佑，我們必將成為世人笑柄，天下醜聞。我們將使敵人開口說毀謗上帝道路的話。我們將使上帝許多可敬的僕人臉面慚愧，使他們的禱告化成對我們的詛咒，直到我們在即將前往的美好土地上消亡。。。所以讓我們借着聆聽祂的聲音而揀選生命，使我們和我們的後裔都得存活。因祂是我們的生命和福氣。 ”

五月花號只是清教徒來到美國新大陸的開始，之後，有一批批的清教徒來到新英格蘭地區，他們抱着同樣崇高目的而來。

這就是美國精神的由來：一個清教徒在上帝面前立約要建立的山巔之城。它來自於一個立約的選擇，以及立約後的諸多選擇。今天的美國也面臨着選擇，是選擇歸回？還是選擇背約？這是每一個在這片土地上生活的人們要作的選擇，是你我的選擇。

感恩節很快就到了，願這段四百年前的歷史帶給您平安。我們一起享受節日的快樂、感謝上帝的恩典，並為美國的未來禱告！

English:

Some promoted the idea that American history began with the Indians; others argued that American history kicked off with a slave trade ship arrived in 1619.

History is like a little girl waiting to be dressed up. The final presentation of the little girl reflects the taste of her fashion stylist; the way history is narrated reflects the values of the narrator. Where do the traditional values of America come from?

During Thanksgiving this year, let’s revisit the history of the Puritans who first arrived at America 400 years ago. Together, we can reaffirm the traditional values of the United States and its American spirit behind.

In order to worship freely, a group of Puritans from Nottinghamshire, England longed to break away from the control of the state religion. They left their homeland in 1607, endured hardship and arrived at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where the majority of Christians were Calvinists. Then they moved to Leiden, the Netherlands in 1608.

Having mastered some advanced technologies of the time for production, this group of diligent Puritans quickly settled down comfortably in the Netherlands. However, there seemed to be no end to the Dutch War of Independence. Meanwhile, the power of the Catholic church could come back at any time. Hedonism and secularism of the wealthy Dutch people had already threatened the faith of their next generation. Therefore, these Puritans conceived the idea of migration to the North American Continent, and eventually they took action in 1620.

The puritans chose what we may call a “reverse migration”, from the much more modern and civilized Europe to the savage land of North America in the new world. There was a loud voice of opposition to the idea. However, the supporters believed that great and glorious decisions always come with struggles. And they were ready to face the challenges with enormous courage and responsibilities. Laboring to achieve an honorable purpose that abides in God’s holy Law, they trusted God for blessings and dedicated human efforts for God’s glory.

So, these Puritans were split into two groups. One group stayed in the Netherlands; the other group moved to the new world. Many of them never met each other again. Before their departure, Pastor John Robinson quoted Ezra 8:21 in his sermon “then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.”

On July 22, 1620, they prayed together on the ship before departure and left Port of Delft, the Netherlands.

They left behind a beautiful and prosperous city, knowing their identity as pilgrims pursuing sacred glory. Their eyes were lifted and fixed upon heaven where the beloved kingdom of God provides ultimate peace for human souls.

They first went back to England in search of sponsorship from local merchants. As a result, they attracted all sorts of accompanies to the new world. On August 5th, 1620, around 120 sailed from Southampton on two ships, Speedwell and Mayflower. Soon, Speedwell aborted the trip and stayed in England due to a serious water leak and perhaps the captain’s lack of will to go. Except for a few, most people boarded Mayflower. On September 6th, Mayflower departed Plymouth with 102 people on board.

Mayflower was 32 meters long, 7.5 meters wide. She traveled only 2 miles per hour within the 65-day voyage and nothing was particularly unexpected. During that voyage, they suffered the loss of two lives but celebrated the birth of two new lives.

On November 11th, they arrived at Cape Cod in New England. December 11th, 1620, they settled down in Plymouth Rock, 35 miles from today’s Boston. On December 25th, they started to build the first communal house.

In order to build up their community, the Pilgrims drafted the Mayflower Compact. This historical document brought forth a special civic and political unity. They unanimously agreed to

frame just and equal Laws and ordinances on the foundation of their Christian faith for the general good of the colony and promised all due submission and obedience.

One of the core ideas that United States was founded on is this: “We the people” govern ourselves by making laws for the general good. The birth of the Mayflower Compact on Mayflower proclaimed a brand-new era. The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were only possible because the Mayflower Compact paved the way for them. The Mayflower Compact was the source of the ideas of American constitutional republic. This significant piece of document served as a precursor to the American Constitution. Its impact on the founding and development of the American political and legal system can never be overstated.

The Mayflower passengers also brought forth the most important traditional holiday of the United States: Thanksgiving.

It was bitter cold when they set foot on the North American Continent praising God. The land was full of uncultivated wilderness. With the vast ocean behind them they had no return. The first winter was extremely harsh, within 2-3 months, death of half the population clothed the whole colony with grief. Sometimes, they could count two or three death in a day. And they were hit to the bottom when only 6 or 7 among them were healthy enough to work. In such toil and turmoil, whom else could they trust but the triune God!

At first, they were enemies to the Indians. Things changed soon, in the Spring of 1621, Samoset, an Indian came to them speaking some English. Then Samoset introduced to them Squanto, who had been to England and fluent in English. Squanto later helped the Puritans to sign a peace treaty with the Chief of the Wampanoag tribe.

In April 1621, William Bradford was elected as governor. He was re-elected 30 times before he passed away in 1657. His writing “Of Plymouth Plantation” became an important historical document of this period of time. One of his famous quotes says: “I have bene (pray) the larger in these things, and so shall Grave leave in some like passages following, (though in other things I shall labour to be more contrate,) that their children may see with what difficulties their fathers wrestled in going through these things in their first beginnings, and how God brought them along notwithstanding all their weaknesses and infirmities.”

Finally, their labor harvested great fruits in the Fall of 1621. They decided to set apart 3 days for celebration and to give thanks to God for His grace. Participants included all who survived the winter of 1620 and also around 90 Indian friends. Only four wives and 5 single young ladies prepared abundant food for all. The menu included five roasted deer and various birds (probably including turkeys), pumpkins and all kinds of vegetables.

This was the real history of the first Thanksgiving. Afterwards, in 1789, the first American president, George Washington, issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation; in 1863, President Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation.  In 1941, the US Congress passed a bill to set apart the last Thursday of November as the official national holiday of Thanksgiving.

Mayflower only marked the beginning of the Puritan journeys to North American Continent. Subsequently, one voyage after another, more Puritans came to New England with the same noble purposes for life and eternity.

In 1630, on Abella sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, Puritan leader Pastor John Winthrop preached in a sermon, “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. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God, and all professors for God‘s sake. We shall shame the faces of many of God’s worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us till we be consumed out of the good land whither we are going……Therefore let us choose life, that we and our seed may live, by obeying His voice and cleaving to Him, for He is our life and our prosperity.”

This was the historical origin of the American spirit: A puritan made a covenant with God to build a city on the hill. It came from an initial decision through a covenant and it would have to take many decisions thereafter to keep that covenant and fulfill the promises. Today, America is standing at a crossroad. Will she choose to return to this covenant at the heart of her original spirit and founding values? Or will she choose to break the covenant? It is a decisive moment for all of us who live on this land, it is our choices.

Thanksgiving is near, may this short glimpse into the American history 400 years ago bring peace to you. Together, let’s celebrate, give thanks to God for His grace, and keep praying for the future of the United States of America!

傅凱彬 牧師，現在美國牧會。承光學會(inherit.live)負責人。

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