Plymouth, Massachusetts lies on the coast to
the south of Boston, and within the curved arm
of Cape Cod. The Cape does not reach as
far north as Boston. It gave the Pilgrims a
relatively safe, calm place to anchor. As the
Mayflower dropped its anchor and began to
send the Colonists ashore, tradition has it
that they first stepped on dry land on a large
rock in the bay. This tradition was first spoken
to a gathered group of people almost 100
years after the Colony had landed in America.
It had been passed by word of mouth until
that time. It is really unimportant whether
this Rock played a part in the settling of
America or not. It is a great rallying point
for the people of the nation. It is important
because it is revered by so many people,
over such a long period of time.
The stone is said to have been three times
as large, in 1620 when the Mayflower
docked, as it is today. It was moved from
the original location, broken in two, and after
many years returned to the original site. It
has been put back together with masonry.
The date 1620 has been carved into the surface
of the Rock, the date was not on the stone
when the Pilgrims first stepped ashore.
Then there was the destruction by the well
meaning souvenir hunter/visitor. It became
apparent that the Rock would be gone in
time, so a pavilion was built to house the
national treasure. The Stone was about
50 feet from the shoreline the day we were
there. Visitors are busy throwing coins into
the pit as they stand above the Rock.
The earth rises rapidly behind the Rock
monument. The dwellings have been occupied
for almost 400 years. Nothing looks the
same as it did in the year 1620, not even the
Rock. Hundreds of people are at the site all
during the day.
A replica of the Mayflower stands about 1000
feet to the north of the Rock. Visitors are allowed
to go onto the small vessel. It would have been
terrible to have crossed the ocean in so small a
piece of drifting flotsam. That time and period
is one of the choke points of civilization. The
planting of the colonies hung on such a thin
thread; was at the mercy of the wind and sea.
The Great Flood of Noah as outlined in the
Bible was just such a choke point for all mankind.
The American Indian could have repulsed
the small group, but more would have continued
to come. Since the Indian was unfamiliar with
the concept of property ownership, he did not
see the importance of the overwhelming flood
that was coming to him from the east. He did
not recognize the changes that would fall upon
his children, and on the children of all mankind.
It could be argued for years to come whether
the settling of America has helped or hindered
the wellbeing of mankind. Would there still have
been the atom bomb, the jetliner, the computer
(which we still do not realize the lasting
consequences that it may bring to mankind),
and antibiotics?