of which, it was resolved, that every person who should subscribe fifty pounds, should be entitled to two hundred acres of land, as the first dividend. Five ships were provided for the purpose, and being laden with cattle and other necessaries, for the supply of the colony, with three hundred persons, men, women, and children, they sailed from the Isle of Wight, in May, and arrived at Salem in June, where they found Endicot, to whom they brought a confirmation of his commission as governor. The colony now consisted of three hundred persons, of whom one hundred removed and settled the town of Charlestown; and the remainder continued at Salem. Mr Hugginson and Mr. Skelton, distinguished for their learning and piety, both of them, resolved to lend important services in laying the foundation of the American Church. These faithful servants of Christ, cordially engaged in the great design; they embarked with the second party, and arrived at Salem in 1629.

Early in the following year, John Winthrop, who had been appointed governor, and Thomas Dudley, deputy governor, with one thousand five hundred persons, embarked on board of seventeen vessels, at an expense of upwards of twenty thousand pounds, and arrived at Salem in July, 1630. Dissatisfied with this situation, they explored the country in quest of a better station, and settled in many places around the bay; and laid the foundation of several towns, among others of Boston.

Their

On the arrival of Gov. Winthrop, in July, who was from that time to his death, the head and father of the colony, he found the plantation in a suffering state. In the preceding autumn, the colony contained about three hundred inhabitants; eighty of them died, and a great part of the survivors were in a weak, sickly state. supply of corn was not sufficient for more than a fortnight, and their provisions nearly exhausted. Friday, February 6th, was appointed as a day of fasting and prayer; but on the fifth of February, a ship arrived with provisions, and a day of thanksgiving was appointed by the governor. The succeeding winter commenced in December, with great severity; few of the houses which had been erected vere comfortable. Unused to such severities of climate,

the people suffered severely from the cold.

Many of them

died from the cold. On the opening of the Spring of 1631, health was generally restored in the settlements; but the colony was greatly impoverished. All the provisions that were brought from England, were purchased at a very high rate. By the length of the passage and the severity of the winter, the greater part of their cattle died. The materials for building and implements of labor were obtained with great difficulty and expense. This year,

great exertions were made for a crop of Indian corn, which was their whole dependance; and it pleased God to give them an abundant harvest.

Soon after
The next

In the commencement of all the individual settlements, the planters were mindful of their great errand into the wilderness; and directed their first exertions to the establishment of the church of Christ, and the institution of the gospel. The first church after the one at Salem, was gathered at Charlestown, August 27th, 1630. this, a church was organized at Dorchester. was at Boston; one at Roxbury, one at Lynn, and one at Watertown. In less than two years from the organization of the first church in Salem, there were in the colony seven churches, which were indeed golden candlesticks.

In 1633 came over Mr. Haynes, afterwards the first governor of Connecticut, and Mr. Stone, Mr. Hooker, and Mr Cotton; three of the most eminent lights of the New England churches.

On the 21st of February, an order was made by the king in council, to stop the ships at that time ready to sail, freighted with passengers and provisions for New England. But this order seems never to have been strictly executed, as the emigrations still continued, without any sensible diminution.

To the religious dissensions which distracted Massachusetts, and to the rigour with which conformity was exacted, is in great measure to be attributed the first settlement of the other colonies of New England. As early. as 1634, oger Williams, a very popular preacher of Salem, who had refused to hold communion with the church at Boston, because its members refused to make a publi

CHIGAN

the 21st of February, an order was made by the in council, to stop the ships at that time ready to freighted with passengers and provisions for New nd. But this order seems never to have been strict cuted, as the emigrations still continued, without nsible diminution.

the religious dissensions which distracted Massa ts, and to the rigour with which conformity was d, is in great measure to be attributed the first set of the other colonies of New England. As early Roger Williams, a very popular preacher of S ho had refused to hold communion with the church ton, because its members refused to make a publics

declaration of their repentance for having held communion with the church of England, during their residence in that country, was charged with many exceptionable tenets. The divines of Massachusetts opposed Mr. Williams; he was accordingly summoned to appear before the general court, and the ministers of the colony. Mr. Hooker was appointed to dispute with him, but, being unable to change his sentiments, it was decreed by the court, and approved by the ministers, that he should depart out of this jurisdiction within six weeks. Many of his disciples followed him into exile; and travelling south until they passed the line of Massachusetts, they purchased a tract of land of the Narragansetts, then a powerful tribe of Indians; where, in 1635, they made a settlement, to which they gave the name of Providence. Having fixed their place of residence, they entered into a voluntary association, and framed a government, composed of the whole body of freemen, for the preservation of peace, and the making of such laws as their situation might require. They created a church after the manner of Massachusetts, by collecting a religious society; but as one of the causes of their migration, had been the tenet that all were entitled to freedom of conscience in worship, the most entire toleration in matters of religion was established.

Williams long retained his authority. He employed himself continually in acts of kindness; affording relief to the distressed, and an asylum to the persecuted. It was not long after the banishment of Williams, that the controversy between those who maintained the covenant of works, and those who maintained the covenant of grace, divided and distracted Massachusetts. This controversy having been decided in 1637 against the Antinomians, or those who supported the covenant of grace, Mrs. Hutchinson, a woman of deep enthusiasm, and the leader of that sect, was banished. She, with many of her disciples, followed the steps of Williams, and arrived in his neighbourhood. They purchased a tract of land from the same tribe, where they founded Rhode Island. They formed a similar association, and adopted the same principles of toleration. They afforded protection to those who resorted thither. In consequence of this conduct, the Island