Praising Him through the storms! Thanksgiving part I

William Bradford was the Governor of Plimoth Colony and leader of the Mayflower voyage to the New world. The Mayflower arrived in Provincetown on November 11, 1620. Upon arrival on the land, the Pilgrims "fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had ... delivered them from ...perils and miseries ..." The sole purpose for leaving England was for freedom of religion (and NOT freedom FROM religion).
The First Winter the Pilgrims spent in the New World was harsh to say the least. Not enough food and barely enough shelter. 47 of the 102 Pilgrims did not make it that first Winter or died on the voyage of things lke scurvy, pnuemonia. At one time only 7 Pilgrims were well enough to bury the dead which had to be done at night so Natives would not know the Pilgrims numbers were dwindling so much. In 1623, after being helped by Native "friends" Massosoit, Squanto..Governor Bradford and the Pilgrims and Natives held one of several Thanksgiving gatherings. Fortunately Bradford documented so much for us to see what they did in order to worship God freely.

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Plymouth Colony, 30 July 1623]

By Governor, William Bradford (Plymouth Colony). a Proclamation.

I may not here omit how, notwithstand all their great pains and industry, and the great hopes of a large crop, the Lord seemed to blast, and take away the same, and to threaten further and more sore famine unto them. By a great drought which continued from the third week in May, till about the middle of July, without any rain and with great heat for the most part, insomuch as the corn began to wither away though it was set with fish, the moisture whereof helped it much. Yet at length it began to languish sore, and some of the drier grounds were parched like withered hay, part whereof was never recovered. Upon which they set apart a solemn day of humiliation, to seek the Lord by humble and fervent prayer, in this great distress. And he was pleased to give them a gracious and speedy answer, both to their own and the Indians' admiration that lived amongst them. For all the morning, and the greater part of the day, it was clear weather and very hot, and not a cloud or any sign of rain to be seen; yet toward evening it began to overcast, and shortly after to rain with such sweet and gentle showers as gave them cause of rejoicing and blessing God. It came without either wind or thunder or any violence, and by degrees in that abundance as that the earth was thoroughly wet and soaked and therewith. Which did so apparently revive and quicken the decayed corn and other fruits, as was wonderful to see, and made the Indians astonished to behold. And afterwards the Lord sent to them such seasonable showers, with interchange of fair warm weather as, through His blessing, caused a fruitful and liberal harvest, to their no small comfort and rejoicing. For which mercy, in time convenient, they also set apart a day of thanksgiving."