The Founding of Two Colonies, Their Similarities and Differences, Jamestown and Plimouth Plantation

In the early years of the American colonies, two settlements were established, one in 1607 named after King James I, Jamestown, and the other in 1620 started by Separatists (outsiders to the Church of England) along with investors who agreed to the Mayflower Compact. The second English enclave was named after the sailing port, Plymouth.

 From the beginning of Jamestown, the settlers, 104 men and boys, arriving in May, had every advantage, warm weather, longer growing season, wildlife, and less loss of life in transit. But these benefits were quickly lost. The directives of the investment company were not beneficial for the situation in Virginia: build near a river with water on three sides; stay near the coast; look for gold, collect it, refining it for shipment to England.

Of course, with this instruction the men were off and running once the stockade was built. They sought their fortunes while following the Company’s directives. Three things came out of these guidelines: the settlers avoided developing shelter, planting crops, or putting stores by for the upcoming winter; a personal quest developed rather than working for the best of the community; and the individuality put them at odds with the Powhatan people who inhabited the area and on whose land they had settled.

The colonists soon became sick with mosquito borne illnesses from the marshy land. Drinking the slimy water added to the problems, and weakness arose from those issues in addition to the low food supply. Many of the Jamestown residents died; the remainder were on the verge of returning to England when in 1610 a ship arrived with new settlers and supplies. Order was established in the colony with individuals working together to develop a steady food supply, and the settlement was able to thrive.

In contrast, the Mayflower arrived in the fall of 1620. Some of the pilgrims and investors had died on the crossing. Others were sickly and supplies were almost exhausted.

During the winter the death toll was high. The following spring only 51 of the original men and women remained of the original 102. When spring arrived, the pilgrims and investors worked side by side developing a settlement, planting crops, worshiping together.

During the sailing, the colony agreed to a Compact to govern the settlement. In this document it was expected for all to pull together as a community to allow each individual to survive.

 The difference in successfulness between the two efforts was determined by whether they were in the New World as an individual or as a community. 

As long as the Jamestown colony sought only for personal gain, it could not attain to a thriving association. It was necessary for each person to willingly work with the others, as in Plimouth, toward a common goal.

So too, the word “gentleness” as used in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” is exemplified by humility, meekness, and forbearance. In practice it is seeking the good of others before yourself.

This runs counter to American business philosophy which has adopted the early Jamestown view of being a “Lone Ranger.” An individual must be a self-promoter, self-assertive, self-starter, self, self, self… ad nauseum.

But gentleness is best expressed by forbearance, allowing others to have first place. To most this appears to be evidence of weakness, but in truth it reveals deep strength of character. When we are agitated, frustrated, or wronged, it quickly becomes apparent the great strength required to speak gently with the individual and not reveal an underlying ungodly desire to throttle them.

Being able to approach a time of confrontation for a wrong suffered in a spirit of gentleness is humanly impossible. Only the Spirit of God enables a gentle and quiet spirit without anger to reign in difficulty.

When we are dealing with evil, there are times when anger is necessary because gentleness is actively angry at evil. This is an area where Jesus shines! He displayed anger with the Pharisees at an appropriate time and for an appropriate subject, their hypocrisy.

For example, in the synagogue, the Pharisees watched to see if Jesus intended to heal a man on the Sabbath. Their object was to have cause to discredit Him before the people. Jesus said to the Pharisees,

 “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill? But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man ‘Stretch out your hand.’ And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.”

Jesus was angry at their evil intent of preventing others from coming to Him for physical and spiritual healing; He was angry at their hard hearts, the wickedness that resided there, and He was angry at their hypocrisy for they were plotting for a way to kill Him. (Mark 3:4-6 NASB)

Jesus displayed gentleness towards the Pharisees in allowing them to continue with their activities, but He pointed out to them their sin. Jesus acted in neglect of His own safety for the benefit of the man who had a withered hand. His gentleness benefitted others rather than Himself.

A Greek scholar, Spiros Zhodiates, states, “It [gentleness] does not denote an outward expression of feeling but an inward grace of the soul, calmness toward God in particular. It is acceptance of God’s dealings with us and considering them as good in that they enhance the closeness of our relationship with Him.”

A great gauge of my maturity is my reaction to what appears to be humanly adverse events. Do I lash out in anger, resist God’s plan for me, or submit graciously to His wisdom?

 Come what may, good or evil, I should be drawing closer to God to cope with both situations. It’s easier to move nearer to God in difficulty, but when life is going well, do I seek the Lord’s presence? That’s a true test of how my fruit is developing.

As gentleness grows, God comes closer. God is the One who elevates the humble and actively works in opposition to the proud. (James 4:6, 8). He gives me a balanced view of myself and others. To mankind I may be insignificant but to God, I have great value. I am excited I am valuable to God!

In parting, I’ll leave you with a quote from an orchardist: “The most heavily laden branches always bow the lowest on the tree.”

How is your fruit looking today? 

Maranatha!