"On the Lord's Day was a sacrament, which they did partake in; and in the afternoon Mr. Roger Williams, according to their custom, propounded a question, to which their pastor, Mr. Smith, spoke briefly. Mr. Williams prophesied the topic he had submitted; and after, the Governor of Plymouth spoke to the question; after him, the Elder; then some two or three more of the congregation. Then the Elder desired the Governor of Massachusetts and Mr. Wilson to speak to it, which they did. When this was ended, the deacon, Mr. Fuller, put the congregation in mind of the contribution, upon which the Governor and all the rest went down to the deacon's seat and put into the bag, and then returned."
Edward Winslow also once described another feature of their worship:
"We refresht ourselves ... with synginge of Psalmes, making joyfull melodie in our hartes, as well as with ye voice, there being manie in ye congregation verie experte in musick."
V
THE GOVERNOR: LAST ACTS
I venture the prophecy that for countless years to come and to untold thousands these mute pages shall eloquently speak of high resolve, great suffering and heroic endurance made possible by an absolute faith in the over-ruling providence of Almighty God.
Governor Roger Wolcott of Massachusetts, at the Bradford History Presentation, May 26, 1897.
Quae patres difficillime adepti sunt nolite turpiter relinquere.
(What the Fathers with greatest difficulty effected do not basely abandon.)
Inscription on the monument of William Bradford at Plymouth.