Other than such historical details, what has been lost in time is that the Pilgrims were in peril in part because they’d tried communal farming. During their first 2½ years the Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation didn’t own private property. Food was grown by the townspeople and distributed equally. Communism ruled. Naturally, some residents began sleeping in, sure someone else would till the field.
So, according to Bradford, “The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanity of that conceit of Plato’s and other ancients applauded by some of later times; that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God. For this community (so far as it was) was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit.”
By 1623, after cinching down their square belt buckles, Plymouth Plantation’s leaders tried the American path to prosperity. They allotted private property to each family and declared that if residents didn’t work, they wouldn’t eat. Productivity immediately increased.
Tim Wood recently joined the team from Charleston, South Carolina. He spent the last two years doing youth and children’s ministry work at his home church in Charleston where his father is the Senior Pastor. Currently a business student in school back in the states, he’s joining us for the next year and will be involved with children’s ministry, PA work for Frog and a little worship as well. When Tim isn’t around the office he’s either grabbing his longboard and heading outdoors to enjoy the beautiful world God has provided for us, playing guitar, video games or hanging out with his crew. Tim is certainly excited to see God’s renewing love sweep across this nation.
Contact Tim at timwood@latimerminster.org
Related Articles
1 user responded in this post
Shhhhh! That history is being rewritten.