Essentials of United States history . at they considered its evils. One class thought thatthey could best improve the church by remaining within itthough without conforming toall its rites and reformers, non-conform-ists, as they were called, wereknown as Puritans. Then therewas another class of dissenterswho did not retain their mem-bership in the Church of formed separate organiza-tions which had no bishops norappointed clergy and which leftout of their service all forms andceremonies. These were calledSeparatists, or Independents. At the time of this divisionin
Essentials of United States history . at they considered its evils. One class thought thatthey could best improve the church by remaining within itthough without conforming toall its rites and reformers, non-conform-ists, as they were called, wereknown as Puritans. Then therewas another class of dissenterswho did not retain their mem-bership in the Church of formed separate organiza-tions which had no bishops norappointed clergy and which leftout of their service all forms andceremonies. These were calledSeparatists, or Independents. At the time of this divisionin the church it was unlawfulfor any one to hold opinions on religious matters not in accordwith the accepted beliefs of the religion established by thegovernment of England. In fact, religious liberty was a termthat had almost no meaning three hundred years ago. KingJames declared, I will make them conform or I will harrythem out of the kingdom. Puritans as well as Separatistswere fined and imprisoned, and suffered all sorts of indig-. 0m A Puritan Minister. 44 ESSENTIALS OF UNITED STATES HISTORY nities because they would not conform. Hut the Separatistswere more severely punished because they carried their dis-sent to greater lengths. To escape persecution many fled toHolland, the only country in Europe which permitted libertyof conscience in religious matters, and which was thereforecalled by the other nations a common harbour of all here-sies and a cage of unclean birds. 47. The Pilgrims in Holland. — In the little village ofScrooby, situated in Nottinghamshire on the main road fromLondon to the north, lived a congregation of were accustomed to hold their meetings in the manorhouse, where lived William Brewster, the postmaster. Hecauseof their religion they could not long continue in any peacablecondition, but were hunted and persecuted on every were taken and clapt up in prison, others had theirhouses beset and watched night and day; . . and the
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