The Exceptional Breed Called Americans

By: Wayne Leeper
A Land Called America
During the age of colonizing the New World, a number of Old World countries established colonies in the New World. It is the British colonists, now known as Americans, who have surpassed all others and have become a unique and exceptional people. The British colonists were indeed a special breed of people. Just to establish a foothold in a savage land required both bravery and faith. These people left the Old World for a variety of reasons, freedom not being the least of them. There was little they were able to bring with them in addition to some implements for clearing the land and agriculture. Many died on the three month voyage from the Old World and others soon after arriving. Just staying alive during the early years was a major task in and of itself.
From this beginning, they have risen to become the greatest nation in the history of the world. What was it that made them different from all the rest? The first British colony was Jamestown followed by Plymouth Rock a few years later. These first colonists brought with them two items which they considered to be indispensable: guns and Bibles. The guns were necessary for providing protection and physical food, while the Bibles provided them with food for their souls. These two items are still necessary for every true patriot. When Japanese Admiral Yamamoto was asked why Japan did not follow up the attack on Pearl Harbor with an attack on America itself, his answer was, “Because we knew the American citizens were all armed.”
One of the first ships to arrive in the new world was a ship named Mayflower, which carried 120 pilgrims. Upon arrival they realized there would be no governmental authority to provide the protection they enjoyed in England. They found it necessary to establish a governing document to which the colonists would voluntarily submit. The document they agreed to is known as the Mayflower compact.

“In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-writ­ten…Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith… a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mu­tually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due sub­mission and obedience.”

This idea of the citizens forming a government by and of themselves was a unique concept in the world of their day and one they would not easily give up. It was a few years later when another ship arrived named the Arbella. A sermon preached on board ship by a man named John Winthrop outlined their vision of the land they intended to establish. The part that has lasted and been quoted for over three hundred years says:

Read More: http://nebraskaenergyobserver.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/a-reminder/