ix, 372 pp. 8vo. A biography of the early figure in American colonial history and religion, written by a direct descendant. "In 1620 Brewster journeyed on the Mayflower to New England, where he and his fellow colonists established the Plymouth Colony. Because of his experience of Separatist church covenants and of drafting government papers, he is presumed to have had a large role in the drawing-up of the Mayflower Compact. Most of the members of the Leiden church remained behind with plans to migrate at a later date, and Robinson stayed with them. Deacon Brewster, therefore, was the only church officer in Plymouth from the arrival of the Pilgrims until 1629 and for much of the time after that. He conducted prayer services, led scripture readings, and preached twice on each Sunday but never administered the sacraments. Though Separatists reserved the administration of the sacraments to ordained ministers, Robinson had been asked if an exception could be made for Brewster. Robinson had indicated that it would not be proper, and Brewster concurred. In 1633 Brewster argued successfully against those who wished to retain Roger Williams as the congregation's teacher. Brewster feared that Williams would pursue the same course of rigid separatism espoused by Smith that had led to contention in Amsterdam. Indeed, following Williams's settlement in Salem, Massachusetts, his extreme insistence on religious purity did lead to schism and his eventual banishment from the Bay. As one of the community's leaders and one of its more prosperous citizens, Brewster became one of the undertakers, who in 1627 assumed responsibility for the colony's debt to its English backers. Though he was often consulted by Governor William Bradford (1590-1657), he never sought or held political office... Brewster was, next to Bradford, the most significant figure in the Plymouth Colony. Well educated and experienced in government, his advice to Bradford was invaluable. He alone held the Pilgrim church together during the early years of settlement, maintaining both its orthodoxy and its willingness to interact with nonseparating Puritans." (Bremer, American National Biography)
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