Note 8 — MEMOIR OF GOVERNOR ENDECOTT.[1]

The Rev. Mr. Upham, in his Dedication Sermon, in 1826, thus speaks of him: "John Endecott, (a man, who to the qualities which have rendered him illustrious, as an effectual leader of colonization, as a gallant soldier, as a skillful statesman, added a knowledge of the Scriptures, and a devout piety, which will ever hallow his memory,) early in the year 1629, before the formation of this church, wrote to Gov. Bradford respecting a conference he had held with a gentleman sent to him from Plymouth, (Dr. Fuller.) on the subject of church institution and government. In this letter we find no acknowledgment of any other authority in such a matter than his own private judgment, and no desire expressed, or attempt exhibited, to force his judgment upon others." The letter here referred to is the one already cited, of May 11, 1629. "The standard," says Mr. Upham, "by which Mr. Endecott made up his judgment in this matter, was certainly no other than the standard of Protestantism—the Scriptures, as they were opened to his understanding."