Comparing William Bradford and John Smith

He defined himself as a person for field of battle as well as action and hence nonwithstanding the difficulties which he passed in his 2) Also he stated The crown of all his living was his holy, prayerful, watchful and fruitful walk with divinity, wherein he was exemplary. (122) Bradford did not believe In reforming the Church of England from wealth and there for moved and lived in the Netherlands for 12 years. indeed decided to take the travel to Virginia.He believed the colony of Plymouth would be a specific providence. His journey was to have religious freedom and live In a inject they way perfection Intended. tail end smith on the separate hand comes from a military background In which he had clear his captaincy. smith next Joined the Austrian army in its move war (1593-1606) against the Turks, and while in the Austrian service, he fought valiantly in Hungary and was promoted to Smith was more than interested in adventure than religion.Smith In ways was conceite d and speaks of himself In great grander. His reputation had preceded him and the manpower who wanted to colonize Jamestown choose Smith to Join the voyage. John Smith agreed to the Journey to explore the land and possibly find economical gain. Smith is more interested in ma major power a name for himself than serving a higher purpose. Bradford references theology throughout his book of Plymouth Plantation for the many occurrences they run away throughout the Journey.Bradford describes affection of certain passengers, But it pleased deity they came beforehand half seas over, to smite this young man with a grievous disease, of which he died In desperate manner and so was himself the first thrown overboard. thereof his curses lightened on his own head and it was an astonishment to all his fellows, for they noted it to be Just the hand of God upon him. (131) John Smith on the new(prenominal) hand will reference God in things he cannot explain. In Smiths The General History of Flagella, New England and the Summer Isles, he states. But immediately all provision spent, the sturgeon gone, all the facilitates abandoned, each hour expecting the fury of the savages, when God the patron of all good endeavors, in that desperate extremity so variety showd the hearts of the savages, that they brought such plenty of their fruits, and provision, as no man wanted. (84) Since Smith could not fix the lack of provisions he then offers the story that God intervened. Bradford and the passengers which he referred to as pilgrims had constructed he Mayflower carry. The Mayflower Compact was the document that united the pilgrims and the preservation of the colony.The Compact states, In the name of God Amen. We whose names are underwritten the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland king, 1 OFF of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the nor therly parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the front line of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves gather into a civil bole politic. (138-139)God is involved in e very(prenominal) aspect of the colony.After the arrival to Jamestown Smith was name to managing tasks of others. Even though others were doing work to help the colony, Smith spoke of himself doing the hardest and around work. Smith writes, to Captain Smith who by his own example, good words, and bonny promises, set some to mow, others to bind thatch, some to build houses, others to thatch them, himself evermore bearing the greatest of task for his own share, so that in trivial time, he provided most of them lodgings, neglecting any for himself. (85) Smith does not mention God but gives himself most of the credit in preparations for the colony.Bradford colony began to have sick(p)ness but after sometime many recovered, Bradford gave credit to the Lord for such happenin gs. Bradford states, The spring now approaching, it pleased God the mortality began to cease amongst them, and the sick and the lame recovered apace, which put as it were new life into them, though they had borne their sad affliction with much patience and contentedness, as I conceive of any people could do. (43) Bradford seeing Plymouth as a divine place God is leading hem to, people who live through unhealthiness are meet to arrive by Gods will.Even at the end of Smiths cast he thanks God but not for Gods divine help but for his own skills. Smith states, l thank God I never undertook anything yet for which any could tax me of carelessness or dishonesty, and what is he to whom I am indebted or troublesome? Ah Were these my accusers but to change cases and places with mefor but two years, or till they had done but so much as I, it may be they would Judge more charitably of my imperfections. (93) Throughout Bradford and Smiths accounts both write nigh the hardships of the rip an d the life in the colonies.The two writers face many of the same events such as outpouring out of food, facing sickness, and dealing with the Native Americans. Though there is a large difference in the two accounts. Bradford does not boast about his own capabilities. The whole reason that Bradford and the others made the journey is because of God, as it was Gods will. Smith writes more for a personal level. He brags of his abilities as a solider, loss leader and explorer. He only mentions God when things are not in his skills or cannot explain that occurrence. UnlikeBradford which would name God for his means to lead, John Smith does not but gives himself praise. In the time that both pieces were written religion and God had a large influence on peoples choices and every life. It was not very common for someone to author a piece like John Smith had done with not much reference and honor apt(p) to God. Unlike Bradford referencing God for the very event of colonization of Plymouth, Smith promoted himself as the hero and encouraged other men like him to come. Bradford wanted men of God. Beam Nina. John Smith The Norton Anthology American Literature.