"God's Instrument"
The Story of Squanto
Most of us know the story of the first Thanksgiving - at
least, we know the Pilgrim version. But how many of us know the Indian
viewpoint?
No, I'm not talking about some revisionist, p.c. version of history.
I'm talking about the amazing story of the way God used an Indian named
Squanto as a special instrument of His providence.
Historical accounts of Squanto's life vary, but historians believe that
around 1608-more than a decade before the Pilgrims landed in the New
World-a group of English traders, led by a Captain Hunt, sailed to what is
today Plymouth, Massachusetts. When the trusting Wampanoag Indians came
out to trade, Hunt took them prisoner, transported them to Spain, and sold
them into slavery.
But God had an amazing plan for one of the captured Indians-a boy named
Squanto.
Squanto was bought by a well-meaning Spanish monk, who treated him well
and taught him the Christian faith. Squanto eventually made his way to
England and worked in the stable of a man named John Slaney. Slaney
sympathized with Squanto's desire to return home, and he promised to put
the Indian on the first vessel bound for America.
It wasn't until 1619-ten years after Squanto was first kidnapped-that a
ship was found. Finally, after a decade of exile and heartbreak, Squanto
was on his way home.
But when he arrived in Massachusetts, more heartbreak awaited him. An
epidemic had wiped out Squanto's entire village.
We can only imagine what must have gone through Squanto's mind. Why had
God allowed him to return home, against all odds, only to find his loved
ones dead?
A year later, the answer came. A shipload of English families arrived
and settled on the very land once occupied by Squanto's people. Squanto
went to meet them, greeting the startled Pilgrims in English.
According to the diary of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, Squanto
"became a special instrument sent of God for [our] good . . . He showed
[us] how to plant [our] corn, where to take fish and to procure other
commodities . . . and was also [our] pilot to bring [us] to unknown places
for [our] profit, and never left [us] till he died."
When Squanto lay dying of a fever, Bradford wrote that their Indian
friend "desir[ed] the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the
Englishmen's God in heaven." Squanto bequeathed his possessions to his
English friends "as remembrances of his love."
Who but God could so miraculously weave together the lives of a lonely
Indian and a struggling band of Englishmen? It's hard not to make
comparisons with the biblical story of Joseph, who was also sold into
slavery-and whom God likewise used as a special instrument for good.
Squanto's life story is remarkable, and we ought to make sure our
children and grandchildren learn about it. While you're enjoying turkey
and pumpkin pie, share the Indian side of the Thanksgiving story.
Tell about Squanto, the "special instrument sent of God"-who changed
the course of American history.
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