STORIES OF THE EARLY REFORMERS-JAMES GUTHRIE. THE James Guthrie was the friend of the Marquis of Argyle, and the friend of Samuel Rutherford, and a true friend of king Charles Second when he came uncrowned to Scotland, and won the illrequited love of so many brave and pure spirits. He defended Charles' right in public debate with the chaplain of Cromwell. And in those brief, strange years of republican supremacy in Scotland, fearlessly from the pulpit asserted the king's title in face of the English officers.' But James Guthrie wrote a book called the Causes of God's Wrath,' a book which displeased the king, who could not forget his displeasure. Years afterwards, when he had acceded to the English throne, Guthrie was seized, and imprisoned in the castle of Edinburgh. From Edinburgh he was taken to Stirling, in an early spring month, to wait his trial for high treason in that old castle on the rock. He was sentenced to death. My lords,' he said before his judges, my conscience I cannot submit; but this old crazy body and mortal flesh I do submit to do with it whatever ye will; only I beseech you to ponder well what profit there is in my blood.' The Earl of Tweeddale was the only man who protested against the sentence. 'Banishment,' exclaimed the Earl, "has hitherto been the severest censure laid upon preachers for their opinions-yet he is sentenced to die!' His execution was ordered to take place at the cross of Edinburgh, on the 1st June, 1661-his head to be fixed on the Netherbow, his estates confiscated, and his arms torn.' He Every temptation was offered him to retract what he had said and written. was offered his life and a bishopric-and reports were busily spread that he had CHRISTIAN COURTESY. yielded at last. These reports reached his prison cell, and on that June morning, the last he spent on earth, he wrote and left behind him this contradiction of such: These are to declare that I do own the 117 27 What is Paul's form of salutation in his first Epistle to the Corinthians? "My love be with you all in Christ Jesus." (1 Cor. 16. 24.) 28 What are his closing words of salutation in the second Epistle? "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the "Causes of God's Wrath," the "Supplica- communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. tion" at Edinburgh, August last, and the accession I had to the "Remonstrances." And if any do think, or have reported that I was willing to recede from these, they have wronged me, as never having any ground from me to think or to repeat so. This I attest, under my hand, at Edinburgh, about eleven o'clock forenoon, before these witnesses Mr Arthur Forbes, Mr John Guthrie, Mr Hugh Walker, Mr James Cowie.' As he stood on the scaffold on the summer morning, they gathered his last words: 'Jesus Christ is my light and my life, my righteousness, my strength, my salvation, and all my desire. Him, O Him, I do with all the strength of my soul commend to you. Bless Him, O my soul, from henceforth even for ever! "Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation." And then o'er the people of Edinburgh a great hush fell, for James Guthrie, the beloved minister, was among them no more. His head was fixed on the Netherbow Port, one of the gates of the city. And there it was left through the wind and the sunshine of twenty-seven years. At the end of that time, Alexander Hamilton, a student at Edinburgh University, at the risk of his life took it down from the gate and reverently buried it. This same young student later became one of Guthrie's successors at Stirling. PIONEER QUESTIONS H. W. H. W. PREPARED FOR THE 'CHILDREN'S SERVICE BY REV. DAVID MACRAE. CHRISTIAN COURTESY. 26 Did they show their courtesy by returning as kindly an answer? Yes; they answered him, "The Lord bless thee." (Ruth 2. 4.) "(2 Cor. 13. 14.) 29 What is this called when the minister closes with it in Church? The Benediction. 30 Why so? Because Benediction means a word of blessing, and it is the minister's parting wish and prayer for God's blessing on his people. 31 Does the Bible contain words of respect for persons in authority? Yes. 32 Mention some of them? Daniel said, in speaking to King Nebuchadnezzar, "My lord." (Dan. 4. 19.) And Paul addressed the Roman Governor as "Most noble Festus." 33 How was Jesus often addressed by His disciples and others? "Rabbi; " as when Nathaniel said to Him, "Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God;" and when the people said, "Rabbi, when camest Thou hither?" (John 6. 25). 34 What is the meaning of Rabbi? It is a Hebrew word meaning "Master," " "Teacher," or "Expounder of the law." 35 When do these, and all other forms of courtesy, become a mockery? When they are belied by our conduct. 36 Can you give a case? Judas calling Jesus "Master," and kissing Him at the very moment that he was betraying Him." (Matt. 26. 49; Luke 22. 48.) 37 What should always go along with forms of politeness? Feelings and conduct that correspond. 38 What are some of the ways in which rudeness is seen amongst us? Using coarse or bad language; speaking back; mocking people on the street; pushing and jostling; giving annoyance to people who are not meddling with us, and tyrannizing over those who are younger or weaker than ourselves.* 39 How is all that vulgar and unchristian? Because it is disregarding the feelings of others; it is not doing as we like to be done by. 40 Mention some of the ways in which you can show politeness? In controlling one's self when tempted to lose temper, or be rude; in giving place to others; in kindly words, and in obliging deeds, such as giving a seat to one who is old, or gentle, or weak.* 41 How is that a mark of politeness? Because it is denying ourselves, and doing as we would like, in such circumstances, to be done by. Scholars should be asked to name other forms of politeness and impoliteness. It will prove a valuable exercise more ways than one. PLANTS OF SCRIPTURE-THE SYCAMORE TREE. THE it was esteemed of great importance and The fruit grows in the axil of the leaves, springing often directly from the trunk itself, in little sprigs and clusters like the grape. The crop is abundant, yielding nutritious food in large quantity. But it is often destroyed by a little gall insect, PRIZE BIBLE QUESTIONS. against whose ravages the gatherer of the fruit has to be on the watch. Strange, is it not, that so small an insect should destroy this rich fruit, and deprive the people of their food? The vine dresser had constant need to be on the watch to take the foxesthe little foxes that destroyed the tender grapes; and none the less with the larger figs did the gatherer of the fruit need to watch against the insidious little gall, which apparently so carelessly, yet really with such care, was hidden within the rich fruit. Taking a larger view of it, however, this is but one instance of the marvellous way in which maternal instinct teaches the hordes of the insect tribes to select, as the place of deposit for their eggs, a comfortable home, where the larvæ, on coming into active life, may find abundant food. God careth for the sparrows, and His bounteous hand provides food, not for man only, but for the least and humblest of His creatures. The tree grows to the height of about 30 feet, and its branches spread out with thick foliage of heart-shaped leaves, fragrant and downy, forming a delightful shade. It was often planted by the wayside; and in those eastern countries it is pleasing to think how many wearied travellers and wayfaring men must have rested beneath their shade in the noontide heat. It was in the thick shade of such a tree, stretching across the highway, that Zaccheus climbed if only he might see Jesus, and there it was that, happy day for him, Jesus sought him out, and bade him come down to receive him at his house. God never said, Seek ye My face, in vain; and when Jesus stood still under that old sycamore, and called Zaccheus down out of its branches, He gave us the assurance, that however little we may be, He is watching for our coming to Him, and ready to receive and bless us. We may learn another lesson ere we close this subject, from an eastern proverb about the Sycamine or Mulberry leaf. With time and patience the leaf of the Mulberry becomes satin.' The law of life is progress, and the law of Christian life is progress heavenwards. 'Upwards and 119 Onwards, Homewards and Heavenwards,' is a good motto to keep in our hearts. In the spiritual, no less than in the natural life, there is need for earnest effort, if with Paul we would press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us never forget that God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Step by step-higher and higher-He leads us from one sun-lit height of glory to another, until at last in the sunshine of His own presence for ever, He brings us to the many mansioned home, towards which our sojourn on earth has been but a life-long march. 'Here in the body pent, Absent from Him I roam; PRIZE BIBLE QUESTIONS. SENIOR DIVISION. 28 Where did a heathen king exempt the descendants of Aaron from paying taxes? 29 Where is the power to speak of Jesus as a Ruler attributed to the Third Person of the Godhead ? 30 Where is despair assigned by the wicked as a reason for persevering in their sin? JUNIOR DIVISION. 28 In which verse, from one of the minor prophets, are nine expressions used to describe the terribleness of God's anger? 29 In which verse is God Himself represented as singing with joy over His people? 30 In which verse of a prophecy are four emblems used to describe the blessedness of rest in Jesus? All answers to be addressed, not later than the 18tli of each month, to the Rev. JOHN KAY, Coatbridge. The answers may be written on post cards. Be careful in all cases to give the name and address of the competitor. HYMNS OLD AND NEW. Upwards of 150 of the best and most popular Hymns for School and Evangelistic Services. Words, 1d.; with Two Trebles, Sol-fa, 2d.; Harmonized for Four voices, Sol-fa, 6d.; Staff notation (Short Score), 1s. PAISLEY: J. AND R. PARLANE. |