126 That was just a lie.' ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. "That was acting a lie. Though they did not say that Joseph had been torn in pieces, they led their father to believe this by shewing him his coat stained with blood. We must not only speak the truth, but do the truth, and think the truth, if we would be followers of Him who is the Truth, The Faithful and True Witness.' 'Be brave to do the right, And scorn to be untrue; DELIVER MY SOUL, O LORD, FROM WRI STORIES OF THE EARLY REFORMERSARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, Marquis of Argyle. RITE thanks to your brother the Lord of Lorne,' wrote Rutherford to the Lady Kenmuir, 'for what he has done for me, a poor, unknown stranger to him. I shall pray for him and his house while I live.' And to another the imprisoned minister writes of this same generous nobleman : 'My Lord has brought me a friend from the Highlands of Argyle, my Lord of Lorne, who has done as much as was within his power.' Soon after, on the death of his father, Lord Lorne became Earl of Argyle, and became the recognised head of the Covenanters in the year 1638. They were soon to have sorrowful need of such a head. Yet Argyle, the most powerful nobleman in all the West of Scotland, could scarcely have lightened the miseries which fell on the persecuted church. Scotland had not reached its last extremity in these days of Charles First. When the king visited Scotland, he created Argyle a Marquis. And the loyalty of the people was without taint. The Scots, as ever, loved their kings. Through the stern independence of the Covenants, runs a vein of pure loyalty to the throne. All lieges are bound to maintain the King's person and authority. We commons, noblemen, gentlemen, burgesses, ministers, considering divers times before, and especially at this time, the danger of the true Reformed Religion, of the King's honour, and of the public peace of the kingdom, we promise and swear that we shall to the utmost of our power, with our means and lives, stand to the defence of our dread Sovereign, his person and authority, in the defence and preservation of the true religion, liberties, and laws of the kingdom.' And when the country, sad enough, saw Edinburgh Castle-'a virgin fortress'— taken by Cromwell's army, and English soldiers camped on the broomy Braid hills, the people forgot their oppressions, and rallied round the Second Charles. Argyle, the chief of the Covenanters, set the crown on the royal head in the old ancestral palace of Scone, which had scen generations of kings. In the midst of its poverty and perplexity, the land sent its nobles and its ministers, and the king was crowned solemnly with all the pomp the land could yield. 6 'I do esteem the affections of my good people,' said the king, more than the crown of many kingdoms, and shall be ready, by. God's assistance, to bestow my life in their defence, wishing to live no longer than I may see religion and this kingdom flourish in all happiness!' And kneeling, new crowned, among his nobles, Charles swore with uplifted hand:'I, Charles, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, do assure, and declare by my solemn oath, in presence of Almighty God, the searcher of hearts, my allowance and approbation of the National Covenant, and of the Solemn League and Covenant above written; and faithfully oblige myself to prosecute the ends thereof in my station and calling. And as the young king rose up with the sceptre of his fathers in his hand, the people rent the wintry air with their shouts of, God save King Charles!' เ The nobles, one by one, knelt and offered their allegiances. Then the great ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. 127 crown on the king's head, and now he hastens me to a better crown than his own.' And when the Marchioness came to him in the common Tolbooth of Edinburgh, and embracing him and weeping bitterly, said, 'The Lord will require it.' 'Forbear, forbear,' replied her husband, 'I pity them. They know not what they are doing. They can shut me in where they please, but they cannot shut God out from me.' His end shall be told as John Howie tells it. It cannot be told better. Charles Second began his Scottish reign on the first day of January 1651. Ten years later, when the king had gained back his crown of England, Argyle was condemned to death on a charge of treason and disloyalty. The falseness of such a charge scarcely needed to be proved. He had served his God, his country and his king,' the Marquis declared truly. His noble demeanour drew tears from even his enemies' eyes. 'I had the honour,' he said, when his sentence was pronounced, 'to set the On "The Marquis had a sweet time in the Tolbooth as to his soul's ease, and it still increased nearer his end. As he had slept calmly and pleasantly his last night, so, in the intervals of his necessary business he had much spiritual conversation. Monday morning, though he was much engaged in settling his affairs in the midst of company, yet he was so overpowered with a sensible effusion of the Holy Spirit, that he broke out in rapture, and said, "I thought to have concealed the Lord's goodness, but it will not do. I am now 128 THE SHIELD OF SALVATION. ordering my affairs, and God is sealing my charter to a better inheritance, and is saying to me-Son, be of good cheer; thy sing are forgiven thee." 'Some time before he went to the place of execution. he received an excellent letter from a certain minister, and wrote a most moving one to the king; and after dining precisely at twelve o'clock along with his friends with great cheerfulness, he retired for a little. Upon his opening the door, Mr Hutcheson said "What cheer, my lord?" 'He answered, "Good cheer, sir; the Lord hath again confirmed to me and said, Thy sins be forgiven thee." Upon this, tears of joy flowed in abundance; he retired to the window and wept there; from that he came to the fire, and made as if he would stir it a little to conceal his concern, but all would not do. his tears ran down his face, and coming to Mr Hutcheson he said, "I think His kindness overcomes me. But God is good to me, that He let not out too much of it here, for He knows I could not bear it Get me my cloak and let us go." 'After taking leave of such in the room as were not to go with him to the scaffold, when going towards the door he said, "I could die like a Roman, but I choose rather to die like a Christian. Come away, gentlemen, he that goes first "9 cleanliest." goes 'When going to the Maiden, Mr Hutcheson said, "My lord, now hold your grasp sicker (surely)." He answered, "You know, Mr Hutcheson, what I said to you in the chamber, I am not afraid to be surprised with fear." He kneeled down most cheerfully-and after he had prayed a little, gave the signal (which was the lifting up of his hand), and the instrument called the Maiden, struck off his head from his body.' To the ancient, quiet burial-place at Kilmun, on the beautiful Holy Loch, the friends of the Marquis of Argyle carried his mutilated form. It was in the May sunshine that the dip of the funeral oars carried the boat with its precious freight from Kilpatrick to the opposite shore. John Howie closes the life of the Marquis with this brief eulogium :-' He had piety for a Christian-sense for a counsellor-courage for a martyr-and a soul for a king. If ever any was, he might be said to be a true Scotsman.' H. W. H. W. THE SHIELD OF SALVATION. 'Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation.'2 SAM. 22. 36. THIS beautiful little text teaches us a very precious truth. It shows us that the salvation which the Lord Jesus came to bring is not only salvation at last, just escaping hell; but that it is salvation now, and salvation in everything. Salvation does not only mean victory at last, but it is like a broad shining shield, given to us in the midst of the battle, coming between us and the poisoned arrows and sharp swordthrusts of the enemy. It is a shield not only to keep us from death, but to keep us from being hurt and wounded. It is the shield which the Captain has given to use now, as well as the crown which He will give when the warfare is ended. How are you to use this shield? what does it really mean for you? It means, that if you have come to the Lord Jesus to be saved, He does not merely say He will save you, but that you are saved, that he saves you now. And this is how you are to use it-believe it, and be sure of it, because you have His word for it; and then, when a temptation comes, tell the enemy that he has nothing to do with you, for you are saved; that you belong to Jesus, and not to him,-look up and say, 'Jesus saves me!' Will He fail you? Did He ever let any find themselves deceived and mistaken who looked up in faith and confidence to Him, trusting in His great salvation? Never! and never will you find this shield of His salvation fail to cover you completely. Satan himself cannot touch you when you are behind this shield! Lift it up when you see him coming, even ever so far off, and you will be safe. From 'Morning Bells.') FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. PLANTS OF SCRIPTURE-THE ALMOND TREE. THE Almond tree gives its name to a group of plants which furnishes some of the most delightful fruits to man. The Cherry Plum Peach and Nectarine, all belong to the natural order Amygdaleæ. The part of the fruit prized in these plants is generally the succulent flesh which encloses the hard-stone and its kernel. Another plant of the same order, the Myrabolam Plum, furnishes a useful dyestuff; and in the case of the Almond, the part of the fruit prized is the kernel. Of Almonds, there are imported into Great Britain every year, principally from Spain and Morocco, nearly £250,000 worth. The home of the Almond is in Syria, where it still flourishes in great luxuriance, but it is cultivated from Spain to China. It grew abundantly in Palestine. Jacob sent Nuts and Almonds, among the present of the best fruits of the land, with his sons, to the ruler of Egypt. The Almond fruit was chosen as the model for the vessels of oil, which gave light in the tabernacle in the wilderness. It was the rod of an Almond tree which Aaron had, and which miraculously budded yielding Almonds. The Almond tree comes earliest into flower of all trees. In Syria it flowers in February, and the crown of beauty on its leafless boughs has made it an emblem of the righteous who shall flourish even in old age. The hoary head is indeed a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness; and though the flower of the Almond be not white but pink, yet in old age the Almond tree is said to flourish when the heart has still a spring-time for the service of God. Referring to the early flourish of the Almond, Dr. Hamilton says that its Eastern name is Shaked' or 'Waker,' the tree which earliest wakes from winter's sleep. He adds beautifully, 'Hoary locks are the crown of old age, and the Almond blossom is the garland of winter. Often have we seen its hardy petals doing battle with snow storms and sleet; and though the hoar frost was on its branches overnight, its frank and fearless smile was ready for the morning's sun.' To reach the goodness of the Almond we must break through its shell. Sometimes when we have done this, we find there is no heart within; some blight has come, or an insect has eaten it away-and sometimes we find there are two Almonds, but oftenest we find the full beautiful Almond swelling out to fill all the cavity; and so we should seek grace from God to have a single heart for His service. Be it the resolve of each heart that through God's grace we will live for Him alone. Thus receiving Christ into our hearts, we know that by and by He will receive us into His kingdom. Depend upon it, He searches the heart of every one, and the heart which is fullest of His love, will please Him best. Would you know the secret of having a heart full of the love of Jesus, you must live much in the sunshine of His love. The trees that are most in the sun bear the sweetest fruit; and the heart which abides in the sunshine of Jesus' love, brings forth the sweetest and best fruit. Yet there are Almonds in which the brightest sunshine but intensifies the bitterness of their juice, as well as Almonds whose fruit the sun purifies and sweetens-bitter Almonds as well as sweet Almonds. Oh that God's grace might so dwell in all our hearts, that we might grow out of all bitterness into the sweetness and goodness of perfect trust and love! 'Make me Thy child, a child of God, PIONEER QUESTIONS PREPARED FOR THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE' BY REV. DAVID MACRAE. CHRISTIAN COURTESY. Forms of Politeness. 42 Should we show respect to the old? "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man." Lev. 19. 32.) 43 How should we show politeness to our parents? 'Honour thy father and thy mother." (Ex. 20. 12.) 44 Why is rudeness to a father or mother worse than ordinary rudeness? Because to impoliteness it adds ingratitude, and the violation of God's law. 45 Should our courtesy be reserved for friends, and for special occasions? No; we should show courtesy as the sun shines; we should be kindly and courteous always, and to everybody we meet. Value of Politeness. 46 Does politeness do good? Yes, both to ourselves and others. It 47 What good does it do to ourselves? teaches us to think of others; and so checks selfishness, and begets kindness and self-denial. 48 What good does it do to others? It surrounds them with kindly attention; it makes them feel happier, and it makes them kindlier in return. 49 What did a certain wise man say politeness was like? He said it was like an air shion; there might be little in it, but it easc! :: nderfully the jolts of daily life. 50 Why should kindness and couri sy be cultivated as part of our Christianity? Because it sweetens social life; it shows good vill to men; it adorns the doctrine of God our faviour, and commends Christianity to all around. The following are selected from such exercises by the Scholars: ADDITIONAL CASES OF POLITENESS.) Helping one another. (2) When asking for anything, saying "If you please," and when receiving it, saying "Thank you.' (3) In the Sunday school, or any other place, lending your book to any one who has not got one, or by letting your neighbour look on with you. Also, by showing the place to any one who happens to come in late. (4) Girls bowing, and boys touching or taking off their caps. (5) Begging pardon when by accident you come against any one. (6) Standing aside and allowing a stranger to pass. (7) Taking away any thing we see that would make the blind stumble. ADDITIONAL CASES OF RUDENESS.-(1) Mocking or teasing one another. (2) Passing rude remarks. (3) Crushing in for your ticket at a Railway Station, and caring for no one else; treading on people's feet without begging their pardon or caring for their feelings. (4) Snatching anything out of another's hand, instead of asking for it. (5) Calling nicknames to any one who has given you annoyance, instead of returning good for evil. |