“The tide flowed in, and rising over her lips,
    She sang no more, but lifted up her face,
    And there was glory all over the sky,
    And there was glory all over the sky,
    A flood of glory—­and the lifted face
    Swam in it, till it bowed beneath the flood,
    And Scotland’s Maiden Martyr went to God.”

The young people who are governed by the Word of God, and strengthened by a Covenant with God, and steadfastly aim at the glory of God, will have the Holy Spirit in rich abundance.  When love to Jesus arises into a holy passion, subordinating all earthly interests and relations, be assured that extraordinary services, sacrifices, achievements, victories, and honors are awaiting.

* * * * *

Points for the class.

1.  When did King Charles die?

2.  What terrors must such a man have to meet at death?

3.  Who was his successor on the throne?

4.  What was his character?

5.  What notable family suffered under him?

6.  Relate the sad circumstances of the Wilson children.

7.  What happened to the sisters and their elderly friend?

8.  What was the manner of the death of the two Margarets?

9.  Describe the martyrdom of Margaret Wilson.

10.  How may the young people arise in strength for church service?

XLVI.

The eldership—­A wall of defence.—­A.D. 1685.

The eldership has ever been a tower of strength in the Covenanted Church.  The elders have been pilots at the helm, when the ship was driven by fiercest storms, and the ministers had altogether disappeared.  They have been the homeguards, when the most desperate assaults were made upon their beloved Zion.  They have been leaders, moving forward with wise, fearless, and persistent step, when Christ’s cause demanded aggressive testimony for down-trodden truth, and against uprising error.

The Presbyterian Church has derived her distinctive name from the office of the elder.  Elder, Presbytery, Presbyterianism, Scriptural Church Government, Christ’s supremacy unlimited and unrivaled—­these thoughts are links in a chain, all made of the same gold.  Presbyterianism is the doctrine of Christ’s sovereignty, crystalized into form, and reduced to practice; the Headship of Jesus over His Church finds therein its grandest expression.

The Covenanted Presbyterians recognized only one form of Church government as Scriptural—­that invested in the elders.  They rejected all other forms, as human inventions, without Divine warrant, an injury to the Church, an infringement upon Christian liberty, a seizure of Christ’s crown rights and a blot upon His royal glory.

The elders are Christ’s delegates, appointed to administer His government in the Church.  They are empowered by His will, accredited by His Spirit, directed by His Word, entrusted with His authority, and accountable at His throne.  To the elders are committed, directly or indirectly, all the interests of Christ’s Church.  What awful responsibility!  Surely the elder may pause at the threshold of the sacred office, and, with trembling lips exclaim, “How dreadful is this place!”