Those elders were men of hope.  They were enlisted in a winning cause, and knew it.  In the thickest of the fight, the cloud was dark, and the thunder deafening; yet they knew that victory would ultimately perch on their banner.  Their triumph was assured in Christ, who had said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  Robert Miller, of Rutherglen, was, by his courageous hopefulness, an inspiration to the afflicted Church.  Pointing to the future, he exhorted his fellow-sufferers to hold out, for glorious days were coming.  “And now I dare not doubt,” said he, “but Christ is upon His way to return again.  Oh, be earnest with Him!  Employ your strength holding up the fallen-down standard of our Lord.  If ye be found real in this duty, ye shall either be a member of the Church Militant, and see the glory of the Second Temple, which shall be a glorious sight; or else ye shall be transported, and be a member of the Church Triumphant; so ye shall be no loser, but a noble gainer, either of the ways.”  He was martyred one winter morning, in the early dawn; the shadows of night still lingered, for the murderers may have dreaded the light.  Before the sun had risen, his spirit took its flight to the realms of eternal brightness.

Are the elders of the Covenanted Church worthy of their predecessors?  Do they measure up to the standard of fortitude in the faith, self-immolation for the truth, intelligence in the Scriptures, enthusiasm in Christ, and hopefulness that has no sunset?  Are they leaders of the people in every good enterprise?  Are they defenders of the flock against all defection?  Are they carrying the banner of Christ forward, even beyond the ministers, where the testimony for King Jesus requires it?  For all faithful elders, seats in glory are prepared round about the throne of God.

* * * * *

Points for the class.

1.  Whence did the Presbyterian Church get its name?

2.  What is the only Scriptural form of church government?

3.  What dread responsibility attached to this office?

4.  How did the persecuted Church keep up her force of elders?

5.  Describe the service some of them rendered; Hall, Nisbet, Garnock, Miller.

6.  What questions should our elders apply to their own conscience?

XLVII.

A home desolated.

“See the top of yon hill?” said the shepherd’s wife, pointing to the highest crag of Cairn Table.  “Keep that in yir e’en, and ye’ll come to John Brown’s grave.”  Our way lay through a pathless moor, covered deep with grass, rushes, and moss; and we had asked direction to the spot where the martyr’s body sleeps.