ion of their vista, an
enlargement of their horizon, higher up the mountain that they were
climbing, more spiritual ozone in the air they were breathing. They
dwelt with God, lived in Jesus Christ, felt the raptures of the Holy
Spirit; they knew the mystery of the cross, the value of the Blood, and
the power of the spiritual resurrection. Therefore were they swallowed
up in love to God and man. Are we amazed at the divine beauty of the
martyr's life? Let us have the same heartiness, the same vision of God,
the same joy in the Holy Spirit, and we will have the key to the
nobleness of the martyr. The Covenant with God, when kept, produces
holiness, tenderness, charitableness, and divinest sympathy; turns life
into an overflowing fountain of goodness. They, who follow the Banner of
the Covenant in spirit and in truth, will aim at the very climax of
Christian character, moral culture, and heroic service through Jesus
Christ.

THE EMBLEM OF WAR.

The standard of religion in the Covenanted Church recognizes an
uncompromising conflict in the world. Where hostile forces are encamped,
the banner means battle. The martyrs were carried into this conflict, by
their zeal for God's House and love to Jesus Christ. Their fight was
against the tyranny of Civil government and the corruption of the
Church. They fought well, resisting the aggressor at every point of
attack.

We must open our eyes wide, to see the forces on either side. The
persecution was merely the crimson line, along which the kingdom of
Christ and the kingdom of Satan came into collision. These kingdoms
stretch beyond our vision, far away into the spiritual world, each
having immense resources and innumerable battalions for the war. The
firing lines are merely the visible places that project themselves upon
our horizon. The human struggle, the din of battle, the blood, the
groans, the graves, are merely the evidence of the momentum of these
tremendous powers, grinding each other at the points of contact. It is
Satan against Christ, in his effort to waste the Church, suppress the
truth, crush mankind, and despoil Jesus of His crown, people, and
kingdom. It is Christ against Satan, determined to resist, defeat,
enchain, and imprison that old dragon.

This war still rages. The powers are the same as in the days of old,
though the methods of warfare be changed. Christ still calls for
soldiers of the Covenant, men of spirit, courage, and unshaken faith. He
needs cons