as chief among the captains in those days. His face
was luminous with an inner light; his eye pierced through the
countenance of his adversaries; his bearing overwhelmed his enemies with
the innate majesty of truth and holiness. What a torrent his electrified
soul poured forth when he opened his mouth and protested against the
wrongs done to Jesus Christ and the Church! His eloquence was like a
rushing river, an irresistible Niagara. Like Knox, it was said, "He
never feared the face of man." In private and in public, in the pulpit
and through the press, he reproved kings, princes, judges, and nobles
for their sins. He did his best work when he met them face to face. The
dishonor done to Christ by denying His royal rights made his blood boil,
and fired his soul with vehement love in defence of his Lord and Master.
But he suffered for his faithfulness. He was imprisoned; yet four years
spent in jail, eating bad bread, breathing foul air, sleeping on a hard
bed, groping in the darkness, lonesome in the pest-room, brought him no
regret for preaching Christ. From prison he went into banishment, and
from banishment, home to heaven. In his last illness he was asked if he
desired the return of health. "No, not for twenty worlds," was his
spirited reply.

[Illustration: EDINBURGH CASTLE.

The Castle is built on a rock that rises with rugged abruptness 300 feet
high. It is inaccessible except on one side, which opens upon the
esplanade, on the foreground of the picture. In this Castle, many
notable martyrs were imprisoned, and there awaited their execution.]

John Davidson also shines in history as a minister of dauntless courage.
He breasted the destructive flood of declension, and endured the
buffeting of the waves. His humility prepared him for great service in
the kingdom of God. He was deeply grieved by reason of the loose
doctrines and practices prevailing within the ministry. The Church was
infected and corrupted with the inventions of man. Through his effort
the General Assembly held a special meeting in 1596, to observe a fast
and renew the Covenant of 1581. The meeting was held on the 30th of
March of that year. The showers of spring were falling, the mountain
streams were flowing, the fields were putting on their soft verdure, the
flowers were appearing in their beauty--all nature seemed to be breaking
forth into holy laughter through her tears. How impressive this emblem
of the memorable meeting, where earnest men p