the noblest, most disinterested patriots of
which their country could ever boast, and whose services to the cause of
pure and undefined religion were invaluable. Occasionally, we yet find,
in the works of some popular writers, Renwick and his fellow-sufferers,
designated enthusiasts and fanatics, their principles misrepresented,
and some of their most heroic deeds held up to ridicule and scorn. Even
the brilliant Macaulay, while exposing to deserved condemnation their
cruel and heartless persecutors, and while depicting with graphic power
some of the incidents of the deaths of the Scottish martyrs, yet shews
his strong aversion to evangelical principle and godly practice, by
applying to the honest confessors the same opprobrious epithets. The age
in which the martyrs and their principles were kept entombed, by heaping
on them reproach and slander, is past, however, not to return again.
Their names are destined not to perish. God designs in his providence to
honour them more and more, by bringing more clearly to light the great
principles for which they contended unto blood, striving against sin.
The era long predicted and desired is approaching, when the saints shall
rise to reign with Christ on the earth, when the spirit which
distinguished them shall be extensively revived, and the great
principles of their testimony shall be triumphant.

Meanwhile, the resurrection of the _names_ of the confessors and martyrs
of a former age, is a sure indication of the resurrection of their
principles too. Through the evidence furnished by the faithful
contendings and devoted lives of men of sanctified wisdom and high-toned
piety, and the light reflected from the story of their sufferings and
triumphant deaths, we cannot doubt that numbers will be led to earnest
inquiry concerning the principles for which they testified in life, and
in confirmation of which they willingly laid down their lives, that they
might transmit the precious heritage to future generations. The result
will be a wider appreciation of the value and excellency of a
martyr-testimony; and in the period of promised light and enlargement,
the lifting up of a standard in many places, and by strong hands, in
behalf of the same great principles.

As prefatory to the memorials of the piety, wisdom, and devotedness of
the martyr Renwick, it appears desirable to present a brief sketch of
his personal history--to notice the particular time in which he
laboured, and the pri