Adam Hepburn's Vow

ireful prophesies regarding his own fate might, after all, prove themselves to be but vain imaginings. The most noble Marquis of Argyll repaired to London acc

As it afterwards turned out, it appeared as if the Lord had specially preserved him in safety at home, for no sooner was the conference gathered together in Edinburgh than they were all apprehended, with the exception of one who very miraculously escaped. They were first imprisoned in the Castle of Edinburgh, but Mr. Gu

as ingathered with a strange foreboding that ere long the dark cloud o

between the manse gate and the entrance to Inverburn. Sir Thomas Hamilton was a fine, handsome-looking man, but, owing to his haughty and overbearing manner and his well-known leanings towards the

his quick, imperious way. "Having missed you there, I am fortunate in meeti

swered the minister, in

to stir up strife against the king and his honourable counsellors and

imes for the Kirk and country, when such good men as James Guthrie of Stirling were imprisoned for fearlessly advocating the principles of civil and religious liberty, and

e on thy prating tongue, or it will get thee into mischief yet," said the lai

hither this poor country is drifting nor what will become of her Chur

fool. Let me advise you, for your own safety and that of your household, to take a leaf out of the book of your neighbour, the minist

present life, but woe is me for the lustre of his crown in glory. I fea

in using the new prayer book in the service of the Church? It is a very holy an

hich will drive the pure worship of God from every Scottish pulpit. As such I humbly pray it may be as

on his side. And think you that when such men as Archibald of Argyll are not reckoned too high in influen

ister s

Guthrie has had its double fulfilment and His Grace is a fe

ou this in confidence, to warn you, Andrew Gray, for, obstinate though you be, I have no desire to see any harm befall your grey hairs. And t

ode rapidly away, leaving the minister to pursue his solitary way in sad meditatio

e and child that day to spend a brief season at the manse. David Gray was now a tall and fine-looking man, although his figure was very slim and slenderly built, and his face wore that thoughtful and even careworn aspe

ccupying the minds of all thinking people at that time. They walked slowly on to the manse, engaged in earnest discussion, and were so deeply absorbed

ttle laird, in the parish of Broomhill, and had been brought up to think of little except her own pretty face. She was not in any way fitted to be the wife of a minister, especially of such a one as David Gray, and many had marvelled a

verburn in his fatherly manner, and at the same time laying his ha

hange. David has harped so long about coming to the manse of Inverburn. I wanted to go hom

it was the form of religion most favoured then by royalty and great folk, for whom the needy Burnets had a great admiration. In the presence of Mrs. David Gray there was not much said anent the affairs of the Church; but as there were many other matters re

ll had been brought a close prisoner by sea from London to Leith, and was confined in Edinburgh Castle. So the laird's statement, which Mr. Gray had partly disbelieved, was true after

s chiefly made up of a number of vile and baseless slanders gathered together for his condemnation. Upon the 20th of the same month the Reverend James Guthrie was put upon his trial, charged with a

. Guthrie on the 1st of June. When the grievous news was brought to Inverburn, Mr. Gray at once rose and prepared himself for a journey to Edinburgh, in order to be present with his beloved friend during the last days of

now, Jane, that except it be of the Lord's good pleasure, wicked men shall not lay a hand upon me. And if his

ter was warmly greeted by Ailie Kilgour and her father and made heartily welcome under their roof-tree. As was to be expected, the merchant was able to furnish his brother-in-law with all the particulars of the two trials, which had occasioned such excitement and sorrowful indignation in the city. He also assured him that he would have no difficulty in obtaining access to Mr. Guthrie, because he had been allowed to enjoy the fellowship of several friends, as well as some of his kinsfolk from Guthrie. So, befo

in the very swelling of Jordan? Wicked men can lay hands on and torment this poor body indeed, for which I am not ungrat

is of Argyll less wonderfully upheld in his extremity. He died upon the Monday wit

rn was among those who accompanied him to the scaffold, and who witnessed (not without a passing feeling of envy

tined to be gloriously fulfilled, but not until the blood of the saints,