ight at many a fireside.
Their sympathy with the persecuted was aroused unwittingly, and they
absorbed the principles of the Covenant; somehow, and it could not be
explained, they became Covenanters, and that of the noblest type. Their
parents were shocked, for their property, and freedom, and even their
lives were involved. The children were required to abandon the Covenant,
or quit their home. They chose the latter, sad and terrible as it was.
These young hearts had grasped one of the highest and hardest truths in
the religion of Jesus Christ--"He that loveth father or mother more than
me is not worthy of me."

[Illustration: CHOOSING DEATH RATHER THAN LIFE

Margaret McLaughlin was a widow, 63 years of age; Margaret Wilson a girl
of 18. False accusations were preferred against them, but the real
ground of their death was their faith in Jesus Christ and piety before
God. They were offered life, if they would renounce the Covenant. They
chose death rather than forfeit God's favor, by breaking Covenant.
Several costly and beautiful monuments have been erected in Scotland to
their honor. The strand where they died is still marked by stakes, which
are replaced from time to time. The place is near Wigtown, in the south
of Scotland.]

One day they walked slowly and sadly away from their beloved parents,
and their pleasant home. From a distance they cast a farewell glance
upon the scenes of their childhood, then quickened their pace to reach
the solitudes and escape the soldiers. The dragoons came to the house,
but missed their prey. They were very angry, and enjoined the parents,
under a heavy penalty, to refuse their children food and shelter; yea,
all human kindness. The children pursued their way, not knowing whither
they were going. The desolate moors, the dreary mountains, the damp
caves, the chilly moss-hags were before them, but their resting-place
this night must be determined by the setting of the sun. We have not
been told where they wrapped themselves in their plaids for sleep, but
it was likely on the ground. They sadly missed the cozy bed their mother
used to make. Where they had to stop was so shelterless, silent, chilly,
and lonely. They were weary, hungry, defenceless, trembling like
nestlings cast violently out of the nest. Margaret the oldest was a
mother to the others. She loved her Bible. It contained God's many
promises, one especially precious on a night like this: "Fear thou not;
for I am with thee;