in his wanderings, drifted into this home, on the night
previous to the awful tragedy that occurred in the front yard. How
surpassingly kind is God's providence! Surely Peden was sent of God to
fill these hearts with comfort, courage, and triumph in Jesus Christ,
for the trial, which was now at their door. Peden held John Brown in
highest esteem. Of him he said, "He was a clear, shining light, the
greatest Christian I ever conversed with." What a night of prayer and
inspired fellowship those men must have had together. Their souls were
then in a state of highest tension; both were fired with zeal for the
Covenant of the Lord, and melted with sorrow for the desolated Church.

[Illustration: A WIDOW'S SORROW

Claverhouse and his troopers found John Brown on his farm digging turf.
It was in the morning. His fields were still dripping with dew, and his
soul moist with distillings of the 27th Psalm, which he had sung at
family worship. He was brought home, and shot at his door, in presence
of his wife and child. Mrs Brown suffered "neither fainting nor
confusion, but her eyes dazzled when the shots went off," according to
her own story.]

Next morning, May 1, 1685, they were up at dawn for family worship. The
first verses of the 27th Psalm were sung. How wonderfully appropriate
for such a morning! The Psalm is the shout of faith:

"The Lord's my light and saving health,
Who shall make me dismayed?
My life's strength is the Lord; of whom
Then shall I be afraid?"

John Brown then went to the field, spade in hand to dig turf. Peden
lingered; he was sad; the shadow of the great distress had fallen on his
tender spirit. Taking his farewell of Mrs. Brown, he paused and said, as
if to himself, "Poor woman; a fearful morning; a dark, misty morning!"
He then went his way.

"Oh, mother, a great many horsemen are coming down the hill with
father," cried little Janet, rushing into the house.

"The thing that I feared is come upon me," cried the mother, "O, give me
grace for this hour," she prayed, lifting her eyes to heaven. Then
taking her babe in her bosom, and Janet by the hand, she went out to
meet the soldiers, praying as she went. Claverhouse was in command. She
pleaded that her husband's life might be spared; but not words nor tears
could move the hardened man.

"Will you pray for King James and his supremacy?" said Claverhouse to
his prisoner.

"Jesus Christ is the Supreme Head of His Church," wa