are still red; the blood
that once dripped is now dried, but it is still on her hands. Genuine
repentance means reformation. The Reformation is under Scotland's feet.
The twenty-eight years' struggle is to her a splendid drama; the
principles are amusing. When He inquireth after blood, what shall
Scotland do? The angel answers in the Revelation: "They have shed the
blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink."

WEIGHTY MORAL OBLIGATIONS.

The blood of the martyrs imposes obligations upon posterity from
generation to generation. The martyrs deeply felt their responsibility
for the Church, her purity, doctrines, discipline, membership; for her
loyalty to Christ, her separation from the world, and her administration
in the Holy Spirit. Their zeal for the House of God brought them to the
front; their passionate love for Jesus Christ placed them on the firing
line. There they met every attack made upon Christ and His House; there
they stood for the royal rights of Jesus and the honor of His kingdom;
there they fell under the murderous fire, giving place to their
successors. These soldiers of Jesus knew how to die, 'but not how to
retreat. They did their work well, yet necessarily left it unfinished.
The victory was assured, though not in sight. The death-stricken hand
reached the blood-stained banner out to another to be carried forward.
This war still rages. The supremacy of Jesus Christ is yet disputed; His
royal rights are yet usurped by mortals; His Bride, the Church, still
halts amid many opinions; the ordinances of grace are unblushingly
corrupted; the teachings of the Gospel are adroitly doctored. The
attacking forces are active, determined, and numerous, as in the days of
the martyrs. The tactics differ, but the fight goes on. Heavy, heavy are
the moral obligations, that fall to the successors of those who gave
their lives for the truth. To recede would be cowardice, desertion from
the ranks, perjury within the Covenant, treason against Jesus Christ. Is
this too strong? Listen: "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no
pleasure in him." Surely the times call for Christian soldiers; yea,
heroes; possibly, martyrs. Do Covenanters feel their obligations to the
Lord?

* * * * *

POINTS FOR THE CLASS.

1. How long did the persecution last?

2. What is the estimated number of those who suffered?

3. What significance is attached to the martyrs' blood?