th no trace of paleness or fear. Near the foot of the bed
the thick outer door, studded with iron, and with a heavy lock, and
many bolts, stands open. In the background there is a rough gaoler,
holding the door by the key in the lock, while the rest of the bunch of
prison keys hangs from his hand. In front of him is the officer of
state, fashionably dressed in a rich red cloak, with a tasselled
waist-band. His cuffs are of fine lace, he wears a jewelled ring, and
his long hair curls down upon his shoulders. He has let his hat fall
to the floor in his astonishment, and is staring at the sleeping Earl
with remorse and confusion in his face.

Such a picture suggests many thoughts. It reminds us of the cruel
sufferings our forefathers had to endure for conscience' sake, and of
the great debt we owe to those who were ready to lay down their lives
in the cause of truth and freedom.

It shows also what a terrible thing it is to have a guilty conscience,
as the officer who visited Argyll plainly had. It teaches that a bad
man's life of remorse and shame is a thing far more miserable, and far
more to be feared, than a good man's undeserved death.

Above all, it tells us that the secret of courage and calmness, both
for living and for dying, is faith in God our Father, and in the Lord
Jesus Christ our Saviour. It proves how true are the words, _Thou wilt
keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he
trusteth in Thee_.

WISHART DISPENSING THE SACRAMENT BEFORE HIS MARTYRDOM

BY W. Q. ORCHARDSON, R.A.

[Illustration: WISHART DISPENSING THE SACRAMENT BEFORE HIS MARTYRDOM.
From a photograph by J. & R. Annan, Glasgow, by permission of Mr. J. C.
Buist.]

WISHART DISPENSING THE SACRAMENT BEFORE HIS MARTYRDOM

_With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I
suffer_.--LUKE xxii. 15.

Here we have a picture which represents a Communion service, yet a
service which is different in some ways from those which you have been
accustomed to see. The company is a small one, for there are only
about a dozen people present. They are met, not in a church, but in a
rather bare and plainly furnished room. In the centre of the picture
there is a table covered with a white cloth, on which is set a salver
with some bread and three wine cups upon it. Behind the table a man is
standing and speaking, with his hands stretched out over the bread and
the wine before him. He is tall and b