u were
right in calling your brother's courage a species of martyrdom, for the
spirit of a true martyr has been well described as `a readiness to
suffer the greatest evil rather than knowingly to do the least.'"

"Capital, auntie! And now, if father is willing, give us an example."

Mr Huntingdon having gladly given his consent, his sister spoke as
follows:--

"My moral hero this time is a real martyr, and a young one. In the
spring of the year 1555, a youth, named William Hunter, entered the
church of Brentwood, in Essex, to read in the great Bible which stood
there chained to a desk for the use of the people. He was an apprentice
to a London weaver, but was now on a visit to his native town. He loved
the Bible, and it was his joy to read it. As he stood before the desk,
a man named Atwell, an officer of the Romish bishop, came that way, and,
seeing how he was engaged, remonstrated with him, and then said, when
the young man quietly justified himself, `I see you are one who dislike
the queen's laws, but if you do not turn you will broil for your
opinions.'--`God give me grace,' replied William, `to believe his word
and confess his name, whatever may come of it.'

"Atwell reported him; he was seized, and placed in the stocks. Then he
was taken before Bishop Bonner, who, finding him resolute, ordered him
again to the stocks; and there he lay two long days and nights, without
any food except a crust of brown bread and a little water. Then, in
hopes of subduing his spirit, Bonner sent him to one of the London
prisons, with strict orders to the jailer to put as many iron chains
upon him as he could possibly bear; and here he remained for three-
quarters of a year. At last the bishop sent for him and said, `If you
recant, I will give you forty pounds and set you up in business.' That
was a large sum in those days. But William rejected the offer. `I will
make you steward of my own house,' added Bonner. `But, my lord,'
replied the young man, `if you cannot persuade my conscience by
Scripture, I cannot find in my heart to turn from God for the love of
the world.' `Then away with him to the fire!'

"He was to suffer near his native town. There was no prison in the
place, so William Hunter was confined in an inn, and guarded by
constables. His mother rushed to see him, and his words to her were,
`For my little pain which I shall suffer Christ hath procured for me a
crown of joy; are you not glad of that, mothe