offered in faith, the Psalms were sung with grave melody, and the Bible
was read with reverence. These hungry souls fed upon the Word. Sometimes
the meetings were held in caves for fear of the enemy. Once a minister,
being pursued, entered one of these caves for safety. As he sat down in
its shelter, he was surprised at hearing soft melody farther back in
that dark retreat. Following the sound of the voices he found a company
of devout worshipers.

In those troublous times the Holy Spirit, in His own mysterious way,
electrified the hearts of these hidden ones with the thought of
Covenanting with each other and with God, to stand for life, liberty,
and religion. A day was set and a place appointed for entering into the
holy bond. Notwithstanding the danger incurred, a large concourse of
people assembled and solemnly entered into the Covenant. This occurred
in the city of Edinburgh, December 3, 1557. This Covenant embodied their
purpose, thus, "We by His grace, shall, with all diligence, continually
apply our whole power, substance, and our very lives, to maintain, set
forward, and establish the most blessed Word of God and His Church."
This is known as The First Covenant of Scotland. Two years later,
another bond of agreement was subscribed, on behalf of the Church, by
her most prominent leaders, which was called The Second Covenant.

[Illustration: MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.

Mary, Queen of Scots, came to the throne young, beautiful, aspiring, and
unscrupulous. She selected for her counselors, those who were devoted to
the Papal religion. She employed the government, the army, and the
French forces, to suppress the Reformers. The tide of power was against
her. She lost her throne and kingdom, and fled the country. She was
finally beheaded in London.]