rather than bend. He was a young man full of fire and holy power. He had
charge of a flourishing congregation at Irvine. His preaching swayed the
people. They crowded the church to hear him. His appeals melted the
heart and watered the cheeks. He was bold to denounce the Articles of
Perth. The authorities called him up and commanded him to retract; he
refused. A sad farewell to his flock followed. Rather than support
error, however popular and profitable, he would sacrifice the dearest
ties on earth and journey to parts unknown. And this he did.

Alexander Henderson, another minister, encountered the displeasure of
the men in power and suffered much at their hands. In his early life he
accepted the Prelatic creed and entered the ministry in favor with the
party. He was sent to a church which, a short time previous, had
experienced the violent removal of their beloved pastor. The people were
indignant at Henderson's coming. They barricaded the door of the church.
The delegates that had come to ordain him, not being able to effect an
entrance through the door, entered by a window. Henderson was that day
settled as the pastor of an absent congregation. In the lapse of time he
won the people. He was faithful and powerful as a preacher of the Word,
and the Lord Jesus honored him in the eyes of large audiences.

[Illustration: ALEXANDER HENDERSON.

Alexander Henderson was born in 1583, and died in the 63rd year of his
age. He began his ministry in the Prelatic Church. Under a sermon by
Robert Bruce, he was convinced of the error of that system--and became a
powerful defender of the Presbyterian faith. He became a distinguished
leader of the Covenanters, taking a prominent part in the Covenant of
1638, in the Solemn League and Covenant, and in other notable events.
His grave is in Greyfriars' churchyard.]