HOW THE LIGHT SPREAD IN SCOTLAND.
By S. N. Haskell
"Truth crushed to earth shall rise again,
The eternal years of God are hers;
But error wounded writhes in pain,
And dies amid her worshipers." AFTER Patrick Hamilton returned to Scotland, he was not long permitted to disseminate his views. Pretending to desire a free conference with him, he was decoyed away from his friends by the clergy and thrown into prison. Soon after, Feb., 1528 in the twenty-fourth year of his age, he was committed to the flames. At his trial he defended his faith with firmness, yet great modesty, and the mildness, patience, and fortitude which he displayed at the stake, equalled that of the early martyrs of Christianity. The fire burned slowly. His sufferings were prolonged, and were dreadful. His last words were, "How long, O Lord, shall darkness cover this realm? How long wilt thou suffer the tyranny of man? Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Many of the learned, as well as the common people, beheld this cruel death with interest. His youth, piety, and learning, and the heroism with which he endured the sufferings, affected many hearts. It excited an inquiry respecting the faith for which he suffered, and in many cases it resulted in a conviction of its purity and truthfulness. "His smoke," says a Papist, "infected as many as it blew upon." And an historian in speaking of him says, "The flames in which he expired were in the course of one generation to enlighten all Scotland, and to consume with avenging fury the Catholic superstition, the papal power, and even the Papacy itself." The public labors of this man were brief, and not extensive; but possessing youthful vigor, learning, a high position, with all its attendant attractions, he freely renounced them all for Christ, and submitted to a most cruel death, little realizing the good which would result from the sacrifice. We, of the nineteenth century, commend the wisdom of the choice of this missionary. But how difficult when the truth is unpopular, and difficulties and embarrassments arise to possess the same spirit of sacrifice. Yet this is the true missionary spirit. The principle is ever the same. The reform movements which cost him his life have become popular in the Christian world. But with the lapse of time and change of circumstances, other truths have shone forth from the sacred pages. The times have demanded new reforms, and other advance steps, but the same principles are involved. These truths in their time have been, and are unpopular, subjecting their adherents to the displeasure of the world, and the loss of friends and fortune. The fires of papal persecution have long since ceased to burn. The examples of worthy men and women, whose wisdom, fortitude, and fidelity manifested in the most agonizing deaths for the truth's sake, we admire and commend, and in view of them we would think no one now would hesitate to accept any unpopular truth, and sacrifice reputation, ease, and worldly goods, for its advancement. But popularity, love of pleasure, and worldly gain, with an almost infinite power has taken the place of the dungeon, rack, and stake, in holding men and women in error, and causing them to reject the precious light of God's word, and we are blind to the sweetness of the spirit of sacrifice. There is as much demand for true heroism, fortitude, and nobility of character, at the present time, as ever before in the history of the human race. The fruit of Patrick Hamilton's death soon began to appear. Everywhere in Scotland persons were found who affirmed that he died a martyr. Alarmed at the progress of the new opinions, the clergy adopted the most rigorous measures for their extirpation. Between the years of 1530 and 1540, many innocent and excellent men suffered the most inhuman death; others left the country. A favorable change in the administration of the government occurred soon after. In 1542, parliament passed an act declaring it lawful for all subjects to read the Scriptures in the vulgar language. Formerly, it had been considered a sin to look upon the sacred writings, but now the Bible, especially the New Testament, was placed within the reach of all, and the errors of Papacy were attacked in publications issued from the Scottish press. Some who had been banished from the country because of their faith, now returned. Among others, was George Wishart, a person of superior learning, and eloquence. He did much to advance the cause of the Reformation in Scotland. Some interesting incidents in his life will be considered in a subsequent article. S. N. HASKELL.