Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1879-06-19
A Queens COnQuer0l>>

Mary, Queen of Scots, Was con
fessed by every one to be the most
charming princess of her time.
She had a brilliant complexion,
dark, flashing eyes, yellow or au-
barn hair, exquisite hands, a fine
voice, tail, majestic figure, She
sweetly, accompanying herself on
arious instruments, spoke several
languages, and wrote both in prose
aud verse.
By the death Of her father,
James V, she became queen be-
ore she was week old. She was
educated in France, and brought
up in the Roman Catholic religion.
When nineteen years old she re-
turned to Scotland, leaving France
with great regret, aud feeling no
love for her native country.
John Knox, the great Scotch
Reformer, was thirty seven years
older than Mary. lie was educated
at Glasgow University, became an
enthusiastic Protestant, and with
tremendous power preached the
Gospel.
Only a few days after Mary's ar
rival in Scotland, she sent for Knox
to come to the palace, where they
had long talk in her bro theirs
presence. She accused him of att
tempting to destroy her authority
over her subjects, and using magi-
cal arts to carry out his purpose.
But so completely did his eloquent
defense overpower her that she
sunk into silent stupor, frum
which she was aroused by the din-
ner bell, putting an end to the con-
versation.
Not long after, Mary gave q
splendid ball in honor cf the sue
cess OF Il brutal massacre III France.
On the following Sunday, Knox
preached sermon denonncing tho
atrocity and the festivities Mary
was told that he had spoken in
a manner calculated to bli < her
under the hatred and contempt of
her subjects. She sent for him to
come to the palace, where she re-
ceived him, surrounded by her
counsellors and maids of honor,
and administered a long rebuke.
Knox listened quietly, and then
repeated the whole of what he had
said in the pulpit. For the only
time in her life, Mary was compel
led to listen to plain anal fearless
sermon. AS he left the room, one
of her attendants was heard to
mutter, "IIe is not afraid"
Not IA great while elapsed before
be was summoned to her pr essence
in Lachleven Castle. For two hours
she pleaded with him on behalf of
the nationality of her own Ielig-
ious service.
"WiIl ye allow that my subjects
shall take my sword i'll their
hands ?"
"The sword of Justice is Gods,
the Reformer answered.
The Queen was very angry, but
the next day she sent for him again,
and adopted plan unlike any she
had ever before tried, attempting
by every art in her power to charm
and tascinate him. "For MY sake,
was the plea, equally unsuccessful.
There was only one more iuter-
view between them. She sent for
him upon hearing that he censnred
her marriage with Lord Darnley.
Il cannot be quit of J y she c'ied,
in passion of anger, "and | vow
1 will be revenged = She sobbed
and wept, but Knox was rs an
moved as before.
81 am sorry tor hurt you, mad
am, he said, "but ! should be
more sorry to hurt my conscience. y"
This speech infuriated her, and
she ordered him from the room.
On the occasion of her mar
riage with Boutwell,. the supposed
murderer of her frst husband,
Darrley, the nation was wild WI b
indignation. Some proposed bau-
ishment. others Imprisonment for
life. Kuox used his powerful or
atory to have her tried on the plain
charge of being an accompllce IN
The murder. There is no doubt
that the fiery eloquence of the
great Reformer was Que OF the
mightiest agencies in bringing to
punishment the queen whose beau
ty and whose tears could never
swerve him from his honest coD-
yictions.
lie died fifteen years before
Mays execution (; and il was truly
said of him when he was laid to
rest in the old churchyard of St.
Giles, Edinburg, "Here lies Que
who never feared the face of man. "