West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-05-05
THE JoHN BRo Bys.

lowing somewhat amusing sketch of
the Brown family:
The John Browns are an illus.
trious race, though. like their rela-
uves In divers aolors the Greens.
the Scarletts.the Whites, the Blscks.
and the Blues--they are mortal at
the best. Even like C@,ar must they
die and run the risk Of having their
precious duet utilized IN various un-
imperial forms. They figure IN the
Book OF Martyrs; they have ad-
vsnced the Church with their learn
ing and piety and they have en-
riched the fields OF science and lit
ersture. One OF the most famous of
the fsmlly,wss John Browne Priest.
hill, carrier and Covenanter. who
was butcnered at his own door in
presence OF his wife aud children by
the 'bluidy Clayerhouse.' The John
Brown might have saved his life by
consentiug to take the abjuration
oath and swearing not TO rise iu
arms against the King. He declined
to take the oath, and declared be
knew no King. which was quite true
according to his religious theory that
there could be no king OF a Cove
nanted land unless he Were a Cove
nanter. Such, indeed, is the theory
oil the Reformed Presbyt erisns even
to this dag, aud they are quite en-
titled to hold it without drawing
uron Themselves the penalty Of be-
ing shot. Claverhouse was a brave
man, butthe shooting Of John Brown
was cold -blooded and cowardly
murder. Brown died like a hero.
with words Of prayer upon his lips,
while @ averhouse, who shot him did
80 with curses. Ia moral sense,
john Brown, the martyr, was the su-
perior oi his murderer. Theu there
was the Rev. DR.. John Brown, OF
Haddington. lie was a native OF
Pert hshire, and although born in
humble circumstances, he had the
right mettle In him, educated him
sell in a variety OF languages while
still young. taught. studied for the
Church, became minister in con-
Dection with the Associate Synod
under which he became Professor Of
Divinity, aud published the Self
Interpreting Bible. which was long
popular IN Scotland. The sou grand
son, and grest-grandson were all
three J0hns--the first two ministers,
and the last the famous literary ply
s'cian Of Edinburg, DR.. John Brown,
author Of 'Rab and his Friends, and
great body Of the most charming
essays. These, and great mum Der
oil other Scotch Browns, were .arge-
ly gifted with brains. Conspicuous
among the clan was DR.. Samuel
Brown, grandson OF John Of Had
diDgtou. He was one of the most
brilliant men OF bis time. In the
world Of letters he is known for his
Tragedy OF Calico, and a variety
9f keen, piercing essays, both in sci =
snce and literature. We have also
such men ss Brown, the linguist and
traveller Brown, the artist and
scholar; Brown, the botanist and
Brown, the metspbysicisn. To pae,
from Scotland for moment, the
most renowned Of the Browns Of mod
ern times was John Brown, Of Kan
sss and Hsrper's Ferry notoriety
A much humber John Brown has
lately paid the debt OF nature. Tbis
John vas not a martyr, or scholar
or hero, or man Of letters. He was
peasant and the son OF a peasant
or Deesids, Aberdsenshirs. He wa,
in fact the Queens John, the royal
Brown, as he was sometimes called
II not royal, be was certainly loys
IA true and stes dfast q servant tC
his mistress as ever monarch pos
sessed.