The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-09-28
THE SCOTTISH COvENANTERs.

Aug II, 6143. the Solemn League and
Covenant was made by the General AS
sembly Of the Kirk of Scotland and com.
missioners from the English Parliament.
THAT famous compact, allying the two
nations in defense of the rights and
liberties of both, provided that the Kirk
OF Scotland should be maintained in its
existing policy. and that the Church Of
England should be reformed according
to the word Of God. and after the exam.
pie OF the best reformed churches .'"-J.
G. Palfrey's History of New England,
In an article on the Scottish Coyenan.
ters the late Eugene Lawrence says:
Whether cherishing some dim recol-
lection of the pure faith of Iona and it's
early teachers. or moved by an innate
taste for simple converse with the un-
seen world, Scotland, by sudden stride
passed from the deepest gloom Of super.
stition to faith of intense purity. In
its papal period it had been noted for it's
abject devotion to the faith OF Rome.
Suddenly the fervid intellect of the
gifted people tore down the whole fabric
of italian superstition. And of all the
impulses OF the Scottish nation the
strongest, the most lasting, was its hatred
for the papal rule. In the place of that
pompous ritual, which had graced the
Cathedral of st. Andrew or filed the
arches of Melrose with pagan splendors,
of that faith which had been crowded
with legend and tradition, the Scottish
reformers would accept only the simple
rites. the unchanging doctrines of the
Scriptures. Not from Luther or Gran
mer, not even from Calvin and Geneva.
but from the written thoughts of inspir-
alton alone, would they build their
Church. To this bold, yet majestic. con-
ception of church. the whole nation
turned with singular unanimity. With
one vigorous exercise of latent strength
the Scottish intellect had freed itself
from italian bondage, and might we'll
prepare for rapid progress in the new
paths of reform.
THE part which the Church of Eng.
land was induced to take in the perse-
cution of the Presbyterians of Scotland
has no defender and can scarcely admit
of extenuation. Yet it is possible that
had the Church of England remained
what it was when it came freshly mould
ed from the hands of Latimer and Rid.
ley, Cranmer and Rogers, no taint of
Roman cruelty would have stained
its purer progress. and it might have
gladly united with it's northern brethren
in the pursuit Of the germs OF lost
Christianity. 1t was the well-known
design of the English reformers Of the
reign of Edward vi to receive into one
communion the rising intellects of every
land. But Hooper, Ridley, Latimer and
Cranmer perished in the flames; and
when the English church was renewed
under Elizabeth and James l, its expan-
sive and liberal spirit was lost in the ar
bitrary tendencies of it's rulers. Charles
/, animated by the daring bigotry of
Laud, determined to convert the Scotch
to the prelatical creed by the fiery sword
of persecution. For time is seemed as
if Charles and Laud might prove sue
cessful. Then suddenly the nation rose
struck by the heroic act Of woman.
whose name, made renowned by the
wonderful results of her swift resolu tion
may well be associated with Joan of
Arc or Charlotte Corday. The shrill
outcry Of Jenny Geddes was the signal
for revolution whose waves are still
swelling over the earth. The Bishops
War followed. and twice the obstinate
king led his English troops in vain ef-
forts to force his prelates upon the
united Scotch. But the most preposter.
Gus of invasions closed in the utter ruin
of the plans of Laud and Charles.
The crown and the prelatical church fell
together. The compact covenant which
had been signed [l638l on the tombstone
at Edinburg was enlarged into the Sol
emn League and Covenant, and ruled
supreme from the OEkneys to the Straits
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