The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-08-12

street in Europe, and II is magnificent
Never have seen everything SO splendid
as Edinburgh. Iquestion that Paris can
out-rival her. The inhabitants Of Edin-
burgh are certainly aristocratic. At first
thought that nearly every man was a
member of the royal household. On
Sunday, June 18th, went twice to the
most fashionable church in the city, a
free Presbyterian church. known as DR..
Whites church. because one DR.. White
preached there. He is the leading
preacher in Edinburgh and even in Scot
land. Unfortunately did not hear him
in the morning, but his assistant, Rev.
Black, young and popular minister.
The Scotchmen are religious and it APP
peared as il all Edinburgh sent her child
rem to church. In the evening expect
ed to hear DR.. White and went there
again. The throng was SO great that
two policemen kept strangers away and
for nearly an hour hundreds waited for
the opportunity of admission and at last
those two cherubs of the free church
opened the gates. Yes, and I should
like to see people as anxious to enter
heaven as that church. There was moth
ing remarkable with the service, and l
am sure that many obscure country min
listers preach as good sermons as l heard
there. took down synopsis of the SER
vice and sermon. At both services the
preacher wore clerical gown or robe.
was told that Freethinkers, Unitarians,
etc. were initiating the Salvation Army
by holding open air meetings. 1 also
noticed that the army is more evangeli-
cal and their service conducted with
greater decorum than in America.
Many other things would like to tell
from Edinburgh. l waited there until
Iuue 10th for the Danish mail steamer
going from Leith, suburban'town to Edin-
burgh, to Iceland. devoted this time
to visiting the historical places in Edin-
burgh, SCOTS Monument and Burns,
the gardens, castles, St. Giles church,
ohn Knox's house, the Walton Hill
Forth bridge, etc.
The castle is perched on rock almost
precipitous on three sides, 3COfeet above
the surrounding valley and 445 above sea
level. Most writers are agreed that it
was fortified before the subjugation of
this district by the Romans. The most
ancient name on record is Castelh N.Y.
nydagned, meaning in the language of
the Britons ''The Fortress of the Hill of
Agnes" The history connected with
this fortress is long and interesting, too
long for this short letter. wrote down
long sketches of the different apartments
and some historical events connected
with them.
The Argyle Tower used as State prison
when the Marquis of Argyle was i'm
prisoned and many other illustrious pris-
oners were confined, was once destroyed
by Cromwell but restored later. St.
Margaret's Chapel is another place of
interest in the castle, being the oldest
building in Edinburgh and the smallest
church edifce | have seen. Then the
celebrated gun Mons Meg, that was burst
in 1882, having been overloaded when
firing salute in honor of the Duke of
York. Once it was removed to London,
but through Walter SCOTS influence re-
turned to the castle in 1929. Then the
crown room, strong and vaulted, is Of
great interest. In small sentre room
is the Regalia, which was secreted from
the public in an oak chest from 1907 till
1919. The old chest is there also. Later
may give you full description of this
Regalia and its history. Queen Mary's
apartments are in the castle. Some of
her chambers are now unfinished.
Here James vi was born, and the win
dow is shown where he was lowered in
a basket to his mothers Roman Catholic
friends to be educated in their faith.
Many other places of interest are in the
castle, but time forbids mentioning them.
Yet of all the historical and ancient
places in Scotland and beautiful Edin-
burgh, St. Giles Cathedral is first. 1t is
the original parish church of Edinburgh.
The history Of to- present church is
trat>, p,.3k ~ u and as early rs s54
ano, church We, casting wh. r.: .i,is
now stands. Her: John Knarp -; ::ached
to tue King al',. :ueen. l Stood where
his pu.in W.T., ..ld that is ..s Heal t.narp
as will DE able 10 come. The principal
events of his life, many political move
meats and most stirring events in the
history Of Scotland are connected with
this church. History Of both state and
church centres around it. When have
time SHALL write out its history on ac-
count Of its close connection with the
reformation and all spiritual develop
ment in Scotland.
l also visited John Knox's house.
When you approach it you notice the
three words Theos, Deus, God, the
Greek attn and Eooi;ch l,urr,,.. .,-~,