"Thine, my heart! be never,

Wouldst thou repose secure thee,

In Jesus rest for ever!

Let not the false world lure thee;.

Whom it delights assure thee
The Lord is he betraying.

"If thou on earth dependest,

Life makest thou bitter to thee,
Wooest strife that ne'er thou endest,
For peace that ne'er will woo thee.
Wouldst happy life? O sue thee
In light divine arraying.

"Heart! no more delaying!

Heart! no more delaying!

From love divine thus straying."

SAVONAROLA

CHAPTER I.

ROBERT HALDANE, THE LANDOWNER.

"Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.' ACTS iv. 37.

"Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all."

THE Scottish Reformation, though it was a popular movement, owed not a little of its success to families of the nobility and gentry of the country. The influence of the first Reformer, Patrick Hamilton, extended chiefly among that class. He was himself descended by one side from a long line of chivalrous knights, and by the other from royal blood. When he began to preach, his kinsmen and noble acquaintances were interested, and not a few among them became decidedly Protestant. Sir David Lyndsay, Lord Lyon-kingat-arms, was the poetic genius of the period, and a Reformer before the Reformation; Henry Balnaves, the Secretary of State, and one of the ablest lawyers, was greatly useful to the rising cause. The Parliament itself, an index of high class feeling, ordained the reading of the Bible in the vulgar tongue before the days of Knox. In the second period of agitation, not a few families of rank were found in the cause of the Covenant. The Earl of Sutherland, the Marquis of Argyle, the Earl of Kenmore, Johnston of Warristoun, are well known to readers of that interesting period of church

history. Again, at a time when a new evangelical move-
ment was necessary, on account of the prevailing deadness
of the church and ungodliness of the people, an agency rose
out of the gentry, when Robert and James Haldane began
their missionary movements in the country, for the revival
of religion and the salvation of souls. They were descended
from an ancient family, who were "for many years posses-
sors of the free barony of Gleneagles, a valley in the Ochil
Hills," Perthshire. Their name occurs in Scottish charters
of the oldest date. They were allied to most of the noble
and knightly families of the country. Among their ances-
tors, those now to be considered numbered some who, like
themselves, were earnest Christians, and they could say,-
"My boast is not that I deduce my birth

From loins enthroned, or rulers of the earth;
But higher far my proud pretensions rise,-
The son of parents passed into the skies."

ROBERT HALDANE was born in London, on February 28th, 1764. His father was proprietor of the estates of Gleneagles and of Trinity-Gask, in Perthshire, and of Airthrey, near Stirling. He was a captain in the Royal Navy. Mrs. Haldane was his cousin, a lady of sincere piety, who, though she died early, left a blessed impression on the mind of her eldest son. "Her instructions," said he, 66 were so far useful, that even when she was not present I made conscience of prayer. What she said concerning sin and punishment also produced a considerable impression on my mind.” And again he adds: "My mother died when I was very young, I believe under six, yet I am convinced that the early impression made on my mind by her care was never entirely effaced; and to this, as an eminent means in the hand of God, I impute any serious thought which in the midst of my folly would sometimes intrude upon my mind, as well as that

still, small voice of conscience, which afterwards led me to see that all below. was vanity, without an interest in that inheritance which can never fade away."

JAMES HALDANE, whose name is indissolubly blended with that of his brother, and whom we cannot omit in this sketch, was born at Dundee, July 16, 1768,—only a fortnight after his father's death.

Early bereft of both parents, the children were placed under the care of their maternal grandmother and uncles—one of whom, afterwards Viscount Duncan of Camperdown, superintended their affairs and education. They were both destined for the navy, in which Lord Duncan had much influence. After a season at the High School and University of Edinburgh, Robert entered the navy in 1780. He remained in service during the American war and the war with France. He took a brave share of the action between his vessel, the Foudroyant and the Pegáse, which "laid the foundation of all Lord St. Vincent's great fame." He was also a witness of the loss of the Royal George in 1782. He shared in the relief of Gibraltar during its memorable siege. In 1783 peace was established, and Robert Haldane quitted the navy. For one year he attended the University of Edinburgh, during another travelled over the Continent, and in 1785, shortly after his majority, he married.

It was his design to reside as a country gentleman upon his estate, and for ten years he occupied himself with its interests, improving and embellishing it. In such pursuits he acquired the character of an enterprising and popular landlord.

"Man proposes but God disposes." Circumstances occurred in the divine providence which shook the ease of Robert Haldane and sent him forth from the quiet of Airthrey Castle to usefulness at large. James, his brother

who had entered the navy in 1785, and had risen, at the age of twenty-five, to the command of a vessel, was brought under religious impressions while at Gosport. He began to study his Bible and to pray to God on board the Melville Castle, in January 1794; but though within reach of public worship where his ship lay for four months, he only went ashore once or twice to hear Dr. Bogue, a Scotch minister at Gosport. The private exercise bore its fruit, and Captain Haldane sought admittance to the Lord's table, and for this purpose called on Dr. Bogue, who lent him books to read. Ere the time for the celebration of the ordinance arrived, however, Captain Haldane, induced partly by his growing convictions of religion, and partly by his wife's relatives, disposed of his command for £9000, and retired from sea. In Edinburgh, his mind was gradually opened to the gospel, and he became decidedly religious before his elder brother.

The French Revolution made a deep impression on the mind of Robert, and led him to thought. Political speculations paved the way for religious considerations, and his mind once awakened, found rest only in the acceptance of . the Redeemer's righteousness. Various influences aided the development of his conversion, among which was conversation with pious ministers, and especially with a journeyman mason who was employed on his estate. From this humble person he obtained his clearest views of the gospel of God, and of justification by faith in the finished work of Christ. A conversation which began with the subject of building, led to the cross of Christ; and the simplicity of faith, intelligent apprehension of the truth, and spiritual-mindedness of the working man, proved the means of the landlord's new birth to God.

The change upon the Haldanes was thorough, marked, and practical. The same energy, activity, and zeal, that had

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