OF THE SCOTTISH COVENANTERS, "HELEN OF THE GLEN," "THE PERSECUTED FAMILY," AND "RALPH GEMMELL." BY O.C. ROBERT POLLOK. AUTHOR OF "THE COURSE OF TIME," &c. NEW YORK: ROBERT CARTER, 58 CANAL STREET. EMR HELEN OF THE GLEN. CHAPTER I. One there is, above all others, Costly, free, and knows no end: They who once his kindness prove, Doddridge. Ir is pleasant, young reader, to contemplate in our day, the peace of the Redeemer's kingdom in Scotland. The Lord is indeed the glory in the midst of his church, and a wall of fire round about her. The still small voice of the gospel is unrestrained by the menaces of power, and its light unobscured by the clouds of bigotry and superstition. Our assemblies meet, and worship, and part in peace. In our land the promise is fast acomplishing, "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children." The church in our land, like a well-watered garden, and like a spring of waters, now sends forth her streams into the dry and parched wilderness, and sheds her light on the people that sit in darkness. Her voice, harmonizing with the invitations of infinite mercy, is now addressed to all nations: inviting them to share in the same heavenly blessings. But it is right for us to remember, young reader, that it was not always so in our beloved island. Only a hundred and forty years ago, persecution, and nakedness, and cold, and hunger, was the lot of those who followed the Lamb whithersoever he went. The sheep of the great Shepherd wandered upon the mountains, and the hands of the men of power were defiled with their blood. Such were the perilous and bloody days in which Helen and William, the subject of this story, were ushered into life. Their father, James Thomson, although born in the moorish districts of Ayrshire, removed early in life to Glasgow, with Agnes Craig, his beloved wife. Mr. Thomson was for some years prosperous enough in business: but the unsuspicious sincerity of his character often met with duplicity, and his generous kindness with ingratitude. Reduced by various losses to bankruptcy, he was compelled to leave Scotland. To support himself, and send something, if possible, for the assistance of his family, he |