Today in Covenanter History

You can’t help but be moved by some of the wording on Scotland’s martyr graves. The words and poetry really tell their stories.

These words are from the grave of two young Covenanters executed in Paisley on the 3rd of February, 1685. Their names were James Algie and John Park. Both men were arrested and after a short trial were sentenced to be executed. Their crime was hearing the Gospel preached at illegal field meetings.

As they tried to address the crowd before their death the soldiers beat their drums to drown them out.

The full wording on the memorial reads:

HERE LIE THE CORPSES OF JAMES ALGIE AND JOHN PARK WHO SUFFERED AT THE CROSS OF PAISLEY FOR REFUSING THE OATH OF ABJURATION FEBRUARY 3 1685

Stay, passenger, as thou goest by,
And take a look where these do lie;
Who for the love they bore to truth
Were deprived of their life and youth.
Though laws made then caused many die,
Judges and ‘sizers were not free.
He that to them did these delate,
The greater count he hath to make;
Yet no excuse to them can be;
At ten condemned, at two to die.
So cruel did their rage become,
To stop their speech caused beat the drum.
This may a standing witness be
‘Twixt Presbtry and Prelacy.

ERECTED BY THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHRISTIANS OF DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS IN AND ABOUT PAISLEY TO RENEW AND PERPETUATE A MEMORIAL OF THE RESPECT AND GRATITUDE WITH WHICH POSTERITY STILL CHERISH THE MEMORY OF THE MARTYRS OF SCOTLAND MDCCCXXXV

The stone containing the Epitaph transcribed on this Monument, was erected over the grave, on the Gallowgreen, the place of Common Execution; and on occasion of the ground being built upon, it was removed near to this spot along with the remains of the MARTYRS, by order of the Magistrates, JOHN STORIE, JOHN PATISON, & JOHN COCHRANE. MDCCLXXIX

Their blood is Shed
In confirmation of the noblest claim,
Our claim to feed upon immortal truth,
To walk with GOD, to be divinely free,
To soar, and to anticipate the skies.
Yet few remember them, they liv’d unknown
Till Persecution dragg’d them into fame
And chas’d them up to Heav’n.