Ossian Collection > Romance of the Highlands

THE ROMANCE OF THE HIGHLANDS.
CHAPTER III.
lona : Christianity.
Scotland forms such an inconspicuous piece of territory
when compared with other European countries, that it
might appear as though her existence could be of little
consequence when placed in the scale of nations. Far
from this being the case, she has in various ways and on
many occasions been a leader and not a follower. She
has certainly exalted herself to a commanding position
through her successful endeavours to procure civil and
religious liberties. She early recognised the value of
education, has been prominent as a colonizer, and has
never lagged behind in commercial enterprise.
The Highlands are not geographically situated for
commerce nor adapted for manufactures on an extensive
scale, excepting for the production of electricity by means
of the enormous water power stored up in her lakes and
rivers. In other respects she occupies an important place
in the general history. She opened her gates to the
introduction of Christ's religion ; held out and repelled
not only the Roman legions but all other enemies sent
to conquer her, and has given the country a long list of
Kings. She gave an impetus and encouragement to the
spread of religion all over the country. As if in con-
formity with the written word that the small things
would confute the great, we have to turn our eyes to its
establishment to a poor, and one might almost say
microscopic, island, buffeted by the waves of the stormy
western main.