Edinburgh Castle - 4

Here we find ourselves gazing from within the walls of our Lenten Prison to the three spires of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral. We are standing close to the National War Museum. In 1748, a gunpowder magazine capable of holding more than a thousand barrels was built on the sloping rock behind the Governor's House. It was soon joined by two ordnance storehouses, two-storey warehouses for cannon, small arms and other equipment. The magazine was demolished in 1897, but the ordnance storehouses were retained and converted for use as a military hospital. A mortuary was also built in Black Well Yard. These buildings remain , and are now occupied by the National War Museum, which opened in 1933 as the Scottish Naval and Military Museum.



As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. (Mark 1:16-20)

Let us raise our voices in song.

Jesus calls us over the tumult
Of our life’s wild, restless, sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, “Christian, follow Me!”

As of old Saint Andrew heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love Me more!”

In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love Me more than these!”

Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,
Saviour may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.