[62] Cum magna nobilium juventute apud Scotos sive Pictos exulabant, ibique ad doctrinam Scottorum cathechisati et baptismatis gratia sunt recreati. (Beda, iii. cap. i.) They were exiled among the Scots or Picts with many youths of noble rank, and there they were instructed in the doctrine of the Scots and were converted by the grace of baptism. [63] Superveniente cum parvo exercitu, sed fide Christi munito. Beda, lib. iii, cap. i. [64] Desiderans totam cui præesse cœpit gentem fidei Christianæ gratia imbui. (Ibid. cap. iii.) Desiring that the whole nation over which he ruled might be imbued with the grace of the Christian faith. [65] Aydanus accepto gradu episcopatus, quo tempore eodem monasterio Segenius abbas et _presbyter_ præfuit. (Beda, lib. iii, cap. v.) Aidan having received the dignity of a bishop at the time when Segenius, abbot and presbyter, presided over that monastery. When Bede tells us that a plain priest was president, he excludes the idea that there were bishops in the assembly. See 1 Timothy, iv, 14. [Sidenote: DEATH OF OSWALD.] Oswald received Aidan as an angel from heaven, and as the missionary was ignorant of the Saxon language, the king accompanied him every where, standing by his side, and interpreting his gentle discourses.[66] The people crowded joyfully around Oswald, Aidan, and other missionaries from Scotland and Ireland, listening eagerly to the _Word of God_.[67] The king preached by his works still more than by his words. One day during Easter, as he was about to take his seat at table, he was informed that a crowd of his subjects, driven by hunger, had collected before his palace gates. Instantly he ordered the food prepared for himself to be carried out and distributed among them; and taking the silver vessels which stood before him, he broke them in pieces and commanded his servants to divide them among the poor. He also introduced the knowledge of the Saviour to the people of Wessex, whither he had gone to marry the king's daughter; and after a reign of nine years, he died at the head of his army while repelling an invasion of the idolatrous Mercians, headed by the cruel Penda (5th August, 642 A. D.) As he fell he exclaimed: "Lord, have mercy on the souls of my people!" This youthful prince has left a name dear to the churches of Great Britain. [66] Evangelisante antistite, ipse Rex suis ducibus ac ministris interpres verbi existeret cœlestis. (Beda, lib. iii, cap. iii.) When the bishop was preaching, the king himself interpreted the heavenly message to his officers and servants. [67] Confluebant _ad audiendum verbum Dei_ populi gaudentes. (Beda, lib. iii, cap. iii.) The people eagerly flocked together to hear the word of God.