Writers hub- Inverness

I have been working on some history work on the Quakers in Aberdeenshire and discovered they had a really bad time from the authorities because they did not conform with the ways of the day even when they were not helping them get closer to God. It's a shame that so many rules and regulations are put in place for control which can hinder the work of the Spirit. I worked in a control environment and I see the need for them in situations but the Church and Christianity seems to want to hold everything to their liking rather than ask God to work. As Church general we are not learning! Is it man making sure he is in control? taking on the role of God? Is it simply learning from the past that some controls are required...? I had two meeting this week which touched on Revival... Is it coming soon?

Over 30 folks... want to follow, at Rosskeen- 1742

A bit of Sunday reflection and consider the"awakening" some years ago if you go to my previous post on awakening you  will find out a bit more about historic changes in the community.

Come back and consider:
What signs are there of people looking for faith?
What is in my church or community to encourage faith?
Where are the hindrances?
Am I the blockage to an "awakening" ? 

For a community to be revived some would save certain conditions are required or helpful. What are these conditions?

When an awaking took place in the past in the islands, Rev Kenneth Macrae had strict tests to affirm it was a work of God and not just some minor hysteria.

He as well as other denominations would hear reports at there centres of works in communities. ( Free church, Church of Scotland, Scottish Baptist Union etc.)

By 1939 a wide revival work was present in lewis. At the Free Church Assembly he( Kenneth Macrae) recorded “evidences... that the Lord is effectively working in the hearts of men”.

There was concern over certain phenomena. At Point meetings were reverent and with solemnity. There was elements of excitement and hysteria. Yet clear evidence of lasting conversions.

By 1938 the phenomena of swooning, of out cries, of temporary paralysis of limbs and muscular spasms or jerks drew much attention. The press searched for stories. People would collapse, others rise together, some weep or call in Gaelic on their relatives. Some lost all power to their limbs and would be carried to other rooms to recover. These things caused controversy. Some ministers affirmed the physical effects as God's. In their thinking All the phenomena was linked to revival. Others were concerned how the media were presenting the situation.

MacRae spoke at one meeting of the Free Church Stornoway on the:

Unusual features of the present religious movement in lewis.

He was convinced there was a revival in Lewis and a work of God. But he wanted people to consider some of the peculiar features of it.

In particular MacRae wished the meeting to consider that in Park... convulsive fits.

Grimshader ...trembling or tremors...with crying.

At point and Shader ...trances and women praying and exhorting ( ...and a good deal of disorder). He noted further:

• Those or some could not give an explanation to what was happening. Rather than looking for the work of the Holy Spirit people were disappointed if there was no manifestations.
• Secondly MacRae saw a sense of superior order of Christians taking hold with those who had experienced some of the manifestations.
• He felt that matters might lead to unscriptural extravagances.
  
  

He also talked and reported on other happenings in the country, quoting Kilsyth and Cambuslang.

He concluded that the manifestations were neither good or evil but hysteria.

He quoted the medical observations for hysteria.

• Highly strung people mainly young women
• Infectious
• Associated with convulsions tremors and trances
• Attacks are always in an audience never alone.
• Those effected say they could not help themselves.
• If wanted to those effected could have controlled themselves.
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Consciousness not lost.

MacRae was concluding that mass hysteria was happening in Lewis and his concern was separating it from the work of the Holy Spirit.

Hi did specifically acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit at that time.

Quoting the action of McChenye from Dundee. He was supporting the need to have religious meetings closed by 11.00 pm. “Lest Good be evil spoken”.

It is clear from MacRae there is a need to discern what is of God and a work of the Holy Spirit and what is not. While he saw the Lewis revival as of God, not all was his making. It is easy to be tricked in times of revival to assume all phenomena are in connection with the spirit of God, and to question it is to hinder that Revival. There is a more discerning Church today- but a good warning nevertheless.

There have been many Scottish revivals and in particular in the 19^th century the country had “breakouts” in different parts. Alexander Macrae tells us that almost all revivals have been started by lay preachers. He has also noted that some if not all revivals have started when someone talked about a previous revival. The retelling of past works has inspired and moved the hearts of others. Whilst we would acknowledge that a Blessing of God transforms a meeting which can continue into revival, it is when people “work at it” with a sense of urgency and expectation that we see results in terms of a deepening of faith across communities. The work of the Haldanes is a good example of this. The North East coast revival in 1921 shows the spread and catalytic effect from a work. it started in Norfolk in 1921 and spread to Caithness Scotland the the travelling movement of the fishermen.

Now go back and ask the questions at the begining of this post again and reflect.

Caithness work -on this blog 

Alexander Macrae, Revivals in the Highlands and Islands, 1998

 

Kenneth MacRae, Diary of Kenneth MacRae

revivals  Scotland wiki

North East coast revival 1921 Scotland

There is a link to an old post and conversation about Baptists in Caithness here.

Kessock last month

The North East coast revival in 1921 shows the spread and catalytic effect from a work. it started in Norfolk in 1921 and spread to Caithness Scotland the the travelling movement of the fishermen.

The following extracts from the Northern Times shows the spread down the coast as far as Ross-shire in a matter of weeks. 
 

	Northern Times
26/1/1922	30 converts from Helmsdale visited Brora and conducted service at the Fountain and the United Free Church
02/02/22	Revival spread to Golspie. Positive article of Gods Goodness and YMCA helping young converts.
23/02/22	Revival in Wick “The revival in Wick is still progressing John Troupe's presence was an additional attraction, He is now almost well after his illness, but still to refrain from much exertion....one of the converts a young man died recently after a short illness, the Hymns and prayers also bearing pathetic terms. A solo sung by Miss Lara Rosie was much appreciated.”
9/3/1922	Reference to Hymn singing conflict.
23/3/1922	Letter to editor of enquiry as to use of Pitgower Hall for meetings Revivalist meetings (with hymn singing) got use of hall but not the Free Presbyterian s
30/3/1922	Page 5 Canadian writer to paper recalls a “time of refreshing” in Rogart 50 years earlier 1870's when there were 70 converts.
6/4/1922	3 weeks mission closes by Mr Dowie in Brora- moving to Golspie
20/4/1922	Page 4 col 3 Evangelistic meetings Golspie YMCA - Mr Dowie Aberdeen. “Presentation to Mr Dowie at fisherman's Hall Brora presented with a roll of treasury notes from the public of Brora. In reply and thanks “requested the revival meetings continue under Rev Thomson.”
13/7/1922	Mr Mackenzie in Embo People from Helmsdale going to take revival meetings in Balintore.
3/8/1922	Brora news: Rev Thomson Ill Messrs Fraser Stewart and Robertson close two weeks mission in the Fishermen's Mission.

Several leading revivalists took part in this work.

Jock Troupe, Mackenzie and Dowie.

Thomson: Rev Donald, United Free Church settled previous year Feb 1921.

In a few months revival has come right down the coast.¹

 ^{Helmsdale harbour}

Brora News.

Presentation to Mr Dowie, Evangelist – at the usual Evangelistic Meeting held in the Fisherman's Hall, Lower Brora on Saturday evening. Mr Dowie of Aberdeen who is now leaving the District was presented with a roll of treasury notes from the public of Brora, as a token of esteem for the helpful addresses he delivered at the recent revival meetings in their midst. The Rev D Thomson in making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers thanked Mr Dowie for his valuable services both at the Open Air Meetings and elsewhere. Mr Dowie in reply said that this came unexpected but he hoped they had derived some lasting benefits through the Meetings held in the past and that they would continue to hold them under the guidance of the Rev Mr Thomson and helpers in the future.

Special Easter Communion – As the result of the revival meetings held in their midst, a scene unparalleled in the history of the Parish, if not in the Highlands, was witnessed in the Clyne United Free Church Brora at the morning service on Sunday last. A special Easter Communion was held at which the Rev Mr Thomson, Minister officiated. There were 195 persons partook of communion, the average communicants number about 100, but on Sunday there were 80 new members belonging to the United Free Church– 30 belonging to the Free Church who partook of it for the first time. As the revival only started after the New Year it speaks volumes for the good work done for the Master that so many young people belonging to different denominations should sit down together for the first time. The scene was a most inspiring and impressive one and will long live in the memory of all who witnessed it.

Here again we have a record that most locals of Brora would not be aware of, and, only a generation from the events. This revival started in Norfolk and moved to Aberdeen then Wick. It is encouraging to see many denominations including The Assemblies and Salvation Army involved. 

There were other times of revival to touch Caithness in the Church’s history. Perhaps most notably was that of the 1920s when the ministry in singing and preaching of Jock Troupe, of the Salvation Army, saw Churches, including Wick Baptist Church, and places like the Braehead and Market Square in Wick, packed out. It cannot be denied that the Church as a whole in this country has declined in numbers since those days but many believe there are signs of change.(52)

1Northern Times, 20 April, 1922 – p8. Col 2.

Prayer for Scotland. Connecting Scotland

12 April 2007

Connecting Scotland is well on its way, having started in Shetland earlier this week in its praying for Scotland campaign.

With 5 rallies under their belt the team need endurance to complete this prayer drive, walk, and move through Scotland to the final rally on the 27 May in Edinburgh.

Connecting Scotland have a really clear vision which is being translated on the ground and will hopefully unite christians throughout Scotland.

Last night the Lairg rally saw people from truely all walks of life and church experience pray, praise and listen to pastor Bert expound :

On John 17 Love one another ...a mesage to the churches in Scotland.

He highlighted

The Church needs to be different.

A need to make every effort with ones brothers in the church.

Call not to waste time.

Unity is not automatic.

Unity is not uniformity.

There is and should be diversity in the Body of Christ.

The Church was urged to maturity.

Mindful of the 50 year old vision and prophetic word from a lady regarding UK revival coming from the North of Scotland. We are nearing that time!

A splendid unifying meeting. Praise God.

Details at Connecting Scotland.

Portmahomack

A recent visit to Portmahomack left me pleasantly surprised. It had been some 6 years since I had been to the Port...

There is certainly a feeling of improvement to the village and a sense of togetherness.

After a windy trip to the lighthouse we head back home.

There was a Brethren Assembly in Portmahomack in 1921. I assume this was set up as part of the fishermens revival that came down from Wick starting in 1920. There is more from my research at Brora Sutherland revival 1920

I hear Stuart Blyth is looking for stories etc on open air preaching.

MacRae on Revival

Kenneth MacRae, someone who took a keen interest in revival felt that a careful discrimination needed to be exercised in evaluating revivals.

He noted in revival there was :

Increase zeal and devotedness to Christ among believers.
The spread of conviction and alarm among the spiritually careless.
This change is spiritual condition may be gradual or as suddenly as a thunderbolt.
The existence of numbers who are awakened some who unfortunately fall back while others try to drown conviction and fail.
Converts are established in a good hope of their salvation although the manner of their conversions differ considerably some are slowly brought to a sense of peace and cannot identify a time then they first came to Christ; others are suddenly changed and may experience immediate joy and ecstasy.

During the Lewis revival of 1936 he wrote "Matters seem to be definitely improving" he was cautious about reports. By 1939 a wide revival work was present in Lewis. At the Free Church Assembly he recorded "evidences... that the Lord is effectively working in the hearts of men".

Concern over certain phenomena presented itself. At Point meetings were reverent and with solemnity. There was elements of excitement and hysteria. Yet clear evidence of lasting conversions.
By 1938 the phenomena of swooning, of out cries, of temporary paralysis of limbs and muscular spasms or jerks drew much attention. The press searched for stories. People would collapse, others rise together, some weep or call in Gaelic on their relatives. Some lost all power to their limbs and would be carried to other rooms to recover. These things caused controversy. Some ministers affirmed the physical effects as god's. In their thinking All the phenomena was linked to revival. Others were concerned how the media were presenting the situation.

People are knotted.....

This tree is near Golspie and it has an interesting root system. All knotted.

When I read blogs about the Church, Emergent, Emerging Church, baptists, theology, reformed, Charismatic etc I see knotted people.

Now I dont mean" get knotted!"( British derogatory remark)

I mean the roots of the past help to support. Be it twisted or not. Think...If you untwisted the roots of this tree...If you straightened them out if you made them tidy. The tree woiuld fall down its perched on the bank. The root system helps to give the stability.

People need to know you are what you ARE (present tense) - roots of your life digging deep and supporting you. So stand good with the roots you have and reach to the sky heavenward!
Its about "being".

The now is about growing upward to the heavenly place. What are you doing to accomodate the growth? Do not ignore the past it supports you but in the now, live for God and the future will be nurished.

Caithness , Sutherland Revival 1922

From the recent research here is some stuff from the local paper.



Northern Times
26/1/1922
30 converts from Helmsdale visited Brora and conducted service at the Fountain and the United Free Church
2/2/1922
Revival spread to Golspie. Positive article of Gods Goodness and YMCA helping young converts.
23/2/1922
Revival in Wick
“The revival in Wick is still progressing John Troupe's presence was an additional attraction, He is now almost well after his illness, but still to refrain from much exertion....one of the converts a young man died recently after a short illness,The hymns and prayers also bearing pathetic terms. A solo sung by Miss Lara Rosie was much appreciated.”
9/3/1922
Reference to Hymn singing conflict.
23/3/1922
Letter to editor of enquiry as to use of Pitgower Hall for meetings. Revivalist meetings (with hymn singing) got use of hall but not the Free Presbyterians
30/3/1922
Page 5 writer to paper recalls a “time of refreshing” in Rogart 50 years earlier 1870's when there were 70 converts. Wrote from Canada.
6/4/1922
3 weeks mission closes by Mr Dowie in Brora- moving to Golspie
20/4/1922
Page 4 col 3
Evangelistic meetings Golspie YMCA
Mr Dowie Aberdeen.
“Presentation to Mr Dowie at fisherman's Hall Brora presented with a roll of Treasury notes from the public of Brora. In reply and thanks “requested the revival meetings continue under Rev Thomson.”
See also additional sheet.
13/7/1922
Mr Mackenzie in Embo
People from Helmsdale going to take revival meetings in Balintore.
3/8/1922
Brora news: Rev Thomson Ill
Messrs Fraser Stewart and Robertson close two weeks mission in the Fishermen's Mission.

Observations

Several leading revivalists .
Troupe
Mackenzie
Dowie
Thomson: Rev Donald United Free Church settled previous year Feb 1921
In a few months revival has come right down the coast in to three counties...and we have never heard of this ...Why not???.

Oh and the tractor just a nice picture. You make up the link "Ssssleeping tractor... sleeping tractor like Scottish church hiding in the heather.. bracken. Rusty ineffective unit...

Revival Brora 1922

I was carrying out some research for an Historian yesterday in Brora
Here is some interesting stuff from the local paper of 1922.

Northern Times, 20 April, 1922 p8.
Col 2.
Brora News.

Presentation to Mr Dowie, Evangelist " at the usual Evangelistic Meeting held in the Fisherman's Hall, Lower Brora on Saturday evening. Mr Dowie of Aberdeen who is now leaving the District was presented with a roll of treasury notes from the public of Brora, as a token of esteem for the helpful addresses he delivered at the recent revival meetings in their midst. The Rev D Thomson in making the presentation on behalf of the subscribers thanked Mr Dowie for his valuable services both at the Open Air Meetings and elsewhere. Mr Dowie in reply said that this came unexpected but he hoped they had derived some lasting benefits through the Meetings held in the past and that they would continue to hold them under the guidance of the Rev Mr Thomson and helpers in the future.

Special Easter Communion As the result of the revival meetings held in their midst, a scene unparalleled in the history of the Parish, if not in the Highlands, was witnessed in the Clyne United Free Church, Brora at the morning service on Sunday last. A special Easter Communion was held at which the Rev Mr Thomson, Minister officiated. There were 195 persons partook of communion, the average communicants number about 100, but on Sunday there were 80 new members belonging to the United Free Church. 30 belonging to the Free Church who partook of it for the first time. As the revival only started after the New Year it speaks volumes for the good work done for the Master that so many young people belonging to different denominations should sit down together for the first time. The scene was a most inspiring and impressive one and will long live in the memory of all who witnessed it.

Church leaders pray for revival. Inverness

I was encouraged by the meeting in Inverness on Thursday where church leaders from across the Church met to pray and engage. I am thankful for those people who are visionary and for those from Perth who instigated these meetings. I am even more convinced we will see a great happening soon...

Are church services too busy?

Busy?
You have had a hard week at work, you have had a busy schedule of evening activity. You have rushed to Church because you slept in after watching the late film- just to chill out.

And it would be so good to have a quiet time in a corporate meeting. But...

There is that "Sandwich service" where it looks like those leading are afraid to have silence in case the congregation think they have lost the place!


Contemplative-
Quakers, brethren, Baptists, Assemblies of God, Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches have over the years recognised the depth of fellowship in having a time of silence together in the "Worship time" at Church. To take time to reflect is so important especially when life seems to be busier and busier.

Just like the public reading of the Bible has a different impact on our lives, so too, could a time of silence in the public worship.

There is a time for joyous worship, and loud! And there is a time form silence.

Thanks for the variety in praise in the Christian Church.

Church in the nation

The nation's mission - “we have seen more co-operation between rival football fans!”.
Is the Churches' point lost, out of touch, or left in the dressing room of the nation.
Is the nation needing more a hop, step, and jump.
The playing field is ready, the crowd awaits ...... but we can't see a team in the dugout.
The time is now, and it is right, it is ripe, it is redress, it is revival.
It is time to be perfecting, it is time to be precise, it is time to be peacemaking of heart and soul of the Church in this nation, it is time to be passionate.
Making poverty history is a just cause! - losing a nation is as worthy.
The Scottish Church collective is a mixed bag of ineffectual rubble from “fallout” over many centuries. In this post-modernist era what happens now?
Is this Grand Canyon of gulf too big? Has the history of the Church in Scotland anything to teach us?

Will revival of the spiritual nation come from the North?
Historians can tell us what happened technically or conceptually, they may tell us about key characters who were influential down through the years but can they provide a key that will unlock the spiritual revival of Scotland and the UK.
There has been a silence for too long regarding the Church and its message! Of its witness there has been a silence for various reasons, there has been a silence regarding the hope to be secured. Now is the time to bury the hatchet, now is the time for factions to come together for a real cause, now is the time to facilitate prayerful revival.
Why has there been such a silence;
The message - of its repair and hope by so many?
The Church – collective, to bring the news of goodness to the country?
The individual – to gossip a story of their life - spiritual?
Intentionally or unintentionally there is surely "a conspiracy of silence" requiring redress. A silence stronger than the alleged Presbyterian coyness.
A silence stronger than the stubbornness of folded arms while the spiritual poverty worsens.