Mr Bruce’s son James was a person of good intellect and taste. So much so that he encouraged the son to go into the Ministry. James went off to Glasgow University and applied himself to the task. He was a quick learner and excelled in “divine literature”. He understood the challenges from varying theological stances and their ability to be controversial. His childhood and education had been like a dream.
At the age of 26 he received a call to an Ayrshire village with little concern for the place and his focus on the people he took up the charge. Soon after his settlement he married Eliza Inglis a daughter of a gentlemen from his hometown. She too was one of a mind, for progress, not lazy, interested in matters and of setting up home and a great support to Rev James Bruce who was smitten with her kind-heartedness, good looks and her willingness to follow in faith the God she loved. So, at 24 she is found in the locality as the minister wife engaging with all those around making a mark and blessing to those around.
James was a good preacher and was practical in his advice to the walk of God. He was a steady person “ dignified without loftiness”. He was accepted by both young and old. House to house visiting was a part of his routine where he would share from the Bible. He was a pastor of care comforting where he went encouraging the broken hearted.
The manse had seen better days but the Heritors on their own accord took steps to upgrade and repair the manse to make it more appealing. Garden and lawn were refreshed, and the place looked well manged both inside and out.
In time they had Andrew and daughter Mary. They were dedicated to education and loved their parents and “feared God.”
After the passing of fourteen years, the Restoration threatened the overthrow of the Scottish Church. King Charles had with advice from others introduced the episcopal form of worship into Scotland. This change brought about the renewing of “Patronage and the requirement for Ministers to acknowledge the new authority of the Church. Some in the West were not for agreeing with this spiritual supremacy and refused to submit to the episcopalian authority through Bishops. The Bishop of Glasgow (Burnet) and the Primate of St Andrews ( Sharpe) were over enthusiastic in having everyone in ministry submit to this new authority.
Within little time Ministers who refused to yield were forbidden to preach even in fields or to be within 20 miles of their parishes. Those who harboured the “outlawed ministers” were punished. Things escalated quickly and where courts had decided outcomes of those not yielding these were done away with as the military succeeded in its persecution. Gentlemen Ministers and peasants were ousted out and placed in jails, exile, or even slavery. Torture and hanging were regular as was rapes, robberies, and “outrageous doings” by the soldiers.
In this time of shedding blood of the innocent was Rev Bruce. He was brave in his stand to refuse to yield to this manmade authority over the Church. For a man who was for good and to be law abiding he found this circumstance strange, but he trusted his God. He was driven to either yield or to give up his charge at the church.
The acknowledgement being asked for was, to declare that the king was the supreme head of the church, to come under the jurisdiction of the bishops, to be re ordained and convert, and be a curate and use the episcopal mode of worship by denouncing Presbyterianism.
After a closing sermon one day and after great upset he stood down from the pulpit weeping with all his family and parishioners. That Sunday evening his wife consoled James.
“Do not be so sorrowful on our account dear James “ She said “ I have shared enjoyments and I can suffer with you too; and so, can these children. He agreed and indicated that their God would comfort them. He suggested that it might be prudent for Eliza and the children to live with friends in Lanark. He planned to stay and care for the flock and their “spiritual Interests.”
The next day the furniture was dispersed among neighbours and some important pieces were sent to Braeside some 4 miles away which was put aside for the Bruce’s’ retirement. The four left the manse dignified as they walked past the church.
Four years of suffering passed from the leaving of the manse. Now living in a cave as the retirement house was at risk they had adjusted to the trials of life they were enduring.
To be continued...
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