Bruce story ...but not King Robert

 

Part 2 Bruce but not King Robert

 

James and Eliza with their two children are  out of their manse banned from the house living in a cave in Ayrshire . A Highlander Mr MacDuff had been placed in the parish to replace Rev Bruce. One September evening  Rev Bruce his wife and children left their Cave to meet some of the church in the wild Ayrshire glen. Bruce had arrived to deliver a sermon based on Ps 23. He spoke for a time and encouraged the flock in as much as “ even though I walk through the shadow of death, yet I will fear no evil. For thou art with me : thy rod and thy staff they comfort me…” he expanded on the passage bringing out other parts of the old testament to back his comments. As he finished his sermon he mentioned that Presbyterians would have more persecution and the house of Stuart for some time, had wanted control over the church. The little congregation sang again and just before Bruce was going to dismiss the congregation there was a sudden trampling of horses lighted torches shown and a few dragoons arrived. This was so unexpected; the small group had not even put out a watch person.

 

The spies who had informed the soldiers left and the commanding officer ordered the firing of carbines into the flight of the poor people. Without checking the result of this work the soldiers turned and rode off.

Several people were hurt but Mrs Bruce “received a mortal wound”. “I am gone” she said while her husband caught her in his arms to keep her from falling. !I am killed I must leave you”. She indicated some final instructions before she died in his arms. Son Andrew threw himself on the ground in silence and his sister shrieked and took hold of the body.

After a time and weeping the group considered what to do. Andrew Indicated to his father that they could not stay in the glen.

They decided to take the body to a neighbour’s house. Rev Bruce wanted to bury the body,- but it would not be possible to do so  in the church yard. For if he appeared he would surely be captured. Andrew consoles his father by indicating that it does not matter where their bodies are  laid. It was decided that they would bury the body the next day.

The next day after making a coffin of sorts a group of about 20 gathered in the dark of the evening near where she had been killed in the glen. After the burial and a short tearful sermon about continuing to follow God Rev Bruce Andrew and his sister went back to the cave for rest.

These events were not isolated events but regular and frequent in the west of Scotland. Many battles took place and in Ayrshire MacDuff had a real hatred for Rev Bruce  and complained that Bruce was preventing the people in that quarter from complying with the established form of worship. Two spies were on the payroll to find Bruce and a reward of considerable amount was available for his capture. Rev Bruce still in the area managed to avoid capture and carryout some pastoral care of his flock.

One afternoon young Andrew was out walking, and his father and sister were “at home “ in the cave. A group of soldiers with Macduff out for sport and killing wild fowl came across Andrew. As was the case in meeting anyone they required him to take the test and confirm acceptance of the new authority of the Church and renounce the previous ( presbyterian) way. Without hesitation he refused. The refusal in terms of the law was that the soldiers were authorised to shoot the young man on the spot.

While he was dressed as a peasant they remarked that he had “ a fine manner and speech” that the soldiers considered he must be the son of a gentleman- so maybe they could force some money from the family. With that in mind they spared him and took as a prisoner to the village. Andrew had not given way as to his family but as he reach the village the locals shouted, “Will you murder the son of our dear minister?” With Macduff finding this news He said to the group leader of the soldiers “we have made good sport today.” “We shall now get on the scent of the old fox”.

 

Now having confessed to being the son of Rev Bruce he was locked in the Church. He considered his position and after thinking through the situation was able to trust in his God for the outcome.

Now a shepherd had seen the events in the village and gone back to  Rev Bruce and his daughter, Mary, to tell the tale. Mary wept for her brother as if he were already dead. Mr Bruce feared the worst, but he knew that Andrew would not renounce his faith. The following day the soldiers and government representatives with Macduff  tried to have the boy Andrew renounce his faith. But in all that had happened Andrew had become stronger in his reliance to his God.  Now with torture by way of thumbscrew Andrew did not yield.

With father hoping to see his son, he was dissuaded by young Mary, as it would most likely be a trap. One of the soldiers had during this time dressed as a peasant with the hope of infiltrating the villagers to get both Bruce and the reward.

In the following days, the hanging of the boy, the death of his sister in seeing the trauma and the capture of the Rev Bruce in a cave all lead to this horrible story. On finding the Rev Bruce he was asked to renounce the faith as was, and to commit to the new Episcopalian way with   the leader being the King Charles. He refused. When the soldiers were instructed to shot Rev Bruce they refused, and  this resulted in the commanding officer grabbing a gun and shooting Rev Bruce in the chest.

It is very easy for matters to grow and become a greater responsibility. When dictatorship becomes an evil and when liberties are stifled.  The Scottish Government should take heed as they put through the bill for Scotland known as  Hate Crime Bill 2020 with good intentions this bill may raise evil and show human nature at its worst. The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill aims to update existing laws for protected characteristics such as disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, and transgender identity.  Whilst the bill is still being adjusted there is a sense of threat to freedom of speech. The bill itself is designed to stop hatred but its premise will do just the opposite and create hatred.