Writers Hub

 The writers hub has continued over the summer weeks. I have been involved in other things but, have a few projects for the colder weather.

Battle of Tibbermuir

Sound has been improved on the video.

Video link

Less than half go to church in 1835!

Just to let you know that we have not always been as church going as we think. Here is some details from a census in 1835. 

NON-ESTABLISHED CHURCHES "SITTING"

FOR WORSHIP -PERTH 1835

Craigend United Seccession	413
North United Secession	1479
South United Secession	932
Old Light Burghers	730
Old Light Anti Burghers	602
1 Relievers	902
2 Relievers	574
Independents	735
General Baptists	450
Baptists	300
Methodists	800
Episcopalians	301
Roman Catholics	444
Glassites	165
TOTAL	8827

In 1831 the population of Perth was marginally over 20,000

ECCLESIASTICAL STATISTICS FOR

PERTH PARLIAMENTARY BURGH

	Places of Worship during 1851
5	Established Church
6	Free Church
7	United Presbyterian Church
1	Original Secession Church
3	Independents
2	Old Scot's Independents
3	Baptist Church
2	Wesleyan Methodists
1	Glassite Church
2	Episcopalian Church
2	Roman Catholic Church
1	Isolated Congregation

What a relief...

Relief Church

Despite the first secession of 1733 from the Church of Scotland a short time after the passing of the Act of Patronage, the further split created the Presbytery of Relief. The founding members being Thomas Boston(2), Thomas Collier and Thomas Gillespie ministers of charges at Oxnam, Ravenstondale and Carnock. The basis of the split was regarding admitting ministers to charges that they were called.

More specifically;

Boston felt led to Jedburgh so much so in the congregation they also agreed to build a church to accommodate his ministry after the split.
Collier wished to take up the ministry at Colinsburgh from Ravenstondale.
Gillespie unable to settle Andrew Richardson in the church at Inverkeithing contrary to the will of the congregation and against his own vow taken at his induction at Carnock fife.
Thomas Gillespie (1708-1774) was a man of weak constitution in life and also of a shy disposition. He went to Carnock after training at the Protestant Dissenting Academy in Northampton. (Could not find a suitable college in Scotland.)
It doesn't appear that the formation of the relief presbytery had any influence in the progression of the two arms of the secession church. Having no theological college, most going to the established churches' halls of education, may well have had some bearing, so also could the churches stance on a more open table at communion and its alignment with baptists and independents with their view on universal redemption. The church of the Relief soon had over 100 churches. The first Moderator being Thomas Boston in 7/12/1761.
In 1847 the Relief Church joined with the two “New Light” bodies from the burgh and anti-burgh churches to form the United Presbyterian Church. This was a sign that many were prepared to reconsider the nature of the church in light of the New Testament first and college Calvinism second. At this time there was a new awakening regarding foreign mission.

Story ...continues

Richard Cameron was born in Falkland, Fife. After a formal education Cameron took up the post as School Master at his birth village. He moved to the borders for a change in church life as he was having difficulty in speaking out against the system. He was taking on a covenanting conviction and at that time the borders were more sympathetic. John Welch of Irongay got to know Cameron and impressed upon him that he should take up the licence to preach. Despite Cameron's concerns as to becoming a root of bitterness in the camp he was indeed licensed. He never lacked for a crowd to which to preach, and his best sermons were open air communions, the first of which was at Maybole, Ayrshire. He became troubled with the difficulty in what, he wished to preach, and what was acceptable and for a time, moved to Holland.
In Holland the Scots Kirk would have been a little haven for him. As he preached to the folk gathered there, giving him recognition and to this end McWard gave him an additional charge of sorting out the decline in the standard of gospel presentation in Scotland.
After Donald Cargill wrote the Queensferry paper, a new covenant based and similar to the Rutherglen declaration Cameron compiled the Sanquhar declaration. While his father was in jail in Fife for a godly cause Cameron found himself at loggerheads with the King's army. 21st June 1769 was the Battle of Bothwell Bridge and in June 1680 he prophesied that actions to follow would shake the throne of Britain. Eight years later as he stood fearless in battle, it was fulfilled. He stood for a Godly nation, Protestant and Presbyterian. At Ayrsmoss on the bleak moors Cameron and his followers stood against the King's army as predicted 8 years earlier.
After the Battle the Armed Forces took his severed hands and head to Edinburgh. An observer in Edinburgh noted "these are the hands and head of one that lived praying and preaching and died praying and fighting." Cameron had renewed the determination for those in the struggle of open faith.

The story... continues

Counter Reformation

During the middle of the 16 Century the church based in Rome sought to reunite the church. Pope Paul III continued to use of the Inquisition. It had been successful in closing Italian protestant growth.
With the Catholic counter reformation started the zeal for revival missionary work was taking a fresh hold and in particular in Spain. From the council of Trent Roman reforms were starting but not as fast or as much as the church on the ground wanted. With the Pope endorsing public interpretation of scripture, bishops preaching, and teaching taking place in parishes these were good signs of an establishing revolution by the new pope Paul IV. Dominicans and Franciscans eagerly shaped the work. But in Scotland by 1557 the first covenants (bonds) were signed by several earls and lords which declared their intention to overthrow the Roman Church.

One person who shaped Scottish Presbyterianism more than John Knox was Andrew Melville (1545-1622). After study at St Andrew's and Geneva Melville returned to Scotland in 1574 on the request of the bishop of Glasgow. As a “Charismatic” teacher who made Glasgow a city of learning , he also influenced the seats of learning in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. He for a time lectured in Oxford and Cambridge (1584) whilst he had fled from king James VI's Earl of Arran who wanted to imprison him. Melville was rector of St Andrew's between 1590-1597.

and Again on target...The Story

John Knox
John Knox (1513-72) is looked upon as the main Scottish figure of the reformation of 1560. Knox fled to Europe to escape Mary Tudor's Queen-ship which started in 1553. He was heavily influenced by Calvin. Originally from Haddington he returned to the area to marry a Berwick girl. She died 5 years later in 1560. Know married again to Margaret Stewart daughter of Lord Ochiltree in 1564 and had three daughters. Knox having made much encouragement to the Scottish Churches from abroad, now being home found himself head to head with the Catholic Queen Mary who was invited back by the protestant lords to the throne on the condition that she upheld the protestant faith.

Knox could not stomach a Catholic Queen and as soon as she was back in Scotland Mary Queen of Scots found herself being preached against. Despite strong open debate in the public eye Knox continued to preach against her at St Giles Edinburgh. The political unrest got complicated and Knox moved to Ayrshire and after, the treat of murder and civil war he moved to St Andrew's in 1570. Although Knox rejected Roman Catholicism and worship on the spiritual grounds there were also political and economic reasons.

The Story continues

Reformation
Early in the sixteenth century reformation was taking place in Europe. Luther was giving account as to his thoughts and writings. Between 1532 and 1533 Calvin experienced a sudden conversion. His Institutes were published in 1536. He recognised two sacraments Baptism and The lords Supper. In 1537 he declared the ordnances “that Christ had instituted in the church four offices Pastor, Teacher, Elder and Deacon". A new Catechism was prepared and he found himself in the biggest struggle (1548-1555) as the people of Geneva felt swamped by all the “refugees” from Europe gathered in the city.

For Scotland, in the beginning of that century it was still a poor and backward country. Smarting from the defeats of Flodden (1513) Solwaymoss (1542) Pinkie (1547) it found itself still not under the control of England. Both England and France were keen to build relations with Scotland to out win the other. The Douglas family favoured England the Hamiltons -France.
Protestant beginnings started with Patrick Hamilton. Cardinal Beaton and the French put up a strong "holding work" for the Catholic Church. George Wishart (1513-1546) was burned by Cardinal Beaton on 2 March 1546. on the 29 of may Beaton in revenge for Wishart was brutally murdered and his wife fled to Fife. (yes he had a wife). 1547 saw a hunted protestant preacher and friend of Wishart become their spiritual leader, John Knox Scottish reformation hero.

Highland Theological College

It's pleasing for the Highlands to note that the Church of Scotland General Assembly will be asked to confirm the Highland Theological College as an approved academic provider alongside Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews. This will be the first for 70 plus years. The distance learning facility will be made use of moreso if this approval is given at Assembly later this month.

I am looking for a list of Non-Presbyterian Evangelical Churches in the Highlands.

Does anyone have such a list or if started, would anyone be interested in submitting their Church to such a list?

Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland are to work together in a Covenant.

“There is one religion, though there are 100 versions of it” George Bernard Shaw.

I am encouraged by the news of both the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland are to work together in a Covenant. Rather than argue over technicalities the notion of actually working together has taken precedence. Well done, both organisations.

Now then, who will be next to join forces for a specific work? Whether one is Presbyterian or Independent/Congregationalist in terms of Local Church Government, and there are pluses and minuses on both sides, it would be encouraging for grass roots church-goers to see work carried out by several Churches at local and national level. I would be interested in hearing of such work.

Scottish Kirk 9 th century

Scottish Kirk 9th century
Margaret, Queen of Malcolm the Second, a saintly young lady, took on a personal challenge to change Scotland to a similar English practice of religion creating a regular diocesan episcopacy.

The story...Part Five

continued...


Christianity came to Scotland early with "Bishop" Ninian returning from Rome around 397 to Strathclyde to establish a monastery. From the "Candida Casa" monastery he moved northward through the great glens reaching Caithness and Sutherland, some say even reaching Orkney, he and Kentigern (Mungo) creating pockets of followers. It was Colmba of Iona who united the scattered clans into a Church and nation. By 563 Colmba had moved from Ireland and set up a base on Iona for the spreading of the Christian word to the peoples of the mainland, thus creating Monastic lines for 200 years.

Highland Theological College Teaching Weekend God and the Nations

Highland Theological College are having their annual teaching this weekend April 21st -23rd at the Inshes Church of Scotland, Inverness (next to Inshes Retail park). The main theme is "Is God and the nations and if you have an interest in mission then this is a theme you will want to explore". The Themes, Times & speakers are:

cch
7:30-9pm God and the Nations from the Beginning - Hector Morrison

Saturday 22nd
10am-11:15am Psalms 96: The Nations Call to Praise - Jamie Grant
11:45-1pm Christ Crucified for the Nations - Nick Needham
2:30pm-4pm Salvation: Individual or Corporate? - Andrew McGowan
7:30pm-9pm Jesus and The Nations - Mike Bird

Sunday 23rd
2pm-3:30pm The Nations in the City - Hector Morrison

All the speakers are lecturers at the Highland Theological College and can view their profile on the following link:
HTC Staff

The story .... Part Four

Furthermore, omissions have had to be made to allow this blog to be of a certain size and because your interested bit, is missing, or small, does not relate to the impact it had to the Church in Scotland. This blog is not meant to be a specific academic history book of the Church in Scotland but a walk through the life of the Church to aid a future conclusion. Please forgive the fact that the contents do not completely run chronologically but where possible I have tried to be aware of the time line. Deviations are to link subjects or to try and reduce complications.

Results & lessons
Down through the centuries we see calls for reform in community and church life. In Church history these calls have resulted from:

• Change resulting in malpractice
• Wrong emphasis
• Domineering individuals
• Control freaks!
• Loss of Godly practice
  

From whatever walk of life you come from ask yourself these questions as you read.
Did the Scottish people learn from this situation?

Would they (The Scottish Church) do it differently if the opportunity came around again?

What are the real conditions for a growing Church?

How will it be manifested in these days?

What can the Church do in its situation to speed the process of a lively community in my area that groans for the full revelation of God and His coming?

Finally, at the moment, I suppose the question then comes round- what can I do to move things forward? To the researcher dig deeper. To the Christian with a heart for revival and a maturing Church I hope you find this of help and are inspired to follow those who dared to reach out with religion. If you do take the next step - then do something!

As I pen this in the Highlands of Scotland and remember Katherine Stewart penning “The Croft in the Hill” all those years ago, it would be wonderful if the Church in Scotland was revitalised starting here!

The story....Part three

The requirements for a developing church will be seen as you read on but in the meantime let me tell you what to expect from the pages before you go deeper. A look at the Church and its parts that have had an impact in Scotland. One thing is true the Church will only grow if God blesses it. A whistle stop tour of some denominations to ascertain a little understanding of why they were the way they were and are what they are and what might happen. A glimpse of what might be? And a note of certain conditions that might speed the work of the Church in Scotland in an age where the relevance seems to have been kicked out of touch!

If I prompt you to read further, debate, and If I inspire you to do something more concrete then, great. However these snapshots of histories and comments are to help you affirm your understanding and if you are new to Church life, provide a document that might serve to cover some of the questions about where the church is and where it is or might go in the future. I cannot take any responsibility for errors, and any offence that one individual or corporate group might have from reading this book, is not my intention.

The story....Part two

What to expect
I have seen many Independent constitutions over the years and one thing that sticks out is the wording in these constitutions tells us of the fears of the founders and how they would write into the founding documents a safeguard for the organisation or more strongly a case for allowing or more specifically not allowing certain things to take place with in the constituted organisation.
One thing about history is clear, soon after any research one can discover that many people were fervent for a cause! Something that is not so clear in human nature these days is that drive for the cause. We are keen to defend the rights of ailing animals, so they will not suffer yet we have other more pressing needs that seem to be deflected or ignored. The Church in the nation and its catalytic place in turning the nation to worship.

I would urge you to look at the Church, and in particular the Church in Scotland and to conclude your findings in the light of my thoughts.

Sir John Sinclair Statistical Account
Don't expect a summary as concise or detailed as Sir John's account from the late 18 century. This record has greatly been of benefit to historians giving a detailed local snapshot of the area and including the church. It would be an enormous task too try and emulate the information collecting and documenting in these days even if the locals were to cooperate with the answers and provide the information.
One thing is true the Church will only grow if God blesses the work, and the people respond to the calling to integrate with the nation's people. The lessons of being set apart from the world is a spiritual walk not a call for us all to become monks.

The story....Part one

The Church in Scotland

If you are like me you have come to history not for history's sake and memorising dates and events, but rather digging deep to find out what was the reason for certain events. What was the driver to move people or organisations to move in a certain direction in relation to the Church or indeed their Church? Then a book will help you. Would you like the story concerning Scotland ?