The Bulwark Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society
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The Bulwark Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society JULY - SEPTEMBER 2011 // 75p July - September 2011 1 The Bulwark Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society The Magdalen Chapel 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JR Tel: 013 1220 1450 Email: [email protected] www.scottishreformationsociety.org.uk Registered charity: SC007755 Chairman Committee Members » Rev Dr S James Millar » Mr Norman Fleming Vice-chairman » Mr John Smart » Rev Maurice Roberts Secretary » Rev Kenneth Macdonald » Rev Douglas Somerset » Rev John J Murray Treasurer » Rev Andrew Coghill » Mr James Dickson CO-OPERATION OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY In pursuance of its objects, the Society may co- (a) To propagate the evangelical Protestant faith and those principles held in common by operate with Churches and with other Societies those Churches and organisations adhering to whose objects are in harmony with its own. the reformation; (b) To diffuse sound and Scriptural teaching on Magazine Editor: Rev Douglas Somerset the distinctive tenets of Protestantism and All literary contributions, books for review and Roman Catholicism; papers, should be sent to: (c) To carry on missionary work among The Magdalen Chapel adherents of the latter faith with a view to winning them to the doctrines of grace and to 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh the fellowship of the true Gospel; EH1 1JR (d) To produce and distribute evangelistic, religious and other literature in connection with The views expressed in articles are those of the promotion of the Protestant religion; the contributor and may not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or the Committee of the (e) To promote the associating together of men and women, and especially young people, Society. Scriptural references are from the A.V. for systematic Bible Study and holding of except where stated otherwise. meetings for the above specified purposes. DESIGNED & PRINTED BY: www.visionsolutionsni.co.uk Tel: 028 9073 1841 2 The Bulwark THE COVENANTERS IN THE HIGHLANDS John A. Smith The south west of Scotland is popularly the High Kirk, Edinburgh, who was exiled known as ‘Martyr Land’ and its lonely to Inverness from 1605 onwards, that the moorlands and moss-hags are synonymous Gospel gained widespread acceptance in with the heroic struggle of the Covenanters. the North. It was said of Bruce that “no By contrast, it is generally believed that man since the Apostles spake with such the Highlanders, with the exception of the power”. While his persecutors hoped that Campbell clan in Argyll, were hostile to their action would destroy his usefulness, the Reformed Faith. This view of history, the magistrates of Inverness allowed Bruce however, is far from accurate. There were to preach both Sabbath and midweek. many faithful Covenanters in the Highlands, Large crowds attended, not only from the particularly in Easter Ross and Sutherland town, but also from Easter Ross and even and when persecution arose, they were Sutherland, crossing ferries and bridgeless no less determined than the Cameronians rivers on the way. to uphold the Crown Rights of Jesus. As Hugh Miller put it, “there was more Another significant factor in the spread genuine Presbyterianism on the shores of of the Reformed Faith is less well known. the Cromarty Firth than in any part of the In 1628, Donald MacKay, 1st Lord Reay, kingdom north of the Tay”. raised a regiment of men from his lands in Strathnaver, to serve in the armies of King 1. THE REFORMATION IN THE NORTH Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, “The Lion We have very little information about church of the North”. One of history’s greatest life in the North in Reformation times, but military leaders, in 1630 Gustavus decisively Protestantism clearly enjoyed considerable intervened on the side of the German support in Easter Ross. The minister of Tain, Protestants, in their ongoing struggle in addition to preaching each Sabbath, against the armies of the Holy Roman read the Scriptures publicly three times Empire. The MacKays were later joined by each week. ‘The Good Regent Moray’ a regiment of Munros from Easter Ross as was so gratified by the town’s zeal for the well as Sinclairs from Caithness. Through Reformation that he presented a magnificent the witness of the pious Swedes, many of oak pulpit to St. Duthac’s Church where it the Scottish soldiers came to a knowledge can still be seen today. However, it was of the truth as it is in Jesus. It also seems through the ministry of Robert Bruce of likely that the highly ornamented style of the July - September 2011 1 six ‘Long’ Gaelic psalm tunes, which were Day on Communion Fridays. One of the few widely sung in the North until the mid- Highland ministers of this period for whom nineteenth century, originates in Sweden. we have detailed biographical information is Alexander Munro, a native of Kiltearn in John Gordon, 14th Earl of Sutherland, Easter Ross. Munro was converted under was first to sign the National Covenant in the preaching of Robert Bruce and heard Greyfriars Churchyard in 1638. Because a voice urging him to enter the ministry, of his staunch adherence to the Covenant, and telling him that he would be settled in the Earl was repeatedly fined and eventually Durness. After studying at Aberdeen, Munro owed the sum of £50,000 to the Government. Whenever payment was demanded, he claimed he could not leave home because of ill health. During the Royalist rebellion in the Highlands, we are told, “the good olde Earle of Sutherland who was most eminent for religion and did great services for it in his country”, was instrumental in defending the Covenant. Many prominent Highland noblemen including Ross of Balnagown, Lord Lovat, Lord Reay, and Lord Seaforth, also subscribed the National Covenant. Sadly, later events would prove that some of them were less than sincere in doing so. It seems that the Gospel prospered in Easter Ross in the mid 17th Century. One of Obsdale monument Cromwell’s officers wrote in January, 1651, (courtesy of Norman Campbell) “I perceive by Captain Simpson and others was inducted to that very parish in 1634. that came from thence that there is a very He had marked poetic gifts which enabled precious people who seek the face of the him to versify many portions of the Gaelic Lord in Sutherland and divers other parts Scriptures, in order to instruct the people in beyond Inverness.” At this time, the practice spiritual things at private gatherings. Some of laymen holding local religious meetings of these paraphrases, known as Laoidhean became widespread, principally because of Mhaighstir Alasdair, are still preserved. the Episcopalian views of many ministers. In a modified form, this tradition has persisted When Commissioners from England and through the centuries, even to the present Scotland visited King Charles II prior to day, in prayer meetings and the Question 2 The Bulwark the Restoration, he professed a sincere 1654 and under his solemn preaching, “the commitment to the Solemn League dry bones began to revive and pleasant and Covenant, which he had more than blossoms and hopeful appearances once sworn. However as soon as he displayed themselves everywhere assumed the Throne in 1660, Charles throughout the parish”. Many tasted that broke his solemn vows and betrayed the the Lord is gracious and family worship Presbyterians who had been his most was observed in almost every home. The loyal supporters. The Act of Supremacy lands of Ferindonald became known as was passed by the Scots Parliament, ‘the holy land’, a name they were to retain declaring the King to be supreme in both for many generations. In his last discourse civil and ecclesiastical affairs. Charles before his deposition, Hog warned his promptly reintroduced Episcopacy and in congregation, “If any one of you shall May, 1662, all ministers ordained under decline from that good way and the truths Presbyterianism were ordered to receive wherein you have been taught, and shall presentation from the bishops. Those who comply with the wicked designs now being refused, eventually numbering over 400, carried on, I take heaven and earth to be forfeited their charges and were replaced witnesses against you; I take the stones by the so- called curates, who were mainly of these walls I preach in; every word that poorly educated youths. was spoken and every one of you, to be witnesses against another”. 2. THE FATHERS IN ROSS-SHIRE Five ministers in Ross-shire refused to Thomas Hog removed to Auldearn, conform to Episcopacy: Thomas Hog where his brother-in-law was a landed of Kiltearn, Hugh Anderson of Cromarty, proprietor. He regularly held illegal outdoor Andrew Ross of Tain, Thomas Ross conventicles at a place still known as Hog’s of Kincardine, and John McKilligan of Strype, close to the former Free Church Fodderty. At that time, the parish of (now Auldearn Antiques). The congregation Ardersier, although in Inverness-shire, was was concealed in a ravine and Hog used a in the Presbytery of Chanonry and Synod large granite boulder as a desk. Hog was of Ross. Its minister, John McCulloch, was imprisoned on the dreaded Bass Rock for also a nonconformist. Hog was deposed many years and in 1686 fled to Holland, from the ministry in 1661, ostensibly where he became a close friend of William because he supported the Protesting Party, of Orange. On his return to Kiltearn after while the others were ejected from their the Revolution, he was only able to preach manses in December 1662 and deposed once. Had his health permitted, Hog was the following year. to have been one of William’s chaplains in London. He died in 1692 and was buried Thomas Hog was ordained to Kiltearn in at the door of Kiltearn Old Church, where July - September 2011 3 a tablet bears the inscription “This stone John McKilligan, “a determined and shall bear witness against the parishioners outspoken man” was, like Hog, a chaplain of Kiltearn if they bring ane ungodly minister to the Earl of Sutherland in his youth.