The Bulwark Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society

Oct - Dec 2012 // £1

October - December 2012 1 The Bulwark The Gospel in Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society The Magdalen Chapel 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JR Tel: 013 1220 1450 Caithness: Part 2 Email: [email protected] www.scottishreformationsociety.org.uk Registered charity: SC007755 John Smith

Chairman Committee Members The previous article outlined the progress of the gospel in the Far North from the »» Rev Dr S James Millar »» Mr Norman Fleming Reformation until the times of revival under the preaching of Rev. Alexander Gunn of Vice-chairman » Watten in the nineteenth century. In this second part we look at the contribution of » » Rev Maurice Roberts » Rev John J Murray some other prominent Caithness ministers during the nineteenth century. »» Rev Kenneth Macdonald Secretary »» Rev Douglas Somerset »» Mr James Dickson

Treasurer »» Mr Allan McCulloch I. John Munro of HalkirK had an unshakeable assurance of faith, »» Rev Andrew Coghill (1768-1847) founded upon his view of Christ as “He who had never lost, and never would lose a John Munro was born in the parish of battle”. On one occasion, John Munro was cO-OPEraTIOn OBJEcTS OF ThE SOcIETy Kiltearn in Ross-shire and was the great discussing the nature of saving faith with Rev In pursuance of its objects, the Society may co- (a) To propagate the evangelical Protestant grandson of John Munro “Caird”, the friend W. R. Taylor, a learned theologian who easily faith and those principles held in common by operate with Churches and with other Societies those Churches and organisations adhering to of Thomas Hog the Covenanter. John won the argument. Mr Munro responded, whose objects are in harmony with its own. the Reformation; Munro worked as a joiner in Aberdeen for “Well, you may be able better to define many years before he became a minister. faith but you cannot believe better than I (b) To diffuse sound and Scriptural teaching on He was a friendly and unassuming man “of can!” He endeared himself to Christians all Magazine Editor: Rev Douglas Somerset the distinctive tenets of Protestantism and portly figure, fair complexioned and with a over the Highlands for his frankness and his All literary contributions, books for review and Roman Catholicism; countenance beaming with benevolence”. straightforward, unaffected manner. papers, should be sent to: (c) To carry on missionary work among His positive outlook on life is exemplified The Magdalen Chapel adherents of the latter faith with a view to by the occasion when he was warned William Crowe wrote of John Munro in his winning them to the doctrines of grace and to 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh by one of his elders that the cold and wet poem The Fathers of Caithness, the fellowship of the true Gospel; EH1 1JR weather would make it impossible to hold (d) To produce and distribute evangelistic, the outdoor Gaelic communion service. “No Dwelling in Beulah and sure of the crown, religious and other literature in connection with Donald,” he declared, “It will be a good day: This noble of Judah was seldom cast down; The views expressed in articles are those of the promotion of the Protestant religion; what the Lord gives will be good. Many a The theme of his song was the sacred decree, the contributor and may not necessarily reflect good day he gave us, and He will give us a The covenant of grace and the choice apple tree. those of the Editor or the Committee of the (e) To promote the associating together of men and women, and especially young people, good eternity.” Society. Scriptural references are from the A.V. for systematic Bible Study and holding of Though less scholarly than Mr Gunn except where stated otherwise. meetings for the above specified purposes. Alexander Auld records that “the most of Watten, John Munro had a natural distinguishing feature of Mr Munro’s eloquence and an ability to enlarge ‘off the

DESIGNED & PRINTED BY: character was his large and loving heart. cuff’ on any given portion of Scripture. He His affections flowed out plentifully in every had a deep affection for the people of God appointed and appropriate channel”. He and often concluded the Monday service of www.visionsolutionsni.co.uk Tel: 028 9073 1841 2 The Bulwark October - December 2012 3 Halkirk in the nineteenth century The ruins of the Free Church in Shebster where Finlay Cook ministered after 1843

a communion with the words, “Fit us for the preacher at an open air service when an with the anxious, he nevertheless instantly obviously the simple, unadorned ‘earthen place where no foe enters, where no friend arrow from the King’s bow pieced his heart. saw through pretence and hypocrisy and vessel’ in which, for the fuller manifestation departs and where the word ‘farewell’ shall He soon afterwards determined to enter the responded to it forcefully. of the Divine Power, the treasure was never be heard”. He once wrote, “Christ, ministry. Mr Cook had “remarkable eyes, deposited. He began a sermon by giving “little with reverence be it said, is the Father’s black and brilliant, giving unmistakeable He once said, “The people of God may feel more than a bald, uninteresting statement of compliments to a lost world”. In 1843, the evidence of intelligence and thought”. The as cold and hard as iron, but their souls will Gospel truisms ... at last, however, he was evangelical laird, Sir George Sinclair, sent a simplicity and force of his sentences made never lose the mould they got in the fire of borne onward not by anything in himself letter to Mr Munro to tell him that he could them seem like proverbs. redeeming love. The Christian has to face but exclusively by his subject. His hearers at not bring himself to leave the Established many trials, but the severest trial for a child once participated in the heavenly influence. Church. He said to the courier, “Well, tell Sir “He did not mince matters to his people, of God is when God’s Word becomes to Their minds were both roused and arrested; George that I am going to heaven, and let but spoke to them candidly of their faults, him a wilderness, the Sabbath a wilderness, every eye was directed to him, whilst the him be sure to follow me there”. always with the voice of a Christian, and love yea, your prayers may be burning you, your deep anxiety depicted on the countenances for their souls was always the predominant profession stoning you, and nothing left of betokened the entrance of his words, as II. Finlay Cook of Reay (1778-1858) desire of his heart”. “His sense of the Divine all your enjoyments but a heap of ashes. ‘words of fire’ into their inmost souls”. authority and of the absorbing importance Nevertheless, it is out of that heap of ashes Finlay Cook, a native of Arran, became of the things unseen and eternal, made that a door of hope will be opened to your Though he had a great affinity with the young minister of Reay in 1835. He was an him comparatively regardless of the things soul. ‘They shall call on my name, and I will and loved nothing better than to officiate at a eloquent Gaelic preacher, and as that tongue seen and temporal, and estimate very lightly predominated in much of Caithness in those the opinions of ungodly men or formal hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they marriage, Mr Cook never went to a wedding days, his gifts were put to good use. In his professors”. Mr Cook applied the Truth to shall say, The Lord is my God’.” reception because, as he put it, “People youth, Finlay was frivolous and thoughtless every person present, whatever their spiritual who go into the mill get dust on their coats”. and he was in the very act of mocking a condition. Particularly sensitive in dealing In his book Memorabilia Domestica, Rev Yet there was no pride in Mr Cook. He once Donald Sage recalled of Mr Cook, “He was suggested that he had experienced so many

4 The Bulwark October - December 2012 5 trials in life because he was “the greatest of Heaven’s Jewels by Norman Campbell. the Lord from his childhood. When helping tribute to his memory, desire to give all the sinner in Caithness”. Rev Alexander Auld Archibald Cook was a man of “slim figure his father in the barn, John used to ask him glory to Him to whom it pertains”. responded, “The people of Caithness don’t and shrinking manner” who “impressed one such profound questions about Christian think so”. Mr. Cook replied, “No, because with the conviction that he realised the eye experience that the worthy man had to V. Walter Ross Taylor of Thurso there is a veil over it”. of omniscience”. His hearers were deeply go outside to avoid the embarrassment (1805-97) affected by the reality of that truth. Mr Cook’s of the boy seeing the tears in his eyes. On one occasion Finlay Cook was preaching searching insights into the unbeliever’s heart John Sinclair was a teacher for more than The Taylor family, who hailed from Tain, had at Wick. The more sophisticated members offended many enemies of the Gospel who a decade. Having been appointed parish remarkable ability in the legal profession. of the congregation, who thought that the mocked and derided him. schoolmaster of South Ronaldsay in Orkney, Walter’s father was Sheriff Clerk of Reay minister was old-fashioned and far too he began a Sabbath school and as well as Cromartyshire and most of his relatives serious, started to leave during the opening On the other hand the Lord’s people highly the children, numerous adults attended each also held important legal posts throughout psalm. When the precentor was about to prized his ministry because of his profound week. While the local minister preached a Scotland. His mother inherited the Nigg estate sit down, the minister said, “Sing another understanding of the spiritual experiences cold morality, Sinclair clearly presented the from her brother and the family resided in verse, please, to give time for the goats to of believers. He once wrote to a friend, way of salvation. The minister was infuriated the old mansion house there, looking across take their departure, and then we’ll say a “One drop from Christ’s fullness gives more by what he saw as presumptuousness and to Cromarty, a scene dominated today by few words of consolation to the lambs”. This happiness and rest to the soul that all the warned Sinclair that he would bring him the massive fabrication yard. Walter was a sharp rebuke embarrassed the malcontents enjoyment he had in sin and the world: for before the Presbytery unless he closed his school friend of Hugh Miller and together and no more of them left. Another time Mr no drop comes from Christ but leads back Sabbath school. Although he adamantly they had many adventures exploring the Cook was officiating in the open air at the to God.” refused to do so, the minister never carried rocky coastline around the Sutors. Walter Dunbeath communion. It started to drizzle out his threat. When asked why not, he was greatly influenced by the pulpit genius and hundreds of umbrellas were opened. He was well known for his challenging admitted, “The lad is so well acquainted and personal friendship of Rev Alexander “Please put down your umbrellas,” said the insights. “Many a head full of knowledge will with his Bible that it is not easy to establish a Stewart. He had a thoughtful and reflective preacher. “If you cannot stand a summer yet be seen on the left hand but a broken charge against him”. personality and his published diary reveals shower, how will you stand the showers of and a contrite heart will never be seen there”. his earnestness in examining his calling to the wrath of God!” “You who borrow your religion from books After training for the ministry, Mr Sinclair the ministry. and other Christians, on the great day of the succeeded Archibald Cook in Bruan and such An impressive monument to Mr Cook, Lord, when every book will get its own and was his ability that the people were willing “Deeply impressed with the importance originally erected in front of the now ruinous every Christian will get his own, what will be to call him even though he had no Gaelic. and vast responsibility of being a watchman Shebster Free Church, is situated outside left with you?” Hitherto, the services in Bruan had always on the walls of Zion, particularly when the Free Church in Thurso. been in that language. Always serious, his viewing my own unworthiness. Oh the William Crowe wrote of Archibald Cook: bearing in the pulpit was “strikingly solemn”, desperate depravity of my heart, how easily such that even the most carefree and worldly carried away with the slightest temptation! III. Archibald Cook of Bruan people were impressed with the fearful What an alarming footing has Satan and (1788-1865) Archibald Cook was a prince on this soil, consequences of rejecting the Gospel. Mr his emissaries, vain and sinful thoughts An odour of incense of fine beaten oil; Sinclair suffered from poor health and, being obtained in my soul. Lord, come and rectify Finlay Cook’s younger brother Archibald Wielding the sword, but applying the balm, persuaded that his life would be short, he these disorders and purify by Thy blessed was minister of Bruan, in the parish of Now robed in bright vesture, with victory’s committed himself wholeheartedly to his Spirit this unhallowed fountain of all evil. I Latheron, from 1823 to 1837. Although he palm. ministerial labours. He died aged only forty- would plead Thy promise, ‘Sin shall not have subsequently moved to Inverness and later two. No doubt reflecting his own teaching, dominion over you’.” to Daviot, he frequently returned north to IV. John Sinclair of Bruan (1801-43) his epitaph concludes with the words, “The assist at communions. A full account of his people of this charge, while erecting this After studying at Aberdeen and Glasgow, career is given in the recent biography One A native of Canisbay, John Sinclair feared

6 The Bulwark October - December 2012 7 Mr Taylor was appointed to Chadwell Street those days, and personally supervised the of his gentle and gracious character his elders riding through the sugar plantation, he Church in London. This congregation had Sabbath School. When the lessons were always felt guilty if there was a disagreement experienced such an overwhelming sense been formed by those who had seceded over he would take the children into the at a Session meeting. Nevertheless, Mr. of the immediate presence of God that he from the Scots Church in London because of church where he gave a simple Gospel Taylor was well able to stand up for himself. dismounted and feared to move another the controversial Pentecostalist views of their address. When someone urged him not to worry so inch. He stood motionless and engaged in minister Edward Irving. When the case came much over the views of Robinson Smith, he silent prayer. It was a decisive moment. Mr up before the Presbytery, the young Taylor He was an unobtrusive character and a replied, “Do you not know that the integrity Auld returned to Scotland and on the eve of systematically challenged Irving’s teachings quiet preacher who never raised his voice. of the Word of God is at stake?” the Disruption he commenced his studies in the light of Scripture. The famous man A friend once asked him how he managed for the ministry. He was appointed colleague reportedly fumed, “Am I to be challenged by to cope with such a demanding charge His reputation was more than local and the and successor to the aged Rev William a stripling like you?” singlehanded for such a long period. Mr. respect in which he was held was evidenced MacKenzie of Olrig. Taylor replied, “Well I try to get each week by the award of a D.D. by Aberdeen In 1831 Mr Taylor was called to Thurso and some fresh view of the Truth for my own University in 1879 and by his appointment as Rev James S. Sinclair recalled how “there he was minister of that large congregation soul and what I get for myself I endeavour Moderator of the 1883 Assembly. Mr. Taylor was nothing formal or starchy about Mr for the next sixty-five years. A slim and to bring before the people on the Sabbath”. soldiered on without an assistant even after Auld’s utterances in the pulpit. He was at all active man, he remained extremely youthful When addressing the Lord’s Table he often suffering a stroke at the age of eighty-eight times very natural and real in his preaching both in appearance and in outlook even said, “How low did Christ stoop for you, and he was preaching until shortly before his and while he could express himself in into his eighties. He took a special interest O believing communicant? As low as He death. choice and dignified language according to in the young, which was rather unusual in Himself is high”. It was said that on account the nature of the subject in hand, he often VI. Alexander Auld of Olrig delighted his hearers by his homely turns of (1823-1904) speech and fireside applications of the truth he was expounding. These almost invariably In his books, Ministers and Men in the Far hit the mark and could not fail to leave an North and Life of David Steven, Mr Auld impression whether for better or worse in the painted a vivid picture of the deep spirituality consciences of his audience.” so widespread in his youth. Alexander’s mother was the sister of Rev Alexander Alexander and Christina Auld were intimate Gunn and his wife was Christina, the sister friends and correspondents of Dr John of Mr Taylor. As a young man, he worked as Kennedy. They shared his deep disquiet a clerk at an Edinburgh law firm. His sister over the innovations and the Higher Critical had married a wealthy plantation owner in thought which was overwhelming the Free Jamaica. One day Alexander received a letter Church. Mr Auld was a man of decided from her telling him that her husband had views and though naturally quick-tempered suddenly died. She was desperate for him he bore no grudges. In spite of their very to come out as manager of the estate. Since different views, he was hospitable to Dr Alexander had an adventurous character he Rainy when he visited Olrig on Church readily grasped the opportunity and soon business—the two men having been at came to enjoy both the tropical climate college together they shared reminiscences and the expatriate society in Kingstown. of student missionary work in Edinburgh. Though far from home, his uncle’s preaching Mr Auld’s firmness would stand him in good

Alexander Auld’s gravestone in the old cemetery, Olrig had left a deep impression. One day, when stead when in 1900 he was the only Free

8 The Bulwark October - December 2012 9 Church minister in Caithness who refused to Archibald Cook once said, “I was thinking enter the Union. He lived to see his stand this morning what the feelings of a godly The Church vindicated before his death in the autumn of Israelite would be as he stood at the door of 1904, the last of the Fathers of Caithness. his tent and watched the ark borne over the His passing was indeed the end of an era. brow of the hill into the land of the Philistines. of Rome His widow Christina Auld lived until 1922. I bless the Lord that I got a glimpse of the She was a gifted writer of spiritual verse ark before it has been quite taken out of & the media and was a member of Rev Donald Beaton’s the land, for if I had not, the religion which Free Presbyterian congregation in Wick. is now coming into fashion would make Rev David Blunt One of their sons was Rev Archibald Auld, wreck of anything I have”. Sad to say, Walter This is the fourth and final article in a series by Rev David author of Memorials of Caithness Ministers Ross Taylor’s son, who followed his father Blunt on the Church of Rome and British Society. and latterly Free Church minister of Contin in becoming Moderator of the United Free Church, embraced Higher Critical views of (Jamestown). Every religion has its basis in words for this is how communication is made, whether the Bible and modernist theology. it be from man to man or from God to man. Christianity is no exception to this rule. It Mr Auld’s gravestone is inscribed with the is the religion of a book, the Bible. We believe that the Holy Scriptures are the inspired No visitor to Caithness can fail to notice text, “The lips of the righteous feed many” and infallible Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16) and that in them God reveals Himself to us the numerous large churches which lie (Proverbs 10:21). sinners in a saving way through Jesus Christ, the eternal Word (John 1:1). It is the abandoned and derelict, a solemn testimony Church’s calling to make the Person and work of Christ known among the nations. VII. Conclusion to the long desolations which have come upon the Cause of Christ in a county once The preaching of these worthy men was so highly favoured. Yet even in a dark and The Church carries out this duty by by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany in the indeed “a feast of fat things” to the many cloudy day, the Lord has His witnesses preaching and teaching the Word of God, fifteenth century. We see the providence of bright saints whose lives adorned the Church there, who look for His appearing in the latter whether formally in public worship or this in that the first stirrings of that great work in the Far North. Caithness preachers in day Glory. informally by personal witness. Her desire of God we know as the Reformation were those days did not preach to please their is that all men should hear the gospel. In already taking place and vital to the advance people; indeed nothing was further from their “Instead of those thy Fathers dear, our modern age any organisation which of that work would be the circulation of the minds. It was not the fashions and passing Thy children thou may’st take, has something it wants people in general Holy Scriptures, newly translated into the events of this world that was foremost in And in all places of the earth to hear must consider making use of ‘the various European languages. The printing their consideration but eternity; and their Them noble princes make.” (Psalm 45:16) media’ for they provide the opportunity to of the Bible would enable the saying of the concern was to set before their people life reach a large audience. The Roman Catholic Psalmist to be fulfilled: “The Lord gave the and death. The Master of Assemblies richly Church is awake to this fact and is willing word: great was the company of those that anointed their labours. to use whatever means may be available to published it.” (Ps. 68:11) A continent which spread her message, as this article will seek had dwelt in Romish darkness for so long to show. Her aim is to get a ‘good press’ for would enjoy the marvellous light of God’s herself and particularly for the papacy and in salvation. this she has not been without success. Rome suffered a great reverse in Britain at I. The Printed Word the time of the Reformation but she set to While means of communication have always work soon afterwards to restore her position. existed, mass communication only really Progress was slow at first but the nineteenth began with the invention of the printing press century saw a major revival in her fortunes

10 The Bulwark October - December 2012 11 and of considerable help to Rome both denominations are more ‘spiritual’ in their since, receiving a new impetus in recent doubtless thankful. then and now has been the existence of a content and perhaps more ‘parochial’ in years with the controversy over women’s number of weekly publications sympathetic their coverage. There are some Christian ordination. While Rome is able to deliver her message to her cause. Although they are not ‘official’ newspapers with a more general outlook but through her own publications she has always publications of the Church they have played all in all one may be envious of the situation Among those who converted to Rome been keen to have her people in strategic an important part in maintaining the Church’s in the Netherlands where there is a highly- from Anglicanism were literary figures such places where they can promote her interests hold on her people and in promoting her regarded daily newspaper (Reformatorisch as the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, the and these must include the media. In the press beliefs and practices beyond her ranks. Dagblad) offering a full range of news and apologist and essayist G.K. Chesterton and there are some influential journalists who are comment from a Reformed point of view The oldest of these publications is The and enjoying a circulation of 60,000! Tablet, a journal which was founded in 1840 by a convert from Quakerism. Its circulation Occupying a more ‘official’ role in is approximately 20,000 and nowadays it is disseminating Roman Catholic beliefs is the regarded as somewhat “liberal” in its stance. Catholic Truth Society which was originally There are also several newspapers, the best founded in 1868, twenty years before the known of which are: The Universe, founded Protestant Truth Society. In 1964 Pope in 1860 with an estimated circulation of Paul VI granted the Society the status of 35,000; the Catholic Herald, founded in “Publishers to the Holy See” which means 1888 with a circulation of over 20,000; and that its titles now bear the ‘imprimatur’ of the Scottish Catholic Observer, founded in the Roman Catholic Church – an official 1885, which claims a readership of 50,000. declaration that they may be published. The Also available is L’Osservatore Romano, Society publishes over 500 titles but the only otherwise known as the Vatican newspaper. Bible on offer is the ‘New Catholic Bible’ – First published in Rome in 1861 it is available advertised as “the Bible tailor-made for every as a daily in Italian and a weekly in English Catholic” and containing footnotes which since 1968. reflect liberal scholarship.

The Vatican City As well as covering matters relating to the The rise of Roman Catholic publishing Roman Catholic Church these publications coincided with the entrance of a number the theologian Ronald Knox. Others came Roman Catholics, including the veteran Paul provide comment on the issues of the day, of prominent Anglicans into the Roman to Rome from atheism or agnosticism, such Johnson, who was Jesuit-trained and has both national and international. Their readers fold. Many had been involved in the Oxford as the playwright Graham Greene and the written biographies of recent Popes, and are therefore exposed to the Roman Catholic Movement, a ‘High Church’ grouping whose author Malcolm Muggeridge, who vigorously Damian Thompson, formerly Editor-in-Chief ‘worldview’ and their thinking is shaped supporters had published a series of ninety promoted Mother Teresa. There have also of the Catholic Herald and now a leader writer accordingly. It is difficult to find an exact Tracts for the Times between 1833 and been significant figures who were raised for the Daily Telegraph with a blog on religious equivalent among the Protestant churches 1841 as part of a campaign to ‘romanise’ as Roman Catholics, such as the historian matters. Both take a conservative position on in the UK. Anglicans certainly have weekly the Church of England; they ultimately and politician Hilaire Belloc, the writer J.R.R. politics and religion. A strong moral line still newspapers in the form of the Church went beyond this position and joined the Tolkien and the composer Edward Elgar. appeals to many in our country and there of England Newspaper and the Church Church of Rome. John Henry Newman, In their various works these individuals do always is a danger that some will be drawn Times but Presbyterians in Scotland just the acknowledged leader of the movement, not hide their religious sympathies; their to Rome when her case is presented in an have monthly denominational magazines. took the step in 1845 and a steady stream popularity during and after their lives has attractive and persuasive way. Those published by the conservative of Anglicans (and others) has followed ever given them an influence for which Rome is

12 The Bulwark October - December 2012 13 II. The Spoken Word bodies from operating national radio or on some subject in the news quite often media a new lease of life but it has also The twentieth century saw the development television stations. The BBC, as a public it will be a representative from the Roman led to the phenomenon of the internet. of new means of communication, namely service broadcaster funded mainly by an Catholic Church who will be asked to Information of every conceivable sort is now radio and television, and annual television licence fee provide it? Have you noticed too that Rome available through computers with access to their rise to become the levied on viewers, is obliged will generally be referred to as the Catholic the world wide web; indeed the increasing most popular methods of by law to have an unspecified Church rather than the Roman Catholic use of mobile devices means that before broadcasting and receiving amount of religious output Church – and her people likewise? Have long information will be available to anyone, information; the obvious across its radio stations and you noticed finally that when a religious topic anywhere and at anytime! In the light of this advantage being that the a total of 110 hours per year is being discussed or debated a Roman trend Pope John Paul II declared in 2001 information is sent direct into on its television channels. Catholic priest or bishop who adheres to the that “the Church cannot fail to be ever more the home. Vatican Radio The commercial channels teaching of his Church will generally be pitted deeply involved in the burgeoning world of was set up in 1931 under the either have a smaller quota against some liberal Protestant clergyman communications” and that there must be management of the Jesuits or none at all. What we are who hardly knows what he (or she) believes “an active and imaginative engagement of and today broadcasts told by those who subject at all? Rome gains credibility as a result and the media by the Church.” programmes in forty-seven Malcolm Muggeridge themselves to the religious while her beliefs may not be palatable to all languages. The Vatican programmes on offer from she at least appears to have some authority Rome’s use of modern electronic media Television Centre was created these various broadcasters is that their when she speaks. goes back to 1991 when the Vatican in 1983 and is the national broadcaster of quality, to put it mildly, is not very great. What Information Service was established as an the Vatican City State, providing live and we detect ourselves, whenever we happen Rome’s commitment to using the media is official news service of the Holy See Press recorded footage of papal activities to to hear something of a religious nature on evident in the existence of several specialist Office. By means of e-mail it transmits television channels around the world. the radio, is a rather obvious bias against facilities dedicated to this purpose. The news of papal activities daily at 3pm (Rome evangelical Christianity and biblical beliefs. National Catholic Radio and Television Centre time) to subscribers worldwide. A top-level It is reckoned that 97% of households in London was founded in 1955 as a training domain on the Internet for the Vatican City in the UK have television, many homes The marginalisation of Christianity within centre teaching people how to broadcast State was introduced in 1995. The Vatican possessing several sets. Television is an the BBC and the treatment it receives and use equipment. There is also the media now sponsors a host of internet sites and especially effective medium because it compared to other faiths such as Islam has group Catholic Voices which was set up in since April of this year there is even a Vatican transmits information to two senses at once been commented on by former and even by 2010 to respond to opposition to the papal ‘widget’ – a software application which – the audial and the visual – or as Bunyan present employees of the organisation. Yet visit which took place that year; it now trains enables anyone with a website or blog to in his allegory The Holy War termed them, intriguingly the Roman Catholic Church is not lay people to put the Church’s case in the provide their readers with automatically “Ear-gate” and Eye-gate”, the chief ways without friends within its ranks. The Director- media and regularly contributes viewpoints updated news and information from the into “Mansoul”. While there can be nothing General of the BBC since 2004 has been to magazines and newspapers. The Scottish Vatican. In 2009 the President of the evil about television as a technology, the Mark Thompson (no relation to the Damian Catholic Media Centre based in Glasgow is PontificalC ouncil for Social Communications power of its influence, when combined Thompson referred to already), who is a responsible to the Bishops’ Conference of announced an agreement with the internet with the worthless or immoral content of so Roman Catholic and Jesuit-trained. What Scotland and provides information on the company Google to build a joint venture many of the programmes on offer, means Rome wants above all is to be regarded not activities of the Roman Catholic Church in giving Pope Benedict XVI his own slot on the that Christians should be very wary of it; just as one example of the Christian faith Scotland. Overall it is an impressive operation video-sharing website YouTube. The site is indeed some may share the opinion of the but as the authentic expression of it. That is and one with which evangelical Protestants updated daily and now contains over 1,500 present author that it is best overall not to what she tends to get from the BBC. struggle to compete. videos. give television a place in the home. Have you noticed in your viewing or listening III. The Digital Word While the same concerns which we have UK broadcasting laws prohibit religious that when a ‘Christian’ viewpoint is sought The digital revolution has given the electronic raised regarding television may apply to

14 The Bulwark October - December 2012 15 The Roman Catholic Church is able to devote huge resources to publicising herself and she displays a remarkable skill in ‘managing’ the media. Although she has been rocked by many scandals over the centuries, with clerical abuse being just the latest in a long line, somehow the damaging stories have a habit of fading away after a while. If we have studied Scripture carefully we should not be too surprised at this. We remember the revelation which was given to the apostle John concerning the beast with seven heads, representing Rome: “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” (Rev. 13:3) The Protestant/Roman

At the same time we should not be too fearful Catholic Divide in Gerard Manley Hopkins of events. We firmly believe that one day Rome will find that the ‘news’ concerning the internet, and while caution is required Europe Rev Andrew Coghill her is so transparent and so damning that over its use, the internet does have the it will be beyond even her ability to manage. great advantage of being a much more The ongoing crisis in the Eurozone has be no surprise to Christians to learn that a The nations which have idolised her will turn open medium: no doubt that is why many provoked some interesting media comment work ethic of faithful diligence for six days in against her, as was also revealed to John: governments want to control it and even to in recent months, with the Protestant the week, and a God-honouring Sabbath, “And the ten horns which thou sawest upon monitor our use of it. Yet for the moment the beast, these shall hate the whore, and Reformation unexpectedly being given should bring forth firstly, comparative churches and Christians are able to set up shall make her desolate and naked, and credit in some quarters as a major factor in blessing on one’s industry, secondly, a sober websites which the Lord may be pleased shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” the economic strength of some countries, recognition of the value (and limitations) to use as a means of conveying His truth to (Rev. 17:16) When Babylon the great has along with a corresponding weakness in of money, and thirdly an abhorrence of the ends of earth and bringing blessing to fallen then many who have believed a lie other countries where the Reformation was any unnecessary debt. But it is most sinners, including Roman Catholics. There is will believe the good news of Jesus Christ not permitted to thrive. surprising to find the economic benefits every good reason therefore for us to make instead. May the Lord hasten that glorious of the Reformation acknowledged by an use of this freedom, praying as we do so that day! Given the God-honouring nature of the organisation such as the BBC, generally “the word of the Lord may have free course, Reformation, such benefits, economic known for its antipathy to Protestantism at and be glorified” (2 Thess. 3:1). or otherwise, should not surprise us. In present. returning Church and people to the Word of God, and its application to all areas of life Journalist David Keys writing in the August (not merely the overtly religious), biblically 2012 edition of the BBC’s History Magazine taught values of work and business followed says “For centuries, southern Europe has naturally from Reformation principles. It will been economically weaker than the north”

16 The Bulwark October - December 2012 17 and remarks that all four of the main The History Magazine article has interesting than happy to persecute southern European countries currently comments about the differing attitudes dissenting Protestants, embroiled in euro troubles, Portugal, to the State which developed in the as in Scotland’s Killing Italy, Greece and Spain “suffer from low predominantly Protestant and Roman Times, or in the case of productivity, large trade deficits, a shortage Catholic areas respectively. We know of Henry VIII in England who of top quality higher education, an elderly course that some secular princes (not could be hanging Roman demographic, a large black economy, least Henry VIII of England) seized the Catholics at Tyburn for widespread tax evasion, relatively high Reformation as an opportunity to assert “treason” at the same levels of perceived corruption and (apart the temporal power of their own dynastic time as he was burning from Spain) high levels of government regime, sometimes with only limited degrees dissenting Protestants at debt.” In seeking to answer why these of doctrinal reform, and in several cases the Smithfield for “heresy”. southern European countries should lag “Reformed” Churches that developed on so far behind most of the north, Mr Keys the Continent were Erastian in the extreme, But even if such frankly acknowledges “First of all, southern but it did mean that in those “Protestant” States could be called Europe never experienced the ideological countries the State developed as an entity “Protestant” only insofar upheavals and economic consequences to which all must give their allegiance, both as they had broken with of the Protestant Reformation.” Taking religious and political: what Mr Keys calls the Pope, they were at education as one example, he says ”In the “totally independent nation states”. least, in Mr Keys’ words, Protestant north, the translation of the Bible “totally independent into local languages helped boost literacy It must be objectively conceded that such nation states”. In rates, while in the south the papacy’s an equation of the Church with the State countries still dominated Sacred Congregation of the Index exercised was not always healthy, and the tendency to by the Papacy, such strict censorship and banned thousands of treat religious differences as political treason development of State books between 1559 and the 20thC”. led on occasion to severe persecution of authority was not Roman Catholics; a feature, however, which encouraged – the Martin Luther Greece, which unlike the others, was never was notably absent in Scotland where the Roman Catholic Church that family perspective, rather than the a Roman Catholic country, spent most more spiritual and scripturally-driven (as being something of a State within the State, growth of a strong, truly independent of the post-Reformation period under opposed to State-sponsored) Reformation and indeed within the Italian peninsula, the state that might have undermined its own Islamic rule from the Ottoman Empire, and produced a separate but complementary Papal States were literally a separate and supranational power”. since Greek independence in 1830 has relationship between the jurisdictions of independent political power. Mr Keys continued to be staunchly Greek Orthodox Church and State. Indeed the one Roman continues: “In most of the north there was Sadly, as one might expect from a BBC in religion. Although the Greek path has Catholic “martyr” in Scotland (John Ogilvie) and is a general acceptance of, reliance journalist, there is little attempt by Mr Keys been somewhat different from the rest of was executed, according to the Dictionary on, and loyalty to the state. By contrast to engage with the more spiritual and life- southern Europe, the main point at issue of Scottish Church History and Theology, in the south, the nature of the state was changing benefits of the Reformation to remains unchanged: wedded to its Greek “doubtless because he impugned the royal compromised and contested – and was individuals and nations. The “Protestant Orthodoxy as an expression of national prerogative during a period of episcopacy”; often seen as a distant, alien and hostile work ethic” is distorted into an ancient identity, Greece too has been without the in other words, at a time (1615) when the entity to be distrusted and bypassed rather equivalent of the “health and wealth Gospel” benefits, spiritual, ecclesiastical, social, Stuart monarchs were attempting to make than accepted. Ordinary people therefore heresy so prevalent in some “evangelical” educational, political and economic, which precisely such an equivalence between gave their loyalty to the extended family circles in Europe and North America: “In the the Reformation, under God, bestowed on Church and State. Of course the Church- rather than the state. In much of the Italian Protestant north, economic success was those countries who willingly received it. State style of government was also more peninsula the church tended to encourage

18 The Bulwark October - December 2012 19 regarded as evidence of God’s grace, while unfortunate children resulting in more in the Catholic south, divine grace was seen court cases; increased strain on housing Of Incorruptible Faith: as a consequence of charitable actions.” stock because families who previously Credit, however, must be given to Mr Keys lived together in one home now require for openly acknowledging in print what must two because the parents have separated; The Ejection of 1662 be rather obvious to anyone taking even increased stress levels and working days David Bryce a cursory look at the map of Europe and lost through the relentless 24/7 culture of contrasting those countries of comparative consumer demand and service provision; economic strength and stability with those ubiquitous litigation in pursuit of “rights” and nearing the brink of financial and economic an almost complete absence of any sense When most of the members of Scotland’s conform. His judgement is understandable meltdown, namely, that the Reformation of “responsibilities”; and for every statistic, Privy Council were so drunk that they were as he had not been chosen as an has been Good News for those nations a human being whose life is in ruins and is incapable of considering anything that was archbishop because of his godliness but which embraced it, in every aspect of life anything but happy or fulfilled. laid before them they passed a law that for his willingness to comply with the King’s including the economic. tore asunder the homes of many Scottish will. Lord Rothes considered that he had no Our leaders may indeed be determined to ministers. more sanctification than his grey horse. One might add that, inevitably, as those press ahead with inflicting further breakage countries which were once unashamedly on an already “Broken Britain”, but even Early Parliaments in the reign of King Andrew Fairfoul was wrong, as on a dreary Protestant Christian nations move further if the spiritual and social consequences Charles II had implemented his instructions and miserable last Sabbath in October and further away from their anchorage of abandoning our Reformation heritage to restore bishops and patronage. almost three hundred ministers preached in the Reformation principles which so mean little to them, one might hope that Furthermore, all ministers who had been their farewell sermons. John Ingles of blessed them in the past, they lose their at least in financial and economic terms admitted to parishes after 1649 had to seek Hamilton defied the Council and preached way in the fog of moral relativism. To someone, somewhere, might eventually be a presentation from a patron and a collation the following Sabbath. Middleton said he leave aside for a moment the purely prepared to count the cost, and point to from a bishop. would have hanged him before his own moral or religious arguments, the sheer the inevitable conclusion: that the Christian door if it had not been for the Duke of cost to the taxpayer of financing society’s Reformation blessed our land, and the When the King’s Commissioner visited Hamilton. , of the Barony in piecemeal disintegration is nothing short of price of its abandonment is simply too Glasgow at the end of September 1662 Glasgow, slipped out of his back door as astronomical, with divorce cases; custody high. Indeed it is the price that our children Archbishop Fairfoul complained that soldiers came in the front to remove him. battles; record levels of illegitimacy; children and grandchildren will yet be paying, for none of the young ministers under his Soldiers ejected others from their pulpits. At taken into “care”, disproportionate crime generations to come. superintendence would acknowledge his Irongay in Dumfriesshire where John Welsh, and delinquency levels from those same authority in the manner required. Middleton, the great grandson of , was the the King’s Commissioner, determined that minister, a sorrowful congregation followed he would make them of a humbler mind him for some distance before he rode off to and called the Privy Councillors together quit the boundaries of the parish. on 1st October. They decreed that the ministers must get acceptance from a Many of the ministers were banished patron and collation from a bishop or north of the Tay. Two places they could remove from their livings and parish by 1st not settle were Edinburgh, the capital, November. Archbishop Fairfoul asserted and St Andrews, Archbishop Sharp’s that there would not be ten of them of such metropolitan diocese. Some were soon incorruptible faith that they would give up banished abroad to beyond the King’s their stipends and comforts rather than dominions, like Robert Gardiner and Robert

20 The Bulwark October - December 2012 21 Book Review thirteen theological volumes and treatises and was regarded as one of the important theologians Sir David Lyndsay: of his day. He and Livingstone Poet, and Satirist of the Old formed a circle of exiled writers with Robert McWard, the former Church in Scotland minister of the High Church in Glasgow, who had been exiled by William Murison in 1661and became the minister of the Scots Kirk in Rotterdam. William Murison (Cambridge University Press, 1938) xiii+227pp Some felt compelled to continue their ministry in Scotland and William Murison (1863-1944) was born Murison’s most interesting work was his they became field preachers, in Strichen, Aberdeenshire and studied last, published a few years before his suffering for their commitment Classics at Aberdeen University and death. It is a discussion of the poetry of by being imprisoned on the Cambridge, at both of which he won Sir David Lyndsay, the pre-Reformation like Thomas Hog of prizes. He taught English for a short satirical poet, and in particular a discussion Kiltearn or being put to death while in Beith, Ayshire and then moved of Lyndsay’s criticisms of the Church of like Donald Cargill. to Aberdeen Grammar School where he Rome. Here are some extracts from the was the Head of English from 1893 to preface in which Murison describes his The mass exodus of so many 1928. From 1930-38 he was an Assistant purpose in the work: ministers and their families from in the English Department at Aberdeen Charles II their homes and livelihood in University. Had he been born later, he ‘…There are several points which I have winter conditions to north of the would have held such a position all along, intentionally omitted or merely glanced at. Trail, minister at Greyfriars in Edinburgh Tay, where many had neither relative nor but English literature was hardly regarded For example, I have not discussed how far and nearly sixty years of age, who were friend, was not only an act of great faith: it as a university subject at the start of his Lyndsay departed from the Roman and lodged in the Tolbooth and given a month was a heroic stand for liberty, which shook career. He was active in literary circles, progressed towards Lutheran or Genevan to leave the country. The same happened the establishment. editing, publishing, and contributing to doctrines...I have also left unexplored the to , late minister of the gospel numerous works connected with English question why he escaped punishment for at Newmills and chaplain to the Earl of The freedom of worship and thought for language, English literature, and Scottish his utterances against the clergy while Louden. which they made their stand continued to be geography. In 1895 he edited the second [George] Buchanan was imprisoned suppressed until 1689 when the monarchy volume of Bishop John Lesley’s Historie and had to flee the country...Nor have I Some of the ministers chose voluntary exile of William and Mary was established. The of Scotland (a contemporary Roman attempted an estimate of his influence in like John Livingstone of Ancrum who had sixty survivors from the three hundred Catholic account of the Reformation) for promoting the Reformation…What, then, been largely responsible for the revival at ministers who had the incorruptible faith the Scottish Text Society; the editor of is my aim? After some account of Lyndsay Shotts in1630; he was banished north of to reject the Privy Council’s demands were the first volume, a Roman priest, having and his poems, I set forth in detail his the Tay but went to Holland instead. Before restored to their positions when the Church died before the work could be completed. charges against the Scottish clergy, and leaving he wrote a long letter of exhortation of Scotland was re-established in 1690 and Murison was a noted figure in his time but then I produce evidence to prove that the to his old congregation and in exile he were held to be the true representatives of is now largely forgotten, even at Aberdeen charges rest on a solid foundation of truth. revised the best text of the Old Testament the Kirk’s nine hundred ministers Grammar School where the devastating The evidence comes, not from sources in Latin. who fire of 1986 destroyed many of the links hostile to the Roman Church, but from went to Holland when he was ousted, wrote with the past. official records of the Church, from state

22 The Bulwark October - December 2012 23 documents, and from writers loyal to the steal a chicken from the mother hen. “My Church.’ teind [tithe]”, he promptly explains. The Papyngo, however, would prefer the merle, Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount (c.1486- the mavis, the nightingale, the turtle dove, 1555) was a courtier, poet, playwright, the jay, the peacock, the lark, the swallow. and in 1542 became the Lyon King of “Why”, asks the Kite, “are we churchmen Arms. His best known work is his play hated?” The Papyngo gives an elaborate ‘Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis’ which account of clerical degeneration from the was first performed before theR oyal Court time of the Emperor Constantine. At last at Linlithgow in 1540. His poems were she is shriven by the Kite and makes her numerous—most of them attacking the will, leaving different parts of her body to immorality of the clergy—and the collected different birds, and her heart to the King. edition of his works by the Scottish Text When she dies, her three executors, Society occupies four volumes. One of disregarding her will, devour her body, the most entertaining is ‘The Testament while the Kite flies off with the heart.’ and Complaynt of our Soverane Lordis Papyngo’ (a ‘papyngo’ is a parrot) written in 1530. Murison summarizes the poem as Having summarized the poems, Murison follows: extracts Lyndsay’s main charges against the clergy which are immorality, covetousness, ‘Lyndsay had charge of the King’s callousness, profligacy, ignorance, pride, Papyngo, which he trained to speak and ambition, laziness, simony, idolatry, and to whistle…One day he carries her into various other charges as well. He then his garden where she begins to climb to devotes the main part of his book to making the top of a tree. A gust of wind breaks a good these charges, quoting at length from branch and down the Papyngo falls on a Patrick’s Statutes of the Scottish Church, stub, which pierces her breast. She cries Archbishop Hamilton’s Catechism, a for a priest. Instead of hastening to help volume of Papal Negotiations, Quintin Sir David Lyndsay battering the Pope’s keys her, Lyndsay hides under a hawthorn; for Kennedy, Ninian Winzet, and numerous the plan of the poem demands that he other Roman Catholic writers and State and grimly asking why these men should as a ‘biased Protestant’ in the way that shall overhear what she says. She bewails sources. He concludes, ‘I submit that engross the wealth of the nation.’ modern writers have tried to dismiss Hay fortune’s fickleness and the ambition which evidence in the forgoing pages amply and Fleming. brought her to Court. conclusively shows the substantial truth Murison’s conclusions are very similar of Lyndsay’s charges against the Scottish to those of David Hay Fleming in his Murison’s book displays a command of ‘…At this point three birds swoop down, Church…Here, then, was a community Reformation in Scotland in 1909, but the subject and was beautifully printed typifying three kinds of ecclesiastics—a [Scotland] which to a very great extent the significant thing is that whereas Hay by the Cambridge University Press. A Pie, a Canon Regular; a Raven, a Black had lost all trust in priests and all respect Fleming was an open and ardent Protestant, number of reasonably priced secondhand Monk; a Kite, a Holy Friar. Each urges his for them because of their faithlessness, Murison was not overtly religious in his copies are available on the internet and claims to shrive the Papyngo and take negligence, avarice, ignorance, immorality; writings. He attended Beechgrove Church we would command them to those of our charge of her property. The Papyngo a community maddened by the exaction in Aberdeen, which was hardly evangelical, readers interested in the history of the objects to the Kite: she once saw him of teinds as well as by other grievances, and he cannot therefore be brushed aside Reformation.

24 The Bulwark October - December 2012 25 preceded, we suspend Convocation of a you from divine rites, and pronounce you as Council in 1545 suspended. But if your said most Cardinal David Beaton reverend paternity – which God forbid! – shall, with hardened heart, The following is the second part of a letter sent by Cardinal Beaton in 1545 to intimate continue under the said that there was to be a general provincial council of the Church in Scotland. This particular sentences of interdict and letter was addressed to Gavin Dunbar, Archbishop of Glasgow. In one sense the letter is suspension for other six not worth reading; but in another sense it is one of the most extraordinary documents in days immediately following Scottish Church history. Readers who are office-bearers in theC hurch can reflect on how the first twelve days, they would feel if they were summoned to a Church meeting in the following terms. then in these presents, like canonical warning having been made, now as then and then as now, Furthermore, we earnestly, as aforesaid, dissolution, termination, conclusion, or by the same authorities, request, invite, and by the various kinds continuation of the said general provincial inflict upon you sentence of authority above set forth, and under council. of excommunication the aforesaid penalty summon you to see and denounce you as to it that ye by your authority as ordinary But if haply your most reverend paternity excommunicate. cite, invite, and summon the reverent – which we do not believe – shall refuse Cardinal David Beaton and venerable fathers, the lords bishops personally to compear at the said day, But if you, the said most to your sentence of excommunication and your suffragans, and the abbots, priors, hour, and place, for the purposes above reverend paternity, contumaciously remain pronounce you excommunicated with under the said sentences of interdict, commendators, deans, provosts, and described, then after the lapse of the six additional severities. other discreet churchmen, your subjects, days immediately following the said N. day suspension, and excommunication respectively for other six days immediately and some of the more distinguished, of the month of N. next to come, now as But if your said most reverend paternity following the first eighteen days: We from experienced, and prudent members of the then and then as now, by the authorities shall – which God forbid! – with hardened that date onwards – seeing that as perversity, chapters and clergy of your church, city, above set forth and the triple canonical heart, continue under the said sentence of contumacy, and disobedience increase, diocese, and province of Glasgow; also the warning having first taken place, we in interdict, suspension, excommunication, so also deservedly ought the punishment religious of whatever order they may be, this same document interdict you from and increased severity respectively; then to increase, and lest the easiness of the and, as aforesaid, whatever exemption they entering the church, and pronounce you to forasmuch as presumption and audacity punishment should produce audacity in may enjoy, according as shall to your most be interdicted and as already interdicted. demand that they who are not checked transgression – hold that our measures in reverend paternity seem most expedient, And if your most reverend paternity shall by a simple punishment shall be restrained this regard should be increased in severity, to compear with you on the said day and continue under such interdict for other six by more severe ones, in order that their and do hereby so increase them; and do in at the said place, for the purposes set days immediately following the first named faith be not offended who have given these presents, now as then and then as forth, and there with us and with your most six days, then in these presents by the their observance to their superiors, we now, canonical warning being duly given, by reverend paternity and the other prelates same authorities, and now as then and hold that our measures in this regard shall the authorities already named, add severely and clergy of the realm to remain until the then as now, canonical warning having

26 The Bulwark October - December 2012 27 have re-increased severity added, and do be for them and each of them the triple and injunction and rebelliously associates with the church, suspended from divine rites, hereby so re-increase them: and in these canonical warning and peremptory term, your said most reverend paternity, already declared excommunicate with increased presents, now as then and then as now, they do wholly and utterly cease and desist interdicted from entering the church and re-increased severity – shall remain in canonical warning having been given, from all society, communion, domestic and suspended from divine rites, and the said places. excommunicated with increased and re- increased severity. And this cessation from performing divine rites they shall observe and continue for Finally, if your said most reverend paternity three days continuously even after the – thus as aforesaid interdicted from entering departure thence of your said paternity, the church, suspended from divine rites, and, as far as in them lies, they shall excommunicated with increased and re- permit and constrain the cessation to be increased severity – imitating the hardness observed and continued by others. So of Pharaoh’s heart, and after the manner and in such sort that while such interdict of deaf adders that stop their ears so remains in force, no church sacraments that they may not hear the voices of their shall be administered in and about the charmers, continue under such sentence said places in which your said paternity of re-increased severity for other six days has been, except penance and baptism immediately following the said thirty days, to all indifferently, the eucharist to the sick then do we thenceforward, then as now only, while matrimony must be contracted and now as then, the canonical warning without church ceremonies, and burial St. Andrews Castle having been given by the authorities above with church rites must be utterly refused to named, and by the tenor of these presents those who die in or about these places. we, by the before-named authorities, do relationship, or service with your paternity, subject to ecclesiastical interdict your city of therefore add re-increased severity to your interdicted as aforesaid from entering the Glasgow, as also all and sundry the cities, Whereas we reserve to ourselves or to sentence, and denounce as having been church, suspended from divine rites, and estates, burghs, towns, castles, manor our superiors alone the power of giving so dealt with you, the said most reverend excommunicated with increased and re- houses, and the collegiate jurisdictions, absolution to all and sundry who have paternity already interdicted from entrance increased severity. Nor let them or any one parishes, and districts whatsoever fallen or may in any way chance to fall to a church, suspended from divine rites, of them presume, save in the cases and belonging to what churches soever in within the scope of our above-named excommunicated, and denounced as persons permitted by law, to be associated or about or to which your most reverend sentences or any one of them. And we will excommunicated with a sentence of with the same [i.e. your reverend paternity] paternity – thus as aforesaid interdicted from and by the aforesaid authorities ordain that increased severity: Commanding all and in serving, talking, cooking, in giving food entering the church, suspended from divine you be held bound to bring these present sundry the faithful of Christ, of either sex, or drink, water or fire, or in any of the rites, and denounced as excommunicate letters, received from the bearer by your and particularly those of the household and comforts of human society. with increased and re-increased severity – most reverend paternity, with you at the the servants of your said most reverend may happen to stay, proceed, or arrive, so said day, hour, and place above specified. paternity, thus as aforesaid interdicted And if they do contrariwise, we then as long as your said most reverent paternity In testimony whereof our round seal is from entering the church, suspended now and now as then, canonical warning shall remain there. Commanding therefore attached to the presents. Signed with our from divine rites, excommunicated with of six days as aforesaid having been given, all and sundry ecclesiastical persons to hand. At our city of St. Andrews, on the N. increased and re-increased severity, that do by these presents inflict on them the cease and to cause others to cease from day of the month of N., in the year of our within six days after the day on which they major sentences of excommunication, performing divine rites thenceforward, so Lord one thousand five hundred and forty- have knowledge of these presents, which and pronounce them excommunicated long as your said most reverend paternity – five, and of our consecration the eighth days we by tenor of the presents declare to and each of them, who contravenes this thus as aforesaid interdicted from entering year.

28 The Bulwark October - December 2012 29 at Davidson’s Mains Parish Church. He is a Current Publications long-term supporter of the Society. Current publications by the Society include:

Writing and Project Trembling for Ark: James Begg and the Free Competition 2012-2013 Church of Scotland by James W. Campbell Details for the 2012-13 Writing Competition (£7.95 including postage and packing). were announced in the July-September Bulwark and can also be obtained from info@ : An Introduction to His scottishreformationsociety.org.uk. The closing Theology edited by Matthew Vogan (£10.95 date for entries is the end of March 2013. including postage and packing).

Society News Martin Luther Tour Scottish Reformation Society Historical in September 2013 Journal, Volume 2 (£9.95 including postage Dr Robert Dickie (Stornoway) has kindly and packing). where some of those who were executed Meetings to remember the undertaken to arrange a tour on behalf of the 1662 Ejection were taken and their bodies dressed before Society of sites in Germany connected with These can be ordered either directly from The 31st October 2012 marks the 350th burial in Greyfriars Kirkyard. The Chapel is Martin Luther. The most likely date for the tour the Society, or through the Lulu website anniversary of the Ejection of nearly 400 now the headquarters of the Society and the is September 2013. Further details will be www.lulu.com. Covenanter ministers from their parishes Business Meeting heard from the Chairman, announced in due course (DV): in Scotland. It is sometimes known as the Rev Dr J Millar, of recent progress in the work ‘Outing of the Ministers’. These men refused of the Society. to conform to the imposition by Charles II of what they believed to be unscriptural forms At the public meeting Rev Gavin Beers, an of worship and government on the Reformed Ulsterman ministering in Ayr, spoke on the Branch News Church in Scotland. A reign of persecution ‘Scottish-Ulster Connection.’ He traced The following branch meetings have been arranged for winter 2012-13. began and many of these men were hounded, the connections in the pre-Reformation, tortured, and killed. Some were executed on Reformation and Covenanting periods. It was a gallows in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. A a fascinating study of men and movements Aberdeen Branch Lewis Branch Covenanter Memorial stone marks the spot delivered with conviction and passion. He Meetings are on Fridays in the Dunbar St Hall, Meetings are on Fridays in the Nicolson where they died. ended by powerfully applying the lessons to Old Aberdeen, AB24 1UU at 7.30pm (DV). Institute, Stornoway at 7.30 pm (DV). our own day. th 14th December, ‘Scottish Psalmody’, Prior to the AGM of the Society on 26 October, ‘Alexander Cruden’, Dr Robert Dickie (Stornoway) 15th September a group gathered for a Further services for the 350th anniversary of Rev John Macleod (Portmahomack) st Thanksgiving Service at the Memorial. The the 1662 Ejection are to be held (DV) in the 30th November, ‘Modern Interpretations of 1 February 2013, ‘Scotland and the Jews’, service was led by the Rev John J Murray, Baptist Church, Cumnock on Monday 22nd the Scottish Reformation’, Rev Professor John Rev Maurice Roberts (Inverness) Vice-Chairman of the Society, who gave a October at 7.30 pm, when the Rev Gavin McIntosh (Free Church College) Inverness Branch short introduction to the . Rev Beers will preach, and in the Magdalen 22nd February 2013, ‘John Macdonald of Gavin Beers then preached on the Kingship of Chapel, Cowgate, Edinburgh on Tuesday Calcutta’, Rev Neil Ross () Meetings are on Mondays in the Inverness Christ. It was a privilege to pay tribute to those 30th October at 7.30pm when Rev J J Murray 29th March 2013, ‘James Begg’, Royal Academy, Culduthel Road, Inverness who fought for the religious and civil liberties will speak. Neil Angus Macdonald (Edinburgh) at 7.30pm (DV). No details of speakers are which we have enjoyed and which are once available yet. again coming under threat. New Committee member Mr Allan McCulloch has kindly agreed to join Glasgow Branch From the Grassmarket the group moved to the Society’s Management Committee. Mr Friday 30st November, speaker and topic to the Magdalen Chapel. This is the place was MacCulloch lives in Edinburgh and is an elder be announced.

30 The Bulwark October - December 2012 31 CONTENTS

The Gospel in Caithness: Part 2 3 John Smith

The Church of Rome and the Media 11 Rev David Blunt

The Protestant/Roman Catholic Divide in Europe 17 Rev Andrew Coghil

Of Incorruptible Faith 21 David Bryce

Book Review 23

Convocation of a Council 1545 26

Society and Branch News 30

Membership & Bulwark Subscriptions

All correspondence regarding Membership and Bulwark subscriptions should be sent to the Membership Secretary, Mrs Deborah Coghill, Millhouse, 53A Garrabost, Point, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0PF.

The subscription is £7 per annum for membership of the Society and £8 per annum for the Bulwark. Membership forms can be obtained from the Membership Secretary, or the Magdalen Chapel, or downloaded from the internet:

www.scottishreformationsociety.org.uk/downloads/SRS_Membership_Form.pdf

Front cover: Rev Archibald Cook, Bruan

32 The Bulwark