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The Bulwark Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2018 // £2 October - December 2018 1 Rev. Paul Murray The Bulwark Portmahomack Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society Rev. Robert The Magdalen Chapel 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JR Tel: 0131 220 1450 Email: [email protected] Finlayson www.scottishreformationsociety.org Registered charity: SC007755 (1793-1861): Revival in Lochs Chairman Committee Members » Rev Kenneth Macdonald » Rev Maurice Roberts Rev. Paul Murray Vice-Chairman » Rev Alasdair Macleod » Mr Allan McCulloch » Mr Matthew Vogan This is the second of two articles on Rev. Robert Finlayson. Secretary The first one gave an overview of his life and ministry. » Rev Douglas Somerset » Rev John Keddie Treasurer » Rev David Campbell I. FINLAyson’s preachING » Rev Andrew Coghill » Dr Robert Dickie Rev. Robert Finlayson was pre-eminently men could speak broken English but the a preacher. In the first article, we saw the common tongue was Gaelic. effect of his preaching in Aberdeen and in CO-OPERATION OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY Knock – it was no less effective in Lochs. And so Finlayson, without compromising In pursuance of its objects, the Society may co- (a) To propagate the evangelical Protestant faith His preaching, says Norman C. Macfarlane, his message, explained the gospel to them operate with Churches and with other Societies and those principles held in common by “abounded with parable, allegory and in picturesque and illustrative language. So those Churches and organisations adhering to whose objects are in harmony with its own. dialogue, and in pictures of the spiritual much so that one of his co-presbyters in the Reformation; life.” It was characterised by clarity and Lewis, the Rev. Duncan MacGregor, minister Magazine Editor: Rev Douglas Somerset sincerity and it brought weighty and eternal in Stornoway Free Church from 1849 to All literary contributions, books for review and (b) To diffuse sound and Scriptural teaching on 1854, recalls that they used to call him “the papers, should be sent to: the distinctive tenets of Protestantism and doctrines to bear upon the consciences of Roman Catholicism; The Magdalen Chapel the Lochs people. John Macleod explains Bunyan of the Highlands”. Indeed, it is said 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh that “His sermons, rich in illustration and that he carried Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress (c) To carry on missionary work among EH1 1JR pithy saying, were as entertaining as they always in his pocket and in his heart. And adherents of the latter faith with a view to [email protected] were arresting, and as captivating as they so, in bringing the message to the people, winning them to the doctrines of grace and to were solemn.” he brought it to them using terms, the fellowship of the true Gospel; The views expressed in articles are those of concepts, and pictures that they the contributor and may not necessarily reflect (d) To produce and distribute evangelistic, Finlayson’s account of the parish could understand. Macfarlane those of the Editor or the Committee of the religious and other literature in connection with for the Statistical Accounts in explains that “he made the men Society. Scriptural references are from the A.V. the promotion of the Protestant religion; 1833 tells us that, at this time, of old spring into life before the except where stated otherwise. the people in Lochs were eyes of his congregation, and (e) To promote the associating together of men largely illiterate. Half of those his hearers were fascinated as Unattributed material is by the Editor. and women, and especially young people, between 12 and 24 years of he clothed those ancients in the The section entitled “Young Bulwark” is edited for systematic Bible Study and holding of age could read in Gaelic because Lewis tweeds and made them by Matthew Vogan. meetings for the above specified purposes. of the influence of the Gaelic speak in the Lewis accent. The schools; however, only 12 in scenery of his picture was DESIGNED & PRINTED BY: the whole parish could invariably local and www.peppercollective.com write. A few of the vividly painted.” Tel:028 9851 2233 2 The Bulwark October - December 2018 3 It is worth giving a few examples. He was wages. They knocked and Mrs Noah a message which had been so obscured went out to the other side of the parish once preaching on the Prodigal’s return came to the door. ‘Is Noah in?’ ‘No, he’s under the ministry of Rev. Alexander against his wife’s wishes. “Macedonia was to his Father and, particularly, the “best away at the stormy Butt of Lewis for a bull Simpson – a message which was now no further from Paul when he saw the vision robe” with which he was clothed: “The for the Ark.’ A few days later they called blessed to countless souls in Lochs. And in Troas as Eisgean was from Crossbost,” Father calls his servants to bring forth the again. ‘Is Noah at home?’ ‘No, he’s away the message was bolstered by the holiness he would say. “O, my wife, souls at Gravir best robe and the servants come and he to hilly Uig for a ram.’ They came again of the man who preached it, so much so are calling me today and I cannot stay. asks them, ‘What robe is this?’ ‘It is the and found Noah at home. They asked for that MacGregor could say “Never did we It’s easier to battle with the elements than robe of unfallen man’s righteousness,’ the their wages, and he paid them. Then they feel the power of personal holiness in re- to silence the cries that ring though me.” servants answer. ‘Ah, it’s very beautiful, went to Stornoway and called for whisky enforcing the truth spoken from the pulpit The salvation of his people was his ruling but that is not the best. In that garb Adam and brandy, and they drank themselves more than when hearing him.” Macfarlane thought and his chief desire. fell.’ Another, white and more shining, was into wild revelry. They were shouting and recalls how his mother, who was a brought. ‘What,’ asked the Father, ‘is this?’ singing their songs and dancing their communicant member in Lochs during As another said of Samuel Rutherford, ‘This is the robe of the Angels that surround drunken dance when – lo! – a thunderbolt Finlayson’s ministry, would speak to him in it was just as true of Finlayson, that he the Throne and adore their Lord.’ ‘Ah, it’s crashed and the rains began. What peal later years of how the tears would fall freely prayed all day long as if he did nothing but very fine, but there is a better.’ At length of thunders! The like was never heard down the minister’s face as he leaned over pray; he preached all day long as if every one of exquisite loveliness was brought, before. The heavens poured in torrents. the pulpit to plead with unsaved sinners to hour was filled with preaching; and he and the Father asked, ‘What is this?’ ‘This The public house was flooded and a river come to Christ. visited so persistently as if the whole time was woven amid the awful splendours of rushed through it and rose with appalling was occupied with visiting. Calvary. Its every thread was a pang. It is rapidity. Then did the mocking carpenters II. OTHER ASPECTS OF FINLAyson’s the choice robe of Thy Son’s sufferings. It is cry. But the Ark was closed and Mercy’s MINISTRY And yet, although Finlayson was a gentle the righteousness of Christ.’ ‘Yes,’ said the day was gone. O people of Lochs, God’s As well as preaching, Finlayson would and kind-hearted man, he was not afraid to Father, ‘that is the best robe. Put it on this, Ark stands open for you today. But the day catechise the people. Twice a year, he speak directly and to issue rebukes where my lost son, who has come home again.’” of the closed door is coming.” would turn up in every village and the that was required. There was not an ounce people would gather to be questioned of fear in him while he carried out his Lord’s His sermon on the completion of Noah’s This was preaching that the people could on the Shorter Catechism and general work. A few examples can be given. Ark is also striking in its illustration and understand, that they could relate to, and Scriptural knowledge. Rather than this application: “When the Ark was finished a that cut to their very hearts. It brought being a dreary affair, the people loved it and When he first came to Lochs, one of the group of the carpenters called in for their home to them the message of the Bible, even looked forward to it. Through these elders in the congregation asked if the new meetings the people, young and old, were minister wanted to hear him pray. “Certainly,” taught in a more interactive atmosphere replied Finlayson. The man began with the Butt of Lewis and the minister became more acquainted Lord’s Prayer, added his own medley in the with his people and their spiritual state. middle, and then finished with the Lord’s Prayer again. He then asked the minister Pastoral visitation was another important how he enjoyed his prayer. Finlayson replied, part of his work. He literally crossed land “It had a beautiful beginning and a beautiful and sea in order to be with his people, in ending that shone like the splendid marbles order to question them about their souls, of the Temple, but in between there was a and in order to seek to apply to them heap of wood, hay and stubble!” personally the balm of Gilead.

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