Journey to Scotland

Reformation 500 Celebration in Boston

2009-06-20T16:55:00.003-06:00

My mom and I are planning to celebrate with many other Christians from around the country at this Vision Forum event in Boston over July 4th weekend. What could be a better combination--learning about some of our most revered spiritual forebears, in the historic region of our national heritage! Indeed, our nation owes much to the legacy of John Calvin, whose five-hundredth birthday comes this July.

I hope to write about some of things we see, learn, and experience , once we get home. Please check my Montana Maiden blog!

Fair Isle of Ancient Consequence

2009-06-02T12:45:00.010-06:00

~ Fair Isle

of Ancient Consequence ~

Scotland of renown, your name pronounced

Evokes the heart’s emotion;

Your name, through ages, the world over

Made timeless by song and story;

“Scotland,” once heard proudly-spoken

Envisions a wistful scene

Of a land larger than itself—

A land of glory, dreams, and consequence,

By strenuous lives, your title built,

Through pride and devotion, since Saxon lips

First sounded the tones of “Scot.”

Scotland: there, one dreams of your history,

Away, of your green borders,

Settled or sojourning, our hearts’ memory

Attaches to all that “Scotland” means;

How comes this thought to captivate us here,

More than by other beauteous lands?

From the poignant, valiant past, methinks,

Set in nature’s majestic jewel;

God’s creating hand performed here,

God’s sovereign plan unfolded here,

And His glory was praised.

Scotland of wild foreboding mountains,

Heather glens and mossy fens,

And rivers that tumble from the Highlands

And the lowlands, to the stormy sea,

Geography that staged your history;

The rugged, regal land exudes your past,

Forever etched on landscape fair,

Having always been fast bound together;

Ballads and battles took shape therein,

Formed a culture resolute and strong,

And Caledonia was born!

Scotland, your memories will never leave

(Or, may God never have it so);

They are carved into mounts and moors,

And engraved in steadfast Scottish souls,

Yet multiplied or lent (I know not which)

To your visitors yearning to discover

The identity of Scotland-the-brave;

For momentous upheavals of history,

Mirror the extremities of terrain,

Producing a fortitude contagious,

And romance, patriotic.

Scotland, your sense of permanence

Makes people love what you are

And the spirit of what you e’er have been;

Your natural defenses were strongholds

Of dynastic clans...or Braveheart warriors,

And still suggest the same to passersby;

Your stones are binders of the centuries,

As before the onlooker’s eyes are spread

Primeval cliffs, ancient walls, princely graves,

Castles, chapels, and monuments medieval;

We remember and cherish.

Scotland, your old weathered stones change not

If we know they signify

The loyal character that laid the path

For Scripture to be taught with power,

For people to be deepened in truth,

Elevated with God’s wisdom

Until you were incomparable;

For Celt, Culdee, and Protestant families

(What has your epic influence wrought?)

From Iona to Edinburgh, over loch and loam,

The stones await to tell us.

Scotland: a scene of God’s handiwork

Where Gospel light well-nurtured,

Preserved pure ‘til Reformation dawn,

Was kindled to bless the world;

The hand of Providence prepared the country,

Her churches, “for such a time as this”

When Covenanters, in their forebears’ steps

Rose in sacrifice for godly liberty;

Though ne’er always the prominent relic

Among hills and glens, faith grown in holy hearts

Became your prize and pinnacle.

Scotland, we love your land; what she reveals

Of struggle and endurance;

Clearly, your grandeur means so much

To your own native sons and daughters

Who tenaciously uphold their heritage

As an exemplar for all to see;

Treasured traditions, era-spanning

Exalted by great celebration,

Which speaks to hearts designed to love

Literature, generations, and dominion

In Scotland or across the sea.

Scotland, relegate not the past afar,

But let it transcend the present hour

As all who love your Christian history will;

For the past is the essence defining

Thanksgiving for God’s mercy,

Trust in future sustenance;

Your courage lives on in many hearts

Who seek to view God’s covenant at work

And to whom Scotland illustrates hope—

Since His eternal Word instructs us

To remember sacred landmarks.

Scotland, treading your cobbles and coasts,

We absorbed the themes inscribed;

Your impression lingers, and oft inspires,

Helping faithful ones to press forward

And beckoning them some day to return;

Your misty island with her Highland hills

And ancient, evangelistic shores

Have influenced America and the world—

May their noble legacy evermore

Continue provoking us to righteousness,

And then heavenward to God.

~ Renée N. DeGroot ~ June 2009 ~

Hearken Back to Days in Scotland

2008-09-24T19:48:00.005-06:00

For anyone still reading this blog, I wanted to post some new pictures. The credit for all of these goes to Bryce's future brother-in-law Daniel, who shared his thousands of pictures with us. I gleaned many that were different from ours and better than ours, and would like to display this sampling. Most of our pictures were of the same scenes, but people always have unique perspectives or were someplace at the right moment; I appreciate his eye for photography. Thank you to Daniel, and to Susanna for getting them to us.:-)

Scotland Reminiscence

2008-08-19T18:52:00.002-06:00

I might be saying farewell to recounting of Scotland for a while on this blog, but the trip will always live in our memory. Between showing pictures to friends, seeing our souvenirs every day, and, most of all, remembering the historical lessons, we will always be reminded of this glorious land and her people.

There are many posts below about most of the major parts of the Faith and Freedom Tour. Please scroll down to find some commentary from the remarkable lectures we had as well as some photographs of monuments, mountains, and Montanans in Scotland:-)

(Photos from Edinburgh, top to bottom: Deacon Brodie's tavern on the Royal Mile; Princes Street Gardens as seen from the National Gallery; the Sir Walter Scott statue.)

Hiking Ben Nevis

2008-08-09T09:01:00.000-06:00

On the 11th day of our Scotland tour a small group hiked the highest peak in Great Britain. My future brother-in-law, William, had hiked the mountain two days before, and he gave us a report that excited some in our group to make the ascent.

The summit of Ben Nevis is 4,406 feet in elevation, towering above the sea-level town of Fort William, Scotland. The mission called for a meeting at 4:30 AM, a five hour time limit, 12 miles to go, and little water and food. Breakfast and trail provisions consisted of 1 1/2 liters of water, one apple, and one granola bar shared among 6 men. This unfortunate lack of provision was because we didn't plan the hike until late the night before, and there is no food available in Fort William between 10:00 PM and 4:30 AM. Needless to say, we had some hungry hikers when we got back to town. We talked of the courageous highland Scotsmen who had waged battles for centuries with far less provisions than we had.

The verdant highlands

On the summit

[Note: The photos above are copyrighted by Vision Forum and are only for our personal use. Photos below are my photos of the hike.]

A loch positioned on on the flank of Ben Nevis

___________________________

Click here for interesting history and facts about the mountain.

Farewell,

Bryce

Sighted in Scotland

2008-08-08T21:36:00.005-06:00

Bryce and his fiancée Sarah. It was enjoyable to have part of her family as traveling companions on the tour.

From the Bus

2008-08-08T21:18:00.004-06:00

Traveling through a spectacular country via numerous hours a day on a bus, we tried, at least, to get a few pictures out the windows. While none are that great, I think the reflections on the windows add an interesting element to the scene, and thought I would post a few.
Loch Linnhe near Fort William.
From the front, top deck of the public transportation buses in Edinburgh.
Happy travelers.
Turning a corner near the gate to Holyrood Palace, and trying not to miss it!
"Stirling Bridge" but not the one that was there in Wallace's day.
Speeding by Inverlochy Castle near Loch Lomond.
A bus-full of probably thoughtful and hopefully content, but genuinely thankful tour-goers:-)

Churches, beautiful churches...

2008-08-08T21:05:00.003-06:00

Here are a few pictures of churches that I don't think I have written about yet. This one we saw from the steam train moving through the Highlands. It seemed quite isolated; I wonder what its history was.
The Dalserf Church where it is believed that there has been a Christian congregation since Pictish times. The existing building is an example of the simple architecture that would have been used in the Reformation, Mr. Colin Gunn explained.
The Old Hamilton Parish Church, where there is a small memorial to the Covenanters. Here, as at Dalserf, men from the church spoke to us about the region and the history of the congregation. Large churchyards such as this are some of the most peaceful places, and quite unlike most of our newer churches in America.
The view from the top of St. Rule's Church, looking over the ruins of St. Andrew's Cathedral, the university, and the castle. The home of the Reformation's beginnings, this is a town that could be explored and admired for days.
St. John's Church. I think this is a Church of Scotland, but it was our landmark for navigating the way back to our hotel and the headquarters "Caley" (Caledonian).)The streets surrounding were all under construction, but this was a landmark to behold, as we walked by countless times.

Castles, wonderful castles...

2008-08-08T20:44:00.006-06:00

Castle Rock: gracing, and often protecting, the city of Edinburgh.
The routine in every castle: where is everything and where shall we go? Two things that most of the castles had, were a cafe with wonderful British pastries, soups, sandwiches, and tea; and a gift shop which was a great temptation before getting back on the bus:) Everyone seemed to be distracted by the books, handicrafts, souvenirs, postcards, textiles, and clan-paraphernalia.
Gardens at Stirling Castle. This was a finer, more elegant residence than some of the others.
A favorite thing to do: peek out of castle windows and imagine what it would have been like centuries ago; then take a picture showing what you are looking out of.
Bothwell Castle, sieged by Edward I in the late 1200's.
Urquhart Castle, the ancient guardian of Loch Ness and a strategic stronghold of the Highlands. Most of the castles in Scotland don't have a single completion date, for they were gradually erected and periodically, partially destroyed.
Duart Castle. Before we went to Scotland, I found a gorgeous wallpaper of this castle on a clear autumn day, so it was fun to recognize it as we rode by on the ferry.
St. Andrews Castle, once taken by the Reformers who held church services herein.
The inner rooms of Craigmillar Castle in Edinburgh, which we spontaneously explored on the afternoon when our departing flight was postponed. We kept getting lost in this castle, as there seemed to be endless rooms, and all very small.

Pre-Tour Contemplations

2008-08-08T20:27:00.005-06:00

~ ~This is what I wrote in my notebook while studying before our trip to Scotland:

“I think it is good to know the history of a place; (and certainly, the culture to a large extent still remains and is worthy of attention.) Yet the current condition and current time is most in need of gaining from transcendent Biblical principles—the principles we see prevailing at some points in history. There is a purpose for the present even as we immerse ourselves in Scottish history while we are there.

“ On this tour, we are going to be learning about all the different things and events in Scotland which led up to the great influence she has had on the world, especially the British colonies, both culturally and religiously. We will also be learning what the nature and effects of this influence were. By the different ‘things and events’ I mean the early conversion to Christianity, the defense of the faith and independence through many struggles and battles, and the strengthening of the patriotic spirit giving even more depth to the characteristics of Scottish men and women: courage, fortitude, and loyalty. The national character, coupled with Biblical beliefs long held, evidently brought unprecedented advancements in religion, science, literature, and the civil sphere.”

~ ~ Indeed, we did learn not only about history but about the usefulness of its lessons for our present lives. This is possible because history is not dead and abstract; it is a manifestation of the Providence of God--providence which is just as active now as it was in the past.

Chain of Christianity

2008-08-06T20:22:00.006-06:00

The hardy and resolute Scottish character was reinforced through battles for freedom, encouraged through their fondness for literature and ballads, and, eventually, passed on through Biblical teaching. The chain of events contributing to what Scotland was, then enabled America, in a substantial part, to be what she became (as detailed in previous post.)

Studying Scotland provides examples of bravery and boldness seldom seem today. It provides knowledge of the Reformation which will prepare us for spiritual battles, as the historian Merle D’Aubigne proposes. It challenges us to be more productive for Christ’s kingdom. It provides lessons in how the Scots took dominion over a situation when the opportunity came (during their medieval struggle for independence and during the Reformation.) It shows how they were devoted to their sovereign God and blessed Comforter when persecution came. Because of Christianity, Scotland produced more advancement in scholarship, science, and technology, for its size, than any other nation.

But the present age lives of off things bestowed in the past, with little honor or thankfulness. They, and even we sometimes, live off of it without preserving it. May we learn our heritage and desire to continue in the path of righteousness.

IONA: the earliest haven for Christianity in a land which would harbor some of the godliest men and women for centuries.
St. Andrews: center of scholarship which prompted the Reformation, and preaching which fueled the Reformation.

The remains of a cathedral built before John Knox's time.

All of these historic sites looked so peaceful--without the green grass giving an aura of freshness--that it was hard to imagine what took place here. But imagine we did; and remember and ponder.

St. Giles Kirk on the Royal Mile in lovely Edinburgh, a "wee distance" from the abode of Mary, Queen of Scots, Holyrood Palace.

John Knox's grave is under parking space 23 behind St. Giles, and commemorated merely by a yellow square in the pavement. Until, that is, these men along with the rest of our tour honored it with their presence, and spoke of the shamefulness that has led to the grave of Scotland's greatest figure not being recognized. Space 23 is seldom remembered, but it was remembered on this day. I think it was very special for some of the reformers of this generation, to be at the places of Scotland's reformers, and to memorialize the occasion with poses like the above. (Providentially, a car pulled off of this space and out of the nearly-full parking lot, just as our group arrived, leaving the space to visit and photograph.)

The stained glass in St. Giles (post-Reformation.)

Lectures in the graveyard at Canongate Kirk, where Queen Elizabeth worships, and where the economist Adam Smith, among other notable Scots, is buried.

Greyfriar's Kirk in the center of Old Town Edinburgh. The site of the writing of the National Covenant, imprisonment of many Covenanters, and now the Covenanter's Memorial and many Covenanter graves.
A beautiful poem in stone about the first and last martyrs during the persecution of 1638-1688: James Guthrie and James Renwick, as well as all the saints in between.

The skyline would have been much the same as it was for the prisoners held within these stone walls in the 1600's, we were told.

This was one of the places visited which most impacted our minds and spirits, as we considered the significance of what happened here and the significance of the lessons to be grasped.

The grave of George Buchanan, the Calvinist tutor of James VI of Scotland/I of England. King James became intelligent about the theology taught to him but his heart was not transformed by it, according to the testimony of his life.

The marker in the Grassmarket for the place where many Covenanters were executed. Anyone who interfered would likewise be executed.

One of the original copies of the National Covenant, preserved in St. Giles Kirk.

Scottish Reformation: Patrick Hamilton and George Wishart were burned at the stake in St. Andrews, Scotland’s center of scholarship. John Knox, a student of Wishart’s, was exiled to Geneva and there was discipled under John Calvin’s teaching. John Knox came back to Edinburgh from Geneva in 1560, ready to reform the churches of Scotland. Inspired by his preaching, the Scottish nobles grouped together and drew up the Scottish confession of faith—establishing the Word of God as the standard for worship and renouncing the superstition and idolatry of the RCC.

John Knox: He is well known for his dialogue with the Queen. They had repeated discourses, from his arrival in Edinburgh to the time of her forced abdication, about the nature of the one true church and how divine worship would be determined. Knox would instruct the young woman in the principles of theology; the Queen would try to convince Knox that she as regent could be committed to what she believed was the true religion. The underlying tension between the two arguments—and which has great political and religious implications—was whether the state/the prince is over the church or whether Christ is the head of a church overseen by representatives.

He was a wise man who “understood the times” and saw that the calling of his generation was to reform the Scottish church. God had equipped him well for the task, with energy, boldness, and a steadfast, uncompromising spirit. In reforming the church, his primary concerns were that the worship was congregational and without inducements to worship; that preaching through the Word of God would accomplish what only God could accomplish; and that the structure of the church assembly and government were restricted to what was revealed in the Bible. He is the heart of what made Scotland great, but is hardly recognized in Edinburgh; has no proper grave markers.

National Covenant: In 1637, after the reformed Kirk under Presbyterian government had been firmly established in Scotland, the Stuart king, Charles I, introduced an Episcopal “Book of Common Prayer” for the entire kingdom to follow. Seeing this as an attempt to blend the Scottish Kirk with the Church of England, the Scots wrote a charter delineating what they believed and that they would give their lives for those distinctive beliefs. In 1638, the National Covenant was first signed at Greyfriar’s Kirk then circulated to be signed by thousands of “noblemen, barons, gentlemen, burgesses, ministers, and commons.”

“We all and every one of us under-written, protest, That, after long and due examination of our own consciences in matters of true and false religion, we are now thoroughly resolved in the truth by the word and Spirit of God: and therefore we believe with our hearts, confess with our mouths, subscribe with our hands, and constantly affirm, before God and the whole world, that this only is the true Christian faith and religion, pleasing God, and bringing salvation to man, which now is, by the mercy of God, revealed to the world by the preaching of the blessed evangel; and is received, believed, and defended by many and sundry notable kirks and realms, but chiefly by the kirk of Scotland, the King's Majesty, and three estates of this realm, as God's eternal truth, and only ground of our salvation; as more particularly is expressed in the Confession of our Faith, established and publickly confirmed by sundry acts of Parliaments, and now of a long time hath been openly professed by the King's Majesty, and whole body of this realm both in burgh and land.... And finally, we detest all his [the Pope’s] vain allegories, rites, signs, and traditions, brought in the Kirk without or against the Word of God, and doctrine of this true reformed Kirk. To which we join ourselves willingly, in doctrine, religion, faith, discipline, and life of the holy sacraments, as lively members of the same, in Christ our head, promising and swearing, by the great name of the Lord our God, that we shall continue in the obedience of the doctrine and discipline of this Kirk, and shall defend the same according to our vocation and power all the days of our lives, under the pains contained in the law, and danger both of body and soul in the day of God's fearful judgment.”

Covenanters: The Covenanters got their name because they believed in living “for Christ’s Crown and Covenant”—their covenant with God in salvation as well as the national document which Christians had agreed upon. This describes their faithfulness to God and faithfulness in their dealings whether with Christian brethren or tyrannical kings. The Covenanters defended their faith and themselves but the strong armies of the king devastated them. Many were physically destroyed but spiritually, their dedication lived on in those that remained. “They wouldn’t give up the freedom for which Christ had died.”—Joe Morecraft

They had to hold “conventicle” meetings in the countryside. Viewing this as rebellion, the Stuart regime cracked down on the Covenanters. In a period of 50 years from 1638-1688, 18,000 men, women, and children were killed for their faith, the last eight years being known as the Killing Times. (Persecution stopped when the English Parliament deposed the absolutist King James II; the new rulers afforded the Scottish people the religious liberty they cherished.)

Standing here, we were exhorted to “teach our children the truth and how to love it.” This exhortation is very fitting, since there are 50% fewer churches in Scotland today than there were a century ago. Why? Fidelity to the covenant did not passed down as strongly, and false ideologies gained more ground in destroying the faith, than did the military’s persecution.

Christianity is not very evident today in Scotland, but looking back through history, we see a lineage of faithful groups and individuals in a bastion of Christianity. In ancient times, the Ionian Christians widely broadcast the Gospel that reached their shores. One man, Adom-nan, recorded the journeys of Columba and codified a law that protected women and children in war—an application of Biblical principles that truly changed Western civilization. The Reformers sought to return to pure, reverent worship of the Trinity and delineated their understanding in creeds and covenants. These beliefs were challenged once again in the Covenanting times, when they stayed true to their faith though their defense cost them their lives. They lived for God before dying for Him, and did so by loving and abiding by His Word.

Legacy of Liberty

2008-08-05T09:42:00.006-06:00

The William Wallace monument at Stirling, Scotland.

William Wallace statue at Edinburgh Castle.
Robert the Bruce at Stirling Castle.
Charlie Zahm singing "Scots Wha Hae" at Bannockburn.
Robert the Bruce, King of Scots at the Bannockburn battlefield.
Commemoration of Midsummer Day, 1314.
Bruce monument.
Being regaled with stories about the Declaration of Arbroath and American independence.
Robert the Bruce statue at Edinburgh Castle.
Quotations from the Declaration of Arbroath, at the National Museum of Scotland.

Robert the Bruce bust at the Wallace monument.
Samuel Rutherford's grave in St. Andrews, flanked by four men who love the Biblical foundations for religious and civil liberty. (Dr. Joe Morecraft, Bob Renaud, Doug Phillips, and Bill Potter.)
"No one attacks me with impunity," or, that one meddling with me will not go without their due punishment: what the Scots long stood for and fought for. (Emblem is over the entrance to Edinburgh Castle.)
Here are some of my notes from the lectures, the end of which explains a few things about the Scottish influence on America. I wish I had more time to write something well instead of keeping in note format, but this will have to suffice. I at least want to share some of the major points we learned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two themes were repeatedly addressed on our tour. One question as we studied the history of Scotland was, “How did God forge a people to prepare them to be the people of God?” Another question regarded how the things we learned about eventually influenced the United States and how they apply to us currently.

William Wallace: By the thirteenth century there was a succession crisis; a nobleman was next in line to the throne but he was imprisoned by the English; now Scotland had no king. Edward I “Longshanks” of England attacked the Scots in 1296. William Wallace, a landowner, gained the support of the many Scots who refused English rule; he defeated the English at Stirling Bridge but his army was crushed the next year at Falkirk. He was declared an outlaw and went into hiding until he was betrayed and executed. He is still honored by the Scottish people, who were particular about having a grand monument erected for him. Warriors used to be the most acclaimed heroes in a nation, and Wallace has been this for Scotland.

Too often, the Scottish nobles wanted to be on the winning side rather than the honorable side. But today we all know the name of "Braveheart" and have forgotten the names of the traitors. Wallace did not complete his cause, but his efforts were instrumental in The Bruce’s victory.

Robert the Bruce: By 1305, Edward I was still in control of Scotland. The Scottish lords (landowners) were required to give tribute to the English. One, Robert Bruce, had submitted but soon saw how the English were exercising tyranny over Scotland. Being in line for the throne (but not the heir recognized by the English), he declared himself King and was crowned in 1306. (He was considered the best knight in Britain and the 3^rd best in Europe.) The English sent an army to destroy him, but he continued to raise support of Scottish lords by defeating the English strongholds (castles) and defeating them in battle.

Bannockburn: Through clever maneuvers but against all odds, the Scots defeated the English army of Edward II at Bannockburn on Midsummer Day in 1314 (near Stirling where Wallace had gained a victory 17 years prior.) The battle which secured Scottish independence for another 400 years brought much acclaim to King Robert the Bruce—the hero of Scottish liberty and a model of courage and conviction. During his further reign of 15 years, he signed peace treaties with the English; these were not completely respected; however, the monarchy of Scotland was indeed able to continue until the crowns were united in 1707.

Declaration of Arbroath: A document written in 1320 by the Scottish nobles, petitioning the Pope to recognize Robert the Bruce, who had been excommunicated, as their rightful king. This declaration is understood to be a predecessor of America’s Declaration of Independence for three main reasons: It declares that the king is subject to the law and bound to a covenant to govern and protect the people. Both documents have the same pattern of establishing their authority, giving their history, listing the grievances of the English king, speaking of the glory of liberty, making a plea to be heard, and acknowledging God’s supremacy over all of this. The writers of the Dec. of Ind. used the ideas in the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina declaration—the first place in the colonies to proclaim independence, and the county with the highest concentration of Scotch-Irish immigrants. Neither document came out of a “vacuum” (all of a sudden); both were preceded by generations of teaching and of holding to convictions and Biblical principles about civil government.

The Scots fought at Bannockburn; the Americans fought at Yorktown; both battles were providentially blessed to favor the dedicated minority.

“Yet if he should give up what he has begun, and agree to make us or our kingdom subject to the King of England or the English, we should exert ourselves at once to drive him out as our enemy and a subverter of his own rights and ours, and make some other man who was well able to defend us our King; for, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”

Samuel Rutherford: The 2^nd most important Scot for us to know about, after John Knox. He wrote Lex Rex about the law being above the king, and about proper resistance to tyranny, which was widely read by the colonists before the American Revolution.

Influence on America: The immigrants from Scotland and England to the American colonies were the primary founders of our government. The English knew the problems with a state-controlled church, and the Scots had long striven with the English and their own kings. The following things were fundamental to the establishment of a Constitutional Republic: The king or state is subject to God; the king is over the state and not the church; the church is subject only to Christ’s headship. The representative government of the United States has some similarities to the presbyterian system of church government in Scotland, in that the power is not vested in a sole person (as in the Catholic Church or British monarchies.) The Americans avoided some propensity to tyranny by not having a king or a national church.

What John Knox had proclaimed about religious liberty to Mary, Queen of Scots and the rest of Scotland came to a fuller blossom in America where political liberty was designed, for one reason, to allow religious liberty. The legacy of Christianity from Scotland and the liberties that grew from it were both brought to America.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

around Stirling Castle

2008-08-03T21:08:00.004-06:00

We're away for the weekend but I hope to write a little about William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and the Scottish heritage of liberty, this coming Tuesday. So check back if you're interested!

Columba and Iona

2008-07-29T16:46:00.007-06:00

Looking from Iona to Mull. Iona is a mile and a half wide by three miles long, now inhabited by 125 people. Small, but this piece of land bordered by water has been incredibly used by God.
St. Martin's Cross stands "on the site it has occupied for more than a thousand years," since the eighth century.

Chapel of Arran, Iona: oldest ecclesiastical building in British Isles, dating from 12^th century.

Psalm 72 was read here.

Iona Abbey.

The missionary Columba came from Ireland to the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland, in 564 A.D. and brought the gospel to the Celts. At this time the Ionian Christians, though technically part of the Catholic Church, practiced a faith very close to how we would define evangelical Christianity. Their writings show that they believed in salvation by grace and in Christ as the head of the church.

The Celtic Christians were exploratory across the globe—likely even to the Americas where markings of the Ten Commandments in Hebrew have been found in caves.

These early Christians explored and evangelized, defended their faith against those who tried to threaten it, loved learning, and kept their covenant with God. They truly followed the Great Commission.

Iona is the place that our evangelical faith blossomed and spread to all corners of the world, by their evidently global navigation as well as through events later in British history. It was a center of theological scholarship and devoted Christian living.

I am hardly doing justice to the rich insights our lecturers gave us about Iona being a bastion of early Christianity. For one reason, I didn't write down all the dates mentioned and therefore do not have command enough of the facts.

However, two things stand out. One is, it was very special to be standing at what is, for the Western world, the birthplace of Christianity (after Israel.) Secondly, we know that the Christians at Iona and the Celtic Christians across Scotland were passionate about God; studying them, may we be encouraged to be more passionate about God than we are, and more thankful for our ancestors in the faith.

We were led in singing "Be Thou My Vision" and "Amazing Grace" inside the cathedral.
The graveyard where 48 Scottish kings and dozens of Irish, Pictish, and Scandinavian kings are buried--according to records, as the markers are no longer present. They recognized Iona as a sacred place and wished that their remains would be interred on this island.

Another church ruin on Iona.

for the weekend

2008-07-25T21:59:00.002-06:00

Part of St. Andrews University, where Patrick Hamilton and George Wishart were martyred.
Susanna, Sarah, my mom and I in front of the war memorial at Edinburgh Castle.
Ascending the first slope of Ben Nevis; we didn't get very far that day due to time, but there will be more later about several young men who got as high as possible: the top!
Bryce and Sarah at St. Andrews Castle and the North Sea coast.

Kilmartin Glen, Argyle Coast

2008-07-24T19:18:00.006-06:00

From the church at graveyard at Kilmartin where there are gravestones for the Knights Templar who fought in the crusades, and ancient Celtic crosses over graves of Christians, we took a walk.

"It will be about a mile and a half"....yes, through a cow pasture in the rain! What fun, though, to be right in the lovely Scottish countryside and among seldom-visited Druid ruins.

These cairns were evidently tombs.

In America we wouldn't have been able to climb all over and inside of this! There would have been countless restrictions!

The burial chamber.

The Druids occupied Scotland in the B.C. era before Roman invasion in A.D. 43, but no written records exist. It is secularly believed that they were here as early as 1500 B.C. Either way, it was before recorded history in the British Isles.

Mr. Phillips shared about the monoliths that track the solstice and other movements of the heavenly lights. Those who do not worship the one true God and Creator of the sun and earth end up turning toward worship of the sun and earth that He created—whether they lived 2,000 years ago or live today. Cultures that keep descending into nature worship end up devolving from the intelligence that God gave man—who is made in His image. It is believed that the Druids practiced animism, human sacrifice, and soothsaying. In their wickedness, the culture died out.

Kilmartin is one of the most ancient places in Scotland in terms of early historical evidence. Why this place was chosen is a mystery. Yet, it was also an important site of very early Christian settlement and a later destination for Catholic missionaries.

Here we were confronted with the idea of antithesis--that the ideologies of Christianity and paganism are completely opposite and not to be blended. This is very true in the worship of God versus the worship of the sun. Here also, we learned about the influence of the Roman church and that often Rome brought synthesis of paganism and Christianity, which is wrong. Adoration of saints, love of relics, and celebration of extrabiblical festivals are a few of ways in which Catholicism was influenced by pagan practices rather than always representing the pure word of God to those they evangelized.

We were reminded that the Reformers, whose beliefs followed the steps of the early Celtic church, promoted the unaided worship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in contrast to the Catholics' additional adoration of relics, statues and saints, or the Druids' sole worship of the sun, moon, and rocks.

Kilmartin represented the two things we studied that we were admonished not to synthesize with. As we learn more about the Reformers and their teachings, it is clear that Biblical Christianity is antithetical to any other religion and cannot ever be mixed lest it bring reproach to God's name.

This is like a miniature version of Stonehenge in England. It was beautiful for the reasons of its unknown-but-ancient age, the mystery surrounding its use, and the reminder given here about the antithesis between its symbolism and our faith.

I think this was understood to be a tomb in the center.

The view from our bus as we drove away in the evening. We passed Loch Lomond on our three-hour drive back to Edinburgh, and enjoyed the last glimpse of the Highlands that we had on the tour.

upcoming topics

2008-07-22T21:59:00.004-06:00

A word cloud of the subjects that I plan to post about soon.
~Click to enlarge~

Lessons in Stone

2008-07-21T18:01:00.009-06:00

If there is one element in common to all of the places we visited in Scotland--whether of spiritual or national significance--it is stone.

Nowhere on earth has more stories to tell than Scotland does, Bill Potter declared. At the closing banquet, Doug Phillips asked, “What will be here in 500 years?” Dr. Morecraft exhorted everyone to serve the Lord Jesus Christ—the only world-changing and eternal pursuit. With those comments as a preface, here are a few other messages (most from Mr. Potter) that were shared as we stood in front of ancient rock in various forms and pondered what they meant for us in 2008: very much indeed.

The stories on the tour were about things that have a "sense of permanence": churches, castles, gravestones, monuments, and monoliths. But they are only symbols, because the men behind them are gone. Jesus is unchanging and everlasting—the same today as He was 500 years ago. Everything we saw in Scotland—in addition to Jesus’ continuing promises today—remind us to stand fast and strong. What will be here 500 years in the future? The stones, most likely. The church of Jesus Christ, certainly.

Many generations have stood and have changed before Edinburgh Castle. (Castle Rock, for which the city of Edinburgh is named, has undergirded 14 centuries of fortification.) It seems solid but is not indomitable. Two things are unchangeable, however, that we studied on this tour: the nature of God, and His work in history. These are worth knowing thoroughly so that Christians can be applicable to the present, knowledgeable of the past, and hopeful for the future.

The inscriptions of famous names of gravestones will remain, but to keep alive their lessons, we need a hunger for learning and a vision for teaching. St. Giles Church still stands much as it did in Knox’s day; but the preaching within is unorthodox now. The Covenanters gave their lives for the truth of God’s Word, but too often we don’t even give our minds to the truth. To keep alive the ideas that make these stone edifices so memorable, we must be dedicated to continuing the same ideologies and convictions. Great reforms were seen in Scotland only when Christians were faithful to keep covenant with God and taught their children to do the same.

I think the Europeans had a commitment to preservation much greater than we do today. Their ideals of beauty were transmitted to stone; their love of grandeur was erected in stone.

Though stones survive millennia, values, beliefs, and truth need repleneshment by being communicated via men and women. One's ideals with die with him unless they are spoken or written. The amount of historical accounts written about Scotland is a cause to be grateful, but they will lie as dormant as the stones unless they are made known again. The guides on our tour did just this--a truly vital work.

And, to add a little humor, a stone with a different purpose:

Biblical Influence

2008-07-18T18:26:00.004-06:00

In the last chapter of A Scottish Christian Heritage, author Iain Murray concludes with the following thoughts:

In this book I hope I have shown something of the strength and influence of Scottish character. But the lesson of this chapter is that natural gifts alone are of no account in the kingdom of God...In the mid-nineteenth century, the Scot had a reputation for a national character second to none...What was most admired in Scottish character had been built through generations of Bible reading and Bible believing...It is the light of revelation that lifts a people heavenwards. God and His Word elevated this little land and gave it the position it came to occupy in the world...National character is not permanent. Scotland was a witness to what the Bible can do, and she has since shown how, without that light, a people once godly, serious, and upright, can become as earthbound and frivolous as any other nation...But 'the end is not yet.' Today also, while the books of higher critics lie unwanted, the writings and biographies of many of the men who were faithful to the Scriptures are republished and read across the earth.

Yes, Scotland is far from a model of Christianity now; but her historical examples of steadfast orthodoxy are still influencing people around the world--such as our group of one hundred who traveled there to learn from this country which has held to Christianity many centuries more than our own.

Lochs and Coasts

2008-07-16T11:08:00.009-06:00

Loch Lomond from the bus. Our whole bus broke into "on yon bonnie banks and yon bonnie braes..." led by Charlie Zahm, as we drove past.
Scotland, as part of the British Isles, is surrounded by water and features thousands of miles of coastline. Water has been a large part in defining the history and culture of this island country. In addition to the usual leisure and industrial transportation made possible by seas and waterways, the seas surrounding Scotland have been a gateway for missionaries to and from the nation, the avenue of Viking invasions, and an aid in removing exiles far away, and a source of sustenance in the form of fish. Being bordered by the ocean also defines the temperate maritime climate of Scotland--much rain and clouds but fairly mild. I enjoyed seeing water everywhere we went--lochs as well as seacoasts--and the use that people have made of it. Some castles are on the edge of lochs; some on islands or peninsulas in the middle of lochs.

These photos are from my mom's, Bryce's, and my cameras, and are a sampling of what we saw from the bus and ferry. [Any caption is for the one photo above it.]
The bay where we left Mull for Iona.

The isle of Skye in the distance, where Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped to after his defeat in Culloden.
Loch Linnhe at Fort William.
A beacon for storm-tossed waters.
"Caledonian MacBrayne," the ferry that we and our buses were on between Oban and Mull.
"High, in the misty Highlands...."

The Firth of Forth, stretching far inland from the North Sea and seen from the Walter Scott monument in Edinburgh (as well as every other high point in the city.) We never made it down to the shore, unfortunately.
The fishing village of Mallaig, at the end of the line with the Jacobite Steam Train.

Approaching Iona, where many kinds of vessels have been seen in these waters. Boats covered with animal skins...Viking ships...boats conveying kings for burial...missionaries leaving to navigate the world...and our little ferry bringing one hundred "pilgrims" back to the place where our faith historically began.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

David Livingstone

2008-07-14T15:08:00.004-06:00

I've been working on organizing my over-one-hundred pages of notes for a presentation to a few friends, and I hope that they will be in a format conducive to posting here as well. That will be several days, however, so in the meantime I'll share the following then probably more pictures later on.

David Livingstone was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1813 and died in Africa in 1873. He was a man of courage as he pioneered into African jungles, a man of mercy in working against the slave trade and inhuman treatment between tribes, and a man of passion in spreading the gospel to the uncivilized interior of Africa.

He himself said he didn't want to be "a man with a Bible under his arm"; meaning, he was a strenuous man of many talents who brought a completer picture of Christianity to Africa. He brought the themes of the Gospel to the natives in numerous ways in addition to sharing God's Word: mapping the wild lands, bringing Western medicine, showing interest in social concerns, discipling those who served him, and having his family there alongside him (some of the time.)

The 19th century was the age of the best missionary journeys. Mr. Phillips described Livingstone's mission as one of "exploration, evangelism, and emancipation."

On the way through the museum, Mr. Phillips noted that we need more hearty men and hearty women today, who are willing to step into unknown conditions and do strenuous tasks for the Lord. David Livingstone is an example of a bold and courageous man, not afraid of the many daunting elements of the plant and animal kingdoms in Africa, nor afraid of the tribes constantly at war with each other and steeped in witchcraft.

Reaching England, the stories of his adventures thrilled Victorian society with much the same surprise that space exploration has for America in past decades. More than thrilling us, however, the accounts of Livingstone's dominion-taking over the jungles of Africa and discipling the natives of Africa should be a model for how to live with a comprehensive Christian worldview.

Ancient, Beautiful City

2008-07-11T16:22:00.008-06:00

The center of Edinburgh is comprised of the Old Town and New Town districts, both of which predate the 1800’s. The antiquated Georgian and Victorian buildings and cobblestone streets were captivating to me—actually, I found every aspect of this European city quite fascinating. After all, there has been settlement on these hills since a millennium before America was settled! Edinburgh, being built on seven hills, has been compared to Rome. From the various vantage points we reached at all directions from the city, the same things are prominent: the castle rock, the Walter Scott monument, the Balmoral Hotel, and numerous church steeples that rise above the five-or-six-story rows of buildings.

With the volcanic mountain and hills encircling the city, and contemporary society living amongst the ancient landmarks, Edinburgh is a beautiful and very distinctive city. One tourism site calls it the "showcase capital of Scotland" and the most visited place in the United Kingdom after London. I was impressed by the cleanliness of the streets, the neatness of the gardens, and the calmness of the people. It is a city that could be explored for days. Since the Old Town is built on slopes, there are intriguing passages and stairways leading from one street to another and to courtyards and alleys. We spent the better part of six days there and got to know the main thoroughfares quite well; it was actually very easy to get around, because with the hills, you can see much of the city.

We spent a delightful afternoon on the second day of our visit with some young people native to the north of Scotland; in our conversations after the morning worship at their church, they introduced us to many things about Edinburgh and other parts of the county. (Hello to you all, and thank you!)

Enjoy these views of Edinburgh.

As Mr. Phillips said at the opening banquet, you can see a whole panorama of centuries and ideas spread before you as you look out at the city from any of the surrounding heights. You can see mountains where armies invaded...churches dotting the cityscape...statues to godliness, to great achievers, and to humanism. The current trend is to idolize the things that Rome did, much as would have been done 2,000 years ago when Hadrian's Wall was built. The city is a testament to much virtue and much vice that has taken place within it between the first years of our Lord (A.D) and the two-thousand-and-eighth year of our Lord.

Tale of Two Bruces

2008-07-10T11:34:00.005-06:00

The question asked at the beginning of our tour was basically “How did God forge a people to prepare them to be the people of God?” The following two men were influential in forging the national character and spiritual character of the Scottish people. Two Bruces stand prominent in Scottish history; one for the state and one for the church.

Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scots in the year 1306, and for eight years battled with the English kings Edward I and II, chasing them from their strongholds in Scotland. Early in 1314, one of the Bruce’s commanders recaptured Edinburgh Castle from the English, and on Midsummer Day of the same year the Scots victoriously won the well-maneuvered battle at Bannockburn.

The victory at Bannockburn secured Scotland’s independence while Robert the Bruce, Edward II, and Edward III lived; but since the Pope failed to recognize this dearly-bought independence, the English continued, off and on, to lord over the Scots. The love for freedom that was strengthened by battles won and liberty gained, however, played a part in shaping the Scottish temperament. This character was tested two centuries later in the Reformation, when the Scottish Presbyterians fought to have their Kirk separate in jurisdiction from the state. As Robert the Bruce’s nobles in the Declaration of Arbroath declared the higher authority of God’s law over the English King, the Presbyterian worthies declared the same during the Reformation: the monarch is under the sovereignty of God and owes Him submission. John Knox proclaimed this to Mary, Queen of Scots...Andrew Melville proclaimed it to James VI.

Robert Bruce was a nobleman descended from Robert the Bruce and a Scots Worthy who studied under Andrew Melville in St. Andrews and discipled the second-generation Reformer Alexander Henderson. For his nobility, he was respected; for his godliness, he was feared by the ungodly and loved by the godly (from Iain Murray; shared by Doug Phillips). Robert Bruce preached in St. Giles Kirk as the successor of John Knox, and, like him, also had discourse with the (now) King. Like Andrew Melville, his instructor, Robert Bruce understood the law of God as above the church and state; and for his influence on both, he is known as one of the leading men of the Scottish Reformation. The King banished him to Inverness, where he began a flourishing Gospel ministry, under which teaching Alexander Henderson was converted; (who was later instrumental in writing the National Covenant and the confessions of the Reformed Kirk).

Fort William, where our tour learned about this man during the Lord’s Day teaching, would have been in the center of Robert Bruce’s places of ministry: Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Inverness, his travels in the Highlands, and his burial in Falkirk. For his person, his diplomacy in the state, and his devotion to the Reformed faith, he was widely revered. As an heir of the ministries of John Knox and Andrew Melville, and father of the ministries of Alexander Henderson and other students, he occupies a central place in the Reformation period.

There are not as many statues and memorials to the Christian minister as there are to Bruce the King, but Robert Bruce worked for the religious liberty in Scotland which was a cornerstone of the ideology formed by the founders of the United States. I do not know which Bruce is more truly remembered or more due remembrance in the Scotland of today, but I think that they both helped to shape the nation because they both loved liberty. As Christians, we can learn much from the example of Robert Bruce, who was an ambassador of the Lord Jesus to the King of Scotland acting as the head of the church, as well as to the Highlanders who came to be part of the true church.

The following commentary does not mention Christianity or God’s law, but it is an interesting evaluation on Robert Bruce:

“What he stood for was in its essence freedom of conscience and the liberties of the people; and it must be the verdict of history that he did not make his stand in vain. Vanished from the earth are all those bright dames and bold knights who once on a time occupied so proud a place in the activities of this realm; yet unquenched to the present hour in its essentials is the contention of our stout-hearted Reformer. We have entered into possession of that spiritual freedom which he and his comrades suffered to secure. Such men as these are the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, into the shelter of which many creep as to their hiding-place. They are knots upon the thread of a nation's progress. They have laboured, and we are entered into their labours.”

The new Battle of Culloden

2008-07-07T21:33:00.003-06:00

The last major battle on Scottish soil was Culloden. In 1746 this crushing defeat of the Scottish Highlanders ended the clan system and brought the traditional Highland way of life to an end. Click here for more information about the battle.

It was fought again last week on the same field--Vision Forum style.

The English troops form battle lines on the exact spot that the nation-shaping conflict took place a quarter millenium earlier.

On the other side the Highland warriors (including yours truly) prepare to fight for Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Charge the bloody English!

Engage!

I attempt to finish off Mr. Daming.

Half lay where they fell. Half would live to see another day.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[The original battle at Culloden Moor was fought between the Jacobites--Highland clans in support of the Catholic Stuart dynasty--and King William's army of both Scots and Englishmen. Culloden is a romantic place to the Scottish, standing for the last time when men fought in clans with their family members and the last opportunity to have a Scottish king. Mr. Potter, the tour historian, thought that the Highlanders' wanting the Stuarts back on the throne superceded the propensity to imperialism that Bonnie Prince Charlie would have, as a Catholic monarch, brought to Britain. The outcome of the Scottish defeat was that Scotland was permanently cemented to England and Bonnie Prince Charlie was immortalized in ballads and treasured in the hearts of his supporters.

As we studied Stirling Bridge, Bannockburn, and Culloden on our tour, so the defeat at Stirling Bridge and the victory at Bannockburn would have been even closer to the memories of the brave warriors at Culloden. More on the other battles later... (Renee)]

Scotland: Introduction

2008-07-07T20:11:00.005-06:00

Here is a sampling of some the scenery and the things that we did. I desperately need some sleep after getting home in the early minutes of this morning, but more notes about specific places and themes of our journey will be shared later. Thank you to those who have commented in the past weeks while we were gone; we hope you enjoy the upcoming posts.

Loch Linnhe near Fort William.

At the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Atop St. Rule's Church in St. Andrews.
At Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness.
Between Oban and Isle of Mull on the way to Iona.

Scottish coast.

Listening to a lecture at the battlefield of Bannockburn.

Long bus ride...taking photos of Loch Lomond out the windows.
One of many burial grounds we visited.

My mom in the village of Ceres.
The Glenfinnan Viaduct and Jacobite Steam Train through the Highlands.

The Western Islands and one aspect of their livelihood.
Edinburgh Castle as seen from a monument on Princes Street.
Edinburgh's Old Town District and the Royal Mile.
United Kingdom coat of arms as used in Scotland.
Low light on the Balmoral Hotel.
The lowlands near Stirling.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Update from Fort William

2008-06-29T03:27:00.004-06:00

The tour's first week has been a whirlwind of castles, church meeting houses, technological wonders, gravesites, places of matyrdom, and rich fellowship. Please review Doug's Blog for daily photographic updates. We haven't had time to post photos, but we are filling up gigabytes of camera memory to share with you later.

Last week brought big news for me, but I will wait to break the news in a proper fashion very soon.

-Bryce-

In Edinburgh

2008-06-21T12:50:00.008-06:00

Edinburgh Castle commands the city with Prince's Street Gardens in the foreground.

-Bryce-

2008-06-18T21:17:00.005-06:00

~To the land of kirks and glens is where we will be headed,
Lord willing, in less than 36 hours. Expect some actual
post-Scotland news after 4th of July weekend. Until then,
Happy Summer! wherever it finds you.~

Cromwell to his daughters

2008-06-12T19:23:00.002-06:00

In The Protector, J.H. Merle D'Aubigne cites many letters from Oliver Cromwell that show his tenderness and piety. The following two excerpts, to his daughter Bridget and his daughter-in-law Dorothy, respectively, were very instructive, I thought, about the nature of Christian love and the nature of Christian life.

"That which is best worthy of love in thy husband is that of the image of Christ he bears. Look on that, and love it best, and all the rest for that. I pray for thee and him..." (1646)

"I desire you both to make it above all things your business to seek the Lord...As for the pleasures of this life, and outward business, let that be upon the bye.* Be above all these things by Faith in Christ; and then you shalt have the true use and comfort of them--and not otherwise. I have much satisfaction in hope your spirit is this way set." (1649)

*In this use, bye could be the definition of a side issue or secondary interest.

Sixteen days...

2008-06-04T09:10:00.003-06:00

until we depart for Scotland. I haven't had much time to study lately, and probably won't, but when I do, I am trying to read (on related websites) about the places on our itinerary: where they are, and what happened there. I look forward to knowing some of the historical background ahead of time so that when we are at the sites listening to our tour guides, I can concentrate more on the lessons and applications that can be gleaned from the events and the people that were involved.

I did find Cromwell, The Protector by J.H. Merle d' Aubigne when I unpacked Bryce's books, and have started to read it. It seems that though Oliver Cromwell's policies may not be without criticism from various fronts, he was indeed a dedicated Christian Puritan.

Ballads of Alba

2008-05-26T09:16:00.003-06:00

I am looking forward to gaining more insight from Mr. Zahm on this tour about why Scotland has a rich legacy of poetry and ballads. It seems to me that the British Isles are the home of more storytellers and songwriters, than are other countries, but I may be mistaken (because, of course, I am more familiar with the English language than with any other!)

If it is true, I wonder why it is? Whether or not the number of stories and songs exceeds that of other nations, the fact remains that Scotland has a storehouse of them. Are the people particularly inclined to literature and folklore? Does the beautiful scenery inspire romantic thoughts? Did the repeated striving with the English and suffering from many causes, lead to the poignant expression of feelings and sorrows? Has it been a gift of Providence that the Scottish people love to record their history?

The tenor of a people’s writing is not only influenced by their country, but, in the opposite direction, can influence the country as well, as the following quotations show.

"In Scotland, with all that went on following the 1707 Act [of Union], when so much self-confidence and self-respect was lost, it is remarkable that a resurgence of patriotic pride took place at all. That it did, in a movement that finally came to full fruition in the Referendum of 1997, is due, in no small part, to three of the country's finest writers, Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson...To Scots, Burns above all is the one who restored pride and a sense of worth to a people sadly treated by history...Burns reminded his readers that this was another country, though part of Britain, true, but certainly not another England....[Scott] excelled in three main areas: bringing to light and refining age-old ballad with tender, loving care; producing moving, imaginative narratives in original verse form; and authoring the series of the Waverley noves, known throughout the English-speaking world as tales of chivalry par excellence. Scott gave back to the Scottish people their history; to the world, he gave a picture of a romantic, exciting and patriotic Scotland...However, literary men can do only so much to influence the course of events."

Current Weather in Scotland

2008-05-22T10:24:00.003-06:00

As we are preparing for our trip--and especially since it is rainy here and I hope it won't be in Scotland--I have been checking the weather there. This page has a list of the current temperatures and conditions in many Scottish cities; (keep in mind the time change from the U.S.) For the tour, we are most concerned with Fort William and Edinburgh.

That's all for today...more coming soon, but we are pretty busy for a couple of weeks.

2008-05-16T08:44:00.002-06:00

The Land of Gallant Hearts
Ours is the land of gallant hearts,
The land of lovely forms,
The island of the mountain-harp,
The torrents and the storms;
The land that blooms with freeman's tread,
And withers with the slave's,
Where far and deep the green woods spread,
And wild the thistle waves.

Ere ever Ossian's lofty voice
Had told of Fingal's fame,
Ere ever from their native clime
The Roman eagles came,
Our land had given heroes birth,
That durst the boldest brave,
And taught above tyrannic dust,
The thistle tufts to wave.

What need we say how Wallace fought,
And how his foemen fell?
Or how on glorious Bannockburn
The work went wild and well?
Ours is the land of gallant hearts,
The land of honour'd graves,
Whose wreath of fame shall ne'er depart
While yet the thistle waves.
Henry Scott Riddell (1798-1870)

Scottish Worthy

2008-05-12T12:32:00.002-06:00

After studying at St. Andrews University and having taught in both France and Geneva, Andrew Melville (1545-1622) returned to his native Scotland. The man whom the people at Geneva thought was the greatest gift they could give back to Scotland, was, by one writer Spottiswoode, called the Apostle of the Scottish Presbyterians. He continued the Reformation largely begun by John Knox. Being part of the church assemblies and conventions, Mr. Melville had opportunity to speak before King James the VI of Scotland and I of England. Between the time when he enjoyed the king’s favor, and the four years he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for displeasing the king, he gave the following speech, in 1596, to His Majesty.

The discourse helped me to understand the prevalent issues facing the Scottish Christians as well as what exactly they believed about the sovereign’s place of submission under the Divine sovereignty of God, and the duty of the subjects of both kingdoms. Andrew Melville was released from the Tower and lived to 77 years of age, during which time he was always a bold, genteel, and faithful servant of Jesus Christ.

“Sire, we will always humbly reverence your Majesty in public, but having opportunity of being with your Majesty in private, we must discharge our duty, or else be enemies to Christ. And now, Sire, I must tell you, that there are two kings an two kingdoms in Scotland: there is King James, the head of the Commonwealth, and there is Christ Jesus, the Head of the Church, whose subject King James VI. is, and of whose kingdom he is not a head, nor a lord, but a member; and they whom Christ hath called, and commanded to watch over His Church, and govern His spiritual kingdom, have sufficient authority and power from Him so to do, which no Christian king nor prince should control or discharge, but assist and support, otherwise they are not faithful subjects to Christ. And, Sire, when you were in your swaddling clothes, Christ reigned freely in this land in spite of all His enemies; His officers and ministers were convened for ruling His Church, which was ever for your welfare. Will you now challenge Christ’s servants, your best and most faithful subjects, for convening together, and for the care they have of their duty to Christ and you? The wisdom of your counsel is, that you may be served with all sorts of men, that you may come to your purpose, and because the ministers and Protestants of Scotland are strong, they must be weakened and brought low, by stirring up a party against them. But, Sire, this is not the wisdom of God, and His curse must light upon it; whereas, in cleaving to God, His servants shall be your true friends, and He shall compel the rest to serve you.”

Printed at this site is the entire chapter on Andrew Melville from Scots Worthies by John Howie.

Studying for Scotland

2008-05-08T20:53:00.003-06:00

Bryce and I see on our site-meter that quite a few people are searching for news about the Scotland Faith and Freedom Tour :-) Hopefully some of you will be on the tour and we will be able to meet you. Hopefully we'll be able to provide the rest of you with a little bit of insight about the trip, afterward. Only six weeks to go....

Here is a list of some of the material that I, as well as my mom and Bryce to some extent, have been reading.

The three books on the left of the picture are from Vision Forum: Missionary Patriarch, Scots Worthies, and A Scottish Christian Heritage. I read most of Scots Worthies and it has articles about many devout Christian men in the 1500's - 1700's. However, A Scottish Christian Heritage is in a format which gave a clearer picture, without as many details as the former, of what was happening historically in the Church. I think Bryce enjoyed the John G. Paton missionary book several years ago.

The three "coffee table" books stacked horizontally are, of course, pretty much what the titles say, and the Kings and Queens one has been very helpful in putting events in perspective.

The old burgundy book is seemingly a respected biography of Oliver Cromwell, by Lady Antonia Fraser. It is so large and detailed that I only have time to skim it. It was easier to get an idea of his life by watching the movie "Cromwell," though I'm not sure it was completely accurate. I look forward to reading in this book about his campaigns into Scotland, which the movie leaves out.

The Scottish Covenanters DVD is from Vision Forum as well, and very educational. Above it, The Life of John Knox by Thomas McCrie, which is, I understand, one of the decisive books about this great Reformer. It was written in the 1800's, I believe, and reprinted more recently.

The series in the center of the photograph, From Gileskirk to Greyfriars, From Glencoe to Stirling, and From Montrose to Culloden, are numbers 2, 3, and 4 in Tales from a Scottish Grandfather by Sir Walter Scott. They are published by Cumberland House in Tennessee. We do not have number one in the series, From Bannockburn to Flodden because, well, it is no longer available, and I can't find it in stock on any website in the United States or United Kingdom! If anyone knows how to find it other than as a used book on Amazon for $50 and up, please tell me! We just received these from King's Meadow, so I haven't started reading them yet.

Not pictured are several books and videos that we have borrowed from the library. I read Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, and The King's Swift Rider by modern Scottish novelist Mollie Hunter. This latter book was, I thought, an excellent story about the life and battles of the historic King Robert the Bruce and his semi-fictional "swift rider" and other attendants. We watched one DVD presentation of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and one showing a countrywide tour filmed by helicopter. If you want to find out more about Scotland, your local library (ours is actually quite small) may be a good resource.

The Henty and Ballantyne books regarding Scotland, that Vision Forum sells, sound very good--but I guess we are bypassing that whole genre for now since we don't have any young boys...and we have plenty else to read!

I plan to listen to a few of the Reformation history CD's by Joe Morecraft in the History of the World set, and if my mom and I end up having lots of extra time while we are moving into our new house (yeah, right!), Pastor Morecraft's dozens of lectures about the history of the Reformation (ones pertaining to the British Isles) sound very good!

The motto on Doug's Blog is Alba Gu Bra--Gaelic for "Scotland forever". I am sure we will want to study Scottish history even more once we get home: this is only one part of a lifelong interest in history, and an extension of continually searching out the history of America.

That's all for now, friends~

Saga of the Jameses

2008-05-06T17:11:00.002-06:00

A long time ago.....

many things happened in Scotland and England during and regarding the reigns of James VI and I, and his grandson James VII and II. Here begins my historical narrative.

The Jameses I through V of Scotland reigned consecutively in Scotland from 1406 to 1542. They were part of the Stewart dynasty begun by the King Robert the Bruce’s daughter’s son-Robert II. (The Bruce dynasty was powerful in its day, rescuing Scotland from English domination, but died out, in name, when there was no male heir to Robert’s son David II.) The Stewart kings were still related to King Robert, however, through his daughter’s line.

After James V, his daughter Mary, Queen of Scots reigned over the land. When she was imprisoned and forced to abdicate the throne after being complicit in the murder of her husband, her infant son James VI became king. A regent ruled in his place until he was sixteen years old. Mary was executed twenty years after her abdication, due to involvement in plots to depose her distant cousin Elizabeth I and claim the throne of England; but James VI was given the crown of England upon the “Virgin Queen” Elizabeth’s death, since she left no heir.

His Grace James VI of Scotland was eligible to be crowned with the crown of England because his (Scottish) great-grandfather James IV had married Margaret, the daughter of Henry VII of England. (Henry VII was the grandfather of Edward VI, “Bloody Mary,” and Elizabeth I.) Since the marriage of Margaret and James IV, the two countries had been related through marriage as they had been in previous dynasties throughout their history, making it possible for James VI to be crowned with the title of His Majesty James I of England in 1603 and thus wearing the crowns of both countries. (The “Union of the Crowns,” where Scotland and England were under the common authority of one crown instead of the symbolic two on the same head, was not until 1707.)

So James VI of Scotland became, additionally, James I of England. It was James VI and I who was interested in settling the America’s, and Jamestown in Virginia was named after him and the Virgin Queen, his predecessor Elizabeth.

James VI and I had a son, who became Charles I, king of Scotland, England, and Ireland like his father. This Charles I was executed by English Parliament in the days of Oliver Cromwell. Scotland was of a different sentiment regarding the execution and the proposed commonwealth, and crowned Charles’ son Charles II as king of Scotland. (The crowns were not united yet; they could choose their own king.) The American colony of Virginia also recognized the monarchy of Charles II, hence the nickname “Old Dominion.” Cromwell’s army invaded Scotland and chased Charles II into exile; the commonwealth and parliamentary government were in place for ten years until England finally crowned Charles II as their king.

James VII and II (son of Charles I) succeeded his brother Charles on the throne of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was the last Roman Catholic monarch to sit on this throne, and was known for his absolutism. Parliament and his subjects, wanting to protect English civil and religious liberties, enacted the English Bill of Rights, and deposed their king in what is known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688. His son was also a Catholic--and that being forbidden for a king in the English Bill of Rights—Parliament chose his daughter Mary II and her husband William III, of Orange, from the Netherlands, to reign in his stead. Thus came the joint reign of William and Mary, for whom a college and the city of Williamsburg in the state of Virginia are named. In Mary’s sister Anne’s reign (as William and Mary had no surviving children) was the Act of Union and the creation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain: 1707. Anne Stuart d id not have children who lived to succeed her, so she was succeeded by a descendant of her great-grandfather James VI and I, and that successor was George I--the ancestor of George III in whose reign America declared independence from Britain.

James VII and II, being exiled in France, was influenced by the Catholic and despotic King Louis XIV, to seek the throne of England again. He landed in Ireland but William’s army defeated him. His son James Francis Edward took up his father’s cause, and, held to be king by those loyal to him in France and Britain, landed in Scotland in 1715. The followers of the Jameses in the Stuart dynasty were known as Jacobites; hence the name First Jacobite Rebellion was given to the uprising of 1715. James VII and II’s grandson Charles Edward Stuart again tried to raise resistance against the reigning monarch, landing in Scotland and gaining allegiance from many Highland clans; this Second Jacobite Rebellion was in 1745, and was again defeated, prompting the decades-long prejudice of the English and Lowland Scots against the Highland people. This Charles Edward Stuart is known as the Young Pretender (his father was the Old Pretender) as well as “Bonnie Prince Charlie.” It is said that there were more ballads written about Bonnie Prince Charlie than about anyone else in Scottish history.

So, there are the Jameses that enjoyed consecutive reigns in Scotland, the James that ascended to the throne of England (and Ireland) in addition to Scotland and who showed interest in America, the James that was authoritarian and suffered displeasure and disposal from Parliament, and the Jameses that sought to repossess the crown.

I haven’t included many dates, but to get a better understanding of the years concerned in the above account, I have found that Wikipedia’s lists of Scottish Monarchs, English Monarchs, British Monarchs, and family trees for the kings and queens of Scotland, England, and Britain are very helpful. The above information is accurate to the best of my knowledge, and I apologize if I misunderstood any relations between different monarchs and events as I have been researching. I know that finding out about who was reigning at what time, and who was related to who, really cleared up some confusion for me, and I hope it does for others as well (particularly my brother who said he needed to know more.) So this, Bryce, is for you to read.

2008-05-05T20:25:00.000-06:00

~Loch Maree~

a timeline with a theme

2008-05-04T15:32:00.005-06:00

In studying Scottish and English history, I kept noticing similar dates in consecutive centuries—the 16th through 19th centuries--and decided to write them down so that I could remember them. Here is the result, a list of selected dates:

1507: Printing was introduced to Scotland

1603: Ascent of James VI of Scotland to the throne of England (James I).

1607: The Virginia Company settled Jamestown in America

1707: “Union of the Crowns” of Scotland and England

1801: Bible is published in the Gaelic language

1807: Britain outlaws slavery.

1544: Beginning of Scottish Reformation

1643: Signing of Solemn League and Covenant with English Parliament

1649: Charles I executed. Scotland proclaims Charles II as King.

1745: Second Jacobite Rebellion—Bonnie Prince Charlie arrives in the Highlands.

1843: "Disruption" in Church of Scotland--spiritual revival and renewal leading to denominational split.

1846: Minor, but interesting fact: first tourist trips to Scotland were organized.

1560: Treaty of Edinburgh ends French interference in Scottish civil affairs

1560: Publication of Geneva Bible, which John Knox participated in before returning to Scotland in 1559.

1561: Mary, Queen of Scots returns to her homeland, from France, and begins her dealings with John Knox.

1660: “The Restoration” of Charles II to the monarchy of England and Scotland

1760: The Highland Clearances are in full force

1860: One O’clock Gun at Edinburgh Castle, fired for the first time

1588: Defeat of Spanish Armada during reign of Elizabeth I

1688: “Glorious Revolution” where Parliament deposed James VII, and William and Mary (James’ Protestant daughter and Dutch son-in-law) took his place

1782: Tartan-wearing legalized after a 35-year ban

1788: Death of the exiled Charles Edward Stuart (“Bonnie Prince Charlie”) and end of any hope to reinstate the Stuart dynasty.

1888: For lack of a major historical event in this year relevant to what I have been studying, I'll say this: 1888 was one-hundred-and-twenty years before Vision Forum's Scotland Faith and Freedom Tour! :-)

Following are some of the timelines and historical summaries which I have found helpful, though they don’t emphasize what was happening ecclesiastically and spiritually in the nation.

"In Search of Scotland" by BBC (more in-depth than a summary)

Undiscovered Scotland's historical timeline (I've been using desktop wallpaper from this site.)

Rampant Scotland directory (this site has also been good for researching the Scottish culture and Scottish icons)

Mostly unrelated to the facts or links above, this site provides articles by and about many of the past church leaders of Scotland.

Reformation Scotland

2008-05-04T14:42:00.003-06:00

I arise today
Through a mighty strength:
God's power to guide me,
God's might to uphold me,
God's eyes to watch over me;
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to give me speech,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to shelter me,
God's host to secure me.

Bridgid of Gael, First Millenium

"Wha daurs meddle wi me"

2008-05-03T20:42:00.005-06:00

On the various properties my family has owned, battling the thistles is one thing we continually had to do. Though their thorns were enemies of bare ankles, and their presence in a pasture was utterly unwanted, we could not help but admire the sharpness of the leaves and the soft, brilliant blossoms. I would think, "hmmm, we really don't want or like these, but they are the national flower of Scotland, and, I'll admit they are beautiful." The large purple heads that we could spot bobbing above the waving grass of the field had characteristics far unlike any other plant. Maybe that is why Scotland has a particular affinity to the thistle. Following is the legend of how this flower came to be associated with Scotland. I wonder if thistles are welcomed there, or if they are just as intrusive to farmers as they are here?

"The prickly purple thistle was adopted as the Emblem of Scotland during the rein of Alexander III (1249 -1286). Legend has it that an Army of King Haakon of Norway, intent on conquering the Scots landed at the Coast of Largs at night to surprise the sleeping Scottish Clansmen. In order to move more stealthily under the cover of darkness the Norsemen removed their footwear.

As they drew near to the Scots it wasn't the only thing hiding under the cover of darkness. For one of Haakon's men unfortunately stood on one of these spiny little defenders and shrieked out in pain, alerting the Clansmen of the advancing Norsemen. Needless to say the Scots who won the day." --Source
"The thistle is not a useful plant, but it is tough and prickly, something you cannot simply grasp hold of and pull out of the ground like a common weed. It was this prickliness that the Scottish Heralds liked. In this way it was like the lion with its claws out, and it fitted Scotland's proud motto "Nemo me impune lacessit". [No one attacks me with impunity].

The thistle became a popular badge in Scotland. While the lion was grand and the saltire hallowed by long tradition, the homely thistle was something everyone could identify with. To the Scots it was a reminder that their country might not be the most rich or fertile but, equally, it was not to be grasped lightly." --Source

This site tells more about the history of the Norse soldier stepping on the thistle, about the species, and about the Order of the Thistle.

"Since then the Thistle has been seen as a reminder to all that no one can mess with the Scots without feeling the pain of the Thistle...The Thistle is often surrounded by the words "Nemo me impune lacessit" which is found on the Order of the Thistle and means "No one harms me without punishment", and reminds us of the Norses who tried to attack the sleepy Scots and were stung by the beautiful purple, yet prickly Thistle."--Source

~I'll be looking for thistles in Scotland!~

Queen Margaret (A.D. 1045 to 1093)

2008-04-25T21:30:00.026-06:00

The book Daughters of Destiny by Noelle Wheeler Goforth first introduced me to the story of Queen Margaret of Scotland, when I received it as a gift from my parents in the year 2000. When I started to study Scotland, her life is one of the first things I remembered, as it impacted me at the time. Rereading “Scotland’s Angelic Queen” in Daughters of Destiny and doing more research on the internet, I was inspired to share here about this fascinating lady.

When William the Conquerer invaded England in 1066, three young siblings had to flee for their lives. The parents of Edgar the Atheling, the new heir to the English throne, had been killed, and the young prince and his two sisters, Margaret and Christina, had set sail for Hungary. ("Edgar was the only Anglo-Saxon prince to survive the Norman invasion.")Providentially, a storm threw them upon the coast of Scotland, where King Malcolm III’s countrymen received the royal arrivals. Noblemen brought them to the court, where the King, in recognition of the late English King Edward’s amity, welcomed them into his palace.

Malcolm Canmore was a warlike king, and Princess Margaret was a graceful and accomplished maiden; but in the roughness of his Pictish heritage, he loved and was attracted to the gentle manners of the Saxon maiden, and they were soon married. When they were wed, the king was forty-three, and the princess was twenty-three. Though she had once planned to devote her life to being a nun, she submitted to the design of Providence, and accepted the role of wife and counselor of this great man.

“Scotland as part of the Continent and comity [legal reciprocity] of Europe could not escape this renaissance [of Christianity] and, by the providence of God, the coming of this revival and the shaping of all our future religious and social history was wrought by an exiled Saxon princess, whom Scotsmen have honoured ever since, as a great Queen and patroness—Saint Margaret. In her life story we can see all the new European ideals of religion, manners and polity being propagated and finding acceptance in Scotland. When the reigns of Margaret's husband and sons have passed, the face of Scotland has changed, no longer a shadowy, misty land, turbulent with war, but a prosperous and peaceful kingdom taking its place as an equal in the commonwealth of nations that was mediaeval Christendom.” —David McRoberts

Queen Margaret, with her pious character and feminine behavior, had a wide and moderating influence in the reform of the court of Dunfermline, and even on the poor beggars of the villages. She taught young ladies of the country to exercise virtue in their homes; she extended Christian charity to the sick and outcast, providing food and shelter for them.

Noelle Goforth writes: “She effected in the thoughts, the sentiments, and manners, and the morals of these hitherto untamed and unruly nobles, many of the same changes which had taken place in the mind and heart and conduct of the king. Thus the blessed influence of her virtue and gentleness spread from above downward, through every class, till the lowliest peasant and remotest Highland glens were made to feel Margaret’s refining and elevating effects...became blended and sanctified by the cross...She was a treasure beyond all price to be cherished by king and people, who lived in the hearts of all succeeding generations.
“Let a woman’s hand trace the first outlines of the glorious picture of piety and patriotism offered in this queenly life of twenty-three years on the throne. With this most admirable life before us, let us see how every woman can, in like manner, make of her home a paradise, and be the loved and revered queen of the little kingdom which no one can take from her.”

For these reasons, the excellent Queen Margaret was sainted by the Roman Catholic Church. She used her womanly encouragement as Queen to promote godliness in the court and in the whole of her adopted country. Instead of using her position to become prideful or powerful in an unfortunate way, she was foremost a Christian who was diligent to serve and nurture everyone she met, from her husband King Malcolm to the orphans of the land.

I mention that she was named a saint, so that you may expect and excuse the comments about mass, and similar Catholic traditions, in the articles which I link to. (Being called a saint does not change what a person is or was, anymore than does the naming of a knight, as with Sir Walter Scott.) In this time period, there was such a difference between the barbaric cultures and the Christian, even Catholic, practices that affected nations such as Scotland, that I do not discount Queen Margaret if she was Roman Catholic—but rather focus on the acclaim given to her person and the changes she wrought in the realm.

In addition to caring for many people, the King and Queen had eight living children, three sons of which followed their father on the throne of Scotland, and one daughter of which married the King of England, Henry I. Queen Margaret, residing in Edinburgh, yet praised the Lord for His perfect will, when the one of the last things she heard before her death was that her husband and eldest son had been killed in the Battle of Anwick.

St. Margaret’s Chapel—the oldest church in Scotland today, the oldest part of Edinburgh Castle as well as of Edinburgh—was named for her when built by her son David during his reign. Margaret’s dwelling in Edinburgh Castle is the thought to be the first time it was used as a royal residence. Robert the Bruce had to destroy most of the castle a century later to prevent English capture, but he spared St. Margaret’s Chapel. The castle was rebuilt at a later date, but the chapel remains the oldest part, dating from the 12^th century.

Malcolm and Margaret built Dunfermline Abbey (the picture before the previous), probably quite near to the place where they were married. This renowned King and Queen were both buried in the abbey of Dunfermline, as are Robert the Bruce who gained Scotland's independence from England in the 14th century, and many other persons of royalty. (Queen Victoria, one of the first British monarchs to show a strong interest in Scotland, later had Malcolm's and Margaret's graves restored.)

Margaret has been called the “Pearl of Scotland”; “margaron,” correspondingly, is Greek for the word pearl. Truly, she seems to have been a pure and refined treasure in the midst of an often harsh, tempestuous time. The Lord took her from her native home and placed her in a foreign kingdom “for such a time as this.” She beautified and sanctified her surroundings, as a pearl in a shell, and her influence has not been forgotten nor made obsolete.

For further information, this site tells the lengthy history of Margaret’s life, and includes numerous quotes from one of the oldest chronicles about her (by Bishop Turgot.)
As this site states, "There are few females in history who can be compared with Queen Margaret."

This article by David McRoberts is another, even longer than the one linked above, account of Margaret’s reign. At the beginning of each section is a lovely stanza from a poem about her. The author here also tells of what was happening religiously in Scotland during this period.

Thus I present to you Margaret of Scotland and a saint in character if not by title, a remarkable lady who graced the name of Christian as well as Queen, and from whom we can learn much. God provides a place for each of His children to serve; hers was to advance Christ's kingdom by influencing, by her lofty example, her husband's Scottish kingdom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Scottish Textiles

2008-04-21T20:34:00.004-06:00

~As a seamstress, I am interested in the patterns and textures of various fabrics. Numerous types owe their popularity to the nation of Scotland.~

The above fabric shows a style known as the Paisley pattern (described as a teardrop or tadpole shape.) While the design originated in India and other southern Asian countries, it came to wider recognition when several weaving centers in Scotland began to manufacture shawls made with this design, in the mid 18th century. One city, Paisley in Renfrewshire, gave the pattern the name which has stayed with it ever since and has spread it to many parts of the world.

Tartans, above, are recognized all over as being distinctly Scottish. While fabrics designed with checks and stripes, called plaids, have long been produced on looms, tartans were traditionally worn by Highland clans for many centuries before the time when, in the 19th century, kilts of certain patterns became associated with certain clans and family names. This site has some history of tartans (and states there are over 3,500 tartans), and this site explains some of the pattern and color variations. In the tradition of what Scotland has done, other countries have their own tartan colors as well. For instance, the province of Manitoba has a beautiful one, which my mom has a coin purse in from her childhood travels there.

The Manitoba Tartan is approved by the "guardian of Scottish Heraldry, [and] is registered in Scotland as the official tartan of the province."

Now, about Harris Tweed. By British law, it must be "hand-woven by islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist, and Barra in their homes, using pure virgin wool that has been dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides." One tourism video we watched showed this weaving being done by men on small crofts, or farms, on the cold, windswept outer islands of Scotland. It originally started when the islanders used their domestic sheep's wool to weave sturdy cloth to protect them against the harsh climate. "In 1906...it became one of the first industries to use a trademark."

Weaving Harris Tweed. (Photo by Helen Little.)

Swatches of woolen tweed.

Fair Isle Knitting, quoted from Wikipedia:

"Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. It is named for Fair Isle, a tiny island in the north of Scotland, between the Orkney and Shetland islands...Some people use the term "Fair Isle" to refer to any colourwork knitting where stitches are knit alternately in various colors, with the unused colours stranded across the back of the work. Others use the term "stranded colourwork" for the generic technique, and reserve the term "Fair Isle" for the characteristic patterns of the Shetland Islands."

[Photo Source: http://www.thistleandbroom.com/shopping/apparel/wool/sea-pinks.htm]

Scottish lace is made on authentic Nottingham looms, by Scottish designers, as it has been for over a hundred years. French and Belgian immigrants brought the art of lace handwork to Scotland, where it was later adapted to larger machines in the Industrial Revolution. Nottingham looms made lace affordable to everyone, but the lace is still painstakingly made in Scotland by hand-entering thousands of punch cards for each pattern. Isn't it gorgeous? I almost chose this for the curtains in my new room, but decided on something slightly more opaque.

One last item to consider is Shetland yarn, which may "lack the flash and flare of today's yarns, but [which has] clothed royalty and sustained a population for more than 400 years." I made a scarf out of chunky Shetland yarn this winter (it's still winter here!) and I really like the soft, thick texture and rich hues.

~Well, there is a little tour of some various cloth products manufactured (literally, many of them still made by hand) in Scotland. ~

2008-04-19T09:26:00.003-06:00

~At Montana Maiden, I posted photos
of a journal I decorated for our trip.~

Sir Walter Scott

2008-04-19T08:29:00.007-06:00

Sir Walter Scott: 1771-1832

Below are a few interesting facts about this famous Scottish author.

While suffering from polio as a child, young Walter Scott was able to study much history of his country.

He was the first person to write historical fiction works and make them immensely popular. He was one of the first to recognize the genius of the female English author Jane Austen.

Walter Scott was knighted by the monarch in 1820.

He is known to have done several important things for the people of Scotland:

Bringing King George IV to Scotland, thus reviving royal recognition and cultural acceptance of the tartan, kilt, and bagpipes, which had been outlawed since the defeat of the Jacobites in 1746.
Recovered the Honours of Scotland (the crown, sword, and scepter) in 1818, which had a long history of being hidden, the first time to keep them from Oliver Cromwell, and the second time at the Act of the Union in 1707 when there was no longer a need for them. They are now on display in the Edinburgh Castle
Helped the Scottish people to take pride once again in their history and heritage, by “romancing” its figures, places, and events (especially of the Highlands) in his novels. Responsible for much of the image of Scotland that is known by people today all over the world.

The Scott Monument on Princes Street in Edinburgh is 200 feet tall, and 67 figures from his novels are displayed around the base.

His novels were published by James Ballantyne, the uncle of another well-known historical fiction writer, R.M. Ballantyne (whose works have recently been reprinted by Vision Forum.)

Lion Rampant

2008-04-18T15:06:00.003-06:00

Described by Wikipedia as "red lion rampant with blue tongue and claws within a red double tressure flory counter-flory on a yellow field," this flag is the Royal Standard of Scotland. Dating from heraldic use by William the Lion in the 12th century, the rampant lion flag is older than the St. Andrews flag--the national flag of Scotland, and is the official flag for use by the monarch. It is the personal banner used by Queen Elizabeth II on state visits, and flies over the royal residences such as Balmoral Castle and Holyrood Palace.

The Queen's Royal Standard has one quarter with the Scottish standard, one for Ireland, and two for England. When the Queen is in residence in Scotland, her Royal Standard for Scotland is flown, which has two, opposite quarters with the Scottish lion rampant, one quarter for England and one for Ireland.
The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom as used in Scotland has the standard with two lions rampant (except in opposite corners), as well as the Scottish symbol of the Thistle. The translation of the motto is no one attacks me with impunity, or, none provokes me unpunished, and fits well with the emblematic thistle. (This is reminiscent of the old motto for the state of Virginia, that "none dare tread on me," pictured with a rattlesnake.

I think heraldry, royal standards, and ancient symbols are all so very interesting since we in America, who have never had a monarch, are not as familiar with these things. Of course, there are coats of arms, crests, and symbols used to some extent in the United States.

Oh, and here is an image of the St. Andrews saltire cross flag.
In the 14th century, the saltire cross began to be used as a distinguishing mark for Scottish soldiers. The origin of the design comes from a legend that St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland, appeared to King Angus in battle in the year 832 when the king prayed for deliverance of the Picts and Scots from the Angle enemies.

The saltire cross is incorporated into the flag of the United Kingdom, which, along with the Irish flag of St. Patrick and the colors of England, comprises what is known as the Union Jack.

John O'Groats

2008-04-15T10:58:00.002-06:00

We do not have any Scottish heritage in our ancestry that we know of; the closest we come is our grandmother whose maiden name was English. However, we wanted to see if there were any ties that people of our surname had with Scotland; after all, the Netherlands is across the North Sea (and France, across the channel) from the British Isles.

So Bryce searched, and what did he find? A long-standing development on the northeastern tip of Scotland, called John O'Groats. (I don't use our last name on my blogs, but those who know us will see the similarity of this Scottish version of our Dutch name.)

This place is distinguished by being the "northernmost point of the mainland, over 876 miles from Lands End, the southernmost part of England." A Dutch family began a ferry service from here to the Orkney Islands in 1496, when King James IV granted them the rights to operate it.

Legend has it that the octagonal dining room with octagonal table served the purpose of letting each son in the family be at the head of the table, after their patriarch died.

The John O' Groats House Hotel is one of the main attractions there, in addition to the well-established ferry service (over 500 years old!). A tourist information center assists the numerous adventurers who decide to trek from the northernmost to the southernmost points of the British mainland.

We will not be able to visit this site on our trip but it was interesting to find out about any influence that our ancestors had in Scotland. This site has more information and several photographs of the area.

Poetry of Caledonia (old Roman name for Scotland)

2008-04-12T18:54:00.004-06:00

Caledonia

Caledonia! thou land of the mountain and rock,
Of the ocean, the mist, and the wind-
Thou land of the torrent, the pine, and the oak,
Of the roebuck, the hart, and the hind;
Though bare are thy cliffs, and though barren thy glens,
Though bleak thy dun islands appear,
Yet kind are the hearts, and undaunted the clans,
That roam on these mountains so drear!

A foe from abroad, or a tyrant at home,
Could never thy ardour restrain;
The marshall'd array of imperial Rome
Essay'd thy proud spirit in vain!
Firm seat of religion, of valour, of truth,
Of genius unshackled and free,
The muses have left all the vales of the south,
My loved Caledonia, for thee!

Sweet land of the bay and wild-winding deeps
Where loveliness slumbers at even,
While far in the depth of the blue water sleeps
A calm little motionless heaven!
Thou land of the valley, the moor, and the hill,
Of the storm and the proud rolling wave-
Yes, thou art the land of fair liberty still,
And the land of my forefathers' grave!

--JAMES HOGG

Plans

2008-04-10T14:26:00.002-06:00

My mother, brother, and I are thankful for the opportunity to accompany our friends at Vision Forum Ministries on the Faith and Freedom Tour to Scotland! At this point, our departure is only ten weeks away! (I am glad of it, however, considering all we have to do between now and then--like moving, unpacking and settling into our new house and acreage.) Since we will be much busier in May and June than we are now, I am trying to study and prepare as much as I can for our trip while I have the time.

I have learned many interesting things for the first time, and hope to share some of them here with my readers. To me, researching another culture is quite intriguing, especially one that has had a great impact on America and her history. Look here for poetry, historical facts, stories about Scotland, and more, in the next couple of months before we travel. (After that, the Lord willing, "eyewitness accounts" of that remarkable land will find their place on this blog.)

EDINBURGH

National Tartan Day

2008-04-05T21:46:00.002-06:00

At Montana Maiden, I posted about National Tartan Day, commemorated on April 6th in the United States.

Tartan Day celebrates the Scottish influence in America, and remembers the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in Scotland in the year 1320!

Find out more here....

I'll be back soon!

Thankful in Virginia

2007-07-07T15:43:00.002-06:00

I am thankful for everything I learned in Virginia and for the opportunity to be there at Vision Forum's Quadricentennial Celebration. May there be many more such events of Christian remembrance and of thanksgiving for our nation!

A view of the James River area from the airplane.

In the Newport News airport.

(Flying home, along the East Coast on the way to Atlanta.) Our God is great and marvelous; He is the God of history, the God of providence, and the preserver of His people now and forever!

P.S. I'd love to know who is reading this, if you'd care to de-lurk:-)

Happy Independence Day!!!

2007-07-04T14:22:00.000-06:00

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess....In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. (Deuteronomy 5:33; 30:16)

The above words are what our forefathers believed when they carried their Geneva Bibles to the shores of Jamestown and of Plymouth. Later, in the American Revolution, the colonists still believed they must honor God in the land He had given them to possess. Only then would their days be prolonged and their land preserved. Largely because of their faith and because of God’s merciful providences, the existence of America has been prolonged and her people have been blessed—for 400 years since the planting of the cross near Jamestown; for 231 years since the Declaration of Independence.

This 231^st anniversary of the original Independence Day has come shortly after the 400^th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown. The principles brought to the New World at the founding of Jamestown in 1607 eventually developed and led to the American colonies breaking from England in 1776, one hundred and sixty-nine years later. We have much to celebrate today, and much to remember.

The beliefs that God is sovereign over rulers, that believers are priests directly under God and not the state, and that government ought to be limited in power and limited to the role declared in Scripture, were common to the settlers in Jamestown. These Englishmen passed these principles on to their children; and their children, heirs to this rich legacy of religious freedom and Christianity, were equipped to stand against their tyrannical English King in the late 1700’s.

Historian Otto Scott, in The Great Christian Revolution, explains in his conclusion that the Christian revolution begun by Oliver Cromwell’s resistance and continued in the New World by the very same Reformation Christians that a succession of English kings had expelled from England, “was the only revolution of modern times that had for its inspiration not the attractions of power, but the transcendental purpose of life, which is to fulfill God’s will by bringing justice, truth, faith and joy to the world.”

What the patriots in 1776 took a stand against—tyranny and unlawful authority—as well as what they took a stand for—true liberty—is something we must realize today. Our present America is returning to a usurpation of rights similar to what King George III attempted 231 years ago. The colonists in that day had a deep knowledge of the Bible; they had understanding of the times and knew what they ought to do. Since then, the church has gradually failed to teach Godly principles of liberty, and Christians have generally failed to remember.

But, praise the Lord!, more people are starting to remember our forefathers and to return to God’s Word and to a reformation of our country. By God’s grace, our eyes have been opened to discover wondrous things from His law. But it is not enough to remember. That is what we all do for a few hours every time the 4^th of July appears on our calendars. We must ensure that it is known, understood, and remembered into the future, to our children’s lives and beyond.

The American spirit lasted 169 years from 1607 to 1776 because mothers and fathers were faithful to open the Bible to their children, and pastors were faithful to open the Bible to their congregations. In order for their to be any recognition of what many of us just celebrated at the Jamestown Four-Hundredth, it must be continued into future generations. As many speakers said in their closing remarks at the Finale of the Quadricentennial, this celebration is only the beginning. It is a preparation for the next 100 years!

We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. (Psalm 44:1-3)

At Fort Pocahontas, we remembered the previous 400 years of America’s providential existence. Back at home, however, is the place we must labor to ensure it is remembered in the future. There are many momentous anniversaries coming up in our country. The 400^th for Plymouth will be in 2020. The 250^th birthday of our nation will be in 2026. The 450^th for Jamestown will be in 2057. Will we or our children be there then, and what do we have to do today so that it is possible for similar celebrations to take place in those years?

We will all have left this earth by the 500^th anniversary of America, if the Lord wills, in 2107. Yet, if our gratitude to Him in 2007 is real and meaningful, we will want there to be an America then, and we will want our grandchildren to celebrate it. Our country is accustomed to inspirational events, as Mr. Botkin said, but the Quadricentennial must be much more: it is not meant to produce “emotional buoyancy,” but as an impetus of HOPE for the future. We remember 1607 because we want to look forward, with hope, to 2107. We learn about our Godly ancestors because we want to be those honorable things that they were, for generations coming after us.

Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever. (Deuteronomy 4:39-40)

I was reading an article called Cradle of Liberty by Michael McHugh in Home School Digest, and found a few relevant things to quote:

“It does not take a great deal of insight, or knowledge of history for that matter, to recognize that the people of the U.S. are losing their liberty directly in proportion to their ability to comprehend and embrace the Biblical principles that undergird true liberty...Although the current threats to the U.S. from external forces are very real, the greater threat by far is the culture that is emerging from within the hearts of the American people which makes them willing to barter freedom for short-term material gain...

“For many generations, families in the United States faithfully instructed youngsters in the true meaning of freedom and self government because they understood that such teaching was vital to the preservation of a free society. This was in a day when American culture still recognized that the influence of the home in nurturing children was the true cradle of liberty...Every settler’s hearth was a school of independence.”

Quoting nineteenth century author F.W. Greenwood, Michael McHugh shared: “[Our forefathers’] laws and covenants recognized the true liberty of the individual under God’s law in a time when few other societies did do. For them, liberty was not the power to live as one pleased but the freedom to live as God required.”

“Few people realize that the Cradle of the Republic was not the rock-bound coasts of New England, but the rich valleys of Virginia. Upon her fertile fields, the armies of three wars bivouacked, and as early as 1765 the fires of patriotism were kindled in the House of Burgesses at Williamsburg. Since the days of Patrick Henry, the state has given birth to many illustrious men; patriots whose fame has shaken the thrones of the Old World and revolutionized the customs and usages of the New Republic.

“In the blood-stained soil of the Old Dominion lie buried the ancestry and chivalry of our Nation, and no patriotic American should neglect to visit the sacred shrines that have become interwoven with the very warp and woof of our national history. Any one making the itinerary laid out in these chapters cannot fail to become imbued with admiration for the sturdy colonists who made the wilderness to blossom as the rose; out of primeval forests erecting the sturdy foundations of our glorious Ship of State.

“Here began our history; from out of this deserted island [Jamestown], a mighty nation came into existence and, in the ivy-clad churchyards of Virginia, quietly sleep the statesmen, warriors and presidents, who with others, were directly responsible for American Independence. In the midst of these historic associations, every citizen should be proud to uncover, and reverently say, ‘Thank God, I am an American.’ ”

--from Laird & Lee’s Guide to Historic Virginia, reprinted by The Vision Forum Inc.

Yes, I was blessed to visit a handful of Virginia’s historic sites, to be encouraged to “admire the sturdy colonists who made the wilderness to blossom as the rose.” For someone from the Western United States who has scarcely seen the places of the birth of our nation, it was special to be in Virginia for the Quadricentennial, and to have that fresh in my memory this Fourth of July.

In our last couple years of homeschooling, we began to study American history from a distinctly Christian perspective, to learn of our providential beginnings and of the proper role of civil government, to learn of our founding fathers who believed this and of the times in which they lived.

Since our graduation, it has been possible for us to make several trips to the East Coast; one was to Philadelphia and to the Constitution Party National Convention. One was to Boston and Plymouth for Thanksgiving and the Faith and Freedom Tour. And recently, to Virginia, of course, for Jamestown’s 400^th anniversary, shortly before Independence Day. I found it interesting that all three of these trips had the purpose of learning our Christian heritage, and learning about it with the purpose of remembering and restoring it.

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! (Psalm 71:16-19)

a few more pictures

2007-07-03T10:41:00.000-06:00

Monuments and Covenants

2007-07-01T20:16:00.001-06:00

Pastor Joe Morecraft gave a stirring speech at the Jamestown Quadricentennial before the dedication of the Children's Memorial. This one of my favorite speeches, and one that Mr. Phillips praised several times thereafter. The entire last ten minutes of speech were so eloquent that I could not do them justice with any of my fast notes, but below are a few things I did write down. Mrs. Becky Morecraft also was a large part of the festivities; she presented her poem before the crowd, a poem of a grandfather’s telling to his grandchildren the story of God’s hand over the events and people in the Jamestown settlement.

As did all the speakers during the week, Pastor Morecraft gave great attention to acknowledging God’s sovereignty over America’s inception and God’s providence over America’s preservation. These beliefs were definitive for our founding fathers—a trust in God’s sovereignty and understanding of His providence—and are necessary for us as we look back at history.

Pastor Morecraft began by saying that we were gathered there that day to “fulfill the prophecy” of Psalm 145, that “they shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness,” “declare his mighty acts,” and “speak the praise of the Lord.” This remembering and declaring, he said, is something that always needs to be done, but especially at national milestones such as this 400^th anniversary.

Landmarks that are changed to reflect relativistic ideas are not true landmarks at all; landmarks are something upon which posterity can build a strong future. “Erection of historical landmarks is essential to the preservation of Christendom.” Throughout the Old Testament, memorial stones were erected by the Lord’s people. Some OT markers contained not the names of the historic dead, but of the living God, and assumed the eternal and continuing nature of God’s faithfulness.

God will not share His glory with another. The Westminster Catechism question 108 says to remove monuments to idolatry; we need to replace them with monuments of honor to God. The purpose of monuments is to transmit the knowledge of God’s covenants. Our forefathers dedicated us—their spiritual, physical, and national posterity—to God in their monuments and covenants.
The Lord’s mercies never grow old; they are new every morning. His mercy was strong to those in the founding of Jamestown just as it was to the ancient Israelites, and still is to us in America today. Nothing could be more obvious in Jamestown’s early historical accounts, than God’s power, mercy, and amazing grace.

This 400^th anniversary is a milestone and the Children's Memorial was the only monument erected at the quadricentennial of Jamestown. I thought, the things that happen here are also milestones, and the documents published here will be a testimony to future generations that Christian families in 2007 did take the time to honor God’s providence and remember His mercy in our American history. As Pastor Morecraft said, we must feel the importance of this day for the future.

Sacred Fire

2007-07-01T18:41:00.001-06:00

Peter Lillback, Author of Sacred Fire, about George Washington’s Christianity, President of Westminster Seminary, Founder of Providence Forum, spoke at the first evening at Fort Pocahontas. He named his book “sacred fire” as that is how Mr. Washington once referred to liberty.

George Washington was a Christian, not a Deist, for he believed in Providence. He said that if people could not observe God’s hand at work, they were infidels.

George Washington was not a Deist, for Deists did not believe in praying and did not like clergymen. Over hundred of Washington’s prayers were recorded, and they were distinctly Christian prayers. Washington’s closest friends were clergymen, and spent time at Mount Vernon.

Opposite of Deistic practices, Washington believed in Jesus Christ. He said America’s greatest gift was divine revelation—God’s Word and God’s Son. He spoke of God’s decree as a synonym to God’s Word. He believed in the Trinity and worshipped at a Trinitarian church.

I thought that Dr. Lillback’s comments about historiography were noteworthy. “Living people can have dead people do anything.” Proper interpretation of history can prevent this, and can give living people today, a true perspective of what the deceased have thought and done in years past.

Dr. Lillback noted that Washington was the only leader/revolutionary in world history to end the tyranny of a King yet refuse to become the next king. He did this because he knew Biblical principles of representative government, he was humble, and he wanted to serve his people. He was elected unanimously, our only President to be elected in that way.

The definition of “americ,” traced back through several languages, means “kingdom of heaven.” Our land, interestingly, is not called Columbia, but is named after Amerigo. As a side not, Amerigo Vespucci thought this was a new world; Christopher Columbus thought it was the known world.

The Latin words “Annuit Coeptis” on our one dollar bills mean “He has smiled on our undertakings.” Also, the eye on the one dollar bill signifies the eye of Providence.

To close, Dr. Lillback asked about the present generation, “is the sacred fire [of liberty] flickering or burning brightly? We must fan the flame.”

Five Men telling of Five Pillars

2007-06-29T14:33:00.000-06:00

On the first day of the Grand Finale of the Quadricentennial, five men each spoke about a “pillar” that the Jamestown settlement was founded upon. (I am relying on my somewhat-scattered notes of their eloquent speeches.)

Doug Phillips began, setting forth the reasons that Gospel evangelism enabled this colony to survive where others had failed. Richard Hakluyt had communicated a vision to John Smith of great things to be done in the world. The Virginia colony had to different from others, formed upon a Christian methodology, and it had to be formed of people with diverse strengths. As in Plymouth and Boston, there were men in Jamestown that fulfilled the necessary elements of “the pulpit, the pen, and the purse.”

Marshall Foster, speaking on the important fact that the Geneva Bible was brought to American shores, said that the ethics and laws established in Jamestown were the principles that they had learned from in the Bible. The Bible was now available, and there was real freedom to use it. The Bible transformed England and then America. No one had brought the Bible to America before the English came, and when they did, it was the Geneva Bible. With the Geneva Bible, there were many firsts: it was affordable, portable, printed in readable Roman type, with verse headings, and with study notes.

Dr. Foster encouraged us with the facts that 400 years after the English brought the Geneva Bible to Jamestown, the Geneva Bible has been republished by Christian organizations. Also, four centuries after the fort was built at Jamestown, it is being rediscovered by archaeologist, at the same time as America’s Christian history is being “rediscovered”—studied and proclaimed more than it has been in many decades.

As Mr. Jonathan Falwell, Dr. Jerry Falwell’s son, said in his speech later the same day, postmodernists “have a lot of work to do” if they are trying to erase our Christian history and religious references found therein. What happened is etched in stone, in the ground, in documents: chronicled for us in history through numerous mediums.

Paul Jehle showed the significance of Christian worship in the Jamestown colony. Reverend Robert Hunt, the same one that planted the cross at their first landing at Archer’s Hope, led the people in prayer twice a day, corporate worship every Sunday for two sermons, and one sermon every Thursday. Many of the people that came from England had left the established church for the reason that they wanted expository preaching and the singing of Scriptural songs. The people knew how the Word of God applied to every area of life simply because of the amount of teaching they received. Great respect for, and knowledge of, God’s Word will bring great results in religious liberty and holy piety.

John Eidsmoe introduced the fourth pillar, that of Common Law. In the common law, we see a respect for “life, liberty, property, family, truth, and God” which was the basis for early colonial laws and later the basis for the laws of the United States. He said, “Justice cannot be done apart from truth. Communication is impossible without truth.” Since God is the source of truth and government authority, the third commandment regarding the honor of God, is vital for civil governments to heed. God is the source of all rights, and is alone the authority over nations, over churches, and over individuals.

Joe Morecraft lastly brought the pillar of Republican Representative Government. Puritanism, he said, is what the Protestant Reformation created when it hit England, and when people came to the New World, it was often because they wanted to restore the applicability of the gospel to the church and the state, to dispel the traditions, forms, and idolatry of the Anglican church and the monarchy.

The Reformers Luther, Calvin, and Knox, in age defined by the divine right of kings, were some of the first to open the Bible and search out the doctrines for civil institutions right out of the Old and New Testaments. They did not want the church or state to take the place of what only God can do, which is what will happen when civil authorities do not bow to God and His law. Coming to Jamestown, most of the leaders had these beliefs about governments, churches, and God’s sovereignty over all. [Even the materials that the National Park Service sells at Jamestown Island call our nation a democratic government, though the Tercentenary Monument says right on it, “republican representative government.”]

Intermission

2007-06-27T06:29:00.001-06:00

Doug Phillips said that the historic messages we are hearing this week are like "the spirit of the Tercentennial,"--"messages that are God-glorifying," "messages that set the world aflame!"
In a few days I'll write about some of these messages, along with pictures of our festive finale at Fort Pocahontas. Thanks for checking in so frequently:-)

Note

2007-06-23T23:46:00.000-06:00

My posting may be somewhat sporadic for the next few days as we are having a houseful of guests. I have much more to write about, and will continue when I can. I really appreciate all of my readers, and am thankful that I am able to share what I saw and learned in Virginia's Historic Triangle with many who are interested in knowing about it. Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting!

Jamestown Island

2007-06-22T22:03:00.000-06:00

The Jamestown Church.

Pocahontas, the Indian princess, saved John Smith’s life when she was a young girl; John Smith saved the Jamestown colony from destruction within (by promoting a work ethic and a standard of law) and without (by negotiating and trading with the Indians). These two remarkable individuals were mightily used by God to preserve His people.

As the dramatic presentation at the Quadricentennial, “Marriage of Pocahontas,” portrayed, she quickly saw the love and honesty of the Christians that had come to her shores, and desired to learn more about their God. Coming to understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ, she was soon baptized. Pocahontas, later marrying John Rolfe, was a means of making peace between the native and English cultures. Her name Matoaka, if I have that right, meant “bright stream between two rivers.”

The reason the colony in Jamestown was planted was to spread to Gospel to the New World. Richard Hakluyt, who never left England, was one impetus behind the colonization of Virginia: he had a vision for a permanent, agricultural-based colony that would be established in order to evangelize the native peoples.

Captain John Smith.
(The James River.) These are some of the verses that inspired Richard Hakluyt's dream of colonizing and evangelizing the New World:

"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep... He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease." Psalm 107:23-24, 35-38

The Jamestown fort took 104 men, 19 days to build...well, that is how many came on the ships, but some were gentlemen adventurers who may not have worked as hard. Six hundred trees of 400-800 lbs. each were felled during the construction. Building the fort weakened them, hampering their ability to do other work necessary for surviving. The fort was begun on May 13, 1607, and just in the last few days has it been discovered on Jamestown Island and excavated.

The 1907 and 1957 anniversary celebrations were distinguished by honoring God and remembering the Englishmen’s faith in God. This was not done at the 2007 official Jamestown celebration; but Vision Forum has made sure that our monumental birthday was remembered, rejoiced in, and regaled by a week of festive events. In 1907, the Tercentenary monument was erected; none was erected for America’s 400^th birthday except for the Children’s Memorial at Fort Pocahontas.

As Doug Phillips said, “If you want to live long in the land, honor your fathers.” It is up to Christians to tell the story of our heritage and history. This is the Josiah generation—finding out what our forefathers believed and what we have strayed from. If we are more interested in immediate concerns than in the history of God’s people, then we aren’t part of the current battle, and we aren’t building God’s kingdom.

Robert Lewis Dabney, Southern theologian and historian, said, “Be sure the issues are dead before you bury them...Do not bury inspiring memories...or the years of the God of truth...
It is essential to our future that we learn the true history of the past.”

Gracie Friedrich and I.

English law required churches—religious structures only—to have arched and pointed windows. Rounded windows were only for government buildings. This church building (replica) has both because it was used for worship on the Lord’s Day as well as for the House of Burgesses during the week. The church tower is original from the late 1600’s, when the rest of the church burned. The remainder of it was built for the 1907 Tercentennial.

The Jamestown settlers erected a cross when they first landed at Archer’s Hope; this was different from the Puritans landing in Plymouth, who did not believe in using images.

As Michael Billings said, the cross served as a gauntlet declaring that Jesus was Lord of this land and the land was now under His dominion.

The swampy terrain and vegetation of Jamestown Island. Verdant, yes, but also home to many other viable things such as insects and diseases.

Michael Billings shared, as part of his eloquent and colorful lecture, that by 1617 there were 11 settlements up and down the river, and women had started to come so that the population would increase by birth as well as by immigration.

Dan Ford in this picture holds an old map, with an insignia in the upper left corner. It shows the Europeans bringing the gospel, the Indians embracing them, and the devil fleeing away. This is what the Englishmen largely understood.

The people that brought this evangelical vision knew it was the only thing that would permanently and successfully impact the world. That is why Jamestown lasted. The English came as pilgrims, to settle and live in the new land—not to make war, conquer by force, and commit atrocities as the Spanish did. The gospel was the main sword of the Englishmen. By God’s providence, we speak English today, and God has preserved Virginia and America for 400 years.

Of all English dominions, America was the only place where representative government was instituted. The Virginia colony was based on common law, not the prerogative law of the King.

York River Dinner Cruise

2007-06-22T08:29:00.001-06:00

Are we cruising on this ship? The rigging and flags make it look so nostalgic...
...But the Spirit of Norfolk was well-equipped and comfortable.
Mr. and Mrs. Morecraft at the table with the Phillips'.
Vision Forum Ministries did a fabulous job of arranging every detail of this special evening.
Mrs. Friedrich and some of her new aquaintances.
Several men spoke to us that evening: Doug Phillips, Peter Lillback, and Marshall Foster.

Mr. Phillips said that we are here at the 400th anniversary to "remember the days of old." Each day we either redeem the time or fail in the advance of God's calling on our life.

History will come alive when children hear older men and women, who have lived in past times, tell of how it was long ago. If children learn to respect older men and women, the children will love hearing about their experiences and their wisdom.

It was noted that George Washington and John Smith were both fatherless for much of their life, and both were childless. However, they each grew to such maturity and ability because they learned from the generation before them. They each strove to obey God, to have faith and trust in Him. They each left a legacy that benefitted future generations, because they followed God's purpose for their lives.
A brother and sister looking over the silent auctions items. This one was a commission signed by Theodore Roosevelt.
The dinner and the fellowship were wonderful that evening. I enjoyed watching the shoreline, and other boats, while we traveled downriver then upriver.
Above deck with some fine colonial children.
Sunset seen from the York River.
The Zes family, whom I was with, and other friends admiring the Botkins' masterpiece of the Jamestown fort at dusk.
The Yorktown waterfront.
Ezra Hill, Tuskegee Airman, who spoke that night to the group on the ship. As I was looking in the NWA magazine on the flight home, I read an article about the Tuskegee Airmen, with this quote:

"The Tuskegee Airmen were America's first group of African American fighter pilots, who flew more than 15,000 missions over North Africa and Europe during WWII, destroying more than 250 enemy aircraft on the ground and 150 in the air. By historic accounts, they compiled one of the most remarkable records in American military aviation, and their service as escorts was much sought after by the bomber crews they protected."
Carmon, Gracie, myself, and Mrs. Torres after the cruise.

Colonial Williamsburg

2007-06-21T12:19:00.001-06:00

~The gate to the Governor's Palace.~

I have long wanted to go to Williamsburg, Virginia, and was able to spend two afternoons there last week. Even with that much time, there were things we did not see--furnishing many reasons to return someday.

On the trip to Virginia, my traveling companions and I learned about two mains periods of American history: the English settlement in the early 1600's, and the American Revolution in the late 1700's.

As Marshall Foster said, it took 130 years for the beliefs that the settlers brought from England to the shores of the New World, to be developed. They came believing the following principles-- not always the same as their mother country, yet based on their experiences there and the spread of God's Word in that land. God is sovereign, so His law is above the King. All believers are priests before God, so the King is not the head of the Church. Man is naturally sinful, so government must be limited.

As these principles were developed in the American colonies, while England was still subject to the rule of kings, differences began to develop. It came to a head in 1776, the time when many of the founding fathers were walking the streets of Williamsburg. The British had by this time scattered to other areas, not remaining in the central places where the American mind was made known.

Unlike today, the air that the patriots breathed was Christianity, Dr. Foster taught. They saw the world in black and white, not gray. They saw distinctions between freedom and slavery, right and wrong.

The theology of a nation will determine its politics. And, preachers read the Bible and taught the theology. As was the case in 1776, so it is today. The Church has forgotten the tie between holiness and liberty; the Gospel brings freedom wherever it is cherished. The Gospel of Jesus Christ frees those that are captive, both internally and externally.
~Eighteenth century costumes were everywhere to be seen--it was beautiful and was an aid to imagining the atmosphere of the period. ~

~Here our tour guide, Marshall Foster, is standing behind the Vernier family, who sang a rousing colonial song for our group, complete with the zealous cries of "Huzzah, huzzah!".~
Mr. Geoff Botkin, in one of his speeches, said, "You will discharge your duty to the extent that you remember the past and build for the future...Have we been inspired by pioneers and nation-builders?" Will we be those things for the next generations?
~The governor's carriage, distinguished from others by being enclosed and bearing the coat of arms.~
~One of the many cottage gardens. ~

~The British flag with the Bruton Parish Church in the background. What did the British think about the Americans? ...they "turned the world upside down!" ~

~In Merchant's Square. ~

~Bruton Parish Church. Many of the founding fathers and colonial governors worshipped here; the House of Burgesses met here. As the Laird and Lee's Guide says, "From this church emanated the religious, social, and political life that characterized the Old Dominion." ~
~The top of this flag bears the official Jamestown logo, and reads "America's 400th Anniversary"1607-2007~
~With the Weathers family from Georgia, on a pleasant Sunday afternoon stroll through Williamsburg. ~
As the Laird & Lee's Guide to Historic Virginia, republished by Vision Forum, reads:

"The annals of this little village, unbroken for over two centuries [written in 1907], are pregnant with momentous records of past achievements. More historic associations cluster around this quiet hamlet than any other existing American town or city. Here more significant events have taken place than are recorded in the chronicles of any other borough. Its streets are fairly haunted by the personalities of the great; echoing and re-echoing with the names of titled governors, eloquent orators, brilliant statesmen, astute theologians and brave warriors of worldwide reputation."

~On the campus of the College of William and Mary. ~
~Governor Berkeley Statue. ~
~The Christopher Wren building. Christopher Wren trained four patriot statesmen.~

~The Study Hall, the only room open when we visited. ~
The purpose that the college was founded: "...to the end that the Church of Virginia may be furnished with a Seminary of Ministers of the Gospel, and that the Youth may be piously educated in good Letters and Manners, and that the Christian Faith may be propagated amongst the Western Indians, TO THE GLORY OF ALMIGHTY GOD."

~Looking out toward the College Camp, where Continental troops were quartered.~
~A blossom adorning this magnolia tree.~
Many of those who stood up for truth and righteousness in the American Revolution were young people, Marshall Foster said. What is today's generation of the same age going to do in our time? There were three million patriots in Patrick Henry's day; how many of the remnant are there today, that are armed with the "holy cause of liberty"? This liberty came from the Gospel of Christ and brought victory in the time of 1776; what will it do in our day when Christians, old and young, take up the same cause for liberty?

~[Coming next, photos and notes from our day in Jamestown.] ~

My First Morning in Jamestown

2007-06-20T10:23:00.001-06:00

I arrived in Jamestown last Tuesday afternoon, spent the evening listening to Marshall Foster speak on the Geneva Bible and a John Smith reinactor telling of his adventures on ships and in battles. In the morning, I went with some friends for a boat tour down the James River.

Our tour guide told us about the houses seen on the river's edge, which, other than this cluster, were usually quite far apart.

Jamestown Island, the original site of the English settlement, now the site of its excavation and research, as well as monuments to Pocahontas and John Smith. The Jamestown church and Tercentennial Monument are seen here, of which I will write more with pictures of our tours there.

Replicas of the Susan Constant, Discovery, and Godspeed are docked at the Jamestown Settlement, slightly upriver from Jamestown Island. On our Jamestown tour, Michael Billings spoke of what it might have been like for these ships to first come up the river and decide to settle here, as well as the excitement for the settlers when they saw other ships from England later coming up the river toward them. This place of settlement was chosen, as Gary DeMar said, because of the promontory into the river that the peninsula afforded and because of the deep, navigable water. Though sturgeon came upstream providing food for them, much of the summer the river water turned brackish and the island was swampy and disease-ridden.

Back at Fort Pocahontas.

Carmon and Caleb have written in detail about many speakers which I did not hear, and numerous events in Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown which I was not able to see.

More coming soon!

Off to Jamestown!

2007-06-10T16:45:00.000-06:00

I'll be traveling to Virginia on Tuesday, prepared for participating in Vision Forum's Quadricentennial Celebration! It is such a blessing to able to go, and I am thankful for everything that has allowed me to do so.

Until later,
~ Renee :-)

Thinking of Jamestown

2007-05-28T10:17:00.000-06:00

The sun was shining, but it was a cool morning, so I was trying to soak up every bit of warmth, and hope the clouds did not move in to obscure the sunshine. I sat on our newly-laid lawn, reading Stories of the Old Dominion, seeking out the chapters related to the history of Jamestown and any places I might be seeing the second week of June in Virginia.

Oh, it is heartwarming to read of courageous men and women, of people dedicated to righteousness, God’s law, the Gospel, and their heritage from England. And I am thankful that this author, John Esten Cooke, wrote these accounts for his young boys to remember and to learn by. He regales his readers with tales of God’s providence over weather, Indians, kings, and unlikely settlers. With inspirational stories of boys who became great leaders, and of their standing strong for truth and liberty. Of women—wives and mothers—who were good and pure and helpful in their husbands’ labors. I couldn’t help but thinking that this country had a durable beginning in part due to families working together to survive, and honoring the Lord’s commands.

It brought tears to my eyes to think of what magnificent times those were, not because it was easy, for it was not, but because of a great God that laid His hand of blessing on a people that largely endeavored to serve Him and proclaim His name. The majority of leaders in America in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, it seems, were good men: honest, loyal, and with a knowledge of God’s Word.

Stretching out on the soft grass, surrounded by green fields, tall trees lining a park-like yard, hearing a creek gurgle and meadowlarks sing, the world seems very peaceful. It is simple to imagine, based on the writer’s illustrative descriptions, the noble deeds and industrious colonists of that era in our nation’s history. But too quickly I am brought back to the fact that this country is not still like that (yes, there are great men, but they are not the foremost leaders and they are only respected by a minority). This country does not recognize the Christianity and wisdom of many of our settlers and founders. And she does not care to celebrate it even if she did realize an accurate history. Yes, America’s birthday is being remembered, but not God who made it possible. And when God is not remembered, perspectives will be greatly distorted.

This seems despairing, but think again of the Virginians of old. It did not always appear hopeful, but they pressed on in what was right; they insisted on following God’s law and their purposes in coming from their motherland to the New World. It was hard to survive against the lack of shelter and food and health; it was hard to negotiate with the native population and with the government back in England. Often it seems that Christians today are struggling about the same things that the colonists did—heathen peoples...an authoritarian government...trying to provide for families God’s way.

All I could think of to do as I closed the hard-bound book beautifully printed with old-fashioned type, was to pray to the Lord. That He would continue the work that His hand was instrumental in, when the colony of Virginia was begun four-hundred years ago. That He would remember the many, many people who do indeed appreciate our humble beginnings and the glorious growth thereafter, who do want to be thankful for God’s providence in America’s settlement and in the instituting of the United States. There are many that remember and understand, many who are thankful and not ashamed at how our country started. God still governs in the affairs of men and nations, and we must trust that His eyes are upon us, especially upon His children.

Whatever the rest of the nation decides to think about the nature of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607, we know that we are servants of the King who is sovereign over the whole earth. Whether I am outdoors contemplating stories in a book, or valiant men are standing up for integrity, or Congress is abusing our Constitution, God sees and knows. He will tie all things together in His own perfect plan, as He initially decreed all of these things in the beginning. When we do see a memorable demonstration of His wonderful plan, such as in the birth of our country, it is worthy of celebration and rejoicing!

Jamestown 400th

2007-05-15T10:27:00.000-06:00

I (Renee) am looking forward to attending the celebration of God's providence and America's perseverance at the Jamestown Quadricentennial in June. Lord willing, I plan to post pictures and reports from that event, including the mini Faith and Freedom Tours, in the latter half of June. Until then, I am studying what I can about the Christian history of Jamestown and the importance of remembering the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in America. I am thankful that Vision Forum is organizing this week of festivity, and it sounds like it will be incredible: honoring our forefathers; learning about the mighty works of God; fellowship with friends; enjoying the special events, and more.

One more comment

2006-12-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

The Faith and Freedom Tour was such a rich learning experience and time of fellowship, that I hesitate to stop writing about it. Having journaled here, some of the main points from my perspective, as well as Bryce’s best photos, any future posts here will be infrequent and unpredictable. If you’ve been following along as we told about our trip, would you mind indulging us by telling us who you are? Thank you, valued readers!

(Photos on Thanksgiving Day, courtesy of Miss Khristi.)

Principles learned from the Pilgrims

2006-12-16T09:48:00.000-07:00

“The Pilgrims journeyed to America not for the freedom to practice religion in the privacy of their homes and churches, but to establish a civil society built on the rock of Biblical principles and to be a beacon for Christ in the world—thus ensuring an enduring and prosperous culture...The decisions and activities undertaken by the Pilgrims during their lifetime were carefully calculated to bear economic and spiritual fruit for their posterity.”—Timothy Ewing (of Tolle Lege Press, publisher of new Geneva Bible) in Biblical Worldview magazine.

Something that impacted me was realizing what we remember almost 400 years after the Pilgrims came to this continent. We remember their vision, their faithfulness, their perseverance. We remember that they had more life-threatening trials than most of us do today, yet they accomplished more for their country and their descendants than most people do in the present time.

That encouraged me toward the same perspective. Though there are ups and downs, troubles and disappointments, temporary uncertainties, and blessing mixed with hardship, what will matter in the long term is our faithfulness in the little things. And, having a vision that will carry us over and beyond the little hurdles that seem to loom so large when we are experiencing them. Also, having a fervent trust in the promises of God and cherishing the hope of eternity with Him.

Their faithfulness to God and to each other is what leaves us the legacy of a free nation with Christian heritage. When they were distressed, they did not feel sorry for themselves and quit their endeavors, but kept pressing on and thanking God for His exceeding mercy in their lives. When they were more comfortable, as they were in Holland, they did not become complacent, but kept preparing and planning to do greater things (such as being prophets, pulpits, and pens as in the Old State House post below.)

Like them, we need to have a bigger perspective of how responding to God’s providences now, and taking dominion for His glory will advance the impact of future generations in our country and for the kingdom of God.