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Home / Publications / Free Presbyterian Magazine / 1998 to 2003 / August 2003 / The Achreny Mission – 1. 1760 to 1815

The Achreny Mission – 1. 1760 to 1815

In the accounts of famous ministers of Caithness and Sutherland in former times, there are frequent references to the Achreny Mission and its godly succession of missionaries: Robertson (later of Kingussie), Macdonald (Ferintosh), Munro (Halkirk), Finlay Cook (Reay) and others. The Rev Donald Beaton, in his valuable book, Ecclesiastical History of Caithness, concentrated mainly on the parishes of Caithness, and did not give a connected account of the Achreny Mission – a district about nine miles south of the village of Halkirk – where nothing remains now except the burying ground. Such an account might be of interest, however, and in this article we begin by tracing the history of the Mission down to the departure of John Munro in 1815.

The first matter calling for attention is the name of the Mission, which is variously given, not only in differing spellings of Achreny, but also as: Dirlot, Dirlet, Strathmore, and Halsary, together with Halladale or Strathhalladale, and combinations of these. An explanation for these names is supplied by John Munro, who was writing in 1834 in the New Statistical Account as the minister of the parish of Halkirk: “There is a missionary employed in the most distant parts of the parish, who is partly supported by the Commission for managing the Royal Bounty (1), and partly by the inhabitants of the mission district of the parish. The missionary has three preaching stations: one at Achrenny in this parish; one at Halsary in the parish of Watten; and the third at Halladale in the parish of Reay. To the Halsary district there is attached a portion of the parish of Latheron.” To this explanation it might be added that Dirlot was the principal farm near Achreny, while Strathmore was the name of the district containing it. The missionaries were either probationers or ordained ministers, but they were not permitted a seat in Church courts.

The early history of the Mission is obscure. A missionary was settled in Strathnaver in the 1760s, spending every third Sabbath in Strathhalladale, (2) but the first missionary in Achreny seems to have been settled rather later than this. When James Macdonald, the father of John Macdonald, Ferintosh, was living at Dalemore in Strathmore about 1760, it was the parish church in Halkirk that he attended on the Sabbath. (3) Writing for the First Statistical Account in 1791, John Cameron, the minister of Halkirk, mentions a mission-house nine miles from his church at which “the minister of the parish was wont to preach every fourth Sabbath as a voluntary deed, if not prevented by bad weather”. The mission-house, he says, was large, and had been built and maintained by the people of the district, and “of late years, they have had a missionary supported at their own expense also”. Possibly the first missionary to be appointed to Achreny was Alexander Sage; certainly he is the earliest missionary of whom we have a record.

Alexander Sage (1753-1824) went to Achreny in 1784 and continued there until 10 May 1787 when he became minister of Kildonan. He preached in turn at Achreny, at Halladale, and at Berriedale in the parish of Latheron, about 15 miles south of Achreny. (4) The meeting-house in Halladale was in the north end of the strath at this time, possibly at Kirkton. (5) The Halsary meeting-house had not yet been built, and the Bruan-Berriedale Mission, as it was to become, was still joined to the Achreny Mission. Sage lived in “a low, uncomfortable cottage of two rooms and a closet” at Dirlot, but a new mission-house was built soon afterwards at Achreny. In his Account of 1791 John Cameron reported that “an excellent dwelling-house was very lately built by subscription, in order to encourage the missionary, and to assist the people, and with the prospect that a perpetual mission was to be established there”.

Alexander Sage was the son of Aeneas Sage, the famous minister of Lochcarron, and the father of Donald Sage, minister of Resolis and author of Memorabilia Domestica. Prior to becoming missionary of Achreny, he had been the parish schoolmaster of Tongue, Sutherland, and it is related how on one occasion he found himself involved in a brawl with his pupils, who had mutinied and attacked him. Like his father he was a man of enormous strength and he had no difficulty in crushing the rebellion. (6) One of the ringleaders among his pupils was Hugh Mackay, Moy, who was to become his successor at Achreny. Memorabilia Domestica provides a graphic account of Alexander Sage’s time at Achreny with several interesting anecdotes.

The next missionary at Achreny, Hugh Mackay (c1762-1804), was licensed by the Presbytery of Tongue on 12 January 1786, and was appointed to Achreny presumably in the latter half of 1787. It appears that he moved to Croy as assistant to Hugh Calder about the beginning of 1789. (7) A godly man, he became minister of Moy on 25 April 1793. On one occasion Lachlan Mackenzie was assisting him at a Communion, and after the service on the Monday found him rolling on the ground weeping because no one had been converted. Lachlan Mackenzie, however, was able to assure him that five people had been converted. (8)

It is puzzling to find Hugh Mackay opposing the motion of the Synod of Moray in support of foreign missions at the 1796 General Assembly. During the famous debate he “firmly declared his opposition” to the proposal to appoint a collection in aid of foreign missionary work. Perhaps he was of a mind with Lachlan Mackenzie, who thought that “the superstition, idolatry and immorality of many who call themselves Christians is an invincible bar in the way of [the conversion of the heathen], so that any attempt to convert them would only bind them faster in their chains of error and delusion than ever.” (9) The parish of Moy, however, was one of the first Highland parishes to send money to the Edinburgh Missionary Society when it was set up by John Erskine in 1796. Furthermore, Hugh Mackay and Lachlan Mackenzie were both active in their support of the Northern Missionary Society from 1800 onward. (10)

The link between the Achreny and Berriedale Missions seems to have continued at least until 1791 because in that year Robert Gunn, the minister of Latheron, mentions in the First Statistical Account that “there is a missionary at present employed between the extremities of this parish and the parish of Halkirk”. The man he refers to is likely to have been John Robertson of Kingussie (1758-1825), the next missionary of whom we have a record, but Robertson’s dates at the Achreny Mission are hard to determine. Mr Beaton refers to a letter received by the Presbytery of Tongue on 25 June 1789 from John Cameron, Halkirk, and Robert Gunn, Latheron, “intimating that they, with the people of Achreny, had made choice of Mr Robertson,” and he goes on to say that Robertson was at Achreny for five years, before moving to the Eriboll Mission in Sutherland. (11) George Sutherland, on the other hand, says that Robertson was ordained missionary at Eriboll on 28 June 1789, had become missionary of Berriedale and Bruan by 1793, and moved to the Achreny-Halsary-Halladale Mission about 1795. (12)

Robertson was certainly at Bruan in 1793 because in March of that year he baptised Robert Finlayson, later minister of Lochs and of Helmsdale, at East Clyth near Bruan. (13) He was also certainly at Achreny about 1798, because at that time he was instrumental in the conversion of John Macdonald, Ferintosh (1779-1849), who was born at Brawlbin, seven or eight miles from Achreny. Macdonald went to King’s College, Aberdeen, in 1797, coming under soul concern soon afterwards. Thereafter the preaching of Robertson, “then missionary at Achreny”, was one of the means “employed and blessed by the Lord in guiding him into the truth as it is in Jesus”. (14) It seems likely then that Robertson went to Eriboll in 1789 and became missionary of Berriedale, Achreny and Halladale about 1791, remaining at Achreny when the Bruan-Berriedale Mission was separated. This happened about 1795, because William Mackintosh, later minister of Thurso, was ordained missionary of Bruan and Berriedale in December 1795. In August 1799 Robertson was translated to the chapel of ease in Rothesay, Bute, and in 1810 he moved to Kingussie. He frequently assisted at communions in Arran, and was involved in the awakening which took place there under the ministry of Neil M’Bride. This revival was of considerable significance for the Achreny Mission.

The next missionary at Achreny of whom we have a record was John Macdonald, Ferintosh, himself, who was licensed on 2 July 1805 and was appointed missionary for six months in November 1805. His father James was a noted catechist in the parish of Reay and well known to the godly people of Achreny. David Steven of Bower used to relate how the new missionary came to be appointed: “Mr Macdonald had just been licensed to preach, and the Achreny Mission being then vacant, the people were anxious he should get the appointment. Mr Cameron, minister of Halkirk, who had supervision of the Mission (it being within his parochial bounds), wished that another – a relative of his – should get it and had sent him to preach there for several Sabbaths. On the day of election, Mr Cameron requested the people to express their opinion of the young man they had been hearing; but no one responded to the invitation. At length, Mr Cameron, addressing Colin Campbell, the catechist of the district, said: ‘Come Colin, let us hear your opinion’. ‘My opinion is,’ said he, rising to his feet, ‘that I would not take the poor creature’s judgement on a worldly matter, far less on a soul’s case.’ Thereupon the people rose and, to a man, left the church; and Mr Cameron went home in a very indignant mood. Seeing, however, that they were intent on getting their favourite, he at last yielded, and intimated this in these words: ‘Well, well, since James Macdonald’s son makes the best kail, you can sup the more of it!'” (15) Mr Cameron, it may be remarked, was the “Mr C” of a neighbouring parish who had baptised John Macdonald. He was on a shooting excursion at the time and broke the ice on a pool with the butt of his gun to get some water. (16)

In January 1806 John Macdonald married his first wife, an aunt of George Davidson who was minister of Latheron from 1820. Several of his biographers have commented on what they saw as the rashness of his action in his unsettled circumstances. Interestingly, there was nothing striking about his preaching at this stage. “His first discourses,” says John Kennedy, “though carefully prepared, were very unpretending; and, though distinctly, were coldly delivered.” (17) In September 1806 he was ordained as missionary of Bruan and Berriedale, and in January 1807 he moved to the Gaelic Chapel in Edinburgh.

John Macdonald was succeeded at Achreny by John Munro (1768-1847). The two of them had been in the same year at King’s College, Aberdeen, and would probably have been friendly after John Macdonald’s conversion, John Munro himself having been converted in his early years. He became the missionary at Achreny on 13 August 1806, and married on 16 September of the following year, his wife Isabella being a sister of the eminent William Forbes, minister of Tarbat. It is recorded that in later years, while taking a drive with her, it occurred to him to question her with regard to her religious experience. He was, he said, so pleased and satisfied with the genuineness of her religion, that if he had not married her long ago, he would marry her now. They were both nearly 80 at the time. (18)

It is evident from John Munro’s entry for Halkirk in the New Statistical Account that the life of the Achreny missionary was hard: The people “are very much scattered, and are often prevented from attending the missionary’s preaching by the river and other swollen streams, which, especially during the winter and spring, are so much swollen, and that perhaps on the day the missionary is to preach in the district, that it is impossible for many to attend, and very likely they will not hear sermon again until the missionary is there three weeks thereafter. This produces great evils – it begets indifference to the means of grace, and at last, in too many cases, a total neglect of these means. This is not to be attributed to the missionary, nor, humanly speaking, to the people, but to the system on which the mission is established, and the utter impossibility of any one man being able, however gifted with zeal and abilities, to discharge aright duties requiring continual devotedness and unwearied labours to perform them either with success or efficiency. Is it to be supposed that a minister can administer religious instruction to a population of at least 2500, scattered over the remote parts of three parishes, and the greater number of the distant glens and valleys in the high and mountainous districts of the county of Caithness? Here is committed to the pastoral superintendence of a missionary a boundary, the extremes of which, by a practicable road, are from 40 to 50 miles distant from one another.”

Donald Sage, whose sister was married to Mrs Munro’s brother, comments on the limited “natural capacity” and “literary attainments” of John Munro, and mentions that “although he was universally respected by the pious among the lower classes, yet, by the higher and better-educated who knew not the truth, he was known in Caithness by the epithet of ‘Munro of the Hills'”. (19) As Mr Beaton remarks, however, John Munro’s entry for Halkirk in the New Statistical Account “is a very eloquent piece of work, decidedly the most eloquent of all the productions of Caithness ministers” in either Statistical Account. (20)

On 14 December 1815 John Munro moved to the Gaelic and English Chapel in Edinburgh. It is said that there was not a dry eye when he preached his final sermon in Halladale. (21) The Gaelic and English Chapel had come into being in March 1809 following a proposal to introduce some English services into the Gaelic Chapel, for the benefit of children and others who had little or no Gaelic. The result was a split. John Macdonald, Ferintosh, under whose ministry this painful episode occurred, remained minister of the Gaelic Chapel until 1813, when he moved to Ferintosh, while the Gaelic and English Chapel sought a new minister. The two chapels were reunited in October 1815, shortly before John Munro’s arrival. He continued there until 1822, when he returned north, to Halkirk.

This article is part 1 of a series
Other articles in this series: [part 2] [part 3] [part 4]

Endnotes:
1. An annual sum of money donated by the King, first given in 1725, for the support of gospel work in the Highlands.
2. Malcolm Bangor-Jones, “From Clanship to Crofting: Landownership, Economy and the Church in the Province of Strathnaver”, in John R Baldwin (ed), The Province of Strathnaver, Scottish Society for Northern Studies, Edinburgh, 2000, p 81.
3. Donald Mackay, Memories of Our Parish, Dingwall, 1925, p.159.
4. Donald Sage, Memorabilia Domestica, Wick, 1899 (second edition) p 38.
5. Donald Munro, Records of Grace in Sutherland, Edinburgh, 1953, p 179.
6. Memorabilia Domestica, p 32.
7. Donald Beaton, Some Noted Ministers of the Northern Highlands, Inverness, 1929, p 118.
8. Lachlan Mackenzie, Additional Lectures, Sermons, and Writings, Inverness, 1930, p 11. Two further anecdotes involving Hugh Mackay, too long to be included here, are given in John Macleod’s By-Paths of Highland Church History, Edinburgh, 1965, pp 87-89.
9. Lachlan Mackenzie, Lectures, Sermons, and Writings, Inverness, 1928, p 410.
10. Free Presbyterian Magazine, vol 19, pp 294-297,387.
11. Noted Ministers, p 118.
12. George Sutherland, The Missionary Ministers of Bruan, Wick, 1935, p 6.
13. The Missionary Ministers of Bruan, p 6.
14. John Kennedy, The Apostle of the North, (Free Presbyterian ed) 1978, p 18.
15. Alexander Auld, Memorials of David Steven, Wick, 1874, pp 43-44.
16. Apostle of North, p 9; Memories of Our Parish, p 165.
17. Apostle of North, p 22.
18. Memorials of the Late Rev Christopher Munro, Edinburgh, 1890, p 19.
19. Memorabilia Domestica, p 192.
20. Donald Beaton, Ecclesiastical History of Caithness and Annals of Caithness Parishes, Wick, 1909, p 212.
21. Alexander Auld, Ministers and Men in the Far North, 1956 Free Presbyterian ed, p 59.

Return to Table of Contents for The Free Presbyterian Magazine – August 2003

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      • October 2003
        • A View from the Outer Hebrides
        • The Untiring Travellers – Part 2
        • Sanctification – Part 2
        • The Ten Virgins
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        • A Pastor’s Concern
        • Seeking Great Things
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • September 2003
        • A Kingdom Where Order Reigns
        • Church Information
        • The Untiring Travellers – Part 1
        • Sanctification – part 1
        • The Achreny Mission – 2. 1815 to 1843
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – part 4
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2003
        • Church Information
        • A Prayer-Hearing God – Part 1
        • The Achreny Mission – Part 3 – After the Disruption
        • Meditation – Its Blessedness
        • Obituary – John Beaton, Raasay
        • African Missions Update
        • Growing Vatican Sovereignty
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Christ as Prophet
      • March 2003
        • What We Make It?
        • King Solomon’s Chariot
        • Samuel Rutherford – St Andrews and Westminster
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – Part 4
        • The Parable of the Talents
        • The Kinsman
        • Scottish Church Initiative for Union
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        • Notes and Comments
      • May 2003
        • A Powerful Voice
        • Notes and Comments
        • “Ye Shall Ask What Ye Will”- Part 2
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – The Religion of the Bible
        • The Prodigal Son
        • The Study of Providence
        • Poor and Needy
        • John Piper and His Doctrine
        • African Missions
        • Protestant View
      • June 2003
        • No Sense of Need
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Call of Matthew
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – The Christian Doctrine of God
        • The Sower
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 1
        • Meditation Sanctifies
        • Mbuma Zending Meeting – 2003
        • Zimbabwe Ordinations and Inductions
        • Book Reviews
      • July 2003
        • Acceptable Worship
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Grace Glorified in Election
        • Christianity – an Exclusive Religion – Some Further Doctrines
        • The Pharisee and the Publican
        • Rabbi Duncan
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 2
        • A Plea for Prayer
        • Continuing Repentance
        • Book Review: Christmas Evans, The Life and Times of the One-Eyed Preacher of Wales
      • January 2003
        • Thankfulness
        • The Lord God of Elijah
        • Samuel Rutherford – Fair Anwoth by the Solway – 1627 – 1636
        • Manna
        • All of Grace
        • Obituary – Mr Edward Arthur Christensen, Auckland
        • Obituary – Miss Isabel Murray, North Tolsta
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • February 2003
        • Christ’s Infinite Riches
        • Protestant View
        • Church Information
        • The Lord God of Elijah – Part 2
        • Samuel Rutherford – His King’s Palace in Aberdeen
        • The Privilege of Prayer
        • In Possession of the Promises
        • The Rich Man and Lazarus
        • Humiliation and Prayer
        • Book Reviews
        • Notes and Comments
        • Book Review – Sidelights on Bible Characters
        • Book Review – Authentic Christianity: Sermons on the Acts of the Apostles
      • December 2003
        • Nineteenth-Century Drift
        • A Prayer-Hearing God – Part 2
        • The Achreny Mission – 4. After the Disruption – Part 2
        • Meditation – Its Consequences
        • Visit to the Ukraine
        • Book Review – Letters from the South Seas, Margaret Paton
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • April 2003
        • The Promised Land
        • Church Information
        • “Ye Shall Ask What Ye Will”- Part 1
        • Samuel Rutherford – The Last Years
        • The Pearl of Great Price
        • Repentance
        • A Private Among the Padres
        • Damaging Doubts
        • The Prince – Defender of all Faiths
        • Protestant View
      • August 2003
        • What Kind of Faith?
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Head Stone of the Corner
        • The Vineyard
        • Mary and the Spiritual Mind
        • The Achreny Mission – 1. 1760 to 1815
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Evidences of Saving Faith – Part 3
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Book Review – God’s Hymnbook for the Christian Church
      • September 2002
        • The Shepherd’s Reward
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Jubilee
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Conflict
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – Part 2
        • The Beliver’s Sanctification
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Update
        • The New Archbishop of Canterbury
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
      • October 2002
        • “My Counsel Shall Stand”
        • Church Information
        • The Way to the City
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Consolidation
        • “Your Mercy”and the Jews’ Future
        • Springing Up After Many Days
        • Book Reviews
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Protestant View
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      • November 2002
        • Christ’s Spiritual Conquests
        • Church Information
        • The Call to the Water of Life – Part 2 (1) A Sermon by William Nixon Revelation 22:17. And the spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
        • The Right Way (1) Rev J S Sinclair
        • Obituary Mr Murdo Macleod, Elder, Stornoway
        • Book Reviews
        • Foreign Mission News
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      • May 2002
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        • Book Review – The Antichrist
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        • Coming to Christ – Part 2
        • A Master in Israel
        • The Cleansing of the Leper
        • The Christian’s Life
        • The Puritans on Prayer
        • Advice on Preaching
        • The Great Draught of Fishes
        • Book Review – Church and State
      • March 2002
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        • The Blessing of Asher
        • Thomas Cranmer – That God Might Be Truly Worshipped
        • Psalms or Hymns in Public Worship
        • Obituary – Reverend Donald Nicolson
        • Is Britain Being Protected?
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
      • June 2002
        • “Another King, One Jesus”
        • Church Information
        • Pray Without Ceasing
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        • Inventing Religion
        • Princeton and Pelagianism
        • Among the Children
        • Hopes of Future Usefulness – A Letter of John Love
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      • January 2002
        • “Religion in its Purity”
        • Notes and Comments
        • Attaining a Knowledge of Our Sins
        • The Meat Offering
        • The Strength of Faith
        • Thomas Cranmer – Moving Towards a Reformation
        • The Extent of the Atonement
        • Rev John MacDonald (1925-2000) – Obituary
        • Book Review – God and Cosmos
        • Protestant View – Queen Invites Cardinal to Sandringham
      • July 2002
        • The Need for Opened Eyes
        • God’s Wrath Against Sin
        • The Puritans on Prayer – A Wondrous Mysterious Grace
        • Revival in Arran
        • Man’s Righteousness and God’s
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
      • February 2002
        • Offering up Our Desires to God
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        • Look unto Me and Be Ye Saved
        • Thomas Cranmer – The Man of Extreme Caution
        • The Power of the Gospel
        • The Goodness of God in Redemption
        • Obituary – Mrs Isabella Turner
        • Book Review – Galatians
        • Book Notices
        • Protestant View
      • December 2002
        • “A Zealous, Godly Preacher”
        • The Call to the Water of Life – Part 2
        • Samuel Rutherford – From Birth to New Birth
        • Those Who Have Fled for Refuge – part 3
        • Obituary – Mrs Annie MacIver, North Tolsta
        • Book Reviews
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        • Notes and Comments
      • April 2002
        • “I am the Resurrection and the Life”
        • Coming to Christ – Part 1
        • Thomas Cranmer – On to the Fire
        • The Plague of Leprosy
        • Divided Allegiance
        • Obituary – Miss Margaret Sutherland
        • Book Review – The Hidden Pathway
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 2002
        • Everything Devoted to God’s Service
        • Unity Among the Brethren
        • Those Who Have Feld for Refuge
        • The Early Christian Church – The Era of Conquest
        • Symptoms of Spiritual Death
        • Book Review – The King’s Daughters
        • African Mission News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • September 2001
        • Knowing God
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Path of the Just
        • Obituary – The late Miss Jean Nicolson
        • Obituary – The late Mrs Lexie MacLeod
        • Raasay Congregation – a Brief History
        • The Knowledge of Sin
        • Induction at Sengera
        • Book Review: The Source of the IRA/Sinn Fein
        • Protestant View
      • October 2001
        • Tragedy
        • “God Gave the Increase”
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – It’s Usefulness for the Church
        • Desires for Glory
        • Calling a Minister
        • The Vatican Archives
        • A Visit to Singapore
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2001
        • Scotland’s Preachers
        • Recent Inductions
        • The Rose of Sharon
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – It’s Usefulness on the Personal Level – Intellectually
        • “Be Strong and of a Good Courage”
        • God’s Wonderful Goodness
        • “Withhold not Correction”
        • Obituary – The late Mr Donald Beaton, Elder, Auckland
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Obituary – The late Mr Donald Beaton, Elder, Auckland
      • May 2001
        • Sinking in Capernaum’s Doom
        • Book Review – Irish Worthies
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Goodwill of God
        • Keeping the Heart in Temptation
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 2
        • The Garden of Nuts
        • The Son of Man Lifted up
        • Obituary – The late John Angus MacLeod
        • A Deputy’s Visit to Africa – Kenya
        • Book Review – Faith and Justification
      • March 2001
        • “Just with God”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Set up from Everlasting
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ – Christ as Priest
        • W S Plumer- Part 2
        • Obituary – The late Rev Alexander McPherson, Perth
        • Pastoral Letter – Rev Alexander McPherson
        • Joseph MacKay
        • Book Review – Forerunner of the Great Awakening
      • June 2001
        • Blessedness
        • Church Information
        • Christ Coming for His people’s Help – Part 1
        • Who Belong to the Visible Church?
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 3
        • Religion in the Highlands After 1688 – Part 3
        • Raising Questions Against Darwinism
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • July 2001
        • Cry Aloud Spare Not
        • Christ Coming for His people’s Help – Part 2
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ
        • Our African Missions – an Update
        • Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Spring Visit to Ukraine
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • January 2001
        • Looking Forward
        • Book Review – The Government of the Church
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Faith, Its Nature, Origin and Effects
        • Thomas Halyburton and How God May Be Known
        • The Divinity of Christ
        • Religion in the Highlands after 1688 – Part 1
        • Keep a good conscience
        • God’s True Family
        • What is the Object of Faith?
        • Communion in Singapore
      • February 2001
        • Calling the Sabbath a Delight
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Set up from Everlasting
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ – Christ as Prophet
        • Religion in the Highlands after 1688 – Part 2
        • Book Review – Daily Prayer and Praise by Henry Law
        • Psalm 122 – Henry Law
        • The enemies of the Christian
        • African Mission News
        • Protestant View
      • December 2001
        • Protestant View
        • African Mission News
        • Eastern Europe News
        • Book Review – Tell it to the Generation Following
        • The Westminster Confession of Faith – Usefulness on the Personal Level
        • The Impossibility of Neutrality
        • “Christian”Entertainment
        • Attaining a Knowledge of Our Sins
        • Church Information
        • Notes and Comments
        • A View From Zimbabwe
      • August 2001
        • “There They Preached the Gospel”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • “He Will Bless Us”
        • Stevenson on the Offices of Christ
        • “He Delighteth in Mercy”
        • “The Voice of Christianity in Scotland”
        • Obituary – The late Mr Ian M MacLeod, Elder, Dingwall
        • Obituary – The late Mrs Catherine MacKenzie, Stornoway
        • Book Review – Southern Presbyterian Leaders 1683-1911
        • Book Review – The Westminster Confession of Faith, Milestone, Millstone or Manifesto?
      • April 2001
        • Sowing the Seed
        • The Duty of Nations to the Church
        • The Establishment Principle – Part 1
        • “The Finger of God”
        • Obituary – The late Miss Peggy Nicolson, Inverness
        • A Deputy’s Visit to Africa – Zimbabwe
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • September 2000
        • The Resurrection of Christ
        • Church Information
        • Reading the Scriptures Profitably
        • The believer is to put those sins… into the hands of Christ
        • The Puritans and the Ministry
        • Christ Glorifying God
        • Blessed Are They That Mourn
        • The Nature of Vital Piety (2)
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • October 2000
        • The Fear of God
        • Church Information
        • Reading the Scriptures Profitably (2)
        • He indeed is rich in grace whose graces are not hindered by his riches
        • The Puritans and the Ministry (2)
        • James Stewart
        • Christ Healing a Leper
        • Visits To Eastern Europe
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 2000
        • “What Are They Among so Many?”
        • Vain Religion
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Desired Haven
        • God may bear long with the wicked, but…
        • Thomas Halyburton
        • James Stewart (2)
        • The Temptation of Christ
        • Book Review
      • May 2000
        • The Church of God From Age to Age
        • Jesus of Nazareth passeth by
        • Rev Lachlan MacLeod (1918-1998) – Obituary
        • “So let him give”
        • The Solemn League and Covenant
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
      • June 2000
        • The Example of the Church in Smyrna
        • Eastern Europe – Spring 2000 Report
        • Church Information
        • The Nature of the New Birth
        • This is Indeed the Christ
        • Obituary The late Mr Alasdair Gillies, M.A., Elder, Dingwall
        • Report of Mbuma Zending Meeting – 29th April 2000
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Ma Donsa One of the Pilgrims at Ingwenya
        • African Mission News
      • March 2000
        • Two Free Churches
        • Sermon The Gracious Invitation of Christ
        • The Rev John Sinclair of Bruan (1801-43)
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • Regeneration Regulating the Affections
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • July 2000
        • The Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Church Information
        • Lift up a Standard for the People
        • At the Westminster Assembly
        • The Earth Corrupt before God
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • Obituary – The late Mr Kenneth Gillies, Elder, Raasay
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • February 2000
        • The Rev. Christopher Munro (1817-85)
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • “Come unto me”
        • Joy and Peace in Believing
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • Negotiations in London
        • Obituary
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Scottish Day Conference
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • January 2000
        • Another Millennium
        • Notes of a Sermon The Earth Filled with His Glory
        • The Second Coming of Christ – Three Main Views
        • The Latter Day Glory
        • Building up the Church of God
        • Princeton Seminary – The Majestic Testimony by David Calhoun.
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • December 2000
        • The Divine Saviour
        • A Sermon by John Kennedy
        • Thomas Halyburton
        • The Late Roderick Macleod,
        • The Aberdeen Church
        • Book Reviews
        • Book Reviews
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 2000
        • Where Are We Now?
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • Christ Given in His Fulness
        • Alexander Henderson
        • I cannot always come to Christ
        • Obedience to Christ
        • The Nature of Vital Piety
        • The Puritans for Today
        • Protestant View
      • April 2000
        • The Family Under Attack
        • Sermon
        • Princeton Theology – the Scottish Connection
        • The King in Scotland
        • Comments on Psalm 51
        • Unsettling the Settlement
        • The pope’s visit to the Holy Land
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • October 1999
        • Declaring All the Counsel of God
        • Church Information
        • God so Loved the World
        • The Rev. James S. Sinclair
        • The Glasgow Assembly
        • Calvin’s View of the Millennium
        • Book Review
        • Trinitarian Bible Society Annual General Meeting
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • September 1999
        • Old Testament Types
        • Church Information
        • Christ Seeing of the Travail of His Soul
        • Alexander Stewart of Cromarty
        • The Intercession of Christ
        • Resolved to Abolish Episcopacy
        • “And the sun was darkened”
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • November 1999
        • Morality and Politics
        • Church Information
        • Sermon
        • Rev Alexander Morrison (1925-1999) – Obituary
        • The Charismatic Movement – The Gifts have Ceased
        • Casting down the Walls of Jericho
        • A Visit to Singapore
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • May 1999
        • “Upon this rock I will build my church”
        • The Blessed Poor
        • Rev Angus Mackay
        • Is Christ our High Priest?
        • Signs of Religious Declension
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • March 1999
        • Heaven-provoking Legislation
        • Church Information
        • The Drawing Power of the Cross
        • The Alpha Course Examined
        • Teaching Christianity in Scottish Schools
        • The late Mrs Margaret Tallach, Glasgow
        • Letter by John Love, D.D.
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
      • June 1999
        • Made a Faithful Shepherd
        • Notes and Comments
        • How May Sanctification Be Attained?
        • Protestant View
        • Mbuma Zending Meeting Report
        • Address to Mbuma Zending Meeting
        • Spiritual Pride in Man
        • Church Information
        • Preaching the Unsearchable Riches of Christ
        • The Free Church and the World
      • January 1999
        • When the Enemy Shall Come in Like a Flood
        • Church Information
        • Let me see thy countenance
        • The Religion of the Highlands
        • Personal Creed and Resolutions
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Eastern Europe Mission
      • July 1999
        • The Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
        • The Pre-eminence of Christ
        • A Man Who Wished to Live Obscurely
        • The Nature of Saving Faith
        • The Light of the World
        • God is: therefore God is to be Worshipped
        • Book Review
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
        • Protestant View
      • February 1999
        • The Purposes of the Lord’s Supper
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society – Appointments
        • The Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God
        • Holy Importunity in Prayer
        • A Heavenly Eternal Crown of Glory
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
      • December 1999
        • The End of a Millennium
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Until the Day Break
        • The Charismatic Movement – The Gifts have Ceased
        • The Rev. Donald Macfarlane of Dingwall
        • The Pagan Origin of Christmas A Reminder
        • Ministers Prepared by Temptation
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
      • August 1999
        • The Advance of Rome under Hume
        • Notes and Comments
        • Eastern Europe Mission
        • Church Information
        • The Marks of a Time of Revival, and the Means of Bringing it About
        • The Free Church of Scotland General Assembly
        • Thy Kingdom Come
        • The National Covenant
        • Work of the Trinitarian Bible Society in 1998
        • Unsettled and Discouraged?
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
      • April 1999
        • The Observance of Easter
        • The Smitten Shepherd and His Flock
        • The Prince of Highland Preachers
        • The Inter-Faith Movement
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • September 1998
        • The Golden Key of Prayer
        • Church Information
        • Weighed in the Balances
        • Christ, the Way
        • Praying as Beggars
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Our African Mission
        • Patrick Mzamo – A sketch of an African elder and lay-preacher
      • October 1998
        • The Westminster Assembly and Romanism
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Christ Liveth in me *
        • God’s Way of Bringing Sinners to Christ
        • The Effects of Television Violence
        • Sin and Sanctification
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Philemon Ndebele
      • November 1998
        • Faithfulness or Vilification
        • Church Information
        • The Best Security in Evil Times
        • Pentecostal Dialogue with Rome
        • The Prayers of the Aged
        • The Religion of the Highlands – The Persecution of a Highland Laird
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Eastern Europe Mission Work
      • May 1998
        • The Mode of Baptism – A Defence
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • A Vessel Meet for the Master’s Use
        • African Mission News
        • Church Information
        • Serving the Lord with Humility
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland on the Internet
        • Booklet Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Story of Mamlotshwa
      • March 1998
        • A Minister of God
        • “I will yet for this be inquired of”
        • African Mission News
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        • Godliness With Contentment
        • Protestant View
        • African Mission News
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • Private Prayer and Public Profession
        • Truth and Life
        • The Free Church, Psalms and Hymns
      • June 1998
        • Family Worship
        • Notes and Comments
        • Ma Ngwenya – Mother of the late Rev. B. B. Dube
        • Church Information
        • The Lord is Risen Indeed
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Pastoral Epistles
        • The Church of Scotland and the Bible
        • Mbuma-Zending Meeting – 1998
        • Three Characteristics of True Faith
        • Book Reviews
        • Protestant View
        • Three Characteristics of True Faith
      • July 1998
        • The General Assemblies
        • Church Information
        • The Scriptural Warrant for Creedal Subscription
        • The Pastoral Epistles
        • The Trinitarian Bible Society Report
        • A Cambuslang Case of Conversion
        • Booklet Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Synod
      • January 1998
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • MaHlabangana
        • Winter Visit to Eastern Europe
        • THE NEW YEAR
        • The Church Built and Kept by the Lord
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Fruits of the Declaratory Act In the Free Church of Scotland
        • Redeeming the Time
        • African Mission News
      • February 1998
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • Book Review
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • A Mission Day of Prayer
        • Church Information
        • Leaning Upon her Beloved
        • Brought Home to Heaven
        • Observing the Sabbath
        • Church Deputy’s Visit to North America
        • African Mission News
        • A Faithful Ambassador is Health
      • December 1998
        • When the Enemy Shall Come in Like a Flood
        • “My grace is sufficient for thee”
        • The People of the Great Faith
        • Sudden Conversions
        • A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ
        • “Give ye them to eat”
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Church Information
      • August 1998
        • The General Assemblies
        • Sermon – The House of Many Mansions
        • Lessons From the Doctrine of Divine Justice
        • Book Notice
        • Protestant View
        • Notes and Comments
        • Paul Magaya – Lay Preacher in Shangani
        • Church Information
      • April 1998
        • Outlines of Lectures on the Bible
        • The Mode of Baptism – A Defence
        • Notes and Comments
        • Protestant View
        • The Manner of Coming to Christ
        • Book Notice
        • A Lily from the Ukraine
        • Eastern Europe Mission
        • Church Information
        • Called of God
        • Threats to our Religious Liberties
        • Mazwabo’s Amazing Transformation
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