INTRODUCTION.
THE period covered by these records is one of the greatest importance in the ecclesiastical history of Scotland. Mr. MacTavish, in his Introduction, says: “In the province of Argyll, as elsewhere in Scotland there was an almost complete collapse of Episcopalian opposition. Neil Campbell, of Ederline, Bishop of the Isles under the Episcopalian regime, was content to express his sorrow for his departure from Presbyterian principles, and after discipline to accept a call from the congregation of Campbeltown. It is possible that some of the hereditary families within the bounds of the province such as the Macqueens in Skye, and the MacLachlans and MacCalmans in Lorn, were lukewarm in their attachment to the Presbyterian cause but, if so, their zeal for Episcopacy was not sufficiently strong to tempt them to go against the tendencies of the age . . . . (p. xiii). The Presbytery of Skye for some years offered what might be regarded as half-hearted opposition to their inclusion in the Synod, but it was probably no more than a protest against control from any outside sources and against the troublesome journey to Inveraray, which membership of the Synod entailed. There was no effective Roman Catholic opposition, as it had already been partly dealt with by the Episcopalians” (I. xiii. xiv.). Seminary priests were busy and the Synod saw to it that those who supported them as also the activities of these priests were dealt with according to the laws of Church and State. The Synod not only looked after the religious interests of the people within its bounds but it took a deep and active interest in their educational needs and especially for the education of young men for the ministry. To accomplish this, a grammar-school was established at Inveraray and parish schools at Campbeltown, Kilberry, Kilmartin, Iona, Morvern, Duntuilm, Kilmoran, Kilfinan, Lochgoilhead, Glassary, Knapdale, Kilchrennan, Kilchattan, Kilmore and Lismore. While these measures were being carried out, Argyll had a visit from that great hero of the Royalist historians, the Marquis of Montrose.†
In 1648 the General Assembly instructed the Synod to select forty boys of the “most able spirits” for preparatory education for the University. In carrying out their educational scheme the Synod then turned its attention to the production of Gaelic religious literature. This scheme included a Gaelic translation of the Shorter Catechism (1653); a Gaelic metrical version of the first 50 Psalms, 1659 (complete edition in 1694) “and a translation of the Old Testament, possibly of the whole Bible, which,” Mr. MacTavish says, “failed to secure the permanence of print and the manuscript of which has now probably disappeared” (I. xix.).
1639. MEETING AGAINST THE COVENANT.
“The Assembly [that is, the meeting of Synod] having gotten intelligence that there was a meeting amongst Sir Lachlan MacLaine’s friends where there was, as they were informed, some conclusions agreed to contrair to the Covenant and the band of mutual assistance thought it their duty to make trial thereinto that they might give timeous advertisement to such as have power to take order with like proceedings and therefore the Assembly [i.e., the Synod or provincial Assembly] called upon MacAllan mhic Eoghan, who was present with them, who declared and deponed in manner after specified, that on Monday the 4th of May the Lady MacLaine† accompanied with Lachlan Barrach and Allan MacLaine’s uncles, Sir Lachlan MacLaine of Duart, John Garbh MacLaine and certain others of the said Sir Lachlan’s kin and tenants convened at Bunessan in Ross of Mull, were exacting mutual oaths one to another to run a course together, ay and by which Sir Lachlan MacLaine be liberated from ward and required the deponer and his brother Mr. Hugh MacLaine to give their oaths to follow them in whatsoever course they were about to take. Whereunto his brother and he answering that they were Covenanter and so could not give such an oath unless they knew whereunto their oath was craved, upon which refusal they both were presently apprehended, and kept to be laid fast in the stocks that were preparing for them, and that the same night by the good providence of God the said deponer escaped, but his brother Mr. Hugh, was apprehended and warded in the Castle of Cairnbulg and further declared that that same night he escaped there was the number of seventeen cows taken from him out of a room by those wicked people in revenge because they got him not apprehended, and further that the said persons convened and the whole country intended to run a contrary course to the whole kingdom. Which being so declared the assembly [meeting of Synod] recommended to the Earl of Argyll to represent the same to the Committee of Estates” (I. 14).
HEAVY SENTENCES ON ABSENTEES.
The Synod, though it recognised the difficulties the members had in attending the meetings owing to the long distances, was determined to check absenteeism as the following extract shows:— “The Assembly, considering that many of the brethren absent themselves from the provincial meeting and that upon very slight excuses, therefore, with one voice they ordain that the minister that absents himself twice, one time after another, shall incur the danger of suspension if his excuse be not thought lawful and if any absent themselves thrice, the assembly judging it contumacy, that he shall incur the danger of deposition” (I. 16).
*Extracts from the Minutes of the Synod of Argyll 1639-1661. Edited by Duncan C. MacTavish. Scottish History Society (1943) 2 vols. The Synod of Argyll at this date consisted of Argyllshire, the western part of Inverness-shire as far north as Glenelg, the islands of Bute, and the whole of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. It will thus be seen that the Synod had ecclesiastical jurisdiction over a very large portion of the Western Highlands.
†The Records have interesting references to Montrose’s invasion of Argyll (1644-7) and to the signing of the Covenant.
*In these extracts the modern spelling is adopted in preference to the archaic spelling of the records. This applies also to surnames and place-names where the modern form is known.