F EW knew and loved the godly men of the Highlands of Scotland last century as well as Dr. Kennedy of Dingwall. Although he was a giant in grace and had a powerful intellect, he was ever ready to acknowledge his indebtedness to “the men”. He stated, “Valuable was the help and cheering the encouragement… always received from their prayers, their counsels, and their labours.” (The Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire, 4th ed., p. 95).
One of “the men” of whom he spoke as a helper was godly Colin Forsyth of Killearnan. He gave good advice to young John Kennedy when he was under conviction of sin. This led to his having “a faith which, though weak in degree, was yet saving in its nature.” (Life of John Kennedy, D.D., Alex. Auld, pp. 7, 8). From that time his heart was bonded to Colin Forsyth, and to others like him with whom he became well acquainted in the north.
Little wonder then that Dr Kennedy was a sympathetic and able defender of “the men” when they were unjustly criticised because of their careful walk and faithful following of the Saviour, or for their stating the distinction between genuine godliness and false religion. This they did especially at the fellowship meeting on the Friday of a communion season.
At the fellowship meeting, said Dr Kennedy, “the minister presides, and, after prayer, praise, and the reading of a portion of Scripture, he calls on anyone who is anxious to propose a question to the meeting, to do so. This call is responded to by some man who rises, mentions a passage of Scripture describing some feature of Christian character, and expresses his desire to ascertain the marks of those whom the passage describes, and the various respects in which they differ from merely nominal Christians. The scope of the passage is then opened up by the minister, and the exact import of the question founded upon it is explained. He then calls by name, successively, such as are of repute for piety, experience, and gifts, to ‘speak to the question’. One after another rises, as he is called, states briefly his view of the question, and, without attempting to expound the Scripture, or to deliver an exhortation, or venturing to parade his own experience, speaks from the heart
what he has felt, and feared, and enjoyed under the power of the truth. Thereafter the minister sums up all that has been said, correcting, confirming, and expanding, as may be necessary, and makes a practical improvement of the whole. The person who proposed the question is then usually called to engage in prayer, and, with praise and the benediction, the meeting is closed.” (The Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire, pp. 95, 96.)
How did the fellowship meeting originate? “According to Dr Kennedy’s testimony,” says Rev Donald Beaton, “exercised believers used to meet in private houses, and for their mutual edification discussed their religious experiences. In this way the Fellowship Meetings began, and in order to have them under the control of the ministry it was ultimately decided that they should have a place in the religious exercises of the Church, and especially on the Friday of the Communion, when they would be presided over by the minister.” (The Free Presbyterian Magazine, Vol. 43, No. 5, p. 201). We have heard it stated also that godly Highland soldiers in the Protestant army of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, in the 1630’s used to meet together for Christian fellowship, basing their discussion on a text of Scripture. When they returned to the Highlands they continued this exercise which they had found to be so beneficial. Rev D. Beaton also notes that reference was made in the Aberdeen Assembly (1640) to “certain private fellowship meetings which had originated during the persecution in Ireland and were continued in Scotland by those who fled to this country for refuge.”
During the last century the fellowship meeting was widely observed in the Highlands. It was not in place of, but complimented, the preaching of the Word, and was intended as a help for believers. Dr Kennedy says, “The great object of the fellowship meeting was the mutual comfort and edification of believers, with special reference to the cases of such as were exercised with fears as to their interest in Christ.” (The Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire, p. 95). “Blessed indeed to many souls have these ‘Friday meetings’ been,” said Dr Kennedy. Some ministers regarded the meetings as a threat, but Dr Kennedy thought otherwise. “Never was a godly minister’s office less endangered when he was countenancing and directing their service in speaking to the question’, and often has the time thus spent by him been to his own soul a season of refreshing.” (The Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire, pp 125 and 97). To this day there are those who, while adhering to the primacy of the preaching of the Word can testify to the benefit they have received, and do receive, from the fellowship meeting. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name,” Malachi 3:16. ■