Scottish Martyrs

Ordinary People doing Extraordinary Things
The Covenanters,

A lesson from history
Note to teachers: So many times lessons are based on stories that children can’t always identify with because their about people who are strong, heroes, extraordinary people. This guide is meant to help your children see that God uses ordinary people to stand up the wrongs of this world, God makes ordinary people extraordinary.
The people in these stories didn’t want to be heroes they just wanted to do what was right in the eyes of God. When we think of all the important stories that inspire us we think of all the Bible stories we speak of so often but we don’t have to look to far into our own history to see that there are plenty of examples of inspiring stories from ordinary people that help us to do the right thing.

Memory verse Psalm 52:8
‘But I am like an Olive Tree flourishing in the House of God; I trust in
God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.’

Background
In March 1603 James VI of Scotland became James I of England, at this point Scotland still remained independent with it’s own parliament. James attempted to unify the church but struggled as Scotland was split between the Catholic Highlands and Protestant Lowlands.
After James’ death his son Charles I was determined to continue his father’s desire to unify the church and in an attempt to do this produced a common book of prayer and insisted that all churches used this book. This was something that the Lowland churches could not agree with as they believed and promoted freedom of worship and disagreed with King Charles’ notion that he was God’s spokesman, as they believed that each person had the right to have direct communication with God and needed no spokesman. They believed in a personal relationship with God and freedom to worship God in the way each person chose.
So on 23rd July 1637 when this Book of Common Prayer was first used in Edinburgh it
caused an uproar, which would prove to have severe repercussions for the people of
Scotland. On 28th February 1638 the Church of Scotland produced the covenant which
declared the church independent from the state, therefore defying the king insistence of using the book of common prayer against the rule of law. 60,000 people signed the covenant that day.
Charles I was executed in 1643 as a result of the ending of the English civil war which resulted in the rule of Oliver Cromwell and brought a period of stability to the church in Scotland. This was short lived, as after the death of Cromwell Charles I’s son Charles II became King in May 1660, which brought about 28 years of persecution and martyrdom for the covenanters. The king reintroduced the book of common prayer appointed his own bishops and ministers with over 400 ministers being thrown out of their churches and attendance at any religious service other than the state organised ones became treasonable and therefore a capital offence.

Lesson 1 – Who were the covenanters?
Jonathan and David - 1 Samuel 20: 24- 42

Objectives

How important it is to do the right thing

Emphasise how easy it would have been for Jonathan to go on his dad’s side but he knew it was wrong.

Simply stated, the covenanters were those people in Scotland who signed the National
Covenant in 1638. The covenant was a public declaration of opposition to the interference of the crown in the affairs of the church. The king believed God had divinely appointed them as rulers not only of the country but also of the church. The Scots could not accept this, as they believed only Jesus could be the head of any church and not any man, not even a king. From 1660 to 1688 was a period of persecution simply for non-attendance of church. Failure to do so could result in instant execution from the dragoon soldiers, which had been drafted in to enforce the law.
A family of martyrs -Just imagine you had been to a church service with your friend, your brother and his friend. Your two brothers had been killed by soldiers 5 years earlier for attending and preaching at an ‘illegal’ church service, your father was in prison in Edinburgh for attending these same church services. This didn’t stop you from what you knew to be right worshiping God the way you choose. It had been a good service, the famous and young preacher James Renwick, only 23 years old, full of fire and excitement about God was there with strong singing and great friendships.
It was 1685 not far from Dalmellington, Ayrshire and Marion Cameron was heading home with her friend Margaret Dun her brother David and friend Simon. They were excited about the whole evening and chatted generally about what James Renwick had been saying. They stopped to rest just outside a local village in a stone enclosure before striking out for home. They were disturbed by the local farmer who warned them that dragoons were close and on the lookout for covenanters so they had better hurry home before they were caught. Only a few miles further on they were caught the
girls momentarily got away but whilst hiding in the heather moss and singing Psalms to calm their fears the soldiers captured them. They offered to let them go if they pledged allegiance to the king and burned their Bibles, the girls refused and the soldiers shot them on the spot. The two boys were dragged to Cumnock, Ayrshire, where they were imprisoned for a few days and then shot as well.

Object lesson -Highway code
Explain that these are the rules for driving and that everyone should follow these rules if they wish to travel on the road safely. If they choose to disobey this code they place themselves and other road users at risk. One rule that everyone must apply, or else on almost every occasion someone will get hurt, is when you approach a roundabout you must always give way to the traffic on the right. If you don’t then you will have an accident. It’s the same in life always give way to the person who is right, if you don’t know they are right then listen to them and as long as what they say is from God i.e. based on the Bible, then you should do what is right.

Lesson 2 – Battles for freedom
David and Goliath – 1 Samuel 17: 31-54

Objective

There is always hope, never give up.

It was because Goliath was a giant that the victory was so great.

No one would have told the story if it had been David and the Dwarf.

Challenges are difficult, that’s what makes them worthwhile.

War is never good, fighting is always a last resort but with issues such as freedom of speech, liberty and survival war might be the only solution. In the times of the covenanters life was not just tough but intolerable in many ways even for those who conformed to the King. But, with faith in Jesus, even if all has failed you there is always hope no one can take that from you, unless you allow them to. For many covenanters that is all they had, no home, no family no apparent way to change their destiny of persecution and eventual death. They still had hope. It was this hope, which maintained their faith in fighting against the King. Their struggle resulted in several battles of which there were 2 major battles: In 1666, in Ayrshire, there was rebellion when the dragoon soldiers tortured an old man because he would not
pledge allegiance to the king. They gathered in numbers eventually reaching 900 and marched on Edinburgh to protest. Just outside Edinburgh, on Rullion Green they were met with a force of 3,000 dragoons. The protesters had no chance with 100 being killed in battle, 120 being captured and a further 300 being killed after escaping but caught on their way home. In 1679, 1500 men met beside Loudon Hill near Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. 180 dragoons rode out to disperse the gathering and arrest
the ringleaders. They found them in battle formation on the 1st of June, in front was a huge ditch and surrounding them were bogs so after an initial volley of muskets, which was unsuccessful, the dragoons were at a loss as what to do next. A large party of men led by a young man called William Cleland, who would later become a famous soldier came round the side of the dragoons attacking them as they were now dismounted. Bogged down in the marshes attacked at close quarters as well as being outnumbered the dragoons stood no chance. 36 dragoons were killed 7 captured and the rest fled. This same group of men were defeated 3 weeks later at Bothwell Bridge near Glasgow.

Object Lesson– The impossible quiz
Have a list of general knowledge questions, 5 perhaps, make the first 4 really difficult, the point being they can never answer them. The 5th one should be really easy. Have a prize for this. Ask after each question if they wish to give up if they do ask someone else to take their place. The point being that the person who answers the last question, the really easy one got the prize because they did not give up, not because they were brainy. Life can be really difficult but we should not give up with Jesus as our friend there is always hope and the prize at the end is not for how much we achieve in life but for not giving up .

Lesson 3 – Lion of the Covenant
David Dances – 2 Samuel 6:12-23

Objectives

Follow Jesus wholeheartedly

David had no concern about what others thought about him.

Only what God thinks about us is important.

Richard Cameron was called the lion of the covenant amongst the covenanters because of his strong defiance against this persecution. Richard Cameron was no common man. Born in Fife and had been a follower of the king until he saw the suffering and injustice of the new law. So he joined the covenanters forsaking everything for their cause. He was not half hearted in this and saw clearly the truth and had no ideas of compromise. In 1680 near Muirkirk on Airds Moss a large group of men had assembled under the leadership of Richard Cameron, the brother of Marion in the first week’s story. He preached that day and encouraged a group of 60 men who had gathered to worship God when a troop of 120 dragoons surprised them. In realisation that escape was impossible, they resolved to stand and fight. Richard grabbed his brother, Michael’s hand and said ‘Now let us fight it out to the last: for this is the day I have longed for, to die fighting for our Lord.’ The fighting was short but desperate with Richard and Michael being killed as well as 7 others, 5 were severely wounded and taken prisoner whilst the rest escaped over the moors as, if by the providence of God, a thundercloud came over head with torrential rain covering
their escape. 28 dragoons were killed that day. The 5 were taken to Edinburgh and hanged; the head and hands of Richard were cut off and displayed in Edinburgh as a warning. The soldier who carried them to Edinburgh said ‘These are the hands and head of a man who lived his life preaching and praying and died fighting and praying.’ Richard Cameron was not forgotten as a group of covenanters who lived to his ideals formed the 26th regiment of foot in 1689, this regiment fought in
every major war until it was disbanded in 1968.

Object Lesson – Full wellie
Ask for a volunteer sit him on a chair. Ask him to take off his shoes and socks (don’t force anyone to do this). Explain that you have some beans and they have a choice whether to put in a couple of bean into the wellie or the whole tin. Hopefully, they will choose the full tin. Then get them to put their foot into the wellie. Explain how they did not do this half-heartedly with only a couple of beans but they went the full wellie. It should be the same with us when we follow Jesus, He went the full wellie for us and we will gain the fullness of life God has promised if we go the full wellie for Him.

Lesson 4 – The young and the brave
David Chosen 1 Samuel 16: 1-14

Objectives

God can use you

David could have been overlooked because he was the youngest.

God doesn’t look for talent or at age, he looks at obedience

He uses those who are obedient.

In 1688, the fugitive preacher James Renwick was captured and executed at the scaffold in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, the last covenanter to be executed publicly.
He was born in Dumfriesshire, on 5th February 1662, the son of a weaver. He was always interested in religion and it is said that, by the age of six he was able to read and question the contents of the bible. His parents went without to gain James an education and after attending university in Edinburgh in 1681 he began to question the king’s new laws and after seeing a public hanging of covenanters he moved to Lanark to join the covenanters. In 1682 he went to Holland to train in the ministry and was ordained in 1683. He lead his first service in 1683 with many hundreds in attendance. This was the start of many close shaves with the dragoons. In July 1684 he narrowly escaped dragoons by hiding in a hollow on the moors. In the
next few months he baptised over 300 people and performed many marriages and funerals. In September 1684 a warrant for his capture was issued but this didn’t stop him meeting with hundreds of covenanters including ones at Sanquhaur and Dalmellington, Ayrshire, the one poor Marion from the first lesson was attending and walking home from. There was always a horse ready and saddled on which James could escape swiftly if dragoons should appear. His last service took part in Selkirkshire on January 1688, according to James Hogg ‘When he prayed, few hearers cheeks
were dry.’ Renwick was arrested in February 1688 whilst secretly visiting Edinburgh a group of men arrived at the house he staying at where a scuffle broke out with James escaping but then he was caught whilst running down the Castle Wynd. He died at the young age of 26 and had caused the authorities so much trouble the head jailer looked upon him and said ‘Is this boy the Mr Renwick the nation has had so much trouble with?’

Object Lesson – Arm Wrestle
You will need two volunteers one bigger older child and one smaller younger child. After you have chosen them declare that they are going to arm wrestle. Ask who do the children think will win. They should say the bigger and older child. Using a table and chairs get them into position to wrestle, you stand behind the younger child and when you say go help the younger child to beat the older child. This is an example of how unimportant size, age and ability is because if God is behind you he will give you the strength and ability to do the job he has asked you to do.

Lesson 5 – Prophet of the covenant
Saul’s Cloak – 1 Samuel 24

Objectives

David refused to do wrong, he would not harm the Lord’s anointed.

With God’s anointing you will not be harmed.

Live right and He will anoint you.

One of the best-known covenanters was Alexander Peden or ‘Sandy’ as he was called. He
was born in 1626 in Ayrshire. He went to Glasgow University and became head teacher at Tarbolton, Ayrshire. In 1660, he became a minister in Galloway. Due to his allegiance to the covenant he was ejected from his church in 1663. Sandy was known as the prophet of the covenant because of the repeated times things he stated became true. Such as, when he was evicted from his church he left saying that no minister would enter the church unless he believed as Sandy believed. True enough the church remained without a minister for 30 years until a covenanter named William Kyle became minister; Sandy wandered the country having illegal services until in
1666 a warrant for his arrest was issued. He evaded capture for seven years when he was captured in Ayrshire, in 1673. He was sentenced to be sent to America as a slave but again prophesied that there was no boat built that could hold him. Sure enough he convinced the captain to let him and the others go in Gravesend, England. He returned to Scotland always on the run and having many close escapes such as when he and a group of friends were being chased by soldiers on the moors. It
looked certain he would be caught but he prayed. ‘Cast your cloak over old Sandy and these poor souls, save us one more time.’ Almost immediately a cloud of mist hid them and the dragoons passed right passed them. Sandy was best friends with Richard Cameron, the Lion of the Covenant and encouraged James Renwick whom we spoke of last week calling him, ‘God’s faithful servant.’ Sandy had a price of £1000 on his head but died of old age and ended up buried in Ayrshire in 1686.

Object Lesson - Anointing oil
You will need a bottle of olive oil or if stuck, vegetable oil. If you can decant it into a smaller bottle then better if not re-label it ‘magic elixir’. Describe the contents as a potion, which revitalises you when tired, makes you better at everything, faster, smarter, more talented. Then explain, well, not really it’s just oil but in days gone past priests and prophets used this to symbolise those God had chosen for special jobs. Like Samuel did with David to make him King. It represents the Holy Spirit who lives inside you when you make Jesus your friend. He gives you knowledge, wisdom, peace, joy, and so much more. It is impossible to live, as God wants you to unless you have the Holy Spirit inside you.

Lesson 6 – The Wigtownshire Martyrs
Faithful David 1 Samuel 16: 14-23

Objectives

Before David became a mighty king he was just a shepherd.

God wants you to be just you. No faces, no pretence, just you.

He may change you but you shouldn’t try to be different.
One of the most often told stories is the story of the two Margaret’s, Margaret Lachlane,aged 63, and Margaret Wilson in her mid-twenties. The whole 28 years of persecution of the covenanters are about ordinary people, not royalty or soldiers or heroes as we expect them to be but people like you and me. The two Margaret’s were ordinary women who worked and helped out with their families and never did anything particularly exciting, interesting or special. But yet their story is one that is most often told. They were reported for not attending church making them disorderly parishioners. They went into hiding but were soon found by dragoons. They were tried in Dumfriesshire, on 13th April 1685 being sentenced to execution by drowning. They were marched down to the beach, which at that particular part of the Solway Firth can go out almost for two miles leaving the flat sands. Stakes were hammered into the
sand one close to the water and the second about halfway up. Old Margaret was given the chance to change her mind and deny her beliefs but she wouldn’t. She was tied to the first post, as the tide began to overtake old Margaret, drowning her, young Margaret looked on and sang the 25th Psalm as they tied her to the second post half way up the beach. She was asked to reconsider as she saw what lay before her as she watched old Margaret drown. She was not going to deny her faith now, the soldiers looked on as the tide covered young Margaret as well. Once the tide had receded again
they took the bodies and buried them in the churchyard.

Object Lesson – Outward changes
Choose a volunteer, have some dressing up things, a wig, sunglasses maybe a halo.
Explain you are going to try and improve the person, sunglasses will make him cool, a wig will make him better looking, a halo will make him good. Keep going as much as you want until they look a little silly. Start by taking off the articles you put on explaining you don’t have to pretend to be anyone but you. God made you, you are as he intended you to be.