The Rebel Of Rattray

There is something in us that romanticises rebels - people who, for whatever reason, have stood up to the established powers. The little guy fighting against the big guy, we love it. History is full of them. Donald Cargill was a bit different though in that he was not a Robin Hood who stole from the rich to give to the poor. Nor was he a rascal like Dick Turpin who just stole from everyone else. Nor was he an imposing freedom fighter like William Wallace trying to liberate Scotland from English tyranny. No, Cargill was a bit different. He was a Church of Scotland minister. Not very romantic is it? 

He came from Rattray, being born at Hatton of Rattray. There is a memorial stone which marks his birth place although there is a bit of confusion about when exactly he was actually born. The stone says 1610, but in other accounts it's 1619 or 1627. There’s no confusion about the day he died though. It was on the 27th July 1681 when he was publicly hung on the gallows in Edinburgh before his head was removed. His crime? Well, it’s complicated…

…but we’ll try and explain. We don’t know too much about his early life. Having been brought up in a God-fearing family he got his education at Aberdeen and St.Andrews University before he entered the ministry. He was called to pastor the Barony Church in Glasgow in 1655. He got married around then also but sadly his wife died a short time after. Described by one of his contemporaries as “an affectionate, tender-hearted, generous and God-fearing man”, his ministry at the Barony was well received and everything seemed to be going well.

That was until 1660, when King Charles II was restored as King. Anyone who’s a fan of ‘Horrible Histories’ will know him as the king who brought back partying. But Cargill was in no mood to celebrate. On the Sunday set aside for the nation to commemorate the occassion he stood in his pulpit and announced to the congregation, “Woe, woe, woe unto him! His name shall stink while the world stands, for treachery, tyranny and lechery”.

Those words certainly would not have helped him get an invite to a Royal Garden Party. His concern was not just with the king’s character but also what he was seeking to impose upon the church. Being King of both Scotland and England Charles II wanted to harmonise the Church of Scotland with the Church of England. Not an issue in itself - believers are, after all, one family in Christ regardless of nationality. The problem was that the king was the head of the Church of England and it was governed by bishops appointed by the same king. The Church of Scotland on the other hand was independent of the king, they held that Christ was the supreme King and head of the church. And it was governed by presbyteries - regional councils chosen by the churches in that region. Therefore, Cargill was concerned. And he was certainly not alone in his concerns. Collectively they would become known as Covenanters - people who objected to a system being imposed upon them which they believed was unbiblical and took away the church’s independence from the state.

Today we may struggle to see what the big deal was but we have to understand the church at that time was a more significant and influential institution in society - therefore, whoever had power in the church had power in the nation. We also have to understand that these were times when people formed convictions and lived by them - and sometimes died by them.

Cargill’s comments resulted in him being a marked man. He had to hide in the fields around Glasgow while he still tried to fulfil his pastoral duties. He was subsequently banished to the north of the Tay and lived the next two decades as a fugitive. If found he would have been imprisoned. Yet he continued to hide around Glasgow, serving the people as he could, preaching to large crowds in fields who would go to hear him teach the Bible.

Many attempts were made to catch him but failed. Others like him were not so fortunate and lost their lives. At one point soldiers came to the house he was staying in but somehow missed him hiding in a book case under a window. On another occasion while visiting old friends at Blairgowrie he was forced to flee a detachment of dragoons led by John Graham of Claverhouse. In doing so he made a remarkable jump over the River Ericht onto the Rattray side. At the spot now known as Cargill’s leap the pursuing soldiers were unable to match his feat, which in modern times would have earned him a place in Team GB.

As the Government increasingly cracked down on the outdoor meetings by imprisoning those caught, many took up arms against them. Cargill decided he also had to fight. He joined an army of Covenanters at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679. Unfortunately for him, the Government army won and he sustained head injuries but lived on. It wouldn’t be the last of his injuries. With a price on his head and after a few close escapes one of his defining moments came at an outside meeting at Torwood near Larbert. There he publicly excommunicated King Charles II along with 6 other powerful figures who had led the persecutions. Eventually, with a substantial price on his head he was caught. He was taken to Edinburgh where he was sentenced to death for treason. It’s at this time where we see his faith in God burn brightest. While waiting at the Tollbooth to be taken to the gallows he wrote, “This is the most joyful day that ever I saw in my pilgrimage on earth. My joy is now begun, which I see shall never be interrupted". 

As he climbed the ladders of the gallows he made the comment that did so with less fear than when he entered a pulpit to preach - not a comment on the hostility of the congregations he was used to serving but the seriousness with which he took the responsibility of preaching God’s Word. After singing Psalm 118 he spoke of his peace with God through Christ. He forgave everyone who had done him wrong and then he prayed. While praying the executioner did his work and Cargill was gone. 7 years later it would be all change as a new king would come in who would allow Presbyterians religious liberty once more.

We might not fully agree with the ecclesiastical beliefs he held, nor understand his refusal to compromise on this particular issue, nor agree with every one of his actions, but undeniably Donald Cargill was a man of courage and integrity who stood up for what he believed was right. Even up to the moment when the time came for him to face the executioner.

That courage came from his faith in Jesus Christ. He believed the message of the Bible; that Jesus is the Son of God, the Lord and Saviour of mankind. That as Lord, Jesus Christ is the true King, before whom all kings must give an account. That as Saviour, he had come into a world rebelling against God’s rule to offer a pardon and peace - he laid down his life on the cross for all who believe that they might be forgiven their sin, their spiritual rebellion, and be restored to God. The resurrection of Christ being proof not only of who he is, but the completion of that task for which he came and the promise of eternal life for those who follow him. Cargill believed this and that’s why despite having much to fear he had peace of mind and courage. He was a rebel pardoned by God. He trusted that he was in the loving hands of the King whom he served, and had the hope of uninterrupted joy in the new heaven and earth in his presence.

Cargill was a remarkable man. Flawed, like us all (that's why we're rebels!), yet with many admirable qualities. You can walk up the River Ericht to Cargill’s leap today and see the scenic spot where he made his daring escape. You can walk up the back of Rattray to the farm where the memorial stone stands. But his legacy points us to a different spot he would himself much rather have us visit - the cross of Christ and the promise in him of forgiveness, restoration and life for all who believe. If we do that, then we, like him, can sing the Psalm he sang on the gallows with confidence, “‘The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’ I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done” (Psalm 118:16,17). We like him can have the hope of uninterrupted joy in the new heaven and earth in the presence of the King.