It's been a hectic weekend, as Saturday was the Church Fete, and for She who Convenes that means a rather hard day and a half for two hours of unalloyed pleasure (Strawberries and Cream! Silent Auction! Bric-a-Brac! Scones! Tray Bakes! Tombola! Balloon Octopuses! etc.) We raised a lot, and the sun shone and shone.
And though my current troubles are not legion, the big one is a Big One. So I'm not really thinking straight at the moment and all that.
Which is my roundabout way of saying I have "done a Motion", and my ticket is a found poem of prodigious length. At 10pm on Saturday I journeyed to the signpost I have driven past for 13 years and followed it, past Kirkbog, on an unmade road, and found Old Dalgarnock Kirkyard.
So my apologies to the Pixies, real poems can be found here:
Don't feel like you have to read it all; drop in, drop out, or just look at pictures.
Going to be away for a couple of days, hopefully I'll do some catching up with you all at the back end of the week. My apologies for not getting around to see anyone in the past few days.
Thank you for the good wishes and the prayers.
Old Dalgarnock Kirkyard
In all ages people flock
to look at monuments and ruins. ...
they put us in mind of our own mortality
and consequently bring us to
an unfained repentance.
Neither can we pass by
but with yearning hearts
look upon that famed soile ...
In all ages people flock
to look at monuments and ruins. ...
they put us in mind of our own mortality
and consequently bring us to
an unfained repentance.
Neither can we pass by
but with yearning hearts
look upon that famed soile ...
Sepulchres should be made
according to the quality and degree
of the deceased person ...
persons of a plebian sort shall be buried
without any tomb or gravestone or epitaph;
persons of the meanest sort of gentry a flat gravestone.
Gentlemen of more eminence.... effigies and representations
cut upon a terme or a pedestal,
but no arms.
Noblemen and princes and kings
had their sepulchres raised aloft
and their personages delineated,
carved, embost,
the full length and bigness in alabaster, rich marble ....
epitaphs were only for such
as were of virtue, wisdom , valour
Indeed prior to the Reformation
the churchyard was not necessarily regarded
as hallowed ground
and used for many civil or social activities
including musters (wappinschaws),
archery practice, fairs
and market places.
Wappinschaws were held throughout the country
in order that sheriffs could inspect
the level or armed preparedness in their localities,
but these were unpopular.
In 1574 the Privy Council noted
that many men were turning up
with weapons borrowed from neighbours,
Ten years later little had changed
and in 1596 in the midst
of the King’s preparations for resisting
Spanish invasions and
enforcing his claim to the English Crown,
attendance was still low.
In 1574 the Privy Council noted
that many men were turning up
with weapons borrowed from neighbours,
Ten years later little had changed
and in 1596 in the midst
of the King’s preparations for resisting
Spanish invasions and
enforcing his claim to the English Crown,
attendance was still low.
A ‘sluggishness and cairlessness’
was in evidence, caused by
‘the not exercise of armour this lang tyme begune’.
In 1599 the wappinschaws were simply abandoned
through lack of public interest.
Maceheads: TINWALD (quartzite, beautifully made);
DALGARNOCK, Old Churchyard.
Near Tusculum there was a hill called 'Corne'
where Pliny tells of a grove of Beech trees could be found.
The grove was sacred to the goddess Diana,
and it is said that all the trees looked
as if they had been neatly manicured,
as though 'art had fashioned them'.
Near Tusculum there was a hill called 'Corne'
where Pliny tells of a grove of Beech trees could be found.
The grove was sacred to the goddess Diana,
and it is said that all the trees looked
as if they had been neatly manicured,
as though 'art had fashioned them'.
The sacred grove of trees of 'Dodona',
in Epirus, Ancient Greece,
is the place where a temple was erected to Zeus.
The Beech tree was said
to be able to convey the message
from Zeus to the worshipper.
Before Christianity was fully established,
baptism was administered in rivers and fountains
baptisteries were provided,
and consecrated
with great ceremony, and were,
with reference to the fountains,
called " Fonts."
called " Fonts."
The earlier ecclesiastics of our own country
regarded baptism as a high privilege and great mystery
Very often not a vestige of the building remains except it,
so that in many cases fonts are among
the very oldest relics
regarded baptism as a high privilege and great mystery
Very often not a vestige of the building remains except it,
so that in many cases fonts are among
the very oldest relics
of ancient ecclesiastical architecture.
There are few subjects, therefore, of more interest
to the antiquary and the architect
than baptismal fonts
There are few subjects, therefore, of more interest
to the antiquary and the architect
than baptismal fonts
The earliest graves outside the church
are usually to be found on the south side,
on either side of the path
and near the nave and chancel walls.
As this area filled with memorials,
burial spread further away from the church,
around the east and then the west end.
As this area filled with memorials,
burial spread further away from the church,
around the east and then the west end.
Finally,
the north side was used,
when necessity overcame a belief
that it was unlucky
and associated with
the Devil.
Pre Reformation
they were symbols of Mortality
such as the Deaths Head;
skull and cross bones;
Father Time;
the weapons of death - bow, arrows, scythe;
a corpse wrapped in its winding sheet;
snakes perhaps
with an apple signifying the Fall of Man.
There was also the bell – the `Deid Bell` as it was called,
which was rung at funerals
which was rung at funerals
In the Old Dalgarnock Kirk Yard
for example
there are many graves
0f the Covenanting family
– the Harknesses.
And, because these kingdoms are guilty
of many sins and provocations against GOD,
and his Son JESUS CHRIST,
as is too manifest
by our present distresses and dangers,
the fruits thereof;
we profess and declare,
before GOD and the world,
our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins,
and for the sins of these kingdoms;
especially that we have not, as we ought,
valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel;
that we have not laboured
for the purity and power thereof;
and that we have not endeavoured
to receive Christ in our hearts,
not to walk worthy of him in our lives;
which are the causes
of other sins and transgression
so much abounding amongst us:
and our true and unfeigned
purpose, desire, and endeavour,
for ourselves,
and all others under our power and charge,
both in public and private,
in all duties we owe to GOD and man,
to amend our lives,
and each one to go before another
in the example of a real reformation;
that the Lord may turn away
his wrath and heavy indignation,
and establish these Churches and kingdoms
in truth and peace.
And this Covenant we make
in the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD,
the Searcher of all hearts,
with a true intention to perform the same,
as we shall answer at that great day,
when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed;
most humbly beseeching the LORD
to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT
for this end,
and to bless our desires and proceedings
with such success,
as may be deliverance and safety to his people,
and encouragement to other Christian Churches,
groaning under, or in danger of
the yoke of antichristian tyranny,
to join in the same or like association and covenant,
to the glory of GOD,
the enlargement of the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST,
and the peace and tranquillity
of Christian kingdoms and commonwealths.
It was only in the early 17th century
that marker stones became more common
amongst the relatively well-to-do in Scotland.
This was both a realisation and acceptance
of the reformed faith
that the individual could approach God direct.
It was no longer the belief and practice
to seek intercession through the Catholic church
A second and important factor
was the relative improvement in earnings
and development of a social order.
This saw the common man
scrimping together money
to buy a stone
and have it ornamented by a mason;
this also led to development
of a pictorial shorthand
that amongst other things,
expressed the donors views,
hopes of eternal life,
and their trade
The increase in the number of memorials
after the Reformation
perhaps reflects
the growing importance
of individual identity
as well as personal wealth.
The Reformation ushered in an awareness
of equality of man in the sight of God
and the right to communicate
directly with Him.
The emblems then began to change
to those of Immortality overcoming Death
reflecting the certainty of the Resurrection
and eternal life through Christ Jesus.
the fruits thereof;
we profess and declare,
before GOD and the world,
our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins,
and for the sins of these kingdoms;
especially that we have not, as we ought,
valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel;
that we have not laboured
for the purity and power thereof;
and that we have not endeavoured
to receive Christ in our hearts,
not to walk worthy of him in our lives;
which are the causes
of other sins and transgression
so much abounding amongst us:
and our true and unfeigned
purpose, desire, and endeavour,
for ourselves,
and all others under our power and charge,
both in public and private,
in all duties we owe to GOD and man,
to amend our lives,
and each one to go before another
in the example of a real reformation;
that the Lord may turn away
his wrath and heavy indignation,
and establish these Churches and kingdoms
in truth and peace.
And this Covenant we make
in the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD,
the Searcher of all hearts,
with a true intention to perform the same,
as we shall answer at that great day,
when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed;
most humbly beseeching the LORD
to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT
for this end,
and to bless our desires and proceedings
with such success,
as may be deliverance and safety to his people,
and encouragement to other Christian Churches,
groaning under, or in danger of
the yoke of antichristian tyranny,
to join in the same or like association and covenant,
to the glory of GOD,
the enlargement of the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST,
and the peace and tranquillity
of Christian kingdoms and commonwealths.
It was only in the early 17th century
that marker stones became more common
amongst the relatively well-to-do in Scotland.
This was both a realisation and acceptance
of the reformed faith
that the individual could approach God direct.
It was no longer the belief and practice
to seek intercession through the Catholic church
A second and important factor
was the relative improvement in earnings
and development of a social order.
This saw the common man
scrimping together money
to buy a stone
and have it ornamented by a mason;
this also led to development
of a pictorial shorthand
that amongst other things,
expressed the donors views,
hopes of eternal life,
and their trade
The increase in the number of memorials
after the Reformation
perhaps reflects
the growing importance
of individual identity
as well as personal wealth.
The Reformation ushered in an awareness
of equality of man in the sight of God
and the right to communicate
directly with Him.
The emblems then began to change
to those of Immortality overcoming Death
reflecting the certainty of the Resurrection
and eternal life through Christ Jesus.
The emblems of Immortality included
the winged soul or cherub ;
angels of the Resurrection with trumpets
flying through the air;
the Glory or Radiance of God
as portrayed in sunbursts and sun rays;
torches
which if upward and flaming were of eternal life,
and if inverted the end of earthly life;
the Agnus Dei;
the Phoenix,
and the Pelican denoting piety
as it feeds its young with its own blood.
There were many other used in decorations
such as the rosette,
the scallop shell of the pilgrim,
the Crown (of Righteousness);
the palm, bay leaves and laurel of victory over death;
the heart as a symbol of the soul and the Resurrection,
and the scales for weighing the soul come Judgment Day
the winged soul or cherub ;
angels of the Resurrection with trumpets
flying through the air;
the Glory or Radiance of God
as portrayed in sunbursts and sun rays;
torches
which if upward and flaming were of eternal life,
and if inverted the end of earthly life;
the Agnus Dei;
the Phoenix,
and the Pelican denoting piety
as it feeds its young with its own blood.
There were many other used in decorations
such as the rosette,
the scallop shell of the pilgrim,
the Crown (of Righteousness);
the palm, bay leaves and laurel of victory over death;
the heart as a symbol of the soul and the Resurrection,
and the scales for weighing the soul come Judgment Day
The sword is now putt into your hands;
goe on therefore to use it;
and let it roust noe longer
till ye have perfited the service trusted to you,
or otherwise we must use it both against you and them .
If anie or all of you be faint- hearted
we are able enough (thanks to God)
to put others in your places
who both can and will
make things possible
which ye think so difficult.
An Act for the Uniformity
of Public Prayer and Administration of Sacraments,
and other Rites and Ceremonies;
and for Establishing the Form
of Making, Ordaining and Consecrating,
Bishops, Priests and Deacons in the Church of England.
I, ….. do here declare my unfeigned assent
and consent to all and everything
contained in and prescribed in and by the Book entitled
The Book of Common Prayer
and Administration of the Sacraments,
and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church,
according to the use of the Church of England,
together with the Psalter and Psalms of David,
pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches;
and the Form and Manner of Making,
Ordaining and Consecrating
of Bishops, Priests and Deacons.
It is important to understand that Presbyterianism is
not just another religion.
A Presbyter was an elder,
a senior member of the congregation,
in the early Christian Church.
The name is also used for priest.
In the Presbyterian denomination
he is a member of the Presbytery
which is an official court of the district
composed of pastors and elders from the associated churches.
I… do declare that it is not lawful,
upon any pretence whatsoever ,
to take arms against the King;
and that I do abhor
that traitorous position
of taking arms by his authority against his person,
or against those that are commissioned by him;
and that I will conform to the liturgy
of the Church of England
as it is now by law established:
and I do declare that I do hold
there lies no obligation upon me
or on any other person,
from the Oath commonly called
The Solemn League and Covenant,
to endeavour any change or alteration
of government either in Church or State;
and that the same was in itself an unlawful Oath,
and imposed upon the subjects of this realm
against the know laws and liberties of this Kingdom.
Above all, there was but one Head of the Kirk –
Jesus Christ,
and they refused to accept the King in that role.
From this opposition to the king arose all their troubles.
Dalgarnock.
A number of stones
to Covenanters who suffered for the cause,
and also a white granite cross
listing all the Nithsdale Martyrs.
Therein lies the clue
and fundamental issue to understand
when Covenanter is mentioned:
Presbyterianism is a way of life.
That we shall, in like manner,
without respect of persons,
endeavour the extirpation of Popery,
Prelacy (that is,
and fundamental issue to understand
when Covenanter is mentioned:
Presbyterianism is a way of life.
That we shall, in like manner,
without respect of persons,
endeavour the extirpation of Popery,
Prelacy (that is,
Church government
by archbishops,
bishops,
their chancellors and commissioners,
deans,
deans and chapters,
archdeacons,
and all other ecclesiastical officers
depending on that hierarchy),
superstition,
heresy,
schism,
profaneness,
and whatsoever shall be found contrary
to sound doctrine
and the power of Godliness;
lest we partake in other men's sins,
and thereby be in danger
to receive of their plagues;
and that the Lord may be one,
and his name one,
in the three kingdoms.
by archbishops,
bishops,
their chancellors and commissioners,
deans,
deans and chapters,
archdeacons,
and all other ecclesiastical officers
depending on that hierarchy),
superstition,
heresy,
schism,
profaneness,
and whatsoever shall be found contrary
to sound doctrine
and the power of Godliness;
lest we partake in other men's sins,
and thereby be in danger
to receive of their plagues;
and that the Lord may be one,
and his name one,
in the three kingdoms.
They were terribly in earnest.
The passion that was in them ,
like all great passions,
refused to be divided.
Their idea possessed them with a force
and a fulness
to which we find few parallels in history.
It haunted their sleep,
it awoke with them in the morning –
it walked ,
like their shadow, with them
to business or to pleasure –
it became the breath of their nostrils
and the soul of their soul.
It is said
that the God and Goddess
Apollo and Athena
sat in a beech tree
having transformed into vultures.
The legend tells of how the two Gods
sat and watched the fight
between the Trojans and the Greeks.
But as Papistrie is ane disease in the minds,
so is Puritaisme in the braine.
So the onlie remedie and antidote against it will be
a grave,
settled, uniforme, and well ordered church,
obedient to God
and their King, …
when the Commissioner,
the Marquis of Hamilton
touched the documents
with the royal sceptre
there were three successive flashes of lightning
each followed by a loud clap of thunder;
this was followed by severe hail and rain storms
that confined the gathering in the premises
for nearly two hours.
Some were quick to compare it with the fire storm
when the Ten Commandments were handed down.
The general opinion seemed to be that
` God appeared angrie at the concluding of the Articles`.
Credulity was given to the belief
when floods swept away the bridge in Perth
the font is directed to be " competens,"
that is, sufficiently large for the purpose
of immersion
each followed by a loud clap of thunder;
this was followed by severe hail and rain storms
that confined the gathering in the premises
for nearly two hours.
Some were quick to compare it with the fire storm
when the Ten Commandments were handed down.
The general opinion seemed to be that
` God appeared angrie at the concluding of the Articles`.
Credulity was given to the belief
when floods swept away the bridge in Perth
the font is directed to be " competens,"
that is, sufficiently large for the purpose
of immersion
There was generally a hole in the bottom
through which the water,
after it had remained the allowed time,
was permitted to escape.
Norman fonts may generally he arranged under eight forms, viz.,
square without stem,
square with stem,
square with corner shafts and central column,
cylindrical with stem,
cylindrical without stem,
octagonal generally without stem and shafts,
cup-shaped,
and cup-shaped on central stem.
It is very probable,
however, that sprinkling or pouring was not unusual;
it was declared
lawful by Pope Stephen III.
so early as the year 750
The first prayer-book of Edward VI. says,
"And if the childe be weake,
it shall suffice to poure water upon it."
upon Easter day last,
so soon as he went to the communion table,
the people all left the church and departed,
and not one of them stayed, only the pastor alone.
In Scotland, however, I am ashamed to say
that many examples of the few
through which the water,
after it had remained the allowed time,
was permitted to escape.
Norman fonts may generally he arranged under eight forms, viz.,
square without stem,
square with stem,
square with corner shafts and central column,
cylindrical with stem,
cylindrical without stem,
octagonal generally without stem and shafts,
cup-shaped,
and cup-shaped on central stem.
It is very probable,
however, that sprinkling or pouring was not unusual;
it was declared
lawful by Pope Stephen III.
so early as the year 750
The first prayer-book of Edward VI. says,
"And if the childe be weake,
it shall suffice to poure water upon it."
upon Easter day last,
so soon as he went to the communion table,
the people all left the church and departed,
and not one of them stayed, only the pastor alone.
In Scotland, however, I am ashamed to say
that many examples of the few
left us
are lying neglected
are lying neglected
and uncared for
... Scotland, as in other things precious of the
mediaeval period, stands a long way behind.
That is doubtless due in many cases
to the poverty of the country,
but in others it is just as certainly traceable
to some superstition
on the part of the inhabitants.
The orator Crispus
was often said to find
peace and rest
under the Beech trees,
feeding the roots with wine.
Oh Rosalind! These trees shall be my books,
And in their barks my thoughts I'll character;
That every eye, which in this forest looks,
Shall see thy virtue witness'd every where.
Run, run, Orlando; carve on every tree,
The fair, the chaste, and unexpressive she.
What we are now seeing
is the disappearance of much of our heritage
as even fairly modern memorials
are destroyed by vandals,
including the development vandals
who can hardly wait
to build another
parking lot
or superstore.
Diviners in search of water
hidden underground
are known to often use forked branches
taken from the Beech tree
traditionally called 'Wishing Rods'
hidden underground
are known to often use forked branches
taken from the Beech tree
traditionally called 'Wishing Rods'
The minister was left, kneeling and alone.
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