Gentle Lochiel

(Celtic Moon O'er Brigadoon" - original artwork by John Stuart)

Audio version here

Ecclesiastes 9:15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. (NIV)

Just over 260 years ago, my hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, was surrounded by Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Highlander army. At that time, the people of Glasgow distrusted the Jacobite rebels and because they wouldn’t welcome the Highlanders, the city was almost looted and razed to ground. The order went out to destroy Glasgow and kill as many of the population as possible. There was no escape, because the Jacobite forces had cut off all of the roads and waterways. The city prepared itself for a savage assault, and its leaders realized that the government forces were too far away to help anyone.

Just as the Highlanders prepared to ransack and destroy Glasgow, one of the elderly Jacobite chieftains, Cameron of Lochiel (loch-eel), pled with the Prince to spare the city. He had been the first chieftain to support the Prince’s rebellion, and so his loyalty was not questioned. Lochiel suggested that instead of being ransacked, the city of Glasgow should be held to ransom for clothes, food, and supplies, which would enable Charlie’s army to retreat safely into the Highlands. The Bonnie Prince favored Lochiel’s suggestion and the city was saved.

After the Highlander army left the surrounding area, the city fathers made a proclamation that whenever Cameron of Lochiel or his descendants visited Glasgow, all the church bells would be rung to proclaim their arrival. “Gentle Lochiel”, as he came to be known, never heard those bells, for soon after this incident, Charlie’s army was defeated and Lochiel went into exile with the Prince, never to return to the shores of Scotland.

But to this day, the city of Glasgow honors their promise and in December of 2006, the Lochiel Camerons gathered in the city square to be welcomed and to listen to the peels of gratitude, favor and blessing from church bells all over the city.

Lochiel was a poor man, but he is remembered for the riches of his grace that saved Glasgow. In our own Christian faith, we also recognize that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, was poor and lowly carpenter, chosen by God to liberate the world and to save our souls. Almost 2000 years have come and gone since His sacrifice at Calvary, but there has never been a day, a year, or century since then that His great work of deliverance and salvation has not been proclaimed, honored, and glorified. And even into eternity, as John Newton put it, “there will be no less days to sing God’s praise” to worship Christ, and to exalt His grace.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You struggled with poverty all the days of Your earthly life. You understood what it meant to have needs and to be in want. For a time, You were refugee, made homeless by powerful kings and corrupt politicians. For years, You trekked across the country, proclaiming the Gospel amongst the poor and outcast, the insignificant and exiled. And then, to crown all of Your triumphs, You laid down Your life for this poor world and all our poor sakes, so that we may experience God’s grace, be rescued from our sins, and restored to everlasting joy and favor. You are the Power of the Poor, the Wisdom of the Wasted, and the Love of the Lost. In Your Holy Name, we joyfully pray. Amen.