Here in the ’War and Peace’ Chapter,  it seems fitting to slot the story of the character and those around him, who had a major influence on my life and the direction it took. This then is my story of ’grandfather’ Duncan McFarlane, (not my grandfather, but my husband’s father) son of Jake McFarlane and Janet Wilson, born in Kilsyth and raised at Lochside Cottage, otherwise known as ’The Dam’, on Banton Loch.

As for the War, though it of course featured in our lives and shaped our world in unplanned ways, our particular family was not so traumatized as some for these reasons: grandfather Duncan McFarlane could not serve, on account of his very bad legs. Of his five sons, one was too young, one had chronic asthma and could not serve, one (who became my husband) was conscripted down the mine and so never saw ’active duty’ as such. The other two sons did serve and did come home safe. They were not ’scarred’ by their War experiences as many men were. One even learned to ski while in active service so in fact, the experience opened up his world, which was great for him but a big problem for fitting back into the background that he hailed from. Yes, in the end, he left for a new life in New Zealand after coming head-to-head with his father the Preacher, who was not happy with his son coming home from the War with all his new-fangled ideas. The ski’s were chopped up for firewood. Yes, it’s a bit like the film, Chariots of Fire! This was my husband’s family.

As for my own father, Gavin (Guy) Browning, he never went into active service either, because his truck driving was what was needed for the War.

But here is where you will see that certain characters in these two families were committed in Christ to a Path that would forge our destinies. Duncan McFarlane had become the spiritual leader of a People, directed into the ’Seat’ that John Reid held before him. For our ’Pentecostal Fullness Church’ (that came to be known simply as ’The Meeting’), John Reid, was the beginning of the line. He was an old soldier, had served in India, but got his Calling, hacking coal down the Queenzieburn mine, the Dumbreck Pit as it was called:

"Come unto me all ye that are weary, and I will give you rest.:

"Whit’s that!!" says he, knowing not where the Voice came from..

"It is I, God that Speaks!"

And John Reid fell to the pit face and arose a new man. It was 1908 when John Reid had his "Pentecostal experience."

Just as in the old days, word spread of this preacher and how the Spirit filled him. It was Duncan McFarlane’s sister Jenny, aunt Jen as we called her, who first heard him and told her brother Duncan. Now that is etched in stone in our family history book! On my father’s side, it was great uncle Tom who first heard John Reid and brought word home to my granma, Margaret Houston. And so, these two families were entwined. And we, the next generation,  would be entwined from infancy as the old song used to say:

Oh Rowan Tree, Oh Rowan Tree
Thou’lt aya be dear to thee
Entwined thou art wi’ many ties
O’hame and infancy
Thy leaves were aye the first of spring
Thy flowers the summer’s pride
There was nae sic a bonnie tree
In a’ the country side
Oh Rowan Tree

How fair was thou in summer time
wi’ a’thy clusters white
How rich and gay thy autumn dress,
wi’ berries red and bright!
On thy fair stem were mony names
which now nae mair I see
But they’re engraven on my heart,
forgot they ne’er can be
Oh Rowan Tree

We sat aneath thy spreadin’ shade
the bairnies round thee ran
They pu’d they bonnie berries red,
and necklaces they strang
My mither, oh! I see her still,
she smil’d our sports to see
Wi’ little Jeannie on her lap,
and Jamie on her knee
Oh Rowan Tree

Oh there arose my father’s pray’r
in holy ev’ning’s calm
How sweet was then my mother’s voice,
in the martyrs’ psalm
Now a’are gane!
We meet nae mair aneath the Rowan Tree
But hallow’d thoughts around thee twine
o’hame and infancy
Oh Rowan Tree

 *~*~*~*~*~*

The Pentecostal Message came, and poor miners fell down in tears, in the street; anywhere! : There are books in Kilsyth library about this very thing; 3 distinct episodes historically, swept through Kilsyth and our John Reid had the experience in 1908: No more judgement; Peace! Joy! Goodwill to All!!!

Sadly, after a while, it went back into the Dark Ages again!! As a child growing up, I wondered at the grimness! Yet, even so, the heart of the Message was instilled in me.

I talk of my experience now!! Before my memory packs up and it’s lost forever!! I learned so much by going to Ireland to serve in the Mission, with aunty Rena from South Africa taking me under her wing! And hearing aunt Agnes’ story, before her memory went.

I saw the "Doors Close" one by one. One by one; I’ve seen them all close! But every Word I was given came true!! Quite amazing. As aunt Agnes, Duncan’s mum, taught me about Judge Rutherford, imprisoned in Aberdeen Castle in 1661 (Aberdeen, where Agnes’ father, Isdale Robertson, came from); Judge Rutherford; 300 years ago!!! His letters; so beautiful: "Dear Madam, Greetings in Jesus.."

He said "It were a well-spent journey, though 7 deaths lay between.." 

I can say "Amen" to that too!!

Night Night!!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL, said Tiny Tim.