Day 19 - Glasgow

Set off for Glasgow this morning, John Wesley first visited Scotland in 1751 - his journal records that on Wednesday June 1st 1753 – 'We rode to Glasgow, a mile short of which we met Dr Gillies, riding out to meet us. In the evening the Tent (a covered pulpit) was placed in the yard of the poor house, fronting the pulpit was the infirmary, with the most of their manner of baptising. I believe this removed much prejudice'. – Wesley also records “Who would it believed, five and twenty years ago, either that the minister would have desired it or that I should consent to preach in a Scotch Kirk”

We spent the morning looking around the Cathedral (The Cathedral is thought to be built on the site of St Kentigern’s tomb and marks the birthplace of the City. It is the only Scottish Cathedral to have survived the (Scottish) Reformation of 1560) and St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. 

Wesley records his visit to the Cathedral:

Saturday 4th June – 'I walked through the parts of the old Cathedral, a very large and once beautiful structure; I think more lofty than at Canterbury… I was much pleased with the seriousness of the people in the evening; but still I prefer the English congregation. I cannot be reconciled to men sitting at prayer, or covering their heads while they are singing praise to God’.

John visited the city again in 1772 his journal records, ‘Saturday April 18 – I set out for Glasgow. One would rather have imagined it was the middle of January than the middle of April. The snow that covered the mountains on either hand, and the frost was exceedingly sharp; so I preached within, both this evening and on Sunday morning. But in the evening the multitude constrained me to stand in the street. My Text was, “What God has cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15). Hence I took occasion to fall upon their miserable bigotry for opinions and modes of worship. Many seemed to be not a little convinced; but how long will the impression continue?’

On Tuesday 21st he writes, ‘the house was very full in the morning and they showed an excellent spirit, everyone stood up at the singing….. God gave them a loud call, whither they will hear or whether they will forebear.’

On later visits he preaches in the open air in the “High Street” and in "Glasgow Port". He was on several occasions present as a spectator at the meeting of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, and was shocked at the behaviour of its members.

High Street

Glasow Port Today

The afternoon we decided to take the “tour” bus around the city, we can also testify about the weather – dry but windy especially on the top deck of an open double decker bus – good job the Ark – the Bristol Bus has a roof.

 Whilst waiting for the bus we came across this plaque to 12 Covenanters 

who were hanged for their religious beliefs in 1684. Truly Glasgow is a splendid city, as the bus took us round for over an hour, it will be interesting to see how Edinburgh compares. 

We should have planned to spend longer here but off to Oben tomorrow.