Chapter 4
SOUTH FIRTH
The "South
Firth" fishermen hailed from the fishing towns situated along the north
and south coasts of the Firth of Tay. They had a herring season of their own in
the winter months, but during the year they followed the herring from the North
of Scotland right down to
Just south of the Bass Rock, on which the Scottish Covenanters were imprisoned in terrible conditions during the 16th century, lies the fishing port of Eyemouth. Proudly many of them sailed their boats south for the 1921 season. A goodly number of them were to hear and believe the Gospel of Christ. The impact of this was felt when the converts returned home. These after-effect,s were very much in evidence when Jock Troup and another evangelist returned to the town years later. As the two servants of Christ held an open-air meeting, crowds gathered around. There were some who saw for the first time the man whom God had used to bring many to a knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Between Eyemouth and Edinburgh, on the south side of the Firth of
Forth, are the fishing towns of Cockenzie, Port
Seton, Musselburgh and Fisherow. The
breath of God's Spirit swept across the folks from these places in a tremendous
way. At Yarmouth that year was big John J ames Horne of Port Seton. He stood six feet tall, his huge size being
evident at the services in the Market Square.
He became a personal friend of Jock Troup and was amongst the front liners at
any meeting, whether it was inside a church or in the open air. I had the
opportunity to meet John James while I was conducting some meetings in Port
Seton and enjoyed the fellowship in his home. Abiding results can be seen in Cockenzie and Port Seton today if you visit any of the
churches or meeting halls, but especially in the Mission known as
"The Fishermen's Bethel. " It was
from around this district that a young man got saved during the early 1920' s. He was to be one of
As with other places associated with the sea, Musselburgh and Fisherow have long known the satisfaction and hardship of earning a living from the deep. These towns were to know spiritual success during 1921. Quite a few men were saved and on returning home they set revival fires burning that are still alight today. From this area came Robert Fairnie. This man of God has done a great work for the Lord in the North East of Scotland and latterly in Bristol. No doubt the men who were saved in 1921 had an influence on his life.
