The Highlands and Islands of Scotland have known very hard times in past ages, not only suffering for the Gospel’s sake, but also economically. The Highland clearances by the landowners drove the crofters to emigrate to Canada and America. Even in the 1920’s during the depression, many left their homeland because the crofts were not able to support large families. I met a man in 1990 in America who was very bitter, because he had to leave the family croft in the Isle of Lewis, as it could not sustain all his brothers and sisters. He did not want to leave, but he had to.

There is a story of an immigrant ship picking up passengers at an island port. Everyone was crying at leaving their native land. The Captain noticed that one young lady had no tears, so he approached her and asked her why that was so. She replied that her husband had gone over to America before her, and had prepared a place to live, and there would be no more parting. Ah, Christian, have you that assurance, joy and expectation? For Christ has said, “I go to prepare a place for you, and I will never leave you nor forsake you.”