Trial and Triumph: Richard Cameron

Trial and Triumph by Richard Hannula

Richard Cameron

In 1680 in a field in Scotland, two groups gathered for battle. The odds were clearly against one side and favored the other. Many English soliders well armed and trained on one side faced a group of about sixty Scottish rebels, mostly farmers and laborers, led by Richard Cameron.

During the reign of Charles II, religious freedom was suppressed and only those submitted to Charles as the head of the church were allowed "freedom." However there was a group of ministers and church members in Scotland who did not accept Charles as their king, They claimed Jesus Christ as the king of their church. Richard Cameron was a young school teacher during this time and happened upon a secret meeting of these rebels. He eventually came to faith in Christ through their ministry. Cameron went on to learn and study in Holland, a place safe and free from persecution. However, he felt called back to Scotland. Before he left Holland, another church leader laid hands on Cameron and prophesied that he would give his life for Christ and that his sacrifice would be shown under the sun and the moon.

Richard Cameron returned to Scotland and declared war against King Charles II, who dared to usurp the place of Christ as head of the church. Cameron and his band of men were on the run and continued to teach and preach for the saving of souls in Scotland. Eventually, King Charles II's men caught up with Cameron and the battle lines were drawn. Cameron encouraged his men to remain brave and faithful to the end, and promised that the gates of heaven awaited them. The army of King Charles was victorious and Cameron and his brother Michael were of those slain. Richard Cameron's head and hands were cut off and put on display to be a lesson to others. Before making a public display, however, King Charles' men, who had Richard Cameron's father imprisoned, brought these gory prizes to prison and paid them on his father's lap. Mr. Cameron bore the news bravely with faith. Men said that Richard Cameron started out praying and preaching and ended praying and fighting.