John Campbell (17th-century minister) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Campbell |
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|---|---|
| Religion | Christianity |
| School | Presbyterianism |
John Campbell, sometimes spelled Campble, was a Christian minister who lived in Scotland during the 1600s. He was known for his strong beliefs during a time when religious freedom was a big issue.
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Why John Campbell Was Important
John Campbell lived in a time when the government in Scotland wanted everyone to worship in a very specific way. This was often different from how many people, especially a group called the Covenanters, wanted to practice their faith.
What Were Conventicles?
A "conventicle" was a secret religious meeting. People would gather in homes or even outdoors to worship. They did this because they disagreed with the official church services. The government saw these meetings as a challenge to their power. They made laws saying that anyone who attended or led a conventicle could face serious trouble.
Laws Against Meetings
The government passed strict laws against these private worship gatherings. For example, a law from 1685 said that anyone preaching or even listening at a conventicle could be punished very harshly. This included losing their belongings or even facing death. These laws were meant to stop people from meeting outside the official church.
John Campbell's Arrest
John Campbell was arrested in Edinburgh. He was accused of attending a worship service at someone's house. This meeting happened on a Sunday morning. Because of the laws against conventicles, attending such a gathering was seen as a serious offense.
Imprisonment at Bass Rock
On May 31, 1678, John Campbell was sent to prison. He was held at a place called Bass Rock. This is a large, rocky island in the Firth of Forth, near Haddingtonshire in Scotland. Bass Rock was often used as a prison for people who disagreed with the government's religious rules. Many Covenanters were held there. We don't know exactly how long John Campbell stayed imprisoned on Bass Rock.
