Lyne Kirk & The Adam & Eve Stone.
As L was entertaining at home in the garden decided to get out of the road. Away for haircut & return library book so then what to do ?
Thought I’d head for the borders so down towards Biggar & over the hills towards Peebles. Passed the way quite a few times but never noticed this lovely wee Kirk. The sun was just shining on it so stopped the car and out for a few photos.
Walked up to the Kirk itself and noticed this unusual gravestone which is protected and then discovered in the church porch a leaflet explaining all.
The stone itself depicting Adam & Eve were once common throughout the Lowlands of Scotland but over the last 300 years numbers have dwindled.
The Lyne Adam & Eve stone was carved in the early 18th century. In Post-reformation Scotland at that time stress was laid on Sin, Death & the Resurrection.
The three themes are all present on the stone:
Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Symbols of mortality are placed above this scene - an inverted skull with the words MEMENTO MORI (‘ Remember you must die’) & an hour-glass with FUGIT AETAS (‘Time flies’).
Belief in eternal life is declared in the inscription.
HERE LYES JANNET VEITCH DAUGHTER
TO JOHN VEITCH TENNANT IN HAMILTOUNE
WHO DYED THE 31 OF JANUARY 1712 AGED 16 YEARS & SIX WEIKS.
LIFE IS THE ROAD TO DEATH AND DEATH HEAVENS GATE MUST BE HEAVEN IS THE THRON OF CHRIST AND CHRIST IS LIFE TO ME.
Very interesting day.
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