Faith and Heroism Aboard the Titanic: Revd John Harper
Revd John Harper – Faith and Heroism Aboard the Titanic
In the third of our series of blogs on our Scottish Christian Heritage, we tell of the life and tragic death of a Renfrewshire pastor in the early 20th Century, pictured above with his daughter Nana and his niece, Miss Jessie Leitch.
The story of the Revd John Harper, who died on the Titanic in 1912 whilst sharing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who were drowning around him, is probably better known in the USA than in his own homeland.
As a second-class passenger, and the only living parent to his 6-year-old daughter who was on board with him, it would be understandable if John had chosen to stay with Nana on Lifeboat 11 and be rescued by the RMS Carpathia. However, he decided not to do so and spent his remaining minutes on earth, before the passenger liner sank, witnessing to those around him. Eye witness accounts give testimony of Harper handing his life jacket over to another man, assured that his destination would no longer be New York but to be with his heavenly father.
Although unable to be confirmed completely, there is an account of a man 4 years later at a church meeting in Canada stating that he was the last convert led to Christ by Harper in the icy Atlantic waters before being he was rescued.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
There is a 12 slide PowerPoint presentation you can download to share this story in a class lesson.
It links to Social Studies, RME and RECE Es and Os
- I can discuss why people and events from a particular time in the past were important, placing them within a historical sequence. SOC 2-06a
- I can discuss the motives of those involved in a significant turning point in the past and assess the consequences it had then and since. SOC 3-06a
- I can share my developing views about values such as fairness and equality and love, caring, sharing and human rights. RME 2-02b
- I can discuss the motives of those involved in a significant turning point in the past and assess the consequences it had then I am developing my understanding that people have beliefs and values based upon religious or other positions. RME 2-09b
- Through investigating and reflecting upon how Christians put their beliefs into action, I can reflect upon the consequences of putting my own beliefs into action. RME 3-01b
- I have developed awareness of the elements essential for making informed decisions and I have examined situations which pose a moral challenge in life. I can describe and explain my response and the responses of others to these situations. RERC 3-23a / RERC 4-23a
🖱️Click here for Faith and Heroism Aboard the Titanic – Rev John Harper PowerPoint
An excellent 5-minute video on the witness of John Harper is available on YouTube https://youtu.be/J25StleSQG8
Eikon Bible Art have also uploaded a preview of their 12-minute video on YouTube Legends of the Faith; John Harper.
A brief overview of the story of John Harper can be found on the website of the church where he was the first pastor in 1897 History – Harper Church Glasgow.
Although very limited in stock, it is still possible to purchase a copy of a comic storybook called Legends of Faith: Harper the Hero – Titanic Sacrifice for £1.99 at the Redemption Store
For a school research project, the task sheet could be easily adapted to include the story of John Harper The Titanic and the Passengers Who Boarded It: Research and Assignment Guide – The Reagan Library Education Blog
Lynn MacMillan, CVE Scotland Senior Administrator
[All blogs on our website are the personal view of the writer and do not necessarily represent a position taken by CVE Scotland]
