FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 
 REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 
 
 BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM  TO 
 
 THE  LIBRARY  OF 
 
 PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 
 
 l^,^^>»-»—  ^-1, 1,   - 
 
 Section 
 
 /os>SY 
 
MEMOIR  AND  REMAINS 
 
 REV.   R.   M.    M'CHEYNE, 
 
MURRAY   AND   GIBB,    EDINBURGH, 
 
 riiiNir.KS  TO  iiEK  majesty's  stationery  office. 
 
£nf*ty  Jahn  Le  CorUe.  EdinT 
 
 (M^X  YUjLcA((. 
 
 r,-kw.|  lt\y<L 
 
 .£1.21. 
 
 WILLIAM    C3LIPHANT  AND  C°  EDINBUP.GE 
 
PREFACE  TO  THE  FIRST  EDITION. 
 
 L\  this  Memoir,  very  much  has  been  preserved  of  Mr  ^M'Ciieyne's 
 own  words  as  well  as  feelings.  Still  there  is  a  defect  quite  appa- 
 rent. All  who  knew  him  not  only  saw  in  him  a  burning  and  a 
 shining  light,  but  felt  also  the  breathing  of  the  hidden  life  of  God ; 
 and  there  is  no  narrative  that  can  fully  express  this  peculiarity  of 
 the  living  man.  Yet,  nevertheless,  as  I  have  had  the  prayers  of 
 many,  and  have  myself  throughout  asked  the  Lord  to  guide  me 
 with  his  eye,  I  believe  He  will  not  let  this  record  of  his  servant  go 
 forth  unblessed.  Many  of  his  most  precious  Letters  will  be  found, 
 in  whole  or  in  part,  in  this  volume.  The  Portrait  is  not  an  exact 
 likeness:  it  was  executed  after  his  death  from  a  very  imperfect 
 sketch  by  himself;  but  it  will  recall  his  form  to  all  who  knew  him. 
 It  is  now  a  year  since  he  rested  from  his  labours ;  and  this  Memoir 
 is  a  record  of  some  of  those  works  that  follow  him. 
 
 COLLACK,  March  25,  1844. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 MEMOIR. 
 
 Chap.  I.  IIis  Youth  and  Preparation  for  the  Ministry, 
 II.  His  Labours  in  the  Vineyard  before  Ordination, 
 
 III.  First  Years  of  Labour  in  Dundee,    . 
 
 IV.  His  IMissiON  to  Palestine  and  the  Jews, 
 V.  Days  of  Revival, 
 
 VI.  The  Latter  Days  of  his  Ministry,     . 
 
 Page 
 13 
 42 
 62 
 91 
 122 
 148 
 
 LETTERS 
 
 1.  To  Rev.  R.  Macdonald,  during  illness,  before  going  to  Palestine,  .        173 
 
 2.  Mrs  Thain,  during  the  continuance  of  the  same,      .  .  .        175 
 
 3.  Do.  before  going  on  the  Mission,       ....        17G 
 
 4.  Miss  Collier.    How  his  silence  may  be  useful,       .  ,  •        178 
 
 5.  Rev.  W.  0.  Burns,  on  his  coming  to  supply  his  place,         .  .        180 
 
 6.  Pastoral  Letxeiss,  No.  1.  View  of  what  has  happened,  •  .        181 
 
 7.  „  „               2.  Past  times  of  Privilege,      .           .  .184 
 
 8.  „  ,,                3.  How  God  works  by  Providences,  ,        187 
 
 9.  „  „               4.  God  the  Answerer  of  Prayer,         ,  .        191 
 
 10.  „  ,,                5.  Returns  made  to  God,  Isaiah  v.,    .  .        195 
 
 11.  „  „                6.  Self-devotedness,     .            .            .  .200 
 
 12.  „  „               7.  Unexpected  Calls,                .           .  .203 
 
 13.  „  „               8.  Wamiugs  to  the  Unsaved,              .  .        207 
 
 14.  „  „                9.  From  Leghorn.     Travels,               .  .        212 
 
 15.  „  „             10.  From  Breslau.    Travels,    .           .  .217 
 
 16.  To  Rev.  J.  Roxburgh.    From  Jerusalem— Account  of  the  Land,  .        223 
 
 17.  Rev.  R.  Macdonald.    From  Carmel,  Do,,           .  .        229 
 
 18.  Rev.  W.  C.  Burns.    Inquiries  about  the  Revival,     .  .  .233 
 
 19.  Miss  Collier.    Riches  of  Christ,        .....        234 
 
 20.  Mr  J.  T.  Just.    Prayer-meetings,       .....        235 
 
 21.  A  Parishioner  in  Sickness.    Troubles  sanctify,    .  .  •        237 
 
 22.  A  Soul  whom  He  never  Saw.    Looking  to  Jesus,  .  •        238 
 
 23.  Rev.  W.  C.  Burns.    A  Minister's  Afflictions,  .           .  ,240 
 
 24.  Rev.  Dan.  Edwards.    What  a  Missionary  must  Seek,        .  .        241 
 
 25.  Do.  Holiness  and  Success,          .           •  •        241 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 2<';.  To  ^rrs  TirAi.y.     "When  invited  to  Kest  a  while, 
 
 27.  OxK  wiiosK  Face  was  Zioxward,      . 
 
 23.  A.  S.  L.     Tho  Person  and  Heart  of  Jesus,     . 
 
 29.  Mr  W.  C.  Blt.ns.    Awakenings— Personal  Holiness, 
 
 30.  Kev.  P.  L.  MiLT.Eit.     On  beginning  his  Ministry,     . 
 
 31.  Mr  G.  Shaw.     The  Jews — Studies,    . 
 
 32.  His  SAnnAin  School  Teaciieks, 
 
 33.  ilLAiuGowKii:  SociKTY.    Advicos,      .  • 
 
 34.  A  Soul  Seekiko  Jesus,  No.  1.  Corruption,  . 
 
 35.  „  „                 2.  The  liighteousness  of  Christ, 
 
 36.  „  „                 3.  Joy  in  Lelieving,     . 
 
 37.  M  «                 4.  Christ  is  Precious,  . 
 
 38.  ff  „                 5.  Found  in  Christ, 
 
 39.  „  ,,                 6.  Leaning  on  Jesus,    . 
 
 40.  The  Memueus  of  a  Puayeu-meexino.     The  Sower, 
 
 41.  M.  S.    Trying  Dispensations, 
 
 42.  E.  R.    Corruptions  Drive  us  to  Christ, 
 
 43.  J.  T.    A  Boy  Anxious  about  his  Soul, 
 4  1.  A.  T.     On  tho  Death  of  his  Brother, 
 4.").  Jlcv.  D.  Campbell.     Advice  to  a  Brother  in  Sickness, 
 4tj.  Rev.  lIoK.  BoNAn.     Breathings  after  Holiness, 
 
 47.  Itev.  R.  ilACDoXALD.     Words  of  Counsel,      . 
 
 48.  The  Teaciiek  of  a  Fe.'\l\le  School.    Do  what  you  can, 
 
 49.  One  Awakened  from  Sleep.    Call  to  Jesus, 
 
 50.  A  Soul  Inquikusu  afier  Jesus.    What  is  in  Christ.' 
 
 51.  Do.  do.                    Trials — Atonement  in  Christ, 
 
 52.  One  who  itad  Begun  to  See  Jesus, 
 
 53.  Rov.  P.  L.  Miller.    A  Word  to  tho  Weary, 
 
 54.  Rev.  John  Milne,     Another  Word  to  a  Brother, 
 
 55.  Do.  Breathings  of  Heart, 
 5G.  One  who  had  lately  Taken  up  the  Cross, 
 
 57.  One  of  his  Flock  Deserted  e^  Soul, 
 
 58.  Rev.  Alex.  Gatherer.    Visit  to  the  Korth, 
 
 59.  One  who  had  Suffered  Bereavement.     Sorrow  of  the  World, 
 CO.  Another  to  ONE  Bereaved.     Christ  tho  san:c, 
 61.  To  One  Complaining  of  Heart  Plagues.    Passing  to  Glory 
 
 6  E  R  M  0  X  S. 
 
 1.  Jolin  xiv.  6.     Christ  the  Way,  the  Truth,  and  tho  Life, 
 
 2.  Hebrews  iii.  1.     Christ  the  Apostle  and  High  Priest,     . 
 
 3.  Song  ii.  2,  3.     Clirist  and  tho  I'eliever,    . 
 
 4.  Ezekicl  xxi.  9,  10.     Tho  Sword  over  the  Ungodly, 
 
 6.  Proverbs  viii.  4.     The  Gospel  Call, 
 fi.  1  Juhn  i.  1-4.     John's  Preaching  of  Christ, 
 
 7.  Song  iv.  12.     Tho  Church  a  Garden  and  Fountain, 
 
 8.  Song  viii.  6,  6,  7.     The  Church  coining  up  from  the  Wilderness 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 9. 
 
 10. 
 11. 
 12. 
 13. 
 14. 
 15. 
 16. 
 17. 
 18. 
 19. 
 '20. 
 21. 
 22. 
 23. 
 
 Revelatiou  vii.  9,  etc.     The  Great  Multitude,       •  •  • 
 
 Hebrews  ii.  lG-18.     The  Merciful  High  Priest,    .  •  • 
 
 2  Timothy  iv.  1,  2.     Ordination  of  a  Minister,      .  •  • 
 
 1  John  iv.  18-21.     The  Perfect  Love  of  God  to  us, 
 Galatians  vi.  14.     Gloiying  in  the  Cross,  .  .  . 
 
 Micah  vi.  6-8.     The  Good  Way  of  coming  before  God,  .  . 
 
 Eomans  vii.  22.     The  Inward  Experience  of  Believers, 
 Psalm  Ii.  17.     The  Broken  Heart,  .... 
 
 Psalm  Iviii.  3-5.  Human  Corruption,  .... 
 Hosea  vi.  4.     The  Impressions  of  Natural  Men  Fading,  • 
 
 Mark  xiv.  8.  Do  what  you  can,  ..... 
 Song  iii,  4.  Holding  Christ  fast,  ..... 
 Colossians  i.  27.  Christ  in  you,  ..... 
 1  Cor.  ix.  26,  27.  A  Castaway,  ..... 
 A  CojiMUNiON  Sabbath  in  St  Peter's  ; 
 
 1.  Action  Sermon.     John  xvii.  24.     "  Father,  I  will,"  etc-,    . 
 
 2.  Fencing  the  Tables,    ixts  v.  1-14,  .  .  . 
 
 3.  Table  Service,  .  .  ... 
 
 4.  Address  at  the  close  of  the  day,         .... 
 The  Voice  of  the  Beloved.    Song  ii.  8-17.    Preached  the  fii-st  day 
 
 he  was  in  St  Peter's,       ...... 
 
 Our  Duty  to  Israel,    Sermon  on  Romans  i.  IG,  after  returning  from 
 
 Palestine,  ....... 
 
 "  Blessed  ake  the  Dead."    Preached  in  the  Summer  of  1840, 
 
 Hosea  xiv.  8.     What  have  I  to  do  with  Idols  ?     . 
 
 Jude  20,  21, 
 
 SPECIMENS  OF  HIS  SKETCHES  OF  SEPvMONS. 
 
 Isaiah  xlviii.  18,  ... 
 
 Romans  iv.  4-8,  ... 
 
 Proverbs  xiv.  9,  ... 
 
 1  John  iv.  7-13, 
 
 Zechariah  xii.  10,  .  .  . 
 
 Jeremiah  xxxiii.  16,        . 
 
 Revelation  xx.  11-15,    . 
 
 Lebanon — its  Sceneuy  and  Allusions, 
 
 Notes  on  the  Types  found  in  the  Tabeknacle, 
 
 OTHER  PIECES  ALREADY  PUBLISHED. 
 
 Evidence  on  Revivals,  .... 
 
 Another  Lily-  Gathered— Conversion  of  James  Latng, 
 
 This  DO  IN  Remembrance  OF  Me, 
 
 The  Acceptable  Year  of  the  Lord,  .  . 
 
 Reasons  why  Children  should  fly  to  Christ,      . 
 
 Why  IS  God  a  Stranger  IN  the  Land? 
 
 I  Love  the  Lord's  Day,  .  .  .  «- 
 
10 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Lkttkr  on  Babbatii  Railways,         ..... 
 Letter  on  Co>oiunion  with  Bkethren  of  other  Denominattonr, 
 To  THE  Lambs  of  the  Flock, 
 Daily  Bread,    .  .  •  .  • 
 
 rage 
 644 
 548 
 554 
 660 
 
 SONGS  OF  ZION. 
 
 1.  The  Barren  Fig  Tree, 
 
 2.  Jehovah  Tsidkenu, 
 
 3.  They  Sing  the  Song  of  Moses, 
 
 4.  On  Mungo  Park's  finding  a  tuft  of  Moss, 
 
 5.  I  am  a  Debtor, 
 
 6.  Children  called  to  Christ, 
 
 7.  Thy  Word  is  a  Lamp  unto  niy  Feet, 
 
 8.  The  Fountain  of  Siloam, 
 
 9.  The  Sea  of  Galilee, 
 
 10.  To  Yonder  Side, 
 
 11.  On  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  at  Aero,   . 
 
 12.  The  Child  coming  to  Jesus,     .  » 
 
 13.  Oil  in  the  Lamp,  .  . 
 
 14.  On  J.  T.,  a  Believing  Boy,       • 
 
 573 
 574 
 575 
 57G 
 579 
 580 
 581 
 582 
 583 
 584 
 58G 
 587 
 588 
 589 
 
 CONCLUDING  MEMORIALS, 
 
 m 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
MEMOIR, 
 
 CHAPTER  I. 
 
 HIS  YOUTH,  AND  PREPARATION  FOR  THE  MINISTRr. 
 
 ' Many  shall  rejoice  at  his  birth;  for  he  shall  be  great  in  the  sight  of  the 
 Lord." — Luke  i.  14. 
 
 In  the  midst  of  the  restless  activity  of  such  a  day  as  ours,  it  will 
 he  felt  by  ministers  of  Christ  to  be  useful  in  no  common  degree,  to 
 trace  the  steps  of  one  who  but  lately  left  us,  and  who,  during  the 
 last  years  of  his  short  life,  walked  calmly  in  almost  unbroken  fellow- 
 ship with  the  Father  and  the  Sox. 
 
 The  date  of  his  birth  was  May  21,  1813.  About  that  time,  as 
 is  now  evident  to  us  who  can  look  back  on  the  past,  the  Great  Head 
 had  a  purpose  of  blessing  for  the  Church  of  Scotland.  Eminent 
 men  of  God  appeared  to  plead  the  cause  of  Christ.  The  Cross 
 was  lifted  up  boldly  in  the  midst  of  Church  Courts  which  had  long 
 been  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  More  spirituality  and 
 deeper  seriousness  began  a  few  years  onward  to  prevail  among  the 
 youth  of  our  divinity  halls.  In  the  midst  of  such  events,  whereby 
 the  Lord  was  secretly  preparing  a  rich  blessing  for  souls  in  all  our 
 borders,  the  subject  of  this  Memoir  was  born.  "  Many  were  to 
 rejoice  at  his  birth  ; "  for  he  was  one  of  the  blessings  which  were 
 beginning  to  be  dropt  down  upon  Scotland,  though  none  then 
 knew  that  one  was  born  whom  hundreds  would  look  up  to  as  their 
 spiritual  father. 
 
 The  place  of  his  birth  was  Edinburgh,  where  his  parents  resided. 
 He  was  the  youngest  child  of  the  family,  and  was  called  Robert 
 Murray,  after  the  name  of  some  of  his  kindred. 
 
 From  his  infancy  his  sweet  and  affectionate  temper  was  remarked 
 by  all  who  knew  him.  His  mind  was  quick  in  its  attainments  ;  he 
 was  easily  taught  the  common  lessons  of  youth,  and  some  of  his 
 pecuhar  endowments  began  early  to  appear.  At  the  age  of  four, 
 while  recovering  from  some  illness,  he  selected  as  his  recreation  the 
 study  of  the  Greek  alphabet,  and  was  able  to  name  all  the  letters, 
 
14  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 and  write  them  in  a  rude  way  upon  a  slate.  A  year  after,  he  made 
 rapid  progress  in  the  English  class,  and  at  an  early  period  became 
 somewhat  eminent  among  his  schoolfellows  for  his  melodious  voice 
 and  powers  of  recitation.  There  were  at  that  time  catechetical 
 exercises  held  in  the  Tron  Church,  in  the  interval  between  sermons  ; 
 and  some  friends  remember  the  interest  often  excited  in  the  hearers 
 by  his  correct  and  sweet  recitation  of  the  Psalms  and  passages  of 
 Scripture.  But  as  yet  he  knev>'  not  the  Lord,  he  lived  to  himself, 
 "  having  no  hope,  and  without  God  in  the  world."    Eph.  ii.  12. 
 
 In  October  1821  he  entered  the  High  School,  where  he  continued 
 his  literary  studies  during  the  usual  period  of  six  years.  He  main- 
 tained a  high  place  in  his  classes,  and  in  the  Rector's  class  dis- 
 tinguished himself  by  eminence  in  geography  and  recitation.  It 
 was  during  the  last  year  of  his  attendance  at  the  High  School 
 that  he  first  ventured  on  poetical  composition,  the  subject  being, 
 "  Greece,  but  living  Greece  no  more."  The  lines  are  characterized 
 chiefly  by  enthusiasm  for  liberty  and  Grecian  heroism,  for  in  these 
 days  his  soul  had  never  soared  to  a  higher  region.  His  companions 
 speak  of  him  as  one  who  had  even  then  pecuharities  that  drew 
 attention :  of  a  hght,  tall  form — full  of  elasticity  and  vigour — 
 ambitious,  yet  noble  in  his  dispositions,  disdaining  everything  like 
 meanness  or  deceit.  Some  would  have  been  apt  to  regard  him  as 
 exhibiting  many  traits  of  a  Christian  character ;  but  his  susceptible 
 mind  had  not,  at  that  time,  a  rehsh  fo''  any  higher  joy  than  the 
 refined  gaieties  of  society,  and  for  such  pleasures  as  the  song  and 
 the  dance  could  yield.  He  himself  regarded  these  as  days  of  un- 
 godliness— days  wherein  he  cherished  a  pure  morahty,  but  hved  in 
 heart  a  Pharisee.  I  have  heard  him  say  that  there  was  a  correctness 
 and  propriety  in  his  demeanour  at  times  of  devotion,  and  in  public 
 worship,  which  some,  who  knew  not  his  heart,  were  ready  to  put  to 
 the  account  of  real  feeling.  And  this  experience  of  his  own  heart 
 made  him  look  with  jealousy  on  the  mere  outward  signs  of  devo- 
 tion in  dealing  with  souls.  He  had  learnt  in  his  own  case  how 
 much  a  soul,  unawakened  to  a  sense  of  guilt,  may  have  satisfaction 
 in  performing,  from  the  proud  consciousness  of  integrity  towards 
 man,  and  a  sentimental  devotedness  of  mind  that  chastens  the  feel- 
 ings without  changing  the  heart. 
 
 He  had  great  delight  in  rural  scenery.  Most  of  his  summer 
 vacations  used  to  be  spent  in  Dumfriesshire,  and  his  friends  in  the 
 parish  of  Riithwell  and  its  vicifiity  retain  a  vivid  remembrance  of 
 ins  youthful  days.  His  poetic  temperament  led  him  to  visit  what- 
 ever scenes  were  fitted  to  siir  the  soul.  At  all  periods  of  his  life, 
 also,  he  had  a  love  of  enterprise.     During  the  summer  months  he 
 
MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYKE.  15 
 
 occasionally  made  excursions  with  his  brother,  or  some  intimate 
 friend,  to  visit  the  lakes  and  hills  of  oar  Highlands,  cherishing 
 thereby,  unawares,  a  fondness  for  travel,  that  was  most  useful  to 
 him  in  after  days.  In  one  of  these  excursions,  a  somewhat  romantic 
 occurrence  befell  the  travellers,  such  as  we  might  rather  have  ex- 
 pected to  meet  with  in  the  records  of  his  Eastern  journey.  He  and 
 his  friend  had  set  out  on  foot  to  explore,  at  their  leisure,  Dunkeld, 
 and  the  highlands  in  its  vicinity.  They  spent  a  day  at  Dunkeld, 
 and  about  sunset  set  out  again  with  the  view  of  crossing  the  hills 
 to  Strathardle.  A  dense  mist  spread  over  the  hills  soon  after  they 
 began  to  chmb.  They  pressed  on,  but  lost  the  track  that  might 
 have  guided  them  safely  to  the  glen.  They  knew  not  how  to  direct 
 their  steps  to  any  dweUing.  Night  came  on,  and  they  had  no 
 resource  but  to  couch  among  the  heath,  with  no  other  covering 
 than  the  clothes  they  wore.  They  felt  hungry  and  cold ;  and, 
 awaking  at  midnight,  the  awful  stillness  of  the  lonely  mountains 
 spread  a  strange  fear  over  them.  But,  drawing  close  together, 
 they  again  lay  down  to  rest,  and  slept  soundly  till  the  cry  of  some 
 wild  birds  and  the  morning  dawn  aroused  them. 
 
 Entering  the  Edinburgh  University  in  November  1827,  he  gained 
 some  prize  in  all  the  various  classes  he  attended.  In  private  he 
 studied  the  modern  languages ;  and  gymnastic  exercises  at  that 
 time  gave  him  unbounded  delight.  He  used  his  pencil  with  much 
 success,  and  then  it  was  that  his  hand  was  prepared  for  sketching 
 the  scenes  of  the  Holy  Land.  He  had  a  very  considerable  know- 
 ledge of  music,  and  himself  sang  correctly  and  beautifully.  This, 
 too,  was  a  gift  which  was  used  to  the  glory  of  the  Lord  in  after 
 days, — wonderfully  enlivening  his  secret  devotions,  and  enabling  him 
 to  lead  the  song  of  praise  in  the  congregation  wherever  occasion 
 required.  Poetry  also  was  a  never-failing  recreation ;  and  his 
 taste  in  this  department  drew  the  attention  of  Professor  Wilson, 
 who  adjudged  him  the  prize  in  the  Moral  Philosophy  class  for  a 
 poem,  "  On  the  Covenanters." 
 
 In  the  winter  of  1831  he  commenced  his  studies  in  the  Divinity 
 Hall  under  Dr  Chalmers,  and  the  study  of  Church  History  under 
 Dr  Welsh.  It  may  be  naturally  asked,  What  led  him  to  wish  to 
 preach  salvation  to  his  fellow-sinners  ?  Could  he  say,  like  Robert 
 Bruce,  "  /  was  first  called  to  my  grace,  before  I  obeyed  my  calling  to 
 the  ministi^j  ?"  Few  questions  are  more  interesting  than  this  ;  and 
 our  answer  to  it  will  open  up  some  of  the  wonderful  ways  of  Him 
 "  whose  path  is  in  the  great  waters,  and  whose  footsteps  are  not 
 known,"  Psalm  Ixxvii.  19  ;  for  the  same  event  that  awakened  his 
 30ul  to  a  true  sense  of  sin  and  misery,  led  him  to  the  ministry. 
 
16  5IEM0IR  OF  THE  REY,  11.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 During  bis  attendance  at  the  literary  and  philosophical  classes 
 he  felt  occasional  impressions,  none  of  them  perhaps  of  much  depth. 
 There  can  be  no  doubt  that  he  himself  looked  upon  the  death  of 
 his  eldest  brother,  David,  as  the  event  which  awoke  him  from  the 
 sleep  of  nature,  and  brought  in  the  first  beam  of  divine  light  into 
 his  soul.  By  that  providence  the  Lord  was  calling  one  soul  to 
 enjoy  the  treasures  of  grace,  while  He  took  the  other  into  the  pos- 
 session of  glory. 
 
 In  this  brother,  who  was  his  senior  by  eight  or  nine  years,  the 
 light  of  divine  grace  shone  before  men  with  rare  and  solemn  loveli- 
 ness. His  classical  attainments  were  very  high  ;  and,  after  the 
 usual  preliminary  studies,  he  had  been  admitted  Writer  to  the 
 Signet.  One  distinguishing  quality  of  his  character  was  his  sensi- 
 tive truthfulness.  In  a  moment  would  the  shadow  flit  across  his 
 brow,  if  any  incident  were  related  wherein  there  was  the  shghtest 
 exaggeration ;  or  even  when  nothing  but  truth  was  spoken,  if  only 
 the  deHverer  seemed  to  take  up  a  false  or  exaggerated  view.  He 
 must  not  merely  speak  the  whole  truth  himself,  but  he  must  have 
 the  hearer  also  to  apprehend  the  whole  truth.  He  spent  much  of 
 his  leisure  hours  in  attending  to  the  younger  members  of  the  family. 
 Tender  and  affectionate,  his  grieved  look  when  they  vexed  him  by 
 resisting  his  counsels,  had  (it  is  said)  something  in  it  so  persuasive 
 that  it  never  failed  in  the  end  to  prevail  on  those  with  whom  his 
 words  had  not  succeeded.  His  youngest  brother,  at  a  time  when 
 he  lived  according  to  the  course  of  this  world,  was  the  subject  of 
 many  of  his  fervent  prayers.  But  a  deep  melancholy,  in  a  great 
 degree  the  effect  of  bodily  ailments,  settled  down  on  David's  soul. 
 Many  weary  months  did  he  spend  in  awful  gloom,  tUl  the  trouble 
 of  his  soul  wasted  away  his  body  :  l)ut  the  light  broke  in  before  his 
 death  ;  joy  from  the  face  of  a  fully  reconciled  Father  above  lighted 
 up  his  face  ;  and  the  peace  of  his  last  days  was  the  sweet  consola- 
 tion left  to  his  afiQicted  friends,  when,  8th  July  1831,  he  fell  asleep 
 in  Jesus. 
 
 The  death  of  this  brother,  with  all  its  circumstances,  was  used 
 by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  produce  a  deep  impression  on  Robert's  soul. 
 In  many  respects — even  in  the  gifts  of  a  poetic  mind — there  had 
 been  a  congeniality  between  him  and  David.  The  vivacity  of 
 Robert's  ever  active  and  lively  mind  was  the  chief  point  of  differ- 
 ence. This  vivacity  admirably  fitted  him  for  public  life  ;  it  needed 
 only  to  be  chastened  and  solemnized,  and  the  event  that  had  now 
 occurred  wrought  this  effect.  A  few  months  before,  the  happy 
 family  circle  had  been  broken  up  by  the  departure  of  the  second 
 brother  for  India,  in  the  Jiengal  Medical  Service ;  but  vvhen,  in  the 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  17 
 
 course  of  the  summer,  David  was  removed  from  them  for  ever,  there 
 were  impressions  left  such  as  could  never  be  effaced,  at  least  from 
 the  mind  of  Robert.  Naturally  of  an  intensely  affectionate  disposi- 
 tion, this  stroke  moved  his  whole  soul.  His  quiet  hours  seem  to 
 have  been  often  spent  in  thoughts  of  him  who  was  now  gone  to 
 glory.  There  are  some  lines  remaining  in  which  his  poetic  mind 
 has  most  touchingly,  and  with  uncommon  vigour,  painted  him  whom 
 he  had  lost, — lines  all  the  more  interesting,  because  the  delineation 
 of  character  and  form  which  they  contain  cannot  fail  to  call  up  to 
 those  who  knew  him  the  image  of  the  author  himself.  Some  time 
 after  his  brother's  death  he  had  tried  to  preserve  the  features  of 
 his  well-remembered  form,  by  attempting  a  portrait  from  memory  ; 
 but  throwing  aside  the  pencil  in  despair,  he  took  up  the  pen,  and 
 poured  out  the  fulness  of  his  heart. 
 
 ON  PAINTING  THE  MINIATCRE  LIKENESS  OF  ONE  DEPARTED. 
 
 Alas  !  not  perfect  yet— another  touch, 
 And  still  another,  and  another  still, 
 Till  those  dull  lips  breathe  life,  and  yonder  evo 
 Lose  its  lack  lustre  hue,  and  be  lit  up 
 With  the  warm  glance  of  living  feeling.    No — 
 It  never  can  be  !     Ah,  poor,  powerless  art ! 
 Most  vaunting,  yet  most  impotent,  thou  seek'st 
 To  trace  the  thousand,  thousand  shades  and  lights 
 That  glowed  conspicuous  on  the  blessed  face 
 Of  him  thou  fain  wouldst  imitate — to  bind 
 Down  to  the  fragile  canvas  the  wild  play 
 Of  thought  and  mild  affection,  which  were  wont 
 To  dwell  in  the  serious  eye,  and  play  around 
 The  placid  mouth.     Thou  seek'st  to  give  again 
 That  which  the  burning  soul,  inhabiting 
 Its  clay-built  tenement,  alone  can  give — 
 To  leave  on  cold  dead  matter  the  impress 
 Of  living  mind — to  bid  a  line,  a  shade, 
 Speak  forth,  not  words,  but  the  soft  intercourse 
 Which  the  immortal  spirit,  while  on  earth 
 It  tabernacles,  breathes  from  every  pore- 
 Thoughts  not  converted  into  words,  and  hopes, 
 And  fears,  and  hidden  joys,  and  griefs,  unborn 
 Into  the  world  of  sound,  but  beaming  forth 
 In  that  expression  which  no  words,  or  work 
 Of  cunning  artist,  can  express.    In  vain, 
 Alas  !  in  vain ! 
 
 Come  hither.  Painter ;  come, 
 Take  up  once  more  thine  instruments — thy  brusli 
 And  palette— if  thy  haughty  art  be,  as  thou  say'st, 
 
18  JIEMOm  OF  THE  REV.  E.  M    M'CHEYNE. 
 
 Omnipotent,  and  if  thy  hand  can  dare 
 
 To  wield  creative  power.    Renew  thy  toil, 
 
 And  let  my  memory,  vivified  by  love, 
 
 Which  Death's  cold  separation  has  but  warmed 
 
 And  rendered  sacred,  dictate  to  thy  skill. 
 
 And  guide  thy  pencil.     From  the  jetty  hair 
 
 Take  off  that  gaudy  lustre  that  but  mocks 
 
 The  true  original ;  and  let  the  diy, 
 
 Boft,  gently-turning  locks,  appear  instead. 
 
 What  though  to  fashion's  garish  eye  they  seem 
 
 Untutored  and  ungainly  l  still  to  me, 
 
 Than  folly's  foppish  head-gear,  lovelier  far 
 
 Are  they,  because  bespeaking  mental  toil. 
 
 Labour  assiduous,  through  the  golden  days 
 
 (Golden  if  so  improved)  of  guileless  youth, 
 
 Unwearied  mining  in  the  precious  stores 
 
 Of  classic  lore — and  better,  nobler  still, 
 
 In  God's  own  holy  writ.     And  scatter  here 
 
 And  there  a  thread  of  grey,  to  mark  the  grief 
 
 That  prematurely  checked  the  bounding  flow 
 
 Of  the  warm  cm-rent  in  his  veins,  and  shed 
 
 An  early  twilight  o'er  so  bright  a  dawn. 
 
 No  wrinkle  sits  upon  chat  brow ! — and  thus 
 
 It  ever  was.     The  angry  strife  and  cares 
 
 Of  avaricious  miser  did  not  leave 
 
 Their  base  memorial  on  so  fair  a  page. 
 
 The  eyebrows  next  draw  closer  down,  and  throw 
 
 A  softening  shade  o'er  the  mild  orbs  below. 
 
 Let  the  full  eyelid,  drooping,  half  conceal 
 
 The  back-retiring  eye ;  and  point  to  earth 
 
 The  long  brown  lashes  that  bespeak  a  soul 
 
 Like  his  who  said,  "  I  am  not  worthy,  Lord ! " 
 
 From  underneath  these  lowly  turning  lids. 
 
 Let  not  shine  forth  the  gaily  sparkling  light 
 
 Which  dazzles  oft,  and  oft  deceives ;  nor  yet 
 
 The  dull  unmeaning  lustre  that  can  gaze 
 
 Alike  on  all  the  world.     But  paint  an  eye 
 
 In  whose  half-hidden,  steady  light  I  read 
 
 A  truth-inquiring  mind ;  a  fancy,  too. 
 
 That  could  array  in  sweet  poetic  garb 
 
 The  truth  he  found ;  while  on  his  artless  harp 
 
 He  touched  the  gentlest  feelings,  which  the  blaze 
 
 Of  winter's  hearth  warms  in  the  homely  heart. 
 
 And  oh  I  recall  the  look  of  faith  sincere. 
 
 With  which  that  eye  would  scrutinize  the  page 
 
 That  tells  us  of  offended  God  appeased 
 
 By  awful  sacrifice  upon  the  cross 
 
 Of  Calvary— that  bids  us  leave  r  world 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 19 
 
 Immersed  in  darkness  and  in  death,  and  seek 
 A  better  country.    Ah  !  how  oft  that  eye 
 Would  turn  on  me,  with  pity's  tenderest  look. 
 And,  only  half-upbraiding,  bid  me  flee 
 From  the  vain  idols  of  my  boyish  heart  I 
 
 It  was  about  the  same  time,  while  still  feeling  the  sadness  of 
 this  bereavement,  that  he  wrote  the  fragment  entitled 
 
 "  THE  RIGHTEOUS  PERISHETH,  AXD  NO  MAN  LAYETH  IT  TO  HEART." 
 
 A  grave  I  know 
 
 Where  earthly  show 
 
 Is  not — a  mound 
 
 Whose  gentle  round 
 
 Sustains  the  load 
 
 Of  a  fresh  sod. 
 
 Its  shape  is  rude, 
 
 And  weeds  intrude 
 
 Their  yellow  flowers — 
 
 In  gayer  bowers 
 
 Unknown.     The  grass, 
 
 A  tufted  mass, 
 
 Is  rank  and  strong, 
 
 Unsmoothed  and  long. 
 
 No  rosebud  there 
 
 Embalms  the  air ; 
 
 No  lily  chaste 
 
 Adorns  the  waste, 
 
 Nor  daisy's  head 
 
 Bedecks  the  bed. 
 
 No  myrtles  wave 
 
 Above  that  grave ; 
 
 Nor  heather-bell 
 
 Is  there  to  tell 
 
 Of  gentle  friend 
 
 Who  sought  to  lend 
 
 A  sweeter  sleep 
 
 To  him  who  deep 
 
 Beneath  the  ground 
 
 Repose  has  found. 
 
 No  stone  of  woe 
 
 Is  there  to  show 
 
 The  name,  or  tell 
 
 How  passing  well 
 
 He  loved  his  God, 
 
 And  how  he  trod 
 
 The  humble  road 
 
 That  leads  through  sorrow 
 
 To  a  bright  morrow 
 
 Unknown  in  life. 
 And  far  from  strife. 
 He  lived : — and  though 
 The  magic  flow 
 Of  genius  played 
 Around  his  head, 
 And  ho  could  weave 
 "  The  song  at  eve," 
 And  touch  the  heart, 
 With  gentlest  art ; 
 Or  cares  beguile, 
 And  draw  the  smile 
 Of  peace  from  those 
 Who  wept  their  woes  ; 
 Yet  when  the  love 
 Of  Christ  above 
 To  guilty  men 
 Was  shown  him — then 
 He  left  the  joys 
 Of  worldly  noise. 
 And  humbly  laid 
 His  drooping  head 
 Upon  the  cross ; 
 And  thought  the  loss 
 Of  all  that  earth 
 Contained — of  mirth, 
 Of  loves,  and  fame, 
 And  pleasures'  name- 
 No  sacrifice 
 To  win  the  prize, 
 Which  Christ  secured, 
 When  He  endured 
 For  us  the  load — 
 The  wrath  of  God ! 
 With  many  a  tear, 
 And  many  a  fear. 
 With  many  a  sigh 
 And  heart-wrung  cry 
 Of  timid  faitji* 
 
20 
 
 JIKMOm  OF  THE  IlEV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 He  sought  the  breath : 
 But  which  cau  give 
 The  power  to  live — 
 "Whose  word  alone 
 Can  melt  the  stone, 
 Bid  tumult  cease, 
 And  all  bo  peace  ! 
 He  sought  not  now 
 To  wreathe  his  brow 
 With  laurel  bough, 
 lie  sought  no  more 
 To  gatlior  store 
 Of  earthly  lore, 
 Nor  vaiuly  strove 
 To  share  the  love 
 Of  lieavcn  above, 
 With  aught  below 
 That  earth  can  show 
 The  smile  forsook 
 His  clieck — his  look 
 Was  cold  and  sad  ; 
 And  even  the  glad 
 lietum  of  morn, 
 Wnen  the  ripe  corn 
 "Waves  o'er  the  plains, 
 And  simple  swains 
 With  joy  prepare 
 Tlio  toil  to  share 
 Of  harvest,  brought 
 No  lively  thought 
 To  him. 
 
 And  spring  adorns 
 The  sunny  morns 
 With  opening  flowers 
 And  beauty  showers 
 O'er  lawn  and  mead; 
 Its  virgin  head 
 Tho  snowdrop  steeps 
 In  dow,  and  peops 
 Tho  crocus  forth, 
 Nor  dreads  the  north. 
 But  even  tho  spring 
 No  smile  can  bring 
 To  him,  whose  eye 
 Sought  in  tho  sky 
 For  brightor  scenes. 
 
 Where  intervenes 
 No  darkeniug  cloud 
 Of  sin  to  shroud 
 The  gazer's  view. 
 Thus  sadly  flew 
 The  merrj--  spring ; 
 And  gaily  sing 
 The  birds  their  loves 
 In  summer  groves. 
 But  uot  for  him 
 Their  notes  they  trim. 
 His  ear  is  cold — 
 His  tale  is  told. 
 Above  his  grave 
 The  grass  may  wave— 
 
 The  crowd  pass  by 
 Without  a  sigh 
 Above  the  spot. 
 They  knew  him  not — 
 They  could  not  knov/ ; 
 And  even  though, 
 Why  should  they  shod 
 Above  the  dead 
 Who  slumbers  here 
 A  single  tear? 
 I  cannot  weep, 
 Though  in  my  sleep 
 I  sometimes  clasp 
 With  love's  fond  grasp 
 His  gentle  hand, 
 And  see  him  stand 
 Beside  my  bed, 
 And  lean  his  head 
 Upon  my  breast. 
 And  bid  me  rest 
 Nor  night  nor  day 
 Till  I  can  say 
 That  I  have  found 
 Tho  holy  ground 
 In  which  there  lies 
 The  Pearl  of  Price- 
 Till  all  the  ties 
 The  soul  that  bind, 
 And  all  the  lies 
 The  soul  that  blind, 
 Be        . 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  KEY.  R.  M.  M'CHE^Ts^E.  2] 
 
 Nothing  could  more  fully  prove  the  deep  impression  which  the 
 event  made  than  these  verses.  But  it  was  not  a  transient  regret, 
 nor  was  it  the  "  sorrow  of  the  world."  He  was  in  his  eighteenth 
 year  when  his  brother  died ;  and  if  this  was  not  the  year  of  his 
 new  birth,  at  least  it  was  the  year  when  the  first  streaks  of  dawn 
 appeared  in  his  soul.  From  that  day  forward  his  friends  observed 
 a  change.  His  poetry  was  pervaded  with  serious  thought,  and  all 
 his  pursuits  began  to  be  followed  out  in  another  spirit.  He  en- 
 gaged in  the  labours  of  a  Sabbath  school,  and  began  to  seek  God 
 to  his  soul,  in  the  diligent  reading  of  the  word,  and  attendance 
 on  a  faithful  ministry. 
 
 How  important  this  period  of  his  life  appeared  in  his  own  view, 
 may  be  gathered  from  his  allusions  to  it  in  later  days.  A  year 
 after,  he  writes  in  his  diary  :  "  On  this  morning  last  year  came  the 
 first  overwhelming  blow  to  ray  worldliness;  how  blessed  to  me.  Thou, 
 
 0  God,  only  knowest,  who  hast  made  it  so."  Every  year  he  marked 
 this  day  as  one  to  be  remembered,  and  occasionally  its  recollections 
 seem  to  have  come  in  hke  a  flood.  In  a  letter  to  a  friend  (8th 
 July  1842),  upon  a  matter  entirely  local,  he  concludes  by  a  post- 
 script :  "  This  day  eleven  years  ago,  my  holy  brother  David  entered 
 into  his  rest,  aged  26."  And  on  that  same  day,  writing  a  note  to 
 one  of  his  flock  in  Dundee  (who  had  asked  him  to  furnish  a  preface 
 to  a  work  printed  1740,  Letters  on  Spiritual  Subjects),  he  commends 
 the  book,  and  adds  :  "  Pray  for  me,  that  I  may  be  made  holier  and 
 wiser — less  like  myself,  and  more  like  my  heavenly  Master ;  that 
 
 1  may  not  regard  my  life,  if  so  be  I  may  finish  my  course  with  joy. 
 This  day  eleven  years  ago,  I  lost  my  loved  and  loving  brother,  and 
 began  to  seek  a  Brother  who  cannot  die." 
 
 It  was  to  companions  who  could  sympathize  in  his  feelings  that 
 he  unbosomed  himself.  At  that  period  it  was  not  common  for 
 inquiring  souls  to  carry  their  case  to  their  pastor.  A  conventional 
 reserve  upon  these  subjects  prevailed  even  among  Uvely  believers. 
 It  almost  seemed  as  if  they  were  ashamed  of  the  Son  of  man.  This 
 reserve  appeared  to  him  very  sinful ;  and  he  felt  it  to  be  so  great 
 an  evil,  that  in  after  days  he  was  careful  to  encourage  anxious 
 souls  to  converse  with  him  freely.  The  nature  of  his  experience, 
 however,  we  have  some  means  of  knowing.  On  one  occasion,  a  few 
 of  us  who  had  studied  together  were  reviewing  the  Lord's  dealings 
 with  our  souls,  and  how  He  had  brought  us  to  himself  all  very 
 nearly  at  the  same  time,  though  without  any  special  instrumentality. 
 He  stated  that  there  was  nothing  sudden  in  his  case,  and  that  he 
 was  led  to  Christ  through  deep  and  ever-abiding,  but  not  awful  oi 
 In  this  we  see  the  Lord's  sovereignty 
 
22  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 In  bringing  a  soul  to  the  Saviour,  the  Holy  Spirit  invariably  leads 
 it  to  very  deep  consciousness  of  sin  ;  but  then  He  causes  this  con- 
 sciousness of  sin  to  be  more  distressing  and  intolerable  to  some  than 
 to  others.  But  in  one  point  does  the  experience  of  all  believing 
 sinners  agree  in  this  matter,  viz.  their  soul  presented  to  their  view 
 nothing  but  an  abyss  of  sin,  when  the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth 
 salvation  appeared. 
 
 The  Holy  Spirit  carried  on  his  work  in  the  subject  of  this  Memoir, 
 by  continuing  to  deepen  in  him  the  conviction  of  his  ungodliness, 
 and  the  pollution  of  his  whole  nature.  ,  And  all  his  life  long,  he 
 viewed  his  original  sin,  not  as  an  excuse  for  his  actual  sins,  but  as 
 an  aggravation  of  them  all.  In  this  view  he  was  of  the  mind  of 
 David,  taught  by  the  unerring  Spirit  of  Truth.     See  Psalm  li.  4,  5. 
 
 At  first  light  dawned  slowly  ;  so  slowly,  that  for  a  considerable 
 time  he  still  relished  an  occasional  plunge  into  scenes  of  gaiety. 
 Even  after  entering  the  Divinity  Hall,  he  could  be  persuaded  to 
 indulge  in  lighter  pursuits,  at  least  during  the  two  first  years  of 
 his  attendance ;  but  it  was  with  growing  alarm.  When  hurried 
 away  by  such  worldly  joys,  I  find  him  writing  thus  : — "  Sept.  14. — 
 May  there  be  few  such  records  as  this  in  my  biography."  Then, 
 "  Dec.  9. — A  thorn  in  my  side — much  torment."  As  the  unholi- 
 ness  of  his  pleasures  became  more  apparent,  he  writes  : — "  March 
 10,  1832. — I  hope  never  to  play  cards  again."  ^^  March  25. — 
 Never  visit  on  a  Sunday  evening  again."  "  April  10. — Absented 
 myself  from  the  dance ;  upbraidings  ill  to  bear.  But  I  must  try 
 to  bear  the  cross."  It  seems  to  be  in  reference  to  the  receding 
 tide,  which  thus  for  a  season  repeatedly  drew  him  back  to  the 
 world,  that  on  July  8,  1836,  he  records :  ''  This  moraing  five 
 years  ago,  my  dear  brother  David  died,  and  my  heart  for  the  first 
 time  knew  true  bereavement.  Truly  it  was  all  well.  Let  me  be 
 dumb,  for  Thou  didst  it:  and  it  was  good  for  me  that  I  was 
 afflicted.  I  know  not  that  any  providence  was  ever  more  abused 
 by  man  than  that  was  by  me  ;  and  yet,  Lord,  what  mountains  Thou 
 conicst  over  !  none  was  ever  more  blessed  to  me."  To  us  who  can 
 look  at  the  results,  it  appears  probable  that  the  Lord  permitted 
 iiim  thus  to  try  nniny  broken  cisterns,  and  to  taste  the  wormwood 
 of  many  earthly  streams,  in  order  that  in  after  days,  by  the  side  of 
 the  fountain  of  living  waters,  he  might  point  to  the  world  he  had 
 for  ever  left,  and  testify  the  surpassing  preciousness  of  what  he  had 
 now  found. 
 
 Mr  Alexander  Somervillc  (afterwards  minister  of  Anderston 
 Church,  Glasgow)  was  his  familiar  friend  and  companion  in  the 
 gay  scenes  of  his  youth.     And  he,  too,  about  this  time,  having 
 
MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE.  23 
 
 been  brought  to  taste  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come,  they  united 
 their  efiforts  for  each  other's  welfare.  They  met  together  for  the 
 study  of  the  Bible,  and  used  to  exercise  themselves  in  the  Sep- 
 tuagint  Greek  and  the  Hebrew  original.  But  ofteuer  still  they 
 met  for  prayer  and  solemn  converse ;  and  carrying  on  all  their 
 studies  in  the  same  spirit,  watched  each  other's  steps  in  the  narrow 
 way. 
 
 He  thought  himself  much  profited,  at  this  period,  by  investigating 
 the  subject  of  Election  and  the  Free  Grace  of  God.  But  it  was  the 
 reading  of  The  Sum  of  Saving  Knowledge,  generally  appended  to  our 
 Confession  of  Faith,  that  brought  him  to  a  clear  understanding  of 
 the  way  of  acceptance  with  God.  Those  who  are  acquainted  with 
 its  admirable  statements  of  truth,  will  see  how  well  fitted  it  was  to 
 direct  an  inquiring  soul.  I  find  him  some  years  afterwards  record- 
 ing : — "  March  11,  1834. — Read  in  the  Sum  of  Saving  Knowledge, 
 the  work  which  I  think  first  of  all  wrought  a  saving  change  in  me. 
 How  gladly  would  I  renew  the  reading  of  it,  if  that  change  might 
 be  carried  on  to  perfection ! "  It  will  be  observed  that  he  never 
 reckoned  his  soul  saved,  notwithstanding  all  his  convictions  and  views 
 of  sin,  until  he  really  went  into  the  Holiest  of  all  on  the  warrant 
 of  the  Redeemer's  work ;  for  assuredly  a  sinner  is  still  under  wrath, 
 until  he  has  actually  availed  himself  of  the  way  to  the  Father 
 opened  up  by  Jesus.  All  his  knowledge  of  his  sinfulness,  and  all 
 his  sad  feeling  of  his  own  need  and  danger,  cannot  place  him  one 
 step  farther  off  from  the  lake  of  fire.  It  is  "he  that  comes  to 
 Christ "  that  is  saved. 
 
 Before  this  period  he  had  received  a  bias  towards  the  ministry 
 from  his  brother  David,  who  used  to  speak  of  the  ministry  as  the 
 most  blessed  work  on  earth,  and  often  expressed  the  greatest  de- 
 light in  the  hope  that  his  younger  brother  might  one  day  become 
 a  minister  of  Christ.  And  now,  with  altered  views, — with  g,n  eye 
 that  could  gaze  on  heaven  and  hell,  and  a  heart  that  felt  the  love 
 of  a  reconciled  God, — he  sought  to  become  a  herald  of  salvation. 
 
 He  had  begun  to  keep  a  register  of  his  studies,  and  the  manner 
 in  which  his  time  slipt  away,  some  months  before  his  brother's 
 death.  For  a  considerable  time  this  register  contains  almost 
 nothing  but  the  bare  incidents  of  the  diary,  and  on  Sabbaths  the 
 texts  of  the  sermons  he  had  heard.  There  is  one  gleam  of  serious 
 thought — but  it  is  the  only  one — during  that  period.  On  occasion 
 of  Dr  Andrew  Thomson's  funeral,  he  records  the  deep  and  universal 
 grief  that  pervaded  the  town,  and  then  subjoins  :  "  Pleasing  to  see 
 so  much  public  feeling  excited  on  the  decease  of  so  worthy  a  man. 
 How  much  are  the  times  changed  within  these  eighteen  centuries, 
 
24  MEMOIR  OF  THE  IlEV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYXE. 
 
 since  the  time  when  Joseph  besought  the  body  in  secret,  and  when 
 he  and  Nicodemus  were  the  only  ones  found  to  bear  the  body  to 
 the  tomb!" 
 
 It  is  in  the  end  of  the  year  that  evidences  of  a  change  appear 
 From  that  period  and  eveV  onward  his  dry  register  of  every-day 
 incidents  is  varied  with  snch  passages  as  the  following  : — 
 
 '^  Nov.  12. — Reading  H.  Martyn's  Memoirs.  Would  I  could 
 imitate  him,  giving  up  father,  mother,  country,  house,  health,  life, 
 all— for  Christ.  And  yet,  what  hinders  ?  Lord,  purify  me,  and 
 give  me  strength  to  dedicate  myself,  my  all,  to  Thee ! " 
 
 "i)ec.  4. — Reading  Legh  Richmond's  Life.  'Poenitentia  pro- 
 funda, non  sine  lacrymis.  Nunquam  me  ipsura,  tarn  vilem,  tam 
 inutilem,  tam  pauperim,  et  praicipue  tam  ingratum,  adhuc  vidi. 
 Sint  lacryma)  dedicationis  mete  pignora!'"  ["Deep  penitence, 
 not  unmixed  with  tears.  I  never  before  saw  myself  so  vile,  so 
 useless,  so  poor,  and,  above  all,  so  ungrateful.  May  these  tears  be 
 the  pledges  of  my  self-dedication!"]  There  is  frequently  at  this 
 period  a  sentence  in  Latin  occurring  like  the  above  in  the  midst  of 
 other  matter,  apparently  with  the  view  of  giving  freer  expression 
 to  his  feelings  regarding  himself. 
 
 "  Dec.  9. — If  card  a  street-preacher  :  foreign  voice.  Seems 
 really  in  earnest.  He  quoted  the  striking  passage,  '  The  Spirit 
 and  the  bride  say.  Come,  and  let  him  that  heareth  say,  Come  /'  From 
 this  he  seems  to  derive  his  authority.  Let  me  learn  from  this  man 
 to  be  in  earnest  for  the  truth,  and  to  despise  the  scoffing  of  the 
 world." 
 
 Dec.  18. — After  spending  an  evening  too  lightly,  he  writes: 
 "  My  heart  must  break  off  from  all  these  things.  What  right 
 have  I  to  steal  and  abuse  my  Master's  time  ?  '  Redeem  it,'  He  is 
 crying  to  me." 
 
 "  Dec.  2r>.— My  mind  not  yet  calmly  fixed  on  the  Rock  of  Ages." 
 
 ''Jan.  12,  1832.— Cor  non  pacem  habet.  Quare?  Peccatum 
 apud  fores  manet."  [-'My  heart  has  not  peace.  Why?  Sin 
 lieth  at  my  door."] 
 
 "  Jan.  2r>.— A  lovely  day.  Eighty-four  cases  of  cholera  at 
 Musselburgh.  How  it  creeps  nearer  and  nearer  like  a  snake! 
 Who  will  be  the  first  victim  here?  Let  thine  everlasting  arms  be 
 around  us,  and  we  shall  be  safe." 
 
 ''Jan.  20,  Saljbath.— Afternoon  heard  Mr  Bruce  (then  minister 
 of  the  ^(iw  North  Church,  Edinburgh)  on  Malachi  i.  1-6.  It 
 constitutes  the  very  gravamen  of  the  charge  against  the  unrenewed 
 man,  that  he  has  afl"ectioii  for  his  earthly  parent,  and  reverence  for 
 Ills  earthly  master,  but  none  for  God !     Most  noble  discourse," 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  25 
 
 "  Feh.  2. — Not  a  trait  worth  remembering!  And  yet  these  fonr- 
 and-twenty  hours  must  be  accounted  for." 
 
 Feh.  5,  Sabbath. — In  the  afternoon,  having  heard  the  late  Mr 
 Martin  of  St  George's/  he  writes,  on  returning  home :  "  0  quam 
 humilem,  sed  quam  diligentissimum  ;  quam  dejectum,  sed  quam 
 vigilem,  quam  die  noctuque  precantem,  decet  me  esse  quum  tales 
 viros  aspicio.  Juva,  Pater,  Fili,  et  Spiritus  !  "  ["  Oh !  how  humble, 
 yet  how  dihgent,  how  lowly,  yet  how  watchful,  how  prayerful  night 
 and  day  it  becomes  me  to  be,  when  I  see  such  men.  Help,  Father, 
 Son,  and  Spirit !"] 
 
 From  this  date  he  seems  to  have  sat,  along  with  his  friend  Mr 
 Somerville,  almost  entirely  under  Mr  Bruce's  ministry.  He  took 
 copious  notes  of  his  lectures  and  sermons,  which  still  remain  among 
 his  papers. 
 
 "  Feb.  2^. — Sober  conversation.  Fain  would  I  turn  to  the  most 
 interesting  of  all  subjects.  Cowardly  backwardness  :  '  For  who- 
 soever is  ashamed  of  me  and  my  words,' "  etc. 
 
 At  this  time,  hearing,  concerning  a  friend  of  the  family,  that  she 
 had  said,  "  That  she  ivas  determined  to  keep  by  the  world,''  he  penned 
 the  following  lines  on  her  melancholy  decision  : — 
 
 She  has  chosen  the  world,  When  stars  are  concealed, 
 
 And  its  paltry  crowd ;  And  rudder  gone, 
 
 She  has  chosen  the  world,  And  heaven  is  sealed 
 
 And  an  endless  shroud !  To  the  wandering  one 
 She  has  chosen  the  world 
 
 With  its  misnamed  pleasures ;  The  whirlpool  opes 
 
 She  has  chosen  the  world,  For  the  gallant  prize  ; 
 
 Before  heaven's  own  treasures.  And,  with  all  her  hopes, 
 
 To  the  deep  she  hies! 
 
 She  hath  launched  her  boat  But  who  may  tell 
 
 On  life's  giddy  sea,  Of  the  place  of  woe, 
 
 And  her  all  is  afloat  Where  tho  wicked  dwell, 
 
 For  eternity.  Where  the  worldlings  go  ? 
 But  Bethlehem's  star 
 
 Is  not  in  her  view  ;  For  the  human  hear  t 
 
 And  her  aim  is  far  Can  ne'er  conceive 
 
 From  the  harbour  true.  What  joys  are  the  part 
 
 Of  them  who  believe  ; 
 
 When  the  storm  descends  Nor  can  justly  think 
 
 From  an  angry  sky-,  Of  the  cup  of  death. 
 
 Ah  I  where  from  the  winds  Which  all  must  drink 
 
 Shall  the  vessel  fly  ?  Who  despise  the  faith. 
 
 '  He  says  of  him  on  another  occasion,  June  8,  1834  :  "  A  man  greatly  beloved 
 cf  whom  the  world  was  not  worthy."  "An  apostolic  man."  His  own  calm 
 (Isop  holiness,  resembled  in  many  vespecta  >Ir  Martin's  daily  walk. 
 
26  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHE\TsE. 
 
 Away,  theu — oh,  iiy  Come,  leave  the  di-eams 
 From  tlie  joys  of  earth !  Of  this  transient  night, 
 
 Her  smile  is  a  lie—  And  bask  in  the  beams 
 There's  a  sting  in  her  mirth.  Of  an  endless  light. 
 
 "  March  6. — Wild  wind  and  rain  all  day  long.  Hebrew  class — 
 Psalms.  New  beauty  in  the  original  every  time  I  read.  Dr 
 "Welsh — lecture  on  Pliny's  letter  about  the  Christians  of  Bithynia. 
 Professor  Jameson  on  quartz.  Dr  Chalmers  grappling  with 
 Hume's  arguments.  Evening — Notes,  and  little  else.  Mind  and 
 body  dull."     This  is  a  specimen  of  his  register  of  daily  study. 
 
 March  20. — After  a  few  sentences  in  Latin,  concluding  with 
 *'  In  meam  animam  veni,  Domine  Deus  omnipotens,"  he  writes, 
 *' Leaning  on  a  staff  of  my  own  devising,  it  betrayed  me,  and  broke 
 under  me.  It  was  not  thy  staff.  Resolving  to  be  a  god,  Thou 
 showedst  me  that  I  was  but  a  man.  But  my  own  staff  being 
 broken,  why  may  I  not  lay  hold  of  thine  ? — Read  part  of  the  Life 
 of  Jonathan  Edwards.  How  feeble  does  my  spark  of  Christianity 
 appear  beside  such  a  sun !  But  even  his  was  a  borrowed  light, 
 and  the  same  source  is  still  open  to  enlighten  me." 
 
 ^^  April  8. — Have  found  much  rest  in  Him  who  bore  all  our 
 burdens  for  us." 
 
 "  April  26. — To-night  I  ventured  to  break  the  ice  of  unchristian 
 silence.  Why  should  not  selfishness  be  buried  beneath  the  Atlantic 
 in  matters  so  sacred?" 
 
 Ma?/  6,  Saturday  evening. — This  was  the  evening  previous  to 
 the  Communion ;  and  in  prospect  of  again  declaring  himself  the 
 Lord's  at  his  table,  he  enters  into  a  brief  review  of  his  state.  He 
 had  partaken  of  the  ordinance  in  May  of  the  year  before  for  the 
 first  time ;  but  he  was  then  living  at  ease,  and  saw  not  the  solemn 
 nature  of  the  step  he  took.  He  now  sits  down  and  reviews  the 
 past : — 
 
 ^  "  What  a  mass  of  corruption  have  I  been  !  How  great  a  por- 
 tion of  my  life  have  I  spent  wholly  without  God  in  the  world, 
 given  up  to  sense  and  the  perishing  things  around  me  !  Naturally 
 of  a  feeling  and  sentimental  disposition,  how  much  of  my  religion 
 has  been,  and  to  this  day  is,  tinged  with  these  colours  of  earth ! 
 Restrained  from  open  vice  by  educational  views  and  the  fear  of 
 man,  how  much  ungodliness  has  reigned  within  me!  How  often 
 has  it  broken  through  all  restraints,  and  come  out  in  the  shape  of 
 lust  and  anger,  mad  ambitions,  and  unhallowed  words !  Though 
 my  vice  was  always  refined,  yet  how  subtile  and  how  awfully  pr'e- 
 valent  it  was  !  How  complete  a  test  was  the  Sabbath— spent  in 
 weariness,  as  much  of  it  as  was  given  to  God's  service !     How 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  27 
 
 I  polluted  it  by  my  hypocrisies,  my  self-conceits,  my  worldly 
 thoughts,  and  worldly  friends !  How  formally  and  unheedingly 
 the  Bible  was  read, — how  little  was  read, — so  little  that  even  now 
 I  have  not  read  it  all !  How  unboundedly  was  the  wild  impulse 
 of  the  heart  obeyed  !    How  much  more  was  the  creature  loved  than 
 
 the  Creator  ! 0  great  God,  that  didst  suffer  me  to  live  whilst 
 
 I  so  dishonoured  Thee,  Thou  knowest  the  whole ;  and  it  was  thy 
 hand  alone  that  could  awaken  me  from  the  death  in  which  I  was, 
 and  was  contented  to  be.  Gladly  would  I  have  escaped  from  the 
 Shepherd  that  sought  me  as  I  strayed  ;  but  He  took  me  up  in  his 
 arms  and  carried  me  back  ;  and  yet  He  took  me  not  for  anything 
 that  was  in  me.  I  was  no  more  fit  for  his  service  than  the  Aus- 
 tralian, and  no  more  worthy  to  be  called  and  chosen.  Yet  why 
 should  I  doubt  ?  not  that  God  is  unwilling,  not  that  He  is  unable 
 — of  both  I  am  assured.  But  perhaps  my  old  sins  are  too  fearful, 
 and  my  unbelief  too  glaring?  Nay;  I  come  to  Christ,  not  although 
 I  am  a  sinner,  but  just  because  I  am  a  sinner,  even  the  chief."  He 
 then  adds,  "  And  though  sentiment  and  constitutional  enthusiasm 
 may  have  a  great  effect  on  me,  still  I  believe  that  my  soul  is  in 
 sincerity  desirous  and  earnest  about  having  all  its  concerns  at  rest 
 with  God  and  Christ, — that  his  kingdom  occupies  the  most  part  of 
 all  my  thoughts,  and  even  of  my  long-polluted  affections.  Not 
 unto  me,  not  unto  me,  be  the  shadow  of  praise  or  of  merit  ascribed, 
 but  let  all  glory  be  given  to  thy  most  holy  name !  As  surely  as 
 Thou  didst  make  the  mouth  with  which  I  pray,  so  surely  dost 
 Thou  prompt  every  prayer  of  faith  which  I  utter.  Thou  hast 
 made  me  all  that  I  am,  and  given  me  all  that  I  have." 
 
 Next  day,  after  communicating,  he  writes :  "  I  well  remember 
 when  I  was  an  enemy,  and  especially  abhorred  this  ordinance  as 
 binding  me  down  ;  but  if  I  be  bound  to  Christ  in  heart,  I  shall  not 
 dread  any  bands  that  can  draw  me  close  to  Him."  Evening — "Much 
 peace.  Look  back,  my  soul,  and  view  the  mind  that  belonged  to 
 thee  but  twelve  months  ago.     My  soul,  thy  place  is  in  the  dust!" 
 
 "  J/ay  19. — Thought  with  more  comfort  than  usual  of  being  a 
 witness  for  Jesus  in  a  foreign  land." 
 
 ^^  June  4. — Walking  with  A.  Somerville  by  Craigleith.  Con- 
 versing on  missions.  If  I  am  to  go  to  the  heathen  to  speak  of  the 
 unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  this  one  thing  must  be  given  me,  to 
 be  out  of  the  reach  of  the  baneful  influence  of  esteem  or  contempt. 
 If  worldly  motives  go  with  me,  I  shall  never  convert  a  soul,  and 
 shall  lose  my  own  in  the  labour." 
 
 ^^  June  22, — Variety  of  studies.  Septuagint  translation  of 
 Exodus  and  Yulgate.     Bought  Edwards*  works.      Drawing— 
 
28  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  .M.  IM'CHEi-NE. 
 
 Truly  there  was  nothing  in  me  tliat  should  have  induced  Him  to 
 choose  me.  I  was  but  as  the  other  brands  upon  whom  the  fire  is 
 already  kindled,  which  shall  burn  for  evermore !  And  as  soon 
 could  the  billet  leap  from  the  hearth  and  become  a  green  tree,  as 
 my  soul  could  have  sprung  to  newness  of  life." 
 
 June  25. — In  reference  to  the  office  of  the  holy  ministry  : 
 "How  apt  are  we  to  lose  our  hours  in  the  vainest  babblings,  as  do 
 the  world !  How  can  this  be  with  those  chosen  for  the  mighty 
 office '?  fellow-workers  with  God  ?  heralds  of  His  Son  ?  evangelists'? 
 men  set  apart  to  the  work,  chosen  out  of  the  chosen,  as  it  were  the 
 very  pick  of  the  flocks,  who  are  to  shine  as  the  stars  for  ever  and 
 ever  ?  Alas,  alas  !  my  soul,  where  shalt  thou  appear  ?  0  Lord 
 God,  I  am  a  little  child !  But  Thou  wilt- send  an  angel  with  a  live 
 coal  from  off  the  altar,  and  touch  my  unclean  lips,  and  put  a 
 tongue  within  my  dry  mouth,  so  that  I  shall  say  with  Isaiah, 
 'Here  am  I,  send  me.'"  Then,  after  reading  a  little  of  Edwards' 
 works  :  "Oh  that  heart  and  understanding  may  grow  together,  like 
 brother  and  sister,  leaning  on  one  another ! " 
 
 '^  June  27. — Life  of  David  Brainerd.  Most  wonderful  man! 
 What  conflicts,  what  depressions,  desertions,  strength,  advance- 
 ment, victories,  within  thy  torn  bosom  !  I  cannot  express  what  I 
 think  when  I  think  of  thee.  To-night,  more  set  upon  missionary 
 enterprise  than  ever." 
 
 ^^  June  28. — Oh  for  Brainerd's  humility  and  sin-loathing  dis- 
 positions !" 
 
 "  June  30. — Much  carelessness,  sin,  and  sorrow.  '  Oh  wretched 
 man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  this  body  of  sin  and 
 death  ?'  Enter  thou,  my  soul,  into  the  rock,  and  hide  thee  in  the 
 dust  for  fear  of  the  Lord  and  the  glory  of  his  majesty."  And 
 then  he  writes  a  few  verses,  of  which  the  following  are  some 
 stanzas : — 
 
 I  will  arise  and  seek  my  God, 
 And,  bowed  down  beneath  my  load, 
 
 Lay  all  my  sins  before  Him ; 
 Then  He  will  wash  my  soul  from  sin, 
 And  put  a  new  heart  me  within, 
 
 And  teach  me  to  adore  Him. 
 
 O  ye  that  fain  would  find  the  joy — 
 The  only  one  that  wants  alloy — 
 
 Wliich  never  is  deceiving^ 
 Come  to  the  Well  of  Life  with  me, 
 And  drink,  as  it  is  proffered,  free, 
 
 The  gospel  draught  receiving. 
 
MEMOIIi  OF  THE  BEV.  K.  M.  M'CHErNE.  29 
 
 I  come  to  Christ,  because  I  know 
 The  very  worst  are  called  to  go  ; 
 
 And  when  in  faith  I  find  Him, 
 ril  walk  in  Him,  and  lean  on  Him, 
 Because  I  cannot  move  a  limb 
 
 Until  He  say,  "  Unbind  him." 
 
 *'  July  3. — This  last  bitter  root  of  worldliness  that  has  so  often 
 betrayed  me  has  this  night  so  grossly,  that  I  cannot  but  regard  it 
 as  God's  chosen  way  to  make  me  loathe  and  forsake  it  for  ever. 
 T  would  vow  ;  but  it  is  much  more  like  a  weakly  worm  to  pray. 
 Sit  in  the  dust,  0  my  soul!"  I  believe  he  was  enabled  to  keep 
 his  resolution.  Once  only,  in  the  end  of  this  year,  was  he  again 
 led  back  to  gaiety  ;  but  it  was  the  last  time. 
 
 "  July  7,  Saturday. — After  finishing  my  usual  studies,  tried  to 
 fast  a  little,  with  much  prayer  and  earnest  seeking  of  God's  face, 
 remembering  what  occurred  this  night  last  year."  (Alluding  to 
 Jiis  brother's  death.) 
 
 "  July  22. — Had  this  evening  a  more  complete  understanding  of 
 that  self-emptying  and  abasement  with  which  it  is  necessary  to 
 come  to  Christ, — a  denying  of  self,  trampling  it  under  foot, — a 
 recognising  of  the  complete  righteousness  and  justice  of  God,  that 
 could  do  nothing  else  with  us  but  condemn  us  utterly,  and  thrust 
 us  down  to  lowest  hell, — a  feeling  that,  even  in  hell,  we  should 
 rejoice  in  his  sovereignty,  and  say  that  all  was  rightly  done." 
 
 "  Aug.  15. — Little  done,  and  as  little  suffered.  Awfully  impor- 
 tant question,  Am  I  redeeming  the  time?" 
 
 ^^  Aug.  18. — Heard  of  the  death  of  James  Somerville^  by  fever, 
 induced  by  cholera.  0  God,  thy  ways  and  thoughts  are  not  as 
 ours !  He  had  preached  his  first  sermon.  I  saw  him  last  on  Friday, 
 27th  July,  at  the  College  gate ;  shook  hands,  and  Uttle  thought  I 
 was  to  see  him  no  more  on  earth." 
 
 "  Sept.  2,  Sabbath  evening. — Reading.  Too  much  engrossed, 
 and  too  little  devotional.  Preparation  for  a  fall.  Warning.  We 
 may  be  too  engrossed  with  the  shell  ev^en  of  heavenly  things." 
 
 "  Sept.  9. — Oh  for  true,  unfeigned  humility  !  I  know  I  have 
 cause  to  be  humble ;  and  yet  I  do  not  know  one-half  of  that  cause. 
 I  know  I  am  proud;  and  yet  I  do  not  know  the  half  of  that  pride." 
 
 "  Sept.  30. — Somewhat  straitened  by  loose  Sabbath  observance. 
 Best  way  is  to  be  expHcit  and  manly." 
 
 "  Nov.  1. — More  abundant  longings  for  the  work  of  the  ministry 
 Oh  that  Christ  would  but  count  me  faithful,  that  a  dispensation  of 
 
 •  Son  of  the  minister  of  Driunelzicr, — \Qvy  promising  and  very  amiable. 
 
30  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 the  gospel  might  be  committed  to  me ! "  And  then  he  adds,  "  Much 
 peace.     Peaceful,  because  believing." 
 
 Dec.  2. — Hitherto  he  used  to  spend  much  of  the  Sabbath  evening 
 in  extending  his  notes  of  Mr  Bruce's  sermons ;  but  now,  "  Deter- 
 mined to  be  brief  with  these,  for  the  sake  of  a  more  practical, 
 meditative,  resting,  sabbatical  evening." 
 
 "Dec.  11. — Mind  quite  unfitted  for  devotion.    Prayerless  prayer." 
 
 "  Dec.  31. — God  has  in  this  past  year  introduced  me  to  the  pre- 
 paration of  the  ministry, — I  bless  Him  for  that.  He  has  helped 
 me  to  give  up  much  of  my  shame  to  name  his  name,  and  be  on 
 his  side,  especially  before  particular  friends, — I  bless  Him  for  that. 
 He  has  tal^en  conclusively  away  friends  that  might  have  been  a 
 snare, — must  have  been  a  stumbling-block, — I  bless  Him  for  that. 
 He  has  introduced  me  to  one  Christian  friend,  and  sealed  more  and 
 more  pay  amity  with  another, — I  bless  Him  for  that." 
 
 Jan.  27,  1833. — On  this  day  it  had  been  the  custom  of  his  brother 
 David  to  write  a  "Carmen  Natale"  on  their  father's  birth-day. 
 Robert  took  up  the  domestic  song  this  year;  and  in  doing  so, 
 makes  some  beautiful  and  tender  allusions. 
 
 Ah !  where  is  the  harp  that  was  strung  to  thy  praise, 
 
 So  oft  and  so  sweetly  in  happier  days? 
 
 When  the  tears  that  we  shed  were  the  tears  of  our  joy, 
 
 And  the  pleasures  of  home  were  unmixed  with  alloy  ? 
 
 The  harp  is  now  mute — its  last  breathings  are  spoken — 
 
 And  the  cord,  though  'twas  threefold,  is  now,  alas,  broken ! 
 
 Yet  why  should  we  murmur,  short-sighted  and  vain, 
 
 Since  death  to  that  loved  one  was  undying  gain  ? 
 
 Ah,  fools  I  shall  we  grieve  that  he  left  this  poor  sceues; 
 
 To  dwell  in  the  realms  that  are  ever  serene  ? 
 
 Though  ho  sparkled  the  gem  in  our  circle  of  love, 
 
 lie  is  even  more  prized  in  the  circles  above. 
 
 And  though  sweetly  he  sung  of  his  father  on  earth, 
 
 When  this  day  would  inspire  him  with  tenderest  mirth, 
 
 Yet  a  holier  tone  to  his  harp  is  now  given. 
 
 As  he  sings  to  his  unborn  Father  in  heaven. 
 
 Feb.  3.— Writing  to  a  medical  friend  of  his  brother  William'^, 
 lie  says,  "  I  remember  long  ago  a  remark  you  once  made  to  Wil- 
 liam, which  has  somehow  or  other  stuck  in  my  head,  viz.  that 
 medical  men  ought  to  make  a  distinct  study  of  'the  Bible,  purely 
 for  the  sake  of  administering  conviction  and  consolation  to  their 
 patients.  I  think  you  also  said  that  you  had  actually  begun  with 
 that  view.  Such  a  determination,  though  formed  in  youth,  is  one 
 which  I  trust  riper  years  will  not  make  you  blush  to  own." 
 
 "  Feb.  11.— Somewhat  overcome.     Let  me  see :  there  is  a  creep- 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'OHEYNE.  31 
 
 ing  defect  here.    Humble,  pnrpose-like  reading  of  the  word  omitted 
 AV'hat  plant  can  be  unwatered  and  not  wither  ?  " 
 
 "  Feb.  16. — Walk  to  Corstorphine  Hill.  Exquisite  clear  view, — 
 blue  water,  and  brown  fields,  and  green  firs.  Many  thoughts  on 
 the  follies  of  my  youth.  How  many,  0  Lord,  may  they  be? 
 Summed  up  in  one — ungodliness ! " 
 
 ^^  Feb.  21. — Am  I  as  willing  as  ever  to  preach  to  the  lost  hea- 
 then?" 
 
 "  March  8. — Biblical  criticism.  This  must  not  supersede  heart- 
 work.     How  apt  it  is ! " 
 
 '''March  12. — Oh  for  activity,  activity,  activity!" 
 
 "  March  29. — To-day  my  second  session  (at  the  Divinity  Hail) 
 ends.  I  am  now  in  the  middle  of  my  career.  God  hold  me  on 
 with  a  steady  pace!" 
 
 "  March  31. — The  bull  tosses  in  the  net !  How  should  the  Chris- 
 tian imitate  the  anxieties  of  the  worldling ! " 
 
 April  17. — He  heard  of  the  death  of  one  whom  many  friends  had 
 esteemed  much  and  lamented  deeply.  This  led  him  to  touch  the 
 strings  of  his  harp  again,  in  a  measure  somewhat  irregular,  yet  sad 
 and  sweet. 
 
 "  WE    ALL    DO    FADE    AS    A    LEAF. 
 SHE  LIVED — 
 
 So  dying-like  and  frail, 
 That  evory  bitter  gale 
 Of  winter  seemed  to  blow- 
 Only  to  lay  her  low ! 
 She  lived  to  show  how  lie, 
 Who  stills  the  stormy  sea, 
 Can  overrule  the  winter's  powei-. 
 And  keep  alive  the  tiniest  flower — 
 Can  bear  the  young  lamb  in  his  arm? 
 And  shelter  it  from  death's  alarms. 
 
 SHE  DIED— 
 
 When  spring,  with  brightest  flowers, 
 Was  fresh'ning  all  the  bo^Ters. 
 The  linnet  sung  her  choicest  lay, 
 When  her  sweet  voice  was  hush'd  for  aye  I 
 'i'he  snowdrop  rose  above  the  groimd 
 When  she  beneath  her  pillow  found, 
 
 Both  cold,  and  white,  and  fair',  - 
 
 She,  fairest  of  the  fair, 
 
 She  died  to  teach  us  all 
 
 The  loveliest  must  f&ll. 
 
32  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  K.  3L  M^CHEiNE. 
 
 A  curse  is  written  on  the  brow 
 Of  beauty ;  and  the  lover's  vow 
 Cannot  retain  the  flitting  breath, 
 Nor  save  from  all-devouring  death. 
 
 SHE  LIVES— 
 
 The  spirit  left  the  earth ; 
 
 And  he  who  gave  her  birth 
 Has  called  her  to  his  dread  abode, 
 To  meet  her  Saviour  and  her  God. 
 
 She  lives,  to  tell  how  blest 
 
 Is  the  everlasting  rest 
 Of  those  who,  in  the  Lamb's  blood  laved, 
 Are  chosen,  sanctified,  and  saved ! 
 
 How  fearful  is  their  doom 
 
 Who  drop  Into  the  tomb 
 Without  a  covert  from  the  ire 
 Of  Him  who  is  consuming  fire  ! 
 
 SUE  SHALL  LIVE — 
 
 The  grave  shall  yield  his  prize, 
 
 "When,  from  the  rending  skies, 
 Christ  shall  with  shouting  angels  come 
 To  wake  the  slumberers  of  the  tomb. 
 
 And  many  more  shall  rise 
 
 Before  our  longing  eyes. 
 Oh!  may  we  all  together  meet, 
 Embracing  the  Eedeemer's  feet! 
 
 "  May  20.— General  Assembly.  The  motion  regarding  Chapels 
 of  Ease  lost  by  106  to  103.  Every  shock  of  the  ram  is  heavier 
 and  stronger,  till  all  shall  give  way." 
 
 "  June  4. — Evening  almost  lost.  Music  will  not  sanctify,  though 
 it  make  feminine  the  heart." 
 
 "  June  22. — Omissions  make  way  for  commissions.  Could  I  but 
 take  effective  warning !  A  world's  wealth  would  not  make  up  for 
 that  saying,  '  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  Advocate  with  the  Father.' 
 But  how  shall  we  that  are  dead  to  sin  live  any  longer  therein?" 
 
 ''  June  30.— Self-examination.  Why  is  a  missionary  hfe  so  often 
 an  object  of  my  thoughts  ?  Is  it  simply  for  the  love  I  bear  to  souls? 
 Then,  why  do  I  not  show  it  more  where  I  am?  Souls  are  as  pre- 
 cious here  as  in  l^urmah.  Does  the  romance  of  the  business  not 
 weigh  anything  with  me? — the  interest  and  esteem  I  would  carry 
 with  me? — the  nice  journals  and  letters  I  should  write  and  receive? 
 Why  would  I  so  much  rather  go  to  the  East  than  to  the  West 
 Indies  ?  Am  I  wholly  deceiving  my  own  heart ?  and  have  I  not  a 
 spark  of  true  missionary  zeal?  Lord,  give  me  to  understand  and 
 imitate  the  spirit  of  those  unearthly  words  of  thy  dear  Son  :  '  It  is 
 
JfEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  3S 
 
 enough  for  the  disciple  that  he  be  as  his  Master,  and  the  servant 
 as  his  Lord/  *  He  that  loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is 
 not  worthy  of  me.'     Gloria  in  excelsis  Deo  !^' 
 
 ^'-  Aug.  13. — Clear  conviction  of  sin  is  the  only  true  origin  of  de- 
 pendence on  another's  righteousness,  and  therefore  (strange  to 
 say !)  of  the  Christian's  peace  of  mind  and  cheerfulness." 
 
 "  Sept.  8. — Reading  Adams'  Private  I'houghts.  Oh  for  his  heart- 
 searching  humility !  Ah  me !  on  what  mountains  of  pride  must  I 
 be  wandering,  when  all  I  do  is  tinctured  with  the  very  sins  this 
 man  so  deplores ;  yet  where  are  my  wailings,  where  my  tears,  over 
 my  love  of  praise?" 
 
 "  Nov.  14. — Composition — a  pleasant  kind  of  labour.  I  fear  the 
 love  of  applause  or  effect  goes  a  great  way.  May  God  keep  me 
 from  preaching  myself  instead  of  Christ  crucified." 
 
 ''Jan.  15,  1834.— Heard  of  the  death  of  J.  S.,  off  the  Cape  of 
 Good  Hope.  0  God !  how  Thou  breakest  into  families !  Must 
 not  the  disease  be  dangerous,  when  a  tender-hearted  surgeon  cuts 
 deep  into  the  flesh  I  How  much  more  when  God  is  the  operator, 
 '  who  afflicteth  not /ro7/i  his  heart  [ui'D],  nor  grieveth  the  children 
 of  men  !'     Lara.  iii.  33." 
 
 "  Feb.  23,  Sabbath. — Rose  early  to  seek  God,  and  found  Him  whom 
 my  soul  loveth.  Who  would  not  rise  early  to  meet  such  company? 
 The  rains  are  over  and  gone.  They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy." 
 
 Feb.  24. — He  writes  a  letter  to  one  who,  he  feared,  was  only 
 sentimental,  and  not  really  under  a  sense  of  sin.  "  Is  it  possible, 
 think  you,  for  a  person  to  be  conceited  of  his  miseries  ?  May 
 there  not  be  a  deep  leaven  of  pride  in  telling  how  desolate  and  how 
 unfeeling  we  are? — in  brooding  over  our  unearthly  pains? — in  our 
 being  excluded  from  the  unsympathetic  world  ? — in  our  being  the 
 invalids  of  Christ's  hospital  ?"  He  had  himself  been  taught  by  the 
 Spirit  that  it  is  more  humbhng  for  us  to  take  what  grace  offers,  than 
 to  bewail  our  wants  and  worthlessness. 
 
 Two  days  after,  he  records,  with  thankful  astonishment,  that  for 
 the  first  time  in  his  life  he  had  been  blest  to  awaken  a  soul.  All 
 who  find  Christ  for  themselves  are  impelled,  by  the  holy  necessity 
 of  constraining  love,  to  seek  the  salvation  of  others.  Andrew 
 findeth  his  brother  Peter,  and  Philip  findeth  his  friend  Nathanael. 
 So  was  it  in  the  case  before  us.  He  no  sooner  knew  Christ's  right- 
 eousness as  his  own  covering,  than  he  longed  to  see  others  clothed 
 in  the  same  spotless  robe.  And  it  is  pecuKarly  interesting  to  read 
 the  feehngs  of  one  who  was  yet  to  be  blest  in  plucking  so  many  brands 
 from  the  fire,  when,  for  the  first  time,  he  saw  the  Lord  graciously 
 employing  him  in  this  more  than  angelic  work.     We  have  his  own 
 
 c 
 
34  ilKMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE. 
 
 testimony.  "i^eJ.  26.— After  sermon.  The  precious  tidings  that 
 a  soul  has  been  melted  down  by  the  grace  of  the  Saviour.  How 
 blessed  an  answer  to  prayer,  if  it  be  really  so !  '  Can  these  dry 
 bones  live  ?  Lord,  Thou  knowest.'  What  a  blended  thing  it  is  to 
 see  the  first  grievings  of  the  awakened  spirit,  when  it  cries,  '  I  can- 
 not see  myself  a  sinner  ;  I  cannot  pray,  for  my  vile  heart  wanders!' 
 It  has  refreshed  me  more  than  a  thousand  sermons.  I  know  not  how 
 to  tliank  and  admire  God  sufficiently  for  this  incipient  work.  Lord, 
 perfect  that  which  Thou  hast  begun  !  "  A  few  days  after  :  "  Lord, 
 I  thank  Thee  that  Thou  hast  shown  me  this  marvellous  working, 
 tliou,<?h  I  was  but  an  adoring  spectator  rather  than  an  instrument." 
 
 It  is  scarcely  less  interesting,  in  the  case  of  one  so  gifted  for  the 
 work  of  visiting  the  careless,  and  so  singularly  skilled  in  ministering 
 the  word  by  the  bedside  of  the  dying,  to  find  a  record  of  the  occa- 
 sion when  the  Lord  led  him  forth  to  take  his  first  survey  of  this 
 field  of  labour.  There  existed  at  that  time,  among  some  of  the 
 students  attending  the  Divinity  Hall,  a  society,  the  sole  object  of 
 which  was  to  stir  up  each  other  to  set  apart  an  hour  or  two  every 
 week  for  visiting  the  careless  and  needy  in  the  most  neglected  por- 
 tions of  the  town.  Our  rule  was,  not  to  subtract  anything  from 
 our  times  of  study,  but  to  devote  to  this  work  an  occasional  hour 
 in  the  intervals  between  different  classes,  or  an  hour  that  might 
 otherwise  have  been  given  to  recreation.  All  of  us  felt  the  work 
 to  be  trying  to  the  flesh  at  the  outset ;  but  none  ever  repented  of 
 persevering  in  it.  One  Saturday  forenoon,  at  the  close  of  the  usual 
 prayer-meeting,  which  met  in  Dr  Chalmers'  vestry,  we  went  up 
 together  to  a  district  in  the  Castle  Hill.  It  was  Robert's  first  near 
 view  of  the  heathenism  of  his  native  city,  and  the  effect  was  enduring. 
 
 "  March  3. — Acoompanied  A.  B.  in  one  of  bis  rounds  through 
 some  of  the  most  miserable  habitations  I  ever  beheld.  Such  scenes 
 I  never  before  dreamed  of.  Ah !  why  am  I  such  a  stranger  to  the 
 poor  of  my  native  town  ?  I  have  passed  their  doors  thousands  of 
 times  ;  I  have  admired  the  huge  black  piles  of  building,  with  their 
 lofty  chimneys  breaking  the  sun's  rays, — why  have  I  never  ventured 
 within  ?  How  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  me  ?  How  cordial  is 
 the  welcome  even  of  the  poorest  and  most  loathsome  to  the  voice 
 of  Christian  sympathy  !  What  imbedded  masses  of  human  beings 
 are  huddled  together,  unvisited  by  friend  or  minister  !  '  No  man 
 careth  for  our  souls'  is  written  over  every  forehead.  Awake,  my 
 soul !  Why  should  I  give  hours  and  days  any  longer  to  the  vain 
 world,  when  there  is  such  a  world  of  misery  at  my  very  door  ? 
 Lord,  put  thine  own  strength  in  me ;  confirm  every  good  resolu- 
 tion  ;  forgive  my  past  long  life  of  uselessness  and  folly." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  35 
 
 He  forthwith  became  one  of  the  society's  most  steady  members, 
 cultivating  a  district  in  the  Canongate,  teaching  a  Sabbath  school, 
 and  distributing  the  Monthly  Visitor,  along  with  Mr  Somerville. 
 His  experience  there  was  fitted  to  give  him  insight  into  the  sinner's 
 depravity  in  all  its  forms.  His  first  visit  in  his  district  is  thus 
 noticed  :  "  March  24. — Visited  two  families  with  tolerable  success. 
 God  grant  a  blessing  may  go  with  us !  Began  in  fear  and  weak- 
 ness^ and  in  much  trembling.  May  the  power  be  of  God."  Soon 
 after,  he  narrates  the  followins;  scene : — "  Entered  the  house  of 
 
 .     Heard  her  swearing  as  I  came  up  the  stair.     Found  her 
 
 storming  at  three  little  grandchildren,  whom  her  daughter  had  left 
 with  her.  She  is  a  seared,  hard-hearted  wretch.  Read  Ezekiel 
 xxxiii.  Interrupted  by  the  entrance  of  her  second  daughter, 
 furiously  demanding  her  marriage  lines.  Became  more  discreet. 
 Promised  to  come  back — never  came.  Her  father-in-law  entered, 
 a  hideous  spectacle  of  an  aged  drunkard,  demanding  money.  Left 
 the  house  with  warnings."  Another  case  he  particularly  mentions 
 of  a  sick  woman,  who,  though  careless  before,  suddenly  seemed  to 
 float  into  a  sea  of  joy,  without  being  able  to  give  any  scriptural 
 account  of  the  change.  She  continued,  I  believe,  to  her  death  in 
 this  state ;  but  he  feared  it  was  a  subtile  delusion  of  Satan  as  an 
 angel  of  light.  One  soul,  however,  was,  to  all  appearance,  brought 
 truly  to  the  Rock  of  Ages  during  his  and  his  friend's  prayerful 
 visitations.     These  were  first-fruits. 
 
 He  continues  his  diary,  though  often  considerable  intervals  occur 
 in  the  register  of  his  spiritual  state. 
 
 "Jfa;y9. — How  kindly  has  God  thwarted  me  in  every  instance 
 where  I  sought  to  enslave  myself !  I  will  learn  at  least  to  glory 
 iu  disappointments." 
 
 "  May  10. — At  the  Communion.  Felt  less  use  for  the  minister 
 than  ever.  Let  the  Master  of  the  feast  alone  speak  to  my  heart." 
 He  felt  at  such  times,  as  many  of  the  Lord's  people  have  always 
 done,  that  it  is  not  the  addresses  of  the  ministers  in  serving  the  table, 
 ]jut  the  Supper  itself,  that  ought  to  "satiate  their  souls  with  fatness." 
 
 May  21. — It  is  affecting  to  us  to  read  the  following  entry: — 
 "  This  day  I  attained  my  twenty-first  year.  Oh!  how  long  and  how 
 worthlessly  I  have  lived,  Thou  only  knowest.  Neff  died  in  his 
 thirty-first  year  ;  when  shall  I  ?"^ 
 
 May  29. — He  this  day  wrote  very  faithfully,  yet  very  kindly,  to 
 one  who  seemed  to  him  not  a  believer,  and  who  nevertheless  appro- 
 priated to  herself  the  promises  of  God.     "  If  you  are  wholly  unas- 
 
 ^  It  is  worthy  of  notice  how  often  the  Lord  has  done  much  work  by  a  few  yeai.; 
 of  holy  labour.     In  our  OhiArch,  G.  Gillespie  and  J.  Durham  died  at  thirty-six 
 
36  MEMOUi  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 sured  of  your  being  a  believer,  is  it  not  a  contradiction  in  terms  to 
 say,  that  you  are  sure  the  believers'  promises  belong  to  you  ?  Are 
 you  an  assw^ed  believer?  If  so,  rejoice  in  your  heirship;  and  yet 
 rejoice  with  trembling ;  for  that  is  the  very  character  of  God's 
 heirs.  But  are  you  unassured — nay,  wholly  unassured?  then  what 
 mad  presumption  to  say  to  your  soul,  that  these  promises,  being 
 in  the  Bible,  must  belong  indiscriminately  to  all !  It  is  too  gross 
 a  contradiction  for  you  to  compass,  except  in  word."  He  then 
 shows  that  Christ's  free  offer  must  be  accepted  by  the  sinner,  and 
 so  the  promises  become  his.  "  The  sinner  compHes  with  the  call  or 
 offer,  '  Come  unto  me ; '  and  thereafter,  but  not  before,  can  claim 
 the  annexed p-om?56  as  his  :  'I  will  give  thee  rest."* 
 
 '"'•  Aug.  14. — Partial  fast,  and  seeking  God's  face  by  prayer. 
 This  day  thirty  years,  my  late  dear  brother  was  born.  Oh  for  more 
 love,  and  then  will  come  more  peace!"  That  same  evening  he  wrote 
 the  hymn,  "  The  Barren  Fig-tree.'' 
 
 *'  Oct.  17. — Private  meditation  exchanged  for  conversation.  Here 
 is  the  root  of  the  evil, — forsake  God,  and  He  forsakes  us." 
 
 Some  evening  this  month  he  had  been  reading  Baxter's  Call  to 
 the  Unconverted.  Deeply  impressed  with  the  affectionate  and  awfully 
 solemn  urgency  of  the  man  of  God,  he  wrote — 
 
 Though  Baxter's  lips  have  long  in  silence  hung, 
 And  death  long  hush'd  that  sinner-wakening  tongue, 
 Yet  still,  though  dead,  he  speaks  aloud  to  all, 
 And  from  the  grave  still  issues  forth  his  "  Call:" 
 Like  some  loud  angel-voice  from  Zion  hill. 
 The  mighty  echo  rolls  and  rumbles  still. 
 Oh  grant  that  we,  when  sleeping  in  the  dust, 
 May  thus  speak  forth  the  wisdom  of  the  just ! 
 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  was  pecuharly  subject  to  attacks  of  fever,  and  by 
 one  of  these  was  he  laid  down  on  a  sick-bed  on  November  15th. 
 However,  this  attack  was  of  short  duration.  On  the  21st  he  writes : 
 "  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  forget  not  all  his  benefits. 
 Learned  more  and  more  of  the  value  of  Jehovah  Tzidkenu."  He 
 bad,  three  days  before,  written  his  well-known  hymn,  "  Zonae  was 
 a  stranger,"  etc.,  entitled  Jehovah  Tzidkenu,  the  Watchword  of  the 
 Reformers.  It  was  the  fruit  of  a  slight  illness  which  had  tried  his 
 Boul,  by  setting  it  more  immediately  in  view  of  the  judgment-seat 
 
 Hugh  Binniug  at  twenty-six;  Andrew  Gray  when  scarcely  at  twenty-two.  Of 
 our  witnesses,  l^atnck  Uamiltou  was  rut  off  at  twenty-four,  and  Hugh  M'Kail  at 
 twenty-six.  In  other  churches  wo  might  mention  many,  such  as  John  Janewav 
 at  twenty-throe,  David  Brainerd  at  thirty,  and  Henry  Martyn  at  thirty-two. 
 Theirs  was  a  short  life,  filled  up  with  usefulness,  and  crowned  with  jrlory.  Oh  to 
 De  as  they  I  °     •' 
 
MEMOIR  or  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  37 
 
 of  Cbrint ;  and  the  hymn  whicli  he  so  sweetly  sung  reveals  the  sure 
 and  solid  confidence  of  his  soul.  In  reference  to  that  same  illness, 
 he  seems  to  have  penned  the  following  lines,  November  24th  : — 
 
 He  tenderly  binds  up  the  broken  in  heart, 
 
 The  soul  bowed  down  He  will  raise  : 
 For  mourning,  the  ointment  of  joy  will  impart ; 
 
 For  heaviness,  garments  of  praise. 
 Ah,  come,  then,  and  sing  to  the  praise  of  our  God, 
 
 Who  giveth  and  taketh  away ; 
 Who  first  by  his  kindness,  and  then  by  his  rod. 
 
 Would  teach  us,  poor  sinners,  to  pray. 
 
 For  in  the  assembly  of  Jesus'  first-born, 
 
 Who  anthems  of  gratitude  raise, 
 Each  heart  has  by  great  tribulation  been  torn, 
 
 Each  voice  turned  from  wailing  to  praise. 
 
 "  Nov.  9. — Heard  of  Edward  Irving's  death.  I  look  back  upon 
 him  with  awe,  as  on  the  saints  and  martyrs  of  old.  A  holy  man 
 in  spite  of  all  his  delusions  and  errors.  He  is  now  with  his  God  and 
 Saviour,  whom  he  wronged  so  much,  yet,  I  am  persauded,  loved  so 
 sincerely.  How  should  we  lean  for  wisdom,  not  on  ourselves,  but 
 on  the  God  of  all  grace ! " 
 
 ^^  Nov.  21. — If  nothing  else  will  do  to  sever  me  from  my  sins. 
 Lord  send  me  such  sore  and  trying  calamities  as  shall  awake  me 
 from  earthly  slumbers.  It  must  always  be  best  to  be  alive  to  Thee, 
 whatever  be  the  quickening  instrument.  I  tremble  as  I  write,  for 
 oh !  on  every  hand  do  I  see  too  likely  occasions  for  sore  afflictions.'* 
 
 "Fe6.  15,  1835. — To-morrow  I  undergo  my  trials  before  the 
 Presbytery.  May  God  give  me  courage  in  the  hour  of  need.  What 
 should  I  fear?  If  God  see  meet  to  put  me  into  the  ministry,  who 
 shall  keepme  back?  If  I  be  not  meet,  why  should  I  be  thrust  forward? 
 To  thy  service  I  desire  to  dedicate  myself  over  and  over  again." 
 
 "  March  1. — Bodily  service.  What  change  is  there  in  the  heart! 
 Wild,  earthly  affections  there  are  here ;  strong,  coarse  passions ; 
 bands  both  of  iron  and  silk.  But  I  thank  Thee,  O  my  God,  that 
 they  make  me  cry,  'Oh  wretched  man  !'  Bodily  weakness,  too,  de- 
 presses me." 
 
 "  March29. — College  finished  on  Friday  last.  My  last  appearance 
 there.     Life  itself  is  vanishing  fast.     Mako  haste  for  eternity." 
 
 In  such  records  as  these,  we  read  God's  dealings  with  his  soul  up 
 to  the  time  when  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel.  His  pre- 
 paratory discipline,  both  of  heart  and  of  intellect,  had  been  directed 
 by  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  in  a  way  that  remarkably  quali- 
 fied him  for  the  work  he  was  to  perform  in  the  vineyard. 
 
38  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 His  soul  was  prepared  for  the  awful  work  of  the  ministry  by 
 much  prayer,  and  much  study  of  the  word  of  God ;  by  affliction  in 
 his  person ;  by  inward  trials  and  sore  temptations  ;  by  experience 
 of  the  depth  of  corruption  in  his  own  heart,  and  by  discoveries  of 
 the  Saviour's  fulness  of  grace.  He  learnt  experimentally  to  ask, 
 "  Who  is  he  that  overcometh  the  world,  but  he  that  believeth  that 
 Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God  ?  "  1  John  v.  5.  During  the  four  years 
 that  followed  his  awakening,  he  was  oftentimes  under  the  many 
 waters,  but  was  ever  raised  again  by  the  same  divine  hand  that  had 
 drawn  him  out  at  the  first;  till  at  length,  though  still  often  violently 
 tossed,  the  vessel  was  able  steadily  to  keep  the  summit  of  the  wave. 
 It  appears  that  he  learnt  the  way  of  salvation  experimentally,  ere 
 he  knew  it  accurately  by  theory  and  system ;  and  thus  no  doubt  it 
 was  that  his  whole  ministry  was  little  else  than  a  giving  out  of  his 
 own  inward  Hfe. 
 
 The  Visiting  Society  noticed  above  was  much  blessed  to  the  cul- 
 ture of  his  soul,  and  not  less  so  the  Missionary  Association  and  the 
 Prayer  Meeting  connected  with  it.  None  were  more  regular  at  the 
 hour  of  prayer  than  he,  and  none  more  frequently  led  up  our  praises 
 to  the  throne.  He  was  for  some  time  Secretary  to  the  Association, 
 and  interested  himself  deeply  in  details  of  missionary  labours.  In- 
 deed, to  the  last  day  of  his  life,  his  thoughts  often  turned  to  foreign 
 lands ;  and  one  of  the  last  notes  he  wrote  was  to  the  Secretary  of 
 the  Association  in  Edinburgh,  expressing  his  unabated  interest  in 
 their  prosperity. 
 
 During  the  first  years  of  his  college  course,  his  studies  did  not 
 absorb  his  whole  attention  ;  but  no  sooner  was  the  change  on  his 
 soul  begun,  than  his  studies  shared  in  the  results.  A  deeper  sense 
 of  responsibility  led  him  to  occupy  his  talents  for  the  service  of  Him 
 who  bestowed  them.  There  have  been  few  who,  along  with  a  de- 
 votedness  of  spirit  that  sought  to  be  ever  directly  engaged  in  the 
 Lord's  work,  have  nevertheless  retained  such  continued  and  undecay- 
 ing  esteem  for  the  advantages  of  study.  While  attending  the  usual 
 literary  and  philosophical  classes,  he  found  time  to  tur^  his  attention 
 to  Geology  and  Natural  History.  And  often  in  his  days  of  most 
 successful  preaching,  when,  next  to  his  own  soul,  his  parish  and  his 
 flock  were  his  only  care,  he  has  been  known  to  express  a  regret 
 that  he  had  not  laid  up  in  former  days  more  stores  of  all  useful 
 knowledge ;  for  lie  found  himself  able  to  use  the  jewels  of  the 
 Egyptians  in  the  service  of  Christ.  His  previous  studies  would 
 sometimes  fiash  into  his  mind  some  happy  illustration  of  divine 
 truth,  at  the  very  moment  when  he  was  most  solemnly  applyino-  the 
 glorious  gospel  to  the  most  ignorant  and  vile. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CIIEYNE.  39 
 
 His  own  words  will  best  show  his  estimate  of  study,  and  at  the 
 same  time  the  prayerful  manner  in  which  he  felt  it  should  be  carried 
 on.  "  Do  get  on  with  your  studies,"  he  wrote  to  a  young  student 
 in  1840.  "  Remember  you  are  now  forming  the  character  of  your 
 future  ministry  in  great  measure,  if  God  spare  you.  If  you  acquire 
 slovenly  or  sleepy  habits  of  study  now,  you  will  never  get  the  better 
 of  it.  Do  everything  in  its  own  time.  Do  everything  in  earnest ; 
 if  it  is  worth  doing,  then  do  it  with  all  your  might.  Above  all, 
 keep  much  in  the  presence  of  God.  Never  see  the  face  of  man  till 
 you  have  seen  his  face  who  is  our  life,  our  all.  Pray  for  others  ; 
 pray  for  your  teachers,  fellow-students,"  etc.  To  another  he  wrote : 
 "  Beware  of  the  atmosphere  of  the  classics.  It  is  pernicious 
 indeed  ;  and  you  need  much  of  the  south  wind  breathing  over  the 
 Scriptures  to  counteract  it.  True,  we  ought  to  know  them  ;  but 
 only  as  chemists  handle  poisons — to  discover  their  qualities,  not  to 
 infect  their  blood  with  them."  And  again  :  "Pray  that  the  Holy 
 Spirit  would  not  only  make  you  a  believing  and  holy  lad,  but  make 
 you  wise  in  your  studies  also.  A  ray  of  divine  light  in  the  soul 
 sometimes  clears  up  a  mathematical  problem  wonderfully.  The 
 smile  of  God  calms  the  spirit,  and  the  left  hand  of  Jesus  holds  up 
 the  fainting  head,  and  his  Holy  Spirit  quickens  the  affection,  so 
 that  even  natural  studies  go  on  a  million  times  more  easily  and 
 comfortably." 
 
 Before  entering  the  Divinity  Hall,  he  had  attended  a  private 
 class  for  the  study  of  Hebrew ;  and  having  afterwards  attended 
 the  two  sessions  of  Dr  Brunton's  college  class,  he  made  much  pro- 
 gress in  that  language.  He  could  consult  the  Hebrew  original  of 
 the  Old  Testament  with  as  much  ease  as  most  of  our  ministers  are 
 able  to  consult  the  Greek  of  the  New. 
 
 It  was  about  the  time  of  his  first  year's  attendance  at  the  Hall 
 that  I  began  to  know  him  as  an  intimate  friend.  During  the  sum- 
 mer vacations, — that  we  might  redeem  the  time, — some  of  us  who 
 remained  in  town,  when  most  of  our  fellow-students  were  gone  to 
 the  country,  used  to  meet  once  every  week  in  the  forenoon,  for  the 
 ])urpose  of  investigating  some  point  of  Systematic  Divinity^  and 
 stating  to  each  other  the  amount  and  result  of  our  private  reading. 
 At  another  time  we  met  in  a  similar  way,  till  we  had  overtaken 
 the  chief  points  of  the  Popish  controversy.  Advancement  in  our 
 acquaintance  with  the  Greek  and  Hebrew  Scriptures  also  brought 
 us  together ;  and  one  summer  the  study  of  Unfulfilled  Prophecy 
 assembled  a  few  of  us  once  a  week,  at  an  early  morning  hour,  when, 
 though  our  views  differed  much  on  particular  points,  we  never 
 failed  to  get  food  to  our  souls  in  the  Scriptures  we  explored.     But 
 
40  MoroiR  OF  THE  rev.  r.  m.  m'cheyne. 
 
 no  society  of  this  kind  was  more  useful  and  pleasant  to  us  than  one 
 which,  from  its  object,  received  the  name  of  Exegetical.  It  met 
 during  the  session  of  the  Theological  classes  every  Saturday  morn- 
 ing at  half-past  six.  The  study  of  Biblical  criticism,  and  whatever 
 might  cast  hght  on  the  word  of  God,  was  our  aim  ;  and  these 
 meetings  were  kept  up  regularly  during  four  sessions.  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  spoke  of  himself  as  indebted  to  this  society  for  much 
 of  that  discipline  of  mind  on  Jewish  Hterature  and  Scripture 
 geography  which  was  found  to  be  so  useful  in  the  Mission  of 
 Inquiry  to  the  Jews  in  after  days.^ 
 
 But  these  helps  in  study  were  all  the  while  no  more  than  sup- 
 plementary. The  regular  systematic  studies  of  the  Hall  furnished 
 the  main  provision  for  his  mental  culture.  Under  Dr  Chalmers  for 
 Divinity,  and  under  Dr  Welsh  for  Church  History,  a  course  of  four 
 years  afforded  no  ordinary  advantages  for  enlarging  the  under- 
 standing. New  fields  of  thought  were  daily  opened  up.  His  notes 
 and  his  diary  testify  that  he  endeavoured  to  retain  what  he  heard, 
 and  that  he  used  to  read  as  much  of  the  books  recommended  by 
 the  professors  as  his  time  enabled  him  to  overtake.  Many  years 
 after,  he  thankfully  called  to  mind  lessons  that  had  been  taught 
 in  these  classes.     Riding    one  day  with  Mr  Hamilton   (now    of 
 
 '  The  members  of  this  Society  were — Eev.  William  Laugldon,  now  Minister  of 
 St  Thomas's,  Greenock,  in  connection  with  the  Free  Church  ;  Thomas  Broivn, 
 Free  Church,  Kinneff ;  William  Wilson,  Free  Church,  Carmyllie  ;  Horatius  Bonar., 
 Free  Church,  Kelso  ;  Andrew  A.  Bonar^  Free  Church,  Cohace;  Robert  M.  M'-Cheyne ; 
 Alexander  Somerville,  Free  Church,  Andcrston,  Glasgow;  John  Thomson,  Mariners' 
 Free  Church,  Leith  ;  Robert  K.  Hamilton,  Madras ;  John  Burne,  for  some  time  at 
 Madeira;  Patrick  Borrowman,  Free  Church,  Glencairn;  Walter  Wood,  Free  Church 
 "Westruther;  Henry  M oner iejf,  Free  Church,  Kilbride;  James  Cochrane,  Estab- 
 lished Church,  Cupar;  John  Miller,  Secretary  to  Free  Church  Special  Commission  ; 
 G.  Smeaton,  Free  Church,  Auchterarder ;  Robert  Kinnear,  Free  Church,  Moffat ; 
 and  W.  B.  Clarke,  Free  Church,  Ilalf-Morton.  Every  meeting  was  opened  and 
 closed  with  prayer.  Minutes  of  the  discussions  were  Icept ;  and  the  essays  read 
 were  preserved  in  volumes.  A  very  characteristic  essay  of  Mr  M'Cheyne's  is 
 "Lebanon  and  its  Scenery"  (inserted  in  the  Remains),  wherein  he  adduces  the 
 evidence  of  travellers  for  facts  and  customs  which  he  himself  was  afterwards  to 
 see.  Often,  in  1839,  pleasant  remembrances  of  these  days  of  youthful  study  were 
 suggested  by  what  we  actually  witnessed ;  and  in  the  essay  referred  to  I  find  an 
 interesting  coincidence.  He  writes  :  "  What  a  refreshing  sight  to  his  eye,  yet 
 Tindimmcd  with  age,  after  resting  forty  years  on  the  monotonous  scenery  of  the 
 desert,  now  to  rest  on  Zion's  olive-clad  hills,  and  Lebanon,  with  its  vine-clad  base 
 and  overhanging  forests,  and  towei-ing  peaks  of  snow!"  This  was  the  very  impres- 
 sion on  our  minds  when  we  ourselves  came  up  from  the  wilderness  as  expressed 
 in  the  Narrative,  chap.  ii. — "  May  29.  Next  morning  we  saw  at  a  distance  a  range 
 of  hills,  running  north  and  south,  called  by  the  Arabs  Djehel  Khalie.  After  wander- 
 ing so  many  days  in  the  wilderness,  with  its  vast  monotonous  plains  of  level  sand, 
 the  sight  of  these  distant  mountains  was  a  pleasant  relief  to  the  eye ;  and  we 
 thought  wo  could  understand  a  little  of  the  feeling  with  which  Moses,  after  being 
 fortv  years  in  the  desert,  would  pray,  'I  pray  Thee  let  me  go  over,'"  Doi;i. 
 iil.  26. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  41 
 
 Regent  Square,  London)  from  Abernyte  to  Dundee,  they  were  led 
 to  speak  of  the  best  mode  of  dividing  a  sermon.  "  I  used,"  said  he, 
 "  to  despise  Dr  Welsh's  rules  at  the  time  I  heard  him ;  but  now  1 
 feel  I  must  me  them,  for  nothing  is  more  needful  for  making  a  ser- 
 mon memorable  and  impressive  than  a  logical  arrangement." 
 
 His  intellectual  powers  were  of  a  high  order  :  clear  and  distinct 
 apprehension  of  his  subject,  and  felicitous  illustration,  charac- 
 terized him  among  all  his  companions.  To  an  eager  desire  for 
 wide  acquaintance  with  truth  in  all  its  departments,  and  a  memory 
 strong  and  accurate  in  retaining  what  he  found,  there  was  added  a 
 remarkable  candour  in  examining  what  claimed  to  be  the  truth. 
 He  had  also  an  ingenious  and  enterprising  mind — a  mind  that 
 could  carry  out  what  w^as  suggested,  when  it  did  not  strike  out 
 new  light  for  itself.  He  possessed  great  powers  of  analysis  ;  often 
 his  judgment  discovered  singular  discrimination.  His  imagination 
 seldom  sought  out  objects  of  grandeur;  for,  as  a  friend  has  truly  said 
 of  him,  "  he  had  a  kind  and  quiet  eye,  which  found  out  the  living 
 and  beautiful  in  nature,  rather  than  the  majestic  and  sublime." 
 
 He  might  have  risen  to  high  eminence  in  the  circles  of  taste  and 
 literature,  but  denied  himself  all  such  hopes,  that  he  might  win 
 souls.  With  such  peculiar  talents  as  he  possessed,  his  ministry 
 might  have,  in  any  circumstances,  attracted  many ;  but  these 
 attractions  were  all  made  subsidiary  to  the  single  desire  of  awaken- 
 ing the  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins.  Nor  would  he  have  expected 
 to  be  blessed  to  the  salvation  of  souls  unless  he  had  himself  been  a 
 monument  of  sovereign  grace.  In  his  esteem,  "^o  he  in  Christ 
 before  being  in  the  ministry^'  was  a  thing  indispensable.  He  often 
 pointed  to  those  solemn  words  of  Jeremiah  (xxiii.  21) :  "  /  have  not 
 sent  these  prophets,  yet  thei/  ran ;  I  have  not  spoken  to  them,  yet  they 
 prophesied.  But  if  they  had  stood  in  my  counsel,  cind  caused  my 
 people  to  hear  my  icords,  then  they  shoidd  have  turned  them  from  their 
 evil  way,  and  from  the  evil  of  their  doings." 
 
 It  was  with  faith  already  in  his  heart  that  he  went  forward  to 
 the  holy  office  of  the  ministry,  receiving  from  his  Lord  the  rod  by 
 which  he  was  to  do  signs,  and  which,  when  it  had  opened  rocks 
 and  made  waters  gush  out,  he  never  failed  to  replace  upon  the  ark 
 whence  it  was  taken,  giving  glory  to  God  !  He  knew  not  the  way 
 by  which  God  was  leading  him  ;  but  even  then  he  was  under  the 
 guidance  of  the  pillar-cloud.  At  this  very  period  he  wrote  that 
 hymn.  They  sing  the  song  of  Moses.  His  course  was  then  about  to 
 begin ;  but  now  that  it  has  ended,  we  can  look  back  and  plainly 
 aee  that  the  faith  he  therein  expressed  was  not  in  vain. 
 
CHAPTER   II. 
 
 ei8   LABOURS   IN   THE   VINEYARD   BEFORE    ORDINATION. 
 
 "  lie  that  goeth  forth  and  weepetli,  bearing  precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  corns 
 again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves  with  him." — Ps.  cxxvi.  6. 
 
 While  he  was  still  only  undergoing  a  student's  usual  examinations 
 before  the  Presbytery,  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1835,  several 
 appHcations  were  made  to  him  by  ministers  in  the  Church,  who 
 desired  to  secure  his  services  for  their  part  of  the  vineyard.  He 
 was  especially  urged  to  consider  the  field  of  labour  at  Larbert  and 
 Dunipace,  near  Stirling,  under  Mr  John  Bonar,  the  pastor  of, 
 these  united  parishes.  This  circumstance  led  him  (as  is  often  done 
 in  such  cases)  to  ask  the  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  under  whose 
 superintendence  he  had  hitherto  carried  on  his  studies,  to  transfer 
 the  remainder  of  his  public  trials  to  another  Presbytery,  where 
 there  would  be  less  press  of  business  to  occasion  delay.  Thi? 
 request  being  readily  granted,  his  connection  with  Dumfriesshire 
 led  him  to  the  Presbytery  of  Annan,  who  licensed  him  to  preach 
 the  gospel  on  1st  July  1835.  His  feelings  at  the  moment  appear 
 from  a  record  of  his  own  in  the  evening  of  the  day :  "  Preached 
 three  probationary  discourses  in  Annan  Church,  and,  after  an  exa- 
 mination in  Hebrew,  was  solemnly  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel 
 by  Mr  Monylaws,  the  moderator.  '  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul ; 
 and  all  that  is  within  me,  be  stirred  up  to  praise  and  magnify  his 
 holy  name!'  What  I  have  so  long  desired  as  the  highest  honour 
 of  man,  Thou  at  length  givest  me — me  who  dare  scarcely  use 
 the  words  of  Paul :  '  Unto  me  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all 
 saints  is  this  grace  given,  that  I  should  preach  the  unsearchable 
 riches  of  Christ.'  Felt  somewhat  solemnized,  though  unable  to 
 feel  my  unworthiness  as  I  ought.     Be  clothed  with  humility." 
 
 An  event  occurred  the  week  before  which  cast  a  solemnizing 
 influence  on  him,  and  on  his  after  fellow-traveller  and  brother  in 
 the  gospel,  who  was  licensed  by  another  Presbytery  that  same 
 day.  This  event  was  the  lamented  death  of  the  Rev.  John  Brown 
 Patterson  of  Falkirk — one  whom  the  Lord  had  gifted  with  pre- 
 eminent eloquence  and  learning,  and  who  was  using  all  for  his 
 Lord,   when  cut  ofT  by  fever.     He  had  spoken  much  before  his 
 
 4) 
 
JIEMOm  OF  THE  REV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  43 
 
 death  of  the  awfulness  of  a  pastor's  charge,  and  his  early  death 
 sent  home  the  lesson  to  many,  with  the  warning  that  the  pastor's 
 account  of  sonls  might  be  suddenly  required  of  him. 
 
 On  the  following  Sabbath,  Mr  M'Cheyne  preached  for  the 
 first  time  in  Ruthwell  Church,  near  Dumfries,  on  "the  Pool  of 
 Bethesda ; "  and  in  the  afternoon  on  "  the  Strait  Gate."  He 
 writes  that  evening  in  his  diary :  "  Found  it  a  more  awfully 
 solemn  thing  than  I  had  imagined  to  announce  Christ  authorita- 
 tively ;  yet  a  glorious  privilege  ! "  The  week  after  (Saturday, 
 July  11):  "Lord,  put  me  into  thy  service  when  and  where  Thou 
 pleasest.  In  thy  hand  all  my  qualities  will  be  put  to  their  appro- 
 priate end.  Let  me,  then,  have  no  anxieties."  Next  day,  also, 
 after  preaching  in  St  John's  Church,  Leith :  "  Remembered,  before 
 going  into  the  pulpit,  the  confession  which  says,^  '  We  have  been 
 more  anxious  about  the  messenger  than  the  message.' "  In 
 preaching  that  day,  he  states,  "  It  came  across  me  in  the  pulpit, 
 that  if  spared  to  be  a  minister,  I  might  enjoy  sweet  flashes  of 
 communion  with  God  in  that  situation.  The  mind  is  entirely 
 wrought  up  to  speak  for  God.  It  is  possible,  then,  that  more 
 vivid  acts  of  faith  may  be  gone  through  then,  than  in  quieter  and 
 sleepier  moments." 
 
 It  was  not  till  the  7th  of  November  that  he  began  his  labours 
 at  Larbert.  In  the  interval  he  preached  in  various  places,  and 
 many  began  to  perceive  the  peculiar  sweetness  of  the  word  in  his 
 lips.  In  accepting  the  invitation  to  labour  in  the  sphere  proposed, 
 he  wrote :  "It  has  always  been  my  aim,  and  it  is  my  prayer,  to 
 have  no  plans  with  regard  to  myself,  well  assured  as  I  am,  that 
 the  place  where  the  Saviour  sees  meet  to  place  me  must  ever  be 
 the  best  place  for  me." 
 
 The  parish  to  which  he  had  come  was  very  large,  containing  six 
 thousand  souls.  The  parish  church  is  at  Larbert ;  but  through 
 the  exertions  of  Mr  Bonar,  many  years  ago,  a  second  church  was 
 erected  for  the  people  of  Dunipace.  Mr  Hanna,  afterwards 
 minister  of  Skirling,  had  preceded  Mr  M'Cheyne  in  the  duties  of 
 assistant  in  his  field  of  labour  ;  and  Mr  M'Cheyne  now  entered  on 
 it  with  a  fully  devoted  and  zealous  heart,  although  in  a  weak  state 
 of  health.  As  assistant,  it  was  his  part  to  preach  every  alternate 
 Sabbath  at  Larbert  and  Dunipace,  and  during  the  week  to  visit 
 among  the  population  of  both  these  districts,  according  as  he  felt 
 himself  enabled  in  body  and  soul.     There  was  a  marked  difference 
 
 *  He  here  refers  to  the  Full  and  Candid  Acknowledgment  of  Sin,  for  Studeate 
 and  Ministers,  drawn  np  by  the  Commission  of  Assembly  in  1651,  and  often  re- 
 printed since. 
 
44  MEMOIR  OF  THE  KEY.  R.  M.  .^I'CHEYXE. 
 
 between  tlie  two  districts  in  their  general  features  of  character ; 
 but  equal  labour  was  bestowed  on  both  by  the  minister  and  his 
 assistant ;  and  often  did  their  prayer  ascend  that  the  windows  of 
 heaven  might  be  opened  over  the  two  sanctuaries.  Souls  have 
 been  saved  there.  Often,  however,  did  the  faithful  pastor  mingle 
 his  tears  with  those  of  his  younger  fellow-soldier,  complaining, 
 "  Lord,  who  hath  believed  our  report  ?  "  There  was  much  sowing 
 in  faith ;  nor  was  this  sowing  abandoned  even  when  the  returns 
 seemed  most  inadequate. 
 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  had  great  delight  in  remembering  that  Larbert 
 was  one  of  the  places  where,  in  other  days,  that  holy  man  of  God, 
 Robert  Bruce,  had  laboured  and  prayed.  Writing  at  an  after 
 period  from  the  Holy  Land,  he  expressed  the  wish,  "■'  May  the 
 Spirit  be  poured  upon  Larbert  as  in  Bruce's  days."  But  more 
 than  all  associations,  the  souls  of  the  people,  whose  salvation  he 
 longed  for,  were  ever  present  to  his  mind.  A  letter  to  Mr  Bonar, 
 in  1837,  from  Dundee,  shows  us  his  yearnings  over  them.  "What 
 an  interest  I  feel  in  Larbert  and  Dunipace  !  It  is  like  the  land 
 of  my  birth.  Will  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  ever  rise  upon  it, 
 making  its  hills  and  valleys  bright  with  the  light  of  the  knowledge 
 of  Jesus?" 
 
 No  sooner  was  he  settled  in  his  chamber  here,  than  he  com- 
 menced his  work.  With  him,  the  commencement  of  all  labour 
 invariably  consisted  in  the  preparation  of  his  own  soul.  The 
 forerunner  of  each  day's  visitations  was  a  calm  season  of  private 
 devotion  during  morning  hours.  The  walls  of  his  chamber  were 
 witnesses  of  his  prayerfulness, — I  believe  of  his  tears  as  well  as  of 
 his  cries.  The  pleasant  sound  of  psalms  often  issued  from  his  room 
 at  an  early  hour.  Then  followed  the  reading  of  the  word  for  his 
 own  sanctification  ;  and  few  have  so  fully  realized  the  blessing  of 
 the  first  Psalm.  His  leaf  did  not  wither,  for  his  roots  were  in  the 
 waters.  It  was  here,  too,  that  he  began  to  study  so  closely  the  works 
 of  Jonathan  Edwards, — reckoning  them  a  mine  to  be  wrought,  and 
 if  wrought,  sure  to  repay  the  toil.  Along  with  this  author,  the 
 Letters  of  Samuel  Rutherford  were  often  in  his  hand.  Books  of 
 general  knowledge  he  occasionally  perused  ;  but  now  it  was  done 
 with  the  steady  purpose  of  finding  in  them  some  illustration  of 
 spiritual  truth.  He  rose  from  reading  Insect  Architecture,  with  the 
 observation,  "  God  reigns  in  a  community  of  ants  and  ichneu- 
 mons, as  visibly  as  among  living  men  or  mighty  seraphim  !" 
 
 His  desire  to  grow  in  acquaintance  with  Scripture  was  very 
 intense;  and  both  Old  and  New  Testament  were  his  regular  study. 
 He  loved  to  range  over  the  wide  mvclation  of  God.     "  He  would 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  KEY.  R.  M.  M'cHEYNE.  45 
 
 be  a  sorry  student  of  this  world,"  said  he  to  a  friend,  "  who  should 
 for  ever  confine  his  gaze  to  the  fruitful  fields  and  well-watered 
 gardens  of  this  cultivated  earth.  He  could  have  no  true  idea  of 
 what  the  world  was,  unless  he  had  stood  upon  the  rocks  of  our 
 mountains,  and  seen  the  bleak  muirs  and  mosses  of  our  barren 
 land ;  unless  he  had  paced  the  quarter-deck  when  the  vessel  was 
 out  of  sight  of  land,  and  seen  the  waste  of  waters  without  any  shore 
 upon  the  horizon.  Just  so,  he  would  be  a  sorry  student  of  the 
 Bible  who  would  not  know  all  that  God  has  inspired ;  who  would 
 not  examine  into  the  most  barren  chapters  to  collect  the  good  for 
 which  they  were  intended  ;  who  would  not  strive  to  understand  all 
 the  bloody  battles  which  are  chronicled,  that  he  might  find  '  bread 
 out  of  the  eater,  and  honey  out  of  the  lion.'" — (June  1836.) 
 
 His  anxiety  to  have  every  possible  help  to  holiness  led  him  to 
 notice  what  are  the  disadvantages  of  those  who  are  not  daily  stirred 
 up  by  the  fellowship  of  more  advanced  believers.  "  I  have  found, 
 by  some  experience,  that  in  the  country  here  my  watch  does  not  go 
 so  well  as  it  used  to  do  in  town.  By  small  and  gradual  changes 
 I  find  it  either  gains  or  loses,  and  I  am  surprised  to  find  myself 
 different  in  time  from  all  the  world,  and,  what  is  worse,  from  the 
 sun.  The  simple  explanation  is,  that  in  town  I  met  with  a  steeple 
 in  every  street,  and  a  good-going  clock  upon  it ;  and  so  any  aber- 
 rations in  my  watch  were  soon  noticed  and  easily  corrected.  And 
 just  so  I  sometimes  think  it  may  be  with  that  inner  watch,  whose 
 hands  point  not  to  time  but  to  eternity.  By  gradual  and  slow 
 changes  the  wheels  of  my  soul  lag  behind,  or  the  springs  of  pas- 
 sions become  too  powerful ;  and  I  have  no  living  timepiece  with 
 which  I  may  compare,  and  by  which  I  may  amend  my  going.  You 
 will  say  that  I  may  always  have  the  sun :  And  so  it  should  be ; 
 but  we  have  many  clouds  which  obscure  the  sun  from  our  weak 
 eyes." — {Letter  to  Rev.  H.  Bonar,  Kelso.) 
 
 From  the  first  he  fed  others  by  what  he  himself  was  feeding  upon. 
 His  preaching  was  in  a  manner  the  development  of  his  soul's  ex- 
 perience. It  was  a  giving  out  of  the  inward  life.  He  loved  to 
 come  up  from  the  pastures  wherein  the  Chief  Shepherd  had  met 
 him — to  lead  the  flock  entrusted  to  his  care  to  the  spots  where  he 
 found  nourishment. 
 
 In  the  field  of  his  labour  he  found  enough  of  work  to  overwhelm 
 his  spirit.  The  several  collieries  and  the  Carron  Ironworks  furnish 
 a  population  who  are,  for  the  most  part,  either  sunk  in  deep  in- 
 difference to  the  truth,  or  are  opposed  to  it  in  the  spirit  of  infidelity. 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  at  once  saw  that  the  pastor  whom  he  had  come  to 
 ftid,  whatever  was  the  measure  of  his  health,  and  zeal,  and  persever- 
 
46  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 duce,  had  duties  laid  on  him  which  were  altogether  beyond  the 
 power  of  man  to  overtake.  When  he  made  a  few  weeks'  trial,  the 
 field  appeared  more  boundless,  and  the  mass  of  souls  more  impene- 
 trable, than  he  had  ever  conceived. 
 
 It  was  probably,  in  some  degree,  his  experience  at  this  time  that 
 gave  him  such  deep  sympathy  with  the  Church  Extension  Scheme, 
 as  a  truly  noble  and  Christian  effort  for  bringing  the  glad  tidings 
 to  the  doors  of  a  population  who  must  otherwise  remain  neglected, 
 and  were  themselves  wiUing  so  to  live  and  die.  He  conveyed  his 
 impressions  on  this  subject  to  a  friend  abroad,  in  the  foUowuag 
 terms :  "  There  is  a  soul-destroying  cruelty  in  the  cold-hearted 
 opposition  which  is  made  to  the  multiplication  of  ministers  in  such 
 neglected  and  overgrown  districts  as  these.  If  one  of  our  Royal 
 Commissioners  would  but  consent  to  undergo  the .  bodily  fatigue 
 that  a  minister  ought  to  undergo  in  visiting  merely  the  sick  and 
 dying  of  Larbert  (let  alone  the  visitation  of  the  whole,  and  prepa- 
 ration for  the  pulpit),  and  that  for  one  month,  I  would  engage  that 
 if  he  be  able  to  rise  out  of  his  bed  by  the  end  of  it,  he  would  change 
 his  voice  and  manner  at  the  Commission  Board." 
 
 A  few  busy  weeks  passed  over,  occupied  from  morning  to  night 
 in  such  cares  and  toils,  when  another  part  of  the  discipline  he  was 
 to  undergo  was  sent.  In  the  end  of  December,  strong  oppression 
 of  the  heart  and  an  irritating  cough  caused  some  of  his  friends  to 
 fear  that  his  lungs  were  affected  ;  and  for  some  weeks  he  was  laid 
 aside  from  public  duty.  On  examination,  it  was  found  that  though 
 there  was  a  dulness  in  the  right  lung,  yet  the  material  of  the  lungs 
 was  not  affected.  For  a  time,  however,  the  air-vessels  were  so 
 clogged  and  irritated,  that  if  he  had  continued  to  preach,  disease 
 would  have  quickly  ensued.  But  this  also  was  soon  removed,  and, 
 under  cautious  management,  he  resumed  his  work. 
 
 This  temporary  illness  served  to  call  forth  the  extreme  sensitive- 
 ness of  his  soul  to  the  responsibihties  of  his  office.  At  its  com- 
 mencement— having  gone  to  Edinburgh  "  in  so  sweet  a  sunshine 
 morning  that  God  seemed  to  have  chosen  it  for  him" — he  wrote  to 
 Mr  Bonar :  "  If  I  am  not  recovered  before  the  third  Sabbath,  I 
 fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  bear  upon  my  conscience  the  responsi- 
 bility of  leaving  you  any  longer  to  labour  alone,  bearing  unaided 
 the  burden  of  6000  souls.  No,  my  dear  su-,  I  must  read  the  will 
 of  God  aright  in  his  providence,  and  give  way,  when  He  bids  me, 
 to  fresh  and  abler  workmen.  I  hope  and  pray  that  it  may  be  his 
 will  to  restore  me  again  to  you  and  your  parish,  with  a  heart  tutored 
 by  sickness,  to  speak  more  and  more  as  dying  to  dying."  Then 
 mentioniug  two  of  the  sick  :  *'  Poor  A.  D.  and  C.  H.,  I  often  think 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  47 
 
 of  them.     I  can  do  no  more  for  their  good,  except  pray  for  them. 
 Tell  them  that  I  do  this  without  ceasing." 
 
 The  days  when  a  holy  pastor,  who  knows  the  blood-sprinkled 
 way  to  the  Father,  is  laid  aside,  are  probably  as  much  a  proof  of 
 the  kindness  of  God  to  his  flock  as  days  of  health  and  activity. 
 He  is  occupied,  during  this  season  of  retirement,  in  discovering  the 
 plagues  of  his  heart,  and  in  going  in,  like  Moses,  to  plead  with  God 
 face  to  face  for  his  flock,  and  for  his  own  soul.  Mr  M'Cheyne 
 believed  that  God  had  this  end  in  view  with  him ;  and  that  the 
 Lord  should  thus  deal  with  him  at  his  entrance  into  the  vineyard 
 made  him  ponder  these  dealings  the  more.  "  Paul  asked,"  says 
 he,  " '  What  wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do?'  and  it  was  answered,  '  I 
 will  show  him  what  great  things  he  must  suffer  for  my  name's 
 sake.'  Thus  it  may  be  with  me.  I  have  been  too  anxious  to  do 
 great  things.  The  lust  of  praise  has  ever  been  my  besetting  sin ; 
 and  what  more  befitting  school  could  be  found  for  me  than  that  of 
 suffering  alone,  away  from  the  eye  and  ear  of  man  ?  "  Writing  again 
 to  Mr  Bonar,  he  tells  him  :  "  I  feel  distinctly  that  the  whole  of  my 
 labour  during  this  season  of  sickness  and  pain  should  be  in  the 
 way  of  prayer  and  intercession.  And  yet,  so  strongly  does  Satan 
 work  in  our  deceitful  hearts,  I  scarcely  remember  a  season  wherein 
 I  have  been  more  averse  to  these  duties.  I  try  to  '  build  myself 
 up  in  my  most  holy  faith,  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  keeping  my- 
 self in  the  love  of  God,  and  looking  for  the  mercy  of  the  Lord 
 Jesus  unto  eternal  life.'  That  text  of  Jude  has  peculiar  beauties 
 for  me  at  this  season.  If  it  be  good  to  come  under  the  love  of  God 
 once,  surely  it  is  good  to  keep  ourselves  there.  And  yet  how 
 reluctant  we  are  !  I  cannot  doubt  that  boldness  is  offered  me  to 
 enter  into  the  holiest  of  all ;  I  cannot  doubt  my  right  and  title  to 
 enter  continually  by  the  new  and  bloody  way ;  I  cannot  doubt  that 
 when  I  do  enter  in,  I  stand  not  only  forgiven,  but  accepted  in  the 
 Beloved ;  I  cannot  doubt  that  when  I  do  enter  in,  the  Spirit  is 
 willing  and  ready  to  descend  like  a  dove,  to  dwell  in  my  bosom  as 
 a  Spirit  of  prayer  and  peace,  enabling  me  to  '  pray  in  the  Holy 
 Ghost ;'  and  that  Jesus  is  ready  to  rise  up  as  my  intercessor  with 
 the  Father,  praying  for  me  though  not  for  the  world  ;  and  that  the 
 prayer-hearing  God  is  ready  to  bend  his  ear  to  requests  which  He 
 dehghts  to  hear  and  answer.  I  cannot  doubt  that  thus  to  dwell 
 in  God  is  the  true  blessedness  of  my  nature  ;  and  yet,  strange  un- 
 accountable creature  !  I  am  too  often  unwilling  to  enter  in.  I  go 
 about  and  about  the  sanctuary,  and  I  sometimes  press  in  thro?jgh 
 the  rent  vail,  and  see  the  blessedness  of  dwelHng  there  to  be  far 
 better  than  that  of  the  tents  of  wickedness  j  yet  it  is  certain  that  I 
 
48  MKMOIR  OF  THE  KEY.  K.  M.  m'CHEYNE. 
 
 do  not  dwell  within." — "  My  prayers  follow  you,  especially  to  the 
 sick-beds  of  A.  D.  and  C.  H.  I  hope  they  still  survive,  and  that 
 Christ  may  yet  be  glorified  in  them." 
 
 On  resuming  his  labours,  he  found  a  residence  in  Carronvale. 
 From  this  pleasant  spot  he  used  to  ride  out  to  his  work.  But 
 pleasant  as  the  spot  was,  yet  being  only  partially  recovered,  he 
 was  not  satisfied  ;  he  lamented  that  he  was  unable  to  overtake 
 what  a  stronger  labourer  would  have  accomplished.  He  often  cast 
 a  regretful  look  at  the  collieries ;  and  remembering  them  still  at  a 
 later  period,  he  reproached  himself  with  neglect,  though  most  un- 
 justly. "  The  places  which  I  left  utterly  unbroken  in  upon  are 
 Kinnaird  and  Milton.  Both  of  these  rise  up  against  my  conscience, 
 particularly  the  last,  through  which  I  have  ridden  so  often."  It 
 was  not  the  comfort,  but  the  positive  usefulness  of  the  ministry, 
 that  he  envied  ;  and  he  judged  of  places  by  their  fitness  to  promote 
 this  great  end.  He  said  of  a  neighbouring  parish,  which  he  had 
 occasion  to  visit :  "  The  manse  is  altogether  too  sweet ;  other  men 
 could  hardly  live  there  without  saying,  '  This  is  my  rest.'  I  don't 
 think  ministers'  manses  should  ever  be  so  beautiful." 
 
 A  simple  incident  was  overruled  to  promote  the  ease  and  fluency 
 of  his  pulpit  ministrations.  From  the  very  beginning  of  his  mini- 
 stry he  reprobated  the  custom  of  reading  sermons,  beUeving  that 
 to  do  so  does  exceedingly  weaken  the  freedom  and  natural  fervour 
 of  the  messenger  in  dehvering  his  message.  Neither  did  he  recite 
 what  he  had  written.  But  his  custom  was  to  impress  on  his 
 memory  the  substance  of  what  he  had  beforehand  carefully  written, 
 and  then  to  speak  as  he  found  liberty.  One  morning,  as  he  rode 
 rapidly  along  to  Dunipace,  his  w^ritten  sermons  were  dropped  on 
 the  w^ayside.  This  accident  prevented  him  having  the  opportunity 
 of  preparing  in  his  usual  manner ;  but  he  was  enabled  to  preach 
 with  more  than  usual  freedom.  For  the  first  time  in  his  life,  he 
 discovered  that  he  possessed  the  gift  of  extemporaneous  composi- 
 tion, and  learned,  to  his  own  surprise,  that  he  had  more  composed- 
 ness  of  mind  and  command  of  language  than  he  had  beUeved. 
 This  discovery,  however,  did  not  in  the  least  degree  diminish  his 
 diligent  preparation.  Indeed,  the  only  use  that  he  made  of  the 
 incident  at  the  time  it  occurred  was,  to  draw  a  lesson  of  depend- 
 ence on  God's  own  immediate  blessing  rather  than  on  the  satisfac- 
 tory jjreparation  made.  "  One  thing  always  fills  the  cup  of  my 
 consolation,  that  God  may  work  by  the  meanest  and  poorest  words, 
 as  well  as  by  the  most  polished  and  ornate, — yea,  perhaps  more 
 readily,  that  the  glory  may  be  all  his  own." 
 
 His  hands  were  again  full,  distributing  the  bread  of  hfe  in  fellow- 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  EEV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  49 
 
 ship  with  Mr  Bonar.  The  progress  of  his  own  soul,  meanwhile, 
 may  be  traced  in  some  of  the  few  entries  that  occur  in  his  diary 
 durinf^  this  period : — 
 
 ''Feb.  21,  1836,  Sabbath.— Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  another 
 day  of  the  Son  of  man.  Resumed  my  diary,  long  broken  off ;  not 
 because  I  do  not  feel  the  disadvantages  of  it, — making  you  assume 
 feelings  and  express  rather  what  you  wish  to  be  than  what  you 
 are, — but  because  the  advantages  seem  greater.  It  ensures  sober 
 reflection  on  the  events  of  the  day  as  seen  in  God's  eye.  Preached 
 twice  in  Larbert,  on  the  righteousness  of  God,  Rom.  i.  16.  In 
 the  morning  was  more  engaged  in  preparing  the  head  than  the 
 heart.  This  has  been  frequently  my  error,  and  I  have  always  felt 
 the  evil  of  it,  especially  in  prayer.     Reform  it,  then,  0  Lord." 
 
 '■^  Feh.  27. — Preached  in  Dunipace  with  more  heart  than  ever  I 
 remember  to  have  done,  on  Rom.  v.  10,  owing  to  the  gospel  nature 
 of  the  subject  and  prayerful  preparation.  Audience  smaller  than 
 usual !  How  happy  and  strange  is  the  feeling  when  God  gives  the 
 soul  composure  to  stand  and  plead  for  Him !  Oh  that  it  were  alto- 
 gether for  Him  I  plead,  not  for  myself!" 
 
 "  March  5. — Preached  in  Larbert  with  very  much  comfort, 
 owing  chiefly  to  my  remedying  the  error  of  21st  Feb.  Therefore 
 the  heart  and  the  mouth  were  full.  '  Enlarge  my  heart,  and  I 
 shall  run,'  said  David.      '  Enlarge  my  heart,  and  I  shall  preach.' " 
 
 In  this  last  remark  we  see  the  germ  of  his  remarkably  solemn 
 ministry.  His  heart  was  filled,  and  his  lips  then  spoke  what  he 
 felt  within  his  heart.  He  gave  out  not  merely  living  water,  but 
 Hving  water  drawn  at  the  springs  that  he  had  himself  drank  of; 
 and  is  not  this  a  true  gospel  ministry  ?  Some  venture  to  try  what 
 they  consider  a  more  intellectual  method  of  addressing  the  con- 
 science ;  but  ere  a  minister  attempts  this  mode,  he  ought  to  see 
 that  he  is  one  who  is  able  to  afford  more  deep  and  anxious  pre- 
 paration of  heart  than  other  men.  Since  the  intellectual  part  of 
 the  discourse  is  not  that  which  is  most  hkely  to  be  an  arrow  in 
 the  conscience,  those  pastors  who  are  intellectual  men  must  bestow 
 tenfold  more  prayerfulness  on  their  work,  if  they  would  have  either 
 their  own  or  their  people's  souls  affected  under  their  word.  If  we 
 are  ever  to  preach  with  compassion  for  the  perishing,  we  must 
 ourselves  be  moved  by  those  same  views  of  sin  and  righteousness 
 which  moved  the  human  soul  of  Jesus.     (See  Psalm  xxxviii.  and 
 
 About  this  time  he  occasionally  contributed  papers  to  the  Chris- 
 tian Herald :  one  of  these  was  On  sudden  Conversions^  showing  that 
 Scripture  led  us  to  expect  such.     During  this  mouth  he  seems  to 
 
 r 
 
50  31EM01K  OF  Tilt:  llEV.  Fv.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 have  written  the  Lines  on  Mungo  Park,  one  of  the  pieces  which 
 attracted  the  notice  of  Professor  Wilson.  But  whatever  he  engaged 
 in,  his  aim  was  to  lionour  his  Master.  I  find  him,  after  hearing 
 sermon  by  another,  remarking  {April  3),  "  Some  things  powerful ; 
 but  I  thirst  to  hear  more  of  Christ." 
 
 On  Sabbath  16,  he  writes:  "Preached  with  some  tenderness  of 
 heart.  Oh,  why  should  I  not  weep,  as  Jesus  did  over  Jerusalem? 
 Evening  —  Instructing  two  dehghtful  Sabbath  schools.  Much 
 bodily  weariness.  Gracious  kindness  of  God  in  giving  rest  to  the 
 weary." 
 
 "  April  13.— Went  to  Stirling  to  hear  Dr  Duff  once  more  upon 
 his  system.  With  greater  warmth  and  energy  than  ever.  He 
 kindles  as  he  goes.  Felt  almost  constrained  to  go  the  whole  length 
 of  his  system  with  him.  If  it  were  only  to  raise  up  an  audience, 
 it  would  be  defensible ;  but  when  it  is  to  raise  up  teachers,  it  is 
 more  than  defensible.  I  am  now  made  willing,  if  God  shall  open 
 the  way,  to  go  to  India.     Here  am  I ;  send  me!" 
 
 The  missionary  feeling  in  his  soul  continued  all  his  life.  The 
 Lord  had  really  made  him  wiUing ;  and  this  preparedness  to  go 
 anywhere  completed  his  preparation  for  unselfish,  self-denied  work 
 at  "home.  Must  there  not  be  somewhat  of  this  missionary  tendency 
 in  all  true  ministers?  Is  any  one  truly  the  Lord's  messenger  who 
 is  not  quite  willing  to  go  when  and  where  the  Lord  calls?  Is  it 
 justifiable  in  any  to  put  aside  a  call  from  the  north,  on  the  ground 
 that  he  icishes  one  from  the  south  ?  We  must  be  found  in  the  posi- 
 tion of  Isaiah,  if  we  are  to  be  really  sent  of  God. 
 
 "  April  24. — Oh  that  this  day's  labour  may  be  blessed  !  and  not 
 niiTie  alone,  but  all  thy  faithful  servants  all  over  the  world,  till  thj 
 Sabbath  come." 
 
 "  April  26. — Visiting  in  Carron-shore.  Well  received  every- 
 where. Truly  a  pleasant  labour.  Cheered  me  much.  Preached 
 to  them  afterwards  from  Proverbs  i." 
 
 "  Maj/  8. — Communion  in  Larbert.  Served  as  an  elder  and  help 
 to  the  faitliful.  Partook  with  some  glimpses  of  faith  and  joy. 
 Served  by  a  faithful  old  minister  (Mr  Dempster  of  Denny),  one 
 t might  of  God.  This  morning  stood  by  the  dying — evening,  stood 
 l)y  the  dead,  poor  J.  F.  having  died  last  niglit.  I  laid  my  hand 
 on  her  cold  forehead,  and  tried  to  shut  her  eyes.  Lord,  (^ive  me 
 strength  for  living  to  Thee ! — strength  also  for  a  dying  hour." 
 
 "  Ma//  15.— This  day  an  annular  eclipse  of  the  sun.  Kept  both 
 the  services  together  in  order  to  be  in  time.  Truly  a  beautiful 
 sight  to  see  the  shining  edge  of  the  sun  all  round  the  dark  disc  of 
 the  moon.     Lord,  one  day  tiiy  hand  shall  put  out  those  candles  j 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  K.  M.  m'CHEYNE.  61 
 
 for  there  shall  be  no  need  of  the  sun  to  lighten  the  happy  land : 
 the  Lamb  is  the  hght  thereof ;  a  sun  that  cannot  be  eclipsed — that 
 cannot  go  down." 
 
 "  May  17. — Yisited  thirteen  families,  and  addressed  them  all  in 
 the  evening  in  the  school,  on  Jeremiah  1.  4,  '  Going  and  weeping.' 
 Experienced  some  enlargement  of  soul;  said  some  plain  things; 
 and  had  some  desire  for  their  salvation,  that  God  might  be  praised." 
 
 "i/ay21. — Preparation  for  the  Sabbath.  My  birth-day.  1 
 have  lived  twenty-three  years.  Blessed  be  my  Rock.  Though  I 
 am  a  child  in  knowledge  of  my  Bible  and  of  Thee,  yet  use  me  for 
 what  a  child  can  do,  or  a  child  can  suffer.  How  few  sufferings  I 
 have  had  in  the  year  that  is  past,  except  in  my  own  body.  Oh 
 that  as  my  day  is  my  strength  may  be !  Give  me  strength  for  a 
 suffering  and  for  a  dying  hour!" 
 
 "  May  22. — 0  Lord,  when  Thou  workest,  all  discouragements 
 vanish;  when  Thou  art  away,  anything  is  a  discouragement. 
 Blessed  be  God  for  such  a  day — one  of  a  thousand!  Oh !  why  not 
 always  this  ?     Watch  and  pray." 
 
 Being  in  Edinburgh  this  month,  during  the  sitting  of  the  Gene- 
 ral Assembly,  he  used  the  opportunity  of  revisiting  some  of  his 
 former  charge  in  the  Canongate.  "  J.  S.,  a  far-off  inquirer,  but 
 surely  God  is  leading.  His  hand  draws  out  these  tears.  Inte- 
 resting visits  to  L. ;  near  death,  and  still  in  the  same  mind.  I 
 cannot  but  hope  that  some  faith  is  here.  Saw  Mrs  M. ;  many 
 tears:  felt  much,  though  I  am  still  doubtful,  and  in  the  dark. 
 Thou  knowest,  Lord  ! " 
 
 ^^  June  11. — Yesterday  up  in  Dunipace.  It  would  seem  as  if  I 
 were  afraid  to  name  the  name  of  Christ.  Saw  many  worldly  people 
 greatly  needing  a  word  in  season,  yet  could  not  get  up  my  heart 
 to  speak.  What  I  did  failed  almost  completely.  I  am  not  worthy, 
 Lord !  To-day  sought  to  prepare  my  heart  for  the  coming  Sab- 
 bath. After  the  example  of  Boston,  whose  life  I  have  been  read- 
 ing, examined  my  heart  with  prayer  and  fasting.  1.  Does  my 
 heart  really  close  with  the  offer  of  salvation  by  Jesus  ?  Is  it  my 
 choice  to  be  saved  in  the  way  which  gives  Him  all  the  praise,  and 
 me  none  ?  Do  I  not  only  see  it  to  be  the  Bible  way  of  salvation, 
 but  does  it  cordially  approve  itself  to  my  heart  as  delightful  ?  Lord, 
 search  me  and  try  me,  for  I  cannot  but  answer,  Yes,  yes.  2.  Is  it 
 the  desire  of  my  heart  to  be  made  altogether  holy  ?  Is  there  any 
 sin  I  wish  to  retain  ?  Is  sin  a  grief  to  me,  the  sudden  risings  and 
 overcomings  thereof  especially  ?  Lord,  Thou  knowest  all  things — 
 Thou  knowest  that  I  hate  all  sin,  and  desire  to  be  made  altogether 
 UkG  Thee.     It  is  the  sweetest  word  in  the  Bible .  '  Sin  shall  not  have 
 
52  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV,  R.  M.  M'OHEYNE. 
 
 dominion  over  you.'  Oh,  then,  that  I  might  lie  low  in  the  dust, — the 
 lower  the  better,— that  Jesus'  righteousness  and  Jesus'  strength 
 alone  be  admired!  Felt  much  deadness,  and  much  grief  that  I 
 cannot  grieve  for  this  deadness.  Towards  evening  revived.  Got 
 a  calm  spirit  through  psalmody  and  prayer." 
 
 "  June  12,  Sabbath. — To-day  a  sinner  preached  Jesus,  the  same 
 Jesus  who  has  done  all  things  for  him,  and  that  so  lately !  A  day 
 of  much  help,  of  some  earnest  looking-up  of  the  heart  to  that  alone 
 quickening  power,  of  much  temptation  to  flattery  and  pride.  Oh 
 for  breathing  gales  of  spiritual  Hfe !  Evening — Somewhat  helped 
 to  lay  Jesus  before  little  children  in  his  beauty  and  excellency. 
 Much  fatigue,  yet  some  peace.  Surely  a  day  in  thy  courts  is 
 better  than  a  thousand." 
 
 ^^  June  15. — Day  of  visiting  (rather  a  happy  one)  in  Carron- 
 shore.  Large  meeting  in  the  evening.  Felt  very  happy  after  it, 
 though  mourning  for  hitter  speaking  of  the  gospel.  Surely  it  is  a 
 gentle  message,  and  should  be  spoken  with  angehc  tenderness, 
 especially  by  such  a  needy  sinner." 
 
 Of  this  bitterness  in  preaching,  he  had  little  indeed  in  after  days ; 
 yet  so  sensible  was  he  of  its  being  quite  natural  to  all  of  us,  that 
 oftentimes  he  made  it  the  subject  of  conversation,  and  used  to 
 grieve  over  himself  if  he  had  spoken  with  anything  less  than  solemn 
 compassion.  I  remember  on  one  occasion,  when  we  met,  he  asked 
 what  my  last  Sabbath's  subject  had  been.  It  had  been,  "  The 
 wicked  shall  be  turned  into  hell."  On  hearing  this  awful  text,  he 
 asked,  "  Were  you  able  to  preach  it  with  tendeimessf"  Certain  it 
 is  that  the  tone  of  reproach  and  upbraiding  is  widely  different  from 
 the  voice  of  solemn  warning.  It  is  not  saying  hard  things  that 
 pierces  the  consciences  of  our  people;  it  is  the  voice  of  divine 
 love  heard  amid  the  thunder.  The  sharpest  point  of  the  two-edged 
 sword  is  not  death,  but  life ;  and  against  self-righteous  souls  this 
 latter  ought  to  be  more  used  than  the  former.  For  such  souls  can 
 hear  us  tell  of  the  open  gates  of  hell  and  the  unquenchable  fire  far 
 more  unconcernedly  than  of  the  gates  of  heaven  wide  open  for  their 
 immediate  return.  When  we  preach  that  the  glad  tidings  were 
 intended  to  impart  immediate  assurance  of  eternal  life  to  every  sinner  that 
 believes  them,  we  strike  deeper  upon  the  proud  enmity  of  the  world 
 to  God,  than  when  we  show  the  eternal  curse  and  the  second  death. 
 '-'■  June  19,  Sabbath. — Wet  morning.  Preached  at  Dunipace  to 
 a  small  audience,  on  Parable  of  the  Tares.      I  thank  God  for  that 
 
 blessed  paral)le. In  both  discourses  I  can  look  back  on  many 
 
 hateful  thoughts  of  pride,  and  self-admiration,  and  love  of  praise, 
 stealing  the  heart  out  of  the  service." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  E.  M.  M^CHEYNE.  68 
 
 "  June  22. — Carron-shore.  My  last.  Some  tears  ;  yet  I  fear 
 some  like  the  messenger,  not  the  message  ;  and  I  fear  I  am  so  vain 
 as  to  love  that  love.  Lord,  let  it  not  be  so.  Perish  my  honour,  but 
 let  thine  be  exalted  for  ever." 
 
 *'  June  26. — True  Sabbath-day.  Golden  sky.  Full  church,  and 
 more  liveliness  than  sometimes.  Shall  I  call  the  liveliness  of  this 
 day  a  gale  of  the  Spirit,  or  was  all  natural  ?  I  know  that  all  was 
 not  of  grace  ;  the  self- admiration,  the  vanity,  the  desire  of  honour, 
 the  bitterness — these  were  all  breaths  of  earth  or  hell.  But  was 
 there  no  grace?  Lord,  Thou  knowest.  I  dare  not  wrong  Thee 
 by  saying — No !  Larbert  Sabbath  school  with  the  same  liveliness 
 and  joy.  Domestic  work  with  the  same.  Praised  be  God !  Oh 
 that  the  savour  of  it  may  last  through  the  week  !  By  this  may  I 
 test  if  it  be  all  of  nature,  or  much  of  grace.  Alas  !  how  I  tremble 
 for  my  Monday  mornings — those  seasons  of  lifelessness.  Lord, 
 bless  the  seeds  sown  this  day  in  the  hearts  of  my  friends,  by  the 
 hand  of  my  friends,  and  all  over  the  world — hasten  the  harvest!" 
 
 "  July  3. — After  a  week  of  working  and  hurried  preparation,  a 
 Sabbath  of  mingled  peace  and  pain.  Called,  morning  before  preach- 
 ing, to  see  Mrs  E.,  dying.  Preached  on  the  Jailor — discomposedly 
 — with  some  glimpses  of  the  genuine  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Felt 
 there  was  much  minghng  of  experience.  At  times  the  congregation 
 was  lightened  up  from  their  dull  flatness,  and  then  they  sunk  again 
 into  lethargy.  O  Lord,  make  me  hang  on  Thee  to  open  their 
 hearts.  Thou  opener  of  Lydia's  heart.  I  fear  Thou  wilt  not  bless 
 my  preaching,  until  I  am  i3rought  thus  to  hang  on  Thee.  Oh  keep 
 not  back  a  blessing  for  my  sin !  Afternoon — On  the  Highway  of 
 the  Redeemed,  with  more  ease  and  comfort.  Felt  the  truth  some- 
 times boiUng  up  from  my  heart  into  my  words.  Some  glimpses  of 
 tenderness,  yet  much  less  of  that  spirit  than  the  last  two  Sabbaths. 
 Again  saw  the  dying  woman.  Oh  when  will  I  plead,  with  my  tears 
 and  inward  yearnings,  over  sinners!  Oh,  compassionate  Lord,  give 
 me  to  know  what  manner  of  spirit  I  am  of!  give  me  thy  gentle 
 Spirit,  that  neither  strives  nor  cries.  Much  weariness,  want  of 
 prayerfulness,  and  want  of  cleaving  to  Christ."  Tuesday  the  5th 
 being  the  anniversary  of  his  hcence  to  preach  the  gospel,  he  writes  : 
 "  Eventful  week ;  one  year  I  have  preached  Jesus,  have  I  ?  or 
 myself?  I  have  often  preached  myself  also,  but  Jesus  I  have 
 preached." 
 
 About  this  time  he  again  felt  the  hand  of  affliction,  though  it  did 
 not  continue  long.  Yet  it  was  plain  to  him  now  that  personal 
 trouble  was  to  be  one  of  the  ingredients  of  that  experience  which 
 helped  to  give  a  peculiar  tone  to  his  ministry. 
 
54-  MEMOm  01-  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 ^^July  8. — Since  luesday  have  been  laid  up  with  illness.  Set 
 by  once  more  for  a  season  to  feel  my  unprofitableness  and  cure  my 
 pride.  When  shall  this  self-choosing  temper  be  healed  ?  '  Lord, 
 I  will  preach,  run,  visit,  wrestle,'  said  I.  '  No,  thou  shalt  lie  in  thy 
 bed  and  suffer,'  said  the  Lord.  To-day  missed  some  fine  oppor- 
 tunities of  speaking  a  word  for  Christ.  The  Lord  saw  I  would 
 have  spoken  as  much  for  my  own  honour  as  his,  and  therefore  shut 
 my  mouth.  /  see  a  man  cannot  he  a  faithful  minister,  until  he  ifreaclies 
 Christ  for  Christ's  sake — until  he  gives  up  striving  to  attract  people 
 to  himself,  and  seeks  only  to  attract  them  to  Christ.  Lord,  give  me 
 this !  To-night  some  glimpses  of  humbling,  and  therefore  some 
 wrestUng  in  social  prayer.  But  my  prayers  are  scarcely  to  be 
 called  prayer."  Then,  in  the  evening  :  "  This  day  my  brother  has 
 been  five  years  absent  from  the  body  and  present  with  the  Lord, 
 and  knows  more  and  loves  more  than  all  earthly  saints  together. 
 Till  the  day  break  and  the  shadows  flee  away,  turn,  my  Beloved !" 
 
 "  July  10. — I  fear  I  am  growing  more  earthly  in  some  things. 
 To-day  I  felt  a  difficulty  in  bringing  in  spiritual  conversation  im- 
 mediately after  preaching,  when  my  bosom  should  be  burning. 
 Excused  myself  from  dining  out  from  other  than  the  grand  reason ; 
 though  checked  and  corrected  myself.  Evening — Insensibly  slid 
 into  worldly  conversation.  Let  these  things  be  corrected  in  me,  0 
 Lord,  by  the  heart  being  more  filled  with  love  to  Jesus,  and  more 
 ejaculatory  prayer." 
 
 "Jw^  17,  Sabbath. — Oh  that  I  may  remember  my  own  word  this 
 day  :  that  the  hour  of  communion  is  the  hour  for  the  foxes — the 
 little  foxes — to  spoil  the  wine.  Two  things  that  defile  this  day  in 
 looking  back,  are  love  of  praise  running  through  all,  and  consenting 
 to  listen  to  worldly  talk  at  all.  Oh  that  these  may  keep  me  humble 
 and  be  my  burden,  leading  me  to  the  cross.  Then,  Satan,  thou 
 wilt  be  outwitted  ! " 
 
 ^^  July  19. — Died,  this  day,  W.  M'Cheyne,  my  cousin-german, 
 Belief  minister,  Kelso.  Oh  how  I  repent  of  our  vain  controversies 
 on  Establishments  when  we  last  met,  and  that  we  spoke  so  little  of 
 Jesus  !  Oh  that  we  had  spoken  more  one  to  another  !  Lord,  teach 
 me  to  be  always  speaking  as  dying  to  dying." 
 
 "  July  24. — Dunipace  Communion — Heard  Mr  Purves  of  Jed- 
 burgh preach,  '  Therefore  with  joy  shall  ye  draw  water  out  of  the 
 wells  of  salvation.'  The  only  way  to  come  to  ordinances,  and  to 
 draw  from  the  well,  is  to  come  with  the  matter  of  acceptance 
 settled,  believing  God's  anger  to  be  turned  away.  Truly  a  precious 
 view  of  the  freeness  of  the  gospel  very  refreshing.  My  soul  needs 
 to  be  roused  much  to  apprehend  this  trnth." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  SF.  M'CHEI-NE.  55 
 
 Above  {July  3)  he  spoke  of  "mingling  experience  with  the 
 genuine  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus."  It  is  to  this  that  he  refers  again 
 in  the  last  paragraph.  His  deep  acquaintance  with  the  human 
 heart  and  passions  often  led  him  to  dwell  at  greater  length,  not 
 only  on  those  topics  whereby  the  sinner  might  be  brought  to  dis- 
 cover his  guilt,  but  also  on  marks  that  would  evidence  a  change, 
 than  on  "the  glad  tidings."  And  yet  he  ever  felt  that  these 
 blessed  tidings,  addressed  to  souls  in  the  very  gall  of  bitterness, 
 were  the  true  theme  of  the  minister  of  Christ ;  and  never  did  he 
 preach  other  than  a  full  salvation  ready  for  the  chief  of  sinners. 
 From  the  very  first,  also,  he  carefully  avoided  the  error  of  those 
 who  rather  speculate  or  doctrinize  about  the  gospel,  than  preach 
 the  gospel  itself.  Is  not  the  true  idea  of  preaching  that  of  one, 
 like  Ahimaaz,  coming  with  all-important  tidings,  and  intent  on 
 making  these  tidings  known  ?  Occupied  with  the  facts  he  has  to 
 tell,  he  has  no  heart  to  speculate  on  mere  abstractions ;  nay,  he  is 
 apt  to  forget  what  language  he  employs,  excepting  so  far  as  the 
 very  grandeur  of  the  tidings  gives  a  glow  of  eloquence  to  his  words. 
 The  glorious  fact,  "  By  this  man  is  preached  unto  you  the  forgiveness  of 
 sins"  is  the  burden  of  every  sermon.  The  crier  is  sent  to  the  open- 
 ings of  the  gate  by  his  Lord,  to  herald  forth  this  one  infinitely  im- 
 portant truth  through  the  whole  creation  under  heaven. 
 
 He  seems  invariably  to  have  applied  for  his  personal  benefit  what 
 lie  gave  out  to  his  people.  We  have  already  noticed  how  he  used 
 to  feed  on  the  word,  not  in  order  to  prepare  himself  for  his  people, 
 but  for  personal  edification.  To  do  so  was  a  fundamental  rule 
 with  him ;  and  all  pastors  will  feel  that,  if  they  are  to  prosper  in 
 their  own  souls,  they  must  so  use  the  word, — sternly  refusing  to 
 admit  the  idea  of  feeding  others,  until  satiated  themselves.  And 
 for  similar  ends  it  is  needful  that  we  let  the  truth  we  hear  preached 
 sink  down  into  our  own  souls.  We,  as  well  as  our  people,  must 
 drink  in  the  falling  shower.  Mr  M'Cheyne  did  so.  It  is  common 
 to  find  him  speaking  thus:  ''July  31,  Sabbath. — Afternoon,  on 
 Judas  betraying  Christ ;  much  more  tenderness  than  ever  I  felt 
 before.  Oh  that  I  might  abide  in  the  bosom  of  Him  who  washed 
 Judas'  feet,  and  dipped  his  hand  in  the  same  dish  with  him,  and 
 warned  him,  and  grieved  over  him, — that  I  might  catch  the  infec- 
 tion of  his  love,  of  his  tenderness,  so  wonderful,  so  unfathomable." 
 
 Coming  home  on  a  Sabbath  evening  (Aug.  7th)  from  Torwood 
 Sabbath  school,  a  person  met  him  who  suggested  an  opportunity  of 
 usefulness.  There  were  two  families  of  gypsies  encamped  at  Tor- 
 wood,  within  his  reach.  He  was  weary  with  a  long  day's  labour  ; 
 but  instantly,  as  was  his  custom  on  such  a  call,  set  ofi"  to  find  them. 
 
56  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REY.  R.  M.  M'CHEYXE. 
 
 By  the  side  of  their  wood-fire,  be  opened  out  the  parable  of  the 
 Lost  Sheep,  and  pressed  it  on  their  souls  in  simple  terms.  He  then 
 knelt  down  in  prayer  for  them,  and  left  them  somewhat  impressed, 
 and  very  grateful. 
 
 At  this  time  a  youthful  parishioner,  for  whose  soul  he  felt  much 
 anxiety,  left  his  father's  roof.  Ever  watchful  for  souls,  he  seized 
 this  opportunity  of  laying  before  him  more  fully  the  things  belong- 
 ing to  his  peace. 
 
 "  Larbert,  August  8,  1836. 
 
 "  My  dear  G. .    You  will  be  surprised  to  hear  from  me.    I 
 
 have  often  wished  to  be  better  acquainted  with  you ;  but  in  these 
 sad  parishes  we  cannot  manage  to  know  and  be  intimate  with  every 
 one  we  would  desire.  And  now  you  have  left  your  father's  roof 
 and  our  charge  ;  still  my  desires  go  after  you,  as  well  as  the  kind 
 thoughts  of  many  others  ;  and  since  I  cannot  now  speak  to  you,  I 
 take  this  way  of  expressing  my  thoughts  to  you.  I  do  not  know 
 in  what  light  you  look  upon  me,  whether  as  a  grave  and  morose 
 minister,  or  as  one  who  might  be  a  companion  and  friend ;  bul 
 really,  it  is  so  short  a  while  since  I  was  just  like  you,  when  I 
 enjoyed  the  games  which  you  now  enjoy,  and  read  the  books  whicl 
 you  now  read,  that  I  never  can  think  of  myself  as  anything  mora 
 than  a  boy.  This  is  one  great  reason  why  I  write  to  you.  The 
 same  youthful  bloed  flows  in  my  veins  that  flows  in  yours,  the  sam3 
 fancies  and  buoyant  passions  dance  in  my  bosom  as  in  yours ;  so 
 that  when  I  would  persuade  you  to  come  with  me  to  the  same 
 Saviour,  and  to  walk  the  rest  of  your  life  '  led  by  the  Spirit  of 
 God,'  I  am  not  persuading  you  to  anything  beyond  your  years.  I 
 am  not  like  a  grey-headed  grandfather, — then  you  might  answer  all 
 I  say  by  telling  me  that  you  are  a  boy.  No  ;  I  am  almost  as  much 
 a  boy  as  you  are  ;  as  fond  of  happiness  and  of  life  as  you  are ;  as 
 fond  of  scampering  over  the  hills,  and  seeing  all  that  is"^  to  be  seen, 
 as  you  are. 
 
 "Another  thing  that  persuades  me  to  write  you,  my  dear  boy, 
 is,  that  I  have  felt  in  my  own  experience  the  want  of  having  a 
 friend  to  direct  and  counsel  me.  I  had  a  kind  brother  as  you 
 have,  who  taught  me  many  things.  He  gave  me  a  Bible,  and  per- 
 suaded me  to  read  it ;  he  tried  to  train  me  as  a  gardener  trains 
 the  apple-tree  upon  the  wall ;  but  all  in  vain.  I  thought  myself 
 far  wiser  than  he,  and  would  always  take  my  own  way  ;  a-nd  niany 
 a  time,  I  well  remember,  I  have  seen  him  reading  his  Bible,  or 
 shutting  his  closet  door  to  pray,  when  I  have  been  dressing  to  go 
 to  some  frolic,  or  some  dance  of  folly.    Well,  this  dear  friend  and 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  Jl'CHEl-NE.  67 
 
 brother  died;  and  though  bis  death  made  a  greater  impression 
 upon  me  than  ever  his  life  had  done,  still  I  found  the  misery  of 
 being  friendless.  I  do  not  mean  that  I  had  no  relations  and  worldly 
 friends,  for  I  had  many ;  but  I  had  no  friend  ivho  cared  fo?^  my  soul. 
 I  had  none  to  direct  me  to  the  Saviour — none  to  awaken  my 
 slumberiog  conscience — none  to  tell  me  about  the  blood  of  Jesus 
 washing  away  all  sin — none  to  tell  me  of  the  Spirit  who  is  so 
 willing  to  change  the  heart,  and  give  the  victory  over  passions.  I 
 had  no  minister  to  take  me  by  the  hand,  and  say,  '  Come  with  me, 
 and  we  will  do  thee  good.'  Yes,  I  had  one  friend  and  minister,  but 
 that  was  Jesus  himself,  and  He  led  me  in  a  way  that  makes  me 
 give  Him,  and  Him  only,  all  the  praise.  Now,  though  Jesus  may 
 do  this  agam,  yet  the  more  common  way  with  Him  is  to  use  earthly 
 guides.  Now,  if  I  could  supply  the  place  of  such  a  guide  to  you, 
 I  should  be  happy.  To  be  a  finger-post  is  all  that  I  want  to  be — 
 pointing  out  the  way.  This  is  what  I  so  much  wanted  myself ; 
 this  is  what  you  need  not  want,  unless  you  wish. 
 
 "  Tell  me,  dear  G.,  would  you  work  less  pleasantly  through  the 
 day — would  you  walk  the  streets  with  a  more  doleful  step — would 
 you  eat  your  meat  with  less  gladness  of  heart — would  you  sleep 
 less  tranquilly  at  night — if  you  had  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  that  is,  if 
 all  your  wicked  thoughts  and  deeds — lies,  thefts,  and  Sabbath- 
 breakings — were  all  blotted  out  of  God's  book  of  remembrance "? 
 Would  this  make  you  less  happy,  do  you  think  ?  You  dare  not 
 say  it  would.  But  would  the  forgiveness  of  sins  not  make  you 
 »nore  happy  than  you  are  ?  Perhaps  you  will  tell  me  that  you  are 
 very  happy  as  you  are.  I  quite  beheve  you.  I  know  that  I  was 
 very  happy  when  I  was  unforgiven.  I  know  that  I  had  great 
 pleasure  in  many  sins — in  Sabbath-breaking,  for  instance.  Many  a 
 dehghtful  walk  I  have  had, — speaking  my  own  words,  thinking  my 
 own  thoughts,  and  seeking  my  own  pleasure  on  God's  holy  day.  I 
 fancy  few  boys  were  ever  happier  in  an  unconverted  state  than  I 
 was.  No  sorrow  clouded  my  brow — no  tears  filled  my  eyes,  unless 
 over  some  nice  story-book ;  so  that  I  know  that  you  say  quite  true, 
 when  you  say  that  you  are  happy  as  you  are.  But  ah  !  is  not  this 
 just  the  saddest  thing  of  all,  that  you  should  be  happy  whilst  you 
 are  a  child  of  wrath, — that  you  should  smile,  and  eat,  and  drink, 
 and  be  merry,  and  sleep  sound,  when  this  very  night  you  may  be 
 in  hellf  Happy  while  unforgiven! — a  terrible  happiness.  It  is 
 Hke  the  Hindoo  widow  who  sits  upon  the  funeral  pile  with  her 
 dead  husband,  and  sings  songs  of  joy  when  they  are  setting  fire  to 
 the  wood  with  which  she  is  to  be  burned.  Yes,  you  may  be  quite 
 happy  in  this  way,  till  you  die,  my  boy ;  but  when  you  look  bacH 
 
58  MEMOm  OF  THE  KEY.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 from  bell,  you  will  say,  it  was  a  miserable  kind  of  happiness.  Now, 
 do  you  think  it  would  not  give  you  more  happiness  to  be  forgiven, 
 — to  be  able  to  put  on  Jesus,  and  say,  '  God's  anger  is  turned 
 away?'  Would  not  you  be  happier  at  work,  and  happier  in  the 
 house,  and  happier  in  your  bed  ?  I  can  assure  you,  from  all  that 
 ever  I  have  felt  of  it,  the  pleasures  of  being  forgiven  are  as  superior 
 to  the  pleasures  of  an  unforgiveu  man,  as  heaven  is  higher  than 
 hell.  The  peace  of  being  forgiven  reminds  me  of  the  calm,  blue 
 sky,  which  no  earthly  clamours  can  disturb.  It  lightens  all  labour, 
 sweetens  every  morsel  of  bread,  and  makes  a  sick-bed  all  soft  and 
 downy ;  yea,  it  takes  away  the  scowl  of  death.  Now,  forgiveness 
 may  be  yours  now.  It  is  not  given  to  those  who  are  good.  It  is 
 not  given  to  any  because  they  are  less  wicked  than  others.  It  is 
 given  only  to  those  who,  feeling  that  their  sins  have  brought  a 
 curse  on  them  which  they  cannot  lift  off,  'look  unto  Jesus,'  as 
 bearing  all  away. 
 
 "  Now,  my  dear  boy,  I  have  no  wish  to  weary  you.  If  you  are 
 anything  like  what  I  was,  you  will  have  yawned  many  a  time 
 already  over  this  letter.  However,  if  the  Lord  deal  graciously  with 
 you,  and  touch  your  young  heart,  as  I  pray  He  may,  with  a  desire 
 to  be  forgiven,  and  to  be  made  a  child  of  God,  perhaps  you  will 
 not  take  ill  what  I  have  written  to  you  in  much  haste.  As  this  is 
 the  first  time  you  have  been  away  from  home,  perhaps  you  have 
 not  learned  to  write  letters  yet ;  but  if  you  have,  I  would  like  to 
 hear  from  you,  how  you  come  on— what  convictions  you  feel,  if 
 you  feel  any— what  difficulties,  what  parts  of  the  Bible  puzzle 
 you,  and  then  I  would  do  my  best  to  unravel  them.  You  read 
 your  Bible  regularly,  of  course ;  but  do  try  and  understand  it,  and 
 still  more,  to  feel  it.  Read  more  parts  than  one  at  a  time.  For 
 example,  if  you  are  reading  Genesis,  read  a  psalm  also  ;  or,  if  you 
 are  reading  Matthew,  read  a  small  bit  of  an  epistle  also.  2\trn 
 the  Bible  into  prayer.  Thus,  if  you  were  reading  the  1st  Psalm, 
 spread  the  Bible  on  the  chair  before  you,  and  kneel,  and  prnv, 
 '  0  Lord,  give  me  the  blessedness  of  the  man,'  etc.  '  Let  me  not 
 stand  in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly,'  etc.  '  This  is  the  best  wav 
 of  knowing  the  meaning  of  the  Bible,  and  of  learning  to  pray.  In 
 prayer  confess  your  sins  by  name— going  over  those  of  the  past 
 day,  one  by  one.  Pray  for  your  friends  by  name— father,  mother, 
 etc.  etc.  If  you  love  them,  surely  you  will  pray  for  their  souls.  I 
 know  well  that  there  are  prayers  constantly  ascending  for  you  from 
 your  own  house  ;  and  will  you  not  pray  for  them  back  again  ?  Do 
 this  regularly.  If  you  pray  sincerely  for  others,  it  will  make  you 
 pray  for  yourself. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  .M'CHEyNE.  59 
 
 "  But  I  must  be  done.  Good-bye,  dear  G.  Remember  me  to 
 your  brother  kindly,  and  believe  me  your  sincere  friend, 
 
 "  R.  M.  M." 
 
 It  is  the  shepherd's  duty  (Ezek.  xxxiv.  4),  in  visiting  his  flock, 
 to  discriminate ;  "  strengthening  the  diseased,  heahng  that  which 
 was  sick,  binding  up  that  which  was  broken,  bringing  again  that 
 which  was  driven  away,  seeking  that  which  was  lost."  This  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  tried  to  do.  In  an  after-letter  to  Mr  Somerville  of 
 Anderston,  in  reference  to  the  people  of  these  parishes,  whom  he 
 had  had  means  of  knowing,  he  wrote,  "  Take  more  heed  to  the 
 saints  than  ever  I  did.  Speak  a  word  in  season  to  S.  M.  S.  II. 
 will  drink  in  simple  truth,  but  tell  him  to  be  humble-minded. 
 Cause  L.  H.  to  learn  in  silence  ;  speak  not  of  religion  to  her,  but 
 speak  to  her  case  always.  Teach  A.  M.  to  look  simply  at  Jesus. 
 J.  A.  warn  and  teach.  Get  worldhness  from  the  B.'s,  if  you  can. 
 Mrs  G.  awake  or  keep  awake.  Speak  faithfully  to  the  B.'s.  Tell 
 me  of  M.  C.,  if  she  is  really  a  behever,  and  grows.  A.  K.,  has  the 
 light  visited  her  ?  M.  T.  I  have  had  some  doubts  of.  M.  G.  lies 
 sore  upon  my  conscience ;  I  did  no  good  to  that  woman  :  she 
 always  managed  to  speak  of  things  about  the  truth.  Speak  boldly. 
 What  matter  in  eternity  the  slight  awkwardnesses  of  time  ! " 
 
 It  was  about  this  time  that  the  managers  and  congregation  of 
 the  new  church,  St  Peter's,  Dundee,  invited  him  to  preach  as  one 
 of  the  candidates;  and,  in  the  end  of  August,  chose  him  to  be 
 their  pastor,  with  one  accord.  He  accepted  the  call  under  an 
 awful  sense  of  the  work  that  lay  before  him.  He  would  rather,  he 
 said,  have  made  choice  for  himself  of  such  a  rural  parish  as  Duni- 
 pace ;  but  the  Lord  seemed  to  desire  it  otherwise.  "  His  ways 
 are  in  the  sea."  More  than  once,  at  a  later  period,  he  would  say, 
 "  We  might  have  thought  that  God  would  have  sent  a  strong  man 
 to  such  a  parish  as  mine,  and  not  a  feeble  reed." 
 
 The  first  day  he  preached  in  St  Peter's  as  a  candidate  (August 
 14th)  is  thus  recorded :  "  Forenoon — Mind  not  altogether  in  a 
 preaching  frame;  on  the  Sower.  Afternoon — With  more  en- 
 couragement and  help  of  the  Spirit ;  on  the  voice  of  the  Beloved, 
 in  Cant.  ii.  8-17.^  In  the  Evening — With  all  my  heart ;  on  Ruth, 
 Lord,  keep  me  humble."  Returning  from  St  Peter's  the  second 
 time,  he  observed  in  his  class  of  girls  at  Dunipace  more  than  usual 
 anxiety.  One  of  them  seemed  to  be  thoroughly  awakened  that 
 evening.  "  Thanks  be  to  Thee,  Lord,  for  anything,"  he  writes 
 that  evening;  for  as  yet  he  had  sown  without  seeing  fruit.      It 
 
 *  See  thig  characteristic  sermon  m  the  Eemains. 
 
60  MEMOIR  OF  THE  HEY.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 seems  to  liave  been  part  of  the  Lord's  dealing  with  him,  thus  to 
 teach  him  to  persevere  in  duty  and  in  faith,  even  where  there  was 
 no  obvious  success.  The  arrow  that  was  yet  to  wound  hundreds 
 was  then  receiving  its  point ;  but  it  lay  in  the  quiver  for  a  time. 
 The  Lord  seemed  to  be  touching  his  own  heart,  and  melting  it  by 
 what  he  spoke  to  others,  rather  than  touching  or  melting  the 
 hearts  of  those  he  spoke  to.  But  from  the  day  of  his  preaching 
 in  St  Peter's,  tokens  of  success  began.  His  first  day  there,  espe- 
 cially the  evening  sermon  on  Ruth,  was  blessed  to  two  souls  in 
 Dundee  ;  and  now  he  sees  souls  begin  to  melt  under  his  last  words 
 in  the  parish  where  he  thought  he  had  hitherto  spent  his  strength 
 in  vain. 
 
 As  he  was  now  to  leave  this  sphere,  he  sought  out,  with  deep 
 anxiety,  a  labourer  who  would  help  their  overburdened  pastor,  in 
 true  love  to  the  people's  souls.  He  believed  he  had  found  such  a 
 labourer  in  Mr  Somerville,  his  friend  who  had  shared  his  every 
 thought  and  feeling  in  former  days,  and  who,  with  a  sharp  sickle 
 in  his  hand,  was  now  advancing  toward  the  harvest  field.  "  I  see 
 plainly,"  he  wrote  to  Mr  Bonar,  "  that  my  poor  attempts  at  labour 
 in  your  dear  parish  will  soon  be  echpsed.  But  if  at  length  the  iron 
 front  of  unbehef  give  way,  if  the  hard  faces  become  furrowed  with 
 the  tears  of  anxiety  and  of  faith,  under  whatever  ministry,  you  will 
 rejoice,  and  I  will  rejoice,  and  the  angels,  and  the  Father  and  God 
 of  angels,  will  rejoice."  It  was  in  this  spirit  that  he  closed  his 
 short  ten  months  of  labour  in  this  region. 
 
 His  last  sermons  to  the  people  of  Larbert  and  Dunipace  were  on 
 Hosea  xiv.  1,  "0  Israel,  return  unto  the  Lord  thy  God;"  and 
 Jeremiah  viii.  20,  "  Harvest  is  past."  In  the  evening  he  writes, 
 "  Lord,  I  feel  bowed  down  because  of  the  little  I  have  done  for 
 them  which  Thou  mightest  have  blessed !  My  bowels  yearn  over 
 them,  and  all  the  more  that  I  have  done  so  little.  Indeed,  I  might 
 have  done  ten  times  as  much  as  I  have  done.  I  might  have  been 
 in  every  house  ;  I  might  have  spoken  always  as  a  minister.  Lord, 
 canst  Thou  bless  partial,  unequal  efforts?'' 
 
 1  believe  it  was  about  this  time  that  some  of  us  first  of  all  began 
 our  custom  of  praying  specially  for  each  other  on  Saturday  even- 
 ing, with  a  reference  to  our  engagements  in  the  ministry  next  day. 
 This  concert  for  prayer  we  have  never  since  seen  cause  to  discon- 
 tinue. It  has  from  time  to  time  been  widened  in  its  circle ;  and 
 as  yet  his  has  been  the  only  voice  that  has  been  silenced  of  all  that 
 thus  began  to  go  in  on  each  other's  behalf  before  the  Lord.  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  never  failed  to  remember  this  time  of  prayer :  "  Larbert 
 and  Dunipace  are  always  on  my  heart,  especially  on  the  Saturday 
 
MEMOIR  OF  TUE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  61 
 
 eveniugs,  when  I  pray  for  a  glorious  Sabbath !"  On  one  occasion, 
 in  Dundee,  he  was  asked  if  the  accumulation  of  business  in  his 
 parish  never  led  him  to  neglect  the  season  of  prayer  on  a  busy 
 Saturday.  His  reply  was,  that  he  was  not  aware  that  it  ever  did. 
 "  What  would  my  people  do  if  I  were  not  to  pray  ?" 
 
 So  steady  was  he  in  Sabbath  preparations,  from  the  first  day  to 
 the  last  time  he  was  with  them,  that  though  at  prayer-meetings,  or 
 similar  occasions,  he  did  not  think  it  needful  to  have  much  laid  up 
 before  coming  to  address  his  people ;  yet,  anxious  to  give  them  on 
 the  Sabbath  what  had  cost  him  somewhat,  he  never,  without  an 
 urgent  reason,  went  before  them  without  much  previous  meditation 
 and  prayer.  His  principle  on  this  subject  was  embodied  in  a  re- 
 mark he  made  to  some  of  us  who  were  conversing  on  the  matter. 
 Being  asked  his  view  of  diligent  preparation  for  the  pulpit,  he 
 reminded  us  of  Exodus  xxvii.  20  :  "  Beaten  oil — beaten  oil  for  the 
 lamps  of  the  sanctuary.''  And  yet  his  prayerfulness  was  greater 
 still.  Indeed,  he  could  not  neglect  fellowship  with  God  before 
 entering  the  congregation.  He  needed  to  be  bathed  in  the  love  of 
 God.  His  ministry  was  so  much  a  bringing  out  of  views  tliat  had 
 first  sanctified  his  own  soul,  that  the  healthiness  of  his  soul  was 
 absolutely  needful  to  the  vigour  and  power  of  his  ministrations. 
 
 During  these  ten  months  the  Lord  had  done  much  for  him,  but 
 it  was  chiefly  in  the  way  of  discipline  for  a  future  ministry.  He  had 
 been  taught  a  minister's  heart ;  he  had  been  tried  in  the  furnace  ; 
 he  had  tasted  deep  personal  sorrow,  httle  of  which  has  been  re- 
 corded ;  he  had  felt  the  fiery  darts  of  temptation  ;  he  had  been 
 exercised  in  self-examination  and  in  much  prayer  ;  he  had  proved 
 how  flinty  is  the  rock,  and  had  learnt  that  in  lifting  the  rod  by 
 which  it  was  to  be  smitten,  success  lay  in  Him  alone  who  enabled 
 him  to  Hft  it  up.  And  thus  prepared  of  God  for  the  peculiar  work 
 that  awaited  him,  he  had  turned  his  face  towards  Dundee,  and 
 took  up  his  abode  in  the  spot  where  the  Lord  was  so  marvellously 
 to  visit  him  in  bis  ministry. 
 
CHAPTER   III. 
 
 FIRST   YEARS    OF   LABOUR   IN   DUNDEE. 
 
 •'  Ye  know,  from  the  first  day  that  I  came  into  Asia,  after  what  manner  I  hy.vfr 
 been  with  you  at  all  seasons,  serving  the  Lord  with  all  humility  of  mind,  and 
 with  many  tears  and  temptations." — Acts  xs.  18,  19. 
 
 The  day  ou  which  he  was  ordaiued  pastor  of  a  flock,  was  a  day  of 
 much  anxiety  to  his  soul.  He  had  journeyed  by  Perth  to  spend 
 the  night  preceding  under  the  roof  of  his  kind  friend  Mr  Grierson, 
 in  the  manse  of  Errol.  Kext  morning,  ere  he  left  the  manse,  three 
 passages  of  Scripture  occupied  his  mind.  1.  "  Thou  shalt  keep  him 
 in  perfect  peace  ivhose  mind  is  stayed  on  Thee ;  because  he  trusteth  in 
 Thee." — Isaiah  xxvi.  3.  This  verse  was  seasonable  ;  for,  as  he  sat 
 meditating  on  the  solemn  duties  of  the  day,  his  heart  trembled. 
 2.  "  Give  thyself  wholly  to  these  things^ — 1  Tim.  iv.  15.  May  that 
 word  (he  prayed)  sink  deep  into  my  heart.  3.  "  Here  am  /,  send 
 me." — Isaiah  vi.  8.  "  To  go,  or  to  stay, — to  be  here  till  death,  or 
 to  visit  foreign  shores,  whatsoever,  wheresoever,  whensoever  Thou 
 pleasest."  He  rose  from  his  knees  with  the  prayer,  "  Lord,  may 
 thy  grace  come  with  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery." 
 He  was  ordained  on  November  24, 1836.  The  service  was  eon- 
 ducted  by  Mr  Roxburgh  of  St  John's,  through  whose  exertions  the 
 new  church  had  been  erected,  and  who  ever  afterwards  cherished 
 the  most  cordial  friendship  towards  him.  On  the  Sabbath  follow- 
 ing he  was  introduced  to  his  flock  by  Mr  John  Bonar  of  Larbert, 
 with  whom  he  had  laboured  as  a  son  in  the  gospel.  Himself 
 preached  in  the  afternoon  upon  Isaiah  Ixi.  1-3,  "  The  Spirit  of  the 
 Lord  is  vpon  me"  etc. ;  of  which  he  writes,  "  May  it  be  prophetic 
 of  the  object  of  my  coming  here  ! "  And  truly  it  was  so.  That 
 very  sermon — the  first  preached  by  him  as  a  pastor — was  the 
 means  of  awakening  souls,  as  he  afterwards  learnt ;  and  ever  on- 
 ward the  impressions  left  by  his  words  seemed  to  spread  and 
 deepen  among  his  people.  To  keep  up  the  remembrance  of  this 
 solemn  day,  he  used  in  all  the  subsequent  years  of  his  ministry  to 
 preach  from  this  same  text  on  the  anniversary  of  his  ordination.* 
 
 *  The  Accqdable  Year  of  the  Lord  wna  one  of  these  Anniversary  Sermon* 
 preached  November  1840. 
 62 
 
MEMOIIl  OF  THE  KEV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  63 
 
 In  the  evening  of  that  clay,  Mr  Bouar  again  preached  on  "  TJiese 
 times  of  refreshing.^'  "  A  noble  sermon,  showing  the  marks  of  such 
 times.  Ah !  when  shall  we  have  them  here  ?  Lord  bless  this  word, 
 to  help  their  coming  !  Put  thy  blessing  upon  this  day  !  Felt 
 given  over  to  God,  as  one  bought  with  a  price." 
 
 There  was  a  rapid  growth  in  his  soul,  perceptible  to  all  who 
 knew  him  well,  from  this  time.  Even  his  pulpit  preparations,  he 
 used  to  say,  became  easier  from  this  date.  He  had  earnestly 
 sought  that  the  day  of  his  ordination  might  be  a  time  of  new 
 grace  ;  he  expected  it  would  be  so  ;  and  there  was  a  peculiar  work 
 to  be  done  by  his  hands,  for  which  the  Holy  Spirit  did  speedily 
 prepare  him. 
 
 His  diary  does  not  contain  much  of  his  feelings  during  his 
 residence  in  Dundee.  His  incessant  labours  left  him  little  time, 
 except  what  he  scrupulously  spent  in  the  direct  exercises  of  devo- 
 tion. But  what  we  have  seen  of  his  manner  of  study  and  self- 
 examination  at  Larbert,  is  sufficient  to  show  in  what  a  constant 
 state  of  cultivation  his  soul  was  kept';  and  his  habits  in  these  re- 
 spects continued  with  him  to  the  last.  Jeremy  Taylor  recommends: 
 "  If  thou  meanest  to  enlarge  thy  religion,  do  it  rather  by  enlarg- 
 ing thine  ordinary  devotions  than  thy  extraordinary."  This  advice 
 describes  very  accurately  the  plan  of  spiritual  life  on  which  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  acted.  He  did  occasionally  set  apart  seasons  for  special 
 prayer  and  fasting,  occupying  the  time  so  set  apart  exclusively  in 
 devotion.  But  the  real  secret  of  his  soul's  prosperity  lay  in  the 
 daily  enlargement  of  his  heart  in  fellowship  with  his  God.  And 
 the  river  deepened  as  it  flowed  on  to  eternity  ;  so  that  he  at  least 
 reached  that  feature  of  a  holy  pastor  which  Paul  pointed  out  to 
 Timothy  (iv.  15) :  "  His  profiting  did  appear  to  all." 
 
 In  his  own  house  everything  was  fitted  to  make  you  feel  that  the 
 service  of  God  was  a  cheerful  service,  while  he  sought  that  every 
 arrangement  of  the  family  should  bear  upon  eternity.  His  morn- 
 ing hours  were  set  apart  for  the  nourishment  of  his  own  soul ;  not, 
 however,  with  the  view  of  laying  up  a  stock  of  grace  for  the  rest 
 of  the  day, — for  manna  will  corrupt  if  laid  by, — but  rather  with  the 
 view  of  "  giving  the  eye  the  habit  of  looking  upward  all  the  day, 
 and  drawing  down  gleams  from  the  reconciled  countenance."  He 
 was  sparing  in  the  hours  devoted  to  sleep,  and  resolutely  secured 
 time  for  devotion  before  breakfast,  although  often  wearied  and  ex- 
 hausted when  he  laid  himself  to  rest.  "  A  soldier  of  the  cross," 
 was  his  remark,  "  must  endure  hardness."  Often  he  sang  a  psalm 
 of  praise,  as  soon  as  he  arose,  to  stir  up  his  soul.  Three  chapters 
 of  the  word  was  his  usual  morning  portion.     This  he  thought  little 
 
64  MEMOIR  OF  THE  EEV.  li.  M.  M'CUEYNE.  * 
 
 enough,  for  he  delighted  exceedingly  in  the  Scriptures  :  they  were 
 better  to  him  than  thousands  of  gold  or  silver.  "  When  you 
 write,"  said  he  to  a  friend,  "  tell  me  the  meaning  of  Scriptures." 
 To  another,  in  expressing  his  value  for  the  word,  he  said,  "  One 
 gem  from  that  ocean  is  worth  all  the  pebbles  of  earthly  streams." 
 
 His  chief  season  of  relaxation  seemed  to  be  breakfast-time.  He 
 would  come  down  with  a  happy  countenance  and  a  full  soul ;  and 
 after  the  sweet  season  of  family  prayer,  forthwith  commence  form- 
 ing plans  for  the  day.  When  he  was  well,  nothing  seemed  to 
 afford  him  such  true  delight  as  to  have  his  hands  full  of  work. 
 Indeed,  it  was  often  remarked  that  in  him  you  found — what  you 
 rarely  meet  with — a  man  of  high  poetic  imagination  and  deep 
 devotion,  who  nevertheless  was  engaged  unceasingly  in  the  busiest 
 and  most  laborious  activities  of  his  office. 
 
 His  friends  could  observe  how  much  his  soul  was  engrossed 
 during  his  times  of  study  and  devotion.  If  interrupted  on  such 
 occasions,  though  he  never  seemed  ruffled,  yet  there  was  a  kind  of 
 gravity  and  silence  that  impHed — "  I  wish  to  be  alone."  But  he 
 further  aimed  at  enjoying  God  all  the  day.  And  referring  on  one 
 occasion  to  those  blank  hours  which  so  often  are  a  believer's  burden, 
 — hours  during  which  the  soul  is  dry  and  barren, — he  observed, 
 "  They  are  proofs  of  how  little  we  are  filled  with  the  presence  of 
 God,  how  Httle  we  are  hranchlike  ^  in  our  faith." 
 
 This  careful  attention  to  the  frame  of  his  spirit  did  not  hinder 
 his  preparation  for  his  people ;  on  the  contrary,  it  kept  alive  his 
 deep  conscientiousness,  and  kept  liis  warm  compassion  ever  yearn- 
 ing. When  asked  to  observe  a  Saturday  as  a  day  of  fasting  and 
 prayer,  along  with  some  others  who  had  a  special  object  in  view, 
 he  replied,  "  Saturday  is  an  awkward  day  for  ministers ;  for 
 though  I  love  to  seek  help  from  on  high,  I  love  also  dihgently  to 
 set  my  thoughts  in  order  for  the  Sabbath.  I  sometimes  fear  that 
 you  fail  in  this  latter  duty." 
 
 During  his  first  years  in  Dundee,  he  often  rode  out  in  an  after- 
 noon to  the  ruined  church  of  Invergowrie,  to  enjoy  an  hour's 
 perfect  solitude  ;  for  he  felt  meditation  and  prayer  to  be  the  very 
 sinews  of  his  work.  Such  notices,  also,  as  the  following,  show  his 
 systematic  pursuit  of  personal  hoHness  : — 
 
 "  April  9,  1837,  Evening. — A  very  pleasant  quietness.  Study  of 
 the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews.  Came  to  a  more  intelhgent  view  of  the 
 first  six  chapters  than  ever  before.  Much  refreshed  by  John  Newton; 
 instructed  by  Edwards.  Help  and  freedom  in  prayer.  Lord,  what 
 a  happy  season  is  a  Sabbath  evening  !    What  will  heaven  bel" 
 
 '  Compare  Zecliariah  iv.  VI  witU  John  iv.  6. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  KEY.  R.  M.  M^CHETNE.  05 
 
 "  April  1 6,  Sabbath  evening. — Much  prayer  and  peace.  Kead- 
 ing  the  Bible  only." 
 
 ^^  June  2. — Much  peace  and  rest  to-night.  Much  broken  under 
 a  sense  of  my  exceeding  wickedness,  which  no  eye  can  see  but 
 thine.  Much  persuasion  of  the  sufficiency  of  Christ,  and  of  the 
 constancy  of  liis  love.  Oh  how  sweet  to  work  all  day  for  God,  and 
 then  to  lie  down  at  night  under  his  smiles  !  " 
 
 '''■June  17, 1838. — At  Dumbarney  communion.  Much  sin  and  cold- 
 ness two  days  before.  Lay  low  at  his  feet ;  found  peace  only  in  Jesus." 
 
 "  Sept.  25. — Spent  last  week  at  Blairgowrie;  I  hope  not  in  vain. 
 Much  sin,  weakness,  and  uselessness  ;  much  delight  in  the  w^ord 
 also,  while  opening  it  up  at  family  prayer.  May  God  make  the 
 word  fire.  Opened  1  Thessalonians,  the  whole ;  enriching  to  my 
 own  mind.  How  true  is  Psalm  i. !  yet  observed  in  my  heart  a 
 strange  proneness  to  be  entangled  with  the  affairs  of  this  life  ;  not 
 strange  because  I  am  good,  but  because  I  have  been  bo  often 
 taught  that  bitterness  is  the  end  of  it." 
 
 "  Sept.  27. — Devoted  chief  part  of  Friday  to  fasting.  Humbled 
 and  refreshed." 
 
 "  Sept.  30,  Sab])ath. — Very  happy  in  my  work.  Too  httle  prayer 
 in  the  morning.  Must  try  to  get  early  to  bed  on  Saturday,  that  I 
 may  '  rise  a  great  while  before  day.'  "  These  early  hours  of  prayer 
 on  Sabbath  he  endeavoured  to  have  all  his  life  ;  not  for  study,  but 
 for  prayer.  He  never  laboured  at  his  sermons  on  a  Sabbath. 
 That  day  he  kept  for  its  original  end,  the  refreshment  of  his  soul. 
 (Exodus  xxxi.  17.) 
 
 The  parish  of  St  Peter's,  to  which  he  had  come,  was  large  and 
 very  destitute.  It  is  situated  at  the  west  end  of  the  town,  and 
 included  some  part  of  the  adjacent  country.  The  church  was  built 
 in  connection  with  the  Church  Extension  Scheme.  The  parish 
 was  a  quoad  sacra  parish,  detached  from  St  John's.  It  contains  a 
 population  of  4000  souls,  very  many  of  whom  never  crossed  the 
 threshold  of  any  sanctuary.  His  congregation  amounted,  at  the 
 very  outset,  to  about  1100  hearers,  one-third  of  whom  came  from 
 distant  parts  of  the  town. 
 
 Here  was  a  wide  field  for  parochial  labour.  It  was  also  a  very 
 dead  region — few,  even  of  those  who  were  living  Christians,  breath- 
 ing their  Kfe  on  others ;  for  the  surrounding  mass  of  impenetrable 
 heathenism  had  cast  its  sad  mfluence  even  over  them.  His  first 
 impressions  of  Dundee  were  severe.  "  A  city  given  to  idolatry  and 
 hardness  of  heart.  I  fear  there  is  much  of  what  Isaiah  speaks  of : 
 *  The  prophets  prophesy  lies,  and  the  people  love  to  have  it  so.' " 
 
 His  first  months  of  labour  were  very  trying.     He  was  not  strong 
 
 E 
 
66  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M^CHEYNE. 
 
 in  bodily  health,  and  that  winter  a  fatal  influenza  prevailed  for 
 two  or  three  months,  so  that  most  of  his  time  in  his  parish  was 
 spent  in  visiting  the  sick  and  dying.  In  such  cases  he  was  always 
 ready.  "  Did  I  tell  you  of  the  boy  I  was  asked  to  see  on  Sab- 
 bath evening,  just  when  I  got  myself  comfortably  seated  at  home  ? 
 I  went,  and  was  speaking  to  him  of  the  freeness  and  fulness  of 
 Jesus,  when  he  gasped  a  little  and  died." 
 
 In  one  of  his  first  visits  to  the  sick,  the  narrative  of  the  Lord's 
 singular  dealings  with  one  of  his  parishioners  greatly  encouraged 
 him  to  carry  the  glad  tidings  to  the  distressed  under  every  dis- 
 advantage. Four  years  before,  a  young  woman  had  been  seized 
 ^ith  cholera,  and  was  deprived  of  the  use  of  speech  for  a  whole 
 year.  The  Bible  was  read  to  her,  and  men  of  God  used  to  speak  and 
 pray  with  her.  At  the  end  of  the  year  her  tongue  was  loosed,  and 
 the  first  words  heard  from  her  hps  were  praise  and  thanksgiving  for 
 what  the  Lord  had  done  for  her  soul.  It  was  in  her  chamber  he  was 
 now  standing,  hearing  from  her  own  lips  what  the  Lord  had  wrought. 
 
 On  another  occasion,  during  the  first  year  of  his  ministry,  he 
 witnessed  the  death-bed  conversion  of  a  man  who,  till  within  a  few 
 days  of  his  end,  almost  denied  that  there  was  a  God.  This  solid 
 conversion,  as  he  beheved  it  to  be,  stirred  him  up  to  speak  with  all 
 hopefulness,  as  well  as  earnestness,  to  the  dying. 
 
 But  it  was,  above  all,  to  the  children  of  God  that  his  visitations 
 seemed  blessed.  His  voice,  and  his  very  eye,  spoke  tenderness ; 
 for  personal  affliction  had  taught  him  to  feel  sympathy  with  the 
 sorrowing.  Though  the  following  be  an  extract  from  a  letter,  yet 
 it  will  be  recognised  by  many  as  exhibiting  his  mode  of  deahng 
 with  God's  afflicted  ones  in  his  visitations  :  "  There  is  a  sweet 
 word  in  Exodus  (iii.  7),  which  was  pointed  out  to  me  the  other  day 
 by  a  poor  bereaved  child  of  God  :  '  I  know  their  sorrows.'  Study 
 that ;  it  fills  the  soul.  Another  word  like  it  is  in  Psalm  ciii.  14  : 
 '  He  knoweth  our  frame.'  May  your  own  soul,  and  that  of  your 
 dear  friends,  be  fed  by  these  things.  A  dark  hour  makes  Jesus 
 bright.   Another  sweet  word  :  '  They  knew  not  that  it  was  Jesus.'" 
 
 I  find  some  specimens  of  his  sick  visits  among  his  papers,  noted 
 down  at  a  time  when  his  work  had  not  grown  upon  his  hands. 
 ^^  January  25,  1837 — Visited  Mt.  M'Bain,  a  young  woman  of 
 twenty-four,  long  ill  of  dechne.  Better  or  worse  these  ten  years 
 past.  Spoke  of  '  The  one  thing  needfuV  plainly.  She  sat  quiet. 
 February  1 4 — Had  heard  she  was  better — found  her  near  dying. 
 Spoke  plainly  and  tenderly  to  her,  commending  Christ.  Used  many 
 texts.  She  put  out  her  hand  kindly  on  leaving.  15th — Still  dying 
 like;  spoke  as  yesterday.    She  never  opened  her  eyes,     16th~ 
 
.    MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  67 
 
 Showed  her  the  dreadfulness  of  wrath ;  freeness  of  Christ ;  the 
 majesty,  justice,  truth  of  God.  Poor  M.  is  fast  going  the  way 
 whence  she  shall  not  return.  Many  neighbours  also -always  gather 
 in.  17th — Read  Psalm  xxii. ;  showed  the  sufferings  of  Christ ; 
 how  sufficient  an  atonement;  how  feeling  a  High  Priest.  She 
 breathed  loud,  and  groaned  through  pain.  Died  this  evening  at 
 seven.  I  hardly  ever  heard  her  speak  anything;  and  I  will  hope 
 that  thou  art  with  Christ  in  glory,  till  I  go  and  see.  20th — Prayed 
 at  her  funeral.  Saw  her  laid  in  St  Peter's  churchyard,  the  first  laid 
 there,  by  her  own  desire,  in  the  fresh  mould  where  never  man  was 
 laid.  May  it  be  a  token  that  she  is  with  Him  who  was  laid  in  a 
 new  tomb." 
 
 He  records  another  case  :  "  January  4,  1837 — Sent  for  to  Mrs 
 
 S .    Yery  ill ;  asthmatic.     Spoke  on  '  No  condemnation  to  them 
 
 that  are  in  Christ.'  She  said,  'But  am  I  in  Christ?'  seemingly 
 very  anxious.  Said  she  had  often  been  so,  and  had  let  it  go  by. 
 5th — Still  living;  spoke  to  her  of  Christ,  and  of  full  salvation. 
 (Myself  confined  in  the  house  till  the  16th.)  16th — Much  worse. 
 Not  anxious  to  hear,  yet  far  from  rest.  Dark,  uneasy  eye.  Asked 
 me,  '  What  is  it  to  believe  ? '  Spoke  to  her  on  '  God,  who  made 
 light  shine  out  of  darkness.'  She  seemed  to  take  up  nothing.  Lord, 
 help  !  17th — Still  worse;  wearing  away.  No  smile;  no  sign  of  in- 
 ward peace.  Spoke  of  'Remember  me'  Went  over  the  whole  gospel 
 in  the  form  of  personal  address.  She  drowsy.  18th — Quieter. 
 *  My  Lord  and  my  God.'  She  spoke  at  intervals.  More  cheerful ; 
 anxious  that  I  should  not  go  without  prayer.  Has  much  know- 
 ledge ;  complete  command  of  the  Bible.  19th — Spoke  on  *  Con- 
 vincing of  sin  and  righteousness.'  Rather  more  heart  to  hear.  20th 
 — Psalm  li.  Her  look  and  her  words  were  hghtsome.  23d — 
 Faintish  and  restless;  no  sign  of  peace.  '/  am  the  way,'  and 
 Psalm  XXV.  24th — Still  silent  and  little  sign  of  anything.  26th 
 — Psalm  xl.  '  The  fearful  pit.'  Yery  plain.  Could  not  get  any- 
 thing out  of  her.  February  1 — Died  at  twelve  noon ;  no  visible 
 mark  of  light,  or  comfort,  or  hope.     The  day  shall  declare  it." 
 
 One  other  case :  "  February  5,  1839. — Called  suddenly  in  the 
 evening.  Found  him  near  death.  Careless  family.  Many  round 
 him.  Spoke  of  the  freeness  and  sufficiency  of  Jesus,  '  Come  unto  me,' 
 etc.,  and  '  The  wrath  of  God  revealed  from  heaven.'  Told  him  he  was 
 going  where  he  would  see  Christ !  asked  him  if  He  would  be  his 
 Saviour  ?  He  seemed  to  answer ;  his  father  said,  '  He  is  saying, 
 Yes.'  But  it  was  the  throe  of  death.  One  or  two  indescribable 
 gasps,  and  he  died !  I  sat  silent,  and  let  God  preach.  7th — 
 Spoke  of  the  '  Widow  of  Nain'  and  '  Behold  I  stand  at  the  door,' " 
 
68  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  il'CHEYNE. 
 
 Attendance  at  funerab  was  often  to  him  a  season  of  much 
 exercise.  Should  it  not  be  to  all  ministers  a  time  for  solemn  in- 
 quiry ?  Was  I  faithful  with  this  soul?  Could  this  soul  have 
 learnt  salvation  from  me  every  time  I  saw  him  ?  And  did  I  pray 
 as  fervently  as  I  spoke  ?  And  if  we  have  tender  pity  for  souls,  we 
 will  sometimes  feel  as  Mr  M'Cheyne  records :  "  September  24. — 
 Buried  A.  M.  Felt  bitterly  the  word,  '  If  any  man  draw  back/ 
 etc.     Never  had  more  bitter  feelings  at  any  funeral." 
 
 All  who  make  any  pretension  to  the  office  of  shepherds  visit  their 
 flocks ;  ^  yet  there  is  a  wide  difference  in  the  kind  of  visits  which 
 shepherds  give.  One  does  it  formally,  to  discharge  his  duty  and 
 to  quiet  conscience ;  another  makes  it  his  dehght.  And  of  those 
 who  make  it  their  delight,  one  goes  forth  on  the  regular  plan  of 
 addressing  all  in  somewhat  of  the  same  style  ;  while  another  speaks 
 freely,  according  as  the  wounds  of  his  sheep  come  to  view.  On  all 
 occasions,  this  difficult  and  trying  work  must  be  gone  about  with  a 
 full  heart,  if  it  is  to  be  gone  about  successfully  at  all.  There  is 
 little  in  it  to  excite,  for  there  is  not  the  presence  of  numbers,  and 
 the  few  you  see  at  a  time  are  in  their  calmest,  every-day  mood. 
 Hence  there  is  need  of  being  full  of  grace,  and  need  of  feehng  as 
 though  God  did  visit  every  hearer  by  your  means.  Our  object  is 
 not  to  get  duty  done,  but  to  get  souls  saved.  2  Cor.  xiii.  7.  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  used  to  go  forth  in  this  spirit;  and  often  after  visiting  from 
 house  to  house  for  several  hours,  he  would  return  to  some  room  in 
 the  place  in  the  evening,  and  preach  to  the  gathered  families. 
 "iS'ep^emier  26,  1838. — Good  visiting-day.  Twelve  families ;  many 
 of  them  go  nowhere.  It  is  a  great  thing  to  be  well  furnished  by 
 meditation  and  prayer  before  setting  out ;  it  makes  you  a  far  more 
 full  and  faithful  witness.  Preached  in  A.  F.'s  house  on  Job,  '/ 
 know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth'     Very  sweet  and  precious  to  myself." 
 
 Partly  from  his  state  of  health,  and  partly  from  the  vast  accumu- 
 lation of  other  labours,  and  the  calls  made  on  him  for  evangelizing 
 elsewhere,  he  was  never  able  to  overtake  the  visitation  of  the  whole 
 district  assigned  him.  He  was  blessed  to  attract  and  reclaim  very 
 many  of  the  most  degraded  ;  and  by  Sabbath  schools  and  a  regular 
 eldership,  to  take  superintendence  of  the  population  to  a  great 
 extent.  Still  he  himself  often  said  that  his  parish  had  never  fully 
 shared  in  the  advantages  that  attend  an  aggressive  system  of 
 parochial  labour.     Once  when  spending  a  day  in  the  rural  parish  of 
 
 *  Baxter  (Reformed  Pastor)  says,  "I  daro  prognosticate  from  knowledge  of  the 
 nature  of  true  grace,  that  all  godly  ministers  v/ill  make  conscience  of  this  duty 
 ftiid  address  themselves  to  it,  unless  they  be,  by  some  extraordinary  accident 
 «lie*blcd." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  3I*CHETNE.  69 
 
 CoUace,  as  we  went  in  the  afternoon  from  door  to  door,  and  spoke 
 to  the  children  whom  we  met  on  the  road-side,  he  smiled  and  said, 
 "  Well,  how  I  envy  a  country  minister  ;  for  he  can  get  acquainted 
 with  all  his  people,  and  have  some  insight  into  their  real  character." 
 Many  of  us  thought  that  he  afterwards  erred,  in  the  abundant  fre- 
 quency of  his  evangelistic  labours  at  a  time  when  he  was  still  bound 
 to  a  particular  flock. 
 
 He  had  an  evening  class  every  week  for  the  young  people  of  his 
 congregation.  The  Catechism  and  the  Bible  were  his  text-books, 
 while  he  freely  introduced  all  manner  of  useful  illustrations.  He 
 thought  himself  bound  to  prepare  diligently  for  his  classes,  that  he 
 might  give  accurate  and  simple  explanations,  and  unite  what  was 
 interesting  with  the  most  solemn  and  awakening  views.  But  it 
 was  his  class  for  young  communicants  that  engaged  his  deepest 
 care,  and  wherein  he  saw  most  success.  He  began  a  class  of  this 
 kind  previous  to  his  first  Communion,  and  continued  to  form  it 
 again  some  weeks  before  every  similar  occasion.  His  tract,  pub- 
 lished in  1840,  This  do  in  remembrance  of  Me,  maybe  considered 
 as  exhibiting  the  substance  of  his  solemn  examinations  on  these 
 occasions. 
 
 He  usually  noted  down  his  first  impressions  of  his  communicants, 
 and  compared  these  notes  with  what  he  afterwards  saw  in  them. 
 Thus  :  "  M.  K.,  sprightly  and  lightsome,  yet  sensible ;  she  saw 
 plainly  that  the  converted  alone  should  come  to  the  Table,  but 
 stumbled  at  the  question.  If  she  were  converted  ?  Yet  she  claimed 
 being  awakened  and  brought  to  Christ."  Another  :  "  Very  staid, 
 intelligent-like  person,  with  a  steady  kind  of  anxiety,  but,  I  fear,  no 
 feeling  of  helplessness.  Thought  that  sorrow  and  prayer  would 
 obtain  forgiveness.  Told  her  plainly  what  I  thought  of  her  case." 
 Another  :  "  Knows  she  was  once  Christless  ;  now  she  reads,  and 
 prays,  and  is  anxious.  I  doubt  not  there  is  some  anxiety,  yet  I  fear 
 it  may  be  only  a  self-reformation  to  recommend  herself  to  God  and 
 to  man.  Told  her  plainly."  "  A.  M.,  I  fear  much  for  him.  Gave 
 him  a  token  with  much  anxiety  ;  warned  him  very  much."  "  C.  P. 
 does  not  seem  to  have  any  work  of  anxiety.  He  reads  prayer-books, 
 etc.     Does  not  pray  in  secret.     Seems  not  very  intelligent." 
 
 He  sought  to  encourage  Sabbath  schools  in  all  the  districts  of 
 his  parish.  The  hymn.  Oil  for  the  Lamjy,  was  written  to  impress 
 the  parable  on  a  class  of  Sabbath  scholars  in  1841.  Some  of  his 
 sweet,  simple  tracts  were  written  for  these  schools.  Reasons  why 
 Children  should  fly  to  Christ  was  the  first,  written  at  the  New  Year 
 1839  ;  and  The  Lambs  of  the  Flock  was  another  at  a  later  period. 
 His  heart  felt  for  the  young.     One  evening,  after  visiting  some  of 
 
70  IHEMOIR  or  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 his  Sabbath  schools,  he  writes  :  "  Had  considerable  joy  in  teachmg 
 the  children.  Oh  for  real  heart- work  among  them  ! "  He  could 
 accommodate  himself  to  their  capacities  ;  and  he  did  not  reckon  it 
 vain  to  use  his  talents  in  order  to  attract  their  attention,  for  he 
 regarded  the  soul  of  a  child  as  infinitely  precious.  Ever  watchful 
 for  opportunities,  on  the  blank  leaf  of  a  book  which  he  had  sent  to 
 a  little  boy  of  his  congregation,  he  wrote  these  simple  lines : — 
 
 Peace  be  to  thee,  gentle  boy ! 
 Many  years  of  health  and  joy ! 
 Love  your  Bible  more  than  play, 
 Grow  in  wisdom  every  day. 
 Like  the  lark  on  hovering  wing, 
 Early  rise,  and  mount  and  sing  ; 
 Like  the  dove  that  found  no  rest 
 Till  it  flew  to  Noah's  breast, 
 Rest  not  in  this  world  of  sin, 
 Till  the  Saviour  take  thee  in. 
 
 He  had  a  high  standard  in  his  mind  as  to  the  moral  qualifica- 
 tions of  those  who  should  teach  the  young.  When  a  female 
 teacher  was  sought  for  to  conduct  an  evening  school  in  his  parish 
 for  the  sake  of  the  mill-girls,  he  wrote  to  one  interested  in  the 
 cause  :  "  The  qualifications  she  should  possess  for  sewing  and  knit- 
 ting you  will  understand  far  better  than  I.  She  should  be  able  to 
 keep  up  in  her  scholars  the  fluency  of  reading,  and  the  knowledge 
 of  the  Bible  and  Catechism  which  they  may  have  already  acquired. 
 She  should  be  able  to  teach  them  to  sing  the  praises  of  God  with 
 feeling  and  melody.  But,  far  above  all,  she  should  be  a  Christian 
 woman,  not  in  name  only,  but  in  deed  and  in  truth, — one  whose 
 heart  has  been  touched  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  who  can  love  the 
 souls  of  little  children.  Any  teacher  who  wanted  this  last  quahfi- 
 cation,  I  would  look  upon  as  a  curse  rather  than  a  blessing, — a 
 centre  of  blasting  and  coldness  and  death,  instead  of  a  centre  from 
 which  life  and  warmth  and  heavenly  influence  might  emanate." 
 
 It  was  very  soon  after  his  ordination  that  he  began  his  weekly 
 prayer-meeting  in  the  church.  He  had  heard  how  meetings  of  this 
 kind  had  been  blessed  in  other  places,  and  never  had  he  any  cause 
 to  regret  having  set  apart  the  Thursday  evening  for  this  holy 
 purpose.  One  of  its  first  effects  was  to  quicken  those  who  had 
 already  beUeved ;  they  were  often  refreshed  upon  these  occasions 
 even  more  than  on  the  Sabbath.  Some  of  the  most  solemn  seasons 
 of  his  ministry  were  at  those  meetings.  At  their  commencement, 
 he  wrote  to  me  an  account  of  his  manner  of  conducting  them  :  "I 
 give  my  people  a  Scripture  to  be  hidden  in  the  heart — generally  a 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHETNE.  71 
 
 promise  of  the  Spirit  or  the  wonderful  effects  of  his  outpouring.^ 
 i  give  them  the  heads  of  a  sermon  upon  it  for  about  twenty  minutes. 
 Prayer  goes  before  and  follows.  Then  I  read  some  history  of 
 Revivals,  and  comment  in  passing.  I  think  the  people  are  very 
 much  interested  in  it :  a  number  of  people  come  from  all  parts  of 
 the  town.  But,  oh !  I  need  much  the  hving  Spirit  to  my  own  soul ; 
 I  want  my  life  to  be  hid  with  Christ  in  God.  At  present  there  is 
 too  much  hurry,  and  bustle,  and  outward  working,  to  allow  the 
 calm  working  of  the  Spirit  on  the  heart.  I  seldom  get  time  to 
 meditate,  like  Isaac,  at  evening-tide,  except  when  I  am  tired;  but  the 
 dew  comes  down  when  all  nature  is  at  rest — when  every  leaf  is  still." 
 
 A  specimen  of  the  happy  freedom  and  familiar  illustrations  which 
 his  people  felt  to  be  pecuhar  to  these  meetings,  may  be  found  in  the 
 notes  taken  by  one  of  his  hearers,  of  Expositions  of  the  Epistles  to  the 
 Seven  Churches,  given  during  the  year  1838.  He  had  himself  great 
 dehght  in  the  Thursday  evening  meetings.  "  They  will  doubtless 
 be  remembered  in  eternity  with  songs  of  praise,"  said  he,  on  one 
 occasion;  and  at  another  time,  observing  the  tender  frame  of  a 
 soul  which  was  often  manifested  at  these  seasons,  he  said,  "  There 
 is  a  stillness  to  the  last  word, — not  as  on  Sabbaths,  a  rushing 
 down  at  the  end  of  the  prayer,  as  if  glad  to  get  out  of  God's 
 presence."  So  many  believing  and  so  many  inquiring  souls  used 
 to  attend,  and  so  few  of  the  worldlings,  that  you  seemed  to  breathe 
 the  atmosphere  of  heaven. 
 
 But  it  was  his  Sabbath-day's  services  that  brought  multitudes 
 together,  and  were  soon  felt  throughout  the  town.  He  was  ever  so 
 ready  to  assist  his  brethren,  so  much  engaged  in  every  good  work,  and 
 latterly  so  often  interrupted  by  inquiries,  that  it  might  be  thought 
 he  had  no  time  for  careful  preparation,  and  might  be  excused  for 
 the  absence  of  it.  But,  in  truth,  he  never  preached  without  careful 
 attention  bestowed  on  his  subject.  He  might,  indeed,  have  little 
 time — often  the  hours  of  a  Saturday  was  all  the  time  he  could  obtain, 
 — but  his  daily  study  of  the  Scriptures  stored  his  mind,  and  formed 
 a  continual  preparation.  Much  of  his  Sabbath  services  was  a  draw- 
 ing out  of  what  he  had  carried  in  during  busy  days  of  the  week. 
 
 His  voice  was  remarkably  clear, — his  manner  attractive  by  its 
 mild  dignity.  His  form  itself  drew  the  eye.^  He  spoke  from  the 
 pulpit  as  one  earnestly  occupied  with  the  souls  before  him.  He 
 made  them  feel  sympathy  with  what  he  spoke,  for  his  own  eye  and 
 heart  were  on  them.     He  was,  at  the  same  timfe,  able  to  bring  out 
 
 1  The  first  text  he  gave  to  be  thus  hidden  in  the  heart  was  Isaiah  xxxiy.  lii  i 
 Until  the  Spirit  be  poured  out  from  on  high." 
 '  "  Gration  est  pulchro  yeniens  e  corpore  virtus." 
 
72  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CIIEYNE. 
 
 illustrations  at  once  simple  and  felicitous,  often  with  poetic  skill 
 and  elegance.  He  wished  to  use  Saxon  words,  for  the  sake  of 
 being  understood  by  the  most  illiterate  in  his  audience.  And 
 while  his  style  was  singularly  clear,  this  clearness  itself  was  so 
 much  the  consequence  of  his  being  able  thoroughly  to  analyse  and 
 explain  his  subject,  that  all  his  hearers  ahke  reaped  the  benefit. 
 
 He  went  about  his  pubUc  work  with  awful  reverence.  So  evident 
 was  this,  that  I  remember  a  countryman  in  my  parish  observed  to 
 me :  "  Before  he  opened  his  lips,  as  he  came  along  the  passage, 
 there  was  something  about  him  that  sorely  affected  me."  In  the 
 vestry  there  was  never  any  idle  conversation  ;  all  was  preparation  of 
 heart  in  approaching  God  ;  and  a  short  prayer  preceded  his  enter- 
 ing the  pulpit.  Surely  in  going  forth  to  speak  for  God,  a  man  may 
 well  be  overawed  !  Surely  in  putting  forth  his  hand  to  sow  the  seed 
 of  the  kingdom,  a  man  may  even  tremble  !  And  surely  we  should 
 aim  at  nothing  less  than  to  pour  forth  the  truth  upon  our  people 
 through  the  channel  of  our  own  hving  and  deeply  affected  souls. 
 
 After  announcing  the  subject  of  his  discourse,  he  used  generally 
 to  show  the  position  it  occupied  in  the  context,  and  then  proceed 
 to  bring  out  the  doctrines  of  the  text,  in  the  manner  of  our  old 
 divines.  This  done,  he  divided  his  subject ;  and  herein  he  was 
 eminently  skilful.  "The  heads  of  his  sermons,"  said  a  friend,  "were 
 not  the  mile-stones  that  tell  you  how  near  you  are  to  your  journey's 
 end,  but  they  were  nails  which  fixed  and  fastened  all  he  said. 
 Divisions  are  often  dry ;  but  not  so  his  divisions, — they  were  so 
 textual  and  so  feeling,  and  they  brought  out  the  spirit  of  a  passage 
 so  surprisingly." 
 
 It  was  his  wish  to  arrive  nearer  at  the  primitive  mode  of  ex- 
 pounding Scripture  in  his  sermons.  Hence  when  one  asked  him, 
 If  he  was  never  afraid  of  running  short  of  sermons  some  day? 
 he  replied,  "No;  I  am  just  an  interpreter  of  Scripture  in  my  ser- 
 mons; and  when  the  Bible  runs  dry,  then  I  shall."  And  in  the  same 
 spirit  he  carefully  avoided  the  too  common  mode  of  accommodating 
 texts, — fastening  a  doctrine  on  the  words,  not  drawing  it  from  the 
 obvious  connection  of  the  passage.  He  endeavoured  at  all  times 
 to  preach  the  mind  of  the  Spirit  in  a  passage ;  for  he  feared  that  to  do 
 otherwise  would  be  to  grieve  the  Spirit  who  had  written  it.  Inter- 
 pretation was  thus  a  solemn  matter  to  him.  And  yet,  adhering 
 scrupulously  to  this  sure  principle,  he  felt  himself  in  no  way  re- 
 strained from  using,  for  every  day's  necessities,  all  parts  of  the  Old 
 Testament  as  niucii  as  the  New.  His  manner  was  first  to  ascertain 
 the  primary  sense  and  application,  and  so  proceed  to  handle  it  for 
 present   use.      Thus,  on  Isaiah  xxvi.  lG-19,  he  began:    "This 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  v    73 
 
 passage,  I  believe,  refers  literally  to  the  conversion  of  God's 
 ancient  people."  He  regarded  the  prophecies  as  histoi-y  yet  to  he, 
 and  drew  lessons  from  them  accordingly  as  he  would  have  done 
 from  the  past.  Every  spiritual  gift  being  in  the  hands  of  Jesus,  if 
 he  found  Moses  or  Paul  in  the  possession  of  precious  things,  he 
 forthwith  was  led  to  follow  them  into  the  presence  of  that  same 
 Lord  who  gave  them  all  their  grace. 
 
 There  is  a  wide  difference  between  preaching  doctrifie  and 
 preaching  CImst.  Mr  M'Cheyne  preached  all  the  doctrines  of 
 Scripture  as  understood  by  our  Confession  of  Faith,  dwelHng  upon 
 ruin  by  the  Fall,  and  recovery  by  the  Mediator.  "  The  things  of 
 the  human  heart,  and  the  things  of  the  Divine  Mind,"  were  in  sub- 
 stance his  constant  theme.  From  personal  experience  of  deep 
 temptation,  he  could  lay  open  the  secrets  of  the  heart,  so  that  he 
 once  said,  "  He  supposed  the  reason  why  some  of  the  worst  sinners 
 in  Dundee  had  come  to  hear  him  was,  because  his  heart  exhibited 
 so  much  likeness  to  theirs."  Still  it  was  not  doctrim  alone  that  he 
 preached ;  it  was  Christ,  from  whom  all  doctrine  shoots  forth  as 
 rays  from  a  centre.  He  sought  to  hang  every  vessel  and  flagon 
 upon  Him.  "It  is  strange,"  he  wrote  after  preaching  on  Revela- 
 tions i.  15  :  "It  is  strange  how  sweet  and  precious  it  is  to  preach 
 directly  about  Christ,  compared  with  all  other  subjects  of  preach- 
 ing." And  he  often  expressed  a  disUke  of  the  phrase  "  giving  at- 
 tention to  religion"  because  it  seemed  to  substitute  doctrine,  and  a 
 devout  way  of  thinking,  for  Christ  himself. 
 
 It  is  difficult  to  convey  to  those  who  never  knew  him  a  correct 
 idea  of  the  sweetness  and  holy  unction  of  his  preaching.  Some  of 
 his  sermons,  printed  from  his  own  mss.  (although  almost  all  are 
 first  copies),  may  convey  a  correct  idea  of  his  style  and  mode  of 
 preaching  doctrine.  But  there  are  no  notes  that  give  any  true 
 idea  of  his  affectionate  appeals  to  the  heart  and  searching  applica- 
 tions. These  he  seldom  wrote  ;  they  were  poured  forth  at  the 
 moment  when  his  heart  filled  with  his  subject ;  for  his  rule  was  to 
 set  before  his  hearers  a  body  of  truth  first, — and  there  always  was 
 a  vast  amount  of  Bible  truth  in  his  discourses, — and  then  urge 
 home  the  application.  His  exhortations  flowed  from  his  doctrine, 
 and  thus  had  both  variety  and  power.  He  was  systematic  in  this ; 
 for  he  observed  :  "  Appeals  to  the  careless,  etc.,  come  with  power 
 on  the  back  of  some  massy  truth.  See  how  Paul  does  (Acts  xiii. 
 40),  '  Beware,  therefore,  lest,'  etc.,  and  (Hebrews  ii.  1),  '  Therefore 
 we  should,' "  etc. 
 
 He  was  sometimes  a  little  unguarded  in  his  statements,  when  his 
 heart  was  deeply  moved  and  his  feelinp?s  stirred,  and  sometimes  hf 
 
74  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 was  too  long  in  his  addresses ;  but  this  also  arose  from  the  fulness 
 of  his  soul.  "  Another  word,"  he  thought,  "  may  be  blessed, 
 though  the  last  has  made  no  impression." 
 
 Many  will  remember  for  ever  the  blessed  Communion  Sabbaths 
 that  were  enjoyed  in  St  Peter's.  From  the  very  first  these  Com 
 munion  seasons  were  remarkably  owned  of  God.  The  awe  of  his 
 presence  used  to  be  upon  his  people,  and  the  house  filled  with  the 
 odour  of  the  ointment,  when  his  name  was  poured  forth  (Song 
 i.  3).  But  on  common  Sabbaths  also  many  soon  began  to  journey 
 long  distances  to  attend  St  Peter's, — many  from  country  parishes, 
 who  would  return  home  with  their  hearts  burning,  as  they  talked 
 of  what  they  had  heard  that  day. 
 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  knew  the  snare  of  popularity,  and  naturally  was 
 one  that  would  have  been  fascinated  by  it ;  but  the  Lord  kept  him. 
 
 He  was  sometimes  extraordinarily  helped  in  his  preaching  ;  but 
 at  other  times,  though  not  perceived  by  his  hearers,  his  soul  felt  as 
 if  left  to  its  own  resources.  The  cry  of  Rowland  Hill  was  con- 
 stantly on  his  lips,  "  Master,  help  !"  and  often  is  it  written  at  the 
 close  of  his  sermon.  Much  affliction,  also,  was  a  thorn  in  the  flesh 
 to  him.  He  described  himself  as  often  "  strong  as  a  giant  whom 
 in  the  church,  but  like  a  willow-wand  when  all  was  over."  But 
 certainly,  above  all,  his  abiding  sense  of  the  divine  favour  was  his 
 safeguard.  He  began  his  ministry  in  Dundee  with  this  sunshine 
 on  his  way.  "  As  yet  I  have  been  kept  not  only  in  the  light  of 
 his  reconciled  countenance,  but  very  much  under  the  guiding  eye 
 of  our  providing  God.  Indeed,  as  I  remember  good  old  Swartz 
 used  to  say,  '  I  could  not  have  imagined  that  He  could  have  been 
 so  gracious  to  us.' "  I  believe  that  while  he  had  some  sorer 
 conflicts,  he  had  also  far  deeper  joy  after  his  return  from  Palestine 
 than  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  though  from  the  very  com- 
 mencement of  it  he  enjoyed  that  sense  of  the  love  of  God  which 
 "  keeps  the  heart  and  mind."  (Phil.  iv.  7.)  This  was  the  true 
 secret  of  his  holy  walk,  and  of  his  calm  humihty.  But  for  this,  his 
 ambition  would  have  become  the  only  prmciple  of  many  an  activ,n; 
 but  now  the  sweeter  love  of  God  constrained  him,  and  the  natural 
 ambition  of  his  spirit  could  be  discerned  only  as  suggesting  to  him 
 the  idea  of  making  attempts  which  others  would  have  declined. 
 
 What  monotony  there  is  in  the  ministry  of  many !  Duty  presses 
 on  the  heels  of  duty  in  an  endless  circle.  But  it  is  not  so  wh  en 
 the  Spirit  is  quickening  both  the  pastor  and  his  flock.  Then  thej-e 
 is  all  the  variety  of  life.  It  was  so  here.  The  Lord  began  to  work 
 by  his  means  almost  from  the  first  day  he  came.  There  was  eve? 
 one  and  another  stricken,  and  going  apart  to  weep  alone. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHETNE.  75 
 
 The  flocking  of  souls  to  his  ministry,  and  the  deep  interest 
 excited,  drew  the  attention  of  many, 'and  raised  the  wish  in  some 
 quarters  to  have  him  as  their  pastor.  He  had  not  been  many 
 months  engaged  in  his  laborious  work  when  he  was  soKcited  to 
 remove  to  the  parish  of  Skirling,  near  Biggar.  It  was  an  offer  that 
 presented  great  advantages  above  his  own  field  of  labour  as  to 
 worldly  gain,  and  in  respect  of  the  prospect  it  held  out  of  compara- 
 tive ease  and  comfort ;  for  the  parish  was  small  and  the  emolument 
 great.  But  as  it  is  required  of  a  bishop,  that  he  be  "  not  greedy 
 of  filthy  lucre,"  nay,  that  he  be  "  one  who  has  no  love  of  money" 
 (dcjiikapyvpos,  1  Tim.  iii.  3)  at  all,  so  was  it  true  that  in  him  these 
 qualifications  eminently  shone.  His  remarks  in  a  letter  to  his 
 father  contain  the  honest  expression  of  his  feelings  :  "I  am  set 
 down  among  nearly  4000  people ;  1100  people  have  taken  seats  in 
 my  church.  I  bring  my  message,  such  as  it  is,  within  the  reach  of 
 that  great  company  every  Sabbath-day.  I  dare  not  leave  3000  or 
 4000,  for  300  people.  Had  this  been  offered  me  before,  I  would 
 have  seen  it  a  direct  intimation  from  God,  and  would  heartily  have 
 embraced  it.  How  I  should  have  delighted  to  feed  so  precious  a 
 little  flock, — to  watch  over  every  family, — to  know  every  heart, — 
 'to  allure  to  brighter  worlds  and  lead  the  way  !'  But  God  has 
 not  so  ordered  it.  He  has  set  me  down  among  the  noisy  mechanics 
 and  political  weavers  of  this  godless  town.  He  will  make  the 
 money  sufficient.  He  that  paid  his  taxes  from  a  fish's  mouth,  wili 
 supply  all  my  need."  He  had  already  expressed  the  hope,  "  Per- 
 haps the  Lord  will  make  this  wilderness  of  chimney-tops  to  be 
 green  and  beautiful  as  the  garden  of  the  Lord,  a  field  which  the 
 Lord  hath  blessed !" 
 
 His  health  was  delicate ;  and  the  harassing  care  and  endless 
 fatigue  incident  to  his  position,  in  a  town  like  Dundee,  seemed 
 unsuitable  to  his  spirit.  This  belief  led  to  another  attempt  to 
 remove  him  to  a  country  sphere.  In  the  summer  of  this  same 
 year  (1837)  he  was  strongly  urged  to  preach  as  a  candidate  for 
 the  vacant  parish  of  St  Martin's,  near  Perth,  and  assured  of  the 
 appointment  if  he  would  only  come  forward.  But  he  declined 
 again  :  "  My  Master  has  placed  me  here  with  his  own  hand ;  and 
 I  never  will,  directly  or  indirectly,  seek  to  be  removed." 
 
 There  were  circumstances  in  this  latter  case  that  made  the  call 
 on  him  appear  urgent  in  several  points  of  view.  In  coming  to  a 
 resolution,  he  mentions  one  interesting  element  in  the  decision,  in  a 
 letter  to  me,  dated  August  8th.  "I  was  much  troubled  about 
 being  asked  to  go  to  a  neighbouring  parish  at  present  vacant,  and 
 made  it  a  matter  of  prayer ;  and  I  mention  it  now  because  of  the 
 
70  3IEM0IR  OF  THE  REY.  E.  M.  M'CHEYKE. 
 
 wonderful  answer  to  prayer  which  I  think  I  received  from  God. 
 I  prayed  that  in  order  to  settle  my  own  mind  completely  about 
 staying,  He  would  awaken  some  of  my  people.  I  agreed  that  that 
 should  be  a  sign  He  would  wish  me  to  stay.  The  next  morning  I 
 think,  or  at  least  the  second  morning,  there  came  to  me  two  young 
 persons  I  had  never  seen  before,  in  great  distress.  What  brought 
 this  to  my  mind  was,  that  they  came  to  me  again  yesterday,  and 
 their  distress  is  greatly  increased.  Indeed  I  never  saw  any  people 
 in  such  anguish  about  their  soul.  I  cannot  but  regard  this  as  a 
 real  answer  to  prayer.  I  have  also  several  other  persons  in  deep 
 distress,  and  I  feel  that  I  am  quite  helpless  in  comforting  them.  I 
 would  fain  be  like  Noah,  who  put  out  his  hand  and  took  in  the 
 weary  dove ;  but  God  makes  me  stand  by  and  feel  that  I  am  a 
 child.  Will  God  never  cast  the  scenes  of  our  labour  near  each 
 other?  We  are  in  his  hand;  let  Him  do  as  seemeth  Him  good, 
 Pray  for  me,  for  my  people,  for  my  own  soul,  that  I  be  not  a  cast 
 away." 
 
 Few  godly  pastors  can  be  willing  to  change  the  scene  of  theii 
 labours,  unless  it  be  plain  that  the  Cloudy  Pillar  is  pointing  them 
 away.  It  is  perilous  for  men  to  choose  for  themselves ;  and  too 
 often  has  it  happened  that  the  minister  who,  on  slight  grounds, 
 moved  away  from  his  former  watch-tower,  has  had  reason  to  mourn 
 over  the  disappointment  of  his  hopes  in  his  larger  and  wider  sphere. 
 But  while  this  is  admitted,  probably  it  may  appear  unwarrantable 
 in  Mr  M'Cheyne  to  have  prayed  for  a  sign  of  the  Lord's  will.  It 
 is  to  be  observed,  however,  that  he  decided  the  point  of  duty  on 
 other  grounds ;  and  it  was  only  with  the  view  of  obtaining  an  addi- 
 tional confirmation  by  the  occurrences  of  providence,  that  he  prayed 
 in  this  manner,  in  submission  to  the  will  of  the  Lord.  He  never 
 held  it  right  to  decide  the  path  of  duty  by  any  such  signs  or  tokens  ; 
 he  believed  that  the  written  word  supplied  sufficient  data  for 
 guiding  the  believing  soul;  and  such  providential  occurrences  as 
 happened  in  this  case  he  regarded  as  important  only  so  far  as  they 
 might  be  answers  to  prayer.  Indeed,  he  himself  has  left  us  a  glance 
 of  his  views  on  this  point  in  a  fragment,  which  (for  it  is  not  dated) 
 may  have  been  written  about  this  time.  He  had  been  thinking  on 
 Gideons  Fleece. 
 
 WhoD  God  called  Gideon  forth  to  fight— 
 "Go,  save  thou  Israel  in  thy  might,'' — 
 The  faithful  warrior  sought  a  sign 
 That  God  would  on  his  labours  shine. 
 
 The  man  who,  at  thy  dread  com  mane, 
 
 Lifted  the  shield  and  deadly  brann, 
 
77 
 
 To  do  thy  strange  and  fearful  work — 
 
 Thy  work  of  blood  and  vengeance,  Lord  I — 
 
 Might  need  assurance  doubly  tried, 
 
 To  prove  Thou  wouldst  his  steps  betide. 
 But  when  the  message  which  we  bring 
 Is  one  to  make  the  dumb  man  sing ; 
 To  bid  the  blind  man  wash  and  see, 
 The  lame  to  leap  with  ecstasy ; 
 To  raise  the  soul  that's  bowed  down, 
 To  wipe  away  the  tears  and  frown ; 
 To  sprinkle  all  the  heart  within 
 
 From  the  accusing  voice  of  sin — 
 
 Then,  such  a  sign  my  call  to  prove, 
 
 To  preach  my  Saviour's  dying  love, 
 
 I  cannot,  dare  not,  hope  to  find, 
 
 lu  the  close  of  the  same  year  1837,  he  agreed  to  become  Secre- 
 tary to  the  Association  for  Church  Extension  in  the  county  of 
 Forfar.  The  Church  Extension  Scheme,  though  much  misre- 
 presented and  much  misunderstood,  had  in  view  as  its  genuine,  sin- 
 cere endeavour,  to  bring  to  overgrown  parishes  the  advantage  of  a 
 faithful  minister,  placed  over  such  a  number  of  souls  as  he  could 
 really  visit.  Mr  M'Cheyne  cheerfully  and  diligently  forwarded 
 these  objects  to  the  utmost  of  his  power.  "  It  is  the  cause  of 
 God,"  said  he,  "  and  therefore  I  am  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent 
 for  it."  It  compelled  him  to  ride  much  from  place  to  place ;  but 
 riding  was  an  exercise  of  which  he  was  fond,  and  which  was  favour- 
 able to  his  health.  As  a  specimen— "  Z)ec.  4,  1838.  Travelled  to 
 Montrose.  Spoke  along  with  Mr  Guthrie  at  a  Church  Extension 
 meeting ;  eight  or  nine  hundred  present.  Tried  to  do  something 
 in  the  Saviour's  cause,  both  directly  and  indirectly.  Next  day  at 
 Forfar.     Spoke  in  the  same  cause." 
 
 How  heartily  he  entered  into  this  scheme  may  be  seen  from  the 
 following  extract.  In  a  letter  of  an  after  date  to  Mr  Roxburgh, 
 he  says :  "  Every  day  I  live,  I  feel  more  and  more  persuaded  that 
 it  is  the  cause  of  God  and  of  his  kingdom  in  Scotland  in  our  day. 
 Many  a  time,  when  I  thought  myself  a  dying  man,  the  souls  of  the 
 perishing  thousands  in  my  own  parish,  who  never  enter  any  house 
 of  God,'have  lain  heavy  on  my  heart.  Many  a  time  have  I  prayed 
 that  the  eyes  of  our  enemies  might  be  opened,  and  that  God  would 
 open  the  hearts  of  our  rulers,  to  feel  that  their  highest  duty  and 
 greatest  glory  is  to  support  the  ministers  of  Christ,  and  to  send 
 these  to  every  perishing  soul  in  Scotland."  He  felt  that  their 
 misery  was  all  the  greater,  and  their  need  the  deeper,  that  such 
 neglected  souls  had  no  wish  for  help,  and  would  never  ask  for  it 
 
78  MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHETNE. 
 
 themselves.  Nor  was  it  that  he  imagined  that,  if  churches  were 
 built  and  ministers  endowed,  this  would  of  itself  be  sufficient  to 
 reclaim  the  multitudes  of  perishing  men.  But  he  sought  and 
 expected  that  the  Lord  would  send  faithful  men  into  his  vineyard. 
 These  new  churches  were  to  be  hke  cisterns — ready  to  catch  the 
 shower  when  it  should  fall,  just  as  his  own  did  in  the  day  of  the 
 Lord's  power. 
 
 His  views  on  this  subject  were  summed  up  in  the  following  lines, 
 written  one  day  as  he  sat  in  company  with  some  of  his  zealous 
 brethren  who  were  deeply  engaged  in  the  scheme : 
 
 Give  me  a  man  of  God  the  truth  to  preach, 
 A  house  of  prayer  within  convenient  reach, 
 Seat-rents  the  poorest  of  the  poor  can  pay, 
 A  spot  so  small  one  pastor  can  survey : 
 Give  these — and  give  the  Spirit's  genial  shower, 
 Scotland  shall  be  a  garden  all  in  flower ! 
 
 Another  public  duty  to  which,  during  all  the  years  of  his  mini- 
 stry, he  gave  constant  attention,  was  attendance  at  the  meetings  of 
 presbytery.  His  candour,  and  uprightness,  and  Christian  gene- 
 rosity, were  felt  by  all  his  brethren ;  and  his  opinion,  though  the 
 opinion  of  so  young  a  man,  was  regarded  with  more  than  common 
 respect.  In  regard  to  the  great  pubHc  questions  that  were  then 
 shaking  the  Church  of  Scotland,  his  views  were  decided  and  un- 
 hesitating. No  poKcy,  in  his  view,  could  be  more  ruinous  to  true 
 Christianity,  or  more  fitted  to  bhght  vital  godliness,  than  that  of 
 Moderatism.  He  wrote  once  to  a  friend  in  Ireland :  "  You  don't 
 know  what  Moderatism  is.  It  is  a  plant  that  our  heavenly  Father 
 never  planted,  and  I  trust  it  is  now  to  be  rooted  up."  The  great 
 question  of  the  Church's  independence  of  the  Civil  Power  in  all 
 matters  spiritual,  and  the  right  of  the  Christian  people  to  judge  if 
 the  pastor  appointed  over  them  had  the  Shepherd's  voice,  he  inva- 
 riably held  to  be  part  of  Scripture  truth ;  which,  therefore,  must 
 be  preached  and  carried  into  practice,  at  all  hazards.  In  like 
 manner  he  rejoiced  exceedingly  in  the  settlements  of  faithful  mini- 
 sters. The  appointments  of  Mr  Baxter  to  Hilltown,  Mr  Lewis  to 
 St  David's,  and  Mr  Miller  to  Wallacetown  at  a  later  period,  are 
 all  noticed  by  him  with  expressions  of  thankfulness  and  joy ;  and 
 it  occasioned  the  same  feelings  if  he  heard  of  the  destitution  of  any 
 parish  in  any  part  of  the  country  suppHed.  He  writes,  Sept.  20, 
 1838 :  "  Present  at  A.  B.'s  ordination  at  Collace  with  great  joy. 
 Blessed  be  God  for  the  gift  of  this  pastor.  Give  testimony  to  tho 
 word  of  thy  grace." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE.  79 
 
 Busy  at  home,  he  nevertheless  always  had  a  keenly  evangelistic 
 spirit.  He  might  have  written  much,  and  have  gained  a  name  by 
 his  writings ;  but  he  laid  everything  aside  when  put  in  comparison 
 with  preaching  the  everlasting  gospel.  He  scarcely  ever  refused 
 an  invitation  to  preach  on  a  week-day ;  and  travelling  from  place 
 to  place  did  not  interrupt  his  fellowship  with  God.  His  occasional 
 visits  during  these  years  were  much  blessed.  At  Blairgowrie  and 
 Collace  his  visits  were  longed  for  as  times  of  special  refreshment ; 
 nor  was  it  less  so  at  Kirriemuir,  when  he  visited  Mr  Cormick,  or  at 
 Abernyte  in  the  days  when  Mr  Hamilton  (now  of  Regent  Square, 
 London),  and  afterwards  Mr  Manson,  were  labouring  in  that  vine- 
 yard. It  would  be  difficult  even  to  enumerate  the  places  which  he 
 watered  at  Communion  seasons ;  and  in  some  of  these  it  was  testi- 
 fied of  him,  that  not  the  words  he  spoke,  but  the  holy  manner  in 
 which  he  spoke,  was  the  chief  means  of  arresting  souls. 
 
 Occasionally  two  or  three  of  us,  whose  lot  was  cast  within  con- 
 venient distance,  and  whose  souls  panted  for  the  same  water-brooks, 
 used  to  meet  together  to  spend  a  whole  day  in  confession  of  mini- 
 sterial and  personal  sins,  with  prayer  for  grace,  guiding  ourselves 
 by  the  reading  of  the  word.  At  such  times  we  used  to  meet  in 
 the  evening  with  the  flock  of  the  pastor  in  whose  house  the  meet- 
 ing had  been  held  through  the  day,  and  there  unitedly  pray  for  the 
 Holy  Spirit  being  poured  down  upon  the  people.  The  first  time 
 we  held  such  a  meeting,  there  were  tokens  of  blessing  observed  by 
 several  of  us ;  and  the  week  after  he  wrote :  "  Has  there  been  any 
 fruit  of  the  happy  day  we  spent  with  you  ?  I  thought  I  saw  some 
 the  Sabbath  after,  here.  In  due  season  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint 
 not ;  only  be  thou  strong,  and  of  a  good  courage."  The  incident 
 that  encouraged  him  is  recorded  in  his  diary.  An  elderly  person 
 came  to  tell  him  how  the  river  of  joy  and  peace  in  beheving  had 
 that  Sabbath  most  singularly  flowed  through  her  soul,  so  that  she 
 blessed  God  that  she  ever  came  to  St  Peter's.  He  adds,  "  N.B. — 
 This  seems  a  fruit  of  our  prayer-meeting,  begun  last  Wednesday 
 at  Collace, — one  drop  of  the  shower." 
 
 It  should  have  been  remarked  ere  now,  that  during  all  his 
 ministry  he  was  careful  to  use  not  only  the  direct  means  appointed 
 for  the  conversion  of  souls,  but  those  also  that  appear  more  in- 
 direct, such  as  the  key  of  disciphne.  In  regard  to  the  Lord's 
 Supper,  his  little  tract  explains  his  views.  He  beheved  that  to 
 keep  back  those  whose  profession  was  a  credible  profession,  even 
 while  the  pastor  might  have  strong  doubts  as  to  their  fitness  in  his 
 own  mind,  was  not  the  rule  laid  down  for  us  in  the  New  Testament. 
 At  the  same  time,  he  as  steadily  maintained  that  no  unconverted 
 
80  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHETNE. 
 
 person  ougJit  to  come  to  the  Lord's  Table  ;  and  on  this  point  "  they 
 should  judge  themselves  if  they  would  not  be  judged." 
 
 When  communicants  came  to  be  admitted  for  the  first  time,  or 
 when  parents  that  had  been  communicants  before  came  for  baptism 
 to  their  children,  it  was  his  custom  to  ask  them  solemnly  if  their 
 souls  were  saved.  His  dealing  was  blessed  to  the  conversion  of 
 not  a  few  young  persons  who  were  coming  carelessly  forward  to  the 
 Communion ;  and  himself  records  the  blessing  that  attended  his 
 faithful  dealing  with  a  parent  coming  to  speak  with  him  about  the 
 baptism  of  his  child.  The  man  said  that  he  had  been  taking  a 
 thought,  and  beheved  himself  in  the  right  way — that  he  felt  his 
 disposition  better,  for  he  could  forgive  injuries.  Mr  M'Cheyne 
 showed  him  that  nevertheless  he  was  ignorant  of  God's  righteous- 
 ness. The  man  laid  it  to  heart ;  and  when  Mr  M'Cheyne  said  that 
 he  thought  it  would  be  better  to  defer  the  baptism,  at  once  offered 
 to  come  again  and  speak  on  the  matter.  On  a  subsequent  visit,  he 
 seemed  really  to  have  seen  his  error,  and  to  have  cast  away  his  own 
 righteousness.  When  his  child  was  baptized,  it  was  joy  to  the 
 pastor's  heart  to  have  the  good  hope  that  the  man  had  received 
 salvation. 
 
 In  connection  with  the  superstitious  feeling  of  the  most  depraver^ 
 as  to  baptism,  he  related  an  affecting  occurrence.  A  careless 
 parent  one  evening  entered  his  house,  and  asked  him  to  come  with 
 him  to  baptize  a  dying  child.  He  knew  that  neither  this  man  nor 
 his  wife  ever  entered  the  door  of  a  church  ;  but  he  rose  and  went 
 with  him  to  the  miserable  dwelling.  There  an  infant  lay,  apparently 
 dying  ;  and  many  of  the  female  neighbours,  equally  depraved  with 
 the  parents,  stood  round.  He  came  forward  to  where  the  child 
 was,  and  spoke  to  the  parents  of  their  ungodly  state  and  fearful 
 guilt  before  God,  and  concluded  by  showing  them  that,  in  such 
 circumstances,  he  would  consider  it  sinful  in  him  to  administer 
 baptism  to  their  infant.  They  said,  "  He  might  at  least  do  it  for 
 the  sake  of  the  poor  child."  He  told  them  that  it  was  not  baptism 
 that  saved  a  soul,  and  that  out  of  true  concern  for  themselves  he 
 must  not  do  as  they  wished.  The  friends  around  the  bed  then 
 joined  the  parents  in  upbraiding  him  as  having  no  pity  on  the  poor 
 infant's  soul !  He  stood  among  them  still,  and  showed  them  that 
 it  was  they  who  had  been  thus  cruel  to  their  child ;  and  then  lifted 
 up  his  voice  in  solemn  warning,  and  left  the  house  amid  their 
 ignorant  reproaches. 
 
 Nor  did  he  make  light  of  the  kirk-session's  power  to  rebuke  and 
 deal  with  an  offender.  Once  from  the  pulpit,  at  an  ordination  of 
 elders,  he  gave  the  following  testimony  upon  this  head :  "  When 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  81 
 
 I  first  entered  upon  the  work  of  the  ministry  among  you,  I  was 
 exceedingly  ignorant  of  the  vast  importance  of  church  disciphne. 
 I  thought  that  my  great  and  almost  only  work  was  to  pray  and 
 preach.  I  saw  your  souls  to  be  so  precious,  and  the  time  so  short, 
 that  I  devoted  all  my  time,  and  care,  and  strength,  to  labour  in 
 word  and  doctrine.  When  cases  of  disciphne  were  brought  before 
 me  and  the  elders,  I  regarded  them  with  something  like  abhorrence. 
 It  was  a  duty  I  shrank  from  ;  and  I  may  truly  say  it  nearly  drove 
 me  from  the  work  of  the  ministry  among  you  altogether.  But  it 
 pleased  God,  who  teaches  his  servants  in  another  way  than  man 
 teaches,  to  bless  some  of  the  cases  of  discipline  to  the  manifest  and 
 undeniable  conversion  of  the  souls  of  those  under  our  care ;  and 
 from  that  hour  a  new  light  broke  in  upon  my  mind,  and  I  saw  that 
 if  preaching  be  an  ordinance  of  Christ,  so  is  church  discipline.  I 
 now  feel  very  deeply  persuaded  that  both  are  of  God, — that  two 
 keys  are  committed  to  us  by  Christ :  the  one  the  key  of  doctrine, 
 by  means  of  which  we  unlock  the  treasures  of  the  Bible ;  the  other 
 the  key  of  discipline,  by  which  we  open  or  shut  the  way  to  the 
 sealing  ordinances  of  the  faith.  Both  are  Christ's  gift,  and  neither 
 is  to  be  resigned  without  sin." 
 
 There  was  still  another  means  of  enforcing  what  he  preached,  in 
 the  use  of  which  he  has  excelled  all  his  brethren,  namely,  the  holy 
 consistency  of  his  daily  walk.  Aware  that  one  idle  word,  one 
 needless  contention,  one  covetous  act,  may  destroy  in  our  people 
 the  effect  of  many  a  solemn  expostulation  and  earnest  warning,  he 
 was  pecuharly  circumspect  in  his  every-day  walk.  He  wished  to 
 be  always  in  the  presence  of  God.  If  he  travelled,  he  laboured  to 
 enjoy  God  by  the  way,  as  well  as  to  do  good  to  others  by  dropping 
 a  word  in  season.  In  riding  or  walking,  he  seized  opportunities 
 of  giving  a  useful  tract ;  and,  on  principle,  he  preferred  giving  it 
 to  the  person  directly,  rather  than  casting  it  on  the  road.  The 
 former  way,  he  said,  was  more  open — there  was  no  stealth  in  it ; 
 and  we  ought  to  be  as  clear  as  crystal  in  speaking  or  acting  for 
 Jesus.  In  writing  a  note,  however  short,  he  sought  to  season  it 
 with  salt.  If  he  passed  a  night  in  a  strange  place,  he  tried  to  bear 
 the  place  speciahy  on  his  soul  at  the  mercy-seat ;  and  if  compelled 
 to  take  some  rest  from  his  too  exhausting  toils,  his  recreations  were 
 little  else  than  a  change  of  occupation,  from  one  mode  of  glorifying 
 God  to  another.^  His  beautiful  hymn,  I  am  a  debtor,  was  written 
 in  May  1837,  at  a  leisure  hour. 
 
 '  Baxter's  words  are  not  less  than  tlie  truth  :  "  Recreation  to  a  minister  must 
 be  as  whetting  is  with  the  mower,  that  is,  only  to  be  used  so  far  as  is  necessary 
 for  his  work.  May  a  physician  in  the  plague-time  take  any  more  relaxation  or 
 recreation  than  is  necessary  for  his  life,  when  so  many  are  expecting  his  help  iu  8 
 
82  3IEM0I11  OF  THE  REV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 Whatever  be  said  in  the  pulpit,  men  will  not  much  regard, 
 though  they  may  feel  it  at  the  time,  if  the  minister  does  not  say 
 the  same  in  private,  with  equal  earnestness,  in  speaking  with  his 
 people  face  to  face ;  and  it  must  be  in  our  moments  of  most  familiar 
 intercourse  with  them,  that  we  are  thus  to  put  the  seal  to  all  we 
 say  in  pubUc.  Familiar  moments  are  the  times  when  the  things 
 that  are  most  closely  twined  round  the  heart  are  brought  out  to 
 view ;  and  shall  we  forbear,  by  tacit  consent,  to  introduce  the 
 Lord  that  bought  us  into  such  happy  hours  ?  We  must  not  only 
 speak  faithfully  to  our  people  in  our  sermons,  but  live  faithfully  for 
 them  too.  Perhaps  it  may  be  found,  that  the  reason  why  many 
 who  preach  the  gospel  fully  and  in  all  earnestness  are  not  owned 
 of  God  in  the  conversion  of  souls,  is  to  be  found  in  their  defective 
 exhibition  of  grace  in  these  easy  moments  of  life.  '^  Them  that 
 honour  me,  I  will  honour,"  1  Samuel  ii.  30.  It  was  noticed  long 
 ago  that  men  will  give  you  leave  to  jjreach  against  their  sins  as  much 
 as  you  will,  if  so  be  you  will  but  be  easy  witli  them  when  you  have 
 done,  and  talk  as  they  do,  and  live  as  they  live.  How  much  other- 
 wise it  was  with  Mr  M'Cheyne,  all  who  knew  him  are  witnesses. 
 
 His  visits  to  friends  were  times  when  he  sought  to  do  good  to 
 their  souls ;  and  never  was  he  satisfied  unless  he  could  guide  the 
 conversation  to  bear  upon  the  things  of  eternity.  When  he  could 
 not  do  so,  he  generally  remained  silent.  And  yet  his  demeanour 
 was  easy  and  pleasant  to  all,  exhibiting  at  once  meekness  of  faith 
 and  dehcacy  of  feeling.  There  was  in  his  character  a  high  refine- 
 ment that  came  out  in  poetry  and  true  politeness ;  and  there  was 
 something  in  his  graces  that  reminded  one  of  his  own  remark,  when 
 explaining  the  spices  of  Song  iv.  16,  when  he  said  that  "  some  be- 
 lievers were  a  garden  that  had  fruit-trees,  and  so  were  useful ;  but 
 we  ought  also  to  have  spices,  and  so  be  attractive."  Wishing  to 
 convey  his  grateful  feelings  to  a  fellow-labourer  in  Dundee,  he  sent 
 him  a  Hebrew  Bible,  with  these  few  lines  prefixed : — 
 
 Anoint  mine  ej^cs,  Unstop  mine  ear, 
 
 0  holy  dove  !  Made  deaf  by  sin, 
 
 That  I  may  prize  That  I  may  hear 
 
 This  book  of  love.  Thy  voice  within. 
 
 Break  my  hard  heart, 
 
 Jesus,  my  Lord ; 
 In  the  inmost  part 
 Hide  thy  sweet  word. 
 
 case  of  life  and  death.'"  "  Will  you  stand  by  and  see  sinners  grasping  under  the 
 pangs  of  death,  and  say,  God  doth  not  require  me  to  make  myself  a  drudge  to 
 tiave  them  ?  Is  this  the  voice  of  ministerial  or  Christian  compassion,  or  ratlwr  of 
 icnsual  laziness  and  diaholiccd  cruelty  V — llcf.  Vast.  vi.  6. 
 
MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'OHEYNE.  83 
 
 It  was  on  a  similar  occasion,  in  1838,  that  be  wrote  the  lines, 
 jif'%  word  IS  a  lamp  unto  mi/ feet.  At  another  time,  sitting  under  a 
 shady  tree,  and  casting  his  eje  on  the  hospitable  dwelling  in  which 
 he  found  a  pleasant  retreat,  his  grateful  feehngs  flowed  out  to  his 
 kind  friend  in  the  lines  that  follow : — 
 
 "  PEACE  TO  THIS  HOUSE." 
 
 Long  may  peace  within  this  dwelling 
 
 Have  its  resting-place ; 
 Angel  shields  all  harm  repelling, — 
 
 God,  their  God  of  grace. 
 
 May  the  dove-like  Spirit  guide  them 
 
 To  the  upright  land ! 
 May  the  Saviour-shepherd  feed  them 
 
 From  his  gentle  hand  ! 
 
 Never  was  there  one  more  beloved  as  a  friend,  and  seldom  any 
 whose  death  could  cause  so  many  to  feel  as  if  no  other  friend  could 
 ever  occupy  his  room.  Some,  too,  can  say  that  so  much  did  they 
 learn  from  his  holy  walk,  "  that  it  is  probable  a  day  never  passes 
 wherein  they  have  not  some  advantage  from  his  friendship."^ 
 
 I  find  written  on  the  leaf  of  one  of  his  note-books,  a  short 
 memorandum  :  "  Eules  worth  remembering. — When  visiting  in  a 
 family,  whether  ministerially  or  otherwise,  speak  particularly  to  the 
 strangers  about  eternal  things.  Perhaps  God  has  brought  you 
 together  just  to  save  that  soul."  And  then  he  refers  to  some  in- 
 stances which  occurred  to  himself,  in  which  God  seemed  to  honour 
 a  word  spoken  in  this  incidental  way. 
 
 In  this  spirit  he  was  enabled  for  nearly  three  years  to  give  his 
 strength  to  his  Master's  service.  Sickness  sometimes  laid  him 
 aside,  and  taught  him  what  he  had  to  suffer ;  but  he  rose  from  it 
 to  go  forth  again  to  his  joyful  labours.  Often,  after  a  toilsome 
 day,  there  were  inquirers  waiting  for  him,  so  that  he  had  to  begin 
 work  afresh  in  a  new  form.  But  this  was  his  dehght ;  it  was  a 
 kind  of  interruption  which  he  allowed  even  on  a  Saturday,  in  the 
 midst  of  his  studies.  He  was  led  to  resolve  not  to  postpone  any 
 inquirers  till  a  future  time,  by  finding  that  having  done  so  on  one 
 occasion  at  a  pressing  moment,  the  individuals  never  returned;  and 
 so  alive  was  he  to  the  responsibihties  of  his  office,  that  he  ever 
 after  feared  to  lose  such  an  opportunity  of  speaking  with  souls  at  a 
 
 1  ''Eycu  /ziv  oh  xccrocvouv  toZ  a,vdpo;  tvv  ti  (ro<p'ia,v  xa\  t>)v  ^Evva/flr^jra,  ouri  fj,n 
 fiifAvno'Soci  %6vccfjia,i  avrou,  oiln  /JCi/:4.vn//,ivos  /u,ii  ovx.  iTatvuv,  E/  §£  ti?  tuv  apiTrn 
 t(ptifisvMv  M(piXif/,a)TipM  riv)  "SuKptiirovs  evviyiviro,  iksTvov  iyu  tov  ctvopu  K^io/naxapiffTi* 
 rurov  vofAt^w. 
 
84  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M^CHErNE. 
 
 time  when  they  were  aroused  to  concern.  Busy  one  evenhig  with 
 some  extra-parochial  work,  he  was  asked  if  any  person  should  be 
 admitted  to  see  him  that  night.  "Surely — what  do  we  live  for?" 
 was  his  immediate  reply.  It  was  his  manner,  too,  on  a  Saturday 
 afternoon,  to  visit  one  or  two  of  his  sick  who  seemed  near  the 
 point  of  death,  with  the  view  of  being  thus  stirred  up  to  a  more 
 direct  application  of  the  truth  to  his  flock  on  the  morrow,  as  dying 
 men  on  the  edge  of  eternity. 
 
 We  have  already  observed  that  in  his  doctrine  there  was  nothing 
 that  differed  from  the  views  of  truth  laid  down  in  the  standards  of 
 our  church.  He  saw  no  inconsistency  in  preaching  an  electing 
 God,  who  "  calleth  whom  He  will,"  and  a  salvation  free  to  "  who- 
 soever will;"  nor  in  declaring  the  absolute  sovereignty  of  God, 
 and  yet  the  unimpaired  responsibility  of  man.  He  preached  Christ 
 as  a  gift  laid  down  by  the  Father  for  every  sinner  freely  to  take. 
 In  the  beginning  of  his  ministry,  as  he  preached  the  fulness  of  the 
 glad  tidings,  and  urged  on  his  people  that  there  was  enough  in  the 
 glad  tidings  to  bring  direct  and  immediate  assurance  to  every  one 
 who  really  beheved  them,  some  of  his  flock  were  startled.  For  he 
 ever  preached,  that,  while  it  is  true  that  there  are  beUevers,  like 
 Heman  or  Asaph,  who  do  not  enjoy  full  assurance  of  the  love  of 
 God,  yet  certainly  no  true  believer  should  remain  satisfied  in  the 
 absence  of  this  blessed  peace.  Not  a  few  had  hitherto  been  accus- 
 tomed to  take  for  granted  that  they  might  be  Christians,  though 
 they  knew  of  no  change,  and  had  never  thought  of  enjoying  the 
 knowledge  of  the  love  of  God  as  their  present  portion.  They 
 heard  that  others,  who  were  reckoned  believers,  had  doubts  ;  so 
 they  had  come  to  consider  fears  and  doubts  as  the  very  marks  of 
 a  believing  soul.  The  consequence  had  been,  that  in  past  days 
 many  concluded  themselves  to  be  Christians  because  they  seemed  to 
 be  in  the  very  state  of  mind  of  which  those  who  were  reputed  to  be 
 believers  spoke,  viz.  doubt  and  alarm.  Alas !  in  their  case  there 
 could  be  nothing  else,  for  they  had  only  a  name  to  live. 
 
 Some  one  wrote  to  him,  putting  several  questions  concerning 
 conversion,  assurance,  and  faith,  wliich  had  been  stirred  up  by  his 
 ministry.  The  import  of  the  questions  may  be  gathered  from  his 
 reply,  which  was  as  follows  : — 
 
 "  1.  /  douht  iftliere  are  many  saints  who  live  and  die  without  a  com- 
 fortahle  sense  of  forgiveness  and  acceptance  with  God.  The  saints  of 
 whom  the  Bible  speaks  seem  to  have  enjoyed  it  richly  both  in  life 
 and  death.  Sec  the  murderers  of  our  Lord,  Acts  ii.  41 ;  the  Ethio- 
 pian, Acts  viii.  39  ;  the  jailor,  Acts  xvi.  35.  David  also  felt  it, 
 sinful  man  though  he  was,  Romans  iv.  6.     Paul  also  prayed  that 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M^CHEYNE.  85 
 
 the  Romans  might  have  it,  Romans  xv.  13.  I  fear  this  objection 
 is  generally  made  by  those  who  are  hving  in  sin,  and  do  not  wish 
 to  know  the  dangerous  road  they  are  on. 
 
 "2.  A  seme  of  forgiveness  does  not  proceed  from  inarhs  seen  in 
 yourself  hut  from  a  discovery  of  the  heautij^  icorth^  and  freeness  of 
 Christ,  Psalm  xxxir.  5.  We  look  out  for  peace,  not  in.  At  the 
 same  time,  there  is  also  an  assurance  rising  from  what  we  see  in 
 ourselves  ;  the  seal  of  the  Spirit,  love  to  the  brethren,  etc.,  are  the 
 chief  marks. 
 
 "  3.  Feeling  a  body  of  sin  is  a  marh  that  we  are  like  Paul,  and  that 
 we  are  Christ's,  Rom.  vii. ;  Gal.  v.  17.  Paul  was  cheerful  with  a 
 body  of  sin ;  and  so  ought  we  to  be.  So  was  David,  and  all  the 
 saints. 
 
 "4.  I  do  not  think  there,  is  any  difference  bettveen  those  converted 
 within  these  few  years  and  those  who  were  Christians  before.  Many  of 
 those  converted  since  I  came  are,  I  fear,  very  unholy.  I  fear  this 
 more  than  anything.  I  fear  there  is  too  much  talk  and  too  Httle 
 reality.  Still  there  are  many  good  figs, — many  of  whom  I  am  per- 
 suaded better  things,  and  things  that  accompany  salvation.  The 
 answer  to  your  question  I  fear  is  this,  that  many  used  to  be  taken 
 for  Christians  before,  who  had  only  a  name  to  live,  and  were  dead. 
 I  think  there  is  more  discrimination  now.  But  take  care  and  be 
 not  proud,  for  that  goes  before  a  fall.  Take  care  of  censorious 
 judging  of  others,  as  if  all  must  be  converted  in  the  same  way. 
 
 "  God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way.  He  hath  mercy  on  v/hom 
 He  will  have  mercy.     To  Him  alone  be  glory." 
 
 He  thus  stated  his  views  on  another  occasion.  Referring  to  Song 
 vi.  3,  "  My  beloved  is  mine,"  following  "  My  beloved  is  gone  down 
 into  his  garden,"  he  said,  "  This  is  the  faith  of  assurance, — a  com- 
 plete, unhesitating  embracing  of  Christ  as  my  righteousness  and  my 
 strength  and  my  all.  A  common  mistake  is,  that  this  clear  convic- 
 tion that  Christ  is  mine  is  an  attainment  far  on  in  the  divine  life, 
 and  that  it  springs  from  evidences  seen  in  my  heart.  When  I  see 
 myself  a  new  creature,  Christ  on  the  throne  in  my  heart,  love  to  the 
 brethren,  etc.,  it  is  often  thought  that  I  may  begin  then  to  say,  '  My 
 Beloved  is  mine.'  How  different  this  passage  !  The  moment  Jesus 
 comes  down  into  the  garden  to  the  beds  of  spices, — the  moment 
 He  reveals  himself,  the  soul  cries  out,  '  My  Beloved  is  mine  !'  So 
 saith  Thomas,  John  xx.  27,  28.  The  moment  Jesus  came  in  and 
 revealed  his  wounds,  Thomas  cried  out,  'My  Lord  and  my  God.' 
 He  did  not  look  to  see  if  he  was  believing,  or  if  the  graces  of  love 
 and  humility  were  reigning  ;  but  all  he  saw  and  thought  of  was 
 Jesus  and  Him  crucified  and  risen."     At  a  subsequent  period, 
 
86  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 when  preaching  on  Matt.  xi.  28,  "  Come  unto  me,"  he  said,  "  I 
 Buppose  it  is  almost  impossible  to  explain  what  it  is  to  come  to 
 Jesus,  it  is  so  simple.  If  you  ask  a  sick  person  who  had  been 
 healed,  what  it  was  to  come  and  be  healed,  he  could  hardly  tell 
 you.  As  far  as  the  Lord  has  given  me  light  in  this  matter,  and 
 looking  at  what  my  own  heart  does  in  like  circumstances,  I  do  not 
 feel  that  there  is  anything  more  in  coming  to  Jesus,  than  just 
 beheving  what  God  says  about  his  Son  to  be  true.  I  believe  that 
 many  people  keep  themselves  in  darkness  by  expecting  something 
 more  than  this.  Some  of  you  will  ask,  '  Is  there  no  appropriating 
 of  Christ  ?  no  putting  out  the  hand  of  faith  ?  no  touching  the  hem  of 
 his  garment  ? '  I  quite  grant,  beloved,  there  is  such  a  thing,  but 
 I  do  think  it  is  inseparable  from  beheving  the  record.  If  the  Lord 
 persuades  you  of  the  glory  and  power  of  Emmanuel,  I  feel  per- 
 suaded that  you  cannot  but  choose  Him.  It  is  like  opening  the 
 shutters  of  a  dark  room  ;  the  sun  that  moment  shines  in.  So,  the 
 eye  that  is  opened  to  the  testimony  of  God,  receives  Christ  that 
 moment." 
 
 In  the  case  of  a  faithful  ministry,  success  is  the  rule  ;  want  of  it 
 the  exception.  For  it  is  written:  "In  doing  this  thou  shalt  both 
 save  thyself  and  them  that  hear  thee,"  1  Tim.  iv.  16.  Mr  M'Cheyne 
 expected  it,  and  the  Lord  exceeded  all  his  hopes. 
 
 It  was  not  yet  common  for  persons  in  anxiety  to  go  to  their 
 pastor  for  advice;  but  soon  it  became  an  almost  weekly  occurrence. 
 While  it  was  yet  rare,  two  of  his  young  people  wrote  a  joint  note, 
 asking  liberty  to  come  and  speak  with  him,  "  for  we  are  anxious 
 about  our  souls."  Among  those  who  came,  there  were  those  who 
 had  striven  against  the  truth ;  persons  who  used  to  run  out  of 
 liearing  when  the  Bible  was  read, — throw  down  a  tract  if  the  name 
 of  God  was  in  it, — go  quickly  to  sleep  after  a  Sabbath's  pleasure 
 in  order  to  drown  the  fear  of  dropping  into  hell.  There  were 
 many  whose  whole  previous  life  had  been  but  a  threadbare  profes- 
 sion. There  were  some  open  sinners,  too.  In  short,  the  Lord 
 glorified  himself  by  the  variety  of  those  whom  his  grace  subdued, 
 and  the  variety  of  means  by  which  his  grace  reached  its  object. 
 
 One  could  tell  him  that  the  reading  of  the  chapter  in  the  church, 
 with  a  few  remarks,  had  been  the  time  of  her  awakening.  Another 
 had  been  struck  to  the  heart  by  some  expression  he  used  in  his 
 first  prayer  before  sermon  one  Sabbath  morning.  But  most  were 
 arrested  in  the  preaching  of  the  word.  An  interesting  case  was 
 that  of  one  who  was  aroused  to  concern  during  his  sermon  on  Unto 
 whom  coming  as  unto  a  living  stone.  As  -he  spoke  of  the  Father 
 taking  the  gem  out  of  his  bosom,  and  laying  it  down  for  a  founda- 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHETNE.  87 
 
 tion-stone,  she  felt  in  her  soul,  "  I  know  nothing  of  this  precious 
 stone ;  I  am  surely  not  converted."  This  led  her  to  come 
 and  speak  with  him.  She  was  not  under  deep  conviction ;  but 
 before  going  away,  he  said,  "  You  are  a  poor,  vile  worm ;  it  is  a 
 wonder  the  earth  does  not  open  and  swallow  you  up."  These 
 words  were  blessed  to  produce  a  very  awful  sense  of  sin.  She 
 came  a  second  time  with  the  arrows  of  the  Almighty  drinking  up 
 her  spirit.  For  three  months  she  remained  in  this  state,  till  having 
 once  more  come  to  him  for  counsel,  the  living  voice  of  Jesus  gave 
 life  to  her  soul  while  he  was  speaking  of  Christ's  words,  "  If  thou 
 knewest  the  gift  of  God,"  etc.,  and  she  went  away  rejoicing.  Some 
 awakened  souls  told  him  that  since  they  were  brought  under  con- 
 cern, very  many  sermons,  which  they  had  heard  from  him  before, 
 and  completely  forgotten,  had  been  brought  back  to  mind.  He 
 used  to  remark  that  this  might  show  what  the  resurrection  day 
 would  awaken  in  the  souls  of  gospel  hearers. 
 
 In  dealing  with  souls  he  used  to  speak  very  plainly.  One  came 
 to  him  who  assented  to  his  statements  of  the  gospel,  and  yet  refused 
 to  be  comforted,  always  looking  upon  coming  to  Christ  as  some- 
 thing in  addition  to  really  beUeving  the  record  God  has  given  of 
 his  Son.  He  took  John  iii.  16,  17:  "For  God  so  loved  the 
 world,  that,"  etc.  The  woman  said  that  "God  did  not  care  for 
 her."  Upon  this  he  at  once  convicted  her  of  making  God  a  liar; 
 and,  as  she  went  away  in  deep  distress,  his  prayer  was,  "  Lord, 
 give  her  light ! " 
 
 To  another  person,  who  spoke  of  having  times  of  great  joy,  he 
 showed  that  these  were  times  for  worshipping  God  in  the  spirit. 
 "  You  would  come  to  a  king  when  you  were  full  dressed  ;  so  come 
 to  God,  and  abide  in  his  presence  as  long  as  you  can." 
 
 Sometimes  he  would  send  away  souls,  of  whom  he  entertained 
 good  hope,  with  a  text  suited  to  their  state.  "  If  ye  live  after  the 
 flesh,  ye  shall  die  ;  but  if  ye,  through  the  Spirit,  do  mortify  the 
 deeds  of  the  body,  ye  shall  live."  Or  he  would  say,  "  I  hear  of 
 you  that  God  has  opened  your  heart ;  but  remember  not  to  trust 
 to  man's  opinion.  Remember  an  all-seeing  Christ  will  be  the  judge 
 at  the  great  day."  To  another  he  said,  "  I  have  long  hoped  you 
 were  really  under  the  wings  of  the  Saviour  ;  if  it  be  so,  abide  there ; 
 do  not  be  like  Demas." 
 
 To  a  prayer-meeting,  consisting  of  a  few  young  men  that  had 
 been  awakened  to  flee  from  wrath,  he  gave  this  advice  :  "  Guard 
 against  all  ambition  to  excel  one  another  in  expression.  Remember 
 the  most  spiritual  prayer  is  a  'groan  which  cannot  be  uttered,* 
 Rom.  viii.  26 ;  or  a  cry  of  '  Abba,  Father,'  Gal.  iv.  6." 
 
88  MEMOIR  OF  THE  KEY.  R.  M.  M'CHETNE. 
 
 There  is  very  little  recorded  in  his  diary  during  these  years  ;  but 
 what  does  exist  will  be  read  with  deepest  interest. 
 
 *'3/arc/^28,  1838,  Thursday. — I  think  of  making  this  more  a 
 journal  of  my  people,  and  the  success  or  otherwise  of  my  ministry. 
 The  first  success  among  my  people  was  at  the  time  of  my  first 
 Sacrament :  then  it  appeared.     My  first  sermon,  on  Isa.  Ixi.  1,  w^as 
 
 blessed  to and  some  others.     That  on  Ezek.  xxii.  14,  '  Can 
 
 thine  heart  endure,'  etc.,  was  blessed  to  awaken  M.  L.  That  on 
 Song  V.  2,  '  Open  to  me,'  etc.,  the  Sabbath  after  the  Sacrament, 
 was  blessed  to  another.  These  were  happy  days.  M.  D.  was 
 awakened  by  coming  to  the  communicants'  class.  Another  by  the 
 action  sermon.  At  the  words,  '  I  know  thee,  Judas,'  she  trembled, 
 and  would  have  risen  from  the  table.  These  were  glad  days  when 
 one  and  another  were  awakened.  The  people  looked  very  stirred 
 and  anxious,  every  day  coming  to  hear  the  words  of  eternal  life, — 
 some  inquiring  in  private  every  week.  Now  there  is  little  of  this. 
 About  fifteen  cases  came  to  my  knowledge  the  first  Sacrament,  and 
 two  awakened  who  seem  to  have  gone  back.  About  eleven  last 
 Sacrament, — four  of  these  young  men.  Several  Christians  seemed 
 quickened  to  greater  joy,  and  greater  love  one  to  another.  Now  it 
 appears  to  me  there  is  much  falling  off, — few  seem  awakened ; 
 few  weep  as  they  used  to  do." 
 
 "  April  1,  Sacrament  day. — Sweet  season  we  have  had.  Never 
 was  more  straitened  and  unfurnished  in  myself,  and  yet  much  helped. 
 Kept  in  perfect  peace,  my  mind  being  stayed  on  Thee.  Preached 
 on  '  My  God,  my  God,'  etc.,  Psalm  xxii.  1.  Not  fully  prepared, 
 yet  found  some  peace  in  it.  Fenced  the  tables  from  '  Christ's  eyes 
 of  flame.'  Little  helped  in  serving  the  tables.  Much  peace  in  com- 
 munion. Happy  to  be  one  with  Christ !  /,  a  vile  worm  ;  He,  the 
 Lord  my  righteousness.  Mr  Gumming  of  Dumbarney  served  some 
 tables  ;  Mr  Somerville  of  Anderston  served  three,  and  preached  in 
 the  evening  on  '  Thou  art  all  fair,  my  love.'  Very  full  and  refresh- 
 ing. All  sweet,  sweet  services.  Come,  thou  north  wind,  and  blow, 
 thou  south,  upon  this  garden  !  May  this  time  be  greatly  blessed  ! 
 It  is  my  third  communion ;  it  may  be  my  last.  My  Lord  may 
 come,  or  I  may  be  sitting  at  another  table  soon.  Moody,  Candhsh, 
 and  Mellis,  were  a  good  preparation  for  this  day ;  and  the  sweet 
 v/ord  from  Gumming  yesterday,  '  When  the  poor  and  needy  seek 
 water,'  etc.  Lord,  grant  some  awakening  this  day, — to  some 
 bringing  peace, — comfort  to  mourners, — fulness  to  believers, — an 
 advance  in  holiness  in  me  and  my  children  !  3  John  4.  Lord,  wean 
 me  from  my  sins,  from  my  cares,  and  from  this  passing  world. 
 May  Christ  be  all  in  all  to  me." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYiJE.  89 
 
 "  Admitted  about  twenty-five  yomig  communicants  ;  kept  two 
 back,  and  one  or  two  stayed  back.  Some  of  them  evidently 
 brought  to  Christ.  May  the  Lord  be  their  God,  their  comforter, 
 their  all !  May  the  morrow  bring  still  richer  things  to  us,  that  we 
 may  say  as  of  to-night,  '  Thou  hast  kept  the  good  wine  until  now.'  " 
 
 Toward  the  close  of  this  same  year  some  of  his  notices  are  as 
 follows : — 
 
 "  Oct.  7,  Evening. — In  the  Gaehc  Chapel,  on  '  I  know  that  my 
 Redeemer  liveth,'  with  more  seeming  power  on  the  people  than  for 
 a  while.  I  never  remember  of  compelling  souls  to  come  in  to  Christ 
 so  much  as  in  that  discourse." 
 
 "  Oct.  8. — A  person  of  the  name  of came  ;  I  hope  really 
 
 awakened  by  last  night's  work  ;  rather,  by  TJice.  I  do  not  know, 
 however,  whether  grace  is  begun  or  not." 
 
 "  Oct.  14. — Preached  on  '  Forgiving  injuries.'  Afternoon — on 
 the  Second  Coming :  '  Let  your  loins  be  girded  about,'  etc.  Felt 
 its  power  myself  more  than  ever  before,  how  the  sudden  coming  of 
 the  Saviour  constrains  to  a  holy  walk,  separate  from  sin.  Evening 
 ■ — Preached  it  over  in  the  Ferry." 
 
 "  Oct.  21. — Met  young  communicants  in  the  evening.  Good 
 hope  of  all  but  one." 
 
 "  Oct.  22.— A  Jew  preached  in  my  church,  Mr  Frey,  to  a 
 crowded  house.  Felt  much  moved  in  hearing  an  Israelite  after 
 the  flesh." 
 
 "  Oct.  23. — Preached  to  sailors  aboard  the  '  Dr  Carey,'  in  the 
 docks.  About  200,  very  attentive  and  impressed  like.  On  'I 
 know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth.'  May  the  seed  sown  on  the  waters 
 be  found  after  many  days." 
 
 ^^  Nov.  1,  Fast-day. — Afternoon — Mr  C.  on  'The  thief  on  the 
 Cross.'  A  most  awakening  and  engaging  sermon,  enough  to  make 
 sinners  fly  like  a  cloud,  and  as  doves  to  their  windows.  The  ofl'ers 
 of  Christ  were  let  down  very  low,  so  that  those  low  of  stature  may 
 take  hold." 
 
 "  Nov.  5. — Mr  died  this  morning  at  seven  o'clock.     Oh 
 
 that  I  may  take  warning,  lest,  after  preaching  to  others,  I  myself 
 be  a  castaway !  Love  of  popularity  is  said  to  have  been  his  be- 
 setting sin." 
 
 "  Dec.  2. — Errol  Communion.  Heard  Mr  Grierson  preach  on 
 Christ's  entry  into  Jerusalem.  Served  two  tables.  Evening — 
 Preached  to  a  large  congregation,  on  '  Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call,' 
 etc.  The  free  invitation  of  the  Saviour.  May  some  find  Him  this 
 day !  " 
 
 In  addition  to  the  other  blessings  which  the  Lord  sent  by  hie 
 
90  MEMOIR  OF  THE  KEV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 means  to  the  place  where  he  laboured,  it  was  obvious  to  all  that 
 the  tone  of  Christians  was  raised  as  much  by  his  holy  walk  as  by 
 his  heavenly  ministry.  Yet  during  these  pleasant  days  he  had 
 much  reproach  to  bear.  He  was  the  object  of  supercihous  con- 
 tempt to  formal  cold-hearted  ministers,  and  of  bitter  hatred  to 
 many  of  the  ungodly.  At  this  day  there  are  both  ministers  and 
 professing  Christians  of  whom  Jesus  would  say,  "  The  world  can- 
 not hate  you"  (John  vii.  7),  for  the  world  cannot  hate  itself ;  but 
 it  was  not  so  with  Mr  M'Cheyne.  "Very  deep  was  the  enmity  borne 
 to  him  by  some, — all  the  deeper,  because  the  only  cause  of  it  was 
 his  likeness  to  his  Master.  But  nothing  turned  him  aside.  He  was 
 full  of  ardour,  yet  ever  gentle,  and  meek,  and  generous ;  full  of 
 zeal,  yet  never  ruffled  by  his  zeal ;  and  not  only  his  strength  of 
 "first  love"  (Rev.  ii.  4),  but  even  its  warm  glow,  seemed  in  him  to 
 suffer  no  decay. 
 
 Thus  he  spent  the  first  years  of  his  ministry  in  Dundee.  The 
 town  began  to  feel  that  they  had  a  peculiar  man  of  God  in  the  midst 
 of  them,  for  he  lived  as  a  true  sou  of  Levi.  "  My  covenant  was 
 with  him  of  life  and  peace,  and  I  gave  them  to  him  for  the  fear 
 wherewith  he  feared  me,  and  was  afraid  before  my  name.  The 
 law  of  truth  was  in  his  mouth,  and  iniquity  was  not  found  on  his 
 lips  ;  he  walked  with  me  in  peace  and  equity  ;  and  did  turn  many 
 awfty  from  iniquity."    Mai.  ii.  5,  0. 
 
CHAPTER   IV. 
 
 HIS    MISSION   TO    PALESTINE    AND    THE  JEWS. 
 
 "  Here  am  I ;  send  me." — Isaiah  vi.  8. 
 
 Though  engaged  uight  and  day  with  his  flock  in  St  Peter's,  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  ever  cherished  a  missionary  spirit.  "  This  place  hardens 
 me  for  a  foreign  land,"  was  his  remark  on  one  occasion.  This 
 spirit  he  sought  to  kindle  yet  more  by  reading  missionary  intelli- 
 gence for  his  own  use,  and  often  to  his  people  at  his  weekly  prayer- 
 meeting.  The  necessities  both  of  his  own  parish,  and  of  the  world 
 at  large,  lay  heavy  on  his  soul ;  and  when  an  opportunity  of 
 evangelizing  occurred,  there  was  none  in  Scotland  more  ready  to 
 embrace  it.  He  seemed  one  who  stood  with  his  loins  girt :  "  Here 
 am  I ;  send  me." 
 
 Another  motive  to  incessant  activity,  was  the  decided  impression 
 on  his  mind  that  his  career  would  be  short.  From  the  very  first 
 days  of  his  ministry  he  had  a  strong  feeling  of  this  nature  ;  and  his 
 friends  remember  how  his  letters  used  to  be  sealed  with  this  seal, 
 "  The  night  Cometh^  At  a  time  when  he  was  apparently  in  his 
 usual  health,  we  were  talking  together  on  the  subject  of  the  Pre- 
 millennial  Advent.  We  had  begun  to  speak  of  the  practical  in- 
 fluence which  the  belief  of  that  doctrine  might  have.  At  length 
 he  said,  "that  he  saw  no  force  in  the  arguments  generally  urged 
 against  it,  though  he  had  difficulties  of  his  own  in  regard  to  it. 
 And  perhaps  (he  added)  it  is  well  for  you,  who  enjoy  constant 
 health,  to  be  so  firmly  persuaded  that  Christ  is  thus  to  come ; 
 but  my  sickly  frame  makes  me  feel  every  day  that  my  time  may  be 
 very  short." 
 
 He  was  therefore  in  some  measure  prepared,  when,  in  the  midst 
 of  his  laborious  duties,  he  was  compelled  to  stand  still  and  see  what 
 the  Lord  would  do. 
 
 In  the  close  of  1838,  some  symptoms  appeared  that  alarmed  his 
 friends.  His  constitution,  never  robust,  began  to  feel  the  effects  of 
 unremitting  labour ;  for  occasionally  he  would  spend  six  hoars  in 
 visiting,  and  then  the  same  evening  preach  in  some  room  to  all 
 the  families  whom  he  had  that  day  visited.     Yery  generally,  too, 
 
 91 
 
92  MEMOIR  OF  THE  RET.  R.  M.  M'CHErNE. 
 
 on  Sabbath,  after  preaching  twice  to  his  own  flock,  he  was  engaged 
 in  ministering  somewhere  else  in  the  evening.  But  now,  after  any 
 great  exertion,  he  was  attacked  by  violent  palpitation  of  heart.  It 
 soon  increased,  affecting  him  in  his  hours  of  study  ;  and  at  last  it 
 became  almost  constant.  Upon  this,  his  medical  advisers  insisted 
 on  a  total  cessation  of  his  public  work ;  for  though  as  yet  there 
 was  no  organic  change  on  his  lungs,  there  was  every  reason  to 
 apprehend  that  that  might  be  the  result.  Accordingly,  with  deep 
 regret,  he  left  Dundee  to  seek  rest  and  change  of  occupation,  hoping 
 it  would  be  only  for  a  week  or  two. 
 
 A  few  days  after  leaving  Dundee,  he  writes  from  Edinburgh,  in 
 reply  to  the  anxious  niquiries  of  his  friend  Mr  Grierson :  "  The 
 beating  of  the  heart  is  not  now  so  constant  as  it  was  before.  The 
 pitcher  draws  more  quietly  at  the  cistern  ;  so  that,  by  the  kind 
 providence  of  our  heavenly  Father,  I  may  be  spared  a  httle  longer 
 before  the  silver  cord  be  loosed,  and  the  golden  bowl  be  broken." 
 
 It  was  found  that  his  complaints  were  such  as  would  be  likely  to 
 give  way  under  careful  treatment,  and  a  temporary  cessation  from 
 all  exertion.  Under  his  father's  roof,  therefore,  in  Edinburgh,  he 
 resigned  himself  to  the  w^ll  of  his  Father  in  heaven.  But  deeply 
 did  he  feel  the  trial  of  being  laid  aside  from  his  loved  employment, 
 though  he  learnt  of  Him  who  was  meek  and  lowly,  to  make  the 
 burden  hght  in  his  own  way,  by  saying,  "  Even  so.  Father,  for  so 
 it  seemeth  good  in  thy  sight."  He  wrote  to  Mr  Grierson  again, 
 January  5,  1839  :  "I  hope  this  affliction  will  be  blessed  to  me.  I 
 always  feel  much  need  of  God's  afflicting  hand.  In  the  whirl  of 
 active  labour  there  is  so  little  time  for  watching,  and  for  bewailing, 
 and  seeking  grace  to  oppose  the  sins  of  our  ministry,  that  I  always 
 feel  it  a  blessed  thing  when  the  Saviour  takes  me  aside  from  the 
 crowd,  as  He  took  the  blind  man  out  of  the  town,  and  removes  the 
 veil,  and  clears  away  obscuring  mists,  and  by  his  word  and  Spirit 
 leads  to  deeper  peace  and  a  hoHer  walk.  Ah !  there  is  nothing 
 like  a  calm  look  into  the  eternal  world  to  teach  us  the  emptiness 
 of  human  praise,  the  sinfulness  of  self-seeking  and  vainglory,  to 
 teach  us  the  prcciousness  of  Christ,  who  is  called  '  The  Tried 
 Stone.'  I  have  been  able  to  be  twice  at  college  to  hear  a  lecture 
 from  Dr  Chalmers.  I  nave  also  been  privileged  to  smooth  down 
 the  dying  pillow  of  an  old  school-companion,  leading  him  to  a  fuller 
 joy  and  peace  in  believing.  A  poor  heavy-laden  soul,  too,  from 
 Larbert,  I  have  had  the  joy  of  leading  tow^ard  the  Saviour.  So 
 that  even  when  absent  from  my  work,  and  when  exiled,  as  it  were, 
 God  allows  me  to  do  some  little  things  for  his  name." 
 
 He  was  led  to  look  more  carefully  into  this  trying  dispensation, 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHETNE.  93 
 
 and  began  to  anticipate  blessed  results  from  it  to  his  flock.  He 
 was  well  aware  how  easily  the  flock  begin  to  idolize  the  shepherd, 
 and  how  prone  the  shepherd  is  to  feel  somewhat  pleased  with  this 
 sinful  partiality  of  his  people,  and  to  be  upHfted  by  his  success. 
 "I  sometimes  think,"  is  his  remark  in  a  letter,  dated  January  18, 
 "  that  a  great  blessing  may  come  to  my  people  in  my  absence. 
 Often  God  does  not  bless  us  when  we  are  in  the  midst  of  our 
 labours,  lest  we  shall  say,  '  My  hand  and  my  eloquence  have  done 
 it.'  He  removes  us  into  silence,  and  then  pours  '  down  a  blessing 
 so  that  there  is  no  room  to  receive  it ; '  so  that  all  that  see  it  cry 
 out,  'It  is  the  Lord  ! '  This  was  the  way  in  the  South  Sea  Islands. 
 May  it  really  be  so  with  my  dear  people ! "  Nor  did  he  err  in  this 
 view  of  the  dispensation.  All  these  ends,  and  more  also,  were  to 
 be  accomplished  by  it. 
 
 An  anticipation  like  that  which  is  expressed  in  this  and  other 
 letters,  especially  in  his  Pastoral  Letter  of  March  20,  may  justly  be 
 regarded  as  a  proof  from  experience  that  the  Lord  teaches  his 
 people  to  expect  and  pray  for  what  He  means  soon  to  work.  And 
 here  the  Lord  accompUshed  his  designs  in  the  kindest  of  all  ways ; 
 for  He  removed  his  servant  for  a  season  from  the  flock  to  which  he 
 had  been  so  blessed,  lest  even  his  own  children  should  begin  to 
 glory  in  man  ;  but  yet  He  took  that  servant  to  another  sphere  of 
 labour  in  the  meantime,  and  then,  when  the  blessing  was  safely 
 bestowed,  brought  him  back  to  rejoice  over  it. 
 
 He  was  still  hoping  for,  and  suljmissively  asking  from  the  Lord, 
 speedy  restoration  to  his  people  in  Dundee,  and  occasionally  send- 
 ing to  them  an  epistle  that  breathed  the  true  pastor's  soul ;  when 
 one  day,  as  he  was  walking  with  Dr  Candlish,  conversing  on  the 
 Mission  to  Israel  which  had  lately  been  resolved  on,  an  idea  seemed 
 suddenly  suggested  to  Dr  Candlish.  He  asked  Mr  M'Cheyne  what 
 he  would  think  of  "  being  useful  to  the  Jewish  cause,  during  his 
 cessation  from  labour,  by  going  abroad  to  make  personal  inquiries 
 into  the  state  of  Israel?  "  The  idea  thus  suddenly  suggested  led 
 to  all  the  after  results  of  the  Mission  of  Inquiry.  Mr  M'Cheyne 
 found  himself  all  at  once  called  to  carry  salvation  to  the  Jew  as  he 
 had  hitherto  done  to  the  Gentile,  and  his  soul  was  filled  with  joy 
 and  wonder.  His  medical  friends  highly  approved  of  the  proposal, 
 as  being  likely  to  conduce  very  much  to  the  removal  of  his  com- 
 plaints,— the  calm,  steady  excitement  of  such  a  journey  being  likely 
 to  restore  the  tone  of  his  whole  constitution. 
 
 Dr  Black  of  Aberdeen  readily  consented  to  use  his  remarkable 
 talents  as  a  scholar  in  this  cause  ;  and  Dr  Keith  intimated  his  ex- 
 pectation of  soon  joining  the  deputation.     I  also  had  been  chosen 
 
94  MEMOIR  OF  THE  EEV.  K.  M.  m'CHEYNE. 
 
 to  go  forth  on  this  mission  of  love  to  Israel ;  but  some  difficulties 
 stood  in  the  way  of  my  leaving  my  charge  at  Collace.  In  these  cir- 
 cumstances Mr  M'Cheyne  wrote  to  me,  March  12,  from  Edinburgh. 
 
 "  My  deak  a., — I  have  received  so  many  tokens  for  good  from 
 God  in  this  matter,  that  it  were  a  shame  indeed  if  I  did  not  trust 
 Him  to  perfect  all  which  concerns  me.  I  am  glad  you  have  deter- 
 mined to  trust  all  in  the  hands  of  Israel's  God.  I  am  quite  ready 
 to  go  this  week,  or  next  week,  but  am  deeply  anxious  to  be  sure 
 that  you  are  sent  with  me.  You  know,  dear  A.,  I  could  not  labour 
 in  this  cause,  nor  enjoy  it,  if  you  were  not  to  be  with  me  in  it. 
 Would  you  be  ready  to  give  your  Jewish  lecture  on  the  evening  of 
 Sabbath  week  ?  .  .  .  And  now,  pray  for  us,  that  we  may  be 
 sent  of  God ;  and,  weak  as  we  are,  that  we  may  be  made  Boanerges, 
 — that  we  may  be  blessed  to  win  some  souls,  and  to  stir  up  Chris- 
 tians to  love  Zion.  Much  interest  is  already  excited,  and  I  do  look 
 for  a  blessing.  Speak  to  your  people  as  on  the  brink  of  eternity. 
 .  .  .  .  As  to  books,  I  am  quite  at  a  loss.  My  Hebrew  Bible, 
 Greek  Testament,  etc.,  and  perhaps  Bridge's  Christian  Ministinj  for 
 general  purposes, — I  mean,  for  keeping  us  in  mind  of  our  minis- 
 terial work.  I  do  hope  we  shall  go  forth  in  the  Spirit ;  and  though 
 straitened  in  language,  may  we  not  be  blessed,  as  Brainerd  was, 
 through  an  interpreter  ?  May  we  not  be  blessed  also  to  save  some 
 Enghsh,  and  to  stir  up  missionaries  ?  My  health  is  only  tolerable ; 
 I  would  be  better  if  we  were  once  away.  I  am  often  so  troubled 
 as  to  be  made  willing  to  go  or  stay,  to  die  or  to  live.  Yet  it  is 
 encouraging  to  be  used  in  the  Lord's  service  again,  and  in  so  inte- 
 resting a  manner.  What  if  we  should  see  the  heavenly  Jerusalem 
 before  the  earthly  ?  I  am  taking  drawing  materials,  that  I  may 
 carry  away  remembrances  of  the  Mount  of  Olives,  Tabor,  and  the 
 Sea  of  Galilee." 
 
 The  interest  that  this  proposed  journey  excited  in  Scotland  was 
 very  great.  Nor  was  it  merely  the  somewhat  romantic  interest 
 attached  to  the  land  where  the  Lord  had  done  most  of  his  mighty 
 works ;  there  were  also  in  it  the  deeper  feehngs  of  a  scriptural  per- 
 suasion that  Israel  was  still  "  beloved  for  the  fathers'  sake."  For 
 some  time  previous,  Jerusalem  had  come  into  mind,  and  many  godly 
 pastors  were  standing  as  watchmen  over  its  ruined  walls  (Isa.  Ixii. 
 6),  stirring  up  the  Lord's  remembrancers.  Mr  M'Cheyne  had  been 
 one  of  these.  His  views  of  the  importance  of  the  Jews  in  the  eye 
 of  God,  and  therefore  of  their  importance  as  a  sphere  of  missionary 
 labour,  were  very  clear  and  decided.  He  agreed  in  the  expectation 
 expressed  in  one  of  the  Course  of  Lectures  delivered  before  the 
 deputation  set  out,  that  we  might  anticipate  an  outpouring  of  th 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M^CHEYNE.  95 
 
 Spirit  when  our  church  should  stretch  out  its  hands  to  the  Jew  as  ivell  as 
 to  the  Gentile.  Id  one  letter  he  says,  "  To  seek  the  lost  sheep  of 
 the  house  of  Israel  is  an  object  very  near  to  my  heart,  as  my  people 
 know  it  has  ever  been.  Such  an  enterprise  may  probably  draw- 
 down unspeakable  blessings  on  the  Church  of  Scotland,  according 
 to  the  promise,  '  They  shall  prosper  who  love  thee.' "  In  another, 
 "  I  now  see  plainly  that  all  our  views  about  the  Jews  being  the 
 chief  object  of  missionary  exertion  are  plain  and  sober  truths, 
 according  to  the  Scripture."  Again,  "  I  feel  convinced  that  if  we 
 pray  that  the  world  may  be  converted  in  God's  way,  we  will  seek 
 the  good  of  the  Jews ;  and  the  more  we  do  so,  the  happier  we  will 
 be  in  our  own  soul.  You  should  always  keep  up  a  knowledge  of 
 the  prophecies  regarding  Israel."  In  his  preaching  he  not  unfre- 
 quently  said  on  this  subject,  "  We  should  be  like  God  in  his  pecu- 
 liar affections  ;  and  the  whole  Bible  shows  that  God  has  ever  had, 
 and  still  has,  a  pecuHar  love  to  the  Jews." 
 
 The  news  of  his  proposed  absence  alarmed  his  flock  at  Dundee. 
 They  manifested  their  care  for  him  more  than  ever  ;  and  not  a  few 
 wrote  expostulatory  letters.  To  one  of  these  well-meant  remon- 
 strances he  replied,  "  I  rejoice  exceedingly  in  the  interest  you  take 
 in  me,  not  so  much  for  my  own  sake  as  that  I  hope  it  is  a  sign  you 
 know  and  love  the  Lord  Jesus.  Unless  God  had  himself  shut  up 
 the  door  of  return  to  my  people,  and  opened  this  new  door  to  me, 
 I  never  could  have  consented  to  go.  I  am  not  at  all  unwilling  to 
 spend  and  be  spent  in  God's  service,  though  I  have  often  found  that 
 the  more  abundantly  I  love  you,  the  less  I  am  loved.  But  God  has 
 very  plainly  shown  me  that  I  may  perform  a  deeply  important  work 
 for  his  ancient  people,  and  at  the  same  time  be  in  the  best  way  of 
 seeking  a  return  of  health." — "  A  minister  will  make  a  poor  saviour 
 in  the  day  of  wrath.  It  is  not  knowing  a  minister,  or  loving  one, 
 or  hearing  one,  or  having  a  name  to  live,  that  will  save.  You  need 
 to  have  your  hand  on  the  head  of  the  Lamb  for  yourselves,  Lev. 
 i.  4.  You  need  to  have  your  eye  on  the  brazen  serpent  for  your- 
 selves, John  iii.  14,  15.  I  fear  I  will  need  to  be  a  swift  witness 
 against  many  of  my  people  in  the  day  of  the  Lord,  that  they  looked 
 to  me,  and  not  to  Christ,  when  I  preached  to  them.  I  always  feared 
 that  some  of  you  loved  to  hear  the  word,  who  do  not  love  to  do  it. 
 I  always  feared  there  were  many  of  you  who  loved  the  Sabbath 
 meetings,  and  the  class,  and  the  Thursday  evenings,  who  yet  were 
 not  careful  to  walk  with  God,  to  be  meek,  chaste,  holy,  loving,  harm- 
 less, Christ-hke,  God-like.  Now,  God  wants  you  to  think  that  the 
 only  end  of  a  gospel  ministry  is  that  you  may  be  holy.  Believe 
 me,  God  himself  could  not  make  you  happy  except  you  be  holy." 
 
93  MElIOm  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CIIEYNE. 
 
 At  this  crisis  in  his  people's  history,  he  sought  from  the  Lord  one 
 to  supply  his  place, — one  who  would  feed  the  flock  and  gather  in 
 w^anderers  during  their  own  pastor's  absence.  The  Lord  granted 
 him  his  desire  by  sending  Mr  WiUiam  C.  Burns,  son  of  the  minister 
 of  Kilsyth.  In  a  letter  to  him,  dated  March  12,  the  following 
 remarkable  words  occur  :  "  You  are  given  in  answer  to  prayer ; 
 and  these  gifts  are,  I  believe,  always  without  exception  blessed.  I 
 hope  you  may  be  a  thousand  times  more  blessed  among  them  than 
 ever  1  was.  Perhaps  there  are  many  souls  that  would  never  have 
 been  saved  under  ray  ministry,  who  may  be  touched  under  yours  ; 
 and  God  has  taken  this  method  of  bringing  you  into  my  place.  His 
 name  is  Wonderful." 
 
 This  done,  and  being  already  disengaged  from  his  flock,  he  set 
 out  for  London  to  make  arrangements  for  the  rest  of  the  deputa- 
 tion, who  soon  after  were  all  sent  forth  by  the  brethren  with  many 
 prayers.  None  had  more  prayers  offered  in  their  behalf  than  he, 
 and  they  were  not  offered  in  vain.  During  all  his  jourueyings  the 
 Lord  strengthened  him,  and  saved  him  out  of  all  distresses. 
 
 It  was  a  singular  event, — often  still  it  looks  like  a  dream, — that 
 four  ministers  should  be  so  suddenly  called  away  from  their  quiet 
 labours  in  the  towns  and  villages  of  Scotland,  and  be  found  in  a  few 
 weeks  traversing  the  laud  of  Israel,  with  their  Bibles  in  their  hand, 
 eye-witnesses  of  prophecy  fulfilled,  and  spies  of  the  nakedness  of 
 Israel's  worship  and  leanness  of  soul.  The  details  of  that  journey 
 need  not  be  given  here.  They  have  been  already  recorded  in  the 
 Narrative  of  a  Mission  oflnquir)/  to  the  Jews  from  the  Church  of  Scot- 
 land in  1839.  But  there  are  some  incidents  worthy  to  be  preserved 
 which  could  find  a  place  only  in  such  a  record  of  private  hfe  and 
 feelings  as  we  are  now  engaged  in. 
 
 When  Mr  M'Cheyne  was  on  board  the  vessel  that  carried  him  to 
 London,  he  at  once  discovered  an  interesting  young  Jew,  who 
 seemed,  however,  unwilling  to  be  recognised  as  belonging  to  the 
 seed  of  Abraham.  He  made  several  attempts  to  draw  this  young 
 Israehte  into  close  conversation  ;  and  before  parting,  read  with  him 
 the  1st  Psalm  in  Hebrew,  and  pressed  home  the  duty  of  meditating 
 on  the  word  of  the  Lord.  In  visiting  Bethnal  Green,  he  has  noted 
 down  that  it  was  very  sweet  to  hear  Jewish  children  sing  a  hymn  to 
 Jesus,  the  burden  of  which  was  '^'^hv  nUD,  "  Slain  for  us  !  " 
 
 The  awful  profanation  of  the  holy  Sabbath  which  we  witnessed 
 on  the  streets  of  Paris,  called  forth  the  following  appeal,  in  a  fetter 
 to  Mr  Macdonald  of  Blairgowrie.  His  spirit  had  been  stirred  in 
 him  when  he  saw  the  city  wholly  given  to  idolatry.  "  Stand  in  the 
 breach,  dear  friend,  and  lift  np  your  voice  like  a  trumpet,  lest  Scot- 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  EEV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  97 
 
 land  become  another  France.  You  know  how  many  in  our  own 
 parishes  trample  on  the  holy  day.  They  do  not  know  how  sweet  it 
 is  to  walk  with  God  all  that  holy  day.  Isaiah  Iviii.  11-14  is  a 
 sweet  text  to  preach  from.  Exodus  xxxi.  13  is  also  very  precious, 
 showing  that  the  real  sanctifying  of  the  Sabbath  is  one  of  God's 
 signs  or  marks  which  He  puts  upon  his  people.  It  is  one  of  the 
 letters  of  the  new  name,  which  no  one  knoweth  but  they  who 
 receive  it." 
 
 In  his  brief  notes  during  the  first  part  of  the  journey,  he  has  sel- 
 dom failed  to  mark  our  seasons  of  united  prayer,  such  as  those  in 
 the  cabin  of  the  vessel  on  the  passage  to  Genoa ;  for  these  were 
 times  of  refreshing  to  his  spirit.  And  his  feelings,  as  he  stood  in 
 that  city  and  surveyed  its  palaces,  are  expressed  in  a  few  lines, 
 which  he  sent  homeward  from  the  spot.  "  A  foreign  land  draws 
 us  nearer  God.  He  is  the  only  one  whom  we  know  here.  We  go 
 to  Him  as  to  one  we  know  ;  all  else  is  strange.  Every  step  I  take, 
 and  every  new  country  I  see,  makes  me  feel  more  that  there  is 
 nothing  real,  nothing  true,  but  what  is  everlasting.  The  whole  world 
 lieth  in  wickedness  ;  its  judgments  are  fast  hastening.  The  marble 
 palaces,  among  which  I  have  been  wandering  to-night,  shall  soon 
 sink  like  a  millstone  in  the  waters  of  God's  righteous  anger ;  but  he 
 that  doeth  the  will  of  God  abideth  for  ever." 
 
 At  Yaletta,  in  the  island  of  Malta,  he  wrote  :  "  My  heart  beats 
 a  httle  to-day,  but  another  sail  will  do  me  good.  One  thing  1  know, 
 that  I  am  in  the  hands  of  my  Father  in  heaven,  who  is  all  love  to 
 me, — not  for  what  I  am  in  myself,  but  for  the  beauty  He  sees  in 
 Immanuel." 
 
 The  classic  shores  of  Italy  and  Greece  are  invested  with  a  peculiar 
 interest,  such  as  may  raise  deep  emotions  even  in  a  sanctified  soul. 
 "  We  tried  to  recollect  many  of  the  studies  of  our  boyhood.  But 
 what  is  classic  learning  to  us  now  ?  I  count  all  things  but  loss  for 
 the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  my  Lord.  And  yet 
 these  recollections  tinged  every  object,  and  afforded  us  a  most  lawful 
 pleasure." 
 
 During  our  voyage,  it  was  his  delight  to  search  into  the  Scrip- 
 tures, just  as  at  home.  And  so  much  did  he  calculate  on  an 
 unceasing  study  of  the  word  during  all  our  journey,  that  he  took 
 with  him  some  notes  I  had  written  on  each  chapter  of  the  book  of 
 Leviticus,  observing  it  would  be  suitable  meditation  for  us  while 
 busy  with  Jewish  minds.  At  home  and  abroad  he  had  an  insatiable 
 appetite  for  all  the  word, — both  for  the  types  of  the  Old  Testament 
 and  the  plain  text  of  the  New.  On  one  occasion,  before  leaving 
 home,    in  studying  Numbers  iv.,    he  fixed    the  diJGferent   duties 
 
 G 
 
assigned  to  the  priests  on  his  memory,  by  means  of  the  followir.j 
 lines  : — 
 
 The  Kohathites  upon  their  shoulder  bear 
 The  holy  vessels,  covered  with  all  care  , 
 The  Gerskonites  receive  an  easier  charge, 
 Two  waggons  full  of  cords  and  curtains  large ; 
 MerarVs  sons  four  ponderous  waggons  load 
 "With  boards  and  pillars  of  the  house  of  God. 
 
 He  acted  on  the  principle,  that  whatever  God  has  revealed  must 
 deserve  our  study  and  prayerful  investigation. 
 
 Arrived  at  Alexandiia  in  Egypt,  and  thence  proceeding  onward 
 to  Palestine  by  the  way  of  the  desert,  we  found  ourselves  set  down 
 on  a  new  stage  of  experience.  Mr  M'Cheyne  observed  on  the 
 silence  of  the  desert  places :  "It  is  a  remarkable  feeling  to  be  quite 
 alone  in  a  desert  place  ;  it  gives  similar  feehngs  to  fasting ;  it  brings 
 God  near.  Living  in  tents,  and  moving  among  such  lonely  scenes 
 for  many  days,  awake  many  new  ideas.  It  is  a  strange  life  we  lead 
 in  the  wilderness.  Round  and  round  there  is  a  complete  circle  of 
 sand  and  wilderness  shrubs  ;  above,  a  blue  sky  without  a  cloud,  and 
 a  scorching  sun  which  often  made  the  thermometer  stand  at  96°  in 
 our  tents.  When  evening  came,  the  sun  went  down  as  it  does  in 
 the  ocean,  and  the  stars  came  riding  forth  in  their  glory  ;  and  we 
 used  to  pitch  all  alone,  with  none  but  our  poor  ignorant  Bedouins^ 
 and  their  camels,  and  our  all-knowing,  all-loving  God  beside  us. 
 When  morning  began  to  dawn,  our  habitations  were  taken  down- 
 Often  we  have  found  ourselves  shelterless  before  being  fully  dressed. 
 What  a  type  of  the  tent  of  our  body  !  Ah  !  how  often  taken  down 
 before  the  soul  is  made  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in 
 Hght."  To  Mr  Bonar  of  Larbert  he  writes  :  "  I  had  no  idea  that 
 traveUing  in  the  wilderness  was  so  dreadful  a  thing  as  it  is.  The 
 loneliness  I  often  felt  quite  solemnized  me.  The  burning  sun  over- 
 head,— round  and  round  a  circle  of  barren  sand,  chequered  only 
 by  a  few  prickly  shrubs  ('  the  heath  of  the  wilderness,'  of  which 
 Jeremiah  speaks), — no  rain,  not  a  cloud,  the  wells  often  like  that  of 
 Mar  ah,  and  far  between.  I  now  understand  well  the  murmurings 
 of  Israel.  I  feel  that  our  journey  proved  and  tried  my  own  heart 
 very  much."  When  we  look  back,  and  remember  that  he  who  thus 
 stands  on  the  sandy  desert  road  between  Egypt  and  Palestine,  and 
 looks  on  its  singular  scenery,  is  one  who  but  lately  was  to  be  found 
 busy  night  and  day  in  dealing  with  the  souls  of  men  in  the  densely 
 peopled  streets  of  a  town  teeming  with  population,  we  are  led  to 
 wonder  at  the  ways  of  the  Lord.     But  is  it  nx)t  a  moment  which 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  KEV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE,  99 
 
 may  remind  us  that  the  God  who  sent  Elijah  to  the  brook  at 
 Cherith  is  the  same  God  still?  and  that  the  wise,  considerate, 
 loving  Master,  who  said,  "  Come  into  a  desert  place  and  rest 
 awhile,"  is  as  loving,  considerate,  and  wise  as  He  was  then  ? 
 
 At  Balteen,  a  small  village  in  Egypt,  I  well  remember  the  indig- 
 nation that  fired  his  countenance,  when  our  Arab  attendants  insisted 
 on  travelling  forward  on  the  Sabbath-day,  rather  than  continue 
 sitting  under  a  few  palm-trees,  breathing  a  sultry,  furnace-like 
 atmosphere,  with  nothing  more  than  just  such  supply  of  food  as 
 sufficed.  He  could  not  bear  the  thought  of  being  deprived  of 
 the  Sabbath  rest ;  it  was  needful  for  our  souls  as  much  in  the  wil- 
 derness as  in  the  crowded  city ;  and  if  few  glorify  God  in  that 
 desolate  land,  so  much  the  more  were  we  called  on  to  fill  these  soli- 
 tudes with  our  songs  of  praise.  It  was  in  this  light  he  viewed 
 ^our  position;  and  when  we  had  prevailed,  and  Avere  seated  und&r 
 the  palms,  he  was  excited  to  deep  emotion,  though  before  quite 
 unnerved  by  the  heat,  at  the  sight  of  a  row  of  poor  wretched 
 Egyptians  who  gathered  round  us.  "  Oh  that  I  could  speak  their 
 language,  and  tell  them  of  salvation  !"  was  his  impassioned  wish. 
 
 An  event  occurred  at  that  time  in  which  the  hand  of  God  after- 
 wards appeared  very  plain,  though  it  then  seemed  very  dark  to  us, 
 Dr  Black  fell  from  his  camel  in  the  midst  of  the  sandy  desert,  and 
 none  of  all  our  company  could  conjecture  what  bearing  on  the 
 object  of  our  Mission  this  sad  occurrence  could  have.  Is  it  a 
 frown  on  our  undertaking  ?  or  can  it  really  be  a  movement  of  his 
 kind,  guiding  hand  ?  We  often  spoke  of  it :  in  our  visit  to  Galilee 
 we  thought  that  we  saw  some  purposes  evolving ;  but  there  wap 
 Btill  something  unexplained.  Now,  however,  the  reason  appears  : 
 even  that  event  was  of  the  Lord,  in  wise  and  kind  design.  But 
 for  that  fall,  our  fathers  in  the  deputation  would  not  have  sailed  up 
 the  Danube  on  their  way  to  Vienna,  and  Pesth  would  not  have  been 
 visited.  This  accident,  which  mainly  disabled  Dr  Black  from  under- 
 taking the  after  fatigue  of  exploring  Galilee,  was  the  occasion  of 
 directing  the  steps  of  our  two  fathers  to  that  station,  wiiere  a  severe 
 stroke  of  sickness  was  made  the  means  of  detaining  Dr  Keith  till 
 they  had  learned  that  there  was  an  open  door  among  th-e  Jews. 
 And  there,  accordingly,  it  has  been  that  the  Lord  has  poured 
 down  his  Spirit  on  the  Jews  that  have  come  to  our  missionaries 
 so  remarkably,  that  no  Jewish  Mission  seems  ever  to  have  been 
 blessed  with  deeper  conversions.  There  is  nothing  but  truth  in 
 the  remark  made  by  one  of  our  number :  "  Dr  Brack's  fall  from 
 the  camel  was  the  first  step  towards  Pesth."  "  Whoso  is  wise, 
 and  will  observe  these  things,  even  thej  shall  understand  the  loving 
 
100  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHE»YNE. 
 
 kindness  of  the  Lord,"  Psalm  cvii.  42.  Indeed,  whether  it  was 
 that  we  were  prepared  to  expect,  and  therefore  were  pecuHarly 
 ready  to  observe,  or  whether  it  was  really  the  case  that  the  watch- 
 ful eye  of  our  Lord  specially  guided  us,  certain  it  is  that  we 
 thought  we  could  perceive  the  whole  course  we  took  signally 
 marked  by  Providence.  There  were  many  prayers  in  Scotland 
 ascending  up  in  our  behalf,  and  the  High  Priest  gave  the  answer 
 by  shining  upon  our  path.  Mr  M'Cheyne  has  stated :  "  For 
 much  of  our  safety  I  feel  indebted  to  the  prayers  of  my  people, 
 I  mean  the  Christians  among  them,  who  do  not  forget  us.  If  the 
 veil  of  the  world's  machinery  were  lifted  off,  how  much  we  would 
 find  is  done  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  God's  children." 
 
 Many  things  lost  somewhat  of  their  importance  in  our  view, 
 when  examined  amid  the  undistracted  reflections  of  the  long  desert 
 journey,  where  for  many  days  we  had  quiet,  like  the  quiet  of  death, 
 around  us  all  night  long,  and  even  during  the  bright  day.  It  is 
 the  more  interesting  on  this  very  account,  to  know  his  feelings 
 there  on  the  subject  of  the  ministry.  As  his  camel  slowly  bore 
 him  over  the  soft  sandy  soil,  much  did  he  ruminate  on  the  happy 
 days  when  he  was  permitted  to  use  all  his  strength  in  preaching 
 Jesus  to  dying  men.  "  Use  your  health  while  you  have  it,  my 
 dear  friend  and  brother.  Do  not  cast  away  peculiar  opportunities 
 that  may  never  come  again.  You  know  not  when  your  last  Sab- 
 bath with  your  people  may  come.  Speak  for  eternity.  Above  all 
 things,  cultivate  your  own  spirit.  A  word  spoken  by  you  when 
 your  conscience  is  clear,  and  your  heart  full  of  God's  Spirit,  is 
 worth  ten  thousand  words  spoken  in  unbelief  and  sin.  This  was 
 my  great  fault  in  the  ministry.  Remember  it  is  God,  and  not  man, 
 that  must  have  the  glory.  It  is  not  much  speaking,  but  much 
 faith,  that  is  needed.  Do  not  forget  us.  Do  not  forget  the  Satur- 
 day night  meeting,  nor  the  Monday  morning  thanksgiving."  Thus 
 he  wrote  on  his  way  to  a  fellow-labourer  in  Scotland. 
 
 On  our  first  Sabbath  in  the  Holy  Land,  our  tent  had  been 
 pitched  in  the  vicinity  of  a  colony  of  ants.  It  was  in  the  tribe  of 
 Simeon  we  were  encamped ;  it  v/as  the  scenery  of  the  Promised 
 Land  we  had  around  us ;  and  one  of  the  similitudes  of  the  blessed 
 word  was  illustrated  within  our  view.  He  opened  his  Bible  at 
 Prov.  vi.  6-8,  and,  as  he  read,  noted — "I.  Consider  her  ways. 
 Most  souls  are  lost  for  want  of  consideration.  II.  The  ant  has  no 
 guide,  overseer,  or  ruler  ;  no  officer,  no  one  to  command  or  encourage 
 her.  How  differently  situated  is  the  child  of  God !  HI.  Provideth 
 her  meat  in  the  simmer,  etc.  Some  have  thought  that  this  teaches  us 
 to  heap  up  money ;  but  quite  the  reverse.    The  ant  lays  up  no  store 
 
MEMOIR  OF  IRE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHETNE.  101 
 
 for  the  future.  It  is  all  for  present  use.  She  is  always  busy  sum- 
 mer and  winter.  The  lesson  is  one  of  constant  diligence  in  the 
 Lord's  work." 
 
 Many  a  time  in  these  days,  when  our  attendants  in  the  evening 
 were  driving  in  the  stakes  of  our  tent  and  stretching  its  cords,  he 
 would  He  down  on  the  ground  under  some  tree  that  sheltered  him 
 from  the  dew.  Completely  exhausted  by  the  long  day's  ride,  he 
 would  lie  almost  speechless  for  half  an  hour ;  and  then,  when  the 
 palpitation  of  his  heart  had  a  little  abated,  would  propose  that  we 
 two  should  pray  together.  Often,  too,  did  he  say  to  me,  when  thus 
 stretched  on  the  ground, — not  impatiently,  but  very  earnestly, — 
 "  Shall  I  ever  preach  to  my  people  again?"  I  was  often  reproved 
 by  his  unabated  attention  to  personal  holiness ;  for  this  care  was 
 never  absent  from  his  mind,  whether  he  was  at  home  in  his  quiet 
 chamber,  or  on  the  sea,  or  in  the  desert.  Holiness  in  him  was 
 manifested,  not  by  efforts  to  perform  duty,  but  in  a  way  so  natural, 
 that  you  recognised  therein  the  easy  outflowing  of  the  indwelling 
 Spirit.  The  fountain  springing  up  unto  everlasting  life  (John  iv. 
 14)  in  his  soul,  welled  forth  its  living  waters  alike  in  the  famihar 
 scenes  of  his  native  Scotland,  and  under  the  olive-trees  of  Palestine. 
 Prayer  and  meditation  on  the  word  were  never  forgotten ;  and  a 
 peace  that  the  world  could  not  give  kept  his  heart  and  mind. 
 When  we  were  detained  a  day  at  Gaza,  in  very  tantalizing  circum- 
 stances, his  remark  was,  '■'■  Jeliovah  Jireh;  we  are  at  that  mount 
 again."  It  was  sweet  at  any  time  to  be  with  him,  for  both  nature 
 and  grace  in  him  drew  the  very  heart ;  but  there  were  moments  of 
 enjoyment  in  these  regions  of  Palestine  that  drew  every  cord  still 
 closer,  and  created  unknown  sympathies.  Such  was  that  evening 
 when  we  climbed  Samson's  Hill  together.  Sitting  there,  we  read 
 over  the  references  to  the  place  in  the  word  of  God ;  and  then  he 
 took  out  his  pencil  and  sketched  the  scene,  as  the  sun  was  sinking 
 in  the  west.  This  done,  we  sang  some  verses  of  a  psalm,  appro- 
 priate to  the  spot,  offered  up  prayer,  and,  slowly  descending,  con- 
 versed of  all  we  saw,  and  of  all  that  was  brought  to  mind  by  the 
 scenery  around  us,  till  we  reached  our  tent. 
 
 In  approaching  Jerusalem,  we  came  up  the  Pass  of  Latroon. 
 He  writes :  "  The  last  day's  journey  to  Jerusalem  was  the  finest  I 
 ever  had  in  all  my  hfe.  For  four  hours  we  were  ascending  the 
 rocky  pass  upon  our  patient  camels.  It  was  like  the  finest  ot  our 
 Highland  scenes,  only  the  trees  and  flowers,  and  the  voice  of  the 
 turtle,  told  us  that  it  was  Immanuel's  land."  Riding  along,  he 
 remarked,  that  to  have  seen  the  plain  of  Judea  and  this  mountain- 
 pass,  was  enough  to  reward  us  for  all  our  fatigue  ;  and  then  began 
 
102  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  3l'CHEYKE. 
 
 to  call  up  passages  of  the  Old  Testament  Scriptures  which  might 
 seem  to  refer  to  such  scenery  as  that  before  us. 
 
 During  our  ten  days  at  Jerusalem,  there  were  few  objects  within 
 reach  that  we  did  not  eagerly  seek  to  visit.  "  We  stood  at  the 
 turning  of  the  road  where  Jesus  came  near  and  beheld  the  city 
 and  wept  over  it.  And  if  we  had  had  more  of  the  mind  that  was 
 in  Jesus,  I  think  w^e  should  have  wept  also."  This  was  his  remark 
 in  a  letter  homeward ;  and  to  Mr  Bouar  of  Larbert  he  expressed 
 his  feelings  in  regard  to  the  Mount  of  Ohves  and  its  vicinity  :  "  I 
 remember  the  day  when  I  saw  you  last,  you  said  that  there  were 
 other  discoveries  to  be  made  than  those  in  the  physical  world, — 
 that  there  were  sights  to  be  seen  in  the  spiritual  world,  and  depths 
 to  be  penetrated  of  far  greater  importance.  I  have  often  thought 
 of  the  truth  of  your  remark.  But  if  there  is  a  place  on  earth  where 
 physical  scenery  can  help  us  to  discover  divine  things,  I  think  it  is 
 Mount  OKvet.  Gethsemane  at  your  feet  leads  your  soul  to  medi- 
 tate on  Christ's  love  and  determination  to  undergo  divine  wrath 
 for  us.  The  cup  was  set  before  Him  there,  and  there  He  said, 
 '  Shall  I  not  drink  it  ? '  The  spot  w^here  He  wept  makes  you  think 
 of  his  divine  compassion,  mingling  with  his  human  tenderness, — his 
 awful  justice,  that  would  not  spare  the  city, — his  superhuman  love, 
 that  wept  over  its  coming  misery !  Turning  the  other  way,  and 
 looking  to  the  south-east,  you  see  Bethany,  reminding  you  of  his 
 love  to  his  own, — that  his  name  is  love, — that  in  all  our  aflElictions 
 He  is  afflicted, — that  those  who  are  in  their  graves  shall  one  day 
 come  forth  at  his  command.  A  little  farther  down  you  see  the 
 Dead  Sea,  stretching  far  among  the  mountains  its  still  and  sullen 
 waters.  This  deepens  and  solemnizes  all,  and  makes  you  go  away, 
 saying,  *  How  shall  we  escape,  if  we  neglect  so  great  salvation?'" 
 
 He  wrote  to  another  friend  in  Scotland,  from  Mount  Zion,  where 
 w^e  were  then  dwelling  : — 
 
 '  Mount  Zion,  June  12,  1839. 
 "  My  dear  Friend, — Now  that  we  are  in  the  most  wonderful 
 spot  in  all  this  world, — where  Jesus  lived  and  walked,  and  prayed 
 and  died,  and  will  come  again, — I  doubt  not  you  will  be  anxious 
 to  hear  how  we  come  on.  I  am  thankful  that  ever  He  privileged 
 us  to  come  to  this  land.     I  heard  of  my  flock  yesterday  by  a  letter 
 
 from  home, — the  first  I  have  received,   dated  8th  May 
 
 We  are  living  in  one  of  the  missionaries'  houses  on  Mount  Zion. 
 My  window  looks  out  upon  where  the  Temple  was,  the  beautiful 
 Mount  of  Ohves  rising  behind.  The  Lord  that  made  heaven  and 
 earth,  bless  thee  out  of  Zion. — Yourp,"  etc. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE.  103 
 
 One  evening,  after  our  visit  to  Sycliar,  he  referred  to  the  Bible 
 ivhich  I  had  dropped  into  Jacob's  Well.  We  were  then  resting 
 from  our  journey  in  our  tents.  Soon  after  he  penned  on  a  leaf  of 
 his  note-book  the  following  fragment : — 
 
 My  own  loved  Bible,  must  I  part  from  thee, 
 
 Companion  of  my  toils  by  land  and  sea ; 
 
 Man  of  my  counsels,  soother  of  distress. 
 
 Guide  of  my  steps  through  this  world's  wildernesa  I 
 
 In  darkest  nights,  a  lantern  to  my  feet ; 
 
 In  gladsome  days,  as  dropping  honey  sweet. 
 
 When  first  I  parted  from  my  quiet  home. 
 
 At  thy  command,  for  Israel's  good  to  i-oam, 
 
 Thy  gentle  voice  said,  "  For  Jerusalem  pray, 
 
 So  shall  Jehovah  prosper  all  thy  way." 
 
 When  through  the  lonely  wilderness  we  strayed, 
 
 Sighing  in  vain  for  palm-trees'  cooling  shade, 
 
 Thy  words  of  comfort  hushed  each  rising  fear, 
 
 "  The  shadow  of  thy  mighty  Kock  is  near." 
 
 And  when  we  pitched  our  tents  on  Judah's  hills, 
 
 Or  thoughtful  mused  beside  Siloa's  rills  ; 
 
 Whene'er  we  climbed  Mount  Olivet,  to  gaze 
 
 Upon  the  sea,  where  stood  in  ancient  days 
 
 The  heaven-struck  Sodom 
 
 Sweet  record  of  the  past,  to  faith's  glad  eyes, 
 
 Sweet  promiser  of  glories  yet  to  rise !  * 
 
 At  the  foot  of  Carmel,  during  the  seven  days  we  were  in  quaran- 
 tine under  the  brow  of  the  hill,  we  had  time  to  recall  many  former 
 scenes  ;  and  in  these  circitaistances  he  wrote  the  hymn,  The  Foun- 
 tain of  Siloam. 
 
 Here,  too,  he  had  leisure  to  write  home ;  and  most  graphically 
 does  he  describe  our  journey  from  Alexandria  onward. 
 
 «  Carmei^  June  2G,  1839. 
 "My  DEAR  Father,  Mother,  etc. — It  is  a  long  time  since  I 
 have  been  able  to  write  to  you,— this  being  the  first  time  since  leav- 
 ing Egypt  that  any  one  has  appeared  to  carry  letters  for  us.  I 
 must  therefore  begin  by  telHng  you  that,  by  the  good  hand  of  our 
 God  upon  me,  I  am  in  excellent  health,  and  have  been  ever  since  1 
 wrote  you  last.  Fatigues  we  have  had  many,  and  much  greater 
 than  I  anticipated ;  hardships  and  dangers  we  have  also  encoun- 
 
 »  It  is  a  somewhat  curious  occurrence,  that  the  remnants  of  this  Bible  were 
 found  and  drawn  up  from  the  bottom  of  the  well,  in  July  1843,  by  Dr  Wilson 
 and  his  fellow-traveller,  who  employed  a  Samaritan  from  Sychar  to  descend  anU 
 esamino  the  well. 
 
]  04  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHETNE. 
 
 tered,  but  God  has  brought  us  all  safely  through,  and  in  fully  better 
 condition  than  when  we  began.  You  must  not  imagine  that  I  have 
 altogether  lost  the  palpitation  of  my  heart,  for  it  often  visits  me  to 
 humble  and  prove  me  ;  still  I  believe  it  is  a  good  deal  better  than 
 it  was,  and  its  visits  are  not  nearly  so  frequent.  I  hope  very  much, 
 that  in  a  cold  bracing  climate,  and  with  less  fatigue,  I  may  per- 
 haps not  feel  it  at  all.  I  was  very  thankful  to  receive  your  letter, 
 dated  8th  May, — the  first  since  leaving  home.  I  was  delighted  to 
 hear  of  your  health  and  safety,  and  of  the  peaceful  communion  at 
 St  Peter's.  The  public  news  was  alarming  and  humbling.^  I 
 suppose  I  had  better  begin  at  the  beginning,  and  go  over  all  our 
 journeyings  from  the  land  of  Egypt  through  the  howling  wilderness 
 to  this  sweet  land  of  promise.  I  would  have  written  journalwise 
 (as  my  mother  would  say)  from  time  to  time,  so  that  I  might  have 
 had  an  interesting  budget  of  news  ready ;  but  you  must  remember 
 it  is  a  more  fatiguing  thing  to  ride  twelve  or  fourteen  hours  on  a 
 camel's  back,  in  a  sandy  wilderness,  than  in  our  home  excursions ; 
 and  I  could  often  do  nothing  more  than  lie  down  on  my  rug  and 
 fall  asleep. 
 
 "We  left  Alexandria  on  16th  May  1839,  parting  from  many 
 kind  friends  in  that  strange  city.  We  and  our  baggage  were 
 mounted  on  seventeen  donkeys,  like  the  sons  of  Jacob,  when  they 
 carried  corn  out  of  Egypt.  Our  saddle  was  our  bedding,  viz.  a 
 rug  to  lie  on,  a  pillow  for  the  head,  and  a  quilt  to  wrap  ourselves 
 in.  We  afterwards  added  a  straw  mat  to  put  below  all.  We  had 
 procured  two  tents, — one  large,  and  a  smaller  one  which  Andrew 
 and  I  occupy.  The  donkeys  are  nice  nimble  little  animals,  going 
 about  five  miles  an  hour ;  a  wild  Arab  accompanies  each  donkey. 
 We  have  our  two  Arab  servants,  to  whom  I  now  introduce  you, — 
 Ibrahim,  a  handsome  small-made  Egyptian,  and  Achmet  the  cook, 
 a  dark  good-natured  fellow,  with  a  white  turban  and  bare  black 
 legs.  Ibrahim  speaks  a  little  Enghsh  and  Italian,  and  Achmet 
 Italian,  in  addition  to  their  native  Arabic.  I  soon  made  friends 
 with  cur  Arab  donkey-men,  learning  Arabic  words  and  phrases 
 from  them,  which  pleased  them  greatly.  We  journeyed  by  the  Bay 
 of  Aboukir,  close  by  the  sea,  which  tempered  the  air  of  the  desert. 
 At  night  we  reached  Rosetta,  a  curious  half-inhabited  eastern  town. 
 We  saw  an  eastern  marriage,  which  highly  pleased  us,  illustrating 
 the  parables.  It  was  by  torch-hght.  We  slept  in  the  convent. 
 17. — Spent  morning  in  Rosetta;  gave  the  monk  a  New  Testament. 
 Saw  some  of  Egyptian  misery  in  the  bazaar.     Saw  the  people 
 
 '  He  alludes  here  to  the  decision  of  the  House  of  Lords  iu  the  Auchterarder 
 case. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  105 
 
 praying  in  the  mosque,  Friday  being  the  Moslem's  day  of  devo- 
 tion. In  the  evening  we  crossed  the  Nile  in  small  boats.  It  is  a 
 fine  river ;  and  its  water,  when  filtered,  is  sweet  and  pleasant.  We 
 often  thought  upon  it  in  the  desert.  We  slept  that  night  on  the 
 sand  in  our  tents,  by  the  sea-shore.  18. — In  six  hours  we  came 
 to  Bourlos  (you  will  see  it  in  the  map  of  the  Society  for  Diflusing 
 Useful  Knowledge) :  were  ferried  across.  Watched  the  fishermen 
 casting  their  nets  into  the  sea:  hot — hot.  In  two  hours  more 
 through  a  palmy  wilderness,  we  came  to  Balteen, —  'the  Vale  of 
 Figs,' — an  Arab  village  of  mud  huts.  You  little  know  what  an 
 Arab  house  is.  In  general,  in  Egypt,  it  is  an  exact  square  box 
 made  of  mud,  with  a  low  hole  for  a  door.  The  furniture  is  a  mat 
 and  cooking  things ;  an  oven  made  of  mud.  19. — Spent  our  Sab- 
 bath unoccupied  in  midst  of  the  village ;  the  poor  Arabs  have  no 
 Sabbath.  The  thermometer  84°  in  tent.  The  governor  called  in 
 the  evening,  and  drank  a  cup  of  tea  with  great  relish.  The  heat 
 we  felt  much  all  day ;  still  it  was  sweet  to  rest  and  remember  you 
 all  in  the  wilderness.  20. — At  twelve  at  night,  left  Balteen  by 
 beautiful  moonlight.  Proceeding  through  a  pleasant  African  wild 
 of  palms  and  brushwood,  we  reached  the  sea  in  two  hours,  and 
 rode  along,  its  waves  washing  our  feet :  very  sleepy.  We  got  a 
 rest  at  mid-day,  if  rest  it  could  be  called,  under  that  scorching  sun, 
 which  I  never  will  forget.  Proceeding  onward,  at  three  o'clock  we 
 left  the  sea-shore,  and  perceived  the  minarets  of  Damietta.  Before 
 us  the  mirage  cheated  us  often  when  we  were  very  thirsty.  We 
 crossed  the  Nile  again,  a  much  smaller  branch, — the  only  remaining 
 one, — and  soon  found  ourselves  comfortably  reclining  on  the  divan 
 of  the  British  Consul,  an  Egyptian  gentleman  of  some  fortune  and 
 manners.  He  entertained  us  at  supper  in  true  Egyptian  style ; 
 provided  a  room  for  us,  where  we  spread  our  mats  in  peace.  We 
 spent  the  whole  of  the  next  day  here,  having  sent  off  a  Bedouin  to 
 have  camels  ready  for  us  at  San.  The  Consul  entertained  us  in  the 
 same  Egyptian  style  of  hospitality,  and  sent  us  away  the  next  day 
 
 on  board  of  a  barge  upon  Lake  Menzaleh.    22. — Even  E would 
 
 not  have  been  afraid  to  sail  upon  that  lake.  It  is  nowhere  more 
 than  ten  feet  deep,  and  in  general  only  four  or  five.  We  made  an 
 awning  with  our  mats,  and  spent  a  very  happy  day.  At  evening 
 we  entered  a  canal  among  immense  reeds.  In  moonlight  the  scene 
 was  truly  romantic ;  we  slept  moored  to  the  shore  all  night.  Next 
 morning  (23)  we  reached  San  about  ten.  This  evening  and  next 
 morning  we  spent  in  exploring  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  Zoan,  for 
 this  we  find  is  the  very  spot. 
 
 *'  Wandering  alone,  we  were  quite  surprised  to  find  great  mounds 
 
106  BIEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 of  brick,  and  pottery,  and  vitrified  stones.  Andrew  at  last  came 
 upon  beautiful  obelisks.  Next  morning  we  examined  all  cai-efully, 
 and  found  two  sphinxes  and  many  Egyptian  obelisks.  How  won- 
 derful to  be  treading  over  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  capital  of  Egypt ! 
 Isaiah  xix.  12, '  Where  are  the  princes  of  Zoan?  '  Ezek.  xxx.  14, 
 '  God  has  set  fire  in  Zoan.'  This  is  the  very  place  where  Joseph 
 was  sold  as  a  slave,  and  where  Moses  did  his  wonders,  Psalm 
 Ixxviii.  43.  This  was  almost  the  only  place  where  we  have  been  in 
 danger  from  the  inhabitants.  They  are  a  wild  race  ;  and  our  Arabs 
 were  afraid  of  them.  You  would  have  been  afraid  too,  if  you  had 
 seen,  out  of  the  door  of  our  tent,  our  Bedouins  keeping  watch  all 
 night  with  their  naked  sabres  gleaming  in  the  moonlight,  firing  off 
 their  guns  now  and  then,  and  keeping  up  a  low  chaunt  to  keep 
 one  another  awake.  No  evil  happened  to  us,  and  we  feel  that 
 many  pray  for  us,  and  that  God  is  with  us.  24. — This  day  our 
 journeyings  on  camels  commenced,  and  continued  till  we  came  to 
 Jerusalem.  It  is  a  strauge  mode  of  conveyance.  You  have  seen 
 a  camel  kneehng  ;  it  is  in  this  condition  that  you  mount ;  suddenly 
 it  rises  first  on  its  fore  feet,  and  then  on  its  hind  feet.  It  requires 
 great  skill  to  hold  yourself  on  during  this  operation;  one  time  I 
 was  thrown  fair  over  its  head,  but  quite  unhurt.  When  you  find 
 yourself  exalted  on  the  hunch  of  a  camel,  it  is  somewhat  of  the 
 feehng  of  an  aeronaut,  as  if  you  were  bidding  farewell  to  sublunary 
 things ;  but  when  he  begins  to  move,  with  solemn  pace  and  slow, 
 you  are  reminded  of  your  terrestrial  origin,  and  that  a  wrong  balance 
 or  turn  to  the  side  will  soon  bring  you  down  from  your  giddy 
 height.  You  have  no  stirrup,  and  generally  only  your  bed  for  your 
 saddle  ;  you  may  either  sit  as  on  horseback,  or  as  on  a  side-saddle, 
 — the  latter  is  the  pleasanter,  though  not  the  safer  of  the  two.  The 
 camel  goes  about  three  miles  an  hour,  and  the  step  is  so  long  that 
 the  motion  is  quite  pecuHar.  You  bend  your  head  towards  your 
 knees  every  step.  With  a  vertical  sun  above  and  a  burning  sand 
 below,  you  may  believe  it  is  a  very  fatiguing  mode  of  journeying. 
 However,  we  thought  of  Rebecca  and  Abraham's  servant  (Gen. 
 xxiv.),  and  listened  with  delight  to  the  wild  Bedouin's  plaintive 
 song.  That  night  (24)  we  slept  at  Menagie,  a  Bedouin  mud  vil- 
 lage :  palm-trees  and  three  wells,  and  an  ocean  of  sand,  formed  the 
 only  objects  of  interest.  25. — Up  by  sunrise,  and  proceeded  as 
 before.  The  only  event  this  day  was  Dr  Black's  fall  from  his 
 camel,  which  greatly  alarmed  us.  He  had  fallen  asleep,  which  you 
 are  very  apt  to  do.  We  encamped  and  used  every  restorative,  so 
 that  we  were  able  to  proceed  the  same  evening  to  Gonatre,  a  miser- 
 able Arab  post,  having  a  governor.     Not  a  tree.     26. — The  Sab- 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYME.  1 07 
 
 bath  dawned  sweetly  ;  thermometer  92°  in  tent ;  could  only  lie  on 
 the  mat  and  read  psalms.  Evening. — Gathered  governor  and 
 Bedouins  to  hear  some  words  of  eternal  life,  Ibrahim  interpreting. 
 27. — Two  very  long  Btages  brought  us  to  Katieh ;  thankful  to  God 
 for  his  goodness,  while  we  pitched  by  the  date-trees.  28. — Spent 
 the  day  at  Katieh  ;  interesting  interviews  with  the  governor,  a  kind 
 Arab :  thermometer  96°  in  tent.  Same  evening,  proceeded  through 
 a  greener  desert,  among  flocks  of  goats  and  sheep,  and  encamped 
 by  a  well,  Bir-el-Abd.  29. — Another  hot  day  in  the  desert ;  came 
 in  sight  of  the  sea,  which  gave  us  a  refreshing  breeze ;  bathed  in 
 the  salt  lake,  as  hot  as  a  w^arm  bath.  Evening. — Encampment  at 
 Abugilbany.  30. — This  was  our  last  day  in  the  Egyptian  wilder- 
 ness. "We  entered  on  a  much  more  mountainous  region.  The 
 heat  very  great ;  we  literally  panted  for  a  breath  of  wind.  The 
 Bedouins  begged  handkerchiefs  to  cover  their  heads,  and  often  cast 
 themselves  under  a  bush  for  shade.  Towards  sunset,  we  came 
 down  on  the  old  ruins  of  Rhinoculura,  now  buried  in  the  sand ;  and 
 Boon  after  our  camels  kneeled  down  at  the  gates  of  El  Arish,  the 
 last  town  on  the  Egyptian  frontier.  31. — We  spent  in  El  Arish, 
 being  unable  to  get  fresh  camels.  We  bought  a  sheep  for  five 
 shillings ;  drank  freely  of  their  dehghtful  water, — what  a  blessing 
 after  the  desert !  Found  out  the  river  of  Egypt,  the  boundary  of 
 Judah  mentioned  in  the  Bible,  quite  dry.  June  1. — Visited  the 
 school, — a  curiosity  :  all  the  children  sit  cross-legged  on  the  floor, 
 rocking  to  and  fro,  repeating  something  in  Arabic.  We  had  a 
 curious  interview  with  the  governor,  sitting  in  the  gate  in  the  ancient 
 manner.  We  are  quite  expert  now  at  taking  off  our  shoes  and 
 sitting  in  the  Eastern  mode.  Smoking,  and  coffee  in  very  small 
 cups,  are  the  constant  accompaniments  of  these  visits.  Left  the 
 same  evening,  and  did  not  reach  Sheikh  Juidhe,  in  the  land  of  the 
 Philistines^  till  the  sun  was  nearly  bursting  into  view.  2. — Spent  a 
 happy  Sabbath  here;  sung  'In  Judah's  land  God  is  well  known' 
 Singing  praises  in  our  tents  is  very  sweet,  they  are  so  frail,  like  oui 
 mortal  bodies  ;  they  rise  easily  into  the  ears  of  our  present  Father. 
 Our  journey  through  the  land  of  the  Philistines  was  truly  pleasant. 
 3. — We  went  through  a  fine  pasture  country ;  immense  straths ; 
 flocks  of  sheep  and  goats,  and  asses  and  camels,  often  came  in 
 sight.  This  is  the  very  way  up  out  of  Egypt,  little  changed  from 
 the  day  that  the  Ethiopian  went  on  his  way  rejoicing,  and  Joseph 
 and  Mary  carried  down  the  babe  from  the  anger  of  Herod.  Little 
 changed,  did  I  say  ?  it  is  ^11  changed  ;  no  more  is  there  one  brook 
 of  water.  Every  river  of  Egypt,— Wady  Gaza,  Eshcol,  Sorek, — 
 every  brook  we  crossed,  was  dried  up  ;  not  a  drop  of  water.     Th8 
 
laS  ME^rom  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m^chetot:. 
 
 land  is  changed ;  no  more  is  it  tlie  rich  land  of  Philistia.  The  sand 
 struggles  with  the  grass  for  mastery.  The  cities  are  changed, — 
 where  are  they  ?  The  people  are  changed  :  no  more  the  bold 
 Philistines, —no  more  the  children  of  Simeon, — no  more  Isaac  and 
 his  herdsmen, — no  more  David  and  his  horsemen ;  but  miserable 
 Arab  shepherds, — simple  people,  without  ideas, — poor,  degraded, 
 fearful.  Khanounes  was  the  first  town  we  entered  ;  Scripture  name 
 unknown.  The  burying-ground  outside  the  town.  The  well,  and 
 people  coming  to  draw,  were  objects  of  great  interest  to  us.  The 
 people  were  highly  entertained  with  us  in  return.  We  sat  down 
 in  the  bazaar,  and  were  a  spectacle  to  all.  How  much  we  longed 
 to  have  the  Arabic  tongue,  that  we  might  preach  the  unsearchable 
 riches  of  Christ  in  God's  own  land !  Same  evening  we  heard  the 
 cry  of  the  wolf,  and  encamped  two  miles  from  Gaza.  The  plague 
 was  raging,  so  we  did  not  enter,  but  spent  a  delightful  day  in  com- 
 paring its  condition  with  God's  word  concerning  it :  *  Baldness  is 
 come  upon  Gaza.'  The  old  city  is  buried  under  sand-hills,  without 
 a  blade  of  grass,  so  that  it  is  bald  indeed.  The  herds  and  flocks 
 are  innumerable,  fulfilling  Zeph.  ii. ;  Andrew  and  I  climbed  the 
 hill  up  which  Samson  carried  the  gates.  5. — Passed  through  a 
 fine  olive  grove  for  many  miles,  and  entered  the  vale  of  Eshcol. 
 The  people  were  all  in  the  fields  cutting  and  bringing  in  their 
 barley.  They  reap  with  the  hook  as  we  do.  They  seem  to  carry 
 in  at  the  same  time  upon  camels.  No  vines  in  Eshcol  now,  no 
 pomegranates,  but  some  green  fig-trees.  Crossed  the  brook  Sorek 
 — dry.  Spent  the  mid-day  under  the  embowering  shade  of  a  fig- 
 tree  ;  tasted  the  apricots  of  the  good  land.  Same  evening  we  came 
 to  Doulis,  which  we  take  to  be  Eshtaol,  where  Samson  was  born. 
 6. — We  went  due  east,  and,  after  a  mountain  pass,  saw  the  hills  of 
 Judah, — an  immense  plain  intervening,  all  studded  with  httle  towns. 
 From  their  names,  we  found  out  many  Bible  spots.  This  valley  or 
 plain  is  the  very  vale  Zephatha,  of  which  you  read  in  2  Cliron. 
 xiv.,  'In  the  plain  of  Sephela.'  Before  night  we  entered  among 
 the  hills  of  Judah, — very  like  our  own  Highlands, — and  slept  all 
 night  among  the  mountains,  at  a  deserted  village  called  Latroon. 
 7. — One  of  the  most  privileged  days  of  our  life.  We  broke  up  our 
 tents  by  moonlight ;  soon  the  sun  was  up  ;  we  entered  a  defile  of 
 the  most  romantic  character ;  wild  rocks  and  verdant  hills  ;  wild- 
 flowers  of  every  colour  and  fragrance  scented  our  path.  Some- 
 times we  came  upon  a  clump  of  beautiful  olive-trees,  then  wild  again. 
 The  turtle's  voice  was  heard  in  the  land,  and  singing  birds  of 
 sweetest  note.  Our  camels  carried  us  up  this  pass  for  four  hours  ; 
 nnd  our  turbaned  Bedouins  added  by  their  strange  figures  to  the 
 
MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  109 
 
 scene.  The  terracing  of  all  the  hills  is  the  most  remarkable  feature 
 of  Judean  scenery.  Every  foot  of  the  rockiest  mountains  may  in 
 this  way  be  covered  with  vines.  We  thought  of  Isaiah  wandering 
 here,  and  David  and  Solomon.  Still  all  was  wilderness.  The 
 hand  of  man  had  been  actively  employed  upon  every  mountain,  but 
 where  were  these  labourers  now?  Judah  is  gone  into  captivity 
 before  the  enemy.  There  are  few  men  left  in  the  land  ;  not  a  vine 
 is  there.  '  The  vine  languisheth.'  We  came  down  upon  Garieh, 
 a  village  embosomed  in  figs  and  pomegranates.  Ascending  again, 
 we  came  down  into  the  valley  of  Elah,  where  David  slew  Goliath. 
 Another  long  and  steep  ascent  of  a  most  rugged  hill  brought  us 
 into  a  strange  scene — a  desert  of  sunburnt  rocks.  I  had  read  of 
 this,  and  knew  that  Jerusalem  was  near.  I  left  my  camel  and  went 
 before,  hurrying  over  the  burning  rocks.  In  about  half  an  hour 
 Jerusalem  came  in  sight.  'How  doth  the  city  sit  solitary  that 
 was  full  of  people  ! '  Is  this  the  perfection  of  beauty  ?  '  How 
 hath  the  Lord  covered  the  daughter  of  Zion  with  a  cloud  in  his 
 anger!*  It  is,  indeed,  very  desolate.  Read  the  two  first  chapters 
 of  Lamentations,  and  you  have  a  vivid  picture  of  our  first  sight 
 of  Jerusalem.  We  hghted  off  our  camels  within  the  Jaffa  gate. 
 Among  those  that  crowded  round  us,  we  observed  several  Jews.  I 
 think  I  had  better  not  attempt  to  tell  you  about  Jerusalem.  There 
 is  so  much  to  describe,  and  I  know  not  where  to  begin.  The  Con- 
 sul, Mr  Young,  received  us  most  kindly,  provided  us  a  house  where 
 we  might  spread  our  mats,  and  helped  us  in  every  way.  Mr 
 Nicolayson  called  the  same  evening,  and  insisted  on  our  occupy- 
 ing one  of  the  mission-houses  on  Mount  Zion.  The  plague  is  still 
 in  Jerusalem,  so  that  we  must  keep  ourselves  in  quarantine.  The 
 plague  only  communicates  by  contact,  so  that  we  are  not  allowed 
 to  touch  any  one,  or  let  any  one  touch  us.  Every  night  we  heard 
 the  mourners  going  about  the  streets  with  their  dismal  wailings  for 
 the  dead.  On  Sabbath  Mr  Nicolayson  read  the  prayers,  and  Dr 
 Black  preached  from  Isaiah  ii.  2.  Dr  Keith  in  the  evening.  Three 
 converted  Jews  were  among  the  hearers.  On  Monday  (10)  we 
 visited  the  sepulchre,  and  a  painful  sight,  where  we  can  find  no 
 traces  of  Calvary.  Same  evening  rode  up  to  the  Mount  of  Olives  : 
 past  Gethsemane,  a  most  touching  spot.  Visited  Sir  Moses  Monte- 
 fiore,  a  Jew  of  London,  encamped  on  Mount  Olivet ;  very  kind  to 
 us.  11.— Went  round  the  most  of  the  places  to  be  visited  near 
 Jerusalem, — Rephaim,  Gihon,  Siloa's  brook,  '  that  flowed  fast  by 
 the  oracle  of  God;'  the  Pool  of  Siloam  ;  the  place  where  Jesus 
 wept  over  the  city;  Bethany,— of  all  places  my  favourite;  the 
 tombs  of  the  kings.     Such  a  day  we  never  spent  in  this  world 
 
110  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 before.  The  climate  is  truly  delightful, — hot  at  mid-day,  but  de- 
 lightful breezes  at  morn  and  even.  12. — A  business  day,  getting 
 information  about  Jews.  In  the  evening,  walked  to  Aceldama, — a 
 dreadful  spot.  Zion  is  ploughed  like  a  field.  I  gathered  some 
 barley,  and  noticed  cauliflowers  planted  in  rows.  See  Micah 
 iii.  12.  Jerusalem  is  indeed  heaps.  The  quantities  of  rubbish 
 would  amaze  you, — in  one  place  higher  tllan  the  walls.  13. — We 
 went  to  Hebron,  twenty  miles  south ;  Mr  Nicolayson,  his  son,  the 
 Consul  and  ladies  accompanying  us,  all  on  mules  and  horses. 
 Judah's  cities  are  all  waste.  Except  Bethlehem,  we  saw  none  but 
 ruins  till  we  reached  Hebron.  The  vines  are  beautifully  cultivated 
 here,  and  make  it  a  paradis'e.  The  hills  all  terraced  to  the  top. 
 We  spent  a  delightful  evening  and  all  next  day.  We  met  the  Jews, 
 and  had  an  interesting  interview  with  them.  We  read  Genesis 
 xviii.,  and  many  other  Bible  passages,  with  great  joy.  Saw  the 
 mosque  where  the  tomb  of  Abraham  and  Sarah  is.  14. — Returned 
 by  Bethlehem  to  Jerusalem.  Bethlehem  is  a  sweet  village,  placed 
 on  the  top  of  a  rocky  hill, — very  white  and  dazzhng.  You  see  it 
 on  both  sides  of  the  hill.  At  Bachel's  sepulchre  you  see  Jerusalem 
 on  one  hand  and  Bethlehem  on  the  other, — an  interesting  sight,— 
 six  miles  apart.  On  Sabbath  we  enjoyed  the  Lord's  Supper  in  an 
 upper  chamber  in  Jerusalem.  It  was  a  time  much  to  be  re- 
 membered. Andrew  preached  in  the  evening  from  John  xiv.  2,  3. 
 17. — The  plague  has  been  increasing  so  that  we  think  it  better  to 
 depart.  Last  visit  to  Gethsemane,  and  Bethany,  and  Siloam. 
 Evening. — Took  farewell  of  all  our  friends  at  Jerusalem,  with  much 
 sorrow  you  may  beUeve.  Went  due  north  to  Ramah,  by  Gibeon, 
 and  slept  at  Beer,  again  in  our  tent,  in  Benjamin.  19. — Passed 
 Bethel,  where  Jacob  slept.  Passed  through  the  rich  and  rocky 
 defile  of  Ephraim,  by  Lebonah,  to  Sychar.  You  cannot  believe 
 what  a  delightsome  land  it  is.  We  sought  anxiously  for  the  well 
 where  Jesus  sat.  Andrew  alone  found  it,  and  lost  his  Bible  in  it. 
 20. — Had  a  most  interesting  morning  with  the  Jews  of  Sychar. 
 Saw  many  of  them  ;  also  the  Samaritans  in  their  synagogue. 
 Same  evening  visited  Samaria, — a  wonderful  place, — and  encamped 
 at  Sanour.  21. — Arrived  at  Carmel,  where  we  now  are,  encamped 
 within  two  yards  of  the  sea.  We  have  been  in  quarantine  here 
 seven  days,  as  there  is  no  plague  north  of  this.  Several  EugHsh 
 are  encamped  here — Lord  R.,  Lord  H.,  etc.  We  have  daily  con- 
 versations sitting  on  the  sand.  We  are  not  allowed  to  touch  even 
 the  rope  of  a  tent.  Acre  is  in  sight  across  the  bay.  We  have 
 delightful  bathing.  To-raorrow  Lord  H.  leaves,  and  kindly  ofi'ers 
 to  take  this.     Carmel's  rocky  brow  is  over  us.     We  are  all  well 
 
JIEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  Ill 
 
 and  happy.  On  Monday  we  propose  leaving  for  Tiberias  and 
 Saphet.  Soon  we  shall  be  in  Beyrout,  and  on  our  way  to  Smyrna. 
 Do  not  be  anxious  for  me.  Trust  us  to  God,  who  goes  with  us 
 where  \ve  go.  I  only  pray  that  our  mission  may  be  blessed  to 
 Israel.  Sir  Moses  M.  has  arrived,  and  pitched  his  tent  within 
 fifty  yards  of  us.  Blindest  regards  to  all  that  inquire  after  me,  not 
 forgetting  dear  W. — Your  affectionate  son,"  etc. 
 
 When  the  two  elder  brethren  of  the  deputation  left  us  for 
 Europe,  we  turned  southward  again  from  Beyrout,  to  visit  the 
 regions  of  Phoenicia  and  Galilee.  Never  did  Mr  M'Cheyne  seem 
 more  gladsome  than  in  gazing  on  these  regions. 
 
 At  Tyre,  he  remembered  the  request  of  an  elder  in  the  parish  of 
 Larbert,  who  had  written  to  him  before  his  departure,  stating 
 what  he  considered  to  be  a  difficulty  in  the  ordinary  expositions  of 
 the  prophecies  which  speak  of  that  renowned  city.  With  great 
 dehght  he  examined  the  difficulty  on  the  spot ;  and  it  is  believed 
 that  his  testimony  on  such  points  as  these,  when  it  reached  some 
 men  of  sceptical  views  in  that  scene  of  his  early  labours,  was  not 
 unblest. 
 
 From  Saphet  he  writes  :  "I  sat  looking  down  upon  the  lake 
 this  morning  for  about  an  hour.  It  was  just  at  our  feet, — the  very 
 water  where  Jesus  walked,  where  He  called  his  disciples,  where  He 
 rebuked  the  storm,  where  He  said,  'Children,  have  ye  any  meat?' 
 after  He  rose  from  the  dead.  Jesus  is  the  same  still."  To  his 
 early  and  familiar  friend,  Mr  Somerville,  he  thus  describes  the 
 same  view  :  "  Oh  what  a  view  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee  is  before  you, 
 at  your  feet !  It  is  above  three  hours'  descent  to  the  water's  edge, 
 and  yet  it  looks  as  if  you  could  run  down  in  as  many  minutes. 
 The  lake  is  much  larger  than  I  had  imagined.  It  is  hemmed  in  by 
 mountains  on  every  side,  sleeping  as  calmly  and  softly  as  if  it  had 
 been  the  sea  of  glass  which  John  saw  in  heaven.  We  tried  in 
 vain  to  follow  the  course  of  the  Jordan  running  through  it.  True, 
 there  were  clear  lines,  such  as  you  see  in  the  wake  of  a  vessel,  but, 
 then  these  did  not  go  straight  through  the  lake.  The  hills  of 
 Bashan  are  very  high  and  steep,  where  they  run  into  the  lake. 
 At  one  point,  a  man  pointed  out  to  us  where  the  tombs  in  the 
 rocks  are,  where  the  demoniacs  used  to  live ;  and  near  it  the  hills 
 were  exactly  what  the  Scriptures  describe,  '  a  steep  place,'  where 
 the  swine  ran  down  into  the  sea.  On  the  north-east  of  the  sea, 
 Hermon  rises  very  grand,  intersected  with  many  ravines  full  of 
 snow." 
 
 The  day  we  spent   at  the  lake — at  the  very  water-side — w&6 
 
112  MEMOIR  OF  THE  KEY.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 ever  memorable ;  it  was  so  peculiarly  sweet !  We  felt  an  inde- 
 scribable interest  even  in  lifting  a  shell  from  the  shore  of  a  sea 
 where  Jesus  had  so  often  walked.  It  was  here  that  two  of  the 
 beautiful  hymns  in  The  Songs  of  Zion  were  suggested  to  him.  The 
 one  was,  How  pleasant  to  me,  etc. ;  the  other,  To  yonder  side ;  but 
 the  latter  lay  beside  him  unfinished  till  a  later  period. 
 
 His  complaint  was  now  considerably  abated;  his  strength  seemed 
 returning  ;  and  often  did  he  long  to  be  among  his  people  again, 
 though  quieting  his  soul  upon  the  Lord.  Not  a  few  pastors  of 
 another  church  have  from  time  to  time  come  forth  to  this  land, 
 compelled  by  disease  to  seek  for  health  in  foreign  regions ;  but 
 how  rarely  do  we  find  the  pastor's  heart  retained, — how  rarely  do 
 we  discover  that  the  shepherd  yearns  still  over  the  flock  he  left ! 
 But  so  deep  was  Mr  M'Cheyne's  feelings  toward  the  flock  over 
 which  the  Holy  Ghost  had  made  him  overseer,  that  his  concern  for 
 them  became  a  temptation  to  his  soul.  It  was  not  in  the  mere 
 desire  to  preach  again  that  he  manifested  this  concern;  for  this 
 desire  might  have  been  selfish,  as  he  said :  "No  doubt  there  is 
 pride  in  this  anxiety  to  preach;  a  submissive  soul  would  rejoice 
 only  in  doing  the  present  will  of  God."  But  his  prayers  for  them 
 went  up  daily  to  the  throne.  We  had  precious  seasons  of  united 
 prayer  also  for  that  same  end, — especially  one  morning  at  sunrise 
 in  Gethsemane,  and  another  morning  at  Carmel,  where  we  joined 
 in  supplication  on  the  silent  shore  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  as  soon  as 
 day  dawned,  and  then  again,  at  evening,  on  the  top,  where  Elijah 
 prayed. 
 
 Distance  of  place  or  pecuharities  of  circumstance  never  altered 
 his  views  of  duty,  nor  changed  his  feehngs  as  a  minister  of  Christ. 
 In  Galilee  he  meditated  upon  the  aspect  of  ecclesiastical  affairs 
 in  our  beloved  Scotland;  and  the  principles  he  had  maintained 
 appeared  to  him  as  plainly  accordant  with  the  word  of  God  when 
 tried  there,  apart  from  excitement,  as  they  did  when  he  reviewed 
 them  in  connection  with  their  effects  at  home.  "  I  hope,"  were 
 his  words  to  a  brother  in  the  ministry,  "  I  hope  the  church  has 
 been  well  guided  and  blessed;  and  if  times  of  difiBculty  are  to 
 come,  I  do  beheve  there  is  no  position  so  proper  for  her  to  be  in 
 as  the  attitude  of  a  missionary  church,  giving  freely  to  Jew  and 
 Gentile,  as  she  has  freely  received, — so  may  she  be  found  when  the 
 Lord  comes." 
 
 At  the  foot  of  Lebanon,  in  the  town  of  Beyrout,  he  was  able  to 
 expound  a  chapter  (Acts  x.)  at  a  prayer-meeting  of  the  American 
 brethren.  This  quite  rejoiced  his  heart ;  for  it  seemed  as  if  the 
 Lord  were  restoring  him,  and  meant  again  to  use  him  in  preaching 
 
IHEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE.  US 
 
 the  glad  tidings.  But  shortly  after,  during  the  oppressive  heat  of 
 the  afternoon,  he  felt  himself  unwell.  He  had  paid  a  visit  to  a 
 young  man  from  Glasgow  in  the  town,  who  was  ill  of  fever ;  and 
 it  is  not  unlikely  that  this  visit,  at  a  time  when  he  was  in  a  state  of 
 debihty  from  previous  fatigue,  was  the  immediate  occasion  of  his 
 own  illness.  He  was  very  soon  prostrated  under  the  fever.  But 
 his  medical  attendant  apprehended  no  danger,  and  advised  him  to 
 proceed  to  Smyrna,  in  the  belief  that  the  cool  air  of  the  sea  would 
 be  much  more  in  his  favour  than  the  sultry  heat  of  Beyrout. 
 Accordingly,  in  company  with  our  faithful  Hebrew  friend  Eras- 
 mus Caiman,  we  embarked  ;  but  as  we  lay  off  Cyprus,  the  fever 
 increased  to  such  a  height,  that  he  lost  his  memory  for  some 
 hours,  and  was  racked  with  excessive  pain  in  his  head.  When 
 the  vessel  sailed,  he  revived  considerably,  but  during  three  days  no 
 medical  aid  could  be  obtained.  He  scarcely  ever  spoke  ;  and  only 
 once  did  he  for  a  moment,  on  a  Saturday  night,  lift  his  languid 
 eye,  as  he  lay  on  deck  enjoying  the  breeze,  to  catch  a  distant 
 sight  of  Patmos.  We  watched  him  with  agonizing  anxiety  till  we 
 reached  Smyrna  and  the  village  of  Bouja.  Though  three  miles 
 'off,  yet,  for  the  sake  of  medical  aid,  he  rode  to  this  village  upon  a 
 mule  after  sunset,  ready  to  drop  every  moment  with  pain  and 
 burning  fever.  But  here  the  Lord  had  prepared  for  him  the  best 
 and  kindest  help.  The  tender  and  parental  care  of  Mr  and  Mrs 
 Lewis,  in  whose  house  he  found  a  home,  was  never  mentioned  by 
 him  but  with  deepest  gratitude  ;  and  the  sight  of  the  flowering 
 jessamine,  or  the  mention  of  the  deep-green  cypress,  would  invari- 
 ably call  up  in  his  mind  associations  of  Bouja  and  its  inmates.  He 
 used  to  say  it  was  his  second  birth-place. 
 
 During  that  time,  like  most  of  God's  people  who  have  been  in 
 sickness,  he  felt  that  a  single  passage  of  the  word  of  God  was  more 
 truly  food  to  his  fainting  soul  than  anything  besides.  One  day  his 
 spirit  revived,  and  his  eye  glistened,  when  I  spoke  of  the  Saviour's 
 sympathy,  adducing  as  the  very  words  of  Jesus,  Psalm  xli.  1 : 
 "  Blessed  is  he  that  considereth  the  poor :  the  Lord  will  deliver  him  in 
 time  of  trouhU^^  etc.  It  seemed  so  applicable  to  his  own  case,  as  a 
 minister  of  the  glad  tidings  ;  for  often  had  he  "  considered  the 
 poor,"  carrying  a  cup  of  cold  water  to  a  disciple.  Another  pas- 
 sage, written  for  the  children  of  God  in  their  distress,  was  spoken 
 to  him  when  he  seemed  nearly  insensible :  "  Call  upon  me  in  the 
 day  of  trouble."  This  word  of  God  was  as  the  drop  of  honey  to 
 Jonathan. 
 
 He  himself  thus  spoke  of  his  illness  to  his  friends  at  home  ;  "  I 
 left  the  foot  of  Lebanon  when  I  could  hardly  see,  or  hear,  or  sp€?^k, 
 
 H 
 
114  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M  CHEYNE. 
 
 or  remember ;  I  felt  my  faculties  going,  one  by  one,  and  I  had 
 every  reason  to  expect  that  I  would  soon  be  with  my  God.  It  is 
 a  sore  trial  to  be  alone  and  dying  in  a  foreign  land,  and  it  has 
 made  me  feel,  in  a  way  that  I  never  knew  before,  the  necessity  of 
 having  unfeigned  faith  in  Jesus  and  in  God.  Sentiments,  natural 
 feeUngs,  glowing  fancies  of  divine  things,  will  not  support  the  soul 
 in  such  an  hour.  There  is  much  self-delusion  in  our  estimation 
 of  ourselves  when  we  are  untried,  and  in  the  midst  of  Christian 
 friends,  whose  warm  feelings  give  a  glow  to  ours,  which  they  do 
 not  possess  in  themselves,"  Even  then  he  had  his  people  in  his 
 heart.  "  When  I  got  better,  I  used  to  creep  out  in  the  evenings 
 about  sunset.  I  often  remembered  you  all  then.  I  could  not 
 write,  as  my  eyes  and  head  were  much  affected  ;  I  could  read  but 
 very  little ;  I  could  speak  very  little,  for  I  had  hardly  any  voice  ; 
 and  so  I  had  all  my  time  to  lay  my  people  before  God,  and  pray 
 for  a  blessing  on  them.  About  the  last  evening  I  was  there,  we  all 
 went  to  the  vintage,  and  I  joined  in  gathering  the  grapes."  To 
 Mr  Somerville  he  wrote :  "  My  mind  was  very  weak  when  I  was 
 at  the  worst,  and  therefore  the  things  of  eternity  were  often  dim. 
 /  Jiad  no  fear  to  die,  for  Christ  had  died.  Still  I  prayed  for  recovery, 
 if  it  was  the  Lord's  will.  You  remember  you  told  me  to  be  humble 
 among  your  last  advices.  You  see  God  is  teaching  me  the  same 
 thing.  I  fear  I  am  not  thoroughly  humbled.  I  feel  the  pride  of 
 my  heart,  and  bewail  it."  To  his  kind  medical  friend,  Dr  Gibson, 
 in  Dundee,  he  wrote:  "I  really  believed  that  my  Master  had 
 called  me  home,  and  that  I  v/ould  sleep  beneath  the  dark-green 
 cypresses  of  Bouja  till  the  Lord  shall  come,  and  they  that  sleep 
 in  Jesus  come  with  Him;  and  my  most  earnest  prayer  was  for 
 my  dear  flock,  that  God  would  give  them  a  pastor  after  his  own 
 heart." 
 
 When  we  met,  after  an  eight  days'  separation,  on  board  the 
 vessel  at  Constantinople,  he  mentioned  as  one  of  the  most  interest- 
 ing incidents  of  the  week,  that  one  evening,  while  walking  with  Mr 
 Lewis,  they  met  a  young  Greek  and  his  wife,  both  of  whom  were 
 believed  to  be  really  converted  souls.  It  created  a  thrill  in  his 
 bosom  to  meet  with  these  almost  sohtary  representatives  of  the 
 once  faithful  and  much  tried  native  church  of  Smyrna. 
 
 Meanwhile  there  were  movements  at  home  that  proved  the  Lord 
 to  be  He  who  "  alone  doeth  wondrous  things."  The  cry  of  his 
 servant  in  Asia  was  not  forgotten ;  the  eye  of  the  Lord  turned 
 towards  his  people.  It  was  during  the  time  of  Mr  M'Cheyne's 
 sore  sickness  that  his  flock  in  Dundee  were  receiving  blessing  from 
 the  opened  windows  of  heaven.   Their  pastor  was  lying  at  the  gate 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE.  115 
 
 of  death,  iu  utter  helplessness.  But  the  Lord  had  done  this  on 
 very  purpose  ;  for  He  meant  to  show  that  He  needed  not  the  help 
 of  any :  He  could  send  forth  new  labourers,  and  work  by  new 
 instruments,  when  it  pleased  Him.  We  little  knew  that  during  the 
 days  when  we  were  waiting  at  the  foot  of  Lebanon  for  a  vessel  to 
 carry  us  to  Smyrna,  the  arm  of  the  Lord  had  begun  to  be  revealed 
 in  Scotland.  On  the  23d  of  July  the  great  Revival  at  Kilsyth 
 took  place. 
 
 Mr  W.  C.  Burns,  the  same  who  was  supplying  Mr  M'Cheyne's 
 place  in  his  absence,  was  on  that  day  preaching  to  his  father's 
 flock ;  and  while  pressing  upon  them  immediate  acceptance  of 
 Christ  with  deep  solemnity,  the  whole  of  the  vast  assembly  were 
 overpowered.  The  Holy  Spirit  seemed  to  come  down  as  a  rushing 
 mighty  wind,  and  to  fill  the  place.  Very  many  were  that  day 
 struck  to  the  heart ;  the  sanctuary  was  filled  with  distressed  and 
 inquiring  souls.  All  Scotland  heard  the  glad  news  that  the  sky 
 was  no  longer  as  brass, — that  the  rain  had  begun  to  fall.  The 
 Spirit  in  mighty  power  began  to  work  from  that  day  forward  in 
 many  places  of  the  land. 
 
 Mr  Burns  returned  to  Mr  M'Cheyne's  flock  on  August  8th, — one 
 of  the  days  when  Mr  M'Cheyne  was  stretched  on  his  bed,  praying 
 for  his  people  under  all  his  own  suffering.  The  news  of  the  work 
 at  Kilsyth  had  produced  a  deep  impression  in  Dundee ;  and  two 
 days  after,  the  Spirit  began  to  work  in  St  Peter's,  at  the  time  of 
 the  prayer-meeting  in  the  church,  in  a  way  similar  to  Kilsyth.  Day 
 after  day  the  people  met  for  prayer  and  hearing  the  word ;  and 
 the  times  of  the  apostles  seemed  returned,  when  "  the  Lord  added 
 to  the  churcli  daily  of  such  as  should  be  saved."  All  this  time,  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  knew  not  how  gracious  the  Lord  had  been  in  giving  him 
 his  heart's  desire.  It  was  not  till  we  were  within  sight  of  home 
 that  the  glad  news  of  these  Revivals  reached  our  ears.  But  he 
 continued,  like  Epaphras,  "labouring  fervently  in  prayer,"  and 
 sought  daily  to  prepare  himself  for  a  more  eflBcient  discharge  of  his 
 office,  should  the  Lord  restore  him  to  it  again.  He  sends  home 
 this  message  to  a  fellow-labourer :  "  Do  not  forget  to  carry  on 
 the  work  in  hearts  brought  to  a  Saviour.  I  feel  this  was  one  of 
 my  faults  in  the  ministry.  Nourish  babes  ;  comfort  downcast  be- 
 lievers ;  counsel  those  perplexed ;  perfect  that  which  is  lacking  in 
 their  faith.  Prepare  them  for  sore  trials.  I  fear  most  Christians 
 are  quite  unready  for  days  of  darkness." — {M7^  Moody  Stuart.) 
 
 Our  journey  led  us  through  Moldavia,  Wallachia,  and  Austria, — 
 lauds  of  darkness  and  of  the  shadow  of  death.  Profound  stranger,^ 
 to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  the  people  of  these  lands,  nevertheless. 
 
116  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 profess  to  be  Christians.  Superstition  and  its  idolatries  veil  the 
 glorious  object  of  faith  from  every  eye.  In  these  regions,  as  well 
 as  in  those  already  traversed,  Mr  M'Cheyne's  anxiety  for  souls 
 appeared  in  the  efforts  he  made  to  leave  at  least  a  few  words  of 
 Scripture  with  the  Jews  whom  we  met,  however  short  the  time  of 
 our  interview.  His  spirit  was  stirred  in  him ;  and,  with  his  Hebrew 
 Bible  in  his  hand,  he  would  walk  up  thoughtfully  and  solemnly  to 
 the  first  Jew  he  could  get  access  to,  and  begin  by  caUing  the  man's 
 attention  to  some  statement  of  God's  word.  In  Palestine,  if  the 
 Jew  did  not  understand  ItaUan,  he  would  repeat  to  him  such  texts 
 in  Hebrew  as,  "  In  that  day  there  shall  be  a  fountain  opened  to  the 
 house  of  David,"  etc.  (Zech.  xiii.  1.)  And  one  evening,  at  the  well 
 of  Douhs,  when  the  Arab  population  were  all  clustered  round  the 
 water  troughs,  he  looked  on  very  wistfully,  and  said,  "  If  only  we 
 had  Arabic,  we  might  sow  beside  all  waters!" 
 
 At  Jassy,  after  a  deeply  interesting  day,  spent  in  conversation 
 with  Jews  who  came  to  the  inn,  he  said,  "  I  will  remember  the  faces 
 of  those  men  at  the  judgment-seat."  When  he  came  among  the 
 more  educated  Jews  of  Europe,  he  rejoiced  to  find  that  they  could 
 converse  with  him  in  Latin.  His  heart  was  bent  on  doing  what  he 
 could  (Mark  xiv.  8),  in  season  and  out  of  season.  "  One  thing," 
 he  writes,  "  I  am  deeply  convinced  of,  that  God  can  make  the 
 simplest  statement  of  the  gospel  effectual  to  save  souls.  If  only  it 
 be  the  true  gospel,  the  good  tidings,  the  message  that  God  loved 
 the  world,  and  provided  a  ransom  free  to  all,  then  God  is  able  to 
 make  it  wound  the  heart,  and  heal  it  too.  There  is  deep  meaning  in 
 the  words  of  Paul,  '  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.' " 
 
 The  abominations  of  Popery  witnessed  in  Austrian  Poland,  called 
 forth  many  a  prayer  for  the  destruction  of  the  Man  of  Sin.  "  The 
 images  and  idols  by  the  wayside  are  actually  frightful,  stamping 
 the  whole  land  as  a  kingdom  of  darkness.  I  do  believe  that  a 
 journey  through  Austria  would  go  far  to  cure  some  of  the  Popery- 
 admirers  of  our  beloved  land."  He  adds  :  "  These  are  the  marks 
 of  the  beast  upon  this  land."  And  in  like  manner  our  privileges  in 
 Scotland  used  to  appear  to  him  the  more  precious,  when,  as  at 
 Brody,  we  heard  of  Protestants  who  were  supplied  with  sermon 
 only  once  a  year.  "  I  must  tell  this  to  my  people,"  said  he,  "  when 
 I  return,  to  make  them  prize  their  many  seasons  of  grace." 
 
 He  estimated  the  importance  of  a  town  or  country  by  its  relation 
 to  the  house  of  Israel ;  and  his  yearnings  over  these  lost  sheep 
 resembled  his  bowels  of  compassion  for  his  flock  at  home.  At 
 Tarnapol,  in  Galicia,  he  wrote  home :  "  We  are  in  Tarnapol,  a 
 very  nice  clean  town,  prettily  situated  on  a  winding  stream,  with 
 
IVIEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M^CIIEYNE.  117 
 
 v/ooded  hills  around.  I  suppose  yeu  never  heard  its  name  before  ; 
 neither  did  I  till  we  were  there  among  Jews.  I  know  not  whether 
 it  has  been  the  birth-place  of  warriors,  or  poets,  or  orators ;  its 
 flowers  have  hitherto  been  born  to  blush  unseen,  at  least  by  us 
 barbarians  of  the  north  ;  but  if  God  revive  the  dry  bones  of  Israel 
 that  are  scattered  over  the  v/orld,  there  will  arise  from  this  place 
 an  exceeding  great  army." 
 
 Our  friend  and  brother  in  the  faith,  Erasmus  Caiman,  lightened 
 the  tediousness  of  a  long  day's  journey  by  repeating  to  us  some 
 Hebrew  poetry.  One  piece  was  on  Israel's  present  state  of  de- 
 gradation ;  it  began — 
 
 nna  ::^^n"i  inc 
 
 As  the  vehicle  drove  along,  we  translated  it  line  by  line,  and  soon 
 &fter  Mr  M'Clieyue  put  it  into  verse.  The  following  lines  are  a 
 pr.rt  :— 
 
 Rock  and  liefuge  of  my  soul, 
 
 Swiftly  let  the  season  roll,  i 
 
 When  tliine  Israel  shall  arise 
 
 Lovely  in  the  nations'  eyes  ! 
 
 Lord  of  glory,  Lord  of  might, 
 
 As  our  ransomed  fathers  tell ; 
 Once  more  for  thy  people  fight, 
 
 Plead  for  thy  loved  Israel. 
 Give  our  spoilers'  towers  to  be 
 Waste  and  desolate  as  we. 
 
 Hasten,  Lord,  the  joyful  year. 
 
 When  thy  Zion,  tempest-tossed, 
 Shall  the  silver  trumpet  hear : 
 
 Bring  glad  tidings  to  the  lost ! 
 Captive,  cast  thy  cords  from  thee. 
 Loose  thy  neck — be  free — be  free  ! 
 
 Why  dost  Thou  behold  our  sadness  ? 
 
 See  the  proud  have  torn  away 
 All  our  years  of  solemn  gladness. 
 
 When  thy  flock  kept  holy-day  ! 
 Lord,  thy  fruitful  vine  is  bare, 
 Not  one  gleaning  grape  is  there  i 
 
 Rock  and  Refuge  of  my  souL 
 Swiftly  let  the  season  roll, 
 When  thine  Israel  shall  be, 
 Once  again,  beloved  and  free. 
 
118  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CIIEYNE. 
 
 Ill  his  notes,  he  has  one  or  two  subjects  marked  for  hymns.  One 
 of  these  is — Isaiah  ii.  3 — "  Come  ye,"  etc.,  a  loving  call  to  the  Jews. 
 Another  is  to  the  same  effect— Isaiah  i.  15 — "  Come,  let  us  reason 
 together."  But  these  he  never  completed.  In  Cracow,  having 
 heard  of  the  death  of  a  friend,  the  wife  of  an  English  clergyman, 
 in  the  midst  of  her  days  and  in  the  full  promise  of  usefulness,  he 
 began  to  pen  a  few  sweet  lines  of  comfort : 
 
 Oft  as  she  taught  the  little  maids  of  Fi'ance 
 
 To  leave  the  garland,  oastanet,  and  dance, 
 
 And  listen  to  the  words  which  she  would  say 
 
 About  the  crowns  that  never  fade  away, 
 
 A  new  expression  kindled  in  her  eye, 
 
 A  holy  brightness,  borrowed  from  the  sky. 
 
 And  when  returning  to  her  native  land, 
 
 She  bowed  beneath  a  Father  s  chast'ning  hand  ; 
 
 When  the  quick  pulse  and  flush  upon  the  cheek, 
 
 A  touching  warning  to  her  friends  would  speak, 
 
 A  holy  cheerfulness  yet  filled  her  eye, 
 
 Willing  she  was  to  live,  willing  to  die. 
 
 As  the  good  Shunammite  (the  Scriptures  tell), 
 
 When  her  son  died,  said  meekly,  "  It  is  well," 
 
 So  when  Sophia  lost  her  infant  boy, 
 
 And  felt  how  dear-bought  is  a  mother's  joy, 
 
 When  with  green  turf  the  little  grave  she  spread, 
 
 "Not  lost,  but  gone  before,"  she  meekly  said. 
 
 And  now  they  sleep  together  'neath  the  willow, 
 
 The  same  dew  drops  upon  their  silent  pillow. 
 
 Eetux'n,  0  mourner,  from  this  double  grave. 
 
 And  praise  the  God  who  all  her  graces  gave. 
 
 Follow  her  faith,  and  let  her  mantle  be 
 
 A  cloak  of  holy  zeal  to  cover  thee. 
 
 The  danger  which  he  incurred  from  the  shepherds  in  this  region, 
 and  other  similar  perils  to  which  he  was  exposed  in  company  with 
 others,  have  been  recorded  in  the  Narrative.  Out  of  them  all  the 
 Lord  delivered  him ;  and  not  from  these  perils  only  did  He  save 
 him,  but  from  many  severe  trials  to  his  health,  to  which  variety  of 
 climate  and  discomforts  of  accommodation  subjected  him.  And 
 now  we  were  traversing  Prussia,  drawing  nearer  our  own  land.  It 
 was  about  five  months  since  we  had  received  letters  from  Scotland, 
 our  route  having  led  us  away  from  places  which  we  had  anticipated 
 visiting,  and  where  communications  had  been  left  for  us.  We 
 pressed  homeward  somewhat  anxiously,  yet  wondering  often  at 
 past  mercies.  In  a  letter  from  Berlin,  Mr  M'Cheyne  remarked, 
 "  Our  heavenly  Father  has  brought  us  through  so  many  trials  and 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  1  ]  9 
 
 dangers  thai  I  feel  persuaded  He  will  yet  carry  us  to  the  end. 
 Like  John,  we  shall  fulfil  our  course.  '  Are  there  not  twelve  hours 
 in  the  day?'  Are  we  not  all  immortal  till  our  work  is  done?" 
 His  strength  was  rapidly  increasing ;  the  journey  had  answered 
 the  ends  anticipated  to  a  great  extent,  in  his  restoration  to  health. 
 He  was  able  to  preach  at  Hamburgh  to  the  English  congregation 
 of  Mr  Rheder,  from  whom  it  was  that  the  first  hint  of  a  Revival 
 in  Dundee  reached  his  ears.  He  heard  just  so  much  both  of  Kilsyth 
 and  Dundee  as  to  make  him  long  to  hear  more.  A  few  days  after, 
 on  board  the  vessel  that  conveyed  us  to  England,  he  thus  expressed 
 his  feelings  : — 
 
 '•Sailing  up  the  Thajvies,  Nov.  6,  1839. 
 "  My  dear  Father  and  Mother, — You  will  be  glad  to  see  by 
 the  date  that  we  are  once  more  in  sight  of  the  shores  of  happy 
 England.  I  only  wish  I  knew  how  you  all  are.  I  have  not  heard 
 of  you  since  I  was  in  Smyrna.  In  vain  did  I  inquire  for  letters 
 from  you  at  Cracow,  Berlin,  and  Hamburgh.  You  must  have 
 written  to  Warsaw,  and  the  Resident  there  has  not  returned 
 them  to  Berlin,  as  we  desired.  Andrew  and  I  and  Mr  Caiman  are 
 all  quite  well,  and  thankful  to  God,  who  has  brought  us  through 
 every  danger  in  so  many  countries.  I  trust  our  course  has  not 
 been  altogether  fruitless,  and  that  we  may  now  resign  our  com- 
 mission with  some  hope  of  good  issuing  from  it  to  the  church  and 
 to  Israel.  I  preached  last  Sabbath  in  Hamburgh,  for  the  first 
 time  since  leaving  England,  and  felt  nothing  the  worse  of  it ;  so 
 that  I  do  hope  it  is  my  heavenly  Father's  will  to  restore  me  to 
 usefulness  again  among  my  beloved  flock.  "VYe  have  heard  some- 
 thing of  a  reviving  work  at  Kilsyth.  We  saw  it  noticed  in  one  of 
 the  newspapers.  I  also  saw  the  name  of  Dundee  associated  with 
 it ;  so  that  I  earnestly  hope  good  has  been  doing  in  our  church, 
 and  the  dew  from  on  high  watering  our  parishes,  and  that  the 
 flocks  whose  pastors  have  been  wandering  may  also  have  shared  in 
 the  blessing.  We  are  quite  ignorant  of  the  facts,  and  you  may 
 beheve  we  are  anxious  to  hear.  .  .  .  We  are  now  passing 
 Woolwich,  and  in  an  hour  will  be  in  London.  We  are  anxious  to 
 be  home,  but  I  suppose  will  not  get  away  till  next  week.  I  never 
 thought  to  have  seen  you  again  in  this  world,  but  now  I  hope  to 
 meet  you  once  more  in  peace. — Beheve  me,  your  affectionate 
 son,"  etc. 
 
 The  day  we  arrived  on  the  shores  of  our  own  land  was  indeed  ^ 
 singular  day.     We  were  intensely  anxious  to  hear  of  events  that 
 
120  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHETNE. 
 
 had  occurred  at  home  a  few  months  before, — tiie  outpouring  of  the 
 Spirit  from  on  high, — while  our  friends  were  intensely  interested 
 in  hearing  tidings  of  the  land  of  Israel  and  the  scattered  tribes. 
 The  reception  of  tlie  deputation  on  their  return,  and  the  fruits  of 
 their  mission,  are  well  known,  and  have  been  elsewhere  recorded. 
 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  listened  with  deepest  interest  to  the  accounts 
 given  of  what  had  taken  place  in  Dundee  during  the  month  of 
 August,  when  he  lay  at  the  gates  of  death  in  Bouja.  The  Lord 
 had  indeed  fulfilled  his  hopes,  and  answered  his  prayers.  His 
 assistant,  Mr  Burns,  had  been  honoured  of  God  to  open  the  flood- 
 gate at  Dundee  as  well  as  at  Kilsyth.  For  some  time  before,  Mr 
 Burns  had  seen  symptoms  of  deeper  attention  than  usual,  and  of 
 real  anxiety  in  some  that  had  hitherto  been  careless.  But  it  was 
 after  his  return  from  Kilsyth  that  the  people  began  to  melt  before 
 the  Lord.  On  Thursday,  the  second  day  after  his  return,  at  the 
 close  of  the  usual  evening  prayer-meeting  in  St  Peter's,  and  when 
 the  minds  of  many  were  deeply  solemnized  by  the  tidings  which 
 had  reached  them,  he  spoke  a  few  words  about  what  had  for  some 
 days  detained  him  from  them,  and  invited  those  to  remain  who  felt 
 the  need  of  an  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  to  convert  them.  About 
 a  hundred  remained  ;  and  at  the  conclusion  of  a  solemn  address  to 
 these  anxious  souls,  suddenly  the  power  of  God  seemed  to  descend, 
 and  all  were  bathed  in  tears.  At  a  similar  meeting  next  evening, 
 in  the  church,  there  was  much  melting  of  heart  and  intense  desire 
 after  the  Beloved  of  the  Father  ;  and  on  adjourning  to  the  vestry, 
 the  arm  of  the  Lord  was  revealed.  No  sooner  was  the  vestry-door 
 opened  to  admit  those  who  might  feel  anxious  to  converse,  than  a 
 vast  number  pressed  in  with  awful  eagerness.  It  was  like  a  pent- 
 up  flood  breaking  forth ;  tears  were  streaming  from  the  eyes  of 
 many,  and  some  fell  on  the  ground  groaning,  and  weeping,  and 
 crying  for  mercy.  Onward  from  that  evening,  meetings  were  held 
 every  day  for  many  weeks ;  and  the  extraordinary  nature  of  the 
 work  justified  and  called  for  extraordinary  services.  The  whole 
 town  was  moved.  Many  behevers  doubted  ;  the  ungodly  raged  •, 
 but  the  word  of  God  grew  mightily  and  prevailed.  Instances  oc 
 curred  where  whole  families  were  affected  at  once,  and  each  could 
 be  found  mourning  apart,  affording  a  specimen  of  the  times  spoken 
 of  by  Zechariah  (xii.  12).  Mr  Baxter  of  Hilltown,  Mr  Hamilton, 
 then  assistant  at  Abernyte,  and  other  men  of  God  in  the  vicinity, 
 hastened  to  aid  in  the  work.  Mr  Roxburgh  of  St  John's,  and  Mr 
 Lewis  of  St  David's,  examined  the  work  impartially  and  judiciously, 
 and  testified  it  to  be  of  God.  Dr  M'Donald  of  Ferintosh,  a  man 
 of  God  well  experienced  in  Revivals,  came  to  the  spot  and  put  to 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REY.  R.  M.  M-CHEYNE.  121 
 
 his  seal  also,  and  continued  in  town,  preaching  in  St  David's 
 Church  to  the  anxious  multitudes,  during  ten  days.  How  many 
 of  those  who  were  thus  awfully  awakened  were  really  brought  to 
 the  truth,  it  was  impossible  to  ascertain.  When  Mr  M'Cheyne 
 arrived,  drop  after  drop  was  still  falling  from  the  clouds. 
 
 Such  in  substance  were  the  accounts  he  heard  before  he  reached 
 Dundee.  They  were  such  as  made  his  heart  rejoice.  He  had  no 
 envy  at  another  instrument  having  been  so  honoured  in  the  place 
 where  he  himself  had  laboured  with  many  tears  and  temptations. 
 In  true  Christian  magnanimity,  he  rejoiced  that  the  work  of  the 
 Lord  was  done,  by  whatever  hand.  Full  of  praise  and  wonder,  he 
 set  his  foot  once  more  on  the  shore  of  Dundee. 
 
CHAPTER     Y. 
 
 DAYS   OF   REVIVAL. 
 
 'I' hey  shall  spring  up  as  among  the  grass,  as  willows  by  the  water-courses." 
 — Isaiah  xliv.  4. 
 
 His  people,  who  had  never  ceased  to  pray  for  him,  welcomed  his 
 arrival  among  them  with  the  greatest  joy.  He  reached  Dundee  on 
 a  Thursday  afternoon ;  and  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day, — ■ 
 being  the  usual  time  for  prayer  in  St  Peter's, — after  a  short  medi- 
 tation, he  hastened  to  the  church,  there  to  render  thanks  to  the 
 Lord,  and  to  speak  once  more  to  his  flock.  The  appearance  of 
 the  church  that  evening,  and  the  aspect  of  the  people,  he  never 
 could  forget.  Many  of  his  brethren  were  present  to  welcome  him, 
 and  to  hear  the  first  words  of  his  opened  lips.  There  was  not  a 
 seat  in  the  church  unoccupied,  the  passages  were  completely  filled, 
 and  the  stairs  up  to  the  pulpit  were  crowded,  on  the  one  side  with 
 the  aged,  on  the  other  with  eagerly-listening  children.  Many  a 
 face  was  seen  anxiously  gazing  on  their  restored  pastor ;  many 
 were  weeping  under  the  unhealed  wounds  of  conviction ;  all  were 
 still  and  calm,  intensely  earnest  to  hear.  He  gave  out  Psalm  Ixvi. ; 
 and  the  manner  of  singing,  which  had  been  remarked  since  the 
 R-evival  began,  appeared  to  him  pecuHarly  sweet, — "  so  tender  and 
 afi'ecting,  as  if  the  people  felt  that  they  were  praising  a  present 
 God."  After  solemn  prayer  with  them,  he  was  able  to  preach  for 
 above  an  hour.  Not  knowing  how  long  he  might  be  permitted  to 
 proclaim  the  glad  tidings,  he  seized  that  opportunity,  not  to  tell  of 
 his  journeyiugs,  but  to  show  the  way  of  life  to  sinners.  His  sub- 
 ject was  1  Cor.  ii.  1-4, — the  matter,  the  manner,  and  the  accom- 
 paniments of  Paul's  preaching.  It  was  a  night  to  be  remembered 
 On  coming  out  of  the  church,  he  found  the  road  to  his  house 
 crowded  with  old  and  young,  who  were  waiting  to  welcome  him 
 back.  He  had  to  shake  hands  with  many  at  the  same  time  ;  and 
 before  this  happy  multitude  would  disperse,  had  to  speak  some 
 words  of  life  to  them  again,  and  pray  with  them  where  they  stood. 
 "  To  thy  name,  0  Lord,"  said  he  that  night,  when  he  returned 
 to  his  home,  "To  thy  name,  0  Lord,  be  all  the  glory!"  A 
 month  afterwards,  he  was  visited  by  one  who  had  hitherto  stood 
 
 122 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  MXHEYKE.  123 
 
 out  against  all  the  singular  influence  of  the  Revival,  but  who  that 
 night  was  deeply  awakened  under  his  words,  so  that  the  arrow 
 festered  in  her  soul,  till  she  came  crying,  "Oh  my  hard,  hard 
 heart!" 
 
 On  the  Sabbath  he  preached  to  his  flock  in  the  afternoon.  He 
 chose  2  Chron.  v.  13,  14,  as  his  subject ;  and  in  the  close,  his 
 hearers  remember  well  how  affectionately  and  solemnly  he  said : 
 "  Dearly  beloved  and  longed  for,  I  now  begin  another  year  of  my 
 ministry  among  you ;  and  I  am  resolved,  if  God  give  me  health 
 and  strength,  that  I  will  not  let  a  man,  woman,  or  child  among  you 
 alone,  until  you  have  at  least  heard  the  testimony  of  God  con- 
 cerning his  Son,  either  to  your  condemnation  or  salvation.  And 
 I  will  pray,  as  I  have  done  before,  that  if  the  Lord  will  indeed  give 
 us  a  great  outpouring  of  his  Spirit,  He  will  do  it  in  such  a  way 
 that  it  will  be  evident  to  the  weakest  child  among  you  that  it  is 
 the  Lord's  work,  and  not  man's.  I  think  I  may  say  to  you,  as 
 Rutherford  said  to  his  people,  '  Your  heaven  would  be  two  heavens 
 to  me.'  And  if  the  Lord  be  pleased  to  give  me  a  crown  from 
 among  you,  I  do  here  promise  in  his  sight,  that  I  will  cast  it  at  his 
 feet,  saying,  '  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  !  Blessing,  and 
 honour,  and  glory,  and  power,  be  unto  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the 
 throne,  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever.'  " 
 
 It  was  much  feared  for  a  time  that  a  jealous  spirit  would  pre- 
 vail among  the  people  of  St  Peter's,  some  saying,  "  I  am  of  Paul ; 
 and  others,  I  of  Cephas."  Those  recently  converted  were  apt  to 
 regard  their  spiritual  father  in  a  light  in  which  they  could  regard 
 none  besides.  But  Mr  M'Cheyne  had  received  from  the  Lord  a 
 holy  disinterestedness  that  suppressed  every  feeling  of  envy.  Many 
 wondered  at  the  single-heartedness  he  was  enabled  to  exhibit.  He 
 could  sincerely  say,  "  I  have  no  desire  but  the  salvation  of  my 
 people,  by  whatever  instrument." 
 
 Never,  perhaps,  was  there  one  placed  in  better  circumstances  for 
 testing  the  Revival  impartially,  and  seldom  has  any  Revival  been 
 more  fully  tested.  He  came  among  a  people  whose  previous 
 character  he  knew ;  he  found  a  work  wrought  among  them  during 
 his  absence,  in  which  he  had  not  had  any  direct  share;  he  returned 
 home  to  go  out  and  in  among  them,  and  to  be  a  close  observer 
 of  all  that  had  taken  place ;  and  after  a  faithful  and  prayerful 
 examination,  he  did  most  unhesitatingly  say,  that  the  Lord  had 
 wrought  great  things,  whereof  he  was  glad ;  and  in  the  case  of 
 many  of  those  whose  souls  were  saved  in  that  Revival,  he  discovered 
 remarkable  answers  to  the  prayers  of  himself,  and  of  those  who  had 
 come  to  the  truth,  before  he  left  them.     He  wrote  to  me  his  im- 
 
124  MEMOIR  OF  THE  llEV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE. 
 
 pressicns  of  the  work,  when  he  had  been  a  few  weeks  among  his 
 people : — 
 
 ''Dec.  2,1839. 
 «'Kev.  Axd.  a.  Bonar,  Collace. 
 
 "  My  Dear  A., — I  begin  upon  note-paper,  because  I  have  no 
 other  on  hand  but  our  thin  traveUing  paper.  I  have  much  to  tell 
 you,  and  to  praise  the  Lord  for.  I  am  grieved  to  hear  that  there  are 
 no  marks  of  the  Spirit's  work  about  Collace  during  your  absence  ; 
 but  if  Satan  drive  you  to  your  knees,  he  will  soon  find  cause  to 
 repent  it.  Remember  how  fathers  do  to  their  children  when  they 
 ask  bread.  How  much  more  shall  our  heavenly  Father  give  {ayaea) 
 all  good  things  to  them  that  ask  Him.  Remember  the  rebuke  which 
 I  once  got  from  old  Mr  Dempster  of  Denny,  after  preaching  to  his 
 people :  '  I  was  highly  pleased  with  your  discourse,  but  in  prayer 
 it  struck  me  that  you  thought  God  unwilling  to  give'  Remember 
 Daniel :  '  At  the  beginning  of  thy  supphcations  the  commandment 
 came  forth.'  And  do  not  think  you  are  forgotten  by  me  as  long 
 as  I  have  health  and  grace  to  pray. 
 
 "  Everything  here  I  have  found  in  a  state  better  than  I  expected. 
 The  night  I  arrived  I  preached  to  such  a  congregation  as  I  never 
 saw  before.  I  do  not  think  another  person  could  have  got  into  the 
 church,  and  there  was  every  sign  of  the  deepest  and  tenderest 
 emotion.  R.  Macdonald  was  with  me,  and  prayed.  Affliction  and 
 success  in  the  ministry  have  taught  and  quickened  him.  I  preached 
 on  1  Cor.  ii.  1-4,  and  felt  what  I  have  often  heard,  that  it  is  easy 
 to  preach  where  the  Spirit  of  God  is.  On  the  Friday  night  Mr 
 Burns  preached.  On  the  Sabbath  I  preached  on  that  wonderful 
 passage,  2  Chron.  v.  13,  14  ;  Mr  Burns  preached  twice,  morning 
 and  evening.  His  views  of  divine  truth  are  clear  and  commanding. 
 There  is  a  great  deal  of  substance  in  what  he  preaches,  and  his 
 manner  is  very  powerful, — so  much  so,  that  he  sometimes  made  me 
 tremble.  In  private  he  is  deeply  prayerful,  and  seems  to  feel  his 
 danger  of  falling  into  pride. 
 
 "  I  have  seen  many  of  the  awakened,  and  many  of  the  saved ; 
 indeed,  this  is  a  pleasant  place  compared  with  what  it  was  once. 
 Some  of  the  awakened  are  still  in  the  deepest  anxiety  and  distress. 
 Their  great  error  is  exactly  what  your  brother  Horace  told  me. 
 They  think  that  coming  to  Christ  is  some  strange  act  of  their  mind, 
 different  from  believing  what  God  has  said  of  his  Son ;  so  much  so, 
 that  they  will  tell  you  with  one  breath,  I  believe  all  that  God  has  said, 
 Rnd  yet  with  the  next  complain  that  they  cannot  come  to  Christ,  or 
 close  with  Christ.     It  is  very  hard  to  deal  with  this  delusion. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  llEV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  125, 
 
 "  I  find  some  old  people  deeply  shaken ;  they  feel  insecure.  One 
 confirmed  drunkard  has  come  to  me,  and  is,  I  believe,  now  a  saved 
 man.  Some  little  children  are  evidently  saved.  All  that  I  have 
 yet  seen  are  related  to  converts  of  my  own.  One,  eleven  years  old, 
 is  a  singular  instance  of  divine  grace.  When  I  asked  if  she  desired 
 to  be  made  holy,  she  said,  'Indeed,  I  often  wish  I  was  awa,  that  I 
 might  sin  nae  mair.'  A.  L.,  of  fifteen,  is  a  fine  tender-hearted 
 believer.     W.  S.,  ten,  is  also  a  happy  boy. 
 
 "Many  of  my  own  dear  children  in  the  Lord  are  much  advanced ; 
 much  more  full  of  joy, — their  hearts  hfted  up  in  the  ways  of  the 
 Lord.  I  have  found  many  more  savingly  impressed  under  my  own 
 ministry  than  I  knew  of.  Some  have  come  to  tell  me.  In  one  case 
 a  whole  family  saved.  I  have  hardly  met  with  anything  to  grieve 
 me.  Surely  the  Lord  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  me.  I  fear,  how- 
 ever, that  the  great  Spirit  has  in  some  measure  passed  by, — I  hope 
 soon  to  return  in  greater  power  than  ever.  The  week  meetings  are 
 thinner  now.  I  will  turn  two  of  them  into  my  classes  soon,  and  so 
 give  solid,  regular  instruction,  of  which  they  stand  greatly  in  need. 
 I  have  not  met  with  one  case  of  extravagance  or  false  fire,  although 
 doubtless  there  may  be  many.  At  first  they  used  to  follow  in  a 
 body  to  our  house,  and  expected  many  an  address  and  prayer  by 
 the  road.  They  have  given  up  this  noAv.  I  preached  last  Sabbath 
 twice,  first  on  Isaiah  xxviii.  14-18,  and  then  on  Rev.  xii.  11,  '  Over- 
 came by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.'  It  was  a  very  solemn  day.  The 
 people  willingly  sat  till  it  was  dark.  Many  make  it  a  place  of 
 Bochim.  Still  there  is  nothing  of  the  power  which  has  been.  I 
 have  tried  to  persuade  Mr  Burns  to  stay  with  us,  and  I  think  he 
 will  remain  in  Dundee.  I  feel  fully  stronger  in  body  than  when  I 
 left  you.  Instead  of  exciting  me,  there  is  everything  to  solemnize 
 and  still  my  feelings.     Eternity  sometimes  seems  very  near. 
 
 "  I  would  like  your  advice  about  prayer-meetings ;  how  to  con- 
 soHdate  them ;  what  rules  should  be  followed,  if  any  ;  whether 
 there  should  be  mere  reading  of  the  word  and  prayer,  or  free 
 converse  also  on  the  passage?  We  began  to-day  a  ministerial 
 prayer-meeting,  to  be  held  every  Monday  at  eleven,  for  an  hour 
 and  a  half.  This  is  a  great  comfort,  and  may  be  a  great  blessing. 
 Of  course  we  do  not  invite  the  colder  ministers ;  that  would  only 
 damp  our  meeting.     Tell  me  if  you  think  this  right. 
 
 "  And  now,  dear  A.,  I  must  be  done,  for  it  is  very  late.  May 
 your  people  share  in  the  quickening  that  has  come  over  Dundee ! 
 t  feel  it  a  very  powerful  argument  with  many  :  '  Will  you  be  left 
 dry  when  others  are  getting  drops  of  heavenly  dew?  '  Try  this 
 with  your  people. 
 
126  MEMOIR  OF  THE  HEV.  K.  M.  m'CHEYNE. 
 
 "  I  think  it  probable  we  shall  have  another  communion  agam 
 before  the  regular  one.  It  seems  very  desirable.  You  will  como 
 and  help  us  ;  and  perhaps  Horace  too. 
 
 "I  thought  of  coming  back  by  Collace  from  Errol,  if  our  Glasgow 
 meeting  had  not  come  in  the  way. 
 
 "  Will  you  set  agoing  your  Wednesday  meeting  again,  im- 
 mediately ? 
 
 "Farewell,  dear  A.  ' Oh  man,  greatly  beloved,  fear  not ;  peace 
 be  to  thee ;  be  strong  ;  yea,  be  strong.'     Yours  ever,"  etc. 
 
 To  Mr  Burns  he  thus  expresses  himself  on  December  19  :  "My 
 DEAR  Brother, — I  shall  never  be  able  to  thank  you  for  all  your 
 labours  among  the  precious  souls  committed  to  me  ;  and  what  is 
 worse,  I  can  never  thank  God  fully  for  his  kindness  and  grace,  which 
 every  day  appear  to  me  more  remarkable.  He  has  answered 
 prayer  to  me  in  all  that  has  happened,  in  a  way  which  I  have  never 
 told  any  one."  Again,  on  the  3is^;  "Stay  where  you  are,  dear 
 brother,  as  long  as  the  Lord  has  any  work  for  you  to  do.-^  If  I 
 know  my  own  heart,  its  only  desire  is  that  Christ  may  be  glorified, 
 by  souls  flocking  to  Him,  and  abiding  in  Him,  and  reflecting  his 
 image ;  and  whether  it  be  in  Perth  or  Dundee,  should  signify 
 little  to  us.  You  know  I  told  you  my  mind  plainly,  that  I  thought 
 the  Lord  had  so  blessed  you  in  Dundee,  that  you  were  called  to  a 
 fuller  and  deeper  work  there ;  but  if  the  Lord  accompanies  you 
 to  other  places,  I  have  nothing  to  object.  The  Lord  strengthened 
 my  body  and  soul  last  Sabbath,  and  my  spirit  also  was  glad. 
 The  people  were  much  aUve  in  the  Lord's  service.  But  oh! 
 dear  brother,  the  most  are  Christless  still.  The  rich  are  almost 
 untroubled." 
 
 His  evidence  on  this  subject  is  given  fully  in  his  answers  to 
 the  queries  put  by  a  Committee  of  the  Aberdeen  Presbytery ;  and  in 
 a  note  to  a  friend,  he  incidentally  mentions  a  pleasing  result  of  this 
 wide-spread  awakening  :  "  I  find  many  souls  saved  under  my  own 
 ministry,  whom  I  never  knew  of  before.  They  are  not  afraid  to 
 come  out  now,  it  has  become  so  common  a  thing  to  be  concerned 
 about  the  soul."  At  that  time,  also,  many  came  from  a  distance ; 
 one  came  from  the  north,  who  had  been  a  year  in  deep  distress  of 
 Boul,  to  seek  Christ  in  Dundee. 
 
 In  his  brief  diary  he  records,  on  December  3,  that  twenty  anxious 
 souls  had  that  night  been  conversing  with  him  ;  "  many  of  them 
 very  deeply  interesting."     He  occasionally  fixed  an  evening  for  the 
 
 *  Mr  Burns  was  at  that  time  in  Perth,  and  there  had  begun  to  be  some  move- 
 ment among  the  dry  bones. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  Bl'CHEYNE.  127 
 
 purpose  of  meeting  with  those  who  were  awakened  ;  and  in  one  of 
 his  note-books  there  are  at  least  four  hundred  visits  recorded,  made 
 to  him  by  inquiring  souls,  in  the  course  of  that  and  the  following 
 years.  He  observed,  that  those  who  had  been  believers  formerly 
 had  got  their  hearts  enlarged,  and  were  greatly  established ;  and 
 some  seemed  able  to  feed  upon  the  truth  in  a  new  manner, — as 
 when  one  related  to  him  how  there  had  for  some  time  appeared  a 
 glory  in  the  reading  of  the  word  in  public,  quite  different  from 
 reading  it  alone. 
 
 At  the  same  time  he  saw  backslidings,  both  among  those  whom 
 behevers  had  considered  really  converted,  and  among  those  who 
 had  been   deeply  convicted,  though  never   reckoned  among  the 
 
 really  saved.     He  notes  in  his  book  :  "  Called  to  see .     Poor 
 
 lad,  he  seems  to  have  gone  back  from  Christ,  led  away  by  evil 
 company.  And  yet  I  felt  sure  of  him  at  one  time.  What  bKnd 
 creatures  ministers  are !  man  looketh  at  the  outward  appear- 
 ance." One  morning  he  was  visited  by  one  of  his  flock,  proposing 
 "a  concert  for  prayer  on  the  following  Monday,  in  behalf  of 
 those  who  had  fallen  back,  that  God's  Spirit  might  re-awaken 
 them," — so  observant  were  the  behevers  as  well  as  their  pastor 
 of  declensions.  Among  those  who  were  awakened,  but  never 
 truly  converted,  he  mentions  one  case.  "  Jan.  9,  1840. — Met 
 with  the  case  of  one  who  had  been  frightened  during  the  late  work, 
 so  that  her  bodily  health  was  injured.  She  seems  to  have  no 
 care  now  about  her  soul.  It  has  only  filled  her  mouth  with  evil- 
 speaking." 
 
 That  many,  who  promised  fair,  drew  back  and  walked  no  more 
 with  Jesus,  is  true.  Out  of  about  800  souls  who,  during  the 
 months  of  the  Revival,  conversed  with  different  ministers  in 
 apparent  anxiety,  no  wonder  surely  if  many  proved  to  have  been 
 impressed  only  for  a  time.  President  Edwards  considered  it 
 likely  that,  in  such  cases,  the  proportion  of  real  conversions  might 
 resemble  the  proportion  of  blossoms  in  spring,  and  fruit  in  autumn. 
 Nor  can  anything  be  more  unreasonable  than  to  doubt  the  truth 
 of  all,  because  of  the  deceit  of  some.  The  world  itself  does  not 
 so  act  in  judging  of  its  own.  The  world  reckons  upon  the  possi- 
 bility of  being  mistaken  in  many  cases,  and  yet  does  mot  cease  to 
 beheve  that  there  is  honesty  and  truth  to  be  found.  One  of  them- 
 Belves,  a  poet  of  their  own,  has  said  with  no  less  justice  thau 
 ber^uty — 
 
 "  Angels  are  bright  still,  though  the  brightest  fell  ; 
 And  though  foul  things  put  on  the  brows  of  gi-aco, 
 Yet  grace  must  still  look  so." 
 
128  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 But,  above  all,  we  have  the  authority  of  the  word  of  God,  declar- 
 ing that  such  backshdings  are  the  very  tests  of  the  true  church : 
 "  For  there  must  be  also  heresies  among  you,  that  they  which  are 
 approved  may  be  made  manifest  among  you,"  1  Cor.  xi.  19.  It 
 is  not,  however,  meant  that  any  who  had  really  believed  went  back 
 to  perdition.  Ou  the  contrary,  it  is  the  creed  of  every  sound 
 evangelical  church,  that  those  who  do  go  back  to  perdition  were 
 persons  who  never  really  believed  in  Jesus.  Their  eyes  may  have 
 been  opened  to  see  the  dread  reaUties  of  sin  and  of  the  wrath  to 
 come ;  but  if  they  saw  not  righteousness  for  their  guilty  souls  in 
 the  Saviour,  there  is  nothing  in  all  Scripture  to  make  us  expect 
 that  they  will  continue  awake.  "Awake,  thou  that  sleepest,  and 
 Christ  will  give  thee  light,'^  is  the  call — inviting  sinners  to  a  point  far 
 beyond  mere  conviction.  One  who,  for  a  whole  year,  went  back 
 to  folly,  said :  "  Your  sermon  on  the  corruption  of  the  heart  made 
 me  despair,  and  so  I  gave  myself  up  to  my  old  ways — attending 
 dances,  learning  songs,"  etc.  A  knowledge  of  our  guilt,  and  a 
 sense  of  danger,  will  not  of  themselves  keep  us  from  falling  ;  nay, 
 these,  if  alone,  may  (as  in  the  above  case)  thrust  us  down  the 
 slippery  places.  We  are  truly  secure  only  when  our  eye  is  on 
 Jesus,  and  our  hand  locked  in  his  hand.  So  that  the  history  of 
 backshdings,  instead  of  leading  us  to  doubt  the  reality  of  grace  in 
 beUevers,  will  only  be  found  to  teach  us  two  great  lessons,  viz.  the 
 vast  importance  of  pressing  immediate  salvation  on  awakened 
 souls,  and  the  reasonableness  of  standing  in  doubt  of  all,  however 
 deep  their  convictions,  who  have  not  truly  fled  to  the  hope  set 
 before  them. 
 
 There  was  another  ground  of  prejudice  against  the  whole  work, 
 arising  from  the  circumstance  that  the  Lord  had  employed  in  it 
 young  men  not  long  engaged  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  rather 
 than  the  fathers  in  Israel.  But  herein  it  was  that  sovereign  grace 
 shone  forth  the  more  conspicuously.  Do  such  objectors  suppose 
 that  God  ever  intends  the  honour  of  man  in  a  work  of  Revival  ? 
 Is  it  not  the  honour  of  his  own  name  that  He  seeks  ?  Had  it  been 
 his  wish  to  give  the  glory  to  man  at  all,  then  indeed  it  might  have 
 been  asked,  "  Why  does  He  pass  by  the  older  pastors,  and  call  foi 
 the  inexperienced  youth  ?"  But  when  sovereign  grace  was  coming 
 to  bless  a  region  in  the  way  that  would  redound  most  to  the  glory 
 of  the  Lord,  can  we  conceive  a  wiser  plan  than  to  use  the  sling  of 
 David  in  bringing  down  the  Philistine  ?  If,  however,  there  be 
 some  whose  prejudice  is  from  the  root  of  envy,  let  such  hear  the 
 remonstrance  of  Richard  Baxter  to  the  jealous  ministers  of  his 
 day.     "What!  malign  Christ  in  gifts  for  which  He  should  have 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  K.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  129 
 
 the  glory,  and  all  because  they  seem  to  hinder  our  glory  !  Does 
 not  every  man  owe  thanks  to  God  for  his  brethren's  gifts,  not  only 
 as  having  himself  part  in  them,  as  the  foot  has  the  benefit  of  the 
 guidance  of  the  eye,  but  also  because  his  own  ends  may  be  attained 
 by  his  brethren's  gifts  as  well  as  by  his  own  ?  .  .  .  A  fearful 
 thing  that  any  man,  that  hath  the  least  of  the  fear  of  God,  should 
 so  envy  at  God's  gifts,  that  he  would  rather  his  carnal  hearers  were 
 unconverted,  and  the  drowsy  not  awakened,  than  that  it  should  be 
 done  by  another  who  may  be  preferred  before  them."  ^ 
 
 The  work  of  the  Spirit  went  on,  the  stream  flowing  gently ;  for 
 the  heavy  showers  had  fallen,  and  the  overflowing  of  the  waters 
 had  passed  by.  Mr  M'Cheyne  became  more  than  ever  vigilant  and 
 discriminating  in  dealing  with  souls.  Observing,  also,  that  some 
 were  influenced  more  by  feelings  of  strong  attachment  to  their 
 pastor  personally,  than  by  the  power  of  the  truths  he  preached,  he 
 became  more  reserved  in  his  dealings  with  them,  so  that  some 
 thought  there  was  a  little  coldness  or  repulsiveness  in  his  manner. 
 If  there  did  appear  anything  of  this  nature  to  some,  certainly  it 
 was  no  hidication  of  diminished  compassion  ;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
 proceeded  from  a  scrupulous  anxiety  to  guard  others  against  the 
 deceitful  feelings  of  their  own  souls.  A  few  notes  of  his  work 
 occur  at  this  period. 
 
 ''''Nov.  27,  1839. — A  pleasant  meeting  in  the  Cross  Church  on 
 Wednesday  last,  for  the  seamen.  All  that  spoke  seemed  to  honour 
 the  Saviour.  I  had  to  move  thanksgiving  to  God  for  his  mercies^ 
 This  has  been  a  real  blessing  to  Dundee.  It  should  not  be  for- 
 gotten in  our  prayers  and  thanksgivings." 
 
 '^  Nov.  28,  Thursday  evening. — Much  comfort  in  speaking. 
 There  was  often  an  awful  stillness.  Spoke  on  Jer.  vi.  14  :  '  They 
 have  healed  also  the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  my  people  shghtly,' " 
 etc. 
 
 "  Dec.  1. — This  evening  came  a  tender  Christian,  so  far  as  I  can 
 see  ;  an  exposition  of  that  text,  '  I  ivill  go  softly,'  or  of  that  other, 
 *  Thou  shall  not  open  thy  mouth  any  more."  A  child  of  shame  made 
 one  of  honour.  Her  sister  was  awakened  under  Mr  Baxter's  words 
 in  St  Peter's,  of  whom  he  asked,  'Would  you  like  to  be  holy?' 
 She  rephed,  '  Indeed,  I  often  wish  I  were  dead  that  I  might  sin  no 
 more.' " 
 
 ^^  Dec.  3. — Preached  six  times  within  these  two  days." 
 
 ^''Dec.  8. — Saw  J.  T.  in  fever.  Sl^  seems  really  in  Christ  now ; 
 tells  me  how  deeply  my  words  sank  inTo  her  soul  when  I  was  away. 
 A.  M.  stayed  to  tell  me  her  joy.     J.  B.  walked  home  with  me, 
 
 ^  Reformed  Pastor^  iv.  2. 
 
 I 
 
130  MEMOIR  OF  THE  EEV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 telling  me  what  God  had  done  for  Ms  soul,  when  one  day  I  had 
 stopt  at  the  quarry  on  account  of  a  shower  of  rain,  and  took 
 shelter  with  my  pony  in  the  engine-house."  He  had  simply  pointed 
 to  the  fire  of  the  furnace,  and  said,  "  What  does  that  remind  you 
 of  ?  "  and  the  words  had  remained  deep  in  the  man's  soul. 
 
 "  Bee.  11. — A  woman  awakened  that  night  I  preached  in  J.  D.'s 
 green,  about  two  years  ago,  on  Ezek.  xx.  43.  For  twenty  years 
 she  had  been  out  of  church  privileges,  and  now,  for  the  first  time, 
 came  trembling  to  ask  restoration.  Surely  Immanuel  is  in  this 
 place,  and  even  old  smners  are  flocking  to  Him.  I  have  got  an 
 account  of  about  twenty  prayer-meetings  connected  with  my  flock. 
 Many  open  ones ;  many  fellowship  meetings ;  only  one  or  two 
 have  anything  like  exhortation  superadded  to  the  word.  These,  I 
 think,  it  must  be  our  care  to  change,  if  possible,  lest  error  and 
 pride  creep  in.  The  only  other  difficulty  is  this.  In  two  of  the 
 female  meetings,  originally  fellowship  meetings,  anxious  female 
 inquirers  have  been  admitted.  They  do  not  pray,  but  only  hear. 
 In  one,  M.  and  J.  had  felt  the  rising  of  pride  to  a  great  degree ; 
 in  the  other,  M.  could  not  be  persuaded  that  there  was  any  danger 
 of  pride.  This  case  will  require  prayerful  deKberation.  My  mind 
 at  present  is,  that  there  is  great  danger  from  it,  the  praying  mem- 
 bers feeling  themselves  on  a  different  level  from  the  others,  and 
 anything  hke  female  teaching,  as  a  public  teacher,  seems  clearly 
 condemned  in  the  word  of  God." 
 
 "  Bee.  12. — Felt  very  feeble  all  day,  and  as  if  I  could  not  do 
 any  more  work  in  the  vineyard.  Evening. — Felt  more  of  the 
 reality  of  ImmanueFs  intercession.  The  people  also  were  evidently 
 subdued  by  more  than  a  human  testimony.  One  soul  waited, 
 sobbing  most  piteously.  She  could  give  no  more  account  of  her- 
 self than  that  she  was  a  sinner,  and  did  not  believe  that  God  would 
 be  merciful  to  her.  When  I  showed  how  I  found  mercy,  her  only 
 answer  was,  '  But  you  were  not  sic  a  sinner  as  me.' " 
 
 "  Bee.  18. — Went  to  Glasgow  along  with  A.  B.  Preached  in 
 St  George's  to  a  full  audience,  in  the  cause  of  the  Jews.  Felt  real 
 help  in  time  of  need."  This  was  one  of  his  many  journeys  from 
 place  to  place  in  behalf  of  Israel,  relating  the  things  seen  and 
 heard  among  the  Jews  of  Palestine  and  other  lands. 
 
 "  Bee.  22. — Preached  in  Anderston  Church,  with  a  good  deal  of 
 inward  peace  and  comfort." 
 
 "  Bee.  23. — Interesting  meeting  with  the  Jewish  Committee.  In 
 the  evening  met  a  number  of  God's  people.  The  horror  of  some 
 good  people  in  Glasgow  at  the  millenarian  views  is  very  great, 
 while  at  the  same  time  their  objections  appear  very  weak." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE.  131 
 
 ''  Dec.  31. — Young  communicants.  Two  have  made  application 
 to  be  admitted  under  eleven  years  of  age ;  four  that  are  only  four- 
 teen ;  three  who  are  fifteen  or  sixteen." 
 
 ''^  Jan.  1,  1840. — Awoke  early  by  the  kind  providence  of  God, 
 and  had  uncommon  freedom  and  fervency  in  keeping  the  concert 
 for  prayer  this  morning  before  hght.  Very  touching  interview 
 with  M.  P.,  who  still  refuses  to  be  comforted.  Was  enabled  to 
 cry  after  a  glorious  Immanuel  along  with  her.  How  I  wish  I  had 
 her  bitter  convictions  of  sin  !  Another  called  this  evening,  who  says 
 she  was  awakened  and  brought  to  Christ  during  the  sermon  on  the 
 morning  of  December  1st,  on  the  'Covenant  with  death.'  Gave 
 clear  answers,  but  seems  "too  unmoved  for  on'  really  changed." 
 
 "  Jan.  2. — Visited  six  famihes.  Was  refreshed  and  solemnized  at 
 each  of  them.  Spoke  of  the  Word  made  flesh,  and  of  all  the  paths 
 of  the  Lord  being  mercy  and  truth.  Yisited  in  the  evening  by 
 some  interesting  souls :  one  a  beheving  little  boy ;  another  com- 
 plaining she  cannot  come  to  Christ  for  the  hardness  of  her  heart ; 
 another  once  awakened  under  my  ministry,  again  thoroughly 
 awakened  and  brought  to  Christ  under  Horace  Bonar's  sermon  at 
 the  Communion.  She  is  the  only  saved  one  in  her  family, — awfully 
 persecuted  by  father  and  mother.  Lord,  stand  up  for  thine  own ! 
 Make  known,  by  their  constancy  under  suffering,  the  power  and 
 beauty  of  thy  grace !  Evening. — Mr  Miller  preached  delightfully 
 on  '  The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us.'  His  account  of  the 
 Protestants  of  France  was  very  interesting  :  the  work  of  God  at 
 Nismes,  where  it  is  said  they  are  no  more  fishing  with  line,  but 
 dragging  with  the  nets.  Read  a  letter  from  Mr  Gumming,  describ- 
 ing the  work  at  Perth,  and  entreating  the  prayers  of  God's  children." 
 
 This  last  reference  is  to  the  awakening  which  took  place  in  St 
 Leonard's  Church,  Perth,  on  the  last  night  of  the  year,  when  Mr 
 Burns,  along  with  their  pastor,  Mr  Milne,  was  preaching.  Mr  B. 
 had  intended  to  return  to  Dundee  for  the  Sabbath,  but  was  de- 
 tained by  the  plain  indications  of  the  Lord's  presence.  At  one 
 meeting  the  work  was  so  glorious,  that  one  night  about  150  per- 
 sons at  one  time  seemed  bowed  down  under  a  sense  of  their  guilt, 
 and  above  200  came  next  day  to  the  church  in  the  forenoon  to 
 converse  about  their  souls.  This  awakening  was  the  commence- 
 ment of  a  solid  work  of  grace,  both  in  that  town  and  its  neigh- 
 bourhood, much  fruit  of  which  is  to  be  found  there  at  this  day  in 
 souls  that  are  walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  the  comfort  of 
 the  Holy  Ghost.  And  it  was  in  the  spring  of  this  same  year  that 
 in  Collace,  at  our  weekly  prayer-meeting,  when  two  brethren  were 
 ministering,  we  received  a  blessed  shower  from  the  Lord. 
 
132  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 His  Journal  proceeds  : — 
 
 "  Jan.  3. — An  inquirer  came,  awakened  under  my  ministry  two 
 years  and  a  half  ago." 
 
 "  Jan.  5. — Two  came;  M.  B.  sorely  wounded  with  the  forenoon's 
 discourse." 
 
 ^^  Jan.  12. — Intimated  a  concert  for  prayer,  that  unworthy  com- 
 municants might  be  kept  back,  the  Lord's  children  prepared  for  the 
 feast,  and  ministers  furnished  from  on  high." 
 
 "/rt??.  13. — Kept  concert  of  prayer  this  morning  with  my  dear 
 people.     Did  not  find  the  same  enlargement  as  usual." 
 
 ''March  5,  Thursday  evening. — Preached  on  Zech. iii. — Joshua, 
 Was  led  to  speak  searchingly  about  making  Christ  the  minister  oi 
 sin.  One  young  woman  cried  aloud  very  bitterly.  M.  B.  came 
 to  tell  me  that  poor  M.  is  like  to  have  her  life  taken  away  by 
 her  parents.  A  young  woman  also,  who  is  still  concerned  and 
 persecuted  by  her  father.  A  young  man  came  to  tell  me 
 that  he  had  found  Christ.  Roll  on,  thou  river  of  life !  visit  every 
 dwelling  !  save  a  multitude  of  souls.  Come,  Holy  Spirit !  come 
 quickly ! " 
 
 "  March  25. — Last  night  at  Forfar  speaking  for  Israel  to  a  small 
 band  of  friends  of  the  Jews.  Fearfully  wicked  place ;  the  cry  of 
 it  ascends  up  before  God  like  that  of  Sodom." 
 
 ^^  March  31. — Met  with  young  communicants  on  Wednesday  and 
 Friday.  On  the  latter  night  especially,  very  deep  feeling,  manifested 
 in  sobbings.  Visits  of  several.  One  dear  child  nine  years  old. 
 Sick-bed." 
 
 ^^  Ajml  1. — Presbytery  day.  Passed  the  constitution  of  two 
 new  churches, — blessed  be  God !  may  He  raise  up  faithful  pastors 
 for  them  both, — Dudhope  and  Wallace-Feus.  Proposal  also  for 
 the  Mariner's  Church.  A  fast-day  fixed  for  the  present  state  of 
 the  church." 
 
 "  April  5,  Sabbath  evening. — Spoke  to  twenty-four  young  per- 
 sons, one  by  one ;  almost  all  affected  about  their  souls." 
 
 "  Ajml  6. — Lovely  ride  and  meditation  in  a  retired  grove." 
 
 "  April  7. — Impressed  to-night  with  the  complete  necessity  of 
 preaching  to  my  people  in  their  own  lanes  and  closes ;  in  no  other 
 way  will  God's  word  ever  reach  them.  To-night  spoke  in  St 
 Andrew's  Church  to  a  very  crowded  assembly  in  behalf  of  Israel. 
 Was  helped  to  speak  plainly  to  their  own  consciences.  Lord,  bless 
 it!     Shake  this  town!" 
 
 "  April  13. —  Spoke  in  private  to  nearly  thirty  young  commui^- 
 cants,  all  in  one  room,  going  round  each,  and  advising  for  the 
 benefit  of  all." 
 
MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  133 
 
 ^^  Apnl  22.— Rode  to  Collessie  (Fife)  and  Kirkcaldy.  Sweet 
 time  alone  in  Collessie  woods." 
 
 "  Jidy  30. — One  lad  came  to  me  in  great  distress,  wishing  to 
 know  if  he  should  confess  his  little  dishonesties  to  his  master." 
 About  this  time,  he  has  noted  down,  "  I  was  visiting  the  other 
 day,  and  came  to  a  locked  door.  What  did  this  mean  ?  '  Tor- 
 ment me  not,  torment  me  not!'  Ah,  Satan  is  mighty  still!" — 
 referring  to  Mark  v.  7. 
 
 A  few  of  his  Communion  seasons  are  recorded.  We  could  have 
 desired  a  record  of  them  all.  The  first  of  which  he  has  detailed 
 any  particulars,  is  the  one  he  enjoyed  soon  after  returning  home. 
 
 '^  Jan.  19,  1840. — Stormy  morning,  with  gushing  torrents  of 
 rain,  but  cleared  up  in  answer  to  prayer.  Sweet  union  in  prayer 
 with  Mr  Cumming,  and  afterwards  with  A.  Bonar.  Found  God  in 
 secret.  Asked  especially  that  the  very  sight  of  the  broken  bread 
 and  poured-out  wine  might  be  blessed  to  some  souls,  then  pride 
 will  be  hidden  from  man.  Church  well  filled — many  standing. 
 Preached  the  action  sermon  on  John  xvii.  24,  '  Father,  I  will,'  etc. 
 Had  considerable  nearness  to  God  in  prayer — more  than  usual, — 
 and  also  freedom  in  preaching,  although  I  was  ashamed  of  such 
 poor  views  of  Christ's  glory.  The  people  were  in  a  very  desirable 
 frame  of  attention — hanging  on  the  word.  Felt  great  help  in 
 fencing  the  tables  from  Acts  v.  3,  '  Lying  to  the  Holy  Ghost.* 
 Came  down  and  served  the  first  table  with  much  more  calmness 
 and  coUectedness  than  ever  I  remember  to  have  enjoyed.  Enjoyed 
 a  sweet  season  while  A.  B.  served  the  next  table.  He  dwelt  chiefly 
 on  believing  the  words  of  Christ  about  his  fulness,  and  the  promise 
 of  the  Father.  There  were  six  tables  altogether.  The  people 
 more  and  more  moved  to  the  end.  At  the  last  table,  every  head 
 seemed  bent  like  a  bulrush  while  A.  B.  spoke  of  the  ascension  of 
 Christ.  Helped  a  little  in  the  address,  '  Now  to  Him  who  is  able 
 to  keep  you,'  etc.,  and  in  the  concluding  prayer.^  One  httle  boy, 
 in  retiring,  said,  '  This  has  been  another  bonnie  day.'  Many  of 
 the  little  ones  seemed  deeply  attentive.  Mr  Cumming  and  Mr 
 Burns  preached  in  the  schoolthe  most  of  the  day.  In  the  evening 
 Mr  C.  preached  on  the  Pillar  Cloud  on  every  dwelling,  Isaiah  iv.  5, 
 some  very  sweet  powerful  words.  Mr  Burns  preached  in  the 
 schoolroom.  When  the  church  emptied,  a  congregation  formed 
 in  the  lower  school,  and  began  to  sing.  Sang  several  psalms  with 
 them,  and  spoke  on  '  Behold  I  stand  at  the  door.'  Going  home,  A. 
 L.  said,  '  Pray  for  me;  I  am  quite  happy,  and  so  is  H.'  Altogether 
 a  day  of  the  revelation  of  Christ,— a  sweet  day  to  myself,  and,  J 
 1  See  the  Remaiua,  for  some  of  tliat  day's  solemn  words. 
 
184  aiEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  E.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 am  persuaded,  to  many  souls.  Lord,  make  us  meet  for  the  table 
 above." 
 
 Another  of  these  Communion  seasons  recorded,  is  April  1840. 
 "Sabbath  19. — Sweet  and  precious  day.  Preached  action  sermon 
 on  Zech.  xii.  10,  xiii.  1.  A  good  deal  assisted.  Also  in  fencing 
 the  tables,  on  Ps.  cxxxix.,  '  Search  me,  0  God.'  Less  at  serving 
 the  tables,  on  '  I  will  betroth  thee,'  and  '  To  him  that  overcometh ;' 
 though  the  thanksgiving  was  sweet.  Communicated  with  calm 
 joy.  Old  Mr  Burns  served  two  tables ;  H.  Bonar  five.  There 
 w^as  a  very  melting  frame  visible  among  the  people.  Helped  a 
 good  deal  in  the  address  on  '  My  sheep  hear  my  voice.'  After 
 seven  before  all  was  over.  Met  before  eight.  Old  Mr  Burns 
 preached  on  '  A  word  in  season.'  Gave  three  parting  texts,  and 
 so  concluded  this  blessed  day.  Many  were  filled  with  joy  unspeak- 
 able and  full  of  glory." 
 
 "  Monday,  20. — Mr  Grierson  preached  on  '  Ye  are  come  to 
 Mount  Zion,' — an  instructive  word.  Pleasant  walk  with  H.  B. 
 Evening  sermon  from  him  to  the  little  children  on  the  '  new  heart,' 
 — truly  delightful.  Prayer-meeting  after.  I  began  ;  then  old  Mr 
 Burns  ;  then  Horace,  in  a  very  lively  manner,  on  the  '  woman  of 
 Samaria.'  The  people  were  brought  into  a  very  tender  frame. 
 After  the  blessing,  a  multitude  remained.  One  (A.  N.)  w^as  like  a 
 person  struck  through  with  a  dart;  she  could  neither  stand  nor  go. 
 Many  were  looking  on  her  with  faces  of  horror.  Others  were 
 comforting  her  in  a  very  kind  manner,  bidding  her  look  to  Jesus. 
 Mr  Burns  went  to  the  desk,  and  told  them  of  Kilsyth.  Still  they 
 would  not  go  away.  Spoke  a  few  words  more  to  those  around 
 me,  teUing  them  of  the  lovehness  of  Christ,  and  the  hardness  of 
 their  hearts,  that  they  could  be  so  unmoved  when  one  was  so  deeply 
 wounded.  The  sobbing  soon  spread,  till  many  heads  w^ere  bent 
 down,  and  the  church  was  filled  with  sobbing.  Many  whom  I  did 
 not  know  were  now  affected.  After  prayer,  we  dismissed,  near 
 midnight.  Many  followed  us.  One,  in  great  agony,  prayed  that 
 she  might  find  Christ  that  very  night.    So  ends  this  blessed  season." 
 
 The  prayer-meeting  on  the  Monday  evening  following  the  Com- 
 munion was  generally  eojoyed  by  all  the  Lord's  people,  and  by 
 the  ministers  who  assisted,  in  a  peculiar  manner.  Often  all  felt 
 the  last  day  of  the  feast  to  be  the  great  day.  Souls  that  had 
 been  enjoying  the  feast  were  then,  at  its  conclusion,  taking  hold 
 on  the  arm  of  the  Beloved  in  the  prospect  of  going  up  through  the 
 wilderness. 
 
 The  only  notice  of  his  last  Communion,  January  1,  1843,  is  the 
 following :  —  "  Sabbath.  —  A  happy  communion  season.    Mr  W. 
 
MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  135 
 
 Burns  preached  on  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  and  Thursday  evenings — • 
 the  first  and  last  very  solemn.  Mr  Baxter  (of  Hilltown  Church) 
 on  the  Friday.  A.  Bonar  on  Saturday,  on  Rom.  viii. — The  spirit 
 of  adoption.  I  fainted  on  the  Sabbath  morning,  but  revived,  and 
 got  grace  and  strength  to  preach  on  1  Tim.  i.  16 — Paul's  conver- 
 sion a  pattern.  There  were  five  tables.  Many  godly  strangers, 
 and  a  very  desirable  frame  observable  in  the  people.  '  While  the 
 king  sitteth  at  his  table,  my  spikenard  sendeth  out  the  smell  there- 
 of.' Much  sin  was  covered.  He  restore th  my  soul.  Monday,  2. — 
 Mr  Milne  (of  Perth)  preached  on  '  Hold  fast  that  thou  hast ; ' 
 and  in  the  evening,  to  the  children,  on  Josh.  xxiv. — '  Choose  ye 
 this  day  whom  ye  will  serve.'  Andrew  and  I  concluded  with  Rev. 
 5 — '  Thou  hast  redeemed  us,'  etc.,  and  1  Cor.  xv. — '  Be  stedfast,' 
 etc." 
 
 He  dispensed  the  Lord's  Supper  to  his  flock  every  quarter;  and 
 though  on  this  account  his  calls  upon  his  brethren  for  help  were 
 frequent,  yet  never  did  a  brother  reckon  it  anything  else  than  a 
 blessed  privilege  to  be  with  him.  His  first  invitation  to  his  friend 
 Mr  Hamilton  (then  at  Abernyte)  will  show  the  nature  of  the  inter- 
 course that  subsisted  between  him  and  his  brethren  who  gave  their 
 services  on  these  occasions : — "  My  dear  Friend, — Will  you  excuse 
 lack  of  ceremony,  and  come  down  to-morrow  and  preach  to  us  the 
 unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  ?  We  have  the  communion  on  Sab- 
 bath. We  have  no  fast-day,  but  only  a  meeting  in  the  evening  at 
 a  quarter  past  seven.  Come,  my  dear  sir,  if  you  can,  and  refresh  us 
 with  your  company.  Bring  the  fragrance  of  'the  bundle  of  myrrh' 
 along  with  you,  and  may  grace  be  poured  into  your  lips.  Yours 
 ever."     (Jan.  15,  1840.) 
 
 Soon  after  his  return  from  his  mission  to  the  Jews,  a  ministerial 
 prayer-meeting  was  formed  among  some  of  the  brethren  in  Dundee. 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  took  part  in  it,  along  with  Mr  Lewis  of  St  David's, 
 Mr  Baxter  of  Hilltown,  Mr  P.  L.  Miller,  afterwards  of  Wallace- 
 town,  and  others.  Feeling  deep  concern  for  the  salvation  of  the 
 souls  under  their  care,  they  met  every  Monday  forenoon,  to  pray 
 together  for  their  flocks  and  their  own  souls.  The  time  of  the 
 meeting  was  limited  to  an  hour  and  a  half,  in  order  that  all  v/ho 
 attended  might  form  their  pastoral  arrangements  for  the  day, 
 without  fear  of  being  hindered ;  and,  in  addition  to  prayer,  those 
 present  conversed  on  some  selected  topic,  vitally  connected  with 
 their  duties  as  ministers  of  Christ.  Mr  M'Cheyne  was  never  absent 
 from  this  prayer-meeting  unless  through  absolute  necessity,  and 
 the  brethren  scarcely  remember  any  occasion  on  which  some  im- 
 portant remark  did  not  drop  from  his  lips.     He  himself  reaped 
 
136  MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHETXE. 
 
 great  profit  from  it.  He  notes,  Dec.  8  :  ''  This  has  been  a  deeply 
 interesting  week.  On  Monday  our  ministerial  prayer-meeting  waa 
 set  agoing  iu  St  David's  vestry.  The  hearts  of  all  seem  really  in 
 earnest  in  it.  The  Lord  answers  prayer ;  may  it  be  a  great  bless- 
 ing to  our  souls  and  to  our  flocks."  Another  time  :  "  Meeting  in 
 St  David's  vestry.  The  subject  of  fasting  was  spoken  upon.  Felt 
 exceedingly  in  my  own  spirit  how  little  we  feel  real  grief  on  account 
 of  sin  before  God,  or  we  would  often  lose  our  appetite  for  food. 
 When  parents  lose  a  child,  they  often  do  not  taste  a  bit  from  morn- 
 ing to  night,  out  of  pure  grief.  Should  we  not  mourn  as  for  an 
 only  child?  How  httle  of  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplication  we 
 have  then !"  On  Dec.  30  :  "  Pleasant  meeting  of  ministers.  Many 
 dehghtful  texts  on  '  Arguments  to  be  used  with  God  in  prayer.' 
 How  httle  I  have  used  these  !  Should  we  not  study  prayer 
 more?" 
 
 Full  as  he  was  of  affection  and  Christian  kindness  to  all  believers, 
 he  was  specially  so  to  the  faithful  brethren  iu  the  gospel  of  Christ. 
 Perhaps  there  never  was  one  who  more  carefully  watched  against 
 the  danger  of  undervaluing  precious  men,  and  detracting  from  a 
 brother's  character.  Although  naturally  ambitious,  grace  so 
 wrought  in  him,  that  he  never  sought  to  bring  himself  into  view ; 
 and  most  cheerfully  would  he  observe  and  take  notice  of  the  graces 
 and  gifts  of  others.  Who  is  there  of  us  that  should  ever  feel  other- 
 wise? "  For  the  body  is  not  one  member,  but  man}'-."  And  "  the 
 eye  cannot  say  unto  the  hand,  I  have  no  need  of  thee ;  nor,  again, 
 the  head  to  the  feet,  I  have  no  need  of  you." 
 
 All  with  whom  he  was  intimate  still  remember  with  gratitude 
 how  faithfully  and  anxiously  he  used  to  warn  his  friends  of  what- 
 ever he  apprehended  they  were  in  danger  from.  To  Mr  W.  C 
 Burns  he  wrote,  Dec.  31,  1839  :  "  Now,  the  Lord  be  your  strength, 
 teacher,  and  guide.  I  charge  you,  be  clothed  with  humihty,  or 
 you  will  yet  be  a  wandering  star,  for  which  is  reserved  the  black- 
 ness of  darkness  for  ever.  Let  Christ  increase ;  let  man  decrease. 
 This  is  my  constant  prayer  for  myself  and  you.  If  you  lead  sin- 
 ners to  yourself  and  not  to  Christ,  Immanuel  will  cast  the  star  out 
 of  his  right  hand  into  utter  darkness.  Remember  what  I  said  of 
 preaching  out  of  the  Scriptures :  honour  the  word  both  in  the 
 matter  and  manner.  Do  not  cease  to  pray  for  me."  At  another 
 time  (November  3,  1841),  he  thus  wrote  to  the  same  friend  :  "Now 
 remember  Moses  wist  not  that  the  skin  of  his  face  shone.  Look- 
 ing at  our  own  shining  face  is  the  bane  of  the  spiritual  life  and  of 
 the  ministry.  Oh  for  closest  communion  with  God,  till  soul  and 
 body — head,  face^  and  heart — shine  with  divine  briUiancy !  but  oh 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE,  137 
 
 for  a  holy  ignorauce  of  oiir  shining !  Pray  for  this ;  for  you  need 
 it  as  well  as  I." 
 
 To  another  friend  in  the  ministry  who  had  written  to  him  de- 
 spondingly  about  his  people  and  the  times,  his  reply  was,  "  I  am 
 sure  there  never  was  a  time  when  the  Spirit  of  God  was  more  pre- 
 sent in  Scotland,  and  it  does  not  become  you  to  murmur  in  your 
 tents,  but  rather  to  give  thanks.  Remember,  we  may  grieve  the 
 Spirit  as  truly  by  not  joyfully  acknowledging  his  wonders  as  by 
 not  praying  for  Him.  There  is  the  clearest  evidence  that  God  is 
 saving  souls  in  Kilsyth,  Dundee,  Perth,  GoUace,  Blairgowrie,  Strath- 
 bogie,  Ross-shire,  Breadalbaue,  Kelso,  Jedburgh,  Ancrum ;  and 
 surely  it  becomes  us  to  say,  '  I  thank  my  God  upon  every  remem- 
 brance of  you.'  Forgive  my  presumption;  but  I  fear  lest  you 
 hurt  your  own  peace  and  usefulness  in  not  praising  God  enough 
 for  the  operation  of  his  hands."  To  another :  "  I  have  told  you 
 that  you  needed  trial,  and  now  it  is  come.  May  you  be  exercised 
 thereby,  and  come  to  that  happy  '  afterwards'  of  which  the  apostle 
 speaks."  To  the  same  again:  ''Remember  the  necessity  of  your 
 own  soul,  and  do  not  grow  slack  or  lean  in  feeding  others.  '  Mine 
 own  vineyard  have  I  not  kept.'  Ah,  take  heed  of  that !"  And  in 
 a  similar  tone  of  faithfulness  at  an  after  period:  "Remember  the 
 case  of  your  own  soul.  '  What  will  it  profit  a  man  to  gain  the 
 whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul?'  Remember  how  often  Paul 
 appeals  to  his  holy,  just,  unblameable  life.  Oh  that  we  may  be 
 able  always  to  do  the  same!"  "Remember  the  pruning-knife," 
 he  says  to  another,  "  and  do  not  let  your  vine  run  to  wood,"  And 
 after  a  visit  to  Mr  Thornton  of  Milnathort,  in  whose  parish  there 
 had  been  an  awakening,  he  asks  a  brother,  "  Mr  Thornton  is  will- 
 ing that  others  be  blessed  more  than  himself;  do  you  think  that 
 you  have  that  grace  ?  I  find  that  I  am  never  so  successful  as  when 
 I  can  lie  at  Christ's  feet,  willing  to  be  used  or  not  as  seemeth  good 
 in  his  sight.  Do  you  remember  David  ?  '  If  the  Lord  say,  I  have 
 no  delight  in  thee ;  behold,  here  am  I ;  let  Him  do  to  me  as  seemeth 
 good  unto  Him.' " 
 
 In  his  familiar  letters,  as  in  his  life,  there  was  the  manifestation 
 of  a  bright,  cheerful  soul,  without  the  least  tendency  to  levity. 
 When  his  medical  attendant  had,  on  one  occasion,  declined  any 
 remuneration,  Mr  M'Cheyne  peremptorily  opposed  his  purpose ;  and 
 to  overcome  his  reluctance,  returned  the  inclosure  in  a  letter,  in 
 which  he  used  his  poetical  gifts  with  most  pleasant  humour. 
 
 To  many  it  was  a  subject  of  wonder  that  he  found  time  to  write 
 letters  that  always  breathed  the  name  of  Jesus,  amid  his  innume- 
 rable engagements.     But  the  truth  was,  his  letters  cost  him  no 
 
138  JIEMOm  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M^CHEYNE. 
 
 expenditure  of  time ;  they  were  ever  the  fresh  thoughts  and  feel- 
 ings of  his  soul  at  the  moment  he  took  up  the  pen ;  his  habitual 
 frame  of  soul  is  what  appears  in  them  all ;  the  calm,  holy,  tenderly 
 affectionate  style  of  his  letters  reminds  us  of  Samuel  Rutherford, 
 whose  works  he  delighted  to  read, — excepting  only  that  his  joy 
 never  seems  to  have  risen  to  ecstasies.  The  selection  of  his  letters 
 which  I  have  made  for  publication,  may  exhibit  somewhat  of  his 
 holy  skill  in  dropping  a  word  for  his  Master  on  all  occasions.  But 
 what  impressed  many  yet  more,  was  his  manner  of  introducing  the 
 truth,  most  naturally  and  strikingly,  even  in  the  shortest  note  he 
 penned ;  and  there  was  something  so  elegant,  as  well  as  solemn,  in 
 his  few  words  at  the  close  of  some  of  his  letters,  that  these  remained 
 deep  in  the  receiver's  heart.  Writing  to  Mr  G.  S.,  on  July  28, 
 1841,  he  thus  draws  to  a  close :  "  Remember  me  to  H.  T.  I  pray 
 he  may  be  kept  abiding  in  Christ.  Kindest  regards  to  his  mother. 
 Say  to  her  from  me,  '  Pass  the  time  of  your  sojourning  here  in 
 fear,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  y6  were  not  redeemed  with  corruptible 
 things  such  as  silver  and  gold'  (1  Peter  i.  17,  18).  Keep  your 
 own  heart,  dear  brother,  'in  the  love  of  God'  (Jude  21) — in  his 
 love  to  you,  and  that  will  draw  your  love  to  Him.  Kindest  remem- 
 brances to  your  brother.  Say  to  him,  '  Be  sober  and  hope  to  the 
 end'  (1  Peter  i.  13).  To  your  own  dear  mother  say,  '  He  doth 
 not  afflict  willingly.'  Write  me  soon. — Ever  yours,  till  time  shall 
 be  no  more."  In  a  note  to  the  members  of  his  own  family :  "  The 
 Tay  is  before  me  now  like  a  resplendent  mirror,  ghsteniug  in  the 
 morning  sun.  May  the  same  sun  shine  sweetly  on  you,  and  may 
 He  that  makes  it  shine,  shine  into  your  hearts  to  give  you  the 
 knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. — In 
 haste,  your  affectionate  son  and  brother."  There  were  often  such 
 last  words  as  the  following  :  "  Oh  for  drops  in  the  pastures  of  the 
 wilderness !  The  smiles  of  Jesus  be  with  you,  and  the  breathings 
 of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Ever  yours."  (To  Rev.  J.  Milne.)  "  May 
 we  have  gales  passing  from  Perth  to  this,  and  from  here  to  you, 
 and  from  heaven  to  both.  Ever  yours."  (To  the  same.)  "  The 
 time  is  short ;  eternity  is  near ;  yea,  the  coming  of  Christ  the  second 
 time  is  at  hand.  Make  sure  of  being  one  with  the  Lord  Jesus,  that 
 you  may  be  glad  when  you  see  Him.  Commending  you  all  to  our 
 Father  in  heaven,"  etc.  (To  his  own  brother.)  "  I  have  a  host  of 
 letters  before  me,  and  therefore  can  add  no  more.  I  give  you  a 
 parting  text,  'Sorrowful,  yet  always  rejoicing.'"  Another  :  "Fare- 
 well !  yours  till  the  day  dawn."  To  the  Rev.  Hor.  Bonar  he  says, 
 at  the  close  of  a  letter  about  some  ministerial  arrangements  :  "  I 
 am  humbled  and  cheered  by  what  you  say  of  good  done  in  Kelso. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  139 
 
 Roll  on,  roll  on,  river  of  God,  that  art  full  of  water !  A  woman 
 came  to  me,  awakened  under  your  sennon  to  the  children  in  the 
 Cross  Church,  very  bitterly  convinced  of  sin.  Glory  to  the  Divine 
 Archer,  who  bringeth  down  the  people  ! "  He  closes  a  letter  to  a 
 student  thus  :  "  Grace  be  with  you,  and  much  of  the  knowledge  of 
 Jesus — much  of  his  likeness.  I  thirst  for  the  knowledge  of  the 
 word,  but  most  of  all  of  Jesus  himself,  the  true  Word.  May  He 
 abide  in  you,  and  you  in  Him !  The  Fear  of  Isaac  watch  over  you." 
 In  concluding  a  letter  to  Mr  Bonar  of  Larbert,  in  February  1843, 
 some  weeks  before  his  last  illness,  he  writes  :  "  My  soul  often  goes 
 out  at  the  throne  of  grace  in  behalf  of  Larbert  and  Dunipace. 
 May  the  disruption  be  more  blessed  to  them  than  days  of  peace ! 
 How  sweet  to  be  in  the  ark  when  the  deluge  comes  down  !  Ever 
 yours  in  gospel  bonds." 
 
 The  Jewish  Mission  continued  near  his  heart,  "  the  nearest," 
 said  he  to  Mr  Edwards,  who  is  now  at  Jassy,  "  of  all  missionary 
 enterprises.  Were  it  not  for  my  own  unfitness,  and  also  the  success 
 the  Lord  has  given  me  where  I  am,  I  would  joyfully  devote  myself 
 to  it."  In  connection  with  this  cause,  he  was  invited  to  visit  Ireland, 
 and  be  present  at  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  our  Presbyterian 
 brethren  in  the  summer  of  1840.  When  preparing  to  set  out,  he 
 notices  the  hand  of  his  Master  guiding  him : — "  July  2. — Expected 
 to  have  been  in  Ireland  this  day.  Detained  by  not  being  able  to 
 get  supply  for  Sabbath,  in  the  good  providence  of  God ;  for  this 
 evening  there  was  a  considerable  awakening  in  the  church  while  I 
 was  preaching  upon  Phil.  iii.  18,  'Enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ.' 
 When  that  part  was  expounded,  there  was  a  loud  and  bitter  weep- 
 ing,— probably  thirty  or  forty  seemed  to  share  in  it ;  the  rest  deeply 
 impressed, — many  secretly  praying."  On  the  Sabbath  following, 
 one  person  was  so  overcome  as  to  be  carried  out  of  the  church. 
 
 He  set  out  for  Ireland  on  the  7th,  and  on  the  10th  witnessed  at 
 Belfast  the  union  between  the  Synod  of  Ulster  and  the  Secession. 
 He  speaks  of  it  as  a  most  solemn  scene — 500  ministers  and  elders 
 present.  During  his  stay  there,  he  pleaded  the  cause  of  the  Jews 
 m  Mr  Morgan's  church,  Mr  Wilson's,  and  some  others ;  and  also 
 visited  Mr  Kirkpatrick  at  Dublin.  He  preached  the  way  of  salva- 
 tion to  the  Gentiles  in  all  his  pleadings  for  Israel.  His  visit  was 
 blessed  to  awaken  a  deep  interest  in  the  cause  of  the  Jews,  and  his 
 words  sank  into  the  consciences  of  some.  His  sermon  on  Ezek. 
 xxxiv,  16  was  felt  by  some  to  be  indescribably  impressive  ;  and 
 when  he  preached  on  Rom.  i.  16,  17,  many  ministers,  as  they  came 
 out,  were  heard  saying,  "  How  was  it  we  never  thought  of  the 
 
140  SIEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  K.  M.  m'CHEYNE. 
 
 duty  of  remembering  Israel  before  ?  "  On  another  occasion,  the 
 people  to  whom  he  had  preached  entreated  their  minister  to  try 
 and  p:et  him  again,  and  if  he  could  not  preach  to  them,  that  at 
 least  he  should  pray  once  more  with  them. 
 
 He  was  not,  however,  long  absent  from  home  on  this  occasion. 
 On  the  25th  I  find  him  recording :  "  Reached  home  ;  entirely  un- 
 prepared for  the  evening.  Spoke  on  Psalm  li.  12,  13,  'Restore 
 unto  me  the  joy,'  etc.  There  seemed  much  of  the  presence  of  God, 
 — first  one  crying  out  in  extreme  agony,  then  another.  Many 
 were  deeply  melted,  and  all  solemnized.  Felt  a  good  deal  of  free- 
 dom in  speaking  of  the  glory  of  Christ's  salvation.  Coming  down, 
 I  spoke  quietly  to  some  whom  I  knew  to  be  under  deep  concern. 
 They  were  soon  heard  together  weeping  bitterly ;  many  more 
 joined  them.  Mr  Cumming  spoke  to  them  in  a  most  touching 
 strain,  while  I  dealt  privately  with  several  in  the  vestry.  Their 
 cries  were  often  very  bitter  and  piercing,  bitterest  when  the  freeness 
 of  Christ  was  pressed  upon  them,  and  the  lion's  nearness.  Several 
 were  offended ;  but  I  felt  no  hesitation  as  to  our  duty  to  declare 
 the  simple  truth  impressively,  and  leave  God  to  work  in  their 
 hearts  in  his  own  way.  If  He  save  souls  in  a  quiet  way,  I  shall 
 be  happy  ;  if  in  the  midst  of  cries  and  tears,  still  I  will  bless  his 
 name.  One  painful  thing  has  occurred :  a  man  who  pretends  to  be 
 a  missionary  for  Israel,  and  who  brings  forward  the  apocryphal 
 book  of  Enoch,  has  been  among  my  people  in  my  absence,  and 
 many  have  been  led  after  him.  How  humbling  is  this  to  them  and 
 to  me  !  Lord,  what  is  man !  This  may  be  blessed,  1st,  to  discover 
 chaff  which  we  thought  to  be  wheat ;  2d,  to  lead  some  to  greater 
 distrust  of  themselves,  when  their  eyes  are  opened  ;  3d,  to  teach 
 me  the  need  of  solidly  instructing  those  who  seem  to  have  grace  in 
 their  hearts." 
 
 The  work  of  God  went  on,  so  much  so  at  this  time,  that  he 
 gave  it  as  his  belief,  in  a  letter  to  Mr  Purves  of  Jedburgh,  that 
 for  some  months  about  this  period  no  minister  of  Christ  had 
 preached  in  a  lively  manner,  without  being  blessed  to  some  soul 
 among  his  flock. 
 
 In  other  places  of  Scotland  also  the  Lord  was  then  pouring  out 
 his  Spirit.  Perth  has  been  already  mentioned,  and  its  vicinity. 
 Throughout  Ross-shire,  whole  congregations  were  frequently 
 moved  as  one  man,  and  the  voice  of  the  minister  drowned  in  the 
 cries  of  anxious  souls.  At  Kelso,  where  Mr  Horace  Bonar 
 laboured,  and  at  Jedburgh,  where  Mr  Purves  was  pastor,  a  more 
 silent  but  very  solid  work  of  conversion  was  advancing.  At 
 Ancrum  (once  the  scene  of  John  Livingston's  labours),  the  whole 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  I4l 
 
 parish,  but  especially  the  men  of  the  place,  were  awakened  to  the 
 most  solemn  concern.  On  Lochtayside,  where  Mr  Burns  was  for 
 a  season  labouring,  there  were  marks  of  the  Spirit  everywhere ; 
 and  the  people  crossing  the  lake  in  hundreds,  to  listen  to  the 
 words  of  hfe  on  the  hill-side,  called  to  mind  the  people  of  Galilee 
 in  the  days  when  the  gospel  began  to  be  preached.  At  Lawers, 
 Mr  Campbell,  their  pastor  (who  has  now  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus), 
 spoke  of  the  awakening  as  •'  like  a  resurrection,"  so  great  and 
 sudden  was  the  change  from  deadness  to  intense  concern.  On 
 several  occasions,  the  Spirit  seemed  to  sweep  over  the  congrega- 
 tions like  wind  over  the  fields,  which  bends  the  heavy  corn  to  the 
 earth.  It  was  evident  to  discerning  minds  that  the  Lord  was 
 preparing  Scotland  for  some  crisis  not  far  distant. 
 
 Several  districts  of  Strathbogie  had  shared  to  some  extent  in 
 a  similar  blessing.  Faithful  ministers  were  now  everywhere  on 
 the  watch  for  the  shower,  and  were  greatly  strengthened  to  go 
 forward  boldly  in  seeking  to  cleanse  the  sanctuary.  It  was  their 
 fond  hope  that  the  Established  Church  of  Scotland  would  soon 
 become  an  example  and  pattern  to  the  nations  of  a  pure  church 
 of  Christ,  acknowledged  and  upheld  by  the  State  wRhout  being 
 trammelled  in  any  degree,  far  less  controlled  by  civil  interference. 
 But  Satan  was  stirring  up  adversaries  on  every  side. 
 
 The  Court  of  Session  had  adopted  a  line  of  procedure  that  was 
 at  once  arbitrary  and  unconstitutional.  And  now  that  Court  in- 
 terdicted, under  the  penalty  of  fine  or  imprisonment,  all  the 
 ministers  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  from  administering  ordinances 
 or  preaching  the  word  in  any  of  the  seven  parishes  of  Strathbogie, 
 whose  former  incumbents  had  been  suspended  from  office  by  the 
 General  Assembly  for  ecclesiastical  offences.  The  church  saw  it 
 to  be  her  duty  to  refuse  obedience  to  an  interdict  which  hindered 
 the  preaching  of  Jesus,  and  attempted  to  crush  her  constitu- 
 tional liberties.  Accordingly,  ministers  were  sent  to  these  dis- 
 tricts, fearless  of  the  result ;  and  under  their  preaching  the 
 gross  darkness  of  the  region  began  to  give  way  to  the  light  of 
 truth. 
 
 In  the  month  of  August,  Mr  M'Cheyne  was  appointed,  along 
 with  Mr  Cumming  of  Dumbarney,  to  visit  Huntly,  and  dispense 
 the  Lord's  Supper  there.  As  he  set  out,  he  expressed  the  hope, 
 that  "  the  dews  of  the  Spirit  there  might  be  turned  into  the  pour- 
 ing rain."  His  own  visit  was  blessed  to  many.  Mr  Cumming 
 preached  the  action  sermon  in  the  open  air  at  the  Meadow  Well ; 
 but  the  tables  were  served  within  the  building  where  the  congre- 
 gation usually  met.     Mr  M'Cheyne  preached  in  the  evening  to  a 
 
142  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'OHETNE. 
 
 vast  multitude  at  the  well;  and  about  a  hundred  waited  after 
 sermon  for  prayer,  many  of  them  in  deep  anxiety. 
 
 He  came  to  Edinburgh  on  the  11th,  to  attend  the  meeting  of 
 ministers  and  elders  who  had  come  together  to  sign  the  Solemn 
 Engagement  in  defence  of  the  liberties  of  Christ's  church.  He 
 hesitated  not  to  put  his  hand  to  the  Engagement.  He  then  re- 
 turned to  Dundee;  and  scarcely  had  he  returned,  when  he  was 
 laid  aside  by  one  of  those  attacks  of  Illness  with  which  he  was  so 
 often  tried.  In  this  case,  however,  it  soon  passed  away.  "  My 
 health,"  he  remarked,  "  has  taken  a  gracious  turn,  which  should 
 make  me  look  up."  But  again,  on  September  6,  an  attack  of 
 fever  laid  him  down  for  six  days.  On  this  occasion,  just  before 
 the  sickness  came  on,  three  persons  had  visited  him,  to  tell  him 
 how  they  were  brought  to  Christ  under  his  ministry  some  years 
 before.  "Why,"  he  noted  in  his  journal,  "  Why  has  God  brought 
 these  cases  before  me  this  week  ?  Surely  He  is  preparing  me  for 
 some  trial  of  faith."  The  result  proved  that  his  conjecture  was 
 just.  And  while  his  Master  prepared  him  beforehand  for  these 
 trials,  He  had  ends  to  accomplish  in  his  servant  by  means  of  them. 
 There  were  other  trials,  also,  besides  these,  which  were  very  heavy 
 to  him  ;  but  in  all  we  could  discern  the  Husbandman  pruning  the 
 branch,  that  it  might  bear  more  fruit.  As  he  himself  said  one 
 day  in  the  church  of  Abernyte,  when  he  was  assisting  Mr  Manson, 
 "  If  we  only  saw  the  whole,  we  should  see  that  the  Father  is  doing 
 little  else  in  the  world  but  training  his  vines.^' 
 
 His  preaching  became  more  and  more  to  him  a  work  of  faith. 
 Often  I  find  him  writing  at  the  close  or  beginning  of  a  sermon : 
 "  Master,  help  !  "  "  Help,  Lord,  help  !"  "  Send  showers  ;"  "  Par- 
 don, give  the  Spirit,  and  take  the  glory;"  "May  the  opening  of 
 my  lips  be  right  things ! "  The  piercing  effects  of  the  word 
 preached  on  souls  at  this  season  may  be  judged  of  from  what  one 
 of  the  awakened,  with  whom  he  was  conversing,  said  to  him,  "  / 
 think  hell  would  be  some  relief  from  an  angry  God.''^ 
 
 His  dehght  in  preaching  was  very  great.  He  himself  used  to 
 say  that  he  could  scarcely  ever  resist  an  invitation  to  preach. 
 And  this  did  not  arise  from  the  natural  excitement  there  is  in 
 commanding  the  attention  of  thousands  ;  for  he  was  equally  ready 
 to  proclaim  Christ  to  small  country  flocks.  Nay,  he  was  ready 
 to  travel  far  to  visit  and  comfort  even  one  soul.  There  was  an 
 occasion  this  year  on  which  he  rode  far  to  give  a  cup  of  cold 
 water  to  a  disciple,  and  his  remark  was,  "I  observe  how  often 
 Jesus  went  a  long  way  for  one  soul,  as  for  example  the  maniac, 
 and  the  woman  of  Canaan." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  E.  M.  M'OHEYNE.  ]  43 
 
 In  February  1841,  he  visited  Kelso  and  Jedburgh  at  the  Com- 
 munion season ;  and  gladly  complied  with  an  invitation  to  Ancrura 
 also,  that  he  might  witness  the  hand  of  the  Lord.  "  Sweet  are 
 rhe  spots,"  he  wrote,  "  where  Immanuel  has  ever  shown  his 
 glorious  power  in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  sinners.  The 
 world  loves  to  muse  on  the  scenes  where  battles  were  fought  and 
 victories  won.  Should  not  we  love  the  spots  where  our  great 
 Captain  has  won  his  amazing  victories  ?  Is  not  the  conversion  of 
 a  soul  more  worthy  to  be  spoken  of  than  the  taking  of  Acre  ? " 
 At  Kelso,  some  will  long  remember  his  remarks  in  visiting  a  little 
 girl,  to  whom  he  said,  "Christ  gives  last  knocks.  When  your 
 heart  becomes  hard  and  careless,  then  fear  lest  Christ  may  have 
 given  a  last  knocks  At  Jedburgh,  the  impression  left  was  chiefly 
 that  there  had  been  among  them  a  man  of  pecuKar  holiness. 
 Some  felt,  not  so  much  his  words,  as  his  presence  and  holy 
 solemnity,  as  if  one  spoke  to  them  who  was  standing  in  the  pre- 
 sence of  Grod ;  and  to  others  his  prayers  appeared  like  the  breath- 
 ings of  one  already  within  the  veil. 
 
 I  find  him  proposing  to  a  minister  who  was  going  up  to  the 
 General  Assembly  that  year,  "  that  the  Assembly  should  draw  out 
 a  Confession  of  Sin  for  all  its  ministers."  The  state,  also,  of 
 parishes  under  the  direful  influence  of  Moderatism,  lay  much  upon 
 his  spirit.  In  his  diary  he  writes :  "  Have  been  laying  much  to 
 heart  the  absolute  necessity  laid  upon  the  church  of  sending  the 
 gospel  to  our  dead  parishes,  during  the  life  of  the  present  incum- 
 bents. It  is  confessed  that  many  of  our  ministers  do  not  preach 
 the  gospel — alas!  because  they  know  it  not.  Yet  they  have 
 complete  control  over  their  own  pulpits,  and  may  never  suffer  the 
 truth  to  be  heard  there  during  their  whole  incumbency.  And  yet 
 our  church  consigns  these  parishes  to  their  tender  mercies  for 
 perhaps  fifty  years,  without  a  sigh !  Should  not  certain  men  be 
 ordained  as  evangehsts,  with  full  power  to  preach  in  every  pulpit 
 of  their  district, — faithful,  judicious,  lively  preachers,  who  may  go 
 from  parish  to  parish,  and  thus  carry  life  into  many  a  dead 
 corner?"  This  was  a  subject  he  often  reverted  to;  and  he 
 eagerly  held  up  the  example  of  the  Presbytery  of  Aberdeen,  who 
 made  a  proposal  to  this  effect.  From  some  of  his  later  letters,  it 
 appears  that  he  had  sometimes  seriously  weighed  the  duty  of 
 giving  up  his  fixed  charge,  if  only  the  church  would  ordain  him 
 as  an  evangehst.  So  deep  were  his  feelings  on  this  matter, 
 that  a  friend  relates  of  him,  that  as  they  rode  together  through 
 a  parish  where  the  pastor  "  clothed  himself  with  the  wool,  but 
 fed  not  the  flock,"  he  knit  his  brow  and   raised  his  hand  with 
 
144  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 vehemence  as  he  spoke  of  the  people  left  to  perish  under  such  a 
 minister. 
 
 He  was  invited  to  visit  Ireland  again  this  year,  his  former  visit 
 having  been  much  valued  by  the  Presbyterian  brethren  there.  He 
 did  so  in  July.  Many  were  greatly  stirred  up  by  his  preaching, 
 and  by  his  details  of  God's  work  in  Scotland.  His  sermon  on 
 Song  viii.  5,  6,  is  still  spoken  of  by  many.  His  prayerfulness  and 
 consistent  holiness  left  enduring  impressions  on  not  a  few  ;  and  it 
 was  during  his  visit  that  a  memorial  was  presented  to  the  Irish 
 Assembly  in  behalf  of  a  Jewish  mission.  His  visit  was  in  a  great 
 measure  the  means  of  setting  that  mission  on  foot. 
 
 Cordially  entering  into  the  proposal  of  the  concert  for  prayer, 
 he  took  part,  in  September  of  this  year,  in  the  prehminary  meet- 
 ings in  which  Christians  of  all  denominations  joined.  "  How  sweet 
 are  the  smallest  approximations  to  unity!"  is  his  remark  m  his 
 diary.  Indeed,  he  so  much  longed  for  a  scriptural  unity,  that 
 some  time  after,  when  the  General  Assembly  had  repealed  the 
 statute  of  1799,  he  embraced  the  opportunity  of  showing  his  sin- 
 cere desire  for  unity,  by  inviting  two  dissenting  brethren  to  his 
 pulpit,  and  then  writing  in  defence  of  his  conduct  when  attacked. 
 In  reference  to  this  matter,  he  observed,  in  a  note  to  a  friend : 
 "I  have  been  much  dehghted  with  the  25th  and  26th  chapters  of 
 the  Confession  of  Faith.  Oh  for  the  grace  of  the  Westminster 
 divines  to  be  poured  out  upon  this  generation  of  lesser  men ! " 
 
 As  it  was  evident  that  his  Master  owned  his  labour  abundantly, 
 by  giving  him  seals  of  his  apostleship,  there  were  attempts  made 
 occasionally  by  zealous  friends  to  induce  him  to  remove  to  other 
 spheres.  In  all  these  cases,  he  looked  simply  at  the  apparent  indi- 
 cations of  the  Lord's  will.  Worldly  interest  seemed  scarcely  ever 
 to  cross  his  mind  in  regard  to  such  a  matter,  for  he  truly  Hved  a 
 disinterested  life.  His  views  may  be  judged  of  by  one  instance, — 
 a  letter  to  Mr  Heriot  of  Ramomie,  in  reference  to  a  charge  which 
 many  were  anxious  to  offer  him  : — 
 
 "Dundee,  i)gc.  24,  1841. 
 
 ''Dear  Sir, — I  have  received  a  letter  from  my  friend  Mr 
 M'Farlane  of  CoUessie,  asking  what  I  would  do  if  the  people  of 
 Kettle  were  to  write  desiring  me  to  be  their  minister.  He  also 
 desires  me  to  send  an  answer  to  you.  I  have  been  asked  to  leave 
 this  place  again  and  again,  but  have  never  seen  my  way  clear  to 
 do  so.  I  feel  quite  at  the  disposal  of  my  Divine  Master.  I  gave 
 myself  away  to  Him  when  I  began  ray  ministry,  and  He  has  guided 
 me  as  by  the  Pillar  Cloud  from  the  first  day  till  now.     I  think  I 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CIIEYNE.  145 
 
 would  leave  this  place  to-morrow  if  He  were  to  hid  me  ;  but  as  to 
 seeking  removal,  I  dare  not  and  could  not.  If  my  ministry  were 
 unsuccessful, — if  God  frowned  upon  the  place  and  made  my  mes- 
 sage void, — then  I  would  willingly  go,  for  I  would  rather  beg  my 
 bread  than  preach  without  success ;  but  I  have  never  w^anted 
 success.  I  do  not  think  I  can  speak  a  month  in  this  parish  without 
 winning  some  souls.  This  very  week,  I  think,  has  been  a  fruitful 
 one, — more  so  than  many  for  a  long  time,  which  perhaps  was 
 intended  graciously  to  free  me  from  all  hesitation  in  declining 
 your  kind  offer.  1  mention  these  things  not,  I  trust,  boastfully, 
 but  only  to  show  you  the  ground  upon  which  I  feel  it  to  be  my 
 duty  not  for  a  moment  to  entertain  the  proposal.  I  have  4000 
 souls  here  hanging  on  me.  I  have  as  much  of  this  world's  goods 
 as  I  care  for.  I  have  full  liberty  to  preach  the  gospel  night  and 
 day ;  and  the  Spirit  of  God  is  often  with  us.  What  can  I  desire 
 more?  '  I  dwell  among  mine  own  people.'  Hundreds  look  to  me 
 as  a  father ;  and  I  fear  I  would  be  but  a  false  shepherd  if  I  were 
 to  leave  them  when  the  clouds  of  adversity  are  beginning  to  lower. 
 I  know  the  need  of  Kettle,  and  its  importance  ;  and  also  the  dark 
 prospect  of  your  getting  a  godly  minister.  Still  that  is  a  future 
 event  in  the  hand  of  God.  My  duty  is  made  plain  and  simple 
 according  to  God's  word. 
 
 "  Praying  that  the  Lord  Jesus  may  send  you  a  star  from  his 
 own  right  hand,  beUeve  me  to  be,"  etc. 
 
 It  was  during  this  year  that  the  Sabbath  question  began  to 
 interest  him  so  much.  His  tract,  /  Love^  the  Lord's  Day,  was 
 published  December  18  ;  but  he  had  already  exerted  himself  much 
 in  this  cause,  as  convener  of  the  Committee  of  Presbytery  on  Sab- 
 bath Observance,  and  had  written  his  well-known  letter  to  one  of 
 the  chief  defenders  of  the  Sabbath  desecration.  He  continued 
 unceasingly  to  use  every  effort  in  this  holy  cause.  And  is  it  not 
 worth  the  prayers  and  self-denying  efforts  of  every  believing  man  ? 
 Is  not  that  day  set  apart  as  a  season  wherein  the  Lord  desires  the 
 refreshing  rest  of  his  own  love  to  be  offered  to  a  fallen  world  ?  Is 
 it  not  designed  to  be  a  day  on  which  every  other  voice  and  sound 
 is  to  be  hushed,  in  order  that  the  silver  trumpets  may  proclaim 
 atonement  for  sinners  ?  Nay,  it  is  understood  to  be  a  day  wherein 
 God  himself  stands  before  the  altar  and  pleads  with  sinners  to 
 accept  the  Lamb  slain,  from  morning  to  evening.  Who  is  there 
 that  does  not  see  the  deep  design  of  Satan  in  seeking  to  effect  an 
 i-nroad  on  this  most  merciful  appointment  of  God  our  Saviour? 
 
 Mr  M'Cheync's  own  conduct  was  in  full  accordance  with  his 
 
146  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE. 
 
 principles  in  regard  to  strict  yet  cheerful  Sabbath  observance. 
 Considering  it  the  summit  of  human  privilege  to  be  admitted  tc 
 fellowship  with  God,  his  principle  was,  that  the  Lord's  day  was  tc 
 be  spent  wholly  in  the  enjoyment  of  that  sweetest  privilege.  A 
 letter,  written  at  a  later  period,  but  bearing  on  this  subject,  will 
 show  how  he  felt  this  day  to  be  better  than  a  thousand.  An 
 individual,  near  Inverness,  had  consulted  him  on  a  point  of  sab- 
 batical casuistry :  the  question  was,  Whether  or  not  it  was  sinful 
 to  spend  time  in  registering  meteorological  observations  on  the 
 Sabbaths  ?  His  reply  was  the  following,  marked  by  a  holy 
 wisdom,  and  discovering  the  place  which  the  Lord  held  in  his 
 inmost  soul : — 
 
 "  Dec.  7,  1842. 
 
 "Dear  Friend, — You  ask  me  a  hard  question.  Had  you 
 asked  me  what  I  would  do  in  the  case,  I  could  easily  tell  you.  I 
 love  the  Lord's  day  too  well  to  be  marking  down  the  height  of  the 
 thermometer  and  barometer  every  hour.  I  have  other  work  to  do, 
 higher  and  better,  and  more  hke  that  of  angels  above.  The  more 
 entirely  I  can  give  my  Sabbaths  to  God,  and  half  forget  that  I 
 am  not  before  the  throne  of  the  Lamb,  with  my  harp  of  gold,  the 
 happier  am  I,  and  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  be  as  happy  as  I  can  be, 
 and  as  God  intended  me  to  be.  The  joy  of  the  Lord  is  my 
 strength.  But  whether  another  Christian  can  spend  the  Sabbath 
 is  his  service,  and  mark  down  degrees  of  heat  and  atmospherical 
 pressure,  without  letting  down  the  warmth  of  his  affections,  or 
 losing  the  atmosphere  of  heaven,  I  cannot  tell.  My  conscience  is 
 not  the  rule  of  another  man.  One  thing  we  may  learn  from  these 
 men  of  science,  namely,  to  be  as  careful  in  marking  the  changes 
 and  progress  of  our  own  spirit,  as  they  are  in  marking  the  changes 
 of  the  weather.  An  hour  should  never  pass  without  our  looking 
 up  to  God  for  forgiveness  and  peace.  This  is  the  noblest  science, 
 to  know  how  to  Kve  in  hourly  communion  with  God  in  Christ. 
 May  you  and  I  know  more  of  this,  and  thank  God  that  we  are  not 
 among  the  wise  and  prudent  from  whom  these  things  are  hid ! — 
 The  grace  of  the  Lord  of  the  Sabbath  be  with  you,"  etc. 
 
 Up  till  this  period,  the  Narrative  of  our  Mission  to  Israel  had  not 
 been  given  to  the  public.  Interruptions,  arising  from  multiphcity 
 of  labours  and  constant  calls  of  duty,  had  from  time  to  time  come 
 in  our  way.  Mr  M'Cheyne  found  it  exceedingly  difficult  to  spare  a 
 day  or  two  at  a  time  in  order  to  take  part.  "  I  find  it  hard  work 
 to  carry  on  the  work  of  a  diligent  pastor  and  that  of  an  author  at 
 
MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE.  147 
 
 the  same  time.  How  John  Calvin  would  have  smiled  at  my  diffi- 
 culties!" At  length,  however,  in  the  month  of  March  1842,  we 
 resolved  to  gain  time  by  exchanging  each  other's  pastoral  duties 
 for  a  month.  Accordingly,  during  four  or  five  weeks,  he  remained 
 in  Collace,  my  flock  enjoying  his  Sabbath-day  services  and  his 
 occasional  visits,  while  he  was  set  free  from  what  would  have  been 
 the  never-ceasing  interruptions  of  his  own  town. 
 
 Many  a  pleasant  remembrance  remains  of  these  days,  as  sheet 
 after  sheet  passed  under  the  eyes  of  our  mutual  criticism.  Though 
 intent  on  accomplishing  his  work,  he  kept  by  his  rule,  "  that  he 
 must  first  see  the  face  of  God  before  he  could  undertake  any 
 duty."  Often  would  he  wander  in  the  mornings  among  the 
 pleasant  woods  of  Dunsinnan,  till  he  had  drunk  in  refreshment  to 
 his  soul  by  meditation  on  the  word  of  God  ;  and  then  he  took  up 
 the  pen.  And  to  a  brother  in  the  ministry,  who  had  on«e  day 
 broken  in  upon  his  close  occupation,  he  afterwards  wrote :  ''  You 
 know  you  stole  away  my  day ;  yet  I  trust  all  was  not  lost.  I 
 think  I  have  had  more  grace  ever  since  that  prayer  among  the 
 fir-trees.  Oh  to  be  like  Jesus,  and  imtli  him  to  all  eternity  ! "  Occa- 
 sionally, during  the  same  period,  he  wrote  some  pieces  for  the 
 Christian's  Daily  Companion.  The  Narrative  was  finished  in  May, 
 and  the  Lord  has  made  it  acceptable  to  the  brethren. 
 
 When  this  work  was  finished,  the  Lord  had  other  employment 
 ready  for  him  in  his  own  parish.  His  diary  has  this  entry  :  "  May 
 22. — I  have  seen  some  very  evident  awakenings  of  late.  J.  G. 
 awakened  partly  through  the  word  preached,  and  partly  through 
 the  faithful  warnings  of  her  fellow-servant.  A.  R.,  who  has  been 
 for  about  a  year  in  the  deepest  distress,  seeking  rest,  but  finding 
 none.  B.  M.  converted  last  winter  at  the  Tuesday  meeting  in 
 Annfield.  She  was  brought  very  rapidly  to  peace  with  God,  and 
 to  a  calm,  sedate,  prayerful  state  of  mind.  I  was  surprised  at  the 
 quickness  of  the  work  in  this  case,  and  pleased  with  the  clear 
 tokens  of  grace ;  and  now  I  see  God's  gracious  end  in  it.  She 
 was  to  be  admitted  at  last  communion,  but  caught  fever  before 
 the  Sabbath.  On  Tuesday  last,  she  died  in  great  peace  and  joy. 
 When  she  felt  death  coming  on,  she  said.  Oh  death,  death,  come  ! 
 let  us  sing  !'  Many  that  knew  her  have  been  a  good  deal  moved 
 homeward  by  this  solemn  providence.  This  evening,  I  invited 
 those  to  come  who  are  leaving  the  parish  at  this  term.  About 
 twenty  came,  to  whom  I  gave  tracts  and  words  of  warning.  / 
 feel  persuaded  that  if  I  could  follow  the  Lord  more  fully  myself 
 my  ministry  luould  he  used  to  make  a  deeper  impression  than  it  has  yet 
 done.'' 
 
CHAPTER  YI. 
 
 THE  LATTER  DAYS  OF  HIS  MINISTKT. 
 
 ''■  My  meat  is  to  do  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me,  and  to  finish  his  work.  — 
 John  iv.  34. 
 
 During  the  summer  of  1842,  he  was  exposed  to  several  attacks  of 
 illness,  experienced  some  severe  personal  trials,  and  felt  the  assaults 
 of  sore  temptation.  His  own  words  will  best  express  his  state : 
 ^^  July  17. — I  am  myself  much  tempted,  and  have  no  hope,  but  as 
 a  worm  on  the  arm  of  Jesus."  "  Aug.  4. — Often,  often,  would  I  have 
 been  glad  to  depart,  and  be  with  Christ.  I  am  now  much  better 
 in  body  and  mind,  having  a  httle  of  the  presence  of  my  beloved, 
 wdiose  absence  is  death  to  me."  The  same  month  :  "  I  have  been 
 carried  through  deep  w^aters,  bodily  and  spiritual,  since  last  we 
 met."  It  was  his  own  persuasion  that  few  had  more  to  struggle 
 with  in  the  inner  man.     Who  can  tell  what  wars  go  on  within  ? 
 
 During  this  season  of  trial,  he  was  invited  to  form  one  of  a 
 lumber  of  ministers  from  Scotland,  who  were  to  visit  the  north  of 
 England,  with  no  other  purpose  than  to  preach  the  glad  tidings. 
 The  scheme  was  planned  by  a  Christian  gentleman,  wdio  has  done 
 much  for  Christ  in  his  generation.  When  the  invitation  reached 
 him,  he  was  in  the  heat  of  his  furnace.  He  mentioned  this  to  the 
 brother  w^ho  corresponded  with  him  on  the  sabject,  Mr  Purves  of 
 Jedburgh,  whose  reply  was  balm  to  his  spirit.  ...  "I  have 
 a  fellow-feeling  with  you  in  your  present  infirmity,  and  you  know 
 for  your  consolation  that  another  has,  who  is  a  brother  indeed. 
 In  all  our  afflictions.  He  is  afflicted.  He  is,  we  may  say,  the  com- 
 mon heart  of  his  people,  for  they  are  one  body  ;  and  an  infirmity 
 in  the  very  remotest  and  meanest  member  is  felt  there  and  borne 
 there.  Let  us  console,  solace,  yea,  satiate  ourselves  in  Him,  as, 
 amid  afflictions  especially,  brother  does  in  brother.  It  is  blessed 
 to  be  like  Him  in  everything,  even  in  suffering.  There  is  a  great 
 want  about  all  Christians  who  have  not  suffered.  Some  flowers 
 must  be  broken  or  bruised  before  they  emit  any  fragrance.  All 
 the  wounds  of  Christ  send  out  sweetness  ;  all  the  sorrows  of  Chris- 
 tians do  the  same.  Commend  me  to  a  bruised  brother, — a  broken 
 reed, — one  like  the  Son  of  man.     The  Man  of  Sorrows  is  never  far 
 
 14S 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M,  m'CHEYNE.  149 
 
 from  him.  To  me  there  is  soraethlng  sacred  and  sweet  in  all 
 sufiering ;  it  is  so  much  akin  to  the  Man  of  Sorrows."  It  was 
 thus  he  suffered,  and  thus  that  he  was  comforted.  He  wrote  back, 
 agreeing  to  go,  and  added,  "  Remember  me  especially,  who  am 
 heavy  laden  oftentimes.     My  heart  is  all  of  sin ;  but  Jesus  hves." 
 
 They  set  out  for  England.  Mr  Purves,  Mr  Somerville  of 
 Anderston,  Mr  Gumming  of  Dumbarney,  and  Mr  Bonar  of  Kelso, 
 formed  the  company.  Their  chief  station  was  Newcastle,  where 
 Mr  Burns  had  been  recently  labouring  with  some  success,  and 
 where  he  had  seen  "  a  town  giving  itself  up  to  utter  ungodliness — 
 a  town  where  Satan's  trenches  were  deep  and  wide,  his  wall  strong 
 and  high,  his  garrison  great  and  fearless,  and  where  all  that  man 
 could  do  seemed  but  as  arrows  shot  against  a  tower  of  brass." 
 But  those  who  went  knew  that  the  Spirit  of  God  was  omnipotent, 
 and  that  He  could  take  the  prey  from  the  mighty. 
 
 They  preached  both  in  the  open  air,  and  in  the  places  of  worship 
 belonging  to  the  Presbyterians  and  to  the  Wesleyan  Methodists. 
 The  defenders  of  the  Sabbath  cause  were  specially  prepared  to 
 welcome  Mr  M'Cheyne,  whose  tract  on  the  Lord's  Day  had  been 
 widely  circulated  and  blessed.  Many  were  attracted  to  hear ; 
 interesting  congregations  assembled  in  the  market-place,  and  there 
 is  reason  to  beheve  many  were  impressed.  A  person  in  the  town 
 describes  Mr  M'Cheyne's  last  address  as  being  peculiarly  awaken- 
 ing. He  preached  in  the  open  air,  in  a  space  of  ground  between 
 the  Cloth  Market  and  St  Nicholas'  Church.  Above  a  thousand 
 souls  were  present,  and  the  service  continued  till  ten,  without  one 
 person  moving  from  the  ground.  The  moon  shone  brightly,  and 
 the  sky  was  spangled  with  stars.  His  subject  was,  "  The  Great 
 White  Throne"  (Rev.  xx.  11).  In  concluding  his  address,  he  told 
 them  "  that  they  would  never  meet  again  till  they  all  met  at  the 
 judgment-seat  of  Christ ;  but  the  glorious  heavens  over  their 
 heads,  and  the  bright  moon  that  shone  upon  them,  and  the  old 
 Tenerable  church  behind  them,  were  his  witnesses  that  he  had  set 
 before  them  life  and  death."  Some  will  have  cause  to  remember 
 that  night  through  eternity.^ 
 
 His  preaching  at  Gilsland  also  was  not  without  effect ;  and  he 
 had  good  cause  to  bless  the  Lord  for  bringing  him  through  Dum- 
 friesshire in  his  way  homeward.  He  returned  to  his  people  in  the 
 beginning  of  September,  full  of  peace  and  joy.  "  I  have  returned 
 much  stronger,  indeed  quite  well.    I  think  I  have  got  some  precious 
 
 '  He  afterwards  preached  the  same  subject  with  equal  impressiveuess  in  the 
 Meadows  at  Duudoe.  It  was  in  the  open  air,  and  the  rain  fell  heavy,  yet  thc« 
 tliinse  crowd  stood  still  to  the  last. 
 
150  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 souls  for  my  hire  on  my  way  home.     I  earnestly  long  for  more 
 grace  and  personal  hohness,  and  more  usefulness." 
 
 The  sunsets  during  that  autumn  were  peculiarly  beautiful. 
 Scarcely  a  day  passed  but  he  gazed  upon  the  glowing  west  after 
 dinner;  and  as  he  gazed  he  would  speak  of  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
 ness, or  the  joy  of  angels  in  his  presence,  or  the  blessedness  of 
 those  whose  sun  can  go  no  more  down,  till  his  face  shone  with 
 gladness  as  he  spoke.  And  during  the  winter  he  was  observed  to 
 be  peculiarly  joyful,  being  strong  in  body,  and  feeling  the  near 
 presence  of  Jesus  in  his  soul.  He  lived  in  the  blessed  conscious- 
 ness that  he  was  a  child  of  God,  humble  and  meek,  just  because 
 he  was  fully  assured  that  Jehovah  was  his  God  and  Father.  Many 
 often  felt  that  in  prayer  the  name  "  Holy  Father"  was  breathed 
 with  peculiar  tenderness  and  solemnity  from  his  lips. 
 
 His  flock  in  St  Peter's  began  to  murmur  at  his  absence,  when 
 again  he  left  them  for  ten  days  in  November,  to  assist  Mr  Hamilton 
 of  Regent  Square,  London,  at  his  communion.  But  it  was  his 
 desire  for  souls  that  thus  led  him  from  place  to  place,  combined 
 with  a  growing  feehng  that  the  Lord  was  calling  him  to  evan- 
 gelistic more  than  to  pastoral  labours.  This  visit  was  a  blessed 
 one ;  and  the  growth  of  his  soul  in  holiness  was  visible  to  many. 
 During  the  days  of  his  visit  to  Mr  Hamilton,  he  read  through  the 
 Song  of  Solomon  at  the  time  of  family  worship,  commenting  briefly 
 on  it  with  rare  gracefulness  and  poetic  taste,  and  yet  rarer  mani- 
 festation of  soul-filling  love  to  the  Saviour's  person.  The  sanctified 
 aflfections  of  his  soul,  and  his  insight  into  the  mind  of  Jesus,  seemed 
 to  have  much  afi'ected  his  friends  on  these  occasions. 
 
 Receiving,  while  here,  an  invitation  to  return  by  the  way  of 
 Kelso,  he  replied : — 
 
 "  London,  Nov.  5,  1842. 
 
 "  Mt  dear  Horatius, — Our  friends  here  will  not  let  me  away 
 till  the  Friday  morning,  so  that  it  will  require  all  my  diligence  to 
 reach  Dundee  before  the  Sabbath.  I  will  thus  be  disappointed  of 
 the  joy  of  seeing  you,  and  ministering  a  word  to  your  dear  flock. 
 Oh  that  my  soul  were  new  moulded,  and  I  were  efi'ectually  called 
 a  second  time,  and  made  a  vessel  full  of  the  Spirit,  to  tell  only  of 
 Jesus  and  his  love  !  I  fear  I  shall  never  be  in  this  world  what  I 
 desire.  I  have  preached  three  times  here ;  a  few  tears  also  have 
 been  shed.  Oh  for  Whitfield's  week  in  London,  when  a  thousand 
 letters  came !  The  same  Jesus  reigns ;  the  same  Spirit  is  able. 
 Why  is  He  restrained?  Is  the  sin  ours?  Are  we  the  bottle* 
 stoppers  of  these  heavenly  dews  ?     Ever  yours  till  glory. 
 
 "  P.S. — We  shall  meet,  God  willing,  at  the  Convocation." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  151 
 
 The  memorable  Convocation  met  at  Edinburgh  on  November 
 17th.  There  were  five  hundred  ministers  present  from  all  parts'  of 
 Scotland.  The  encroachment  of  the  civil  courts  upon  the  prero- 
 gatives of  Christ,  the  only  Head  acknowledged  by  our  church, 
 and  the  neghgent  treatment  hitherto  given  by  the  legislature  of  the 
 country  to  every  remonstrance  on  the  part  of  the  church,  had 
 brought  on  a  crisis.  The  Church  of  Scotland  had  maintained, 
 from  the  days  of  the  Reformation,  that  her  connection  with  the 
 State  was  understood  to  imply  no  surrender  whatsoever  of  com- 
 plete independence  in  regulating  all  spiritual  matters  ;  and  to  have 
 allowed  any  civil  authority  to  control  her  in  doctrine,  discipline,  or 
 any  spiritual  act,  would  have  been  a  daring  and  flagrant  act  of 
 treachery  to  her  Lord  and  Kiog.  The  deUberations  of  the  Convo- 
 cation continued  during  eight  days,  and  the  momentous  results  are 
 well  known  in  this  land. 
 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  was  never  absent  from  any  of  the  diets  of  this 
 solemn  assembly.  He  felt  the  deepest  interest  in  every  matter  that 
 came  before  them,  got  great  light  as  to  the  path  of  duty  in  the 
 course  of  the  consultations,  and  put  his  name  to  all  the  resolutions, 
 heartily  sympathizing  in  the  decided  determination  that,  as  a 
 church  of  Christ,  we  must  abandon  our  connection  with  the  State, 
 if  our  "Claim  of  Rights"  were  rejected.  These  eight  days  were 
 times  of  remarkable  union  and  prayerfuhiess.  The  proceedings, 
 from  time  to  time,  were  suspended  till  the  brethren  had  again 
 asked  counsel  of  the  Lord  by  prayer ;  and  none  present  will  forget 
 the  affecting  solemnity  with  which,  on  one  occasion,  Mr  M'Cheyne 
 poured  out  our  wants  before  the  Lord. 
 
 He  had  a  decided  abhorrence  of  Erastianism.  When  the  ques- 
 tion was  put  to  him,  "Is  it  our  duty  to  refuse  ordination  to  any 
 one  who  holds  the  views  of  Erastianism  ?"  he  replied, — "  Certainly, 
 whatever  be  his  other  qualifications."  He  was  ever  a  thorough 
 Presbyterian,  and  used  to  maintain  the  necessity  of  abohshing  lay 
 patronage,  because, — 1st,  It  was  not  to  be  found  in  the  word  of 
 God;  2d,  It  destroyed  the  duty  of  "trying  the  spirits;"  3d,  It 
 meddled  with  the  headship  of  Christ,  coming  in  between  Him  and 
 his  people,  saying,  "  I  will  place  the  stars."  But  still  more  decided 
 was  he  in  regard  to  the  spiritual  independence  of  the  church.  This 
 he  reckoned  a  vital  question ;  and  in  prospect  of  the  disruption  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  if  it  were  denied,  he  stated  at  a  public 
 meeting, — 1st,  That  it  was  to  be  deplored  in  some  respects,  viz., 
 because  of  the  sufferings  of  God's  faithful  servants,  the  degradation 
 of  those  who  remained  behind,  the  alienation  of  the  aristocracy, 
 the  perdition  of  the  ungodly,  and  the  sin  of  the  nation.     But,  2d, 
 
152  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 It  was  to  be  hailed  for  other  reasons,  viz.,  Christ's  kingly  office 
 would  be  better  known,  the  truth  would  be  spread  into  desolate 
 parishes,  and  faithful  ministers  would  be  refined.  And  when,  ou 
 March  7th  of  the  following  year,  the  cause  of  the  church  was 
 finally  to  be  pleaded  at  the  bar  of  the  House  of  Commons,  I  find 
 him  writing :  ''  Eventful  night  this  in  the  British  Parliament ! 
 Once  more  King  Jesus  stands  at  an  earthly  tribunal,  and  they 
 know  Him  not ! " 
 
 An  interesting  anecdote  is  related  of  him  by  a  co-presbyter,  who 
 returned  with  him  to  Dundee  after  the  Convocation.  This  co-pres- 
 byter, Mr  Stewart,  was  conversing  with  him  as  to  what  it  might 
 be  their  duty  to  do  in  the  event  of  the  disruption,  and  where  they 
 might  be  scattered.  Mr  Stewart  said  he  could  preach  Gaelic,  and 
 might  go  to  the  Highlanders  in  Canada,  if  it  were  needful.  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  said,  "  I  think  of  going  to  the  many  thousand  convicts 
 that  are  transported  beyond  seas,  for  no  man  careth  for  their 
 souls." 
 
 We  have  not  many  records  of  his  public  work  after  this  date. 
 Almost  the  last  note  in  his  diary  is  dated  December  25 :  "  This 
 day  ordained  four  elders,  and  admitted  a  fifth,  who  will  all,  I  trust, 
 be  a  blessing  in  this  place  when  I  am  gone.  Was  graciously 
 awakened  a  great  while  before  day,  and  had  two  hours  alone  with 
 God.  Preached  with  much  comfort  on  1  Tim.  v.  17,  'Let  the 
 elders  that  rule  well,'  etc.  At  the  end  of  the  sermon  and  prayer, 
 proposed  the  regular  questions ;  then  made  the  congregation  sing 
 standing ;  during  which  time  I  came  down  from  the  pulpit  and 
 stood  over  the  four  men,  then  prayed,  and  all  the  elders  gave  the 
 right  hand  of  fellowship,  during  which  I  returned  to  the  pulpit, 
 and  addressed  them  and  the  congregation  on  their  relative  duties. 
 Altogether  a  solemn  scene." 
 
 The  last  recorded  cases  of  awakening,  and  the  last  entry  in  his 
 diary,  is  dated  January  6,  1843:  "Heard  of  an  awakened  soul 
 finding  rest — true  rest,  I  trust.  Two  new  cases  of  awakening ; 
 both  very  deep  and  touching.  At  the  very  time  when  I  was  begin- 
 ning to  give  up  in  despair,  God  gives  me  tokens  of  his  presence 
 returning." 
 
 He  here  speaks  of  discouragement,  when  God  for  a  few  months 
 or  weeks  seemed  to  be  withholding  his  hand  from  saving  souls. 
 If  he  was  not  right  in  thus  hastily  forgetting  the  past  for  a  little, 
 Btill  this  feature  of  his  ministry  is  to  be  well  considered.  He  enter- 
 tained so  full  a  persuasion  that  a  faithful  minister  has  every  reason 
 to  expect  to  see  souls  converted  under  him,  that  when  this  was 
 withheld,  he  b^gan  to  fear  that  some  hidden  evil  was  provoking 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'OIIEYNE.  153 
 
 \ 
 
 the  Lord  and  grieving  the  Spirit.  And  ought  it  not  to  be  so  with 
 all  of  us  ?  Ought  we  not  to  suspect,  either  that  we  are  not  living 
 near  to  God,  or  that  our  message  is  not  a  true  transcript  of  the 
 glad  tidings,  in  both  matter  and  manner,  when  we  see  no  souls 
 brought  to  Jesus?  God  may  certainly  hide  from  our  knowledge 
 much  of  what  He  accomphshes  by  our  means,  but  as  certainly  will 
 He  bring  to  our  view  some  seals  of  our  ministry,  in  order  that  our 
 persuasion  of  being  thus  sent  by  Him  may  solemnize  and  overawe 
 us,  as  well  as  lead  us  on  to  unwearied  labour.  Ought  it  not  to  be 
 the  inscription  over  the  doors  of  our  Assembly  and  College  halls: 
 "  Thanks  be  unto  God,  ivhich  always  causeth  us  to  triumiilL  in  Christy 
 atul  maheih  manifest  the  savour  of  his  hioioledge  hy  us  in  every  place  ?" 
 2  Cor.  ii.  14. 
 
 About  this  time,  in  one  of  his  mss.,  there  occurs  this  sentence  : 
 *'  As  I  was  walking  in  the  fields,  the  thought  came  over  me  with 
 almost  overwhelming  power,  that  every  one  of  my  flock  must  soon 
 be  in  heaven  or  hell.  Oh,  how  I  wished  that  I  had  a  tongue  like 
 thunder,  that  I  might  make  all  hear ;  or  that  I  had  a  frame  liko 
 iron,  that  I  might  visit  every  one,  and  say,  'Escape  for  thy  life!' 
 Ah,  sinners !  you  little  know  how  I  fear  that  you  will  lay  the  blame 
 of  your  damnation  at  my  door." 
 
 He  was  never  satisfied  with  his  own  attainments  in  holiness ;  he 
 was  ever  ready  to  learn,  and  quick  to  apply,  any  suggestion  that 
 might  tend  to  his  greater  usefulness.  About  this  period  he  used 
 to  sing  a  psalm  or  hymn  every  day  after  dinner.  It  was  often, 
 "  The  Lord's  my  shepherd,"  etc. ;  or,  "  Oh  may  we  stand  before 
 the  Lamb  !"  etc.  Sometimes  it  was  that  hymn.  Oh  for  a  closer  icalk 
 ivitJi  God!  and  sometimes  the  psalm,  "  Oh  that  I  like  a  dove  had 
 wings  !"  etc.  A  friend  said  of  him,  "  I  have  sometimes  compared 
 him  to  the  silver  and  graceful  ash,  with  its  pensile  branches,  and 
 leaves  of  gentle  green,  reflecting  gleams  of  happy  sunshine.  The 
 fall  of  its  leaf,  too,  is  like  the  fall  of  his, — it  is  green  to-night  and 
 gone  to-morrow,  it  does  not  sere  nor  wither." 
 
 An  experienced  servant  of  God  has  said,  that,  while  popularity 
 is  a  snare  that  few  are  not  caught  by,  a  more  subtle  and  dangerous 
 snare  is  to  be  famed  for  holiness.  The  fame  of  being  a  godly  man 
 is  as  great  a  snare  as  the  fame  of  being  learned  or  eloquent.  It  is 
 possible  to  attend  with  scrupulous  anxiety  even  to  secret  habits  of 
 devotion,  in  order  to  get  a  name  for  holiness.^  If  any  were  ex- 
 posed to  this  snare  in  his  day,  Mr  M'Cheyne  was  the  person.    Yet 
 
 '  How  true,  yet  awful,  is  the  language  of  Dr  Owen  (quoted  in  Bridges'  Christian 
 Ministry,  p.  16'«),  "  He  that  would  go  down  to  the  pit  in  peace,  let  hina  obtain  a 
 great  repute  for  religion ;  let  him  preach  and  labour  to  make  others  better  than 
 
154  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 nothing  is  more  certain  than  that,  to  the  very  last,  he  was  ever 
 discovering,  and  successfully  resisting,  the  deceitful  tendencies  of 
 his  own  heart  and  a  tempting  devil.  Two  things  he  seems  never 
 to  have  ceased  from, — the  cultivation  of  personal  hohness,  and  the 
 most  anxious  efforts  to  save  souls. 
 
 About  this  time  he  wrote  down,  for  his  own  use,  an  examination 
 into  things  that  ought  to  be  amended  and  changed.  I  subjoin  it 
 entire.  How  singularly  close  and  impartial  are  these  researches 
 into  his  soul !  How  acute  is  he  in  discovering  his  variations  from 
 the  holy  law  of  God !  Oh  that  we  all  were  taught  by  the  same 
 spirit  thus  to  try  our  reins !  It  is  only  when  we  are  thus  thoroughly 
 experiencing  our  helplessness,  and  discovering  the  thousand  forms 
 of  indwelling  sin,  that  we  really  sit  as  disciples  at  Christ's  feet,  and 
 gladly  receive  Him  as  all  in  all !    And  at  each  such  moment  we  feel 
 
 iu  the  spirit  of  Ignatius,  "NCiv  yap  apx>]V  exco  tov  iiadrjTeveo-OaL^' — '"It 
 
 is  only  now  that  I  begin  to  be  a  disciple." 
 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  entitles  the  examination  of  his  heart  and  life  "  lie- 
 formation,"  and  it  commences  thusr^— 
 
 "  It  is  the  duty  of  ministers  in  this  day  to  begin  the  reformation 
 of  religion  and  manners  with  themselves,  families,  etc.,  with  confes- 
 sion of  past  sin,  earnest  prayer  for  direction,  grace,  and  full  purpose 
 of  heart.  Mai.  iii.  3 — '  He  shall  purify  the  sons  of  Levi.'  Mini- 
 sters are  probably  laid  aside  for  a  time  for  this  very  purpose. 
 
 "1.  Personal  Refoi^mation. 
 
 "  I  am  persuaded  that  I  shall  obtain  the  highest  amount  of 
 present  happiness,  I  shall  do  most  for  God's  glory  and  the  good 
 of  man,  and  I  shall  have  the  fullest  reward  in  eternity,  by  main- 
 taining a  conscience  always  washed  in  Christ's  blood,  by  being 
 filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit  at  all  times,  and  by  attaining  the  most 
 entire  likeness  to  Christ  in  mind,  will,  and  heart,  that  is  possible 
 for  a  redeemed  sinner  to  attain  to  in  this  world. 
 
 "  I  am  persuaded  that  whenever  any  one  from  without,  or  my 
 own  heart  from  within,  at  any  moment,  or  in  any  circumstances, 
 contradicts  this, — if  any  one  shall  insinuate  that  it  is  not  for  my 
 present  and  eternal  happiness,  and  for  God's  glory  and  my  useful- 
 ness, to  maintain  a  blood-washed  conscience,  to  be  entirely  filled 
 with  the  Spirit,  and  to  be  fully  conformed  to  the  image  of  Christ 
 in  all  things, — that  is  the  voice  of  the  devil,  God's  enemy,  the 
 
 he  is  himself,  and  in  the  meantime  neglect  to  humble  his  heart,  to  walk  with 
 God  iu  manifest  holiness  and  us^ulness,  and  he  will  not  fail  of  his  end." 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'OHEYNE.  155 
 
 enemy  of  my  soul  and  of  all  good — the  most  foolish,  wicked,  and 
 miserable  of  all  the  creatures.  See  Prov.  ix.  17 — '  Stolen  waters 
 are  sweet.' 
 
 "  1.  To  maintain  a  conscience  void  of  offence^  I  am  persuaded  that 
 I  ought  to  confess  my  sins  more.  I  think  I  ought  to  confess  sin 
 the  moment  I  see  it  to  be  sin  ;  whether  I  am  in  company,  or  in 
 study,  or  even  preaching,  the  soul  ought  to  cast  a  glance  of  abhor- 
 rence at  the  sin.  If  I  go  on  with  the  duty,  leaving  the  sin  uncon- 
 fessed,  I  go  on  with  a  burdened  conscience,  and  add  sin  to  sin.  I 
 think  I  ought  at  certain  times  of  the  day — my  best  times, — say, 
 after  breakfast  and  after  tea,— to  confess  solemnly  the  sins  of  the 
 previous  hours,  and  to  seek  their  complete  remission. 
 
 "  I  find  that  the  devil  often  makes  use  of  the  confession  of 
 sin  to  stir  up  again  the  very  sin  confessed  into  new  exercise,  so 
 that  I  am  afraid  to  dwell  upon  the  confession.  I  must  ask  expe- 
 rienced Christians  about  this.  For  the  present,  I  think  I  should 
 strive  against  this  awful  abuse  of  confession,  whereby  the  devil 
 seeks  to  frighten  me  away  from  confessing.  I  ought  to  take  all 
 methods  for  seeing  the  vileness  of  my  sins.  I  ought  to  regard 
 myself  as  a  condemned  branch  of  Adam, — as  partaker  of  a  nature 
 opposite  to  God  from  the  womb  (Ps.  li.), — as  having  a  heart  full 
 of  all  wickedness,  which  pollutes  every  thought,  word,  and  action, 
 during  my  whole  hfe,  from  birth  to  death.  I  ought  to  confess 
 often  the  sins  of  my  youth,  hke  David  and  Paul, — my  sins  before 
 conversion,  my  sins  since  conversion, — sins  against  light  and 
 knowledge,  against  love  and  grace,  against  each  person  of  the 
 Godhead.  I  ought  to  look  at  my  sins  in  the  light  of  the  holy 
 law,  in  the  hght  of  God's  countenance,  in  the  hght  of  the  cross, 
 in  the  light  of  the  judgment-seat,  in  the  light  of  hell,  in  the 
 light  of  eternity.  I  ought  to  examine  my  dreams — my  floating 
 thoughts — my  predilections  —  my  often  recurring  actions — my 
 habits  of  thought,  feehng,  speech,  and  action — the  slanders  of  my 
 enemies,  and  the  reproofs,  and  even  banterings,  of  my  friends — to 
 find  out  traces  of  my  prevaihng  sin,  matter  for  confession.  I 
 ought  to  have  a  stated  day  of  confession,  with  fasting — say,  once 
 a  month.  I  ought  to  have  a  number  of  scriptures  marked,  to 
 bring  sin  to  remembrance.  I  ought  to  make  use  of  all  bodily 
 affliction,  domestic  trial,  frowns  of  providence  on  myself,  house, 
 parish,  church,  or  country,  as  calls  from  God  to  confess  sin.  The 
 sins  and  ajfiictions  of  other  men  should  call  me  to  the  same.  I 
 ought,  on  Sabbath  evenings,  and  on  Communion  Sabbath  evenings, 
 to  be  especially  careful  to  confess  the  sins  of  holy  things.  I  ought 
 to  confess  the  sins  of  my  confessions, — their  imperfections,  sinful 
 
156  MEMOIR  OF  THE  IlEV.  R.  M.  M'CIIEYNE. 
 
 aims,  self-righteous  tendency,  etc., — and  to  look  to  Christ  as  having 
 confessed  my  sins  perfectly  over  his  own  sacrifice. 
 
 "  I  ought  to  go  to  Christ  for  the  forgiveness  of  each  sin.  In 
 washing  my  body,  I  go  over  every  spot,  and  wash  it  out.  Should 
 I  be  less  careful  in  washing  my  soul  ?  I  ought  to  see  the  stripe 
 that  was  made  on  the  back  of  Jesus  by  each  of  my  sins.  I  ought 
 to  see  the  infinite  pang  thrill  through  the  soul  of  Jesus  equal  to 
 an  eternity  of  my  hell  for  my  sins,  and  for  all  of  them.  I  ought  to 
 see  that  in  Christ's  bloodshedding  there  is  an  infinite  over-payment 
 for  all  my  sins.  Although  Christ  did  not  suffer  more  than  infinite 
 justice  demanded,  yet  He  could  not  suffer  at  all  without  laying 
 down  an  infinite  ransom. 
 
 "  I  feel,  when  I  have  sinned,  an  immediate  reluctance  to  go  to 
 Christ.  I  am  ashamed  to  go.  I  feel  as  if  it  would  do  no  good  to 
 go, — as  if  it  were  making  Christ  a  minister  of  sin,  to  go  straight 
 from  the  swine-trough  to  the  best  robe, — and  a  thousand  other 
 excuses ;  but  I  am  persuaded  they  are  all  Hes,  direct  from  hell. 
 John  argues  the  opposite  way:  '  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate 
 with  the  Father;'  Jer.  iii.  1  and  a  thousand  other  scriptures  are 
 against  it.  I  am  sure  there  is  neither  peace  nor  safety  from  deeper 
 sin,  but  in  going  directly  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  is  God's 
 way  of  peace  and  holiness.  It  is  folly  to  the  world  and  the  be- 
 clouded heart,  but  it  is  the  way. 
 
 "I  must  never  think  a  sin  too  small  to  need  immediate  applica- 
 tion to  the  blood  of  Christ.  If  I  put  away  a  good  conscience, 
 concerning  faith  I  make  shipwreck.  I  must  never  think  my  sins 
 too  great,  too  aggravated,  too  presumptuous, — as  when  done  on 
 my  knees,  or  in  preaching,  or  by  a  dying  bed,  or  during  dangerous 
 illness, — to  hinder  me  from  fleeing  to  Christ.  The  weight  of  my 
 sins  should  act  like  the  weight  of  a  clock  :  the  heavier  it  is,  it  makes 
 it  go  the  faster. 
 
 "  I  must  not  only  wash  in  Christ's  blood,  but  clothe  me  in  Christ's 
 obedience.  For  every  sin  of  omission  in  self,  I  may  find  a  divinely 
 perfect  obedience  ready  for  me  in  Christ.  For  every  sin  of  com- 
 mission in  self,  I  may  find  not  only  a  stripe  or  a  wound  in  Christ, 
 but  also  a  perfect  rendering  of  the  opposite  obedience  in  my  place, 
 so  that  the  law  is  magnified,  its  curse  more  than  carried,  its  de- 
 mand more  than  answered. 
 
 "  Often  the  doctrine  of  Christ  for  me  appears  common,  well 
 known,  having  nothing  new  in  it ;  and  I  am  tempted  to  pass  it  by 
 and  go  to  some  scripture  more  taking.  This  is  the  devil  again, — a 
 red-hot  lie.  Christ  for  us  is  ever  new,  ever  glorious.  '  Unsearch- 
 able riches  of  Christ,' — an  infinite  object,  and  the  only  one  for  a 
 
.^lEjrOIR  OF  THE  KEY".  K.  M.  M'CHErNE.  157 
 
 guilty  soul.     I  ought  to  have  a  number  of  scriptures  ready,  which 
 lead  ray  blind  soul  directly  to  Christ,  such  as  Isaiah  xlv.,  Rom.  iii. 
 
 "  2.  To  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  am  persuaded  that  I  ought 
 to  study  more  my  own  weakness.  I  ought  to  have  a  number  of 
 scriptures  ready  to  be  meditated  on,  such  as  Rom.  vii.,  John  xv., 
 to  convince  me  that  I  am  a  helpless  worm. 
 
 "  I  am  tempted  to  thiuk  that  I  am  now  an  established  Christian, 
 — that  I  have  overcome  this  or  that  lust  so  long, — that  I  have  got 
 into  the  habit  of  the  opposite  grace, — so  that  there  is  no  fear ;  I 
 may  venture  very  near  the  temptation — nearer  than  other  men. 
 This  is  a  lie  of  Satan.  I  might  as  well  speak  of  gunpowder  getting 
 by  habit  a  power  of  resisting  fire,  so  as  not  to  catch  the  spark.  As 
 long  as  powder  is  wet,  it  resists  the  spark  ;  but  when  it  becomes 
 dry,  it  is  ready  to  explode  at  the  first  touch.  As  long  as  the 
 Spirit  dwells  in  my  heart  He  deadens  me  to  sin,  so  that,  if  lawfully 
 called  through  temptation,  I  may  reckon  upon  God  carrying  me 
 through.  But  when  the  Spirit  leaves  me,  1  am  like  dry  gunpowder. 
 Oh  for  a  sense  of  this  ! 
 
 "I  am  tempted  to  think  that  there  are  some  sins  for  which  I 
 have  no  natural  taste,  such  as  strong  drink,  profane  language,  etc., 
 so  that  I  need  not  fear  temptation  to  such  sins.  This  is  a  lie, — a 
 proud,  presumptuous  lie.  The  seeds  of  all  sins  are  in  my  heart, 
 and  perhaps  all  the  more  dangerously  that  I  do  not  see  them. 
 
 "  I  ought  to  pray  and  labour  for  the  deepest  sense  of  my  utter 
 weakness  and  helplessness  that  ever  a  sinner  was  brought  to  feel. 
 I  am  helpless  in  respect  of  every  lust  that  ever  was,  or  ever  will 
 be,  in  the  human  heart.  I  am  a  worm — a  beast — before  God.  I 
 often  tremble  to  think  that  this  is  true.  I  feel  as  if  it  would  not  be 
 safe  for  me  to  renounce  all  indweUing  strength,  as  if  it  would  be 
 dangerous  for  me  to  feel  (what  is  the  truth)  that  there  is  nothing  in 
 me  keeping  me  back  from  the  grossest  and  vilest  sin.  This  is  a 
 delusion  of  the  devil.  My  only  safety  is  to  know,  feel,  and  confess 
 my  helplessness,  that  I  may  hang  upon  the  arm  of  Omnipotence. 
 .  .  .  .  I  daily  wish  that  sin  had  been  rooted  out  of  my  heart 
 I  say,  '  Why  did  God  leave  the  root  of  lasciviousness,  pride,  anger, 
 etc.,  in  ray  bosom  ?  He  hates  sin,  and  I  hate  it ;  why  did  He  not 
 take  it  clean  away  ? '  I  know  many  answers  to  this  which  com- 
 pletely satisfy  my  judgment,  but  still  I  do  not  feel  satisfied.  This 
 is  wrong.  It  is  right  to  be  weary  of  the  being  of  sin,  but  not  right 
 to  quarrel  with  my  present  '  good  fight  of  faith.'  .  .  .  The 
 falls  of  professors  into  sin  make  me  tremble.  I  have  been  driven 
 away  from  prayer,  and  burdened  in  a  fearful  manner  by  hearing  or 
 teeing  their  sin.     This  is  wrong.     It  is  right  to  tremble,  and  to 
 
1 58  5IEM0IR  OF  THE  KEV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 make  every  sin  of  every  professor  a  lesson  of  my  own  helplessness  ; 
 but  it  should  lead  me  the  more  to  Christ.  .  .  .  If  I  were  more 
 deeply  convinced  of  my  utter  helplessness,  I  think  I  would  not  be 
 so  alarmed  when  I  hear  of  the  falls  of  other  men.  ...  I 
 should  study  those  sins  in  which  I  am  most  helpless,  in  which 
 passion  becomes  hke  a  whirlwind  and  I  like  a  straw.  No  figure  of 
 speech  can  represent  my  utter  want  of  power  to  resist  the  torrent 
 of  sin.  ...  I  ought  to  study  Christ's  omnipotence  more : 
 Heb.  vii.  25,  1  Thess.  v.  23,  Rom.  vi.  14,  Rom.  v.  9,  10,  and 
 such  scriptures,  should  be  ever  before  me.  .  .  .  Paul's  thorn, 
 2  Cor.  xii.,  is  the  experience  of  the  greater  part  of  my  hfe.  It 
 should  be  ever  before  me.  .  .  .  There  are  many  subsidiary 
 methods  of  seeking  deUverance  from  sins,  which  must  not  be 
 neglected, — thus,  marriage,  1  Cor.  vii.  2  ;  fleeing,  1  Tim.  vi.  11, 
 1  Cor.  vi.  18;  watch  and  pray.  Matt.  xxvi.  41  ;  the  word,  'It 
 is  written,  It  is  written.'  So  Christ  defended  himself;  Matt.  iv. 
 .  .  .  But  the  main  defence  is  casting  myself  into  the  arms  of 
 Christ  like  a  helpless  child,  and  beseeching  Him  to  fill  me  with  the 
 Holy  Spirit.  '  This  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world,  even 
 our  faith,'  1  John  v.  4,  5,— a  wonderful  passage. 
 
 "  I  ought  to  study  Christ  as  a  living  Saviour  more, — as  a  Shep- 
 herd, carrying  the  sheep  He  finds, — as  a  King,  reigning  in  and  over 
 the  souls  He  has  redeemed, — as  a  Captain,  fighting  with  those  who 
 fight  with  me,  Ps.  xxxv., — as  one  who  has  engaged  to  bring  me 
 through  all  temptations  and  trials,  however  impossible  to  flesh 
 and  blood. 
 
 "I  am  often  tempted  to  say,  How  can  this  Man  save  us?  How 
 can  Christ  in  heaven  deliver  me  from  lusts  which  I  feel  raging  in 
 me,  and  nets  I  feel  enclosing  me?  This  is  the  father  of  hes 
 again  !     '  He  is  able  to  save  unto  the  uttermost.' 
 
 "I  ought  to  study  Christ  as  an  Intercessor.  He  prayed  most 
 for  Peter,  who  was  to  be  most  tempted.  I  am  on  his  breastplate. 
 If  I  could  liear  Christ  praying  for  me  in  the  next  room,  I  would 
 not  fear  a  million  of  enemies.  Yet  the  distance  makes  no  difference ; 
 He  is  praying  for  me. 
 
 "  I  ought  to  study  the  Comforter  more, — his  Godhead,  his 
 love,  his  almightiness.  I  have  found  by  experience  that  nothing 
 sanctifies  me  so  much  as  meditating  on  the  Comforter,  as  John 
 xiv.  16.  And  yet  how  seldom  I  do  this !  Satan  keeps  me  from  it. 
 I  am  often  like  those  men  who  said,  They  knew  not  if  there  be  any 
 Holy  Ghost.  ...  I  ought  never  to  forget  that  my  body  is 
 dwelt  in  by  the  third  Person  of  the  Godhead.  The  very  thought 
 of  this  should  make  me  tremble  to  sin ;  1  Cor.  vi.     .  .1 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  159 
 
 ought  never  to  forget  that  sin  grieves  the  Holy  Spirit, — vexes  and 
 quenches  Him.  .  .  .  If  I  would  be  filled  with  the  Spirit,  I  feel 
 I  must  read,  the  Bible  more,  pray  more,  and  watch  more. 
 
 "3.  To  gain  entire  likeness  to  Christ,  I  ought  to  get  a  high  esteem 
 of  the  happhiess  of  it.  I  am  persuaded  that  God's  happiness  is 
 inseparably  linked  in  with  his  holiness.  Holiness  and  happiness 
 are  like  light  and  heat.  God  never  tasted  one  of  the  pleasures 
 of  sin. 
 
 "  Christ  had  a  body  such  as  I  have,  yet  He  never  tasted  one  of 
 the  pleasures  of  sin.  The  redeemed,  through  all  eternity,  will  never 
 taste  one  of  the  pleasures  of  sin ;  yet  their  happiness  is  complete. 
 It  would  be  my  greatest  happiness  to  be  from  this  moment 
 entirely  like  them.  Every  sin  is  something  away  from  my  greatest 
 enjoyment.  .  .  .  The  devil  strives  night  and  day  to  make  me 
 forget  this  or  disbelieve  it.  He  says.  Why  should  you  not  enjoy 
 this  pleasure  as  much  as  Solomon  or  David  ?  You  may  go  to 
 heaven  also.  I  am  persuaded  that  this  is  a  lie, — that  my  true 
 happiness  is  to  go  and  sin  no  more. 
 
 "  I  ought  not  to  delay  parting  with  sins.  Now  is  God's  time. 
 '  I  made  haste  and  delayed  not.'  ...  I  ought  not  to  spare 
 sins  because  I  have  long  allowed  them  as  infirmities,  and  others 
 would  think  it  odd  if  I  were  to  change  all  at  once.  What  a 
 wretched  delusion  of  Satan  that  is  ! 
 
 "  Whatever  I  see  to  be  sin,  I  ought  from  this  hour  to  set  my 
 whole  soul  against  it,  using  all  scriptural  methods  to  mortify  it, — as 
 the  Scriptures,  special  prayer  for  the  Spirit,  fasting,  watching. 
 
 "  I  ought  to  mark  strictly  the  occasions  when  I  have  fallen,  and 
 avoid  the  occasion  as  much  as  the  sin  itself. 
 
 "  Satan  often  tempts  me  to  go  as  near  to  temptations  as  possible 
 without  committing  the  sin.  This  is  fearful, — tempting  God  and 
 grieving  the  Holy  Ghost.     It  is  a  deep-laid  plot  of  Satan. 
 
 "I  ought  to  flee  all  temptation,  according  to  Prov.  iv.  15 — 
 Avoid  it,  pass  not  by  it,  turn  from  it,  and  pass  away.'  .  .  . 
 I  ought  constantly  to  pour  out  my  heart  to  God,  praying  for 
 entire  conformity  to  Christ — for  the  whole  law  to  be  written  on 
 my  heart.  ...  I  ought  statedly  and  solemnly  to  give  my 
 heart  to  God — to  surrender  my  all  into  his  everlasting  arms, 
 according  to  the  prayer,  Ps.  xxxi.,  'Into  thine  hand  I  commit 
 my  spirit,' — beseeching  Him  not  to  let  any  iniquity,  secret  or 
 presumptuous,  have  dominion  over  me,  and  to  fill  me  with  every 
 grace  that  is  in  Christ,  in  the  highest  degree  that  it  is  possible  for 
 a  redeemed  sinner  to  receive  it,  and  at  all  times,  till  death. 
 
 '•  I  ought  to  meditate  often  on  heaven  as  a  world  of  holiness,—" 
 
160  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  m'CHEYNE. 
 
 where  all  are  holy,  where  the  joy  is  holy  Joy,  the  work  holy  work  ; 
 so  that,  without  personal  holiness,  I  never  can  be  there.  .  .  . 
 I  ought  to  avoid  the  ap}3earance  of  evil.  God  commands  me  ;  and 
 I  find  that  Satan  has  a  singular  art  in  linking  the  appearance  and 
 reality  together. 
 
 "  I  find  that  speaking  of  some  sins  defiles  my  mind  and  leads 
 me  into  temptation  ;  and  I  find  that  God  forbids  even  saints  to 
 speak  of  the  things  that  are  done  of  them  in  secret.  I  ought  to 
 avoid  this. 
 
 ''Eve,  Achan,  David,  all  fell  through  the  lust  of  the  eye.  I 
 should  make  a  covenant  with  mine,  and  pray,  '  Turn  away  mine 
 eyes  from  viewing  vanity.'  .  .  .  Satan  makes  unconverted 
 men  like  the  deaf  adder  to  the  sound  of  the  gospel.  I  should 
 pray  to  be  made  deaf  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  all  that  would  tempt 
 me  to  sin. 
 
 "  One  of  my  most  frequent  occasions  of  being  led  into  temptation 
 is  this, — I  say  it  is  needful  to  my  office  that  1  hsten  to  this,  or  look 
 into  this,  or  speak  of  this.  So  far  this  is  true  ;  yet  I  am  sure 
 Satan  has  his  part  in  this  argument.  I  should  seek  divine  direc- 
 tion to  settle  how  far  it  will  be  good  for  my  ministry,  and  how  far 
 evil  for  my  soul,  that  I  may  avoid  the  latter. 
 
 "  I  am  persuaded  that  nothing  is  thriving  in  my  soul  unless  it  is 
 growing.  '  Grow  in  grace.'  '  Lord,  increase  our  faith.'  '  For- 
 getting the  things  that  are  l>ehind.'  .  .  .  I  am  persuaded 
 that  I  ought  to  be  inquiring  at  God  and  man  what  grace  I  want, 
 and  how  I  may  become  more  like  Christ.  ...  I  ought  to 
 strive  for  more  purity,  humility,  meekness,  patience  under  suffering, 
 love.  '  Make  me  Christ-hke  in  all  things,'  should  be  my  constant 
 prayer.     '  Fill  me  with  the  Holy  Spirit.' 
 
 "2.  Reformation  in  Secret  Prayer. 
 
 "  I  ought  not  to  omit  any  of  the  parts  of  prayer — confession, 
 adoration,  thanksgiving,  petition,  and  intercession. 
 
 "  There  is  a  fearful  tendency  to  omit  confession^  proceeding  from 
 low  views  of  God  and  his  law,  slight  views  of  my  heart  and  the 
 sins  of  my  past  life.  This  must  be  resisted.  There  is  a  constant 
 tendency  to  omit  adoration,  when  I  forget  to  whom  I  am  speaking 
 — when  I  rush  heedlessly  into  the  presence  of  Jehovah,  without 
 remembering  his  awful  name  and  character — when  I  have  little 
 eyesight  for  his  glory,  and  little  admiration  of  his  wonders. 
 *  Where  are  the  wise?'  I  have  the  native  tendency  of  the  heart 
 to  omit  giving  fhanls.     And  yet  it  is  specially  commanded,  Phil. 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  IlEV.  R.  M.  M'CHErNE.  161 
 
 iv.  6.  Often  when  the  heart  is  selfish,  dead  to  the  salvation  of 
 others,  I  omit  intercession.  And  yet  it  especially  is  the  spirit  of  the 
 great  Advocate,  who  has  the  name  of  Israel  always  on  his  heart. 
 
 "  Perhaps  every  prayer  need  not  have  all  these ;  but  surely  a 
 day  should  not  pass  without  some  space  being  devoted  to  each. 
 
 "  I  ought  to  pray  before  seeing  any  one.  Often  when  I  sleep 
 long,  or  meet  with  others  early,  and  then  have  family  prayer,  and 
 breakfast,  and  forenoon  callers,  often  it  is  eleven  or  twelve  o'clock 
 before  I  begin  secret  prayer.  This  is  a  wretched  system.  It  is 
 unscriptural.  Christ  rose  before  day,  and  went  into  a  solitary 
 place.  David  says,  '  Early  will  I  seek  Thee ;  Thou  shalt  early 
 hear  my  voice.'  Mary  Magdalene  came  to  the  sepulchre  while  it 
 w^as  yet  dark.  Family  prayer  loses  much  of  its  power  and  sweet- 
 ness ;  and  I  can  do  no  good  to  those  who  come  to  seek  from  me. 
 The  conscience  feels  guilty,  the  soul  unfed,  the  lamp  not  trimmed. 
 Then,  when  secret  prayer  comes,  the  soul  is  often  out  of  tune.  I 
 feel  it  is  far  better  to  begin  with  God — to  see  his  face  first — to  get 
 my  soul  near  Him  before  it  is  near  another.  '  When  I  awake  I  ana 
 still  with  Thee.' 
 
 "  If  I  have  slept  too  long,  or  am  going  an  early  journey,  or  my 
 time  is  any  way  shortened,  it  is  best  to  dress  hurriedly,  and  have 
 a  few  minutes  alone  with  God,  than  to  give  it  up  for  lost. 
 
 "  But,  in  general,  it  is  best  to  have  at  least  one  hour  alone  with 
 God,  before  engaging  in  anything  else.  At  the  same  time,  I  must 
 be  careful  not  to  reckon  communion  with  God  by  minutes  or 
 hours,  or  by  solitude.  I  have  pored  over  my  Bible,  and  on  my 
 knees  for  hours,  with  little  or  no  communion ;  and  my  times  of 
 solitude  have  been  often  times  of  greatest  temptation. 
 
 "As  to  intercession,  I  ought  daily  to  intercede  for  my  own 
 family,  connections,  relatives,  and  friends  ;  also  for  my  flock, — the 
 ))elievers,  the  awakened,  the  careless ;  the  sick,  the  bereaved ;  the 
 poor,  the  rich  ;  my  elders,  Sabbath-school  teachers,  day-school 
 teachers,  children,  tract-distributors, — that  all  means  may  be 
 blessed.  Sabbath-day  preaching  and  teaching ;  visiting  of  the 
 sick,  visiting  from  house  to  house  ;  providences,  sacraments.  I 
 ought  daily  to  intercede  briefly  for  the  whole  town,  the  Church  of 
 Scotland,  all  faithful  ministers  ;  for  vacant  congregations,  students 
 of  divinity,  etc. ;  for  dear  brethren  by  name ;  for  missionaries  to 
 Jews  and  Gentiles, — and  for  this  end  I  must  read  missionary  inteUi- 
 gence  regularly,  and  get  acquainted  with  all  that  is  doing  throughout 
 the  world.  It  would  stir  me  up  to  pray  with  the  map  before  me. 
 I  must  have  a  scheme  of  prayer,  also  the  names  of  missionaries 
 marked  on  the  map.     I  ought  to  intercede  at  large  for  the  above 
 
 L 
 
162  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 on  Saturday  morning  and  evening  from  seven  to  eight.  Perhaps 
 also  I  might  take  different  parts  for  different  days ;  only  I  ought 
 daily  to  plead  for  my  family  and  flock.  I  ought  to  pray  in  every- 
 thing. '  Be  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  everything  ...  by 
 prayer  and  supphcation,  make  your  requests  known  -into  God.' 
 Often  I  receive  a  letter  asking  to  preach,  or  some  such  request.  I 
 find  myself  answering  before  having  asked  counsel  of  God.  Still 
 oftener  a  person  calls  and  asks  me  something,  and  I  do  not  ask 
 direction.  Often  I  go  out  to  visit  a  sick  person  in  a  hurry,  without 
 asking  his  blessing,  which  alone  can  make  the  visit  of  any  use.  I 
 am  persuaded  that  I  ought  never  to  do  anything  without  prayer, 
 and,  if  possible,  special,  secret  prayer. 
 
 "  In  reading  the  history  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  I  see  how 
 much  her  troubles  and  trials  have  been  connected  with  the  salva- 
 tion of  souls  and  the  glory  of  Christ.  I  ought  to  pray  far  more 
 for  our  church,  for  our  leading  ministers  by  name,  and  for  my  own 
 clear  guidance  in  the  right  way,  that  I  may  not  be  led  aside,  or 
 driven  aside,  from  following  Christ.  Many  difficult  questions  may 
 be  forced  on  us  for  w^hich  I  am  not  fully  prepared,  such  as  the 
 lawfulness  of  covenants.  I  should  pray  much  more  in  peaceful 
 days,  that  I  may  be  guided  rightly  when  days  of  trial  come. 
 
 "  I  ought  to  spend  the  best  hours  of  the  day  in  communion  with 
 God.  It  is  my  noblest  and  most  fruitful  employment,  and  is  not  to 
 be  thrust  into  any  corner.  The  morning  hours,  from  six  to  eight, 
 are  the  most  uninterrupted,  and  should  be  thus  employed,  if  I  can 
 prevent  drowsiness.  A  little  time  after  breakfast  might  be  given 
 to  intercession.  After  tea  is  my  best  hour,  and  that  should  be 
 solemnly  dedicated  to  God,  if  possible. 
 
 "  I  ought  not  to  give  up  the  good  old  habit  of  prayer  before 
 going  to  bed ;  but  guard  must  be  kept  against  sleep :  planning 
 what  things  I  am  to  ask  is  the  best  remedy.  When  I  awake  in 
 the  night,  I  ought  to  rise  and  pray,  as  David  and  as  John  Welsh 
 did. 
 
 "  I  ought  to  read  three  chapters  of  the  Bible  in  secret  every  day, 
 at  least. 
 
 "I  ought  on  Sabbath  morning  to  look  over  all  the  chapters 
 read  through  the  week,  and  especially  the  verses  marked.  I  ought 
 to  read  in  three  different  places  ;  I  ought  also  to  read  according  to 
 subjects,  lives,"  etc. 
 
 He  has  evidently  left  this  unfinished,  and  now  he  knows  even  as 
 he  is  known. 
 
 Toward  the  end  of  his  ministry,  he  became  peculiarly  jealous  of 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  EEV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  163 
 
 becoming  an  idol  to  his  people  ;  for  he  was  loved  and  revered  by 
 many  who  gave  no  evidence  of  love  to  Christ.  This  often  pained 
 him  much.  It  is  indeed  right  in  a  people  to  regard  their  pastor 
 with  no  common  love  (2  Cor.  ix.  14),  but  there  is  ever  a  danger 
 ready  to  arise.  He  used  to  say,  "  Ministers  are  but  the  pole  ;  it 
 is  to  the  brazen  serpent  you  are  to  look." 
 
 The  state  of  his  health  would  not  permit  him  to  be  laborious  in 
 going  from  house  to  house,  whereas  preaching  and  evangehstic 
 work  in  general  was  less  exhausting  ;  but  of  course,  while  he  was 
 thus  engaged,  many  concerns  of  the  parish  would  be  unattended 
 to ;  accordingly  his  Session  offered  him  a  stated  assistant  to  help 
 him  in  his  parochial  duty.  With  this  proposal  he  at  once 
 concurred.  Mr  Gatherer,  then  at  Caraldstone,  was  chosen,  and 
 continued  to  labour  faithfully  with  him  during  the  remaining  days 
 of  his  ministry. 
 
 In  the  beginning  of  the  year  he  pubhshed  his  Daily  Bread,  an 
 arrangement  of  Scripture,  that  the  Bible  might  be  read  through  in 
 the  course  of  a  year.  He  sought  to  induce  his  people  to  meditate 
 much  on  the  written  word  in  all  its  breadth.  His  last  pubhcation 
 was,  Another  Lily  Gathered,  or  the  account  of  James  Laing,  a  little 
 boy  in  his  flock,  brought  to  Christ  early,  and  carried  soon  to  glory. 
 
 In  the  middle  of  January  1843,  he  visited  Collace,  and  preached 
 on  1  Cor.  ix.  27 :  "A  Castaway" — a  sermon  so  solemn  that  one 
 said  it  was  hke  a  blast  of  the  trumpet  that  would  awaken  the 
 dead.  Next  day  he  rode  on  to  Lintrathen,  where  the  people  were 
 willing  to  give  up  their  work  at  mid- day,  if  he  would  come  and 
 preach  to  them.  All  this  month  he  was  breathing  after  glory.  In 
 his  letters  there  are  such  expressions  as  these :  "I  often  pray, 
 Lord,  make  me  as  holy  as  a  pardoned  sinner  can  be  made." 
 "Often,  often  I  would  like  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ — to 
 mount  to  Pisgah-top  and  take  a  farewell  look  of  the  church  below, 
 and  leave  my  body  and  be  present  with  the  Lord.  Ah,  it  is  far 
 better!"  Again:  ''I  do  not  expect  to  live  long.  I  expect  a 
 sudden  call  some  day — perhaps  soon,  and  therefore  I  speak  very 
 plainly."  But,  indeed,  he  had  long  been  persuaded  that  his  course 
 would  be  brief.  His  hearers  remember  well  how  often  he  would 
 speak  in  such  language  as  that  with  which  he  one  day  closed  his 
 sermon :  "  Changes  are  coming ;  every  eye  before  me  shall  soon  be 
 dim  in  death.  Another  pastor  shall  feed  this  flock  ;  another  singer 
 lead  the  psalm ;  another  flock  shall  fill  this  fold." 
 
 In  the  beginning  of  February,  by  appointment  of  the  Committes 
 of  the  Convocation,  he  accompanied  Mr  Alexander  of  Kirkcaldy  to 
 to  visit  the  districts  of  Deer  and  Ellon — districts  over  which  he 
 
1  64  MEMOIR  OP  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHETNE. 
 
 yearaed,  for  Moderatism  had  held  undisputed  sway  over  them  for 
 generations.  It  was  to  be  his  last  evangelistic  tour.  He  exem- 
 plified his  own  remark,  "  The  oil  of  the  lamp  in  the  temple  burnt 
 away  in  giving  light ;  so  should  we." 
 
 He  set  out,  says  one  that  saw  him  leave  town,  as  unclouded  and 
 happy  as  the  sky  that  was  above  his  head  that  bright  morning. 
 During  the  space  of  three  weeks,  he  preached  or  spoke  at  meetings 
 in  four-and-twenty  places,  sometimes  more  than  once  in  the  same 
 place.  Great  impression  was  made  upon  the  people  of  the  district. 
 One  who  tracked  his  footsteps  a  month  after  his  death  states,  that 
 sympathy  with  the  principles  of  our  suffering  church  was  awakened 
 in  many  places ;  but,  above  all,  a  thirst  was  excited  for  the  pure 
 word  of  life.  His  eminently  holy  walk  and  conversation,  combined 
 with  the  deep  solemnity  of  his  preaching,  was  specially  felt.  The 
 people  loved  to  speak  of  him.  In  one  place,  where  a  meeting  had 
 been  intimated,  the  people  assembled,  resolving  to  cast  stones  at 
 him  as  soon  as  he  should  begin  to  speak ;  but  no  sooner  had  he 
 begun,  than  his  manner,  his  look,  his  words,  riveted  them  all,  and 
 they  listened  with  intense  earnestness ;  and  before  he  left  the 
 place,  the  people  gathered  round  him,  entreating  him  to  stay  and 
 preach  to  them.  One  man,  who  had  cast  mud  at  him,  was  after- 
 wards moved  to  tears  on  hearing  of  his  death. 
 
 He  wrote  to  Mr  Gatherer,  February  14,  "  I  had  a  nice  oppor- 
 tunity of  preaching  in  Aberdeen;  and  in  Peterhead  our  meeting 
 was  truly  successful.  The  minister  of  St  Fergus  I  found  to  be 
 what  you  described.  We  had  a  solemn  meeting  in  his  church. 
 In  Strichen,  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  Independent  Meeting-house. 
 On  Friday  evening,  we  had  two  delightful  meetings,  in  a  mill  at 
 Crechie,  and  in  the  church  of  Clola.  The  people  were  evidently 
 much  impressed,  some  weeping.  On  Saturday  evening  we  met  in 
 the  Brucklay  barn.  I  preached  on  Sabbath,  at  New  Deer  in  the 
 morning,  and  at  Fraserburgh  in  the  evening — both  interesting 
 meetings.  To-night  we  met  in  Pitsligo  church.  To-morrow  we 
 trust  to  be  in  Aberdour  ;  and  then  we  leave  for  the  Presbytery  of 
 Ellon.  The  w»ather  has  been  dehghtful  till  now.  To-day  the 
 snow  is  beginning  to  drift.  But  God  is  with  us,  and  He  will  carry 
 as  to  the  very  end.  I  am  quite  well,  though  a  little  fatigued 
 sometimes."  On  the  24th,  he  writes  to  another  friend,  "  To-day 
 is  the  first  we  have  rested  since  leaving  home,  so  that  I  am  almost 
 overcome  with  fatigue.  Do  not  be  idle;  improve  in  all  useful 
 knowledge.     You  know  what  an  enemy  I  am  to  idleness." 
 
 Never  was  it  more  felt  that  God  was  with  him  than  in  this 
 journey.     The  Lord  seemed  to  show  in  him  the  meaning  of  the 
 
aiEMOIR  OF  THE  KEY.  R.  M.  M'CIIEYNE.  165 
 
 text,  "  Out  of  his  belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water,"  John 
 vii.  38.  Even  when  silent,  the  near  intercourse  he  held  with  God 
 left  its  impression  on  those  around.  His  constant  holiness  touched 
 the  conscience  of  many. 
 
 Returning  to  his  beloved  flock  on  March  1st,  in  good  health, 
 but  much  exhausted,  he  related,  next  evening,  at  his  prayer-meet- 
 ing, what  things  he  had  seen  and  heard  During  the  next  twelve 
 days  he  was  to  be  found  going  out  and  in  among  his  people, 
 fining  up,  as  his  manner  was,  every  inch  of  time.  But  he  had  been 
 much  weakened  by  his  unceasing  exertions  when  in  the  north,  and 
 so  was  more  than  ordinarily  exposed  to  the  typhus  fever  that  was 
 then  prevailing  in  his  parish,  several  cases  of  which  he  visited  in  his 
 enfeebled  state. 
 
 On  Sabbath  the  5th,  he  preached  three  times;  and  two  days 
 after,  I  find  him  writing  to  his  father  :  "  All  domestic  matters  go 
 on  like  a  placid  stream — I  trust  not  without  its  fertihzing  influence. 
 Nothing  is  more  improving  than  the  domestic  altar,  when  we  come 
 to  it  for  a  daiiy  supply  of  soul  nourishment."  To  the  last  we  get 
 glances  into  his  soul's  growth.  His  family  devotions  were  full  of 
 life  and  full  of  gladness  to  the  end.  Indeed,  his  very  manner  in 
 reading  the  chapter  reminded  you  of  a  man  poring  into  the  sands 
 for  pieces  of  fine  gold,  and  from  time  to  time  holding  up  to  you 
 what  he  delighted  to  have  found. 
 
 On  Sabbath  the  12th,  he  preached  upon  Heb.  ix.  15  in  the 
 forenoon,  and  Rom.  ix.  22,  23,  in  the  afternoon,  with  uncommon 
 solemnity ;  and  it  was  observed,  both  then  and  on  other  late  occa- 
 sions, he  spoke  with  peculiar  strength  upon  the  sovereignty  of  God. 
 These  were  his  last  discourses  to  his  people  in  St  Peter's.  That 
 same  evening  he  went  down  to  Broughty  Ferry,  and  preached 
 upon  Isaiah  Ix.  1,  "  Arise,  shine,"  etc.  It  was  the  last  time  he 
 was  to  be  engaged  directly  in  proclaiming  Christ  to  sinners ;  and 
 as  he  began  his  ministry  with  souls  for  his  hire,  so  it  appears  that 
 his  last  discourse  had  in  it  saving  power  to  some,  and  that  rather 
 from  the  holiness  it  breathed  than  from  the  wisdom  of  its  words. 
 After  his  death,  a  note  was  found  unopened,  which  had  been  sent 
 to  him  in  the  course  of  the  following  week,  when  he  lay  in  the 
 fever.  It  ran  thus  :  "I  hope  you  will  pardon  a  stranger  for 
 addressing  to  you  a  few  lines.  I  heard  you  preach  last  Sabbath 
 evening,  and  it  pleased  God  to  bless  that  sermon  to  my  soul.  It 
 was  not  so  much  what  you  said,  as  your  manner  of  speaking  that 
 struck  me.  I  saw  in  you  a  beauty  in  holiness  that  I  never  saw 
 before.  You  also  said  something  in  your  prayer  that  struck  me 
 very  much.    It  was,  '  TJwil  knoivest  that  ive  love  Thee.'    Oh,  sir,  what 
 
166  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M^CHETNE. 
 
 would  I  give  that  I  could  say  to  my  blessed  Saviour,  '  Thou 
 knowest  that  I  love  Thee  ! ' " 
 
 Next  evening  he  held  a  meeting  in  St  Peter's,  with  the  view  o5 
 organizing  his  people  for  collecting  in  behalf  of  the  Free  Protest- 
 ing Church, — the  disruption  of  the  Establishment  being  now  inevi- 
 table. He  spoke  very  fervently  ;  and  after  the  meeting  felt  chilled 
 and  unwell.  Next  morning  he  felt  that  he  was  ill ;  but  went  out 
 in  the  afternoon  to  the  marriage  of  two  of  his  flock.  He  seemed, 
 however,  to  anticipate  a  serious  attack,  for,  on  his  way  home,  he 
 made  some  arrangements  connected  with  his  ministerial  work,  and 
 left  a  message  at  Dr  Gibson's  house,  asking  him  to  come  and  see 
 him.  He  beheved  that  he  had  taken  the  fever,  and  it  was  so. 
 That  night  he  lay  down  upon  the  bed  from  which  he  was  never  to 
 rise.     He  spoke  little,  but  intimated  that  he  apprehended  danger. 
 
 On  Wednesday,  he  said  he  thought  that  he  would  never  have 
 seen  the  morning,  he  felt  so  sore  broken,  and  had  got  no  sleep ; 
 but  afterwards  added,  "  Shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hand  of  the 
 Lord,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil  also  ?  "  He  seemed  clouded 
 in  spirit,  often  repeating  such  passages  as — "  My  moisture  is 
 turned  into  the  drought  of  summer;" — "My  bones  wax  old, 
 through  my  roaring  all  day  long."  It  was  with  difficulty  that  he 
 was  able  to  speak  a  few  words  with  his  assistant,  Mr  Gatherer. 
 In  the  forenoon,  Mr  Miller  of  Wallacetown  found  him  oppressed 
 with  extreme  pain  in  his  head.  Amongst  other  things  they  con- 
 versed upon  Ps.  cxxvi.  On  coming  to  the  6th  verse,  Mr 
 M'Cheyne  said  he  would  give  him  a  division  of  it.  1.  What  is 
 sowed — "  Precious  seed."  2.  The  7nanner  of  sowing  it — "  Goeth 
 forth  and  weepeth."  He  dwelt  upon  '-^  weepeih^'  and  then  said, 
 "  Ministers  should  go  forth  at  all  times."  3.  The  fruit — "  Shall 
 doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing."  Mr  Miller  pointed  to  the 
 certainty  of  it ;  Mr  M'Cheyne  assented,  "  Yes — doubtless.^'  After 
 praying  with  him,  Mr  Miller  repeated  Matt.  xi.  28,  upon  which 
 Mr  M'Cheyne  clasped  his  hands  with  great  earnestness.  As  he 
 became  worse,  his  medical  attendants  forbade  him  to  be  visited. 
 Once  or  twice  he  asked  for  me,  and  was  heard  to  speak  of 
 "  Smyrna"  as  if  the  associations  of  his  illness  there  were  recalled 
 by  his  burning  fever  now.  I  was  not  at  that  time  aware  of  his 
 danger,  even  the  rumour  of  it  had  not  reached  us. 
 
 Next  day,  he  continued  sunk  in  body  and  mind,  till  about  the 
 time  when  his  people  met  for  their  usual  evening  prayer- meeting, 
 when  he  requested  to  be  left  alone  for  half  an  hour.  When  his 
 servant  entered  the  room  again,  he  exclaimed,  with  a  joyful  voice, 
 "  My  soul  is  escaped  as  a  bird  out  of  the  snare  of  the  fowler ;  tho 
 
JIEMOm  OF  THE  REV.  K.  M.  xM'CHEYNE.  167 
 
 Bnare  is  broken,  and  I  am  escaped."  His  countenance,  as  he  said 
 this,  bespoke  inward  peace.  Ever  after  he  was  observed  to  be 
 happy ;  and  at  supper-time  that  evening,  when  taking  a  Httle  re- 
 freshment, he  gave  thanks,  "  For  strength  in  the  time  of  weakness 
 — for  light  in  the  time  of  darkness — for  joy  in  the  time  of  sorrow 
 — for  comforting  us  in  all  our  tribulations,  that  we  may  be  able 
 to  comfort  those  that  are  in  any  trouble,  by  the  comfort  where- 
 with we  ourselves  are  comforted  of  God." 
 
 On  Sabbath,  when  one  expressed  a  wish  that  he  had  been  able 
 to  go  forth  as  usual  to  preach,  he  replied,  "  My  thoughts  are  not 
 your  thoughts,  neither  are  my  ways  your  ways,  saith  the  Lord;" 
 and  added,  "  I  am  preaching  the  sermon  that  God  would  have  me 
 to  do." 
 
 On  Tuesday  (the  21st)  his  sister  repeated  to  him  several  hymns. 
 The  last  words  he  heard,  and  the  last  he  seemed  to  understand, 
 were  those  of  Cowper's  hymn,  Sometimes  the  light  surprises  the  Chris- 
 tian as  he  sings.     And  then  the  delirium  came  on. 
 
 At  one  time,  during  the  delirium,  he  said  to  his  attendant, 
 *'  Mind  the  text,  1  Cor.  xv.  58 — '  Be  stedfast,  unmoveable,  always 
 abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,'"  dwelling  with  much  emphasis 
 on  the  last  clause,  ^'•forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your  labour  is  not  in 
 vain  in  the  Lord.''  At  another  time  he  seemed  to  feel  himself  among 
 his  brethren,  and  said,  "  I  don't  think  much  of  policy  in  church 
 courts ;  no,  I  hate  it ;  but  I'll  tell  you  what  I  like,  faithfulness  to 
 God,  and  a  holy  walk."  His  voice,  which  had  been  weak  before, 
 became  very  strong  now ;  and  often  was  he  heard  speaking  to  or 
 praying  for  his  people.  "  You  must  be  awakened  in  time,  or  you 
 will  be  awakened  in  everlasting  torment,  to  your  eternal  con- 
 fusion." "  You  may  soon  get  me  away,  but  that  will  not  save 
 your  souls."  Then  he  prayed,  "  This  parish.  Lord,  this  people, 
 this  whole  place!"  At  another  time,  "Do  it  thyself,  Lord,  for 
 thy  weak  servant."  And  again,  as  if  praying  for  the  saints, 
 "  Holy  Father,  keep  through  thine  own  name  those  whom  Thou 
 hast  given  me." 
 
 Thus  he  continued  most  generally  engaged,  while  the  dehrium 
 lasted,  either  in  prayer  or  in  preaching  to  his  people,  and  always 
 apparently  in  happy  frame,  till  the  morning  of  Saturday  the  25th. 
 On  that  morning,  while  his  kind  medical  attendant,  Dr  Gibson, 
 stood  by,  he  lifted  up  his  hands  as  if  in  the  attitude  of  pronounc- 
 ing the  blessing,  and  then  sank  down.  Not  a  groan  or  a  sigh,  but 
 only  a  quiver  of  the  lip,  and  his  soul  was  at  rest. 
 
 As  he  was  subject  to  frequent  sickness,  it  was  not  till  within 
 some  days  of  his  death  that  serious  alarm  was  generally  felt,  and 
 
168  ^rEMOIR  of  the  rev.  r.  m.  m'cheyne. 
 
 hence  the  stroke  came  with  awful  suddenness  upon  us  all.  That 
 same  afternoon,  while  preparing  for  Sabbath  duties,  the  tidings 
 reached  me.  I  hastened  down,  though  scarce  knowing  why  1 
 went.  His  people  were  that  evening  met  together  in  the  church, 
 and  such  a  scene  of  sorrow  has  not  often  been  witnessed  in  Scot- 
 land. It  was  like  the  weeping  for  King  Josiah.  Hundreds  were 
 there ;  the  lower  part  of  the  church  was  full :  and  none  among 
 them  seemed  able  to  contain  their  sorrow.  Every  heart  seemed 
 bursting  with  grief,  so  that  the  weeping  and  the  cries  could  be 
 heard  afar  off.  The  Lord  had  most  severely  wounded  the  people 
 whom  He  had  before  so  peculiarly  favoured  ;  and  now,  by  this 
 awful  stroke  of  his  hand,  was  fixing  deeper  in  their  souls  all  that 
 his  servant  had  spoken  in  the  days  of  his  peculiar  ministry. 
 
 Wherever  the  news  of  his  departure  came,  every  Christian 
 countenance  was  darkened  with  sadness.  Perhaps,  never  was  the 
 death  of  one,  whose  whole  occupation  had  been  preaching  the 
 everlasting  gospel,  more  felt  by  all  the  saints  of  God  in  Scotland. 
 Not  a  few  also  of  our  Presbyterian  brethren  in  Ireland  felt  the 
 blow  to  the  very  heart.  He  himself  used  to  say,  "  Live  so  as  to 
 be  missed ; "  and  none  that  saw  the  tears  that  were  shed  over  his 
 death  would  have  doubted  that  his  own  life  had  been  what  he 
 recommended  to  others.  He  had  not  completed  more  than  twenty- 
 nine  years  when  God  took  him. 
 
 On  the  day  of  his  burial,  business  was  quite  suspended  in  the 
 parish.  The  streets,  and  every  window,  from  the  house  to  the 
 grave,  were  crowded  with  those  who  felt  that  a  prince  in  Israel 
 had  fallen  ;  and  many  a  careless  man  felt  a  secret  awe  creep  over 
 his  hardened  soul  as  he  cast  his  eye  on  the  solemn  spectacle. 
 
 His  tomb  may  be  seen  on  the  pathway  at  the  north-west  corner 
 of  St  Peter's  burying-ground.  He  has  gone  to  the  "  mountain  ol 
 myrrh  and  the  hill  of  frankincense,  till  the  day  break  and  the 
 shadows  flee  away."  His  work  was  finished  !  His  heavenly 
 Father  had  not  another  plant  for  him  to  water,  nor  another  vine 
 for  him  to  train  ;  and  the  Saviour  who  so  loved  him  was  waiting 
 to  greet  him  with  his  own  welcome  :  "  Well  done,  good  and  faith- 
 ful servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 
 
 But  what  is  the  voice  to  us  ?  Has  this  been  sent  as  the  stroke 
 of  wrath,  or  the  rebuke  of  love  ?  "  His  way  is  in  the  sea,  and 
 his  path  in  the  great  waters,  and  his  footsteps  are  not  known." 
 Only  this  much  we  can  clearly  see,  that  nothing  was  more  fitted 
 to  leave  his  character  and  example  impressed  on  our  remembrance 
 for  ever  than  his  early  death.  There  might  be  envy  while  he 
 lived;  there  is  none  now.     There  might  have  been  some  of  the 
 
MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE.  169 
 
 youthful  attractiveness  of  his  graces  lost  had  he  hved  many  years  ; 
 this  cannot  be  impaired  now.  It  seems  as  if  the  Lord  had  struck 
 the  flower  from  its  stem,  ere  any  of  the  colours  had  lost  their 
 brip^ht  hue,  or  any  leaf  its  fragrance. 
 
 Well  may  the  flock  of  St  Peter's  lay  it  to  heart.  They  have 
 had  days  of  visitation.  Ye  have  seen  the  right  hand  of  the  Lord 
 plucked  out  of  his  bosom  ?  What  shall  the  unsaved  among  you 
 do  in  the  day  of  the  Lord's  anger  ?"  "  If  thou  hadst  known,  even 
 thou,  at  least  in  this  thy  day,  the  things  which  belong  to  thy 
 peace ! " 
 
 It  has  been  more  than  once  the  lot  of  Scotland  (as  was  said  in 
 the  days  of  Durham)  to  enjoy  so  much  of  the  Lord's  kindness,  as 
 to  have  men  to  lose  whose  loss  has  been  felt  to  the  very  heart, — 
 witnesses  for  Christ,  who  saw  the  King's  face  and  testified  of  his 
 beauty.  We  cannot  weep  them  back  ;  but  shall  we  not  call  upon 
 Him  with  whom  is  the  residue  of  the  Spirit,  that  ere  the  Lord 
 come,  He  would  raise  up  men,  like  Enoch,  or  like  Paul,  who  shall 
 reach  nearer  the  stature  of  the  perfect  man,  and  bear  witness  with 
 more  power  to  all  nations  1  Are  there  not  (as  he  who  has  left  us 
 used  to  hope)  "better  ministers  in  store  for  Scotland  than  any 
 that  have  yet  arisen  ?  " 
 
 Ministers  of  Christ,  does  not  the  Lord  call  upon  us  especially? 
 Many  of  us  are  hke  the  angel  of  the  church  of  Ephesus  :  we  have 
 "  works,  and  labour,  and  patience,  and  cannot  bear  them  that  are 
 evil,  and  we  have  borne,  and  for  his  name's  sake  we  labour,  and 
 have  not  fainted  ;  "  but  we  want  the  fervour  of  "  first  love."  Oh 
 how  seldom  now  do  we  hear  of  fresh  supplies  of  holiness  arriving 
 from  the  heavenly  places  (Eph.  i.  3) — new  grace  appearing  among 
 the  saints,  and  in  living  ministers!  We  get  contented  with  our 
 old  measure  and  kind,  as  if  the  windows  of  heaven  were  never  to  be 
 opened.  Few  among  us  see  the  lower  depths  of  the  horrible  pit ; 
 few  ever  enter  the  inner  chambers  of  the  house  of  David. 
 
 But  there  has  been  one  among  us  who,  ere  he  had  reached  the 
 age  at  which  a  priest  in  Israel  would  have  been  entering  on  his 
 course,  dwelt  at  the  Mercy-seat  as  if  it  were  his  home, — preached 
 the  certainties  of  eternal  life  with  an  undoubting  mind, — and  spent 
 his  nights  and  days  in  ceaseless  breathings  after  holiness,  and  the 
 salvation  of  sinners.  Hundreds  of  souls  were  his  reward  from  the 
 Lord,  ere  he  left  us  ;  and  in  him  have  we  been  taught  how  much 
 one  man  may  do  who  will  only  press  farther  into  the  presence  of 
 his  God,  and  handle  more  skilfully  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ, 
 and  speak  more  boldly  for  his  God.  We  speak  much  against  un- 
 faithful ministers,  while  we  ourselves  are  awfully  unfaithful !     Are 
 
170  MEMOIR  OF  THE  REV.  R.  M.  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 we  never  afraid  that  the  cries  of  souls  whom  we  have  betrayed  to 
 perdition  through  our  want  of  personal  holiness,  and  our  defective 
 preaching  of  Christ  crucified,  may  ring  in  our  ears  for  ever?  Our 
 Lord  is  at  the  door.  In  the  twinkhng  of  an  eye  our  work  will  be 
 done.  "Awake,  awake,  0  arm  of  the  Lord,  awake  as  in  the 
 ancient  days,"  till  every  one  of  thy  pastors  be  wiUing  to  impart  to 
 the  flock,  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  has  made  him  overseer,  not 
 the  gospel  of  God  only,  but  also  his  own  soul.  And  oh  that  each 
 one  were  able,  as  he  stands  in  the  pastures  feeding  thy  sheep  and 
 lambs,  to  look  up  and  appeal  to  Thee:  '^ Lord,  Thou  knoivesf  all 
 things  !  Thou  knowest  that  I  love  Theel " 
 
LETTERS. 
 
LETTEES 
 
 TO  REV.  R.  MACDOXALD,  BLAIRGOWRIE. 
 
 VVnttcn  when  first  laid  aside  by  that  illness  which  afterwards  led  to  the  Jewish 
 
 Mission. 
 
 Edlnburgii,  January  12,  1839. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — The  very  day  I  received  your  kind  letter,  I 
 intended  to  have  written  you  that  you  might  provide  some  one  to 
 stand  in  my  place  on  Monday  evening  next.  I  am  ashamed  at  not 
 having  answered  your  kind  inquiries  sooner,  but  am  not  very  good 
 at  the  use  of  the  pen,  and  I  have  had  some  necessary  letters  to 
 write.  However,  now  I  come  to  you.  This  is  Saturday,  when 
 you  will  be  busy  preparing  to  feed  the  flock  of  God  with  food 
 convenient.  Happy  man !  It  is  a  glorious  thing  to  preach  the 
 unsearchable  riches  of  Christ !  We  do  not  value  it  aright  till  we 
 are  deprived  of  it ;  and  then  Philip  Henry's  saying  is  felt  to  be 
 true, — that  he  would  beg  all  the  week  in  order  to  be  allowed  to 
 preach  on  the  Sabbath-day. 
 
 I  have  been  far  from  alarmingly  ill, — my  complaint  is  all  unseen, 
 and  sometimes  unfelt.  My  heart  beats  by  night  and  day;  but 
 especially  by  night,  too  loud  and  too  strong.  My  medical  friends 
 have  tried  several  ways  of  removing  it, — hitherto  without  complete 
 success.  As  long  as  it  lasts,  I  fear  I  shall  be  unfit  for  the  work  of 
 the  ministry ;  but  I  do  hope  that  God  has  something  more  for  me 
 to  do  in  the  vineyard,  and  that  a  little  patient  rest,  accompanied  by 
 his  blessing,  may  quiet  and  restore  me.  Oh!  my  dear  friend,  I  need 
 it  all  to  keep  this  proud  spirit  under.  Andrew  Bonar  was  noticing 
 the  providence  of  "  Elijah  in  the  wilderness  "  being  my  allotted 
 part  at  our  next  meeting.-^  I  read  it  in  the  congregation  the 
 Sabbath  after,  with  an  envious  feehng  in  my  own  heart,  though  I 
 did  not  like  to  express  it,  that  I  would  now  be  sent  a  like  day's 
 
 '  Sec  Memoir,  chap.  iii. 
 
 17.S 
 
174  LETTERS. 
 
 journey  to  learn  the  same  lessons  as  the  prophet, — that  it  is  not 
 the  tempest,  nor  the  earthquake,  nor  the  fire,  but  the  still  small 
 voice  of  the  Spirit,  that  carries  on  the  glorious  work  of  saving 
 souls. 
 
 Andrew  will  be  with  you  on  Monday,  and  I  am  almost  tempted 
 to  send  this  to-night  to  the  Post  Office ;  but  it  is  not  right  to 
 encourage  the  Sabbath  mail,  so  will  defer  it  till  Monday.  May 
 you  have  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord ! 
 May  He  be  the  third  with  you  who  joined  the  two  disciples  on  the 
 way  to  Emmaus,  and  made  their  hearts  burn  by  opening  to  them 
 the  Scriptures  concerning  himself.  I  hope  your  evening  meeting 
 may  be  as  delightful  as  the  last.  May  your  mind  be  solemnized, 
 my  dear  friend,  by  the  thought  that  we  are  mmisters  but  for  a  time ; 
 that  the  Master  may  summon  us  to  retire  into  silence,  or  may  call 
 us  to  the  temple  above ;  or  the  midnight  cry  of  the  great  Bride- 
 groom may  break  suddenly  on  our  ears.  Blessed  is  the  servant 
 that  is  found  waiting  !  Make  all  your  services  tell  for  eternity  ; 
 speak  what  you  can  look  back  upon  with  comfort  when  you  must 
 be  silent. 
 
 I  am  persuaded  that  I  have  been  brought  into  retirement  to 
 teach  me  the  value  and  need  of  prayer.  Alas!  I  have  not  estimated 
 aright  the  value  of  near  access  unto  God.  It  is  not  the  mere  daily 
 routine  of  praying  for  certain  things  that  will  obtain  the  blessing. 
 But  there  must  be  the  need  within, — the  real  filial  asking  of  God 
 the  things  which  we  need,  and  which  He  delights  to  give.  We 
 must  study  prayer  more.  Be  instant  in  prayer.  You  will  be 
 thinking  my  affliction  is  teaching  me  much,  by  my  saying  these 
 things.  Oh !  I  msh  it  were  so.  Nobody  ever  made  less  use  of 
 affliction  than  I  do.  I  feel  the  assaults  of  Satan  most  when  I  am 
 removed  into  a  corner ;  every  evil  thought  and  purpose  rushes  over 
 my  soul,  and  it  is  only  at  times  that  I  can  find  Him  whom  my  soul 
 loveth. 
 
 Monday,  Jan.  14,  1 839. — I  now  sit  down  to  finish  this,  and  send 
 it  away.  I  am  much  in  my  usual  to-day,  perhaps,  if  anything,  a 
 little  better.  Still  I  have  a  hope  at  present  of  resuming  my  labours. 
 Will  you  give  me  a  Sabbath-day's  labour  ?  I  had  no  intention  of 
 asking  you  when  I  began  this ;  but  I  feel  that  I  had  better  not 
 close  it  without  asking  this  favour.  I  would  fain  be  back,  but  I 
 do  not  feel  that  I  would  be  justified  in  so  doing.  When  I  give  a 
 short  prayer  in  the  family,  it  often  quite  knocks  me  up.  I  heard 
 of  my  people  to-day  :  they  are  going  on  as  well  as  can  be  expected. 
 Death  is  busy  among  them,  and  Satan  too.  I  try  to  lean  them  all 
 on  Him  who  entrusted  them  to  me.     I  did  hear  of  your  brother's 
 
LETTERS.  175 
 
 illness,  and  sympathized  with  you  in  it,  though  I  heard  no  particu- 
 lars. Write  me  particularly  how  he  is.  I  hope  and  beheve  that 
 he  has  an  anchor  within  the  veil,  and  therefore  we  need  not  fear  for 
 him  whatever  storms  may  blow.  Remember  me  to  him  when  you 
 write  him  or  see  him.  May  we  both  be  made  better  men,  and 
 hoher,  by  our  affliction. 
 
 Take  care  of  your  health.  Redeem  the  time,  because  the  days 
 are  evil.  Does  the  work  of  God  still  go  on  among  your  people  ? 
 There  is  a  decided  improvement  in  the  ministers  here — more  prayer 
 and  faith  and  hope.  There  are  marks  of  God's  Spirit  not  having 
 left  us.  Remember  me  to  Gilhes  and  Smith,  your  fellow-labourers. 
 May  their  names  be  in  the  Book  of  Life. — Yours  ever, 
 
 ROBT.  MURRAY  M'CHEYNE. 
 
 TO  MES  THAIN,  HEATHPAKK. 
 
 During  the  continuance  of  the  same  illness. 
 
 Edinburgh,  February  9,  1839. 
 
 My  dear  Mrs  Thain, — I  was  happy  to  receive  your  and  Mi 
 Thain's  kind  letter.  It  is  very  cheering  to  me,  in  my  exile  from 
 my  flock,  to  hear  of  them.  I  send  you  a  short  line,  as  I  am  not 
 good  at  writing.  I  am  glad  you  are  keeping  pretty  well,  and  still 
 more  that  your  spiritual  health  seems  to  prosper.  The  spring  is 
 advancing, — I  feel  already  the  softness  of  the  wind, — so  that  we 
 may  hope  the  winter  is  past,  the  rain  over  and  gone.  I  know  the 
 summer  revives  you,  and  the  doctor  gives  me  good  hope  that  it 
 will  revive  me.  In  spiritual  things,  this  world  is  all  winter  time 
 so  long  as  the  Saviour  is  away.  To  them  that  are  in  Christ  there 
 are  some  sweet  glistenings  of  his  countenance,  there  are  meltings 
 of  his  love,  and  the  sweet  song  of  the  turtle-dove  when  his  Holy 
 Spirit  dwells  in  the  bosom ;  still  it  is  but  winter  time  till  our  Lord 
 shall  come.  But  then,  "  to  you  that  fear  his  name,  shall  the  Sun 
 of  Righteousness  arise  with  healing  in  his  wings."  And  if  before 
 He  comes  we  should  go  away  to  be  where  He  is,  still  we  shall 
 enter  into  a  world  of  perpetual  summer, — we  shall  behold  his  glory 
 which  the  Father  gave  Him. 
 
 I  feel  much  better  than  usual  to-day ;  but  I  have  returns  of  my 
 beating  heart  occasionally.  Jesus  stands  at  the  door  and  knocks, 
 and  sometimes  I  think  the  door  will  give  way  before  his  gentle 
 hand.  I  am  bid  to  try  the  sea-water  hot  bath,  which  I  hope  will 
 do  me  good.     I  have  good  hope  of  being  restored  to  my  peopio 
 
176  LETTERS. 
 
 air:ain,  and  only  hope  that  I  may  come  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing 
 of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  that  this  time  of  silent  musing  may  not  be 
 lost. 
 
 I  am  thankful  indeed  at  the  appointment  of  Mr  Lewis.  I  hope 
 he  has  been  given  in  answer  to  prayer,  and  then  he  will  be  a 
 blessing.  We  must  pray  that  he  may  be  furnished  from  on  high 
 for  his  arduous  work.  I  have  great  hope  that  he  will  be  the  means 
 of  raising  many  more  churches  and  schools  in  our  poor  town — I 
 mean  poor  in  spiritual  things. 
 
 I  hope  Mr  Macdonald  was  happy,  and  made  others  so.  "  Apollos 
 watered."  May  great  grace  be  upon  you  all. — Your  affectionate 
 friend,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  SAME. 
 Before  going  forth  on  the  mission  to  Israel. 
 
 Edlnburgh,  March  15,  1839. 
 
 My  dear  Mrs  Thain, — You  will  think  me  very  unkind  in 
 breaking  my  word  to  Mr  Thain,  in  not  writing  you  in  answer  to 
 your  kind  letter  by  him.  But  I  did  too  much  the  week  he  was  in 
 Edinburgh,  and  fairly  knocked  myself  up,  so  that  I  had  just  to  lay 
 aside  my  pen  and  suffer  quietly.  My  friendly  monitor  is  seldom  far 
 away  from  me,  and  when  I  do  anything  too  much  he  soon  checks 
 me.  However,  I  feel  thankful  that  I  am  better  again  this  week, 
 and  was  thinking  I  would  preach  again.  This  is  always  the  way 
 with  me.  When  my  heart  afflicts  me,  I  say  to  myself :  Farewell, 
 blessed  work  of  the  gospel  ministry!  happy  days  of  preaching 
 Christ  and  Him  crucified !  winning  jewels  for  an  eternal  crown ! 
 And  then  again,  when  it  has  abated,  I  feel  as  if  I  would  stand  up 
 once  more  to  tell  all  the  world  what  the  Lord  of  Glory  has  done 
 for  sinners. 
 
 You  have  sent  me  a  pocket  companion  (a  Bible)  for  Immanuel's 
 land.  I  shall  indeed  be  very  happy  to  take  it  with  me,  to  remind 
 me  of  you  and  your  kind  family,  at  the  time  when  I  am  meditating 
 on  the  things  that  concern  our  everlasting  peace.  All  my  ideas  of 
 peace  and  joy  are  Hnked  in  with  my  Bible  ;  and  1  would  not  give 
 the  hours  of  secret  converse  with  it  for  all  the  other  hours  I  spend 
 in  this  world. 
 
 Mr  M is  the  bearer  of  this,  and  I  have  told  him  he  is  to  call 
 
 on  you  with  it.  He  is  one  much  taught  of  God,  and  though  with 
 much  inward  corruption  to  fight  against,  he  still  holds  on  the 
 divine  way  a  burning  and  shining  lamp. 
 
LETOEKS  177 
 
 I  knew  you  v/ould  be  surprised  at  the  thought  of  my  going  so 
 far  away ;  and,  indeed,  who  could  have  foreseen  all  that  has  hap- 
 pened ?  I  feel  very  plainly  that  it  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  this  has 
 taken  away  the  edge  of  the  pain.  How  many  purposes  God  has 
 in  view  of  which  we  know  nothing  !  Perhaps  we  do  not  see  the 
 hundredth  part  of  his  intentions  towards  us  in  sending  me  away. 
 I  am  contented  to  be  led  bhndfold ;  for  I  know  that  all  will  redound, 
 through  the  thanksgiving  of  many,  to  the  glory  of  our  heavenly 
 Father.  I  feel  very  plainly  that  towards  many  among  my  people 
 this  separation  has  been  a  most  faithful  chastisement.  To  those 
 that  liked  the  man  but  not  the  message — who  were  pleased  with 
 the  vessel  but  not  with  the  treasure — it  will  reveal  the  vanity  of , 
 what  they  thought  their  good  estate.  To  some,  I  hope,  it  has 
 been  sent  in  mercy.  To  some,  I  fear,  it  has  been  sent  in  judgment. 
 Above  all,  none  had  more  need  of  it  than  myself;  for  I  am  naturally 
 so  prone  to  make  an  ill  use  of  the  attachment  of  my  people,  that  I 
 need  to  be  humbled  in  the  dust,  and  to  see  that  it  is  a  very  nothing. 
 I  need  to  be  made  willing  to  be  forgotten.  Oh !  I  wish  that  my 
 heart  were  quite  refined  from  all  self-seeking.  I  am  quite  sure 
 that  our  truest  happiness  is  not  to  seek  our  own, — just  to  forget 
 ourselves, — and  to  fill  up  the  Httle  space  that  remains,  seeking  only, 
 and  above  all,  that  our  God  may  be  glorified.  But  when  I  would 
 do  good,  evil  is  present  with  me. 
 
 I  am  not  yet  sure  of  the  day  of  my  going  away.  There  is  to 
 be  a  meeting  on  Monday  to  arrange  matters.  Andrew  Bonar  and 
 Dr  Black  can  hardly  get  away  till  the  first  week  of  April ;  but  I 
 may  probably  go  before  to  London  next  week.  I  know  you  will 
 pray  for  me  in  secret  and  in  the  family,  that  I  may  be  kept  from 
 evil,  and  may  do  good.  Our  desire  is  to  save  sinners — to  gather 
 souls,  Jew  or  Gentile,  before  the  Lord  come.  Oh  is  it  not  won- 
 derful how  God  is  making  people  take  an  interest  in  the  Jews ! 
 Surely  the  way  of  these  kings  of  the  East  will  be  soon  prepared. 
 
 I  shall  be  quite  dehghted  if  J is  able  to  take  a  small  part 
 
 in  the  Sabbath  school.  She  knows  it  is  what  I  always  told  her, 
 — not  to  be  a  hearer  of  the  word  only,  but  a  doer.  It  is  but  a 
 little  time,  and  we  shall  work  no  more  here  for  Him.  Oh  that  we 
 might  glorify  Him  on  the  earth !  I  believe  there  are  better  mini- 
 sters in  store  for  Scotland  than  any  that  have  yet  appeared.     Tell 
 
 J to  stay  herself  upon  God.     Jesus  continueth  ever,  He  hath 
 
 an  unchangeable  priesthood.  Others  are  not  suffered  to  continue 
 by  reason  of  death. 
 
 You  expected  me  in  Dundee  before  I  go  ;  but  I  dare  not.  You 
 remember  Paul  sailed  past  Ephesus — he  dared  not  encounter  the 
 
 M 
 
178  LETTERS. 
 
 meetiug  with  his  people.  Indeed,  I  do  not  dare  to  think  too 
 much  on  my  going  away,  for  it  often  brings  sadness  over  my 
 spirit,  which  I  can  ill  bear  just  now.  But  the  will  of  the  Lord 
 be  done. 
 
 Kindest  regards  to  you  all.  Christ's  peace  be  left  with  you.  I 
 shall  remember  you  all,  and  be  glad  to  write  you  a  word  when  I  am 
 far  away. — Yours  ever,  etc. 
 
 TO  MISS  COLLIEK,  DUNDEE, 
 flow  his  silence  may  be  useful  to  liis  people  and  himself. 
 
 Edinburgh,  March  14,  1839. 
 My  dear  Miss  Collier, — I  feel  it  very  kind  your  writing  to 
 me,  and  rejoice  in  sending  you  a  word  in  answer  by  my  excellent 
 friend  Mr  Moody.  Indeed,  I  was  just  going  to  write  to  you  when 
 I  received  yours,  for  I  heard  you  had  been  rather  poorly,  and  I 
 was  going  to  entreat  of  you  to  take  care  of  yourself ;  for  you  do 
 not  know  how  much  my  hfe  is  bound  up  in  your  life,  and  in  the 
 life  of  those  around  you  who  are  like-minded.  I  feel  it  quite  true 
 that  my  absence  should  be  regarded  by  my  flock  as  a  mark  that 
 God  is  chastening  them ;  and  though  I  know  well  that  I  am  but  a 
 dim  light  in  the  hand  of  Jesus,  yet  there  is  always  something  terrible 
 where  Jesus  withdraws  the  meanest  light  in  such  a  dark  world.  I 
 feel  that  to  many  this  trial  has  been  absolutely  needful.  Many 
 liked  their  minister  naturally,  who  had  but  little  real  relish  for  the 
 message  he  carried.  God  now  sifts  these  souls,  and  wants  to  show 
 them  that  it  is  a  looking  to  Jesus  that  saves,  not  a  looking  to  man. 
 I  think  I  could  name  many  to  whom  this  trial  should  be  blessed. 
 Some  also  who  were  really  on  the  true  foundation,  but  were  build- 
 ing wood,  hay,  and  stubble  upon  it,  may  be  brought  to  see  that 
 nothing  would  truly  comfort  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  but  what  can 
 stand  the  hour  of  trial.  You  yourself,  my  dear  friend,  may  be 
 brought  to  cleave  much  more  simply  to  the  Lord  Jesus.  You 
 may  be  made  to  feel  that  Christ  continueth  ever,  and  hath  an 
 unchangeable  priesthood;  that  his  work  is  perfect,  and  that  in- 
 finitely ;  and  poor  and  naked  as  we  are,  we  can  appear  only  in 
 Him — only  in  Him.  But  if  the  trial  was  needed  by  my  people,  it 
 was  still  more  needed  by  me.  None  but  God  knows  what  an  abyss 
 of  corruption  is  in  my  heart.  He  knows  and  covers  all  in  the  blood 
 of  the  Lamb.  In  faithfulness  Thou  hast  afflicted  me.  It  is  per- 
 fectly wonderful  that  ever  God  could  bless  such  a  ministry.     And 
 
LETl'ERS.  179 
 
 now,  when  I  go  over  all  the  faults  of  it,  it  appears  almost  im- 
 possible that  I  can  ever  preach  again.  But  then  I  think  again, 
 who  can  preach  so  well  as  a  sinner — who  is  forgiven  so  much,  and 
 daily  upheld  by  the  Spirit  with  such  a  heart  within !  I  can  truly 
 say  "that  the  fruit  of  my  long  exile  has  been,  that  I  am  come  nearer 
 to  God,  and  long  more  for  perfect  holiness,  and  for  the  world 
 where  the  people  shall  be  all  righteous.  I  do  long  to  be  free 
 from  self,  from  pride,  and  ungodliness  ;  and  I  know  where  to  go, 
 "  for  all  the  promises  of  God  are  yea  and  amen  in  Christ  Jesus." 
 Christ  is  my  armoury,  and  I  go  to  Him  to  get  the  whole  armour 
 of  God — the  armour  of  light.  My  sword  and  buckler,  my  arrows, 
 my  sling  and  stone,  all  are  laid  up  in  Jesus.  1  know  you  find  it 
 so.  Evermore  grow  in  this  truly  practical  wisdom.  You  have  a 
 shepherd;  you  shall  never  want.  What  effect  my  long  absence 
 may  have  on  the  mass  of  unconverted  souls  I  do  not  know.  I 
 cannot  yet  see  God's  purposes  towards  them :  perhaps  it  may  be 
 judgment,  as  in  the  case  of  Ephesus,  Rev.  ii.  5 ;  perhaps  it  may  be 
 in  mercy,  as  in  the  case  of  Laodicea,  Rev.  iii.  19  ;  or  perhaps  there 
 are  some  who  would  not  bend  under  my  ministry,  who  are  to  flow 
 down  as  wax  before  the  fire  under  the  ministry  of  the  precious 
 fellow-labourer  who  is  to  succeed  me.  William  Burns,  son  of  the 
 minister  of  Kilsyth,  has  for  the  present  agreed  to  supply  my  place ; 
 and  though  there  is  a  proposal  of  his  being  sent  to  Ceylon,  I  do 
 hope  he  may  be  kept  for  us.  He  is  one  truly  taught  of  God — 
 young,  but  Christ  lives  in  him.  You  know  he  comes  of  a  good 
 kind  by  the  flesh. 
 
 Another  reason  of  our  trial,  I  hope,  has  been  God's  mercy  to 
 Israel.  There  is  something  so  wonderful  about  the  way  in  Which 
 all  difficulties  have  been  overcome,  and  the  way  opened  up,  that  I 
 cannot  doubt  the  hand  of  Jehovah  has  been  in  it.  This  gives  me, 
 and  should  give  you,  who  love  Israel,  a  cheering  view  of  this  trial. 
 The  Lord  meant  it  for  great  good.  If  God  be  glorified,  is  not  this 
 our  utmost  deeire  ?  Oh,  it  is  sweet,  when  in  prayer  we  can  lay  our- 
 selves and  all  our  interests,  along  with  Zion,  in  the  hands  of  Him 
 whom  we  feel  to  be  Ahha !  And  if  we  are  thus  tied  ourselves  in 
 the  same  bundle  with  Zion,  we  must  resign  all  right  to  ourselves, 
 and  to  our  wishes.  May  the  Lord  open  up  a  way  to  his  name 
 being  widely  glorified  on  the  earth  even  before  we  die !  I  know 
 you  will  pray  for  us  on  our  way,  that  our  feet  may  be  beautiful  on 
 the  mountains  of  Israel,  and  that  we  may  say  to  Zion,  "  Thy  God 
 'reigneth."  Pray  that  your  poor  friend  may  be  supplied  out  of  his 
 riches  in  glory,  that  he  may  not  shrink  in  hours  of  trial,  but  endure 
 hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ.     I  will  remember  you 
 
1 80  LETTERS. 
 
 when  far  away,  and  pray  God  to  keep  you  safe  under  the  shadow 
 of  the  Redeemer's  wings  till  I  come  again  in  peace,  if  it  be  his 
 holy  will.  Dr  Black  and  Andrew  Bonar  have  both  consented  to 
 go.  I  shall  probably  be  sent  before  to  London  next  week,  to  open 
 he  way.  I  am  not  very  strong  yet ;  often  revisited  by  my  warning 
 friend,  to  tell  me  that  I  may  see  the  New  Jerusalem  before  I  see 
 the  Jerusalem  beneath.  However,  I  have  the  sentence  of  death  in 
 myself,  and  do  not  trust  in  myself,  but  in  God,  who  raises  the 
 dead. 
 
 I  saw  Mrs  Coutts  yesterday,  in  good  health,  and  full  of  spirit. 
 She  almost  offered  to  go  with  us  to  Immanuel's  Land.  I  fear  the 
 Pastoral  Letters  are  not  worth  printing  ;  but  I  shall  ask  others 
 what  they  think.  Farewell  for  the  present.  The  Lord  give  you 
 all  grace  and  peace. — Your  affectionate  pastor,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  EEV.  W.  0.  BURNS. 
 
 On  his  agreeing  to  undertake  the  charge  of  St  Peter's,  during  Mr  M'O.'s  absence 
 
 in  Palestine. 
 
 Edinburgh,  Hill  Street,  March  22,  1839. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — For  I  trust  I  may  now  reckon  you  among 
 the  number  in  the  truest  sense, — I  haste  to  send  you  a  hue  in 
 answer  to  your  last.  I  am  glad  you  have  made  up  your  mind  to 
 begin  your  spiritual  charge  over  my  flock  on  the  first  week  of 
 April.  The  Committee  have  resolved  that  I  leave  this  on  Wednes- 
 day next,  so  that  you  will  not  hear  from  me  again  till  I  am  away. 
 Take  heed  to  thyself.  Your  own  soul  is  your  first  and  greatest 
 care.  You  know  a  sound  body  alone  can  work  with  power ;  much 
 more  a  healthy  soul.  Keep  a  clear  conscience  through  the  blood  of 
 the  Lamb.  Keep  up  close  communion  with  God.  Study  likeness 
 to  Him  in  all  things.  Read  the  Bible  for  your  own  growth  first, 
 then  for  your  people.  Expound  much ;  it  is  through  the  truth  that 
 souls  are  to  be  sanctified,  not  through  essays  vpon  the  truth.  Be 
 easy  of  access,  apt  to  teach,  and  the  Lord  teach  you  and  bless  you 
 in  all  you  do  and  say.  You  will  not  find  many  companions.  Be 
 the  more  with  God.  My  dear  people  are  anxiously  waiting  for 
 you.  The  prayerful  are  praying  for  you.  Be  of  good  courage ; 
 there  remaineth  much  of  the  land  to  be  possessed.  Be  not  dismayed, 
 for  Christ  shall  be  with  thee  to  deUver  thee.  Study  Isaiah  vi.,  ami 
 Jer.  i.,  and  the  sending  of  Moses,  and  Ps.  li.  12,  13,  and  John  xv, 
 26,  27,  and  the  connection  in  Luke  i.  15,  IC. 
 
LETTERS.  181 
 
 I  shall  hope  to  hear  from  you  when  I  am  awa}^  Your  accounts 
 of  my  people  will  be  a  good  word  to  make  my  heart  G;'lad.  I  am 
 often  sore  cast  down  ;  but  the  eternal  God  is  my  refuge.  Now 
 farewell ;  the  Lord  make  you  a  faithful  steward. — Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 PASTORAL  LETTERS  TO  THE  FLOCK  OF  ST  PETER'S. 
 
 FIRST  PASTORAL  LETTER. 
 View  of  what  God  has  done,— liow  it  should  affect  them. 
 
 Edi>{burgh,  January  30,  1839. 
 
 To  all  of  you,  my  dear  friends  and  people,  who  are  beloved  of 
 God,  and  faithful  in  Christ  Jesus,  your  pastor  wishes  grace  and 
 peace  from  God  the  Father,  and  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.^ 
 
 As  several  of  you  have  expressed  a  desire  to  hear  from  me,  and 
 as  He  who  at  lirst  sent  me  to  you  to  bear  witness  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
 has  for  many  weeks  witlidrawn  me,  and  still  lays  his  afflicting  but 
 gentle  hand  on  me,  it  has  seemed  good  to  me,  not  without  prayer, 
 to  write  to  you  from  week  to  week  a  short  word  of  exhortation. 
 May  the  Holy  Spirit  guide  the  pen,  that  what  is  written  may  be 
 blessed  to  your  comfort  and  growth  in  grace  ! 
 
 God  is  my  record  how  greatly  I  long  after  you  all  in  the  bowels 
 of  Jesus  Christ ;  and  the  walls  of  ray  chamber  can  bear  witness 
 how  often  the  silent  watches  of  the  night  have  been  filled  up  with 
 entreaties  to  the  Lord  for  you  all.  I  can  truly  say  with  John, 
 "  that  I  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  that  my  children  walk  in 
 the  truth ; "  and  though  many  of  you  were  in  Christ  before  me,  and 
 were  living  branches  of  the  true  vine  before  I  was  sent  into  the 
 vineyard,  yet  beUeve  me  it  is  true  of  you  also,  I  have  no  greater  joy 
 than  to  know  that  you  are  more  and  more  filled  with  the  Holy 
 Ghost,  and  bear  more  and  more  fruit  to  the  glory  of  God  the 
 Father.  "Herein  is  the  Father  glorified,  that  you  bear  much 
 fruit."  You  remember  what  Paul,  when  he  was  a  prisoner  of  the 
 Lord,  wrote  to  the  Philippians  (i.  12),  "  I  would  that  ye  should 
 understand,  brethren,  that  the  things  which  happened  unto  me 
 have  fallen  out  rather  unto  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel."  I  am 
 very  anxious  that  you  and  I  should  understand  the  very  same,  iu 
 the  things  which  have  happened  unto  me,  that  we  may  vindicate 
 
 ^  He  had  begun  to  correct  a  copy  of  these  Pastoral  Letters  for  publication,  at  tha 
 earnest  request  of  some  of  his  frieuds.  The  few  coirections  made  are  all  inserted. 
 The  chief  alterations  are  in  the  fourth  of  the  Pastoral  Letters.  He  had  got  no 
 farther  than  the  seventh. 
 
182  -  LETTERS. 
 
 God  in  all  his  dealings  with  us,  and  "  not  despise  the  chastening  of 
 the  Lord."  I  know  too  well  that  there  are  many  amongst  you 
 who  would  feel  it  no  grievance  if  all  the  Lord's  ministers  were 
 taken  out  of  the  way.  Ah !  how  many  are  there  who  would 
 rejoice  if  they  were  for  ever  left  to  sin  unreproved,  and  to  do  what 
 was  right  in  their  own  eyes  !  Still  I  am  quite  sure  that  to  you, 
 "  who  have  obtained  like  precious  faith  with  us," — to  you,  who  are 
 the  Lord's  people,  the  present  is  a  season  of  affliction,  and  you  feel, 
 as  Naomi  felt,  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  gone  out  against  us. 
 My  present  object  in  writing  to  you  is  shortly  to  persuade  you 
 that  "it  is  well," — "  the  Lord  doeth  all  things  well," — and  that  it 
 may  be  really  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel  among  you.  In 
 many  ways  may  this  be  the  case. 
 
 First,  With  respect  to  myself.  It  does  not  become  me  here  to 
 show  what  benefit  it  may  be  to  me.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  it  has 
 been  a  precious  opportunity  in  which  to  reflect  on  the  sins  and 
 imperfections  of  my  ministry  among  you.  A  calm  hour  with  God 
 is  worth  a  whole  lifetime  with  man.  Let  it  be  your  prayer  that  I 
 may  come  out  like  gold,  that  the  tin  may  be  taken  away,  and  that 
 I  may  come  back  to  you,  if  that  be  the  will  of  God,  a  better  man, 
 and  a  more  devoted  minister.  I  have  much  to  learn,  and  these 
 words  of  David  have  been  often  in  my  heart  and  on  my  lips,  "  I 
 know  that  thy  judgments  are  right,  and  that  Thou  in  faithfulness 
 liast  afaicted  me,"  Ps.  cxix.  75.  Ministers  are  God's  tools  for 
 building  up  the  gospel  temple.  Now  you  know  well  that  every 
 wise  workman  takes  his  tools  away  from  the  work  from  time  to 
 time,  that  they  may  be  ground  and  sharpened ;  so  does  the  only- 
 wise  Jehovah  take  his  ministers  oftentimes  away  into  darkness  and 
 lonehness  and  trouble,  that  He  may  sharpen  and  prepare  them  for 
 harder  work  in  his  service.  Pray  that  it  may  be  so  with  your 
 own  pastor. 
 
 Second,  With  regard  to  you,  my  dear  brothers  and  sisters  in  the 
 Lord,  this  time  of  trial  is  for  your  furtherance.  Does  not  God 
 teach  you,  by  means  of  it,  to  look  beyond  man  to  the  Saviour,  who 
 abideth  ever  ?  Is  not  God  showing  you  that  ministers  are  earthen 
 vessels,  easily  broken,  and  fit  only  to  be  cast  aside  hke  a  broken 
 pitcher  out  of  mind?  Is  He  not  bidding  you  look  more  to  the 
 treasure  which  was  in  them,  and  which  flows  in  all  its  fulness  from 
 Christ  "i  It  is  a  sad  error  into  which  I  see  many  Christians  falling, 
 that  of  leaning  upon  man,  mistaking  friendship  toward  a  minister 
 ^ov  faith  on  the  Son  of  God. 
 
 Remember  that  before  Moses  was  sent  to  deliver  Israel,  his  hand 
 was  made  leprous,  as  white  as  snow,  to  teach  them  that  it  was  not 
 
LETTERS.  183 
 
 the  might  of  that  hand  that  could  deliver  Israel :  Exod.  iv.  6,  7. 
 It  has  been  the  fault  of  some  of  you  to  lean  too  much  on  man. 
 Now  God  is  teaching  you  that,  though  the  cistern  may  break,  the 
 fountain  abides  as  open  and  full  and  free  as  ever — that  it  is  not 
 from  sitting  under  any  particular  ministry  that  you  are  to  get 
 nourishment,  but  from  being  vitally  united  to  Christ.  Ministers 
 "  are  not  suffered  to  continue  by  reason  of  death,  but  Chnst, 
 because  He  continueth  ever,  hath  an  unchangeable  priesthood." — 
 Heb.  vii.  23. 
 
 Third,  With  regard  to  those  among  you  who  are  almost,  but 
 not  altogether,  persuaded  to  be  Christians,  does  not  this  providence 
 teach  you  to  make  sure  of  an  interest  in  Christ  without  delay  ? 
 You  thought  you  would  have  the  Saviour  held  up  to  you  for  an 
 indefinite  number  of  Sabbaths,  little  thinking  that  your  Sabbaths 
 and  mine  are  all  numbered.  Many  a  time  you  have  said  to  me  in 
 your  heart,  "  Go  thy  way  for  this  time  ;  when  I  have  a  more  con- 
 venient season  I  will  call  for  thee."  You  did  not  think  that  a  time 
 might  come  when  you  may  call  for  your  teachers,  and  they  be 
 silent  as  the  grave. 
 
 I  find  many  godly  people  here  are  looking  forward  to  a  time 
 when  God's  faithful  witnesses  shall  be  put  to  silence,  and  anxious 
 souls  shall  wander  from  sea  to  sea,  seeking  the  word  of  God,  and 
 shall  not  find  it.  Be  entreated,  O  wavering  souls,  to  settle  the 
 question  of  your  salvation  now.  Why  halt  ye  between  two 
 opinions?  It  is  most  unreasonable  to  be  undecided  about  the 
 things  of  an  endless  eternity,  in  such  a  world  as  this,  with  such 
 frail  bodies,  with  such  a  Saviour  stretching  out  his  hand,  and  such 
 a  Spirit  of  love  striving  with  you.  Remember  you  are  flesh — you 
 will  soon  hear  your  last  sermon.  "  I  call  heaven  and  earth  to 
 recoriiJ.this  day  against  you,  that  I  have  put  before  you  life  and 
 death,  blessing  and  cursing  :  therefore  choose  life,  that  both  thou 
 and  thy  seed  may  live." — Deut.  xxx.  19. 
 
 Fourth,  There  is  another  class  who  are  not  of  you,  and  yet  are 
 on  every  hand  of  you,  "  of  whom  I  have  told  you  often,  and  now 
 tell  you,  even  weeping,  that  they  are  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of 
 Christ,  whose  god  is  their  belly,  who  glory  in  their  shame,  who 
 mind  earthly  things."  Ah !  you  would  not  beheve  if  I  were  to 
 tell  you  the  great  heaviness  and  continual  sorrow  that  I  have  in 
 my  heart  for  you,  and  yet  I  hope  my  absence  may  be  blessed  even 
 to  you.  Just  think  for  a  moment,  if  God  were  to  remove  your 
 teachers  one  by  one — if  He  were  to  suffer  the  church  of  our  cove- 
 nanted fathers  to  fall  before  the  hands  of  her  enemies— if  He  were 
 to  suffer  Popery  again  to  spread  its  dark  and  deadly  shade  over 
 
184  LETTERvS. 
 
 the  land,  where  would  you  be? — you  that  despise  the  Sabbath, 
 that  care  little  for  the  preached  word — you  that  have  no  prayer  in 
 your  famihes,  and  seldom  in  your  closets — you  that  are  lovers 
 of  pleasure — you  that  w^allow  in  sin  !  You  would  have  your  wish 
 then :  you  would  have  your  silent  Sabbaths  indeed — no  warning 
 voice  to  cry  after  you — no  praying  people  to  pray  for  you — none 
 to  check  you  in  your  career  of  wickedness — none  to  beseech  you 
 not  to  perish.  Learn  from  so  small  a  circumstance  as  the  absence 
 of  your  stated  minister  what  may  be  in  store  for  you,  and  llee  now 
 from  the  wrath  to  come.  "It  may  be  ye  shall  be  hid  in  the  day 
 of  the  Lord's  anger." — Zeph.  ii.  3. 
 
 Finally,  My  brethren,  dearly  beloved  and  longed  for,  my  joy  and 
 crown,  abide  all  the  more  in  Christ  because  of  my  absence,  and 
 maintain  a  closer  walk  with  God,  that  when  I  return,  as  God 
 gives  me  good  hopes  now  of  doing,  I  may  rejoice  to  see  what  great 
 things  God  has  done  for  your  souls.  God  feeds  the  wild-flowers 
 on  the  lonely  mountain  side,  without  the  help  of  man,  and  they  are 
 as  fresh  and  lovely  as  those  that  are  daily  watched  over  in  our 
 gardens.  So  God  can  feed  his  own  planted  ones  without  the  help 
 of  man,  by  the  sweetly  falling  dev/  of  his  vSpirit.  How  I  long  to 
 see  you  walking  in  holy  communion  with  God,  in  love  to  the 
 brethren,  and  burning  zeal  for  the  cause  of  God  in  the  world  !  I 
 will  never  rest,  nor  give  God  rest,  till  He  make  you  a  lamp  that 
 burneth — a  city  set  upon  a  hill  that  cannot  be  hid.  Now  strive 
 together  with  me,  in  your  prayers  to  God  for  me,  that  I  may  come 
 unto  you  with  joy  by  the  will  of  God. 
 
 The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you.  My  love  be 
 with  you  all  in  Christ  Jesus.     Amen. 
 
 SECOND  PASTORAL  LETTER. 
 Past  times  of  iirivilege  reviewed — privileges  still  remaining. 
 
 Edinburgh,  Felruary  6,  1839. 
 
 To  all  of  you,  my  dear  flock,  who  have  chosen  the  good  part 
 which  cannot  be  taken  away,  your  pastor  wishes  grace,  mercy,  and 
 peace,  from  God  our  Father  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
 
 The  sweet  sirjger  of  Israel  begins  one  of  his  psalms  with  these 
 remarkable  words:  "I  will  sing  of  mercy  and  judgment;  unto 
 Thee,  O  God,  will  I  sing."  This  is  the  experience  of  all  God's 
 servants  in  time  of  trouble.  Even  in  the  wildest  storms  the  sky  is 
 not  all  dark  ;  and  so  in  the  darkest  dealings  of  God  with  hia 
 
LETTERS.  185 
 
 children,  there  are  always  some  bright  tokens  for  good.  His  way 
 with  us  of  late  has  been  "in  the  sea,  and  his  path  in  the  deep 
 waters."  Yet  some  of  you  may  have  felt  that  his  own  hand  was 
 leading  us  like  a  flock.  Ps.  Ixxvii.  19,  20.  One  great  token  of 
 his  loving-kindness  has  been  the  way  in  which  He  has  supphed  the 
 absence  of  your  stated  minister.  Ordained  messengers,  men  oi 
 faith  and  prayer,  have  spoken  to  you  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  in 
 the  name  of  the  Lord.  Awakening,  inviting,  comforting  messages 
 you  have  had  ;  and  even  your  meetings  on  Thursday  evenings 
 He  has  continued  to  you  ;  the  gates  of  the  house  of  prayer,  like 
 the  gates  of  the  city  of  refuge,  have  been  as  open  to  you  as  ever, 
 inviting  you  to  enter  in  and  behold  by  faith  what  Jacob  saw  in 
 Bethel,  "  the  ladder  set  on  earth,  and  the  top  of  it  reaching  into 
 heaven,"  inviting  you  to  meet  with  Him  with  whom  Jacob  wrestled 
 till  the  breaking  of  the  day.  Think  how  often,  in  times  of  per- 
 secution, the  apostles  were  constrained  to  leave  the  seed  they  had 
 sown,  without  leaving  any  one  to  water  it  but  "  the  Lord  on  whom 
 they  beheved."  See  Acts  xiii.  50,  52,  and  xiv.  23,  and  xvi.  40. 
 How  often,  in  times  of  persecution  in  the  Church  of  Scotland,  our 
 faithful  pastors  had  to  leave  their  few  sheep  in  the  wilderness, 
 without  any  human  shepherd  to  care  for  their  souls,  commending 
 them  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace  !  These  times  may 
 come  again.  God  may  be  preparing  us  for  such  fiery  trials.  But 
 He  hath  not  yet  dealt  so  with  us.  He  that  tempers  the  wind  to 
 the  shorn  lamb,  and  "  who  stays  his  rough  wind  in  the  day  of  his 
 east  wind,"  has  mingled  mercy  with  judgment ;  and  even  when 
 He  humbles  us,  gives  us  cause  for  praise.  "  Oh  that  men  would 
 praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful  works  to 
 the  children  of  men  !"  Another  mark  of  his  loving-kindness  to  us 
 is  his  suffering  me  to  pray  for  you.  You  remember  how  the 
 apostles  describe  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Acts  vi.  4,  "  We  will 
 give  ourselves  continually  to  prayer,  and  to  the  ministry  of  the 
 word."  Now,  God  is  my  record  that  this  has  been  my  heart's 
 desire  ever  since  my  coming  among  you.  I  have  always  felt  myself 
 a  debtor  to  you  all,  both  to  the  wise  and  to  the  unwise,  so  as  much 
 as  in  me  is  I  have  been  ready  to  preach  the  gospel  unto  you ;  but 
 God  has  for  a  time  withdrawn  me  from  that  part  of  the  work 
 amongst  you.  To  me  that  grace  is  not  now  given  to  preach 
 among  you  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  (Oh,  how  great  a 
 grace  it  is  !  how  wonderful  that  it  should  ever  have  been  given  to 
 me !)  Still  He  allows  me  to  give  myself  unto  prayer.  Perhaps 
 this  may  be  the  chief  reason  of  my  exile  from  you,  to  teach  me 
 what  Zechariah  was  taught  in  the  vision  of  the  golden  candlestick 
 
186  LETTERS. 
 
 and  the  two  olive-trees,  Zeeh.  iv.  6,  that  it  is  not  by  might,  nor  by 
 power,  but  by  his  Spirit,  obtained  in  believing,  wrestling  prayer, 
 that  the  temple  of  God  is  to  be  built  in  our  parishes.  I  have 
 hanged  my  harp  upon  the  willow,  and  am  no  more  allowed  "  to 
 open  to  you  dark  sayings  upon  the  harp,"  nor  "  to  speak  of  the 
 things  which  I  have  made  touching  the  "King,"  who  is  "fairer 
 than  the  children  of  men."  Still  my  soul  does  not  dwell  in  silence. 
 I  am  permitted  to  go  in  secret  to  God  my  exceeding  joy  ;  and, 
 while  meditating  his  praise,  I  can  make  mention  of  you  all  in  my 
 prayers,  and  give  thanks  for  the  little  flock,  who,  "  by  patient 
 continuance  in  well-doing,  seek  for  glory,  and  honour,  and  immor- 
 tality." "  If  I  forget  thee,  0  Jerusalem,  let  my  right  hand  forget 
 her  cunning ;  if  I  do  not  remember  thee,  let  my  tongue  cleave  to 
 the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if  I  prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief 
 joy."  I  feel  it  is  another  gift  of  grace  that  I  am  suffered  to  write 
 to  you.  You  remember  how  often  the  apostles  cheered  and 
 strengthened  the  disciples,  when  absent  from  them,  by  writing  to 
 them.^  What  a  precious  legacy  of  the  church  in  all  ages  have 
 these  epistles  been  !  every  verse  like  a  branch  of  the  Tree  of  Life, 
 bearing  all  manner  of  fruit,  and  the  leaves  for  the  healing  of  the 
 nation.  You  remember  how  holy  Samuel  Rutherford,  and  many 
 of  our  pexsecuted  forefathers  in  the  Church  of  Scotland,  kept  the 
 flame  of  grace  ahve  in  their  deserted  parishes  by  sending  them 
 words  of  counsel,  warning,  and  encouragement,  testifying,  not  face 
 to  face,  but  with  ink  and  pen,  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.  I 
 do  feel  it  a  great  privilege  that  this  door  is  open  to  me,  and  that, 
 even  when  absent,  I  can  yet  speak  to  you  of  the  things  pertaining 
 to  the  kingdom. 
 
 "  This  second  epistle,  beloved,  I  now  write  unto  you,  in  both 
 which  I  stir  up  your  pure  minds  by  way  of  remembrance ;  yea,  I 
 think  it  meet,  so  long  as  I  am  in  this  tabernacle,  to  stir  you  up  by 
 putting  you  in  remembrance." 
 
 I.  Abide  in  Him,  little  children,  whom  I  have  always  preached 
 unto  you,  that  when  He  shall  appear  we  may  have  confidence  and 
 not  be  ashamed  before  Him  at  his  coming.  Let  every  new  sight 
 of  your  wicked  heart,  and  every  new  wave  of  trouble,  drive  your 
 soul  to  hide  in  Him,  the  Rock  of  your  salvation.  There  is  no  true 
 peace  but  in  a  present  hold  of  the  Lord  our  Righteousness. 
 
 IL  Enjoy  the  forgiveness  of  sins — keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of 
 God.     If  you  abide  in  Christ,  you  shall  abide  in  his  love  :  your 
 
 '  2  Cor.  vii.  12 ;  Gal.  vi.  11 ;  1  Thee,  v  27 ;  Heb.  xiii.  22 ;  1  Peter  y.  12 :  2 
 Peter  i.  12-15,  iii.  1 ;  John  i.  4 ;  Ji;de  3. 
 
LETTERS.  187 
 
 joy  let  no  man  take  from  you.  "  These  things  write  we  nnto  yon 
 that  your  joy  may  be  full." 
 
 III.  Be  ye  clean  that  bear  the  vessels  of  the  Lord.  "  He  that 
 (saith  He)  abideth  in  Him  ought  himself  also  so  to  walk  even  as 
 He  walked."  Ah,  how  many  falls  will  I  have  to  mourn  over  when 
 I  return,  if  God  send  me  back  to  you, — how  many  unseemly  quar- 
 rellings  and  miscarriages  among  you,  that  are  God's  own, — how 
 many  unlovely  tempers  among  those  who  follow  Him  who  is  alto- 
 gether lovely  !  Oh  take  heed,  do  not  give  the  enemy  cause  to 
 blaspheme  ;  naming  the  name  of  Christ,  depart  from  all  iniquity. 
 
 ly.  Continue  in  prayer.  How  many  messages  have  been  carried 
 to  you  publicly  and  from  house  to  house,  and  yet  how  little  success  ! 
 I  bless  God  for  all  the  tokens  He  has  given  us,  that  the  Spirit  of 
 God  has  not  departed  from  the  Church  of  Scotland — that  the  glory 
 is  still  in  the  midst  of  her.  Still  the  Spirit  has  never  yet  been  shed 
 on  us  abundantly.  The  many  absentees  on  the  forenoon  of  the 
 Sabbaths — the  thin  meetings  on  Thursday  evenings — the  absence 
 of  mm  from  all  meetings  for  the  worship  of  God — the  few  private 
 prayer-meetings — the  little  love  and  union  among  Christians — all 
 show  that  the  plentiful  rain  has  not  yet  fallen  to  refresh  our  corner 
 of  the  heritage.  Why  is  this  ?  This  is  the  day  of  Christ's  power 
 — why  are  the  people  not  made  willing?  Let  James  give  the 
 answer  :  "  Ye  have  not,  because  ye  ask  not."  "  Hitherto  ye  have 
 asked  nothing  in  my  name.  Ask,  and  ye  shall  receive,  that  your 
 joy  may  be  full."  Finally,  dear  brethren,  farewell.  Day  and 
 night  I  long  to  come  to  you,  but  still  God  hinders  me.  Do  not 
 omit  to  praise  Him  for  all  the  great  grace  He  has  mingled  in  our 
 cup  of  bitterness.  "  Seven  times  a  day  do  I  praise  Thee  because 
 of  thy  righteous  judgments."  When  passing  through  the  waters 
 He  has  been  with  us,  and  in  the  rivers  they  have  not  overflowed 
 us ;  and,  therefore,  we  may  be  sure  that  when  we  pass  through  the 
 fire  we  shall  not  be  burned,  neither  shall  the  flames  kindle  upon  us. 
 
 Now,  may  the  (xod  of  peace  himself  give  you  peace  always,  by 
 all  means,  and  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  your 
 spirits.     Amen. 
 
 THIRD  PASTORAL  LETTER. 
 
 How  God  works  by  providences. 
 
 Edinburgh,  February  13,  1839. 
 To  all  of  you,  ray  dear  friends  and  people,  who  are  and  shall 
 ever  be  followers  of  the  Lamb,  whithersoever  He  goeth,  your  pastor 
 
188  LETTERS. 
 
 again  wishes  grace  and  peace  from  God  our  Fatlier,  and  the  Lord 
 Jesus  Christ. 
 
 I  long  very  much  that  this  grace  may  again  be  given  unto  me 
 to  preach  among  you  face  to  face  "  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
 Christ."  "  Oftentimes  I  purpose  to  come  unto  you,  but  am  let 
 hitherto."  Still  I  feel  it  a  great  privilege  that,  even  in  my  retire- 
 ment, I  can  send  you  a  word,  to  the  end  that  you  may  be  estab- 
 lished. I  feel  as  if  one  door  was  left  open  to  me  by  the  Lord. 
 Believe  me,  it  is  the  foremost  desire  of  my  heart  that  Christ  may 
 be  glorified  in  you,  both  now  and  at  his  coming, — that  you  may  be 
 a  happy  and  a  holy  people,  blessed  and  made  a  blessing.  For  the 
 sake  of  variety,  let  me  guide  your  thoughts  to  a  passage  of  God's 
 own  word,  and  there  I  will  speak  to  you  as  if  I  were  yet  present 
 with  you,  and  half  forget  that  you  are  not  before  me. 
 
 In  Job  xxiii.  8-10  you  will  find  these  solemn  words  :  "  Behold, 
 I  go  forward,  but  He  is  not  there  ;  and  backward,  but  I  cannot 
 perceive  Him  :  on  the  left  hand,  w^here  He  doth  work,  but  I  cannot 
 jaehold  Him  :  He  hideth  himself  on  the  right  hand,  that  I  cannot 
 see  Him.  But  He  knoweth  the  way  that  I  take :  when  He  hath 
 tried  me,  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold." 
 
 You  all  know  the  afflictions  which  came  upon  Job.  "  He  was 
 a  perfect  and  upright  man,"  and  the  greatest  of  all  the  men  of  the 
 East,  yet  he  lost  his  oxen  and  his  asses,  his  sheep  and  camels,  and 
 his  ten  children,  in  one  day.  Again,  the  breath  of  disease  came 
 upon  him,  and  he  sat  down  among  the  ashes.  In  all  this  Job 
 sinned  not  with  his  lips.  He  blessed  the  hand  that  smote  him : 
 "  What !  shall  w^e  receive  good  at  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  shall 
 we  not  receive  evil  ? "  And  yet  when  his  troubles  were  2'>^olong€d, 
 he  knew  not  what  to  think.  Learn  how  w^eak  the  strongest  behever 
 is ;  a  bruised  reed,  without  Christ,  we  are,  and  can  do  nothing. 
 When  Job's  brethren  dealt  deceitfully  with  him  "  as  a  brook" — 
 when  he  felt  God  hedging  him  in,  and  God's  arrows  drinking  up 
 his  spirit, — then  clouds  and  darkness  rested  on  his  path,  he  could 
 not  unravel  God's  dealings  with  his  soul ;  then  he  cried,  "  Show 
 me  wherefore  Thou  contendest  with  me!"  He  longed  to  get  an 
 explanation  from  God :  "  Oh  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find 
 Him !  that  I  might  come  even  to  his  seat !  Behold,  I  go  forward 
 but  He  is  not  there ;  and  backward,  but  I  cannot  perceive  Him 
 on  the  left  hand,  where  He  doth  work,  but  I  cannot  behold  Him 
 He  hideth  himself  on  the  right  hand,  that  I  cannot  see  Him."  You 
 have  here,  then^  in  verses  8th  and  9th,  a  child  of  light  walking  in 
 darkness — an  afflicted  soul  seeking,  and  seeking  in  vain,  to  know 
 why  God  is  contending  with  him.     Hear  friends,  this  is  not  an 
 
LETTERS.  189 
 
 uncommon  case;  even  to  some  of  you  God's  providences  often 
 appear  inexplicable.  I  hear  that  God  has  been  at  work  among 
 you,  and  "  his  way  is  in  the  sea."  He  has  tried  you  in  different 
 ways :  some  of  you  by  the  loss  of  your  property,  as  He  tried 
 Job ;  some  of  you  by  the  loss  of  dear  friends ;  some  by  loss  of 
 health,  so  that  "wearisome  nights  are  appointed  you;"  some  by 
 the  loss  of  the  esteem  of  friends,  ay,  even  of  Christians.  "  Your 
 inward  friends  abhor  you."  Perhaps  more  than  one  trouble  has 
 come  on  you  at  a  time, — wave  upon  wave,  thorn  upon  thorn. 
 Before  one  wound  was  healed,  another  came, — before  the  rain  was 
 well  away,  "  clouds  returned."  You  cannot  explain  God's  dealings 
 with  you, — you  cannot  get  God  to  explain  them  ;  you  have  drawn 
 the  Saviour's  blood  and  righteousness  over  your  souls,  and  you 
 know  that  the  Father  himself  loveth  you ;  you  would  like  to  meet 
 Him  to  ask,  "  Wherefore  contendest  Thou  with  me  ?"  "  Oh  that 
 I  knew  where  I  might  find  Him!"  My  dear  afflicted  brethren, 
 this  is  no  strange  thing  that  has  happened  unto  you.  Ahnost 
 every  behever  is  at  one  time  or  another  brought  to  feel  this  diffi- 
 culty :  "  God  maketh  my  heart  soft,  and  the  Almighty  troubleth 
 me."  Is  it  in  anger,  or  is  it  in  pure  love,  that  He  afflicts  me  ? 
 Am  I  fleeing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  as  Jonah  fled  ? 
 What  change  would  He  have  wrought  in  me  ?  If  any  of  you  are 
 thinking  thus  in  your  heart,  pray  over  this  word  in  Job.  Re- 
 member the  word  in  Psalm  xlvi.,  "  Be  still,  and  know  that  I  am 
 God."  God  does  many  things  to  teach  us  that  He  is  God,  and  to 
 make  us  wait  upon  Him.  And,  still  further,  see  in  verse  10th  what 
 light  breaks  in  upon  our  darkness :  "  But  He  knoweth  the  way 
 that  I  take :  when  He  hath  tried  me,  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold." 
 
 Observe,  first,  "  He  knoweth  the  way  that  I  take."  What  sweet 
 comfort  there  is  in  these  words  :  He  that  redeemed  me — He  that 
 pities  me  as  a  father — He  who  is  the  only  wise  God — He  whose 
 name  is  love — "  He  knoweth  the  way  that  I  take  !" 
 
 The  ungodly  world  do  not  know  it ;  the  world  knoweth  us  not, 
 even  as  it  knew  Him  not.  A  stranger  doth  not  intermeddle  with 
 the  joys  or  sorrows  of  a  child  of  God.  When  the  world  looks 
 on  your  grief  with  unsympathizmg  eye,  you  feel  very  desolate. 
 "  Your  soul  is  exceedingly  filled  with  the  scorning  of  those  who 
 are  at  ease."  But  why  should  you?  He  that  is  greater  than 
 all  the  v/orld  is  looking  with  the  intensest  interest  upon  all  your 
 steps. 
 
 The  most  intimate  friends  do  not  know  the  way  of  an  afflicted 
 believer.  Your  splilt  is  lonely,  even  among  God's  children ;  for 
 your  way  is  hid,  and  the  Lord  hath  hedged  you  in.     Still  be  of 
 
190  LETTERS. 
 
 good  cheer,  the  Father  of  all,  the  best  of  friends,  knows  all  the 
 way  that  you  take. 
 
 Tou  do  not  know  your  own  way.  God  has  called  you  to  suffer, 
 and  you  go,  like  Abraham,  not  knowing  whither  you  go.  Like 
 Israel  going  down  into  the  Ked  Sea,  every  step  is  strange  to  you. 
 Still,  be  of  good  cheer,  sufferer  with  Christ !  God  marks  your 
 every  step.  "  The  steps  of  a  good  man  are  ordered  by  the  Lord, 
 and  he  delighteth  in  his  way."  He  that  loves  you  with  an  infinite, 
 unchanging  love,  is  leading  you  by  his  Spirit  and  providence.  He 
 knows  every  stone,  every  thorn  in  your  path.  Jesus  knows  your 
 way.  Jesus  is  afflicted  in  all  your  afflictions.  "  Fear  not,  for  I 
 have  redeemed  thee.  .1  have  called  thee  by  my  name,  thou  art 
 mine.  When  thou  passest  through  the  water,  I  will  be  with  thee ; 
 and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not  overflow  thee.  When  thou 
 walkest  through  the  fire,  thou  shalt  not  be  burned,  neither  shall 
 the  flame  kindle  upon  thee." 
 
 Second,  "  When  He  hath  tried  me,  I  shall  come  forth  as  gold." 
 This  also  is  precious  comfort.  There  will  be  an  end  of  your  afflic- 
 tion. Christians  must  have  "great  tribulation;"  but  they  come 
 out  of  it.  We  must  carry  the  cross  ;  but  only  for  a  moment,  then 
 comes  the  crown.  I  remember  one  child  of  God's  saying,  that  if 
 it  were  God's  will  that  she  should  remain  in  trials  a  thousand  years, 
 she  could  not  but  dehght  in  his  will.  But  this  is  not  asked  of  us : 
 we  are  only  called  "  to  suffer  a  while.''  There  is  a  set  time  for 
 putting  into  the  furnace,  and  a  set  time  for  taking  oat  of  the 
 furnace.  There  is  a  time  for  pruning  the  branches  of  the  vine, 
 and  there  is  a  time  when  the  husbandman  lays  aside  the  pruning- 
 hook.  Let  us  wait  his  time ;  "he  that  beheveth  shall  not  make 
 haste."  God's  time  is  the  best  time.  But  shall  we  come  out  the 
 same  as  we  went  in  ?  Ah !  no ;  "we  shall  come  out  like  gold." 
 It  is  this  that  sweetens  the  bitterest  cup ;  this  brings  a  rainbow  of 
 promise  over  the  darkest  cloud.  Affliction  will  certainly  purify  a 
 believer.  How  boldly  he  says  it:  "I  shall  come  out  hke  gold!" 
 Ah,  how  much  dross  there  is  in  every  one  of  you,  dear  behevers, 
 and  in  your  pastor !  "  When  I  would  do  good,  evil  is  present  with 
 me."  Oh  that  all  the  dross  may  be  left  behind  in  the  furnace! 
 What  imperfection,  what  sin,  mingles  with  all  we  have  ever  done ! 
 But  are  we  really  fruit-bearing  branches  of  the  true  vine?  Then  it 
 is  certain  that  when  we  are  pruned,  we  shall  bear  more  fruit.  We 
 shall  come  out  hke  gold.  We  shall  shine  more  purely  as  "a  diadem 
 in  the  hand  of  our  God."  We  shall  become  purer  vessels  to  hold 
 the  sweet-smelling  incense  of  praise  and  prayer.  We  shall  become 
 holy  golden  vessels  for  the  Master's  use  in  time  and  in  eternity. 
 
LETTERS.  191 
 
 To  the  many  among  you  who  have  no  part  nor  lot  in  Christ,  I 
 would  say,  "  See  here  the  happiness  of  being  a  Christian  in  time 
 of  trouble."  It  is  no  small  joy  to  be  able  to  sing  Psalm  xlvi.  in 
 the  dark  and  cloudy  day.  I  have  often  told  you,  and  now  tell 
 you  when  I  am  far  from  you,  "  We  are  journeying  to  the  place  of 
 which  the  Lord  hath  said,  I  will  give  it  you :  come  then  with  us, 
 and  we  will  do  thee  good,  for  God  hath  spoken  good  concerning 
 Israel." 
 
 Finally^  Pray  that  your  pastor  may  come  out  of  his  trials  like 
 gold.  All  is  not  gold  that  glitters.  Pray  that  everythiiig  that  is 
 but  glittering  dross  may  be  taken  away,  and  that,  if  it  be  his  will, 
 I  may  come  unto  you  like  the  fine  gold  of  Ophir.  "  Continue  in 
 prayer,  and  watch  in  the  same  with  thanksgiving,  withal  praying 
 also  for  us,  that  God  would  open  unto  us  a  door  of  utterance  to 
 speak  the  mystery  of  Christ." 
 
 My  chief  comfort  concerning  you  is,  that  "  my  God  shall  supply 
 all  your  need  according  to  his  riches  in  glory  by  Christ  Jesus." 
 Brethren,  farewell!  Be  perfect,  be  of  good  comfort,  be  of  one 
 mind,  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  love  and  of  peace  shall  be  with 
 you. 
 
 The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God,  and 
 the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you  all.     Amen. 
 
 FOURTH  PASTOEAL  LETTER. 
 
 God  the  answerer  of  prayer, 
 
 Edinburgh,  February  20,  1839.' 
 
 To  all  of  you,  my  dear  flock,  who  are  chosen  in  Christ  before 
 the  foundation  of  the  world,  to  be  holy  and  without  blame  before 
 Ilim  in  love,  your  pastor  again  wishes  grace  and  peace  from  God 
 the  Father  and  our  Lord  Jesas  Christ. 
 
 There  are  many  sweet  providences  happening  to  us  every  day, 
 if  we  would  but  notice  them.  In  the  texts  which  ministers  choose, 
 what  remarkable  providences  God  often  brings  about !  I  have 
 often  felt  this,  and  never  more  than  now.  Some  of  you  may  re- 
 member that  the  last  chapter  of  the  Bible  which  I  read  to  you  in 
 the  church  was  1st  Kings  xix.,  where  we  are  told  of  Elijah  going 
 away  into  the  wilderness  for  forty  days  and  forty  nights  to  the 
 iQOunt  of  God,  where  he  was  taught  that  it  is  not  by  the  wind^  nor 
 the  earthquake,  nor  the  fire,  that  God  converts  souls,  but  by  the 
 still  small  voice  of  the  gospel.     May  not  this  have  been  graciously 
 
192  LETTERS. 
 
 intended  to  prepare  us  for  what  has  happened?  Another  pro- 
 vidence some  of  you  may  have  noticed.  For  several  Thursday 
 evenings  before  T  left  you  I  was  engaged  in  explaining  and  enforc- 
 ing the  sweet  duty  of  believing  prayer.  Has  not  God  since 
 taught  us  the  use  of  these  things  ?  "  Trials  make  the  promise 
 sweet" — "  Trials  give  new  life  to  prayer."  Perhaps  some  of  us 
 were  only  receiving  the  information  into  the  head  ;  is  not  God 
 now  impressing  it  on  our  hearts,  and  driving  us  to  practise  the 
 things  which  we  learned  ?  I  do  not  now  remember  all  the  points 
 I  was  led  to  speak  upon  to  you,  but  one,  I  think,  was  entirely 
 omitted — I  mean  the  subject  of  answers  to  prayer.  God  left  it 
 for  us  to  meditate  on  now.  Ob,  there  is  nothing  that  I  would  have 
 you  to  be  more  sure  of  than  this,  that  "  God  hears  and  answers 
 prayer."  There  never  was,  and  never  will  be,  a  believing  prayer 
 left  unanswered.  Meditate  on  this,  and  you  will  say,  "  1  love  the 
 Lord,  because  He  hath  heard  my  voice  and  my  supplication." — 
 Ps.  cxvi.  1. 
 
 First,  God  often  gives  tlie  very  thing  his  children  ash  at  the  very  time 
 they  ash  it.  You  remember  Hannah,  1  Sam.  i.  10:  she  was  in  bitter- 
 ness of  soul,  and  prayed  unto  the  Lord,  and  wept  sore.  "Give  unto 
 thine  handmaid  a  man-child."  This  was  her  request.  And  so  she 
 went  in  peace,  and  the  God  of  Israel  heard  and  granted  her  her  peti- 
 tion that  she  had  asked  of  Him ;  and  she  called  the  child's  name 
 Samuel,  that  is,  "  Asked  of  God."  Oh  that  you  could  write  the 
 same  name  upon  all  your  gifts  !  you  would  have  more  joy  in  them, 
 and  far  larger  blessings  along  with  them.  You  remember  David, 
 m  Ps.  cxxxviii. :  " //i  the  day  i\\2ii  I  cried  Thou  answeredst  me, 
 and  strengthenedst  me  with  strength  in  my  soul."  You  remember 
 Elijah,  1  Kings  xvii.  21:  "0  Lord  my  God!  I  pray  Thee  let 
 this  child's  soul  come  into  him  again.  And  the  Lord  heard  the  voice 
 of  Elijah,  and  the  soul  of  the  child  came  into  him  again,  and  he 
 revived."  You  remember  Daniel,  ix.  20,  21 :  "  ^Vhile  I  teas  speak- 
 ing, and  praying,  and  confessing  my  sin,  and  the  sin  of  my  people 
 Israel,  and  presenting  my  supplication  before  the  Lord  my  God 
 for  the  holy  mountain  of  my  God ;  yea,  whiles  /  was  speaking  in 
 prayer,  even  the  man  Gabriel,  being  caused  to  fly  swiftly,  touched 
 me  about  the  time  of  the  evening  oblation."  Oh  what  encourage- 
 ment is  here  for  those  among  you  who,  hke  Daniel,  are  greatly 
 beloved, — who  study  much  in  the  books  of  God's  word,  and  who 
 set  your  face  unto  the  Lord  to  seek  by  prayer  gifts  for  the  church 
 of  God !  Expect  answers  while  you  are  speaking  in  prayer. 
 Sometimes  the  vapours  that  ascend  in  the  morning  come  down  in 
 copious  showers  in  the  evening.     So  may  it  be  with  your  prayers 
 
LETTERS.  193 
 
 Take  np  the  words  of  David,  Psalin  v.  3  :  "  My  voice  slialt 
 Thou  hear  in  the  morning  ;  in  the  morning  will  I  direct  my 
 prayer  unto  Thee,  and  will  look  up."  You  remember,  in  Acts 
 xii.,  Peter  was  cast  into  prison,  "but  prayer  was  made  without 
 ceasing  of  the  church  unto  God  for  him."  And,  behold,  the  same 
 night  the  answer  surprised  them  at  the  door.  Oh  !  what  surprises 
 of  goodness  and  grace  God  has  in  store  for  you  and  me,  if  only  we 
 pray  without  ceasing!  If  you  will  pray  in  union  to  Jesus,  having 
 childlike  confidence  towards  God, — having  the  spirit  of  adoption, 
 crying  Abba  within  you, — seeking  the  glory  of  God  more  than 
 all  personal  benefits,  I  believe  that  in  all  such  cases  you  will  get 
 the  veiy  thing  you  ask,  at  the  very  time  you  ask  it.  Before  you  call, 
 God  will  hear  ;  and  while  you  are  speaking.  He  will  answer.  Oh, 
 if  there  were  twenty  among  you  who  would  pray  thus,  and  per- 
 severe therein  like  wresthng  Jacob,  you  would  get  whatever  you 
 ask !  yea,  the  case  of  Daniel  shows  that  the  effectual  fervent  prayer 
 of  one  such  believer  among  you  will  avail  much.  "  Delight  thyself 
 in  the  Lord,  and  He  shall  give  thee  the  desires  of  thy  heart," 
 Ps.  xxxvii.  4. 
 
 Second,  God  often  delays  the  answer  to  prayer  for  ivise  reasons. 
 The  case  of  the  Syrophenician  woman  will  occur  to  you  all,  Matt. 
 XV.  21-28.  How  anxiously  she  cried,  "Have  mercy  on  me,  O 
 Lord,  Thou  son  of  David !  But  Jesus  answered  her  not  a  word." 
 Again  and  again  she  prayed,  and  got  no  gracious  answer.  Her 
 faith  grows  stronger  by  every  refusal.  She  cried,  she  followed, 
 she  kneeled  to  Him,  till  Jesus  could  refuse  no  longer.  "  0  woman, 
 great  is  thy  faith !  Be  it  unto  thee  even  as  thou  wilt."  Dear 
 praying  people,  "  continue  in  prayer,  and  watch  in  the  same  with 
 thanksgivings."  Do  not  be  silenced  by  one  refusal.  Jesus  invites 
 importunity  by  delaying  to  answer.  Ask,  seek,  knock.  "  The 
 promise  may  be  long  delayed,  but  cannot  come  too  late."  You 
 remember,  in  the  parable  of  the  importunate  widow,  it  is  said, 
 "  Shall  not  God  avenge  his  own  elect,  which  cry  day  and  night 
 unto  Him,  thougji  He  bear  long  with  them  ?  I  tell  you  that  He 
 will  avenge  them  speedily."  Luke  xviii.  1-8.  This  shows  how 
 you,  who  are  God's  children,  should  pray.  You  should  cry  day 
 and  night  unto  God.  This  shows  how  God  hears  every  one  of 
 your  cries,  in  the  busy  hour  of  the  day-time,  and  in  the  lonely 
 watches  of  the  night.  He  treasures  them  up  from  day  to  day ; 
 soon  the  full  answer  will  come  down  :  "  He  will  answer  speedily." 
 The  praying  souls  beneath  the  altar,  in  Rev.  vi.  9-11,  seem  to 
 show  the  same  truth,  that  the  answer  to  a  believer's  prayers  may, 
 in  the  adorable  wisdom  of  God,  be  delayed  for  a  Uttle  season,  and 
 
 N 
 
194  LETTERS. 
 
 that  many  of  them  may  not  be  fully  answered  till  after  he  is  dead. 
 Again,  read  that  wonderful  passage,  Rev.  viii.  3,  where  it  is  said 
 that  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  great  Intercessor  with  the  Father,  oflfera 
 to  God  the  incense  of  his  merits,  with  the  prayers  of  all  saints, 
 upon  the  golden  altar  which  is  before  the  throne.  Christ  never 
 loses  one  believing  prayer.  The  prayers  of  every  believer,  from 
 Abel  to  the  present  day.  He  heaps  upon  the  altar,  from  which  they 
 ^re  continually  ascending  before  his  Father  and  our  Father ;  and 
 when  the  altar  can  hold  no  more,  the  full,  the  eternal  answer  will 
 come  down.  Do  not  be  discouraged,  dearly  beloved,  because  God 
 bears  long  with  you — because  He  does  not  seem  to  answer  your 
 prayers.  Your  prayers  are  not  lost.  When  the  merchant  sends  his 
 ships  to  distant  shores,  he  does  not  expect  them  to  come  back  richly 
 laden  in  a  single  day  :  he  has  long  patience.  "It  is  good  that  a  man 
 should  both  hope  and  quietly  wait  for  the  salvation  of  the  Lord." 
 Perhaps  your  prayers  will  come  back,  like  the  ships  of  the  merchant, 
 all  the  more  heavily  laden  with  blessings,  because  of  the  delay. 
 
 Third,  God  often  answers  prayer  hy  terrible  things.  So  David  says 
 in  Ps.  Ixv. :  "  By  terrible  things  in  righteousness  wilt  Thou  answer 
 us,  0  God  of  our  salvation."  And  all  of  you  who  are  God's 
 children  have  found  it  true.  Some  of  you  have  experienced  what 
 John  Newton  did  when  he  wrote  that  beautiful  hymn,  "  I  asked 
 the  Lord  that  I  might  grow."  ^  You  prayed  with  all  your  heart, 
 ''Lord,  increase  my  faith."  In  answer  to  this,  God  has  shown 
 you  the  misery  of  your  connection  with  Adam.  He  has  revealed 
 the  hell  that  is  in  your  heart.  You  are  anui/.ed,  confounded, 
 abashed.  You  cry,  "  0  wretched  man  that  I  am,  who  shall  de- 
 liver me  from  the  body  of  this  death?"  You  cleave  to  a  Saviour 
 God  with  a  thousand  times  greater  anxiety.  Your  faith  is  in- 
 creased. Your  prayer  is  answered  by  terrible  things.  Some  of 
 us  prayed  for  a  praying  spirit,  "  Lord,  teach  us  to  pray."  God 
 has  laid  affliction  upon  us.  Waves  and  billows  go  over  us.  We 
 cry  out  of  the  depths.  Being  afflicted,  we  pray.  He  has  granted 
 our  heart's  desire.     Our  prayer  is  answered  by  terrible  things. 
 
 Fourth,  God  sometimes  answers  prayer  by  giving  something  better  than 
 v:e  ask.  An  affectionate  father  on  earth  often  does  this.  The 
 child  says.  Father,  give  me  this  fruit.  No,  my  child,  the  father 
 repUes ;  but  here  is  bread,  which  is  better  for  you.  So  the  Lord 
 Jesus  dealt  with  his  beloved  Paul,  2  Cor.  xii.  7-9.  There  was 
 given  to  Paul  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,  a  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet 
 him.  In  bitterness  of  heart  he  cried,  "  Lord,  let  this  depart  from 
 me."  No  answer  came.  Again  he  prayed  the  same  words.  No 
 '  Ohe?/  Eym7is,  Book  iii.,  Hymn  36. 
 
LETTERS.  195 
 
 answer  still.  A  third  time  he  knelt,  and  now  the  answer  came,  not 
 as  he  expected.  The  thorn  is  not  plucked  away — the  messenger  of 
 Satan  is  not  driven  back  to  hell ;  but  Jesus  opens  wide  his  more 
 loving  breast,  and  says,  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee ;  for  my 
 strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness."  Oh !  this  is  something 
 exceeding  abundant  above  all  that  he  asked,  and  all  that  he 
 thought.  Ah  !  this  is  something  better  than  he.  asked,  and  better 
 than  he  thought.  Surely  God  is  able  to  do  "  exceeding  abundantly 
 above  all  that  we  ask  or  think,"  Eph.  iii.  20.  Dear  praying 
 believers,  be  of  good  cheer.  God  will  either  give  you  what  you 
 ask,  or  something  far  better.  Are  you  not  quite  willing  that  He 
 should  choose  for  you  and  me  ?  You  remember  that  even  Jesus 
 prayed,  "  0  my  Father,  if  it  be  possible,  let  this  cup  pass  from 
 me  !"  That  desire  was  not  granted,  but  there  appeared  unto  Him 
 an  angel  from  heaven  strengthening  Him,  Luke  xxii.  43.  He 
 received  what  was  far  better — strength  to  drink  the  cup  of 
 vengeance.  Some  of  you,  my  dear  believing  flock,  have  been 
 praying  that,  if  it  be  God's  will,  I  might  be  speedily  restored  to 
 you,  that  God's  name  might  be  glorified  ;  and  I  have  been  praying 
 the  same.  Do  not  be  surprised  if  He  should  answer  our  prayers 
 by  giving  us  something  above  what  we  imagined.  Perhaps  He  may 
 glorify  himself  by  us  in  another  way  than  we  thought.  "  Oh  the 
 depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God ! 
 how  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  past  finding 
 out !  For  of  Him,  and  through  Him,  and  to  Him,  are  all  things : 
 to  whom  be  glory  for  ever.     Amen." 
 
 These  things  I  have  written,  that  you  may  come  boldly  to  the 
 throne  of  grace.  The  Lord  make  you  a  praying  people.  "  Strive 
 together  with  me  in  your  prayers  to  God  for  me."  "I  thank  my 
 God  upon  every  remembrance  of  you,  always  in  every  prayer  of 
 mine  for  you  all,  making  request  with  joy." 
 
 Now,  the  God  of  patience  and  consolation  grant  you  to  be  like- 
 minded  one  towards  another,  according  to  Christ  Jesus.  "  The 
 God  of  hope  fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing ;  and  the 
 God  of  peace  be  with  you  all.     Amen." 
 
 FIFTH  PASTORAL  LETTER. 
 What  God  has  done,  and  the  returns  made  :  Isaiah  v.  4. 
 
 Edinburgh,  February  27, 18S9. 
 To   all   of  you,  my  dear  flock,  who  are  washed  and  sancti- 
 fied and  justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,   and  by  the 
 
196  LETTERS. 
 
 Spirit  of  our  God,  your  pastor  again  wishes  grace,  mercy,  and 
 peace. 
 
 This  is  now  the  fifth  time  I  am  permitted  by  God  to  write  to 
 you.  If  7/oM  are  not  wearied,  it  is  pleasant  and  refreshing  to  me. 
 I  wish  to  be  Hke  Epaphras,  Col.  iv.  12  :  "  Always  labouring 
 fervently  for  you  in  prayer,  that  you  may  stand  perfect  and 
 complete  in  all  the  will  of  God."  When  I  am  hindered  by  God 
 from  labouring  for  you  in  any  other  way,  it  is  my  heart's  joy  to 
 labour  for  you  thus.  When  Dr  Scott  of  Greenock,  a  good  and 
 holy  minister,  was  laid  aside  by  old  age  from  preaching  for  some 
 years  before  his  death,  he  used  to  say,  "  I  can  do  nothing  for  my 
 people  now  but  pray  for  them,  and  sometimes  I  feel  that  I  can  do 
 that."  This  is  what  I  also  love  to  feel.  Often  I  am  hke  Amelia 
 Geddie,  who  lived  in  the  time  of  the  Covenanters,  and  of  whom  I 
 used  to  tell  you.  The  great  part  of  my  time  is  taken  up  with 
 bringing  my  heart  into  tune  for  prayer  ;  but  when  the  blessed 
 Spirit  does  help  my  infirmities,  it  is  my  greatest  joy  to  lay  myself 
 and  you,  my  flock,  in  his  hand,  and  to  pray  that  God  may  yet 
 make  "  the  vine  to  flourish,  and  the  pomegranate  to  bud." 
 
 If  you  turn  to  Isaiah  v.  4,  you  will  find  these  afi'ecting  words  : 
 "  What  could  have  been  done  more  to  my  vineyard,  that  I  have 
 not  done  in  it  ?  wherefore,  when  I  looked  that  it  should  bring  forth 
 grapes,  brought  it  forth  wild  grapes  ?  " 
 
 Consider  these  words,  my  dear  people,  and  may  the  Spirit 
 breathe  over  them  that  they  may  savingly  impress  your  souls. 
 These  words  are  God's  pathetic  lamentation  over  his  ancient 
 people,  when  He  thought  of  all  that  He  had  done  for  them,  and  of 
 the  sad  return  which  they  made  to  Him.  We  have  come  into  the 
 place  of  Israel ;  the  natural  branches  of  the  good  olive-tree  have 
 been  broken  off,  and  we  have  been  grafted  in.  All  the  advantages 
 God  gave  to  Israel  are  now  enjoyed  by  us  ;  and  ah !  has  not  God 
 occasion  to  take  up  the  same  lamentation  over  us,  that  we  have 
 brought  forth  only  wild  grapes  ?  I  would  wish  every  one  of  you 
 seriously  to  consider  what  more  God  could  have  done  to  save  your 
 soul  that  He  has  not  done.  But,  ah  !  consider  again  whether  you 
 have  borne  grapes,  or  only  wild  grapes. 
 
 First,  Consider  how  much  God  has  done  to  save  your  souls.  He 
 has  provided  a  great  Saviour,  and  a  great  salvation.  He  did  not 
 give  man  or  angel,  but  the  Creator  of  all,  to  be  the  substitute  of 
 sinners.  His  blood  is  precious  blood.  His  righteousness  is  the 
 righteousness  of  God;  and  now  "to  him  that  worketh  not,  but 
 believeth  on  Him  that  justifieth  the  ungodly,  his  faith  is  counted 
 to  him  for  righteousness :"  Rom.  iv.  5.    Most  precious  word  !    Give 
 
LETTERS.  197 
 
 up  your  toil,  self-justifying  soul.  You  have  gone  from  mountain 
 to  hill ;  you  have  forgotten  your  resting-place  ;  change  your  plan  : 
 work  not,  but  believe  on  Him  that  justifieth  the  ungodly.  Believe 
 the  record  that  God  hath  given  concerning  his  Son.  A  glorious, 
 all-perfect,  all-divine  Surety  is  laid  down  at  your  feet.  He  is 
 within  your  reach, — He  is  nigh  thee  :  take  Him  and  live  ;  refuse 
 Him  and  perish !  "  What  could  have  been  done  more  for  my  vine- 
 yard, that  I  have  not  done  in  it?" 
 
 Second,  Again,  consider  the  ordinances  God  has  given  you.  He 
 has  made  you  into  a  vineyard.  Scotland  is  the  likest  of  all  lands 
 to  God's  ancient  Israel.  How  wonderfully  has  God  planted  and 
 maintained  godly  ministers  in  his  land,  from  the  time  of  Knox  to 
 the  present  day  !  He  has  divided  the  whole  land  into  parishes  ; 
 even  on  the  barren  hills  of  our  country  He  has  planted  the  choicest 
 vine.  Hundreds  of  godly  labourers  He  has  sent  to  gather  out 
 tbe  stones  of  it.  God  has  done  this  for  you  also.  He  has  built  a 
 tower  in  the  midst  of  you.  Have  you  not  seen  his  own  hand 
 fencing  you  round, — building  a  gospel  tower  in  the  midst  of  you, 
 and  a  gospel  vine-press  therein  ?  And  has  He  not  sent  me  among 
 you,  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  the  members  of  Christ,  and 
 yet  "  determined  not  to  know  anything  among  you  save  Jesus 
 Christ  and  Him  crucified?"  Has  not  the  Spirit  of  God  been 
 sometimes  present  in  our  sanctuary  ?  Have  not  some  hearts  been 
 filled  there  with  gladness  more  than  in  the  time  that  their  corn 
 and  wine  increased  ?  Have  not  some  hearts  tasted  there  the  *'  love 
 that  is  better  than  wine?"  "What  could  have  been  done  more 
 for  my  vineyard,  that  I  have  not  done  in  it  ?  "  Now  let  me  ask, 
 what  fruit  have  we  borne, — grapes  or  wild  grapes  ?  Ah  !  I  fear 
 the  most  can  show  nothing  but  wild  grapes.  If  God  looks  down 
 upon  us  as  a  parish,  what  does  He  see  ?  Are  there  not  still  a 
 thousand  souls  utter  strangers  to  the  house  of  God  ?  How  many 
 does  his  holy  eye  now  rest  upon  who  are  seldom  in  the  house  of 
 prayer, — who  neglect  it  in  the  forenoon  !  How  many  who  frequent 
 the  tavern  on  the  Sabbath-day !  Oh !  why  do  they  bring  forth 
 wild  grapes  ?  If  God  looks  upon  you  as  families,  what  does  He 
 see  ?  How  many  prayerless  families  !  How  often,  as  I  passed 
 your  windows,  late  at  eve  or  at  early  dawn,  have  I  listened  for  the 
 melody  of  psalms,  and  listened  all  in  vain !  God  also  has  hstened, 
 but  still  in  vain.  How  many  careless  parents  does  his  pure  eye  see 
 among  you,  who  will  one  day,  if  you  turn  not,  meet  your  neglected 
 children  in  an  eternal  hell !  How  many  undutiful  children  !  How 
 many  unfaithful  servants !  Ah !  why  such  a  vineyard  of  wild 
 grapes  ?     If  God  looks  on  you  as  individual  souls,  how  many  does 
 
198  LETTERS. 
 
 He  see  that  were  never  awakened  to  real  concern  about  your 
 souls  !  How  many  that  never  shed  a  tear  for  your  perishing 
 souls  !  How  many  that  were  never  driven  to  pray  !  How  many 
 that  know  not  what  it  is  to  bend  the  knee !  How  many  that  have 
 no  uptaking  of  Christ,  and  are  yet  cold-hearted  and  at  ease !  How 
 many  does  God  know  among  you  that  have  never  laid  hold  of  the 
 only  sure  covenant !  How  many  that  have  no  "  peace  in  believ- 
 ing," and  yet  cry,  "  Peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace  !  "  Jer. 
 viii.  11.  How  many  does  God  see  among  you  who  have  no  change 
 of  heart  and  hfe,  who  are  given  up  to  the  sins  of  the  flesh  and  of 
 the  mind  !  and  yet  you  "  bless  yourself  in  your  heart,  saying,  I  shall 
 have  peace,  though  I  walk  in  the  imagination  of  my  heart,  to  add 
 drunkenness  to  thirst,"  Deut.  xxix.  19.  Ah !  why  do  you  thus 
 bring  forth  wild  grapes  ?  "  Your  vine  is  of  the  vine  of  Sodom, 
 and  of  the  fields  of  Gomorrah :  your  grapes  are  grapes  of  gall, 
 your  clusters  are  bitter,"  Deut.  xxxii.  32.  Ah !  remember  you  will 
 blame  yourselves  to  all  eternity  for  your  own  undoing.  God  washes 
 his  hands  of  your  destruction.  What  could  have  been  done  more 
 for  you  that  God  has  not  done  ?  I  take  you  all  to  record  this  day, 
 if  I  should  never  speak  to  you  again,  that  I  am  pure  from  the 
 blood  of  you  all.  Oh  barren  fig-trees,  planted  in  God's  vineyard, 
 the  Lord  has  been  digging  at  your  roots  ;  and  if  ye  bear  fruit, 
 well ;  if  not,  then  ye  shall  be  cut  down.    Luke  xiii.  6-5. 
 
 Now  I  turn  for  a  moment  to  you  who  are  God's  children.  I 
 am  persuaded  better  things  of  you,  my  dearly  beloved,  and  things 
 that  accompany  salvation,  though  I  thus  speak.  Yet  what  need 
 is  there,  in  these  trying  times,  to  search  your  heart  and  life,  and  ask 
 w^hat  fruit  does  God  find  in  me ! 
 
 What  fruit  of  self-abasement  is  there  in  you  ?  Have  you  found 
 out  the  evil  of  your  connection  with  the  first  Adam  ? — Rom.  v.  19. 
 Do  you  know  the  plagues  of  your  own  heart  ? — 1  Kings  viii.  38  ; 
 the  hell  of  corruption  that  is  there? — Jer.  xvii.  9.  Do  you  feel 
 you  have  never  lived  one  moment  to  his  glory  ? — Rom.  iii.  25.  Do 
 you  feel  that  to  all  eternity  you  never  can  be  justified  by  anything 
 in  yourself? — Rev.  vii.  14. 
 
 Consider,  again,  what  fruit  there  is  of  believing  in  you.  Have 
 you  really  and  fully  uptaken  Christ  as  the  gospel  lays  Him  down  ? 
 — John  V.  12.  Do  you  cleave  to  him  as  a  sinner? — 1  Tim.  i.  15. 
 Do  you  count  all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  know- 
 ledge of  Him  ? — Matt.  ix.  9.  Do  you  feel  the  glory  of  his  person  ? 
 — Rev.  1.  17;  his  finished  work? — Heb.  ix.  26;  his  ofSces? — 
 1  Cor.  i.  30.  Does  He  shine  like  the  sun  into  your  soul  ? — Mai 
 iv.  2.     Is  your  heart  ravished  with  his  beauty  ? — Song  v.  16. 
 
LETTERS.  199 
 
 Again,  what  fruit  is  there  in  you  of  crying  after  holiness  f  Is 
 this  the  one  thing  you  do? — Phil.  iii.  13.  Do  you  spend  your  life 
 in  cries  for  dehverance  from  this  body  of  sin  and  death  ? — Rom. 
 vii.  24.  Ah !  I  fear  there  is  httle  of  this.  The  most  of  God's 
 people  are  contented  to  be  saved  from  the  hell  that  is  witJiont. 
 They  are  not  so  anxious  to  be  saved  from  the  hell  that  is  within. 
 I  fear  there  is  Httle  feeling  of  your  need  of  the  indwelling  Spirit. 
 I  fear  you  do  not  know  "  the  exceeding  greatness  of  his  power" 
 to  usward  who  believe.  I  fear  many  of  you  are  strangers  to  the 
 visits  of  the  Comforter.  God  has  reason  to  complain  of  you, 
 "  Wherefore  should  they  bring  forth  wild  grapes?" 
 
 Again,  what  fruit  is  there  of  actual  likeness  to  God  in  you  ?  Do 
 you  love  to  be  much  with  God  ? — "  to  chmb  up  near  to  God — 
 Gen.  V.  22 — to  love,  and  long,  and  plead,  and  wrestle,  and  stretch 
 after  Him ?"^  Are  you  weaned  from  the  world? — Ps.  cxxxi. — 
 from  its  praise,  from  its  hatred,  from  its  scorn  ?  Do  you  give 
 yourselves  clean  away  to  God — 2  Cor.  viii.  5 — and  all  that  is  yours  ? 
 Are  you  willing  that  your  will  should  be  lost  in  his  great  will  ?  Do 
 you  throw  yourselves  into  the  arms  of  God  for  time  and  for  eternity  ? 
 Oh,  search  your  hearts  and  try  them  ;  ask  God  to  do  it  for  you,  and 
 "to  lead  you  in  the  way  everlasting  !"  Ps.  cxxxix.  23,  24. 
 
 I  am  deeply  afraid  that  many  of  us  may  be  like  the  fig-tree  by 
 the  wayside,  on  which  the  hungry  Saviour  expected  to  find  fruit, 
 and  He  found  none.  Ah !  we  have  been  an  ungrateful  vine, 
 minister  and  people !  What  more  could  God  have  done  for  us  ? 
 Sunshine  and  shade,  rain  and  wind,  have  all  been  given  us  ;  good- 
 ness and  severity  have  both  been  tried  with  us  ;  yet  what  has  been 
 returned  to  Him  ?  Whether  have  the  curses  or  the  praises  been 
 louder  rising  from  our  parish  to  heaven?  Whether  does  our 
 parish  more  resemble  the  garden  of  the  Lord,  or  the  howling 
 wilderness  ?  Whether  is  there  more  of  the  perpetual  incense  of 
 believing  prayer,  or  the  "smoke  in  God's  nose"  of  hypocrisy  and 
 broken  sacraments  ? 
 
 I  write  not  these  things  to  shame  you,  but  as  "my  beloved  sons 
 I  warn  you."  If  there  be  some  among  you,  and  some  there  are, 
 who  are  growing  up  like  the  lily,  casting  forth  their  roots  like 
 Lebanon,  and  bearing  fruit  with  patience,  remember  "  the  Lord 
 loveth  the  righteous."  He  that  telleth  the  number  of  the  stars 
 taketh  pleasure  in  you.  "  The  Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  his  people ; 
 He  will  beautify  the  meek  with  salvation."  Keep  yourselves  in 
 the  love  of  God.  Go  carefully  through  all  the  steps  of  your 
 effectual  calling  a  second  time. 
 
 1  See  Brainerd's  Diary,  Part  ii.,  AprU  4. 
 
200  LETTERS. 
 
 The  Lord  give  you  daily  faith.  Seek  to  have  a  large  heart 
 Pray  for  me,  that  a  door  of  utterance  may  be  opened  to  me. 
 Remember  my  bonds.  Pray  that  I  may  utterly  renounce  myself, 
 that  I  may  be  willing  to  do  and  to  suffer  all  his  will  up  to  the 
 latest  breath. 
 
 May  you  all  obtain  mercy  of  the  Lord  now,  and  in  that  day  to 
 which  we  are  hastening.  The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  be  with 
 your  spirits.     Amen. 
 
 SIXTH  PASTORAL  LETTER. 
 Self-devotedness — what  it  ought  to  be. 
 
 Edinburgh,  March  6,  1839. 
 
 To  all  my  dear  flock  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  me 
 overseer— to  all  of  you  who  are  of  the  church  of  God,  which  He 
 hath  purchased  with  his  own  blood — your  pastor  wishes  grace, 
 mercy,  and  peace. 
 
 I  thank  my  God  without  ceasing  that  ever  I  was  ordained  over 
 you  in  the  Lord.  For  every  shower  of  the  Spirit  that  ever  has 
 been  shed  upon  us — for  every  soul  among  you  that  has  ever  been 
 added  to  the  church — for  every  disciple  among  you  whose  soul  has 
 been  confirmed  during  our  ministry,  I  will  praise  God  eternally. 
 May  this  letter  be  blessed  to  you  by  the  breathing  of  the  Holy 
 Spirit !  May  it  teach  you  and  me  more  than  ever  that  we  "  are 
 not  our  own,  but  bought  with  a  price." 
 
 The  most  striking  example  of  self-devotedness  in  the  cause  of 
 Christ  of  which  I  ever  heard  in  these  days  of  deadness,  was  told 
 here  last  week  by  an  English  minister.  It  has  never  been  printed, 
 and  therefore  I  will  relate  it  to  you,  just  as  I  heard  it,  to  stir  up 
 our  cold  hearts,  that  we  may  give  our  own  selves  unto  the  Lord. 
 
 The  awful  disease  of  leprosy  still  exists  in  Africa.  Whether  it 
 be  the  same  leprosy  as  that  mentioned  in  the  Bible,  I  do  not  know, 
 but  it  is  regarded  as  perfectly  incurable,  and  so  infectious  that  no 
 one  dares  to  come  near  the  leper.  In  the  south  of  Africa  there  is 
 a  large  lazarhouse  for  lepers.  It  is  an  immense  space,  enclosed  by 
 a  very  high  wall,  and  containing  fields,  which  the  lepers  cultivate. 
 There  is  only  one  entrance,  which  is  strictly  guarded.  Whenever 
 any  one  is  found  with  the  marks  of  leprosy  upon  him,  he  is  brought 
 to  this  gate  and  obliged  to  enter  in,  never  to  return.  No  one  who 
 enters  in  by  that  awful  gate  is  ever  allowed  to  come  out  again. 
 Within  this  abode  of  misery  there  are  multitudes  of  lepers  in  ail 
 
LETTERS.  201 
 
 stages  of  the  disease.  Dr  Halbeck,  a  missionary  of  the  Church  of 
 England,  from  the  top  of  a  neighbouring  hill,  saw  them  at  work. 
 He  noticed  two  particularly  sowing  peas  in  the  field.  The  one 
 had  no  hands,  the  other  had  no  feet — these  members  being  wasted 
 away  by  disease.  The  one  who  wanted  the  hands  was  carrying 
 the  other  who  w^anted  the  feet  upon  his  back,  and  he  again  carried 
 in  his  hands  the  bag  of  seed,  and  dropped  a  pea  every  now  and 
 then,  which  the  other  pressed  into  the  ground  with  his  foot ;  and 
 so  they  managed  the  work  of  one  man  between  the  two.  Ah  ! 
 how  little  we  know  of  the  misery  that  is  in  the  world  !  Such  is 
 this  prison-house  of  disease.  But  you  will  ask,  who  cares  for  the 
 souls  of  the  hapless  inmates  ?  Who  will  venture  to  enter  in  at  this 
 dreadful  gate,  never  to  return  again?  Who  will  forsake  father 
 and  mother,  houses  and  land,  to  carry  the  message  of  a  Saviour 
 to  these  poor  lepers?  Two  Moravian  missionaries,  impelled  by  a 
 divine  love  for  souls,  have  chosen  the  lazarhouse  as  their  field  of 
 labour.  They  entered  it  never  to  come  out  again  ;  and  I  am  told 
 that  as  soon  as  these  die,  other  Moravians  are  quite  ready  to  fill 
 their  place.  Ah !  my  dear  friends,  may  we  not  blush,  and  be 
 ashamed  before  God,  that  we,  redeemed  with  the  same  blood,  and 
 taught  by  the  same  Spirit,  should  yet  be  so  unlike  these  men  in 
 vehement,  heart-consuming  love  to  Jesus  and  the  souls  of  men  ? 
 
 I  wish  now  to  mention  to  you  a  proposal  which  deeply  involves 
 the  happiness  of  you  and  me,  and  of  which  I  believe  most  of  you 
 have  already  heard  something.  Oh  that  you  would  trace  the 
 Lord's  hand  in  it !  Oh  that  "  you  would  be  still,  and  know  that 
 He  is  God!"  Let  me  go  over  some  of  the  ways  by  which  God 
 has  led  us  hitherto.  When  I  came  to  you  at  the  first,  it  was  not 
 of  my  seeking.  I  never  had  been  in  your  town,  and  knew  only 
 one  family  in  it.  I  did  not  ask  to  be  made  a  candidate.  I  was 
 quite  happy  where  I  was  labouring  in  the  Lord's  work.  God 
 turned  your  hearts  to  ask  me  to  settle  among  you.  It  was  the 
 Lord's  doing.  Since  that  day  "ye  know  after  what  manner  I 
 have  been  with  you  at  all  seasons,"  and  how,  as  far  as  God  gave 
 me  light  and  strength,  "  I  have  kept  nothing  back  that  was  pro- 
 fitable unto  you,  but  have  showed  you,  and  have  taught  you 
 publicly,  and  from  house  to  house."  Ye  know  also,  some  of 
 you  in  your  blessed  experience,  that  God  has  given  testimony 
 to  the  word  of  his  grace,  so  that  "  our  gospel  came  not  to  you 
 in  word  only,  but  in  power,  and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much 
 assurance." 
 
 It  is  indeed  amazing  how  God  should  have  blessed  the  word 
 when  there  was  so  much  weakness  and  so  much  sin.   But  "  who  is  a 
 
202  LETTERS. 
 
 God  like  unto  our  God,  that  pardoneth  iniquity,  and  passes  by  the 
 transgressions  of  the  remnant  o^  his  heritage  ?  "  We  planted  and 
 watered,  and  God  gave  the  increase.  Ye  are  God's  husbandry — 
 ye  are  God's  building.     To  Him  be  the  glory. 
 
 You  know  also  that  I  have  had  some  painful  trials  among  you. 
 The  state  of  the  mass  of  unconverted  souls  among  you  has  often 
 made  my  heart  bleed  in  secret.  The  coldness  and  worldliness  of 
 you  who  are  God's  children  has  often  damped  me.  The  impos- 
 sibility of  fully  doing  the  work  of  a  minister  of  Christ,  among  so 
 many  souls,  was  a  sad  burden  to  me.  The  turning  back  of  some 
 that  once  cared  for  their  souls  pierced  my  heart  with  new  sorrows. 
 Still  I  have  had  two  years  of  great  joy  among  you — unspeakable 
 joy — in  seeing  souls  added  to  the  church  of  such  as  shall  be  saved. 
 I  may  never  be  honoured  to  preach  again,  yet  still  to  all  eternity  I 
 shall  praise  God  that  He  sent  me  to  you :  "For  what  is  our  hope, 
 or  joy,  or  crown  of  rejoicing  ?  Are  not  even  ye  in  the  presence  of 
 the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  at  his  coming  ?  For  ye  are  our  glory  and 
 joy."  1  Thess.  ii.  19,  20.  And  should  I  lightly  break  up  such  a 
 connection  as  this  ?  Ah,  no  !  My  dear  friends,  I  do  not  need  all 
 your  affectionate  letters  to  persuade  me,  that,  if  it  were  the  Lord's 
 will,  my  own  vineyard  is  the  happiest  place  in  the  world  for  me  to 
 be.  Again  and  again  other  vineyards  were  offered  to  me,  and  I 
 was  asked  to  leave  you  ;  but  I  never  for  a  moment  listened  to  one 
 of  them,  for  ye  were  the  seal  of  my  ministry ;  and  where  could  I 
 be  happier  than  where  the  Lord  had  blessed  me,  and  was  still 
 blessing  me  ?  But  God  sent  another  message  to  me.  He  laid  a 
 heavy  hand  upon  my  body.  I  long  struggled  against  it,  but  it  was 
 too  much  for  me.  For  two  months  I  have  been  an  exile  from  you, 
 and  I  have  felt  all  the  time  like  a  widower,  or  like  Jacob  bereaved 
 of  his  children.  My  constant  prayer  was,  that  I  might  be  restored 
 to  you,  and  to  the  Lord's  service.  You  prayed  the  same ;  and 
 when  it  was  not  answered,  I  cried,  "  Wherefore  contendest  Thou 
 with  me?"  That  word  was  sent  in  answer:  "My  son,  despise 
 not  thou  the  chastening  of  the  Lord,  neither  he  weary  of  his 
 correction,"  Prov.  iii.  11.  God  seems  plainly  to  shut  the  door 
 against  my  returning  to  you  at  present.  I  am  greatly  better,  yet 
 still  I  am  forbidden  to  preach.  I  am  not  even  allowed  to  conduct 
 the  family  devotions  morning  and  evening;  indeed,  whenever  I 
 exert  myself  much  in  conversation,  I  soon  feel  the  monitor  withio, 
 warning  me  how  frail  I  am. 
 
 In  these  circumstances,  the  General  Assembly's  Committee  on 
 the  Jews  have  this  day  resolved  that  your  pastor,  accompanied  by 
 Pr  Black  of  Aberdeen,  and  my  beloved  friend  Andrew  Bonar  of 
 
LETTERS.  203 
 
 Collace,^  should  travel  for  the  next  six  months,  to  make  personal 
 inquiry  after  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel. 
 
 They  propose  that  we  should  go  without  delay  to  the  Holy 
 Land — that  we  should  then  return  by  Smyrna,  Constantinople, 
 Poland,  Germany,  and  Holland.  Now  I  did  not  seek  this  appoint- 
 ment— I  never  dreamed  of  such  a  thing.  "  But  He  that  hath  the 
 key  of  David,  He  that  openeth  and  no  man  shutteth,  and  shutteth 
 and  no  man  openeth,"  He  has  thrown  open  this  door  to  me,  while 
 He  keeps  the  door  of  return  to  you  still  shut.  My  medical  men  are 
 agreed  that  it  is  the  likehest  method  of  restoring  my  broken  health, 
 and  that  I  have  strength  enough  for  the  journey.  You  know  how 
 my  heart  is  engaged  in  the  cause  of  Israel,  and  how  the  very  sight  of 
 Immanuel's  land  will  revive  my  fainting  spirit.  And  if  it  be  the  will 
 of  God,  I  shall  return  to  you,  my  beloved  flock,  to  tell  you  all  that  I 
 have  seen,  and  to  lead  you  in  the  way  to  the  Jerusalem  that  is  above. 
 
 I  cannot  tell  you  how  many  providences  have  been  sent  to  me, 
 every  one  convincing  me  that  it  is  God's  will  and  purpose  I  should  go. 
 
 The  most  cheering  one  to  me  is,  that  a  young  man  has  nearly 
 consented  to  fill  my  place,  and  feed  your  souls  during  my  absence, 
 who  is  everything  I  could  wish,  and  who  will  make  you  almost 
 forget  that  you  want  your  own  pastor.  Nay,  whatever  happens, 
 I  hope  you  will  never  forget  me,  but  remember  me  in  your  families, 
 and  remember  me  in  your  secret  prayers.  You  are  all  graven  on 
 my  heart — I  never  can  forget  you.  How  wonderful  have  been 
 God's  dealings  with  us  !  For  many  reasons  He  has  sent  this 
 affliction  on  us, — for  sin  in  me,  for  sin  in  you ;  but  also,  I  am  per- 
 suaded, that  He  might  seek  after  "  the  dearly  beloved  of  his  soul," 
 that  are  now  in  the  hand  of  their  enemies.  His  way  is  in  the  sea ; 
 his  name  is  Wonderful.  I  grieve  to  write  so  much  about  myself. 
 I  had  far  rather  speak  to  you  of  "  Him  who  is  fairer  than  the 
 children  of  men."  May  you  look  beyond  all  ministers  to  Him — 
 may  He  be  your  guide  even  unto  death  !  Once  again  I  hope  to 
 write  before  I  leave  my  home  and  my  country.  Till  then,  may  all 
 grace  abound  toward  you,  and  peace  be  upon  Israel.     Amen. 
 
 SEVENTH  PASTOEAL  LETTER. 
 Unexpected  calls  to  labour — Parting  counsels  to  believers. 
 
 Edinburgh,  March  13,  1839- 
 To  all  of  you  who  are   my  brethren,  and  my  companions  in 
 tribulation,  and  in  the  kingdom  and  patience  of  our  Lord  JesuR 
 Christ,  your  pastor  wishes  grace,  mercy,  and  peace. 
 
 »  The  Kcv.  Dr  Keith  of  St  Cyrus  had  not  at  that  time  joined  the  deputation. 
 
204  LETTERS. 
 
 It  gives  me  great  joy  to  address  you  once  more ;  and  if  I  could 
 only  grave  on  your  heart  some  of  those  words  which  make  wise 
 unto  salvation,  my  time  and  labour  would  be  amply  repaid.  The 
 providences  of  every  day  convince  me  that  I  have  followed  not  my 
 own  will,  but  God's,  in  leaving  you  for  a  time.  If  the  Lord  per- 
 mit, I  shall  come  to  you  again,  and  I  trust  more  fully  taught  by 
 the  Spirit, — a  holier,  happier,  and  a  more  useful  minister.  I  did 
 not  know  when  I  last  preached  to  you  that  I  was  to  be  so  long 
 parted  from  you  ;  and  though  I  felt  a  solemn  tenderness  stealing 
 over  my  soul  which  I  could  not  well  account  for,  and  eternity 
 seemed  very  near,  and  your  souls  seemed  very  precious,  yet  the 
 Lord  was  "  leading  the  blind  by  a  way  which  we  knew  not."  I 
 have  been  searching  God's  word  to  find  examples  of  this,  and  1 
 find  them  very  many. 
 
 You  remember  Ahraham,  how  he  was  living  quietly  in  his 
 father's  house,  in  Ur  of  the  Chaldees,  when  the  Lord  appeared  to 
 him,  and  said,  "  Get  thee  out  of  thy  country,  and  from  thy  kindred, 
 and  from  thy  father's  house,  unto  a  land  that  I  will  show  thee," 
 Gen.  xii.  1.  And  he  went  out,  not  knowing  whither  he  went. 
 You  remember  Jacob :  his  mother  said  unto  him,  "  Arise,  flee 
 thou  to  Laban,  my  brother,  to  Haran,  and  tarry  with  him  a  few 
 days''  But  the  Lord  meant  it  otherwise;  and  it  was  twenty  years 
 before  Jacob  came  back  again. — Gen.  xxvii.  43,  44.  You  re- 
 member Joseph :  his  father  sent  him  a  message  to  his  brethren : 
 "  Go,  I  pray  thee,  see  whether  it  be  well  with  thy  brethren,  and 
 well  with  the  flocks,  and  bring  me  word  again,"  Gen.  xxxvii.  14. 
 He  expected  to  see  him  return  in  a  few  days  ;  but  God  had  another 
 purpose  with  him.  It  was  more  than  twenty  years  before  he  saw 
 the  face  of  Joseph  again;  till  he  said,  "It  is  enough;  Joseph  my 
 son  is  yet  alive :  and  I  will  go  and  see  him  before  I  die." 
 
 You  will  find  the  same  method  of  dealing  in  the  New  Testament. 
 How  little  Peter  knew  that  morning  when  he  went  up  to  the  house- 
 top to  pray,  that  he  was  that  very  day  to  be  sent  away  to  open 
 the  door  of  faith  to  the  Gentiles,  Acts  x.  9  ;  and  yet  God  said  to 
 him,  "  Arise,  get  thee  down,  and  go  with  them,  nothing  doubting," 
 verse  20.  Again,  you  remember  Barnahas  and  SauU  how  happily 
 they  were  engaged  with  the  brethren  at  Antioch,  ministering  to  the 
 Lord  and  fasting.  Little  did  they  think  that  the  next  day  .they 
 would  be  sailing  away  to  carry  the  gospel  to  other  lands.  As  they 
 ministered  to  the  Lord  and  fasted,  the  Holy  Ghost  said,  "  Separate 
 me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for  the  work  whereunto  I  have  called  them. 
 And  when  they  had  fasted  and  prayed,  and  laid  their  hands  on 
 them,  they  sent  them  away  :"  Acts  xiii.  2,  13. 
 
LETTERS.  205 
 
 Once  more,  when  Paul  had  preached  the  gospel  in  all  the  cities 
 of  Asia,  and  was  come  to  Troas,  on  the  sea-coast,  how  little  did 
 he  think  that  night  when  he  laid  his  head  upon  his  pillow,  that  by 
 the  next  day  morning  the  swift  ship  would  be  carrying  him  across 
 the  seas,  to  bear  the  message  of  salvation  to  another  continent ! 
 *'  A  vision  appeared  to  Paul  in  the  night :  There  stood  a  man  of 
 Macedonia,  and  prayed  him,  saying,  Come  over  into  Macedonia  and 
 help  us.  And  after  he  had  seen  the  vision,  immediately  we  en- 
 deavoured to  go  into  Macedonia,  assuredly  gathering  that  the  Lord 
 had  called  us  for  to  preach  the  gospel  unto  them  :"  Acts  xvi.  9,  10. 
 
 Now,  has  not  God  dealt  with  us  in  a  similar  manner  ?  Although 
 we  are  nothing  in  ourselves  but  evil  and  hell-deserving  creatures, 
 yet,  when  accepted  in  the  beloved,  God  cares  for  us.  Oh!  we  err, 
 not  knowing  the  Scriptures,  nor  the  power  of  God,  when  we  think 
 that  God  is  indifferent  to  the  least  of  all  that  are  in  Christ.  We 
 are  fastened  on  the  Redeemer's  shoulder.  We  are  graven  on  his 
 breastplate,  and  that  is  on  the  Redeemer's  heart.  Surely  He  hath 
 directed  our  steps.  "  Oh  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom 
 and  the  knowledge  of  God !"  In  other  circumstances,  I  suppose,  I 
 would  not  have  listened  to  this  proposal.  I  could  not  have  torn 
 myself  away  had  I  been  in  strength  and  usefulness  among  you,  and 
 indeed  the  expedition  probably  would  never  have  been  thought  of. 
 
 But  God,  who  chose  Israel  to  be  his  peculiar  treasure,  can  easily 
 open  up  ways  when  his  set  time  is  come.  I  parted  from  you  only 
 for  ?ifew  days  ;  but  God  meant  otherwise,  and  He  will  make  it  his 
 own  fixed  time.  And  now,  behold,  I  know  that  there  are  some  of 
 you  among  whom  I  have  gone  preaching  the  kingdom  of  God,  who 
 "shall  see  my  face  no  more."  "He  that  keepeth  Israel"  may 
 preserve  your  pastor  under  his  almighty  feathers.  I  know  you  will 
 pray  for  me,  as  you  have  done  in  secret,  and  in  your  families,  and 
 in  your  meetings  for  prayer,  "  that  the  sun  may  not  smite  me  by 
 day,  nor  the  moon  by  night;"  but  if  I  should  come  back  again, 
 will  I  find  you  all  where  I  left  you?  Alas  !  I  know  it  cannot  be  so. 
 "  For  what  is  your  hfe?  It  is  even  a  vapour  ;"  and  God  is  still 
 crying,  "Return,  return,  ye  children  of  men." 
 
 For  some  among  you,  I  give  thanks  unto  the  Father  that  He 
 hath  made  you  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints 
 in  light ;  Col.  i.  12.  There  are  some  among  you  from  whom  I 
 have  learned  more  than  I  taught  you,  "  who  have  been  succourers 
 of  many,  and  of  myself  also," — Rom.  xvi.  2,  and  who  have  often 
 reminded  me  of  corn,  when  it  was  fully  ripe.  Shall  we  be  sur- 
 prised if  the  Son  of  man  puts  in  the  sickle? — Rev.  xiv.  13,  16. 
 Dear  advanced  believers,  we  may  never  meet  again.    I  feel  it  almost 
 
206  ,  LETTERS. 
 
 wrong  to  pray  that  ye  may  be  kept  to  comfort  us  on  our  return. 
 It  is  wrong  to  grudge  you  "  an  entrance  into  perfect  day,"  where 
 you  shall  lay  aside  that  body  of  death  and  sin  which  is  your 
 greatest  grief;  yet  may  the  Lord  spare  you,  and  bless  you,  and 
 make  you  a  blessing,  that  ye  may  bear  fruit  in  old  age.  Oh,  fill 
 up  the  little  inch  of  time  that  remains  to  his  glory;  walk  with 
 God ;  Jive  for  God.  Oh  that  every  thought,  and  word,  and 
 action  might  be  in  his  favour,  and  to  his  praise  !  The  Lord  grant 
 that  we  may  meet  again  here,  and  with  you  be  refreshed ;  but  if 
 not,  may  we  meet  "  where  we  shall  walk  with  Christ  in  white." 
 God,  who  knows  my  heart,  knows  it  would  be  a  hell  to  me  to 
 spend  an  eternity  with  unconverted  Christless  souls ;  but  to  be 
 with  Christ  and  his  people  is  heaven  to  me,  wherever  it  is.  There 
 are  many  young  believers  among  you,  whom  I  may  never  meet 
 again.  It  is  hard  to  think  of  parting  with  you  ;  the  mother  feels 
 it  hard  to  part  with  the  sucking  child.  It  was  my  highest  dehght 
 in  this  world  to  see  you  growing  day  by  day — to  see  your  sense  of 
 the  plague  in  your  own  heart  deepening — to  see  you  cleaving  to 
 Christ  with  full  purpose  of  heart — to  see  your  "  peace  widening 
 like  a  river,"  and  to  see  your  love  burning  higher  and  higher 
 toward  the  throne  of  God.  You  are  in  my  heart  to  live  and  to  die 
 with  me.  Still  He  who  at  any  time  fed  you  by  we,  can  as  easily 
 feed  you  by  another.  I  commend  you  to  the  Lord,  on  whom  you 
 believe.  Read  2  Peter  iii.  17;  meditate  over  it,  pray  over  it; 
 beware  lest  ye  also,  being  led  away  with  the  error  of  the  wicked, 
 fall  from  your  own  stedfastness  ;  but  grow  in  grace. 
 
 The  only  way  to  be  kept  from  falling  is  to  grow.  If  you  stand 
 still,  you  will  fall.  Read  Prov.  xi.  28,  "  The  righteous  shall  flourish 
 as  a  branch."  Remember  you  are  not  a  tree,  that  can  stand  alone ; 
 you  are  only  "  a  branch,"  and  it  is  only  while  you  abide  in  Him,  as 
 a  branch,  that  you  will  flourish.  Keep  clear  your  sense  of  justi- 
 fication ;  remember  it  is  not  your  own  natural  goodness,  nor  your 
 tears,  nor  your  sanctification,  that  will  justify  you  before  God.  It 
 is  Christ's  sufferings  and  obedience  alone.  Seek  to  be  made  hoher 
 every  day ;  pray,  strive,  wrestle  for  the  Spirit,  to  make  you  like 
 God.  Be  as  much  as  you  can  with  God.  I  declare  to  you  that  I 
 had  rather  be  one  hour  with  God,  than  a  thousand  with  the  sweetest 
 society  on  earth  or  in  heaven.  All  other  joys  are  but  streams ; 
 God  is  the  fountain :  "all  my  springs  are  in  Thee."  Now  may 
 the  blessings  that  are  on  the  head  of  the  just  be  on  your  head.  Be 
 faithful  unto  death,  and  Christ  will  give  you  a  crown  of  life ;  and 
 if  I  never  meet  you  again  in  this  world,  may  I  meet  you  as  "  pillara 
 in  the  house  of  my  God  "  where  "  you  shall  so  no  more  out."    Pray 
 
LETTERS.  207 
 
 for  me  wheu  you  have  access  to  the  throne, — when  you  have  a 
 heart  for  it.  I  will  try  and  pray  for  you,  that  ye  may  endure  to 
 the  end.  I  have  a  word  more  for  those  of  you  that  are  still  uncon- 
 verted, whom  I  may  never  see  again  in  the  flesh.  My  heart  bleeds 
 to  think  of  parting  with  you ;  but  I  must  defer  this  to  my  next 
 letter,  for  I  expect  to  write  you  again  before  I  go.  Farewell  for 
 the  present,  and  may  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with 
 your  spirits.     Amen. 
 
 EIGHTH  PASTORAL  LETTER. 
 Warnings  to  the  unsaved — Causes  why  so  many  among  us  are  unsaved. 
 
 Edinburgh,  March  20,  1839. 
 
 To  all  of  you,  my  dear  flock,  who  are  dearly  beloved  and  longed 
 for,  my  joy  and  crown,  your  pastor  wishes  grace,  mercy,  and  peace, 
 from  God  oar  Father,  and  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
 
 In  my  last  letter  I  showed  you  that,  in  all  human  probability, 
 there  are  many  of  you  to  whom  I  have  preached  the  gospel  of  sal- 
 vation, to  whom  I  shall  never  preach  it  again  face  to  face.  I  cannot 
 be  blind  to  the  many  dangers  that  accompany  foreign  travel, — the 
 diseases  and  accidents  to  which  we  shall  be  exposed ;  but  if,  through 
 your  prayers,  I  be  given  to  you  again,  how  many  blanks  shall  I 
 find  in  my  flock !  How  many  dear  children  of  God  gone  to  be 
 "  where  the  weary  are  at  rest,"  where  the  imperfect  "  are  made 
 perfect!"  How  many  of  you  that  have  stood  out  against  all  the 
 invitations  of  Christ,  and  all  the  warnings  of  God,  shall  I  find  de- 
 parted, to  give  in  your  account  before  the  throne  !  It  is  to  these 
 last  I  wish  now  to  speak.  For  two  years  I  have  testified  to  you 
 the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God.  I  came  to  you  in  ''  weakness,  and 
 in  fear,  and  in  much  trembling  ;"  and  if  the  case  of  the  children  of 
 God,  and  of  backsliding  souls,  has  often  lain  heavy  at  my  heart,  I 
 can  truly  say  that  your  dreadful  condition — "  settled  like  wine  upon 
 her  lees,"  when  you  are  about  to  be  "  turned  upside  down,  as  a 
 man  turneth  a  dish  and  wipeth  it  " — has  been  a  continued  anxiety 
 to  me ;  and  sometimes,  when  I  have  had  glimpses  of  the  reality 
 of  eternal  things,  it  has  been  an  unsupportable  agony  to  my  spirit. 
 I  know  well  that  this  is  a  jest  to  you, — that  you  care  not  whether 
 ministers  go  or  stay;  and  if  you  get  a  short  sermon  on  the  Sab- 
 bath-day that  will  soothe  and  not  prick  your  conscience,  that  is 
 all  you  care  for.  Still,  it  may  be,  the  Lord  who  opened  Manasseh's 
 heart  will  open  yours,  while  I  go  over  solemnly,  in  the  sight  of  God, 
 what  appear  to   be  the  chief  reasons  why,  after  my  two  years' 
 
208  LETTERS. 
 
 ministry  among  you,  there  are  still  so  many  unconverted,  perishing 
 Bonis. 
 
 One  cause  is  to  be  sought  in  i/oiir  minister.  In  Mai.  ii.  6  you 
 will  find  a  sweet  description  of  a  faithful  and  successful  minister : 
 "  The  law  of  truth  was  in  his  mouth,  and  iniquity  was  not  found  in 
 his  lips :  he  walked  with  me  in  peace  and  equity,  and  did  turr 
 many  away  from  iniquity."  This  is  what  ive  should  have  done ;  bnt 
 the  furnace  brings  out  the  dross,  and  afflictions  discover  defects 
 unknown  before.  Oh  that  I  could  say  with  Paul :  "  That  I  have 
 been  with  you  at  all  seasons  serving  the  Lord  with  all  huraihty  of 
 mind,  and  with  many  tears!"  Ye  are  witnesses,  and  God  also, 
 "  how  holily,  and  justly,  and  unblameably,  we  behaved  ourselves 
 among  you  that  believe."  I  am  indeed  amazed  that  the  ministry 
 of  such  a  worm  as  I  am  should  ever  have  been  blessed  among  you 
 at  all ;  and  I  do  this  day  bewail  before  God  every  sin  in  my  heart 
 and  Hfe  that  has  kept  back  the  light  from  your  poor  dark  souls. 
 Oh,  you  that  can  pray,  pray  that  I  may  come  back  a  holy  minister, 
 — a  shepherd  not  to  lead  the  flock  by  the  voice  only,  but  to  imlk 
 before  them  in  the  way  of  hfe.  Looking  back  over  my  pulpit 
 work,  alas !  I  see  innumerable  deficiencies.  I  always  prayed  that 
 I  might  "not  keep  back  anything  that  \v as  profitable,'' — that  I 
 might  not  shun  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God, — "  that  I 
 might  decrease,  and  Christ  increase."  Still,  alas  !  alas  !  how  dimly 
 I  have  seen  and  set  before  you  "  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus !"  How 
 coldly  have  I  pleaded  with  you  to  "  save  yourselves  from  this  un- 
 toward generation  !"  How  many  things  I  have  known  among  you 
 "  besides  Christ  and  Him  crucified  !"  How  often  have  I  preached 
 myself,  and  not  the  Saviour !  How  httle  I  have  "  expounded  to 
 you  in  all  the  Scriptures  the  things  concerning  Jesus !"  One  error 
 more  has  been  in  my  private  labours  among  you.  How  much 
 fruitless  intercourse  have  I  had  with  you !  I  have  not  been  like  a 
 shepherd  crying  after  the  lost  sheep,  nor  like  a  physician  among 
 dying  men,  nor  like  a  servant  bidding  you  to  the  marriage,  nor 
 like  one  plucking  brands  from  the  burning !  How  often  have  I 
 gone  to  your  houses  to  try  and  win  your  souls,  and  you  have  put 
 me  off  with  a  little  worldly  talk,  and  the  words  of  salvation  have 
 died  upon  my  hps  !  I  dared  not  tell  you  you  were  perishing, — I 
 dared  not  to  show  you  plainly  of  the  Saviour.  How  often  I  have 
 eat  at  some  of  your  tables,  and  my  heart  yearned  for  your  souls, 
 yet  a  false  shame  kept  me  silent !  How  often  I  have  gone  home 
 crying  bitterly,  "Free  me  from  blood-guiUiness,  0  God,  thou  God 
 of  my  salvation !  " 
 
 /  turn  now  to  the  causes  in  you^  dear  children  of  God.     You  also 
 
LETTERS.  209 
 
 have  hindered  in  great  measure  God's  work  in  the  parish.  First, 
 by  your  want  of  holiness.  "  Ye  are  the  light  of  the  world."  I 
 La^e  often  told  you  that  a  work  of  revival  in  any  place  almost 
 always  begins  with  the  children  of  God.  God  pours  water  first 
 on  "  him  that  is  thirsty,"  and  then  on  the  dry  ground.  But  how 
 little  has  "the  word  of  the  Lord  sounded  out  from  you!"  I  do 
 not  mean  that  you  should  have  been  loud  talkers  about  religious 
 things.  "  In  the  multitude  of  words  there  wanteth  not  sin,  and 
 the  talk  of  the  lips  leadeth  to  penury."  But  you  should  have  been 
 "  living  epistles,  known  and  read  of  all  men."  You  know  that  a 
 lighted  lamp  is  a  very  small  thing,  and  it  burns  calmly  and  with- 
 out noise  ;  yet  "  it  giveth  light  to  all  that  are  within  the  house." 
 So,  if  you  had  day  by  day  the  blood  of  Christ  upon  your  con- 
 science,— walking  a  forgiven  and  adopted  child  of  God, — having 
 a  calm  peace  in  your  bosom,  and  a  heaveray  hope  in  your  eye, — 
 having  the  Holy  Spirit  filling  you  with  a  sweet,  tender,  chaste, 
 compassionate,  forgiving  love  to  all  the  world,  —  oh !  had  you 
 shone  thus  for  two  years  back,  how  many  of  your  friends  and 
 neighbours  that  are  going  down  to  hell  might  have  been  saying 
 this  day,  "  Thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my  God !" 
 Think,  my  beloved  friends,  that  every  act  of  unholiness,  of  con- 
 formity to  the  world,  of  selfishness,  of  whispering  and  backbiting, 
 is  hindering  the  work  of  God  in  the  parish,  and  ruining  souls  eter- 
 nally. And  what  shall  I  say  to  those  of  you  who,  instead  of  emit- 
 ting the  sweet  winning  hght  of  hohness,  have  given  out  only  rays 
 of  darkness?  "I  have  this  against  thee,  that  thou  hast  left  thy 
 first  love.  Remember,  therefore,  from  whence  thou  art  fallen, 
 and  repent,  and  do  thy  first  works,  or  else  I  will  come  unto  thee 
 quickly,  and  will  remove  thy  candlestick  out  of  his  place,  except 
 thou  repent." 
 
 Second,  You  have  hindered  God's  ivorh  hy  your  want  of  iwayer, 
 "When  God  gives  grace  to  soulsj  it  is  in  answer  to  the  prayers  of 
 his  children.  Yon  will  see  this  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  Acts  ii. ; 
 Ezek.  xxxvii.  9  shows,  that  in  answer  to  the  prayer  of  a  single 
 child  of  God,  God  will  give  grace  to  a  whole  valley  full  of  dry 
 and  prayerless  bones.  Where  God  puts  it  into  the  heart  of  his 
 children  to  pray,  it  is  certain  that  He  is  going  to  pour  down  hit 
 Spirit  in  abundance.  Now,  where  have  been  your  prayers,  0 
 children  of  God  ?  The  salvation  of  those  around  you  depends  on 
 your  asking,  and  yet  "  hitherto  ye  have  asked  nothing  in  Christ's 
 name."  Ye  that  are  the  Lord's  remembrancers,  keep  not  silence, 
 and  give  Him  no  rest.  Alas !  you  have  given  God  much  rest, — • 
 you  have  allowed  his  hand  to  remain  unplucked  out  of  his  bosom. 
 
 0 
 
2i0  LErrEKs 
 
 It  is  said  of  John  Welsh,  minister  of  Ayr,  that  he  used  always  to 
 sleep  with  a  plaid  upon  his  bed,  that  he  might  wrap  it  around  him 
 when  he  arose  in  the  night  to  pray.  He  used  to  spend  whole 
 nights  in  wrestling  with  God  for  Zion,  and  for  the  purity  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland ;  and  he  wondered  how  Christians  could  lie 
 all  night  in  bed  without  rising  to  pray.  Oh  !  we  have  few  Welshes 
 now ;  therefore  our  church  is  so  dim,  and  our  land  a  barren  wil- 
 derness. Dear  Christians,  I  often  think  it  strange  that  ever  we 
 should  be  in  heaven,  and  so  many  in  hell  through  our  soul-de- 
 stroying carelessness.  The  good  Lord  pardon  the  past,  and  stir 
 you  up  for  the  future.  I  learn  that  you  are  more  stirred  up 
 to  pray  since  I  left,  both  in  secret  and  unitedly.  God  grant 
 it  be  so.  Continue  in  it,  dear  children.  Do  not  let  it  slip  again. 
 Plead  and  wrestle  with  God,  showing  Him  that  the  cause  is  his 
 own,  and  that  it  is  all  for  his  own  glory  to  arise  and  have  mercy 
 upon  Zion. 
 
 Last  of  all,  thinh  of  the  causes  in  yourselves,  0  unconverted  souls! 
 Be  sure  of  this,  that  you  will  only  have  yourselves  to  blame  if  ye 
 awake  in  hell.  You  will  not  be  able  to  plead  God's  secret  decrees, 
 nor  the  sins  of  your  minister,  nor  the  carelessness  of  your  godly 
 neighbours, — you  will  be  speechless.  If  you  die,  it  is  because  you 
 ivill  die ;  and  if  you  luill  die,  then  you  must  die. 
 
 Think,  first,  on  your  carelessness  about  ordinances.  They  are  the 
 channels  through  which  God  pours  his  Spirit.  The  Bible,  prayer, 
 the  house  of  God, — these  are  the  golden  pipes  through  which 
 the  golden  oil  is  poured.  How  many  of  you  utterly  neglect  the 
 Bible !  You  know  not  the  blessedness  of  the  man  spoken  of  in 
 the  first  Psalm.  How  many  of  you  restrain  prayer  before  God ! 
 How  many  of  you  have  dead,  useless  prayers,  learned  by  rote  ! 
 And  oh,  how  you  despise  the  house  of  God !  Alas,  that  church 
 shall  rise  against  you  in  judgment.  It  was  a  door  of  the  ark 
 brought  near  to  you.  Two  years  and  more,  its  gates  have  been 
 wide  open  to  you,  and  yet  how  you  have  shghted  it !  Already  I 
 seem  to  hear  your  loud  wailing  when  you  mourn  at  the  last,  and 
 say,  "  How  have  I  hated  instruction,  and  my  heart  despised  re- 
 proof, and  have  not  obeyed  the  voice  of  my  teachers  !  " 
 
 Thinh,  second,  how  you  have  been  mockers.  It  has  been  too 
 common  for  you  to  make  a  mock  of  eternal  things  and  of  godly 
 people.  When  there  have  been  anxious  souls  seeking  the  way  to 
 be  saved,  and  they  could  not  conceal  their  tears,  you  have  called 
 them  hypocrites  !  When  some  have  got  a  new  heart,  and  have 
 changed  their  way  of  life,  you  have  spoken  scofSngly  of  them,  and 
 tried  to  bring  them  into  contempt.    Alas  !  poor  soul,  look  within. 
 
LETTERS.  211 
 
 You  have  hardened  jour  hearts  into  an  adamant  stone.  Look  at 
 Prov.  xvii.  5  ;  "He  thatmocketh  the  poor  reproacheth  his  Maker." 
 And  again,  Isaiah  xxviii.  22  :  "  Now,  therefore,  be  ye  not  mockers, 
 lest  your  bands  be  made  strong." 
 
 To  sum  up  all.  The  great  cause  that  I  leave  you  hardened  is,  thai 
 you  "  despise  the  Son  of  God^  You  see  no  beauty  in  Him  that  you 
 should  desire  Him.  You  hghtly  esteem  the  Rock  of  your  salva- 
 tion. You  have  not  had  a  soul-piercing  look  at  a  pierced  Saviour. 
 You  have  not  seen  the  infinite  load  of  sins  that  weighed  down  his 
 blessed  head.  Y^ou  have  not  seen  how  open  his  arms  are  to 
 receive, — how  often  He  would  have  gathered  you.  You  have  not 
 heard  that  sweet  word  whispered  of  the  Spirit,  "  Behold  me, 
 behold  me,"  which,  when  a  man  once  hears,  he  leaves  all  and 
 foHows.  You  have  trampled  under  foot  the  blood  of  the  Son  of 
 God.  Farewell,  dear,  dear  souls.  God  knows  that  my  whole 
 heart  prays  that  you  may  be  saved. 
 
 Perhaps  there  are  some  of  you  that  never  would  bend  under  my 
 ministry,  that  will  melt  like  wax  before  the  fire  under  the  word  of 
 the  dear  young  minister  who  is  to  speak  to  you  in  my  absence. 
 May  the  Lord  give  him  hundreds  for  my  tens !  I  will  often  pray 
 for  you,  and  sometimes  write  to  you,  when  I  am  far  away.  If 
 I  reach  Immanuel's  land,  I  will  say,  "  The  Lord  bless  you  out  of 
 Zion."  And  if  you  will  not  turn,  remember  I  take  God  for  a 
 record  that  I  am  pure  from  the  blood  of  you  all. 
 
 Dear  children  of  God,  I  now  cast  you  on  Him  who  cast  you  on 
 me  when  I  was  ordained  over  you.  He  said  to  me,  "  Feed  my 
 sheep," — "  feed  my  lambs," — "  feed  my  sheep."  Now,  when  He 
 sends  me  away,  I  would  humbly  return  his  own  words  to  Him, 
 saying,  0  Shepherd  of  Israel,  feed  my  sheep, — feed  my  lambs, — 
 feed  my  sheep.  Little  children,  love  one  another.  Keep  yourselves 
 from  idols.  Bear  me  ever  on  your  hearts.  Pray  that  when  I  have 
 preached  to  others,  I  may  not  be  a  castaway.  Pray  that  I  may 
 save  some. 
 
 Now  the  God  of  peace,  that  brought  again  from  the  dead  our 
 Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through  the 
 blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant,  make  you  perfect  in  every  good 
 work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  you  that  which  is  well-pleasing  in 
 his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ ;  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever  and 
 ever.     Amen. 
 
 My  next,  if  God  will,  may  be  from  England, 
 
212  letters; 
 
 NINTH  PASTOEAL  LETTER 
 Incidents  of  tlie  way  as  far  as  Leghorn. — Exhortatious. 
 
 Leghorx,  May  2,  1839. 
 
 To  all  of  you,  my  beloved  flock,  who  have  received  Christ,  and 
 walk  in  Him,  your  pastor  wishes  grace,  and  mercy,  and  peace, 
 from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
 
 My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  for  you  every  day  is  that  you  may 
 be  saved.  I  am  now  far  from  you  in  the  flesh,  yet  am  I  with  you 
 in  the  spirit.  I  thank  my  God  without  ceasing,  for  as  many  of 
 you  as  have  been  awakened  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  have 
 rested  your  souls  upon  the  good  word  of  God  concerning  Jesus, 
 and  have  tasted  the  love  of  God.  In  every  prayer  of  mine  for  you 
 all,  I  ask  that  ye  may  continue  in  the  faith,  grounded  and  settled, 
 — that  ye  may  be  like  trees,  rooted  in  Christ  Jesus,  or  like  a  holy 
 temple  built  up  in  Him  who  is  the  only  foundation-stone. 
 
 I  expected  to  have  written  you  from  London,  and  again  before 
 leaving  France  ;  but  we  have  travelled  so  rapidly,  often  day  and 
 night,  and  the  fatigue  was  so  great  to  my  weak  frame,  that  I  was 
 disappointed  in  this  ;  but  I  did  not  forget  you  night  or  day,  and  I 
 know  well  I  am  not  forgotten  by  you.  Since  I  wrote  you  last  I 
 have  passed  through  many  cities  and  countries,  and  seen  many 
 faces  and  things  strange  to  me.  Many  lessons  for  my  own  soul, 
 and  for  yours,  I  have  learned.  At  present  I  must  write  you 
 shortly. 
 
 We  left  London  on  the  11th  of  April,  and  next  morning  crossed 
 the  British  Channel  from  Dover  to  Boulogne,  and  found  ourselves 
 on  the  shores  of  France.  The  very  first  night  we  spent  in  France, 
 we  were  visited  by  a  most  interesting  Jew,  evidently  anxious  about 
 his  soul.  He  spoke  with  us  for  many  hours,  accepted  the  New  Tes- 
 tament in  Hebrew,  and  bade  good-bye  with  much  emotion.  We 
 thanked  God  for  this  token  for  good.  Pray  for  us,  that  God  may 
 give  us  good  success,  that  we  may  have  the  souls  of  Israel  for  our 
 hire.  From  Boulogne  we  travelled  to  Paris,  by  day  and  by  night, 
 and  spent  a  Sabbath  there.  Alas  !  poor  Paris  knows  no  Sabbath ; 
 all  the  shops  are  open,  and  all  the  inhabitants  are  on  the  wing  in 
 search  of  pleasures, — pleasures  that  perish  in  the  using.  I  thought 
 of  Babylon  and  of  Sodom  as  I  passed  through  the  crowd.  I 
 cannot  tell  how  I  longed  for  the  peace  of  a  Scottish  Sabbath. 
 There  is  a  place  in  Paris  called  the  Champs  Elyse'es^  or  Plains 
 of  Heaven, — a  beautiful  public  walk,  with  trees  and  gardens;  we 
 had  to  cross  it  on  passing  to  the  Protestant  church.  It  is  the 
 chief  scene  of  their  Sabbath  desecration,  and  an  awful  scene  it  is. 
 
LETTERS.  213 
 
 Oh,  thought  I,  if  this  is  the  heaven  a  Parisian  loves,  he  will  never 
 enjoy  the  pure  heaven  that  is  above.  Try  yourselves  by  that  text, 
 Isaiah  Iviii.  13, 14.  I  remember  of  once  preaching  to  you  from  it. 
 Do  you  really  dehght  in  the  Sabbath-day  ?  If  not,  you  are  no 
 child  of  God.  I  remember  with  grief  that  there  are  many  among 
 you  that  despise  the  Sabbath, — some  who  buy  and  sell  on  that  holy 
 day, — some  who  spend  its  blessed  hours  in  worldly  pleasures,  in 
 folly  and  sin.  Oh  !  you  would  make  Dundee  another  Paris  if  you 
 could.  Dear  believers,  oppose  these  ungodly  practices  with  all 
 your  might.  The  more  others  dishonour  God's  holy  day,  the 
 more  do  you  honour  it,  and  show  that  you  love  it  of  all  the  seven 
 the  best.  Even  in  Paris,  as  in  Sardis,  we  found  a  little  flock  of 
 behevers.  We  heard  a  sweet  sermon  in  Enghsli,  and  another  in 
 French.  There  are  only  2000  Protestant  hearers  out  of  the  half 
 miUion  that  hihabit  Paris,  and  there  are  fourteen  faithful  sermons 
 preached  every  Sabbath. 
 
 We  left  the  French  capital  on  the  16th  April,  a  lovely  evening, 
 with  a  deep  blue  sky  above,  and  a  lovely  country  before  us,  on  the 
 banks  of  the  Seine.  This  would  be  a  dehghtsome  land,  if  it  only 
 had  the  light  of  God's  countenance  upon  it.  We  travelled  three 
 days  and  three  nights,  by  Troyes,  Dijon,  and  Chalons,  till  we  came 
 to  Lyons,  upon  the  rapid  river  Rhone,  in  the  south  of  France. 
 The  Lord  stirred  up  kind  friends  to  meet  us.  Lyons  is  famous  as 
 being  the  place  where  many  Christians  were  martyred  in  the  first 
 ages,  and  where  many  w^ere  burned  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation 
 because  they  loved  and  confessed  the  Lord  Jesus.  God  loves  the 
 place  still.  There  is  a  small  body  of  300  believers,  who  live  here 
 under  a  faithful  pastor,  Mr  Cordees.  He  cheered  our  hearts  much, 
 and  sent  us  away  with  affectionate  prayers. 
 
 That  day  we  sailed  down  the  Rhone  more  than  100  miles, 
 through  a  most  wonderful  country.  We  hoped  to  have  spent  the 
 Sabbath  at  Marseilles ;  but  just  as  we  entered  the  Mediterranean 
 Sea,  a  storm  of  wind  arose,  and  drove  the  vessel  on  a  barren  island 
 at  the  mouth  of  the  Rhone.  We  all  landed  and  spent  our  Sabbath 
 quietly  on  the  desert  island.  It  was  your  communion  Sabbath , 
 and  I  thought  that  perhaps  this  providence  was  given  me  that  I 
 might  have  a  quiet  day  to  pray  for  you.  There  were  about 
 twelve  fishermen's  huts  on  the  island,  made  of  reeds,  with  a  vine 
 growing  before  the  door,  and  a  fig-tree  in  their  garden.  We 
 gave  tracts  and  books  in  French  to  all  our  fellow-passengers,  and 
 to  the  inhabitants,  and  tried  to  hallow  the  Sabbath.  My  heart 
 went  up  to  God  the  whole  day  for  you  all,  and  for  my  dear  friends 
 who  would  be  ministering  to  you.     I  tried  to  go  over   vou  one 
 
214  LETTERS. 
 
 by  one,  as  many  as  I  could  call  to  mind.  My  longing  desire  for 
 you  was,  that  Jesus  might  reveal  himself  to  you  in  the  breaking 
 of  bread, — that  you  might  have  heart-filling  views  of  the  lovely 
 person  of  Immanuel,  and  might  draw  from  Him  rivers  of  comfort, 
 life,  and  hoKness.  I  trust  your  fellowship  was  with  the  Father,  and 
 with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  Many  I  know  are  ignorant  of  Jesus. 
 I  trembled  when  I  thought  of  their  taking  the  bread  and  wine. 
 You  all  know  my  mind  upon  this.  The  next  morning  the  storm 
 abated,  and  we  sailed  over  the  tideless  sea,  and  reached  the 
 beautifal  harbour  of  Marseilles  by  eight  o'clock.  We  had  con- 
 ference with  a  faithful  young  minister,  and  with  the  Rabbi  of  the 
 Jews.  We  also  attended  the  synagogue  the  same  evening.  The 
 Jews  of  France  are  fast  falling  into  infidelity,  especially  the 
 younger  Jews.  They  do  not  love  the  law  and  the  prophets  as 
 their  fathers  did.  They  are,  indeed,  the  dry  bones  in  Ezek. 
 xxxvii.  Still  God  can  make  them  live.  It  is  our  part  to  speak 
 to  them  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  to  pray  for  the  quickening 
 Spirit. 
 
 True  Christians  in  France  are  increasing.  There  are  400 
 Protestant  ministers,  and  nearly  one-half  of  these  are  faithful  men, 
 who  know  nothing  among  their  flocks  but  Christ  and  Him  crucified. 
 In  some  places  Christians  seem  more  bold  and  devoted  than  in 
 Scotland.  It  is  very  pleasant  to  hear  them  singing  the  French 
 psalms  :  they  sing  with  all  their  heart,  and  are  much  given  to 
 prayer.  Oh,  my  dear  Christians,  be  like  them  in  these  things ! 
 May  the  same  Holy  Spirit,  who  has  often  visited  you  in  times 
 gone  by,  fill  your  hearts  more  than  ever  with  praise  and  prayer  ! 
 
 Popery  in  France  is  waxing  bolder.  The  first  day  we  landed 
 on  the  shore,  it  was  evident  we  were  in  a  land  of  Popish  darkness. 
 On  the  height  above  Boulogne,  a  tall  white  cross  attracted  our 
 eyes.  We  found  on  it  an  image  of  our  Saviour  nailed  to  the  tree, 
 larger  than  life  ;  the  spear,  the  hammer,  the  nails,  the  sponge, 
 were  all  there.  It  was  raised  by  some  shipwrecked  fishermen ; 
 and  sailors'  wives  go  there  in  a  storm  to  pray  for  their  absent 
 husbands.  The  Popish  priests  meet  us  in  every  street:  they  wear 
 a  three-cornered  hat,  black  bands,  a  black  mantle  with  a  sash, 
 and  large  buckles  on  their  shoes ;  they  have  all  a  dark,  suspicious 
 look  about  them.  At  the  entrance  of  every  village  there  is  a  cross, 
 and  the  churches  are  full  of  pictures  and  images.  I  went  into  one 
 church  in  Paris,  the  finest  in  France,  where  the  crosses  were  all  of 
 pure  silver,  and  there  was  a  large  white  image  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
 holding  the  infant  Jesus  in  her  arms.  Many  rich  and  poor  were 
 kneeling  on  the  pavement  before  the  image,  silently  praying.    Gross 
 
LETTERS.  2 1  T) 
 
 darkness  covers  the  people.  A  priest  travelled  one  whole  night 
 with  ns  in  the  coach.  We  argued  with  him  first  in  French  and 
 then  in  Latin,  trying  to  convince  him  of  his  errors,  showing  him 
 his  need  of  peace  with  God,  and  a  new  heart.  In  Psalm  cxxxvii. 
 you  will  see  that  Babylon,  or  Popery,  is  "  doomed  to  destruc- 
 tion;" and  in  Rev.  xviii.  you  will  see  that  her  destruction  will  be 
 very  sudden  and  very  terrible.  Oh  that  it  may  come  soon,  for 
 thousands  are  perishing  under  its  soul-destroying  errors !  And 
 yet  remember  what  I  used  to  read  to  yon  ont  of  Martin  Boos,  and 
 remember  the  saying  of  the  Lord  to  Elijah,  1  Kings  xix.  There 
 may  be  many  hidden  ones  even  in  Babylon.  The  whole  way 
 through  France  w^e  distributed  French  tracts.  Many  hundreds 
 in  this  way  received  a  message  of  life.  In  every  village  they  came 
 crowding  around  us  to  receive  them.  Pray  that  the  dew  of  the 
 Spirit  may  make  the  seed  sown  by  the  wayside  spring  up. 
 
 We  were  too  late  for  the  first  vessel  to  Malta,  and  therefore 
 resolved  to  sail  into  Italy.  We  left  Marseilles  on  the  23d  April, 
 and  landed  at  Genoa  on  the  24th.  Genoa  is  one  of  the  most 
 beautiful  towns  in  the  world :  the  most  o  the  houses  and  churches 
 are  of  pure  white  marble,  and  from  the  sea  look  like  palaces.  But 
 Satan's  seat  is  there :  we  dared  not  distribute  a  single  tract  or 
 book  in  Genoa, — we  would  have  been  imprisoned  immediately. 
 The  Cathohc  priests,  in  their  black  dismal  cloaks,  and  the  monks 
 with  their  coarse  brown  dress,  tied  with  a  cord,  a  crucifix  and 
 beads  hanging  round  their  neck,  bare  feet,  and  cowl,  swarm  in 
 every  street.  I  counted  that  we  met  twenty  of  them  in  a  ten 
 minutes'  walk.  Popery  reigns  here  triumphant,  yet  the  people 
 "  are  sitting  still,  and  at  ease,"  living  for  this  world  only.  Oh  I 
 it  is  an  awful  thing  to  be  at  ease  when  under  the  wrath  of  God. 
 Every  place  I  see  in  Italy  makes  me  praise  God  that  you  have 
 the  gospel  so  freely  preached  unto  you.  Prize  it  highly;  do 
 not  neglect  the  wells  of  salvation  that  flow  so  freely  for  you. 
 
 The  next  day  we  sailed  for  Leghorn,  where  we  have  been  ever 
 since.  We  are  Hving  in  the  house  where  the  excellent  Mr  Martin, 
 once  minister  of  St  George's,  Edinburgh,  died  in  1834.  ^  We 
 visited  his  grave.  I  prayed  that,  like  him,  we  might  be  faithful 
 unto  the  end.  There  are  from  10,000  to  20,000  Jews  here.  We 
 went  to  the  synagogue  the  night  we  arrived,  and  twice  since ;  it  is 
 a  beautiful  building  inside,  capable  of  holding  2000  persons.  The 
 place  where  they  keep  the  law,  written  on  a  par  hment  roll,  is  finely 
 ornamented  with  marble ;  so  is  the  desk  kept  where  they  read  the 
 prayers.  Lamps  are  continually  burning.  One  Rabbi  was  chant- 
 ing the  prayers  when  we  entered.     Beside  the  ark  there  stood  three 
 
216  LETTERS. 
 
 Rabbis,  in  the  Eastern  dress,  with  turbans  and  flowing  robes,  and 
 long  beards.  They  were  much  reverenced,  and  many  came  to 
 kiss  their  hand  and  receive  their  blessing.  One  of  them  is  from 
 Jerusalem  ;  we  have  had  many  interesting  conversations  with  him. 
 Every  day  we  have  met  with  several  Jews ;  they  are  very  friendly 
 to  us,  and  we  try  to  convince  them  out  of  the  Scriptures  that  Jesus 
 is  the  Christ.  There  are  about  250  Protestants  here;  and  we  have 
 tried  to  stir  them  up  also  to  care  for  their  souls.  Dr  Black 
 preached  to  them  in  our  hotel  last  Sabbath  evening. 
 
 Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  us.  To-morrow  we  sail  from 
 Italy  to  Malta,  then  for  Egypt,  and  then  for  the  Holy  Land. 
 Dear  believers,  it  is  a  sweet  consolation  to  me  that  your  prayers 
 go  with  me  wherever  I  go.  Often,  perhaps,  they  close  the  mouth 
 of  the  adversary, — often  keep  back  the  storms  from  our  vessel, — 
 often  open  a  way  to  the  hearts  of  those  we  meet, — often  bring  down 
 a  sweet  stream  of  the  Spirit  to  water  my  thirsty  soul.  May  I  be 
 enabled  to  make  a  sweet  exchange  with  you,  praying  my  heavenly 
 Father  to  render  double  unto  each  of  your  bosoms  what  you  pray 
 for  me !  May  my  dear  brother,  who,  I  trust,  fills  my  place  among 
 you,  be  made  a  blessing  to  you  all !  May  his  own  soul  be  watered 
 while  he  waters  yours !  Join  him  with  me  in  your  supplications. 
 May  he  win  many  souls  among  you  that  I  could  never  win. 
 
 This  is  Thursday  evening.  I  trust  you  are  at  this  moment  met 
 together  in  the  prayer-meeting.  Oh !  do  not  forsake  the  assembhng 
 of  yourselves  together.  My  heart  is  with  you  all.  May  the  Spirit 
 fill  the  whole  church  and  every  heart  with  his  presence  and  power. 
 My  body  is  still  far  from  being  strong.  I  am  more  and  more  con- 
 vinced that  I  did  right  in  leaving  you.  I  trust  to  be  restored  to 
 you  again  in  the  fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 
 "  The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done." 
 
 My  dear  brother  who  is  with  me,  whom  you  know  well,  and 
 who  daily  joins  me  in  fervent  prayers  for  you,  sends  his  salutations. 
 Remember  me  to  all  who  are  sick  and  afflicted.  Alas  !  how  many 
 of  you  may  be  labouring  and  heavy  laden,  that  I  know  not  of ; 
 but  Jesus  knows  your  sorrows.  I  commend  you  to  the  good 
 Physician. 
 
 Mij  dear  classes,  I  do  not,  and  cannot  forget.  Psalm  cxix.  9tli 
 verse,  I  pray  may  be  written  in  your  hearts. 
 
 Mj/  dear  children  in  the  Sabbath  schools  I  always  think  upon  on 
 the  Sabljath  evenings,  and  on  those  who  patiently  labour  among 
 them.  The  Lord  himself  give  you  encouragement,  and  a  ful! 
 reward. 
 
 To  all  I  say,  keep  close  to  Christ,   dear  friends.     Do  not  be 
 
LETTERS.  217 
 
 euticed  away  from  Him ;  He  is  all  your  righteousness,  and  all  mine ; 
 out  of  Him  you  have  all  your  strength,  and  I  mine.  It  pleased  the 
 Father  that  in  Him  should  all  fulness  dwell. 
 
 The  grace   of  the   Lord   Jesus    Christ   be   with  your  spirits. 
 Farewell 
 
 TENTH  PASTORAL  LETTER. 
 Incidents  of  the  way  in  Palestine  and  other  lands — Request. 
 
 Breslau,  IX  Prussia,  October  16,  1839. 
 
 To  my  dear  flock,  whom  I  love  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  grace,  mercy, 
 and  peace,  be  multiplied  from  God  the  Father,  and  from  his  Son 
 Jesus  Christ. 
 
 I  fear  that  many  of  you  will  be  thinking  hardly  of  your  distant 
 pastor,  because  of  his  long  silence ;  and,  indeed,  I  cannot  but  think 
 hardly  of  myself.  I  little  thought,  when  leaving  Italy,  that  I  would 
 be  in  Europe  again  before  writing  to  you.  I  did  not  know  how 
 difficult  it  is  to  write  at  any  length  when  travelling  in  the  East. 
 From  the  day  we  left  Egypt  till  we  came  to  Mount  Lebanon,  for 
 more  than  two  months,  we  were  constantly  journeying  from  place 
 to  place,  living  in  tents,  without  the  luxury  of  a  chair  or  a  bed. 
 In  these  circumstances,  with  my  weak  body,  and  under  a  burning 
 sun,  you  must  not  wonder  at  my  silence.  At  the  foot  of  Mount 
 Carmel  I  began  one  letter  to  you,  and  again  in  sight  of  the  Sea  of 
 Galilee  I  began  another,  but  neither  did  I  get  finished.  Last  of 
 all,  before  leaving  the  Holy  Land,  I  set  apart  a  day  for  writing  to 
 you ;  but  God  had  another  lesson  for  me  to  learn.  He  laid  me 
 down  under  a  burning  fever,  bringing  me  to  the  very  gates  of 
 death.  Indeed,  my  dear  people,  I  feel  like  Lazarus,  whom  the  Lord 
 Jesus  raised  from  the  tomb.  I  feel  like  one  sent  a  second  time 
 with  the  message  of  salvation,  to  speak  it  more  feelingly  and  more 
 faithfully  to  your  hearts,  as  one  whose  eye  had  looked  into  the 
 eternal  world.  In  all  our  wanderings,  you  have  been  with  me  by 
 night  and  by  day.  Every  scene  of  Im manual's  land  brought  you 
 to  my  remembrance,  because  every  scene  tells  of  Jesus  Christ  and 
 Him  crucified.  In  the  wilderness, — in  Jerusalem, — beside  the  Sea 
 of  GaUlee, — at  Smyrna, — on  the  Black  Sea,— on  the  Danube, — 
 you  have  been  all  with  me.  I  have,  day  and  night,  unceasingly 
 laid  your  case  before  God.  It  has  been  one  of  my  chief  comforts, 
 that,  though  I  could  not  preach  to  you,  nor  come  to  you,  I  could 
 yet  pray  for  you.    Perhaps  I  may  obtain  more  for  ycu  in  this  way, 
 
218  LETTERS. 
 
 than  I  could  have  done  by  my  personal  services  among  you.  An- 
 other joy  to  me  has  been,  that  I  know  all  of  you  who  pray,  pray 
 for  me.  This  has  been  a  lamp  to  me  in  many  a  dark  hour.  God 
 has  wonderfully  preserved  us  through  your  prayers.  In  the  south 
 of  the  Holy  Land,  we  were  daily  exposed  to  the  plague.  Every 
 night  we  heard  the  wail  of  the  mourners  going  about  the  streets 
 of  Jerusalem ;  yet  no  plague  came  near  our  dwelling.  Near  the 
 Sea  of  Galilee  we  were  often  in  danger  of  being  robbed  and  mur- 
 dered by  the  wild  Arabs ;  yet  we  passed  unhurt  through  the  midst 
 of  them.  Sailing  to  Smyrna,  your  pastor  was  brought  low  indeed, 
 insomuch  that  I  never  thought  to  see  you  again ;  yet  He  sent 
 his  word  and  healed  me.  In  Poland,  the  Sabbath  before  last,  I 
 was  actually  in  the  hands  of  robbers  ;  but  through  God's  wonder- 
 ful mercy,  I  escaped  safe.  In  every  step  of  our  journey,  I  am 
 persuaded  we  have  been  watched  over  by  our  all-loving  Father, 
 who  is  the  hearer  of  prayer!  And  tht  Lord  shall  deliver  us  from 
 every  evil  work,  and  will  preserve  us  unto  his  heavenly  kingdom. 
 I  speak  of  these  things  only  that  you  may  give  Him  the  glory,  and 
 trust  in  Him  to  your  dying  day.  Sing  Psalm  cxvi.  in  all  your 
 famines.  Another  joy  to  me  has  been,  that  God  has  given  you 
 the  dear  brother  who  watches  over  you  so  tenderly.  You  know 
 not  what  joy  it  gave  me  to  hear  of  you  all  through  him.  The 
 letter  reached  me  at  Smyrna,  when  I  was  so  weak  that  I  could  not 
 walk  alone.  It  was  like  health  and  marrow  to  my  bones,  to  hear 
 that  the  Lord's  work  is  not  yet  done  in  the  midst  of  you,  and  that 
 so  many  of  you  stand  fast  in  the  Lord,  having  your  conversa- 
 tion in  heaven.  I  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  that  my  chil- 
 dren walk  in  the  truth.  It  is  not  like  common  joy.  All  joys  of 
 this  world  are  short  and  fading, — they  reach  not  beyond  the  dark 
 boundary  of  the  grave  ;  but  to  rejoice  over  those  whom  the  Lord 
 has  given  me  out  of  a  perishing  world — this  is  joy  which  God 
 himself  shares,  and  which  reaches  into  the  light  of  eternity.  Ye 
 are  my  joy  and  crown.  In  like  manner,  there  is  no  sorrow  like 
 the  sorrow  of  the  pastor,  who  has  to  weep  over  a  backsliding 
 people.  I  do  tremble  to  return  to  you,  for  I  know  well  I  shall 
 have  deep  sorrow  from  some  of  whom  I  expected  joy.  I  fear 
 lest  I  have  to  mourn  over  some  branches  that  are  without  fruit,  on 
 the  good  vine-tree  ;  over  some,  who  once  gave  their  hand  to  the 
 Saviour,  but  are  now  saying,  "  I  will  go  after  my  lovers."  Are 
 there  none  of  you  who  have  left  your  first  love,  and  broken  the 
 bands  that  bound  you  to  follow  Jesus?  Shall  I  find  none  of 
 whom  I  must  needs  say,  "  They  went  out  from  us,  but  they  were 
 not  of  us  ? "     Oh,  there  is  no  sorrow  like  unto  this  sorrow.     Had 
 
LETTERS.  219 
 
 I  been  able,  as  I  hoped,  to  have  written  you  from  all  the  chief 
 places  in  our  journeyings,  I  would  have  attempted  to  describe  to 
 you  all  I  saw  ;  but  now  there  are  so  many  countries  to  look  back 
 upon,  that  it  would  be  vain  to  attempt  it.  I  do  hope,  that  if  the 
 Lord  bring  us  together  again,  I  may  be  able  to  tell  you  many 
 things  of  our  wanderings,  and  especially  of  Immanuel's  land,  which 
 may  both  refresh  and  improve  you.  Nothing  that  I  have  heard  I 
 keep  back  from  you,  if  only  it  be  for  your  soul's  good  and  God's 
 glory.  Of  the  Holy  Land,  I  can  only  say,  like  the  Queen  of 
 Sheba,  "  that  the  half  was  not  told  me."  It  is  far  more  wonder- 
 ful than  I  could  have  believed.  I  shall  always  reckon  it  one  of 
 the  greatest  temporal  blessings  of  my  lot,  that  I  have  been  led  to 
 wander  over  its  mountains  with  the  Bible  in  my  hand,  to  sit  by  its 
 wells,  and  to  meditate  among  its  ruined  cities.  Not  a  single  day 
 did  we  spend  there  without  reading,  in  the  land  itself,  the  most 
 wonderful  traces  of  God's  anger  and  of  his  love.  Several  times 
 we  went  to  the  Mount  of  Olives,  to  the  Garden  of  Gethsemane,  to 
 the  Pool  of  Siloam,  and  to  the  village  of  Bethany,  and  every  stone 
 seemed  to  speak  of  the  love  of  God  to  sinners.  These  places  are 
 probably  very  little  altered  from  what  they  were  in  the  days  when 
 Jesus  tabernacled  among  men,  and  they  all  seemed  to  say,  "  Here- 
 by perceive  we  the  love  of  God,  because  He  laid  down  his  life  for 
 us."  We  were  four  days  in  sight  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee.  I  could 
 not  help  thinking  of  you,  my  dear  young  people,  for  we  used  to  go 
 over  the  Sea  of  Gahlee  so  often  on  the  Monday  evenings,  and  all 
 the  scenes  of  divine  love  it  has  been  witness  to.  One  day  we  rode 
 through  the  plain  of  Gennesareth,  and  passed  the  mouldering 
 ruins  of  Capernaum,  the  Saviour's  city,  where  his  voice  of  mercy 
 was  so  often  heard,  and  where  his  hand  was  so  often  stretched  out 
 to  heal.  We  asked  in  vain  for  Chorazin  and  Bethsaida.  The 
 woe  which  Jesus  pronounced  has  fallen  upon  them. 
 
 Oh  my  dear  flock,  "  how  shall  you  escape  if  you  neglect  so  great 
 salvation?"  See  how  desolate  they  are  left,  that  refuse  Him  that 
 speaketh  from  heaven.  The  free  offer  of  a  Divine  Surety  rings 
 through  your  churches,  now  that  God  continues  faithful  teachers 
 among  you.  Every  Sabbath,  and  ofteuer,  the  fountain  for  sin  is 
 publicly  opened  for  you,  and  souls,  all  defiled  with  sin,  are  invited 
 to  come  and  wash.     But  these  mercies  will  not  always  last. 
 
 If  you  tread  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  under  your 
 feet,  your  souls  will  perish ;  and  I  fear  Dundee  will  one  day  be  a 
 howling  wilderness  hke  Capernaum.  I  spent  nearly  the.  whole  of 
 August,  during  my  illness  in  Bouja,  a  village  near  Smyrna,  under 
 the  care  of  tenderest  friends,  whom  the  Lord  wonderfully  provided 
 
27.0  LETTKKS.  f 
 
 for  me  in  a  strange  land.  You  remember  Smyrna  is  one  of  the 
 Seven  Churches  in  Asia  to  which  the  Saviour  sent  those  quickening 
 messages  in  the  Revehition  of  St  John.  I  thought  again  and 
 again  of  the  happy  Thursday  evenings  which  I  once  spent  with  you 
 in  meditating  on  these  seven  epistles  to  the  churches.  You  know 
 it  is  said  of  Samuel,  even  when  he  was  a  child,  that  God  did  not 
 let  one  of  his  vvords  fall  to  the  ground;  and  the  same  is  true  to  this 
 hour  of  the  very  weakest  of  God's  faithful  ministers.  What  we 
 have  spoken  to  you  is  not  hke  the  passing  wind,  which  hurries  on 
 and  leaves  no  trace  behind.  It  is  hke  the  rain  and  snow — it  will 
 not  return  to  God  without  accomplishing  some  end  in  your  hearts, 
 either  mehing  or  hardening.  Smyrna  is  the  only  one  of  these 
 churches  where  a  pure  golden  candlestick  is  now  to  be  found  with 
 the  Hght  burning.  There  is  a  small  company  who  believe  in  Jesus. 
 It  was  pleasant  indeed  to  hear  the  gospel  preached  there  in  all  its 
 purity  and  power.  Be  you  also  faithful  to  death,  and  you  shall 
 receive  a  crown  of  life.  Leaving  Smyrna,  we  sailed  past  Troas 
 and  Bithynia,  and  visited  Constantinople,  the  most  beautiful  city 
 in  the  world,  and  yet  the  most  miserable.  Looking  round  from 
 the  deck  of  the  vessel,  I  could  count  above  ninety  minarets,  many 
 of  them  pure  marble,  carved  and  gilded  in  the  richest  manner. 
 These  all  form  part  of  mosques,  or  temples  of  the  false  prophet 
 Mahomet.  This  religion  is  a  singular  invention  of  Satan ;  their 
 Koran,  or  Bible,  is  a  book  filled  with  nonsense,  and  with  much 
 wickedness.  All  their  belief  is  comprehended  in  the  short  saying, 
 "  Lo  Ullah  il  Allah,  a  Mahomed  Rasal  Allah"—"  There  is  no 
 God  but  God,  and  Mahomet  is  his  prophet."  They  expect  to  be 
 saved  chiefly  by  making  pilgrimages  to  Mecca,  by  abstaining  from 
 wine  and  pork,  and  by  praying  five  times  a  day.  Every  day,  at 
 sunrise  or  sunset,  we  saw  them  at  prayer ;  wherever  they  are,  in 
 the  open  street,  on  the  top  of  the  house,  or  on  the  deck  of  a  ship, 
 they  take  off  their  shoes,  wash  hands,  face,  and  feet,  spread  their 
 garment  before  them,  and  turning  their  face  towards  Mecca,  pray, 
 bending  and  kissing  the  ground,  often  fifteen  and  twenty  times. 
 They  are  rather  pleased  if  you- look  at  them.  They  are  very  proud 
 of  their  own  faith,  and  will  not  listen  for  a  moment  to  the  gospel 
 of  Jesus.  It  would  be  instant  banishment  or  death  if  any  mission- 
 ary were  to  attempt  their  conversion.  Ah !  my  dear  flock,  how 
 differently  you  are  situated !  How  freely  salvation  is  offered  to 
 you — a  faith  that  really  saves  you  from  your  sins — that  makes 
 you  love  one  another  !  For  love  is  of  God,  and  every  one  that 
 loveth  is  iDorn  of  God.  If  you  are  not  growing  humble  and 
 loving,  be   sure  your  faith   is  no   better  than   a   Mahometan's, 
 
LETTERS.  221 
 
 You  are  not  of  God,  but  of  the  world.  The  next  countries  we 
 visited  were  Wallachia  and  Moldavia.  We  sailed  to  them  from 
 Constantinople,  across  the  raging  waves  of  the  Black  Sea,  and  up 
 the  mighty  river  Danube.  These  are  two  singular  countries, 
 seldom  visited  by  travellers ;  they  are  governed  by  two  princes, 
 and  the  established  religion  is  of  the  Greek  Cliurch.  I  wish  I 
 could  show  you  all  that  I  have  seen  of  the  superstitions  and 
 wickedness  practised  among  them,  that  you  might  give  more 
 earnest  heed  to  the  pure  gospel  that  flows  as  freely  as  air  and 
 water  through  our  Ijeloved  land.  One  day,  in  Bucharest,  the 
 capital  city  of  Wallachia,  I  was  present  at  a  festival  on  the  prince's 
 birth-day.  An  immense  crowd  was  present  in  their  finest  church, 
 and  all  the  nobles  of  the  land.  The  service  consisted  of  prayers 
 and  chanting  by  a  number  of  priests,  dressed  in  the  most  splendid 
 manner.  AVhen  all  was  over,  I  stayed  behind  to  see  a  curious 
 superstition.  At  one  side  of  the  altar  lay  an  open  coffin,  highly 
 ornamented ;  within  I  observed  a  dead  body  wrapped  in  cloth  of 
 gold ;  a  dead  withered  hand  alone  was  left  out.  This  is  said  to 
 be  the  body  of  St  Demetrius,  lately  found  in  a  river,  by  the  water 
 parting  asunder  miraculously.  Such  is  the  tale  we  are  told.  I 
 stood  beside  it  when  the  worshippers  approached  the  cofiBn  in  great 
 numbers,  men  and  women,  rich  and  poor.  First  they  crossed 
 themselves  and  kneeled,  kissing  the  floor  three  times.  Then  they 
 approached  reverently,  and  kissed  the  withered  hand  of  the  dead 
 body,  and  a  cross  that  lay  beside  it.  Then  they  gently  dropped  a 
 small  coin  into  a  little  plate  at  the  dead  man's  feet,  and  after  re- 
 ceiving a  blessing  from  the  priest,  with  three  prostrations  more  to 
 the  ground,  they  retired.  This  is  one  specimen  of  their  abominable 
 worship  of  dead  men.  Do  I  tell  you  these  things  that  you  may 
 be  proud  of  your  superior  light?  Ah!  no.  I  write  these  things, 
 that  those  of  you  who  live  no  better  lives  than  they  do,  may  be 
 convinced  of  your  danger.  What  can  you  expect  of  these  poor 
 idolaters,  but  that  they  will  live  after  the  flesh,  in  rioting  and 
 drunkenness,  in  chambering  and  wantonness,  in  strife  and  envying  ? 
 But  are  there  none  of  you,  my  dear  flock,  for  whom  night  and  day 
 my  prayers  ascend — are  there  none  of  you  who  do  the  same  things, 
 though  you  have  the  holy  Bible,  and  a  freely  preached  gospel,  and 
 no  superstition?  Yet  how  many  of  you  live  an  unholy  life  !  Ah  ! 
 remember  Sardis  :  "  I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  hast  a  name 
 that  thou  livest,  and  art  dead.  Be  watchful,  and  strengthen  the 
 things  which  remain,  that  are  ready  to  die ;  for  I  have  not  found 
 thy  works  perfect  before  God."  The  next  kingdom  we  came 
 through  was  Austrian  Poland — the  land  of  graven  images.     We 
 
222  LETTERS. 
 
 came  through  its  chief  towns,  Tarnapole,  Bvody,  Lemburg,  and 
 from  thence  to  Cracow,  travelling  many  hundred  miles.  You 
 would  be  amazed,  as  I  have  been,  if  you  saw  the  abominable 
 idolatry  of  this  land.  The  Roman  Cathohc  is  the  estabhshed 
 faith;  and  the  Government  are  bitter  persecutors  of  any  who 
 change.  At  every  village  there  are  numbers  of  crosses,  of  immense 
 size,  with  the  image  of  the  Saviour.  There  are  also  statues  of 
 the  Virgin  Mary,  and  of  other  saints  as  large  as  hfe,  all  along  the 
 roads.  Often  there  are  wooden  boxes  set  up  full  of  images  ; 
 often  in  the  middle  of  a  square  there  is  a  small  covered  chamber 
 full  of  these  idols,  of  wood  and  stone,  whom  the  poor  people  wor- 
 ship every  day.  The  Bible  is  an  unlawful  book  in  this  country. 
 All  our  Bibles  were  taken  away  from  us,  even  our  Hebrew  ones, 
 that  we  might  not  preach  to  the  Jews  the  glad  tidings  of  a  Saviour. 
 Blessed  be  God,  they  could  not  take  them  from  our  memories  and 
 hearts.  Should  not  this  make  you  all  pray  for  the  coming  of  the 
 day  when  the  towers  of  Popery  shall  fall — the  day  when  God 
 shall  avenge  us  on  her?  For  the  Bible  which  she  hates  so  much 
 says,  "  Her  plagues  shall  come  in  one  day,  death,  and  mourning, 
 and  famine ;  and  she  shall  be  utterly  burned  with  fire  ;  for  strong 
 is  the  Lord  God  who  judgeth  her."  Pray  for  that  day,  for  it  will 
 be  the  same  day  when  God  will  bind  up  the  breach  of  his  people 
 Israel,  and  shall  heal  the  stroke  of  their  wound.  It  will  be  the 
 day  when  the  Lamb's  wife  shall  come  forth  in  all  her  loveliness, 
 and  when  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  wear  the  crown  of  his  espousals. 
 
 I  began  this  letter  to  you  in  Cracow,  the  ancient  capital  of 
 Poland,  but  now  an  independent  state.  We  spent  three  days  there 
 inquiring  after  the  poor  despised  Jews.  We  had  much  intercourse 
 with  a  faithful,  prayerful  missionary,  who  labours  among  them 
 there;  and  on  the  Sabbath  we  celebrated  the  Lord's  Supper. 
 During  the  four  years  he  has  been  in  Cracow,  the  missionary  had 
 never  once  enjoyed  the  ordinance,  for  all  around  are  sunk  in  Popery 
 or  infidelity.  We  were  but  five  souls  in  all,  and  yet  we  felt  it 
 very  pleasant,  when  surrounded  with  them  that  hated  us,  and  far 
 from  our  homes,  with  the  door  of  the  chamber  shut,  to  remember 
 Jesus.  My  thoughts  and  desires  were  much  towards  you.  I 
 had  greatly  hoped  to  be  present  at  your  next  Lord's  Supper,  but 
 now  I  see  it  cannot  be.  My  only  comfort  is,  I  have  committed 
 you  to  those  who  are  beloved  of  the  Lord,  workmen  that  need 
 not  to  be  ashamed,  whose  names  are  in  the  Book  of  Life ;  and  the 
 chief  Shepherd,  I  feel  persuaded,  will  not  leave  you  orphans,  but 
 will  come  to  you,  and  breathe  upon  you.  May  the  Lord  keep 
 back  from  the  table  all  who  are  not  united  to  Christ ;  and  may 
 
LETTERS.  223 
 
 you,  who  are  his  own  children,  ha^e  communion  with  the  Father, 
 and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ. 
 
 Since  yesterday  morning  we  have  travelled  180  miles  nearer 
 home.  We  are  now  in  Breslau,  and  we  breathe  more  freely,  for 
 this  is  the  Protestant  kingdom  of  Prussia.  It  makes  my  heart 
 hght  to  think  that  I  am  really  on  my  way  to  you.  It  has  been  a 
 sweet  work  indeed  to  me  to  carry,  with  poor  stammering  lips,  the 
 word  of  salvation  to  the  scattered  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel ; 
 still,  I  do  long,  if  it  be  the  Lord's  will,  to  feed  once  more  the  flock 
 that  was  given  me  in  the  dew  of  my  youth.  Whether  I  shall  be 
 permitted,  and  how  long,  to  take  up  so  great  a  work  again,  my 
 Master  only  knows ;  but  if  you  wish  for  it  as  fervently  as  I  do, 
 solemnly  agree,  in  the  presence  of  God,  on  the  night  on  which  this 
 letter  is  read  to  you,  to  these  two  things,  —  1st,  Strive  together 
 with  me  in  your  prayers  to  God  for  me,  that  it  would  please  Him 
 to  forgive  and  forget  our  past  sins  and  shortcomings, — mine  in 
 carrying  the  message,  yours  in  receiving  it;  and  that  He  would 
 really  heal  my  body,  and  strengthen  my  soul,  for  again  uptaking 
 the  blessed  work  of  the  gospel  ministry  among  you,  and  that  He 
 would  grant  us  a  prosperous  journey  to  come  unto  you.  2d, 
 Solemnly  agree,  in  the  strength  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  break  off 
 your  sins  by  righteousness,  and  your  iniquities  by  showing  mercy 
 to  the  poor.  The  sin  of  one  Achan  troubled  the  whole  camp  of 
 Israel.  If  any  one  of  you  who  are  God's  children  wilfully  continue 
 in  some  old  sin,  then  it  may  be  God's  will,  for  your  sake,  to  trouble 
 our  camp,  and  continue  his  chastening.  See  that  no  fleshly  lust — 
 no  covetousness,  which  is  idolatry — no  hankering  after  the  world 
 and  its  unholy  pleasures — no  unlawful  affection — be  reigning  in 
 you.  Clean  out  the  old  leaven  from  all  your  houses,  so  that  we 
 may  meet  again  in  peace,  and  be  refreshed  together  by  days  of  the 
 Lord's  presence,  and  of  the  Spirit's  power,  such  as  we  have  never 
 seen  before.  This  is  the  hearty  desire  and  prayer  of  your  affec- 
 tionate pastor,  etc. 
 
 TO  REV.  JOHN  EOXBUEGH,  OF  ST  JOHN'S,  DUNDEE. 
 The  Holy  Land. 
 
 Jerusalem,  June  17,  1839. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — I  am  sure  you  will  be  glad  to  hear  from 
 
 your  brother  in  the  ministry,  in  this  land  trodden  by  the  feet  of 
 
 *'  God  manifest  in  the  flesh."     My  thoughts  wander  continually  to 
 
 the  spot  where  God  first  counted  me  faithful,  putting  me  into  the 
 
224  LETTERS. 
 
 ministry ;  where,  for  two  years,  He  made  ine  a  happy  minister  of 
 the  gospel,  and  where  I  beUeve  I  have  many  praying  friends  who 
 will  not  forget  me  so  long  as  I  live.  In  these  sweet  remembrances 
 — whether  in  the  vales  of  Italy,  or  on  the  mighty  waters,  or  in  th» 
 waste  howling  wilderness,  or  in  this  land  of  promise — you  and  your 
 family  have  their  constant  place.  I  doubt  not  also  that  you  often 
 think  and  talk  of  me.  When  some  Church  Extension  expedition 
 has  turned  out  well,  you  will  say,  "  What  would  our  travelling 
 friend  say  to  this  ? "  Or  when  the  liberties  of  our  church  are  in- 
 fringed, and  the  arm  of  unhallowed  power  is  raised  against  her, 
 you  perhaps  think  a  moment,  "  How  will  our  traveller  bear  this?" 
 I  am  thankful  to  Him  who  dwelt  in  the  bush  that  we  are  all  here 
 in  safety,  and  I  myself  in  moderate  health,  quite  able  to  endure 
 the  fatigues  of  travelling,  although  these  have  been  very  great. 
 You  would  hear  of  our  swift  journey  through  France,  and  our 
 pleasant  stay  in  Italy.  Malta  was  the  next  place  of  interest  we 
 came  to.  It  is  a  very  lovely  island,  havhig  customs  from  every 
 nation  almost  under  heaven.  It  is  highly  important  as  a  centre  of 
 missionary  operations,  having  a  printing  press,  and  some  useful, 
 excellent  men  employed.  In  riding  round  its  rocky  shore,  we 
 looked  on  every  creek  with  interest,  remembering  PauVs  shipwreck 
 here,  and  his  three  months'  stay  in  the  island.  The  atmosphere  is 
 truly  pleasant,  and  the  sky  has  a  peculiarly  fine  tinge  of  yellowish 
 red.  We  had  a  pleasant  sail  past  Greece,  and  among  the  wonder- 
 ful islands  of  the  ^gean  Sea.  We  landed  on  one  called  Syra,  and 
 saw  the  mission  actively  engaged,  600  Greek  children  reading 
 God's  word  in  Greek.  The  same  evening  we  sailed  between  Naxos 
 and  Paros,  where  the  beautiful  marble  was  found,  and  stretched 
 our  eyes  to  see  Patraos,  where  the  beloved  John  wrote  the  Revela- 
 tion. We  could  only  see  the  waves  that  washed  its  shore.  We 
 passed  Crete,  and  read  the  Epistle  to  Titus  with  a  new  interest ; 
 and  the  next  day  at  four  (13th  May)  sailed  into  the  harbour  of 
 Alexandria.  The  costumes  of  the  East  are  very  striking  to  the 
 eye  at  first.  The  turban,  the  beard,  the  hyke  or  immense  plaid, 
 the  wide  Arab  trousers,  the  black  visages  and  legs  of  the  men, 
 quite  arrest  the  attention.  The  close  veil,  the  forehead  ornaments, 
 the  ear-rings,  the  anklets,  the  burden  carried  on  the  head,  the 
 children  carried  on  the  shoulder,  or  on  the  side, — all  these  in  the 
 women  are  striking,  especially  at  first.  They  will  recall  to  you 
 many  of  the  words  of  the  prophets.  The  plague  having  broken 
 out  at  Alexandria  the  day  we  arrived,  we  were  prevented  from 
 going  up  to  Cairo ;  and  after  having  visited  the  Jews  in  the  syna- 
 gogues, we  determined  on  proceeding  through  the  desert  for  the 
 
LETTERS.  225 
 
 Holy  Land,  that  we  might  escape  quarantine.  We  left  Alexandria 
 on  the  14th  May,  and  reached  Jerusalem  on  the  7th  June.  We 
 were  about  twenty-two  days  living  after  the  manner  of  Bedouins 
 in  the  wilderness. 
 
 Mount  Carmel,  2Ath  June  1839. — I  thought  to  have  got  this  letter 
 finished  in  Jerusalem ;  but  we  were  hurried  away  so  unexpectedly 
 in  consequence  of  a  considerable  increase  of  the  plague  in  the  Holy 
 City  then,  that  I  had  to  leave  this  and  many  other  things  undone. 
 You  will  see  by  the  date  that  we  are  now  beside  that  mountain 
 where  God  did  such  wonders  in  the  days  of  Elijah.  We  are 
 encamped  in  our  tents  within  a  few  yards  of  the  sea.  I  am  now 
 writing  upon  a  mat  on  the  sand.  The  thermometer  is  somewhere 
 about  80°,  and  I  am  writing  with  my  desk  on  my  knee.  For  the 
 sake  of  distinctness,  I  will  take  up  the  thread  of  our  story  where  I 
 last  left  it  off.  Our  journey  through  the  desert  was  a  very  trying 
 one  in  many  ways.  I  now  understand  the  meaning  of  the  text 
 which  says,  "  God  led  the  Israelites  through  the  wilderness  to  try 
 them,  and  prove  them,  and  make  them  know  what  was  in  their 
 hearts."  The  loneliness  is  very  great.  The  utter  silence  of  all 
 the  world  to  you, — the  want  of  every  necessary  except  what  you 
 carry  along  with  you, — all  these  try  the  soul  in  a  way  you  can 
 hardly  imagine,  whether  we  will  cast  all  our  care  upon  God  or  no. 
 The  first  part  of  the  desert  journey  we  went  upon  asses ;  but  the 
 second  and  longest  part  upon  camels — a  mode  of  journeying  of 
 all  others  the  most  fatiguing.  I  have  thought  a  hundred  times 
 what  a  singular  picture  it  would  make,  to  draw  our  company 
 riding  through  the  desert,  exalted  to  the  giddy  height  of  the  hunch 
 of  the  camel.  I  have  often  thought  also,  more  seriously  and 
 properly,  how  plainly  God  heard  the  prayers  of  all  our  dear 
 friends  in  preserving  us  from  many  dangers.  It  is  quite  a  miracle 
 that  I  was  enabled  to  bear  the  fatigue  of  being  up  before  sunrise, 
 and  sailing  over  that  burning  wilderness,  often  twelve  hours  a  day. 
 We  came  the  nearest  way  from  Egypt,  alluded  to  in  Exod.  xiii. 
 17,  and  had  opportunity  of  seeing  Rosetta  and  Damietta,  two 
 curious  Egyptian  towns.  We  sailed  across  a  lake  called  Menzaleh, 
 and  encamped  one  night  beside  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  Zoan.  Amid 
 these  we  could  plainly  trace  the  finger  of  God  in  the  fulfilment 
 of  the  words  in  Ezek.  xxx.  14 :  "I  will  set  fire  in  Zoan."  At 
 El  Arish,  the  last  town  of  Egypt,  we  clearly  traced  what  we  be- 
 lieved to  be  the  river  of  Egypt,  so  often  spoken  of  as  the  boun- 
 dary of  Judah.  Like  all  the  streams  in  the  south,  it  is  perfectly 
 dry ;  but  the  water-course  was  very  evident.  By  the  way,  this 
 suggests  the  meaning  of  a  text  which  I  never  understood  before. 
 
226  LETTERS. 
 
 Ps.  cxxvi. :  "  Turn  our  captivity  as  the  streams  in  the  south." 
 In  the  whole  of  the  south  part  of  Canaan  the  streams  dry  up  in 
 the  summer.  I  think  we  only  came  upon  one  flowing  stream  be- 
 tween the  Nile  and  Jerusalem.  In  the  winter  God  restores  these 
 streams,  supplying  them  with  abundance  of  water.  Now  this  is 
 the  very  prayer  of  the  Psalmist:  "  Do  for  our  brethren  in  captivity 
 what  Thou  doest  for  the  streams  in  the  south.  Restore  them  in 
 all  their  life,  and  fulness,  and  beauty."  So  may  it  be  in  all  our 
 parishes  in  all  our  beloved  Scotland, — never  so  lovely  or  desirable 
 as  when  we  are  far  from  it,  and  from  its  pleasant  Sabbaths.  I 
 must  tell  you  now  about  Jerusalem.  It  is  indeed  the  most 
 wonderful  place  I  was  ever  in.  We  reached  it  about  twelve 
 o'clock,  under  a  burning  sun.  The  bleak  rocky  hills  over  which 
 we  crossed  were  like  a  heated  oven;  but  all  was  forgotten  when  the 
 city  of  the  Great  King  came  in  sight.  "  Your  house  is  left  unto 
 you  desolate."  That  word  was  upon  every  tongue.  Almost  every 
 approach  to  Jerusalem  gives  you  this  desolate  feeling ;  but  when 
 you  stay  there,  and  wander  down  into  its  deep  valleys,  or  climb 
 its  terraced  hills,  or  sit  beside  shady  Siloam,  whose  waters  flow 
 softly,  or  meditate  on  Mount  Zion,  ploughed  like  a  field,  the 
 whole  current  of  your  feelings  is  made  to  flow,  and  Jerusalem 
 presents  the  remains  of  departed  beauty  such  as  you  seek  for  in 
 vain  in  any  other  land.  The  scene  which  might  seem  of  greatest 
 interest  in  Jerusalem  is  Calvary,  where  the  Son  of  God  died.  But 
 God  has  so  willed  it  that  nothing  but  pain  and  disappointment 
 follow  the  inquirer  after  the  spot  where  the  blood  flowed  which 
 cleanses  from  all  sin.  You  know  there  is  a  great  church  built 
 over  the  place.  The  hole  made  by  the  cross  is  enclosed  in  a  star 
 of  gold ;  and  a  marble  slab  covers  what  they  call  the  sepulchre. 
 They  tell  you  so  many  heinous  falsehoods,  that  we  were  all 
 inclined  to  doubt  the  whole  matter.  The  place  in  Jerusalem  is 
 now  within  the  walls,  instead  of  "  without  the  gate."  There  is  no 
 mount,  no  garden, — nothing  to  remind  you  of  that  day  of  awful 
 interest.  Gethsemane  makes  up  in  interest  all  that  we  want  in 
 Calvary.  The  very  place  remains,  and  by  its  simplicity  convinces 
 the  mind  that  it  was  the  spot  that  Jesus  loved.  Above  you,  on 
 the  opposite  side  of  Kedron,  the  high  steep  brow  of  Moriah  rises ; 
 then  the  wall  of  the  city ;  and  above  it  the  Mosque  of  Omar, 
 which  stands  on  the  site  of  God's  holy  temple.  The  road  to 
 Bethany  passes  in  front  of  the  garden.  The  path  up  the  Mount  of 
 Olives  forms  another  boundary.  It  is  enclosed  with  old  stone  walls 
 like  all  the  walls  of  Judea,  of  rude  stones,  without  any  cement. 
 Eight  very  old  olives,  of  a  thousand  years  at  least,  stand  as 
 
LETTERS.  227 
 
 monuments  in  the  place.  It  is  a  sweet  and  sacred  spot ;  and 
 you  will  not  wonder  that  we  were  often  drawn  to  visit  it,  and  to 
 pray  on  the  very  spot  where  Jesus  sweated  great  drops  of  blood. 
 The  Mount  of  Olives  is  a  hill  of  which  you  never  weary.  As 
 you  ascend  it  from  Gethsemane,  every  step  gives  you  a  new 
 prospect.  We  turned  round  again  and  again  to  look  upon  Jeru- 
 salem. Jeremiah  says,  "  From  the  daughter  of  Zion  all  beauty  is 
 departed."  And  I  beheve,  if  we  had  seen  "the  perfection  of 
 beauty"  in  the  day  of  its  glory,  we  would  say  the  same.  Still 
 from  the  Mount  of  Olives  it  is  most  beautiful.  You  see  "  the 
 mountains  all  standing  round  about  Jerusalem."  The  whiteness 
 of  the  buildings  gives  it  a  dazzling  appearance.  The  deep  valleys 
 on  every  side  are  very  remarkable.  On  the  north,  a  rising  tower 
 marks  Ramah,  where  Samuel  was  born  ;  and  on  the  south,  the  eye 
 fixes  on  Herodion,  a  conical  hill  beside  Bethlehem.  When  you 
 come  to  the  top  of  Olivet,  you  look  to  the  east,  and  the  Dead  Sea 
 seems  to  be  stretched  at  your  feet.  The  mountains  of  Moab  look 
 quite  near  ;  and  you  try  to  find  out  Pisgah,  where  Moses  enjoyed 
 his  view  of  the  good  land.  Bethany  appears  upon  the  east  side  of 
 a  declivity  near  you, — a  pleasant  village.  Twice  we  wandered  out 
 as  far  as  Bethany.  It  was  pleasant  indeed  to  sit  under  its  spread- 
 ing fig-trees,  and  to  read  over  John  xi.  Returning  by  the  Jericho 
 road,  we  stopt  at  the  spot  where  Jesus  wept  over  the  city.  It  is 
 the  place  where  you  "  come  near  and  behold  the  city,"  at  the 
 descent  of  the  Mount  of  Olives.  After  full  consideration,  I  believe 
 it  to  be  the  very  spot.  Zion  is  literally  ploughed  like  a  field.  I 
 have  brought  with  me  some  barley  that  I  found  growing  on  its 
 summit.  Jerusalem  is  become  heaps.  The  heaps  of  ruins  within 
 the  city  are  amazing  ;  in  some  parts  they  are  higher  than  the  walls. 
 "  The  mountain  of  the  house  is  like  the  high  places  of  the  forest." 
 Mount  Moriah  has  now  two  Turkish  mosques  upon  it.  Aceldama 
 is  a  peaceful  spot,  overhanging  the  pleasant  valley  of  Hinnom,  once 
 the  scene  of  hideous  rites.  The  plague  was  very  severe  in  the  city 
 during  our  stay  there,  which  prevented  us  from  having  that  close 
 intercourse  with  the  inhabitants,  and  especially  with  the  Jews, 
 which  was  so  desirable.  Mr  Nicolayson,  the  Enghsh  missionary, 
 acted  towards  us  like  a  brother.  He  lodged  us  in  one  of  the 
 mission  houses  upon  Mount  Zion,  and  gave  us  opportunity  of 
 preaching  and  of  receiving  the  Lord's  Supper.  It  was  truly 
 pleasant  to  eat  of  that  bread  and  drink  of  that  cup  in  an  Upper 
 Room  in  Jerusalem.  There  are  about  5000  Jews  in  Jerusalem, 
 very  poor  and  very  divided  among  themselves,  looked  down  upon 
 as  dogs  by  the  Moslems  ;  still  they  bear  in  their  faces  and  manners 
 
228  LEITEKS. 
 
 the  proof  that  the  land  is  their  own.  They  are  entirely  supported 
 by  contributions  from  Europe.  They  devote  themselves  to  the 
 study  of  the  Law  and  the  Talmud.  I  had  an  interesting  meeting 
 with  one  Jew  at  the  large  stones,  the  only  remains  of  God's  temple. 
 He  was  sitting  praying,  and  looking  very  sad.  I  asked  him  what 
 he  was  reading.  He  showed  me  ;  it  was  Psalm  xxii.  in  Hebrew. 
 I  took  it  up  and  read  it  over  to  him.  He  said  he  understood  it, 
 and  that  it  applied  to  David.  I  showed  him  that  could  riot  be,  for 
 David  was  never  pierced  in  hands  and  feet.  I  shortly  explained  to 
 him  the  gospel,  and  showed  him  the  only  way  of  forgiveness.  He 
 looked  very  sad  sitting  on  the  ground. 
 
 I  must  hurry  on.  We  visited  Hebron,  and  had  an  interest- 
 ing meeting  with  the  Jews  there.  It  is  a  delightful  place.  We 
 visited  Bethlehem  on  our  return.  It  is  curious  that  almost  all 
 the  inhabitants  of  Bethlehem  are  Christians,  that  is,  Greeks  and 
 Catholics.  We  left  Jerusalem  on  the  18th  instant,  and  proceeded 
 north  by  Ramah,  Gibeon,  Bethel,  Sychar,  Samaria,  to  Carmel.  I 
 cannot  tell  you  the  delightful  and  solemn  feelings  with  which  we 
 traverse  this  land  of  promise.  The  fulfilment  of  prophecy  is  every- 
 where remarkable.  At  Sychar  we  tried  to  find  out  the  well  where 
 Jesus  sat  wearied.  Mr  Bonar  found  it,  and  let  his  Bible  fall  into 
 it.  He  could  not  get  it  again,  "  for  the  well  is  deep."  Ebal  on 
 the  north,  a  frowning  rocky  hill.  Gerizzim  is  also  precipitous,  but 
 smiles  with  verdant  gardens.  Sychar  is  a  beautiful  place.  We 
 spent  a  most  interesting  morning  among  the  Jews  and  Samaritans, 
 saw  both  their  synagogues,  and  reasoned  with  them  out  of  the 
 Scriptures,  proving  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ.  Oh  that  the  Saviour 
 would  do  as  He  did  before  in  this  place, — say  plainly,  "  I  that 
 speak  unto  thee  am  He!''  When  we  meet,  if  that  be  the  will  of 
 God,  I  shall  have  many  descriptions  to  give  you  of  the  scenes  of 
 this  land.  It  has  far  surpassed  all  my  expectations.  We  arrived 
 at  Carmel  on  Saturday,  and  are  now  in  quarantine.  We  and  all 
 our  clothes  were  yesterday  bathed  in  the  sea.  In  consequence  of 
 undergoing  this  process  our  quarantine  is  seven  days  shorter ;  and 
 on  Monday  next  we  hope  to  proceed  to  Tiberias  and  Saphet,  the 
 only  places  of  importance  for  Jews,  except  Tyre  and  Sidon,  which 
 we  shall  visit  on  our  way  to  Beyrout.  We  are  sorry  that  so  much 
 of  our  time  is  taken  up  ;  but  we  have  gone  as  quickly  as  possible  in 
 the  circumstances.  We  are  all  in  good  health.  I  suffer  occa- 
 sionally from  my  heart,  but  much  less  than  I  used.  I  do  hope,  if 
 it  be  the  will  of  my  Master,  that  I  may  yet  again  serve  Him  in  the 
 gospel  of  his  Son.  This  is  a  delicious  chmate.  I  have  heard  once 
 from  home.    I  am  thankful  to  hear  of  the  peace  and  grace  given  to 
 
LETTERS.  229 
 
 my  people  on  our  communion- day.  Dear  people,  may  the  great 
 Shepherd  feed  them !  I  was  happy  to  hear  of  Dr  Chalmers' 
 success.  Dismayed  at  the  decision  of  the  Lord  Chancellor ;  but 
 "  Jehovah  nissi," — the  Lord  is  our  banner.  My  kindest  regards  to 
 Mrs  R.,  and  to  the  brethren  that  ask  for  me.  I  often  pray  most 
 humbly  for  all,  even  my  enemies. — Yours  ever,  etc. 
 
 TO  REV.  E.  MACDONALD  OP  BLAIRGOWRIE. 
 
 The  Holy  Land. 
 
 Mount  Carmel,  June  26,  1839. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — ^I  wrote  to  you  from  the  land  of  Egypt, 
 and  now  from  the  Land  of  Promise.  I  would  have  written  from 
 Jerusalem;  but  our  departure  was  so  hurried,  owing  to  an  increase 
 of  the  awful  disease  of  plague,  that  I  could  not  accomplish  it.  In- 
 deed, I  thought  it  would  be  more  for  the  pleasure  and  advantage 
 of  all  my  friends  if  I  spent  my  time  in  fully  seeing  the  wonders  of 
 the  city  of  the  Great  King.  It  is  all  deeply  graven  on  my  memory 
 and  my  heart.  The  first  sight  of  Jerusalem  made  my  heart  sink 
 within  me,  it  was  so  desolate ;  the  walls  appeared  so  low,  so  dark, 
 so  poor.  But  better  acquaintance  with  its  deep  valleys  and  singu- 
 lar hills,  its  trees  and  fountains,  has  made  it  appear  one  of  the 
 loveliest  spots  Jesus  visited.  There  is  a  holy  beauty  about  Jeru- 
 salem ;  for  you  cannot  walk  a  step  without  remembering  the  scenes 
 that  have  passed  there,  and  without  looking  forward  to  a  time 
 when  it  will  again  become  the  joy  of  the  whole  earth.  You  will  be 
 glad  to  know  that  I  have  stood  all  our  great  fatigues  wonderfully, 
 and  even  without  being  the  worse  of  them,  but  rather  the  better. 
 I  may  almost  say  I  feel  that  God  has  been  answering  the  continued 
 prayer  of  those  that  love  me ;  still  I  am  not  yet  what  I  was,  though 
 I  hope  to  be.  All  my  companions  had  the  privilege  of  preaching 
 in  Jerusalem.  I  felt  that  it  was  kept  from  me ;  but  that  it  was 
 overflowing  goodness  that  gave  us  to  receive  the  broken  bread  and 
 poured  out  wine  in  an  Upper  Chamber,  where  Jesus  first  instituted 
 it.  I  wish  I  could  recount  to  you  all  that  we  have  seen  with  our 
 eyes,  so  as  to  make  you  almost  see  it  all  over  again.  Joy  is 
 mcreased  by  spreading  it  to  others.  Thus  Christ's  joy  and  glory 
 are  increased  by  making  us  partakers  of  it.  Our  life  in  the 
 wilderness  was  a  singular  one.  Since  the  day  I  wrote  you  we 
 have  never  known  the  luxury  of  a  bed.  We  spread  our  mats 
 upon  the  sand,  and  God  watches  over  ua,  when  we  are  under  the 
 
230  LETTERS. 
 
 cover  of  our  frail  tent,  as  much  as  if  we  were  witliiu  brazen  gates 
 and  bars.  We  often  hear  the  cry  of  the  wolves  at  night,  and  there 
 are  many  lynxes  and  hyenas  in  this  very  mountain  ;  but  God  keeps 
 us  safely.  The  burning  heat  of  the  desert,  the  long  fatiguing 
 journeys, — sometimes  twelve  hours  or  fourteen  in  the  day  upon 
 a  camel, — the  insatiable  thirst,  and  our  weakness,  were  very  try- 
 ing to  our  faith  and  to  our  temper ;  it  proved  us,  and  made  us 
 know  what  was  in  our  heart.  Ah !  dear  friend,  wherever  we  jour- 
 ney, union  to  Jesus,  and  holiness  from  his  Spirit  flowing  into  us, 
 is  our  chief  and  only  happiness.  Never  cease  to  show  your  people 
 that  to  be  holy  is  to  be  happy ;  and  that  to  bring  us  to  perfect 
 hoHness  and  hkeness  to  Grod,  was  the  very  end  for  which  Christ 
 died.  We  entered  the  land  of  the  Philistines  1st  of  June.  You 
 know  the  prophets  say  that  the  sea-coast  there  is  to  be  "  cottages 
 for  shepherds  and  folds  for  flocks,"  Zeph.  ii.  6.  It  is  really  so. 
 You  cannot  imagine  a  country  more  completely  covered  with  flocks 
 and  herds, — camels  and  asses,  and  oxen  and  sheep  and  goats. 
 The  inhabitants  are  Arabs, — a  poor  and  ignorant  race  of  men. 
 How  often  we  have  wished  for  the  Arabian  tongue,  to  preach  to 
 them  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ !  We  passed  like  the  spies 
 through  the  valley  of  Eshcol.  We  came  to  a  small  Arab  town, 
 Bet-hanoon.  For  illustration  I  will  draw  it.^  This  will  give  you 
 an  idea  of  all  Arab  towns.  Every  roof  is  flat ;  so  that  the  people 
 sit  there,  pray  there,  dry  their  corn  and  sift  it  there.  There  are 
 no  vines  in  Eshcol  now,  but  immense  bunches  of  grapes  are  still 
 produced  in  some  places  of  the  Holy  Land.  The  trees  around  the 
 village  are  figs, — a  beautiful  dark-green  tree.  We  are  now  tast- 
 ing the  first  ripe  figs,  which  are,  like  Jeremiah's,  very  good.  We 
 crossed  the  brook  Sorek — quite  dry  ;  indeed,  I  think  we  only  met 
 with  one  flowing  stream  between  the  desert  and  Jerusalem.  The 
 streams  in  the  south  are  all  dry  in  the  summer  (see  Psalm  cxxvi.). 
 We  slept  that  night  beside  a  small  town,  which  we  take  to  be 
 Eshtaol,  near  which  Samson  was  born.  We  saw  there  the  brown 
 tents  of  some  Bedouin  Arabs,  illustrating  Song  i. — the  brown  tents 
 of  Kedar.  This  was  in  the  tribe  of  Dan.  Next  day  we  went  due 
 east,  across  the  vast  plain  Sephela,  where  Asa  fought  his  battle, 
 2  Chron.  xiv.,  till  we  entered  among  the  lovely  hills  of  Judah.  A 
 wonderful  fulfilment  of  God's  word  was  pressed  on  our  attention 
 all  that  day.  The  quantities  of  weeds  in  the  plains  are  quite 
 remarkable,  and  all  of  them  are  of  a  briery,  prickly  nature.  I 
 counted  eleven  different  kinds  of  thistle,  some  of  them  of  gigantic 
 
 '  Here  he  had  sketched  the  village  with  his  pen.     He  enlivened  many  of  Ydx 
 letters  with  these  outlines,  that  spoke  more  expressively  than  words. 
 
LETTERS.  231 
 
 Bize.  In  a  field  where  barley  had  been  sown,  there  were  more  of 
 these  thorns  and  briers  than  of  the  barley.  Now  turn  to  Isaiah 
 xxxii.  13  :  "  Upon  the  land  of  my  people  shall  come  up  thorns  and 
 briers  ;  "  and  see  how  long  (ver.  15),  "  Until  the  Spirit  be  poured 
 upon  us  from  on  high."  Indeed,  every  mountain  and  valley  of  this 
 land  is  a  witness  for  God,  speaking  silently  but  mightily,  declaring 
 that  God's  word  abideth  for  ever. 
 
 We  arrived  at  Jerusalem  on  7th  June,  and  lighted  off  our 
 camels  within  the  Jaffa  gate.  The  first  thing  that  struck  me  was 
 the  quantity  of  various  heaps. — (See  Micah  iii.  12.)  It  was  two 
 or  three  days  before  we  recovered  our  fatigues.  The  first  time 
 we  went  out  was  to  the  two  pools  of  Gihon  ;  the  upper  pool  still 
 contains  water. 
 
 Again  we  went  to  Mount  Olivet.  Winding  round  the  noble 
 walls  at  Jerusalem,*  Mount  Olivet  appears  with  its  softly  rounded 
 triple  point.  It  is  a  beautiful  hill  of  very  great  extent.  It  is 
 composed  of  a  pure  white  hmestone,  which  appears  in  many  places, 
 and  gives  the  whole  a  whitish  appearance.  Fine  old  olives  adorn 
 it  on  every  side  ;  fig-trees  here  and  there,  and  pomegranates,  with 
 their  beautiful  deep-red  flowers.  A  monastery  and  a  mosque  are 
 on  the  top,  and  three  or  four  small  towers  on  different  points  of 
 it.  Crops  of  barley  may  be  discerned  here  and  there.  It  is  alto- 
 gether a  pleasant  hill.  Between  you  and  it  hes  the  deep  valley 
 of  Jehoshaphat.  The  bed  of  the  Kedron,  quite  dry,  forms  the 
 lowest  part.  Going  along  by  the  east  wall  of  Jerusalem  till  you 
 are  nearly  opposite  the  place  where  the  temple  stood  (now  the 
 Mosque  of  Omar),  you  then  descend  the  steep  bank  of  Moriah  to 
 the  Kedron.  A  small  bridge  now  helps  you  to  cross.  Here 
 David  went  flying  from  Absalom  barefooted.  Here  Jesus  used  to 
 cross  going  to  Gethsemane  or  to  Bethany.  The  path  before  you 
 leads  right  up  the  steepest  part  of  Mount  Olivet.  It  is  a  pleasant 
 path.  Turning  every  now  and  then,  you  see  Jerusalem  in  all  its 
 faded  glory, — minarets  and  cupolas  lying  beneath  you.  Another 
 path  winds  upwards  round  the  hill  to  Bethany — the  sweet  village 
 of  Martha  and  Mary — two  miles  off.  The  little  nook  between  these 
 two  paths  forms  all  that  remains  of  Gethsemane.  It  is  a  pleasant 
 spot.  No  one  that  knows  the  Saviour  can  visit  it  and  look  upon 
 its  eight  old  olive-trees  without  feeling  drawn  to  it.  We  tried  to 
 pray  there,  where  Jesus  sweated  blood  for  us.  It  was  sweet  to 
 intercede  for  you  and  all  we  love  in  that  sacred  spot.  Another 
 favourite  spot  was  the  fountain  of  Siloam,  farther  down  the  valley 
 of  Jehoshaphat.  It  flows  so  softly  from  under  the  temple,  that  yoa 
 cannot  hear  the  ripple  of  its  waters.     You  descend  a  great  many 
 
232  LETTERS. 
 
 steps  in  the  rock,  and  drink  its  delightful  waters.  I  send  you  a 
 small  hymn  on  the  other  side,  which  will  imprint  it  on  your  memory. 
 The  valley  of  Hinnom  is  a  deep  gorge  or  vale  to  the  south  of 
 Jerusalem.  Mount  Zion  is  actually  ploughed  like  a  field.  It  de- 
 scends steeply  into  Hinnom,  which  again  has  a  rocky  barrier  on 
 the  opposite  side.     Aceldama  is  a  fearful  spot  above. 
 
 We  left  Jerusalem  on  18th  June,  and  arrived  here  on  the  21s^ 
 Many  a  pleasant  scene  we  saw  between.  It  is  a  delightsome  land. 
 One  only  I  can  mention — Sychar.  It  was  a  sweet  evening  when 
 we  entered  the  valley  made  by  Ebal,  a  gloomy  barren  hill,  and 
 Gerizzim,  a  rocky  hill,  but  garnished  with  gardens.  The  town 
 lies  beautiful  between,  keeping  nearer  to  Gerizzim.  The  next 
 morning  we  visited  the  synagogue.  A.  B.  was  in  time  for  the 
 service  at  six  o'clock.  He  had  very  interesting  discussions  with 
 several  of  the  Jews,  all  carried  on  in  Hebrew.  You  may  beUeve 
 we  are  not  very  fluent  in  the  holy  tongue,  and  yet  it  is  wonderful 
 how  we  get  on.  We  visited  the  Samaritans  also,  and,  after  taking 
 off  our  shoes,  we  were  admitted  into  their  synagogue  to  see  the 
 MS.  of  the  Pentateuch,  3600  years  old.  Andrew  alone  found  out 
 the  well  where  Jesus  sat,  and  dropped  his  Bible  in  by  accident. 
 The  Jews  here  are  far  kinder  and  pleasanter  than  in  Europe. 
 They  wear  a  beautiful  dress.  They  are  much  fairer  in  colour  than 
 the  Arabs,  and  every  way  a  more  noble  people ;  and  then,  when 
 you  look  your  Bible,  and  see  the  promises  that  are  waiting  to  be 
 fulfilled  to  them,  how  does  the  heart  fill  towards  them  !  God  will 
 yet  gather  them  one  by  one.  Pray  still  for  their  in-bringing.  It 
 is  not  easy  to  pray  really  for  Israel ;  it  needs  you  to  have  much  of 
 the  peculiar  mind  of  God.  The  same  evening  we  visited  Samaria, 
 about  six  or  eight  miles  north  of  Sychar.  It  is  now  a  poor  Arab 
 village,  but  the  finger  of  God  is  there.  It  is  a  hill  surrounded  by 
 hills  on  all  sides.  Micah  i.  6  is  the  clearest  description  of  it.  It 
 is  like  an  heap  of  the  field.  Just  as  you  have  seen  the  stones 
 gathered  out  of  a  field  into  heaps,  such  is  Samaria.  The  vast 
 ruins  are  all  thrown  down,  and  form  just  heaps  in  the  field.  It  is 
 as  the  plantings  of  a  vineyard.  There  is  but  one  vine  on  the 
 whole  hill,  but  it  is  all  terraced  and  cleared,  just  as  if  it  were  to  be 
 planted  with  vines.  "  And  I  will  pour,"  etc.  This  is  wonderfully 
 fulfilled.  It  filled  me  with  holy  awe  to  look  at  the  heaps  of  stones 
 — fragments  of  pillars  all  rolling  down  into  the  valley.  The 
 foundations  are  actually  discovered.  What  a  monument  of  the 
 truth  of  God !  I  have  only  time  to  commend  you  to  God,  and  to 
 say.  Brother,  pray  for  us. — Yours  ever,  etc. 
 
 F.S, — Commend  me  to  your  true  yokefellow,  Mr  Smith,  and  to 
 
LETTERS.  233 
 
 Mr  Gillies,  and  to  Mr  Baxter.  I  cease  not  to  mention  all  in  ray 
 prayers,  and  hope  that  they  do  not  forget  me.  "  We  are  made 
 partakers  of  Christ  if  we  hold  the  beginning  of  our  confidence  firm 
 unto  the  end." 
 
 TO  WM.  C.  BUENS,  DUNDEE. 
 
 Inquiries  about  the  Eevival  on  first  coming  home. 
 
 20,  Hill  Street,  Edinbukgii, 
 15tk  November  1839. 
 
 My  dear  Friend  and  Brother, — I  last  night  arrived  once 
 more  in  my  beloved  home,  conducted  through  every  danger  by  the 
 unseen  hand  of  our  Father  in  heaven.  I  cannot  lose  a  moment  in 
 writing  you  a  few  Hnes.  It  was  not  till  we  arrived  in  Hamburgh 
 that  we  heard  anything  of  what  has  been  doing  in  our  beloved  land 
 for  the  last  five  months.  There  we  heard  only  a  rumour  that  God 
 had  visited  his  people  in  love,  and  those  also  that  were  Lo-Ammi. 
 You  may  believe  that  it  was  with  a  thankful,  joyful  spirit  that  we 
 read  of  these  things.  I  cannot  rest  till  I  hear  from  you  what  has 
 been  done  among  my  own  dear  flock.  I  do  not  like  to  impose  a 
 task  on  you ;  but  if  you  have  an  hour's  leisure,  it  would  be  truly 
 gratifying  to  me  to  hear  from  you,  before  I  come  over,  a  minute 
 account  of  all  that  God  seems  to  have  wrought  in  Dundee  during 
 my  absence.  You  remember  it  was  the  prayer  of  my  heart  when 
 we  parted,  that  you  might  be  a  thousandfold  more  blessed  to  the 
 people  than  ever  my  ministry  had  been.  How  it  will  gladden  my 
 heart,  if  you  can  really  tell  me  that  it  has  been  so  !  My  poor,  dear 
 flock,  hard-hearted  and  stiff-necked  as  they  were,  if  the  Lord  has 
 really  opened  their  hearts,  and  brought  them  to  a  saving  knowledge 
 of  Christ,  and  if  their  hearts  and  lives  are  together  changed,  I  will 
 bless  God  while  I  have  any  being ! 
 
 The  work  at  Kilsyth  seems  to  be  owned  by  all  God's  true  ser- 
 vants as  not  the  work  of  man,  but  indeed  divine.  What  a  great 
 joy  to  you  and  to  your  excellent  father,  to  have  your  labour  thus 
 honoured  of  God!  The  Lord  preserve  you  both  from  all  the 
 personal  danger  to  your  own  souls  which  such  success  exposes 
 you  to  ! 
 
 I  must  not  write  much,  having  agreed  to  preach  on  Sabbath. 
 I  would  often  have  written  you  when  away ;  but  you  know  my 
 weakness,  and  I  was  always  uncertain  as  to  your  movements.  Do 
 write  me  if  you  have  time.     Tell  me  all  the  good  and  all  the  bad. 
 
234  LETTERS. 
 
 I  know  well  that  when  Christ  is  nearest,  Satan  also  is  busiest. 
 What  of  my  elders  ? — of  my  dear  established  Christians  ?  What 
 of  those  who  were  but  lambs  ?  And  what  of  those  whom  I  left 
 in  darkness  and  in  the  shadow  of  death  ? 
 
 The  Lord  send  me  good  news. 
 
 I  shall  try  to  be  over  on  Thursday  evening  next,  if  1  am  well, 
 and  trust  to  join  you  in  praising  God  together  for  all  his  mercy 
 and  grace  and  faithfulness  since  we  parted.  Whether  I  shall  be 
 able  to  resume  the  full  work  of  the  ministry  again  or  no,  I  cannot 
 tell.  My  heart  still  beats  too  much.  But  I  shall  try ;  and  if  the 
 Lord  shows  me  that  my  work  in  that  way  is  done,  I  shall  pray  for 
 submission. 
 
 Do  write  me  speedily,  for  I  weary  to  hear. 
 
 With  regard  to  temporal  things,  remember  I  shall  expect  you 
 honestly  to  tell  how  far  your  small  salary  has  gone  to  cover  your 
 expenses.  And  if  it  has  not  covered  them,  remember  I  insist  on 
 your  demanding  as  much  more  as  will.  The  workman  is  worthy 
 of  his  hire. 
 
 And  now  the  Lord  keep  you  humble  and  prayerful  in  secret, 
 and  may  it  not  be  needful  that  you  be  afflicted  as  I  have  been ; 
 and  may  your  ministry  be  blessed  still  a  thousand  times  more! 
 With  kindest  love  to  all  my  people,  yours  affectionately,  etc. 
 
 TO  MISS  COLLIER,  DUNDEE. 
 Riclies  of  Christ — resemblance  to  Him. 
 
 Edinburgh,  February  26,  1840. 
 My  dear  Miss  Collier, — I  am  sorry  to  leave  town  without 
 seeing  you,  but  I  find  myself  obliged  to  do  so.  A  long  and  inte- 
 resting meeting  of  presbytery  took  up  the  greater  part  of  my  time. 
 I  am  dehghted  to  hear  that  you  are  still  keeping  a  little  better, 
 and  fondly  hope  the  Lord  may  restore  you  to  us  once  more,  to 
 help  us  by  your  prayers  in  these  trying  but  glorious  times.  I 
 would  like  to  have  seen  you  once  again  before  going  back ;  but  I 
 must  just  content  myself  with  casting  you  on  the  Lord  on  whom 
 you  beheve.  Precious  friend  and  unchangeable  priest  is  Christ — 
 sweeter  to  you  than  honey  and  the  honeycomb.  How  great  is  the 
 goodness  He  hath  laid  up  for  them  that  fear  Him!  Just  as  the  miser 
 lays  up  money  that  he  may  feast  his  eyes  upon  it,  so  Christ  has  laid 
 up  unsearchable  riches  that  He  may  supply  all  our  need  out  of 
 them.    Unfathomable  oceans  of  grace  are  in  Christ  for  you.    Dive 
 
LETTERS.  235 
 
 and  dive  again,  you  will  never  come  to  the  bottom  of  these  depths. 
 How  many  millions  of  dazzling  pearls  and  gems  are  at  this  moment 
 hid  in  the  deep  recesses  of  the  ocean  caves !  But  there  are  un- 
 searchable riches  in  Christ.  Seek  more  of  them.  The  Lord  enrich 
 you  with  them.  I  have  always  thought  it  a  very  pitiful  show  when 
 great  people  ornament  themselves  with  briUiants  and  diamonds; 
 but  it  is  truest  wisdom  to  adorn  the  soul  with  Christ  and  his  graces. 
 "  Can  a  maid  forget  her  ornaments,  or  a  bride  her  attire  ?  yet  my 
 people  have  forgotten  me,  days  without  number."  You  see  my 
 pen  runs  on,  though  I  fear  you  will  hardly  be  able  to  read  what  I 
 write.  The  Lord  Jesus  give  you  out  of  his  fulness,  and  grace  for 
 grace.  Li  a  mirror  you  will  observe  that  every  feature  of  the  face 
 is  reflected — both  the  large  and  small  features.  Now  our  soul 
 should  be  a  mirror  of  Christ ;  we  should  reflect  every  feature ; 
 for  every  grace  in  Christ  there  should  be  a  counterpart  grace  in 
 us.  The  Lord  give  you  this ;  then  I  can  ask  no  more  for  you. 
 Your  times  are  in  his  hand. — Ps.  xxxi.  May  you  have  the  bless- 
 ing of  Asher :  "  As  thy  days,  so  shall  thy  strength  be." 
 
 Farewell  till  we  meet.     Kindest  regards  to  Miss  N.  and  Mrs 
 Coutts,  and  believe  me  ever  yours  in  lasting  bonds,  etc. 
 
 TO  MR  J.  T.  JUST 
 How  to  conduct  prayer-meetings. 
 
 March  27,  1840. 
 
 My  dear  John, — I  was  glad  to  receive  your  letter,  and  am 
 happy  to  answer  you  on  the  matter  in  which  you  apply  to  me.  No 
 person  can  be  a  child  of  God  without  living  in  secret  prayer  ;  and 
 no  community  of  Christians  can  be  in  a  lively  condition  without 
 unity  in  prayer.  In  Daniel's  time  you  see  how  it  was. — (Dan.  ii. 
 17,  18.)  You  see  what  Jesus  said  to  his  disciples  on  it  (Matt, 
 xviii.  19),  and  what  a  sweet  promise  of  his  presence  and  a  gracious 
 answer  He  connects  with  meetiug  for  prayer.  You  see  how  it  will 
 be  in  the  latter  day  (Zech.  viii.  21),  when  meetings  for  prayer,  or 
 at  least  concerts  for  prayer,  shall  be  held  by  different  towns.  One 
 great  rule  in  holding  them  is,  that  they  be  really  meetings  of  dis- 
 ciples. If  four  or  five  of  you  that  know  the  Lord  would  meet 
 together  regularly,  you  will  find  that  far  more  profitable  than  a 
 meetmg  open  to  all.  In  an  open  meeting  you  are  apt  to  become 
 teachers,  and  to  be  proud.  In  a  secret  meeting  you  feel  all  on  a 
 level,  poor  and  needy,  seeking  water.    If  a  young  man,  acquainted 
 
236  LETTERS. 
 
 with  any  of  yon,  becomes  concerned  about  his  soul,  or  a  lively 
 Christian  is  visiting  any  of  you,  these  may  be  admitted ;  but  do 
 not  make  your  meeting  more  open. 
 
 The  prayer-meeting  I  like  best  is  where  there  is  only  praise  and 
 prayer,  and  the  reading  of  God's  word.  There  is  then  least  room 
 for  frail  human  nature  to  pervert  the  meeting  to  an  improper  end. 
 It  is  well  to  read  regularly  through  a  book  of  Scripture,  or  at  least 
 to  fix  the  chapter  the  evening  before,  that  it  may  be  prayed  over 
 in  secret,  before  coming  to  the  meeting.  If  you  only  read,  then 
 two  chapters  may  be  read,  and  then  two  members  pray  at  a  meet- 
 ing. Each  member  would  take  his  turn.  Let  there  be  no  pre- 
 siding of  one  over  another,  for  all  are  brethren.  When  a  godly 
 minister  or  elder  or  experienced  Christian  is  visiting  you,  he  should 
 be  invited  to  take  the  whole  service. 
 
 Many  meetings  are  not  contented  with  merely  reading  God's 
 word ;  they  fix  upon  some  verse  or  two  as  matter  of  conversation, 
 and  each  one  gives  his  opinion  round.  Some  take  a  question  of 
 the  Shorter  Catechism  each  evening,  and  speak  on  it  in  the  same 
 manner.  Some  propose  cases  of  conscience,  and  how  Christians 
 ought  to  act  in  different  cases.  Now,  I  never  forbid  any  of  these 
 where  the  members  prefer  this ;  still,  I  must  confess  I  feel  the 
 danger  to  which  they  are  exposed.  You  require  more  grace  to  be 
 kept  humble  and  meek  and  loving,  if  you  engage  in  this  service. 
 You  are  exposed  to  the  danger  of  differing  from  one  another — 
 disputing,  seeking  admiration  and  pre-eminence,  to  all  which  you 
 know,  dear  John,  your  hearts  are  naturally  most  prone.  If  you 
 choose  any  of  these,  the  first  appears  the  best,  that  of  fixing  on  a 
 verse  or  two  of  the  chapter  read.  But  do  seek  meekness  in  speak- 
 ing together  upon  it.  Meet  weekly,  at  a  convenient  hour.  Be 
 regular  in  attendance.  Let  nothing  keep  you  away  from  your 
 meeting.  Pray  in  secret  before  going.  Let  your  prayers  in  the 
 meeting  be  formed  as  much  as  possible  upon  what  you  have  read 
 in  the  Bible.  You  will  thus  learn  variety  of  petition,  and  a  Scrip- 
 ture style.  Pray  that  you  may  pray  to  God,  and  not  for  the  ears 
 of  man.  Feel  his  presence  more  than  man's.  Pray  for  the  out- 
 pouring of  the  Spirit  on  the  church  of  Christ  and  for  the  world ;  for 
 the  purity  and  unity  of  God's  children ;  for  the  raising  up  of  godly 
 ministers,  and  the  blessing  of  those  that  are  so  already.  Pray  for 
 the  conversion  of  your  friends,  of  your  neighbours,  of  the  whole 
 town.  Pray  for  the  sending  of  the  gospel  to  the  Jews,  and  to  the 
 Gentile  nations. 
 
 Pride  is  Satan's  wedge  for  splitting  prayer-meetings  to  pieces : 
 watch  and  pray  against  it.   If  you  have  not  the  Spirit  of  God  among 
 
LETTERS.  237 
 
 you,  you  will  have  the  spirit  of  the  devil.  Watch  against  seeking 
 to  be  greater  than  one  another ;  watch  against  lip-religion.  Above 
 all,  abide  in  Christ,  and  He  will  abide  in  you.  He  is  able  to  keep 
 yon  from  falling,  and  to  make  you  happy,  holy  young  men.  There 
 is  no  joy  hke  that  of  holiness.  May  Enoch's  companion  be  yours. 
 Write  me  how  you  come  on,  and  believe  me  ever  yours  affection 
 ately,  etc. 
 
 TO  A  PAEISHIONER  ON  A  SIOK-BED. 
 
 How  cares  and  troubles  sanctify. 
 
 March  31,  1840. 
 
 Dear  M., — I  may  not  see  you  for  a  little,  as  I  am  not  strong ; 
 and  therefore  I  send  you  a  line  in  answer  to  your  letter.  I  hke 
 to  hear  from  you,  and  especially  when  God  is  reveahng  himself  to 
 your  soul.  All  his  doings  are  wonderful.  It  is,  indeed,  amazing 
 how  He  makes  use  of  affliction  to  make  us  feel  his  love  more.  Your 
 house  is,  I  trust,  in  some  measure  like  that  house  in  Bethany  of 
 which  it  is  said,  "Now  Jesus  loved  Martha,  and  her  sister,  and 
 Lazarus."  They  had  different  degrees  of  grace.  One  had  more 
 faith,  and  another  more  love,  still  Jesus  loved  them  all.  Martha 
 was  more  incHued  to  be  worldly  than  Mary,  yet  Jesus  loved  them 
 both.  It  is  a  happy  house  when  Jesus  loves  all  that  dwell  in  it. 
 Surely  it  is  next  door  to  heaven. 
 
 The  message  of  Martha  and  Mary  to  Christ  (John  ii.  3)  teaches 
 you  to  carry  all  your  temporal  as  well  as  your  spiritual  troubles  to 
 his  feet.  Leave  them  there.  Carry  one  another's  case  to  Jesus. 
 Is  it  not  a  wonderful  grace  in  God  to  have  given  you  peace  in 
 Christy  before  laying  you  down  on  your  long  sick-bed  ?  It  would 
 have  been  a  wearisome  He  if  you  had  been  an  enemy  to  God,  and 
 then  it  would  have  been  over  hell.  Do  you  feel  Kom.  v.  3  to  be 
 true  in  your  experience?  You  cannot  love  trouble  for  its  own 
 sake ;  bitter  must  always  be  bitter,  and  pain  must  always  be  pain. 
 God  knows  you  cannot  love  trouble.  Yet  for  the  blessings  that  it 
 brings.  He  can  make  you  pray  for  it.  Does  trouble  work  patience 
 in  you  ?  Does  it  lead  you  to  cling  closer  to  the  Lord  Jesus — to 
 hide  deeper  in  the  rock?  Does  it  make  you  "  be  still  and  know 
 that  He  is  God?"  Does  it  make  you  lie  passive  in  his  hand,  and 
 know  no  will  but  his  ?  Thus  does  patience  work  experience — an 
 experimental  acquaintance  with  Jesus.  Does  it  bring  you  a  fuller 
 taste  of  his  sweetness,  so  that  you  know  whom  you  have  believed  ? 
 
238  LETTERS. 
 
 And  does  this  experience  give  you  a  further  hope  of  glory — an- 
 other anchor  east  within  the  veil  ?  And  does  this  hope  give  you  a 
 heart  that  cannot  be  ashamed,  because  convinced  that  God  has 
 loved  you,  and  will  love  you  to  the  end  ?  Ah  !  then  you  have  got 
 the  improvement  of  trouble,  if  it  has  led  you  thus.  Pray  for  me 
 still,  that  I  may  get  the  good  of  all  God's  dealings  with  me.  Lean 
 all  on  Jesus.  Pray  for  a  time  of  the  pouring  out  of  God's  Spirit, 
 that  many  more  may  be  saved.  I  hope  the  Lord's  work  is  not 
 done  in  this  place  yet. — Ever  your  affectionate  pastor,  etc. 
 
 TO  A  SOUL  WHOM  HE  HAD  NEVER  SEEN,  BUT  WHOSE  CASE 
 WAS  LAID  BEFOEE  HIM  BY  A  FEIEND. 
 
 Col.  ii.  1,  2. 
 Looking  out  to  Jesus. 
 
 March  20,  1840. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — 1  do  not  even  know  your  name,  but  I  thmk 
 I  know  something  of  the  state  of  your  soul.  Your  friend  has  been 
 with  me,  and  told  me  a  little  of  your  mind  ;  and  I  write  a  few  lines 
 just  to  bid  you  look  to  Jesus  and  live.  Look  at  Num.  xxi.  9,  and 
 you  will  see  your  disease  and  your  remedy.  You  have  been  bitten 
 by  the  great  serpent.  The  poison  of  sin  is  through  and  through 
 your  whole  heart,  but  Christ  has  been  lifted  up  on  the  cross  that 
 you  may  look  and  live.  Now,  do  not  look  so  long  and  so  harass- 
 ingly  at  your  own  heart  and  feelings.  What  will  you  find  there 
 but  the  bite  of  the  serpent?  You  were  shapen  in  iniquity,  and  the 
 whole  of  your  natural  hfe  has  been  spent  in  sin.  The  more  God 
 opens  your  eyes,  the  more  you  will  feel  that  you  are  lost  in  yourself. 
 This  is  your  disease.  Now  for  the  remedy.  Look  to  Christ ;  for 
 the  glorious  Son  of  God  so  loved  lost  souls,  that  He  took  on  Him 
 a  body  and  died  for  us — bore  our  curse,  and  obeyed  the  law  in 
 our  place.  Look  to  Him  and  live.  You  need  no  preparation, 
 you  need  no  endeavours,  you  need  no  duties,  you  need  no  strivings, 
 you  only  need  to  look  and  live.  Look  at  John  xvii.  3.  The  way 
 to  be  saved  is  to  know  God's  heart  and  the  heart  of  Jesus.  To  be 
 awakened,  you  need  to  know  your  own  heart.  Look  in  at  your 
 own  heart,  if  you  wish  to  know  your  lost  condition.  See  the 
 pollution  that  is  there — forgetfulness  of  God,  deadness,  insensibility 
 to  his  love.  If  you  are  judged  as  you  are  in  yourself,  you  will  be 
 lost.  To  he  saved,  you  need  to  know  the  heart  of  God  and  of 
 Christ.     The  four  Gospels  are  a  narrative  of  the  heart  of  Christ. 
 
LETTERS.  239 
 
 They  show  his  compassion  to  sinners,  and  his  glorious  work  in  their 
 stead.  If  you  only  knew  that  heart  as  it  is,  you  would  lay  your 
 weary  head  with  John  on  his  bosom.  Do  not  take  up  your  time 
 so  much  with  studying  your  own  heart  as  with  studying  Christ's 
 heart.     "For  one  look  at  yourself,  take  ten  looks  at  Christ !" 
 
 Look  at  Rom.  xv.  13.  That  is  my  prayer  for  you.  You  are 
 looking  for  peace  in  striving,  or  peace  in  duties,  or  peace  in  reform- 
 ing your  mind  ;  but  ah  !  look  at  his  word.  "  The  God  of  hope 
 fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing.''  All  your  peace  is  to  be 
 fouud  in  beheving  God's  word  about  his  Son.  If  for  a  moment  you 
 forget  your  own  case  altogether,  and  meditate  on  the  glorious  way 
 of  salvation  by  Christ  for  us,  does  your  bosom  never  glow  with  a 
 ray  of  peace?  Keep  that  peace;  it  is  joy  in  beheving.  Look  as 
 straight  to  Christ  as  you  sometimes  do  at  the  rising  or  setting  sun. 
 Look  direct  to  Christ. 
 
 You  fear  that  your  convictions  of  sin  have  not  been  deep 
 enough.  This  is  no  reason  for  keeping  away  from  Christ.  You 
 will  never  get  a  truly  broken  heart  till  you  are  really  in  Christ. — 
 See  Ezek.  xxxvi.  25-31.  Observe  the  order :  First,  God  sprinkles 
 clean  water  on  the  soul.  This  represents  our  being  washed  in  the 
 blood  of  Christ.  Then  He  gives  "  a  new  heart  also."  Thirdly, 
 He  gives  a  piercing  remembrance  of  past  sins.  Now,  may  the 
 Lord  give  you  all  these  !  May  you  be  brought  as  you  are  to  the 
 blood  of  the  Lamb  !  Washed  and  justified,  may  He  change  your 
 heart — give  you  a  tender  heart,  and  his  Holy  Spirit  within  your 
 heart;  and  thus  may  He  give  you  a  broken  heart  for  your  past 
 sins. 
 
 Look  at  Rom.  v.  19.  By  the  sin  of  Adam,  many  were  made 
 sinners.  We  had  no  hand  in  Adam's  sin,  and  yet  the  guilt  of  it 
 comes  upon  us.  We  did  not  put  out  our  hand  to  the  apple,  and 
 yet  the  sin  and  misery  have  been  laid  at  our  door.  In  the  same 
 way,  "by  the  obedience  of  Christ,  many  are  made  righteous." 
 Christ  is  the  glorious  One  who  stood  for  many.  His  perfect  gar- 
 ment is  sufficient  to  cover  you.  You  had  no  hand  in  his  obedience. 
 You  were  not  alive  when  He  came  into  the  world  and  lived  and 
 died ;  and  yet,  in  the  perfect  obedience,  you  may  stand  before 
 God  righteous.  This  is  all  my  covering  in  the  sight  of  a  holy 
 God.  I  feel  infinitely  ungodly  in  myself:  in  God's  eye,  like  a  ser- 
 pent or  a  toad ;  and  yet,  when  I  stand  in  Christ  alone,  I  feel  that 
 God  sees  no  sin  in  me,  and  loves  me  freely.  The  same  righteous- 
 ness is  free  to  you.  It  will  be  as  white  and  clean  on  your  soul  as 
 on  mine.  Oh,  do  not  sleep  another  night  without  it !  Only  con- 
 sent to  stand  in  Christ,  )\ot  i-n  your  poor  self. 
 
240  LETTERS. 
 
 I  must  not  weary  you.  One  word  more.  Look  at  Rev.  xxii. 
 17.  Sweet,  sweet  words  !  "  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  of  the 
 water  of  life  freely."  The  last  invitation  in  the  Bible,  and  the 
 freest, — Christ's  parting  word  to  a  world  of  sinners !  Any  one 
 that  pleases  may  take  this  glorious  way  of  salvation.  Can  you 
 refuse  it  ?  I  am  sure  you  cannot.  Dear  friend,  be  persuaded  by 
 a  fellow-worm  not  to  put  off  another  moment.  Behold  the  Lamb 
 of  God,  that  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world. 
 
 You  are  sitting,  like  Hagar,  within  reach  of  the  well.  May 
 the  Lord  open  your  eyes,  and  show  you  all  that  is  in  Christ !  I 
 pray  for  you,  that  you  may  spiritually  see  Jesus  and  be  glad — that 
 you  may  go  to  Him  and  find  rest.  Farewell. — Yours  in  the 
 Lord,  etc. 
 
 EEV.  W.  C.  BUENS. 
 A  minister's  afflictions  to  be  improved. 
 
 Ju7ie  10,  1840. 
 
 My  dear  Brother, — I  am  truly  thankful  that  you  have  been 
 raised  up  again — renewed,  I  trust,  both  in  the  inner  and  outer 
 man.  "  I  will  cause  you  to  pass  under  the  rod,  and  I  will  bring 
 you  into  the  bond  of  the  covenant."  Sweet  rod  that  drives  the 
 soul  into  such  a  precious  resting-place  !  "  I  will  visit  their  ini- 
 quity with  stripes;  nevertheless,  my  loving-kindness  I  will  not 
 take  from  him."  This  has  been  the  experience  of  the  greater  part 
 of  my  life,  at  least  of  my  spiritual  life.  Remember  Edwards' 
 magnificent  resolution  :  "  Resolved  to  improve  afflictions  to  the 
 uttermost."  Spread  the  sail  when  the  breeze  of  adversity  blows, 
 and  let  it  drive  your  vessel  onwards  on  its  course. 
 
 When  I  was  laid  aside  from  the  ministry,  I  felt  it  was  to  teach 
 me  the  need  of  prayer  for  my  people.  I  used  often  to  say,  Now 
 God  is  teaching  me  the  use  of  prayer.  I  thought  I  would  never 
 forget  the  lesson,  yet  I  fear  I  am  grown  slack  again  when  in  the 
 midst  of  my  work. 
 
 All  these  remarks  I  have  transferred  to  myself,  that  you  may 
 learn  in  me  the  same  things.  Exhort  one  another  daily.  My 
 object  in  writing  now  is  to  say  that  I  have  engaged  to  be  at 
 Collessie  next  Wednesday,  at  Alloa  on  Thursday,  and  at  Errol  on 
 Sabbath  week.  Now  the  people  here  were  disappointed  by  your 
 not  appearing  lately  ;  and  it  would  be  very  gratifying,  if  you  are 
 not  better  engaged,  if  the  Lord  would  direct  your  steps  towards 
 
LETTERS.  241 
 
 US.  If  you  would  take  both  Thursday  and  the  Sabbath,  it  would 
 be  pleasant  to  me.  I  have  been  weakened  a  little  by  the  hard 
 labours  of  the  Assembly,  but  I  trust  to  recruit  shortly  for  oar 
 glorious  warfare.  I  feel  there  are  two  things  it  is  impossible  to 
 desire  with  sufiBcient  ardour, — personal  holiness,  and  the  honour 
 of^  Christ  in  the  salvation  of  souls. 
 
 The  Lord  give  you  both  more  than  He  has  given  me,  and  may 
 He  send  you  to  us,  if  it  be  his  will.  Send  me  a  hne  quickly,  and 
 believe  me,  ever  yours  in  sweet  bonds,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  EE7.  DAN.  EDWAEDS, 
 Before  his  ordination  as  missionaiy  to  the  Jews— What  he  must  seek. 
 
 Dundee,  June  15,  1840. 
 My  dear  Friend, —  ....  The  grand  matter  of  study, 
 however,  must  still  be  divinity, — a  knowledge  of  divine  things,  a 
 spiritual  discernment  of  the  way  of  pardon  for  the  chief  of  sinners. 
 I  feel  that  the  best  of  ministers  are  but  babes  in  this.  Pray  for 
 more  knowledge  of  your  own  heart, — of  the  total  depravity  of  it, — 
 of  the  awful  depths  of  corruption  that  are  there.  Pray  for  glori- 
 ous discoveries  of  Christ, — his  person,  beauty,  work,  and  peace. 
 But  I  need  not  tell  you  these  things ;  only  I  feel  persuaded  that 
 God  will  put  all  natural  and  literary  qualifications  in  the  dust,  if 
 there  be  not  the  simple  exhibition  of  Christ  for  us  in  the  preaching 
 of  our  missionaries. — Yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  SAME. 
 Holiness  and  success. 
 
 Dundee,  October  2,  1840. 
 My  DEAR  Friend, — I  trust  you  will  have  a  pleasant  and  profit- 
 able time  in  Germany.  I  know  you  will  apply  hard  to  German;  but 
 do  not  forget  the  culture  of  the  inner  man, — I  mean  of  the  heart. 
 How  dihgently  the  cavalry  officer  keeps  his  sabre  clean  and 
 sharp  ;  every  stain  he  rubs  off  with  the  greatest  care.  Remember 
 you  are  God's  sword, — his  instrument, — I  trust  a  chosen  vessel 
 unto  Him  to  bear  his  name.  In  great  measure,  according  to  the 
 purity  and  perfections  of  the  instrument,  will  be  the  success.  It 
 is  not  great  talents  God  blesses  so  much  as  jrreat  likeness  to 
 
 Q 
 
242  LETTERS. 
 
 Jesus.  A  holy  minister  is  an  awful  weapon  in  the  hand  of  God, 
 I  am  now  almost  well,  but  have  not  yet  got  my  full  strength.  We 
 had  a  sweet  night  last  night,  though  there  was  no  external  move- 
 ment. Some  waited  after  ;  one  from  St  Andrews,  awakened 
 deeply,  she  knows  not  how.  God  is  still  working  here,  and  I 
 look  for  far  greater  things.  I  am  very  anxious  to  know  how  I 
 could  do  more  good  to  many  people  and  to  the  whole  world ;  and 
 not  to  know  only,  but  to  do  it.  It  is  our  truest  happiness  to  live 
 entirely  for  the  glory  of  Christ, — to  separate  between  "  I"  and 
 "the  glory  of  Christ."  We  are  always  saying,  What  have  /  done? 
 — was  it  my  preaching — my  sermon — my  influence  ?  whereas  we 
 should  be  asking.  What  hath  God  wrought  ?  Strange  mixed 
 beings  we  are !  How  sweet  it  will  be  to  drop  our  old  man,  and 
 be. pure  as  Christ  is  pure !  I  hope  you  will  come  and  see  us  again 
 before  your  departure  for  your  mission  station.  The  Lord  direct 
 all  your  steps,  comfort  your  heart,  and  stablish  you  in  every  good 
 word  and  work  to  do  his  will. — Yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  MRS  THAIN,  HEATH  PARK. 
 When  invited  to  rest  a  while. 
 
 Dundee,  June  1840. 
 
 My  dear  Mrs  T., — You  know  how  glad  I  would  be  of  some 
 such  retreat  as  Ehjah  had  by  the  brook  of  Cherith,  where  I  might 
 learn  more  of  my  own  heart,  and  of  my  Bible,  and  of  my  God, 
 where  I  might  while  away  the  summer  hours  in  quiet  meditation, 
 or  talking  of  his  righteousness  all  the  day  long.  But  it  is  only 
 said  of  the  dead  in  the  Lord  that  they  rest  from  their  labours ;  and 
 I  fear  I  must  not  think  of  resting  till  then.  Time  is  short,  my 
 time  especially,  and  souls  are  precious  ;  and  I  fear  many  are  slum- 
 bering because  I  watch  not  with  sufficient  diligence,  nor  blow  the 
 trumpet  with  sufficient  clearness. 
 
 I  have  to  be  away  so  much  on  business,  that  I  feel  I  dare  not 
 be  away  on  pleasure  only — at  least  at  present.  I  rather  think  I 
 must  be  in  Ireland  next  week,  at  the  Synod  of  Ulster,  which 
 prevents  me  coming  to  Mr  Macdonald's  communion. 
 
 There  is  some  request  as  to  another  communion  in  St  Peter's 
 also,  which  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  carried  into  effect,  provided  it  be 
 done  with  all  the  heart  of  the  Lord's  children.  In  these  circum- 
 stances, you  must  not  think  me  neglectful  of  your  kindness,  if  I 
 put  off  my  visit  to  you  a  little  longer. 
 
LETTERS.  243 
 
 I  trust  that  you  are  keeping  strong,  and  able  to  enjoy  the  open 
 air,  and  that  your  souls  all  prosper, — that  you  have  often  such 
 times  as  Jacob  had  at  Mahanaim,  when  the  angels  of  God  met 
 him, — or  such  times  as  that  at  Peniel,  when  God  had  to  cry  out, 
 "  Let  me  go,  for  the  day  breaketh."  Alas,  we  do  not  weary  God 
 now  with  our  wrestHngs,  but  with  our  sins.  The  dark  clouds 
 gather,  and  the  church  and  we  should  all  be  entering  into  our 
 chambers,  and  shutting  our  doors  upon  us.  "  In  that  day  sing  ye 
 unto  her  a  vineyard  of  red  wine."  His  song  will  be  with  us  in  the 
 dark  night.  May  you  and  yours  be  hid  in  the  day  of  the  Lord's 
 anger !     A  smile  of  his  can  hghten  up  a  thunder- cloud. 
 
 Read  Psalm  xxix.  and  meditate  on  the  last  verse.  Live  near  to 
 God,  and  so  all  things  will  appear  to  you  little  in  comparison  with 
 eternal  realities. — Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  A  STRANGER 
 
 Intended  to  lead  on  one  whose  face  was  Zionward,  but  who  was  not  fully 
 decided. 
 
 Dundee,  July  1840. 
 My  dear  Friend, — I  do  not  even  know  your  name ;  but  your 
 cousin  has  been  telling  me  about  your  case,  and  wishes  me  to 
 write  you  a  line  inviting  you  to  lay  hold  on  Jesus  Christ,  the  only 
 refuge  for  a  perishing  soul.  You  seem  to  have  been  thinking 
 seriously  of  your  soul  for  some  time.  Do  remember  the  words  of 
 Peter  (2  Pet.  i.  10),  "  Give  dihgence  to  make  your  calling  and 
 election  sure."  Never  rest  till  you  can  say  what  John  says  (1  John 
 v.  19),  "  We  know  that  we  are  of  God."  The  world  always  loves 
 to  believe  that  it  is  impossible  to  know  that  we  are  converted.  If 
 you  ask  them,  they  will  say,  "I  am  not  sure — I  cannot  tell;" 
 but  the  whole  Bible  declares  we  may  receive,  and  know  we  have 
 received,  the  forgiveness  of  sins. — See  Ps.  xxxii.  1 ;  1  John  ii.  12. 
 Seek  this  blessedness, — the  joy  of  having  forgiveness ;  it  is  sweeter 
 than  honey  and  the  honeycomb.  But  where  shall  I  seek  it  ?  In 
 Jesus  Christ.  "  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life,  and  this  Ufe  is 
 in  his  Son."  "  He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life,  and  he  that  hath 
 not  the  Son  hath  not  Hfe,"  1  John  v.  12.  Get  deeply  acquainted 
 with  yourself,  your  sins  and  misery.  Most  people  are  like  the 
 Laodiceans, — Rev.  iii.  17.  Even  those  that  are  most  deeply  con- 
 cerned about  their  souls  do  not  see  the  millionth  part  of  the  black- 
 ness of  their  hearts  and  lives.     Oh  !   if  we  could  but  put  our  sins 
 
244  LEITERS. 
 
 where  God  puts  them,  Ps.  xe.  8,  how  we  would  cry  out,  Unclean, 
 unclean !  Woe  is  me,  for  I  am  undone  !  Have  you  ever  discovered 
 your  lost  condition  ?  Many  know  that  they  are  great  sinners ;  but 
 where  God  is  teaching,  He  will  make  you  feel  as  an  undone  sinner. 
 Have  you  felt  this  ?  What  things  were  gain  to  you,  those  do  you 
 count  loss  for  Christ  ?  Do  you  know  that  no  human  righteousness 
 can  cover  you  ?  In  his  holy,  pure  sight,  all  our  righteousnesses  are 
 as  filthy  rags,  Isa.  Ixiv.  6.  If  you  have  been  convinced  of  sin, 
 have  you  been  convinced  of  righteousness  ? — John  xvi.  8.  Have 
 you  heard  the  voice  of  Jesus  knocking  at  the  door  of  your  heart  ? 
 Have  you  opened  the  door  and  let  Him  in  ?  Awfully  momentous 
 question !  Your  eternity  depends  upon  the  answer, — yes  or  no. 
 "  He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life,  and  he  that  hath  not  the  Son 
 hath  not  hfe."  Oh,  what  a  simple  thing  the  gospel  is  !  How 
 fearful  to  think  it  is  hid  from  so  many  ! — 2  Cor.  iv.  3,  4.  Jesus 
 stands  at  your  door  willing  to  be  your  shield, — Ps.  Ixxxiv.  9,  11 ; 
 your  righteousness, — Jer.  xxxiii.  6  ;  your  all  in  all.  Now,  then, 
 throw  open  the  door  and  let  Him  in.  Accept  his  white  raiment, 
 that  you  may  be  clothed.  And  oh  !  remember,  if  Christ  justifies 
 you.  He  will  sanctify  you.  He  will  not  save  you  and  leave  you  in 
 your  sins.  Why  did  He  get  the  name  Jesus?  Matt.  i.  21.  Here 
 is  a  prayer  for  every  one  that  has  been  found  of  Christ :  "  Order 
 my  steps  in  thy  word,  and  let  not  any  iniquity  have  dominion  over 
 me,"  Ps.  cxix.  133.  If  you  are  redeemed,  you  are  not  your  own — 
 not  the  world's — not  Satan's.  Think  of  this  when  you  are  tempted 
 to  sin.  Now,  did  I  not  say  well  that  you  should  make  your  calling 
 and  election  sure  ?  Oh,  beware  of  being  a  hypocrite — a  mere  pro- 
 fessor, with  an  unholy  heart  and  life.  That  your  sister  is  on  the 
 road  to  Zion,  I  am  glad,  and  pray  that  you  may  go  hand  in  hand. 
 Be  diligent ;  the  time  is  short.  Try  and  persuade  your  friends  to 
 go  with  you.  It  is  an  awful  thing  to  separate  at  the  throne  of 
 Christ,  for  that  will  be  for  eternity.  Pray  much  for  the  Holy  Spirit 
 to  open  your  eyes,  to  soften  your  heart,  to  make  Christ  lovely 
 and  precious,  to  come  and  dwell  in  your  hearts,  and  fit  you  for 
 glory.  Come  to  the  living  stone,  and  you  will  be  built  up  as  living 
 stones,  1  Peter  ii.  4,  5.  Oh  how  sweet  to  be  made  living  stones 
 in  that  glorious  temple !  Pray  much  in  secret.  Pray  for  ministers, 
 that  we  may  speak  the  word  boldly.  Christ  is  doing  great  things 
 in  our  day,  which  should  make  us  wrestle  at  a  throne  of  grace.  Oh 
 that  the  Lord,  that  was  pierced  with  many  thorns,  might  soon  be 
 crowned  with  many  crowns ! 
 
 Praying  that  you  and  your  sister  may  both  be  saved,  I  am,  your 
 friend  in  the  gospel,  etc. 
 
LETTERS.  245 
 
 TO  MISS  A.  S.  L. 
 The  person  and  heart  of  Jesus — Consolation  to  believers. 
 
 August  IG,  1840. 
 
 Mr  DEAR  Friend, — I  fear  I  may  not  be  able  to  see  you  for  a 
 little  time,  and  therefore  think  of  sending  you  a  few  lines  to  minister 
 a  little  of  the  peace  and  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  to  you.  I  hear 
 that  you  are  worse  in  health  than  when  I  saw  you ;  still  I  have  no 
 doubt  you  can  say,  "  It  is  well,"  "  He  doeth  all  things  well."  You 
 remember  Jacob  said,  when  they  wanted  to  take  Benjamin  away 
 from  him,  "All  these  things  are  against  me,"  Gen.  xlii.  36.  But 
 in  a  little  while  he  saw  that  "  all  these  things  were  working 
 together  for  good  to  him."  In  a  little  while  all  his  lost  children 
 were  restored  to  him,  and  he  and  his  seed  preserved  from  famine. 
 So  will  it  be  with  you.  If  at  any  time  unbelief  steals  over  your 
 heart — if  you  lose  sight  of  Jesus,  our  Passover  sacrificed  for  us — 
 if  you  forget  the  hand  of  the  all-tender  gracious  Father  of  Jesus 
 and  of  your  soul — you  will  be  crying  out,  All  these  things  are 
 against  me.  But  ah  !  how  soon  you  will  find  that  everything  in 
 your  history,  except  sm,  has  been /or  you.  Every  wave  of  trouble 
 has  been  wafting  you  to  the  sunny  shores  of  a  sinless  eternity. 
 Only  beheve.     Give  unUmited  credit  to  our  God. 
 
 Think  on  Jesus  when  your  mind  wanders  in  search  of  peace ; 
 think  where  He  came  from — from  the  bosom  of  his  Father.  He 
 was//*om  the  beginning.  He  is  the  life — the  life  of  all  that  truly  live. 
 He  is  that  eternal  life  which  was  with  the  Father.  Let  the  beams 
 of  the  divinity  of  Jesus  shine  in  upon  your  soul.  Think  how  He 
 was  manifested — God  manifest  in  the  flesh — to  be  a  Surety  foi 
 sinners.  Made  sin  for  us,  although  He  knew  no  sin, — made  a 
 curse  for  us.  Oh,  if  I  could  declare  Him  unto  you,  you  might 
 have  fellowship  with  apostles,  and  with  the  Father,  and  with  his 
 Son  Jesus  Christ.  These  things  will  we  write  unto  you,  that  your 
 joy  may  be  full.  Other  joys  do  not  fill  the  heart.  But  to  know 
 the  Lord  Jesus  as  our  Surety,  satisfies  the  soul ;  it  brings  the  soul 
 unto  rest  under  the  eye  of  our  pardoning  God.  I  met^  the  other 
 day  with  a  thought  which  has  filled  my  heart  often  since.  It  is 
 intended  to  explain  that  wonderful  verse,  John  xiv.  18,  I  will  not 
 leave  you  orphans — I  will  come  to  you.  Jesus,  at  the  right 
 hand  of  the  Father,  is  yet  present  with  all  his  younger  brethren 
 and  sisters  in  this  vale  of  weeping.  His  human  nature  is  at  the 
 right  hand  of  God  upon  the  throne — a  lamb  as  it  had  been  slain. 
 >  It  was  in  a  sermon  by  J.  B.  Patterson  of  Falkirk. 
 
246  LETTERS. 
 
 But  his  divine  nature  is  unlimited,  fills  all  worlds,  and  is  present 
 in  every  dwelling  of  every  disciple  in  this  world.  His  divine  nature 
 thus  brings  in  continual  information  to  his  human  heart  of  every- 
 thing that  is  going  on  in  the  heart  and  history  of  his  people ;  so 
 that  his  human  heart  beats  towards  us  just  as  if  He  were  sitting 
 bv  our  side.  Hence  He  cried  to  Saul,  "  Why  persecutest  thou 
 m'e?" 
 
 Dear  friend,  do  you  feel  that  Jesus  is  your  Surety  and  Elder 
 Brother  ?  Then  remember  that,  by  reason  of  his  real  divinity.  He 
 is  now  by  your  bedside,  afflicted  in  all  your  afflictions,  touched  with 
 a  feehng  of  your  infirmities,  and  able  to  save  you  to  the  utteimost. 
 He  is  as  really  beside  you  as  He  was  beside  Mary  when  she  sat  at 
 his  feet.  Tell  Him  all  your  sorrows,  all  your  doubts  and  anxieties. 
 He  has  a  willing  ear.  Oh,  what  a  friend  is  Jesus,  the  sinner's 
 friend !  What  an  open  ear  He  has  for  all  the  wants,  doubts, 
 difficulties  of  his  people !  He  has  an  especial  care  for  his  sick, 
 weakly,  and  dying  disciples.  You  know  how  it  is  with  a  kind 
 mother,  even  though  a  worldly  person.  In  a  time  of  danger  she 
 clasps  her  children  to  her  breast.  In  a  time  of  health  she  may 
 often  let  them  wander  out  of  her  sight,  but  in  hours  of  sickness  she 
 will  loatch  beside  their  bed.     Much  more  will  Jesus  watch  over  you. 
 
 I  trust  you  feel  real  desire  after  complete  hohness.  This  is  the 
 truest  mark  of  being  born  again.  It  is  a  mark  that  He  has  made 
 us  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  hght.  If  a  nobleman 
 were  to  adopt  a  beggar  boy,  he  would  not  only  feed  and  clothe 
 him,  but  educate  him,  and  fit  him  to  move  in  the  sphere  into  which 
 he  was  afterwards  to  be  brought ;  and  if  you  saw  this  boy  filled 
 with  a  noble  spirit,  you  would  say  he  is  meet  to  be  put  among  the 
 children.  So  may  you  be  made  meet  for  glory.  The  farmer  does 
 not  cut  down  his  corn  till  it  is  ripe.  So  does  the  Lord  Jesus  :  He 
 first  ripens  the  soul,  then  gathers  it  into  his  barn.  It  is  far  better 
 to  be  with  Christ  than  to  be  in  Christ.  For  you  to  live  is  Christ, 
 and  to  die  is  gain.  Nevertheless,  I  trust  God  will  keep  you  a  little 
 longer  for  our  sake,  that  you  may  pray  for  us,  and  encourage  us  to 
 work  on  in  the  service  of  Jesus  till  our  change  come.  I  began  this 
 letter  about  two  weeks  ago,  and  now  send  it  away  to  you.  I  was 
 called  very  suddenly  to  Edinburgh,  and  then  sent  to  the  north,  and 
 am  just  returned  again,  so  that  I  did  not  get  it  sent  away.  I  will 
 try  and  see  you  this  week,  if  it  be  the  will  of  God.  However,  you 
 must  not  be  disappointed  if  I  am  prevented.  I  pray  for  you,  that 
 according  as  your  day  is,  so  your  streugth  may  be.  Keep  your  eye 
 upon  Jesus  and  the  unsearchable  riches  that  are  in  Him ;  and  may 
 the  gentle  Comforter  fill  your  soul,  and  give  you  a  sweet  foreto^sts 
 
LETTERS.  247 
 
 of  the  glory  that  is  to  follow.  May  He  leave  his  deep  eternal 
 impress  upon  your  soul,  not  healing  you  and  going  away,  but 
 abiding  within  you,  keeping  the  image  of  Christ  in  your  heart,  ever 
 fresh  and  full, — Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory.  The  Comforter 
 is  able  to  fill  you  with  calmness  in  the  stormiest  hour.  May  He 
 fill  your  whole  soul  and  transform  you  into  a  child  of  light.  Good- 
 bye till  we  meet,  if  it  be  the  Lord's  will.  If  not  in  this  world, 
 at  least  before  the  throne,  casting  our  crowns  at  his  feet. — Ever 
 yours  in  the  gospel,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  EEV.  W.  0.  BURNS. 
 Awakenings — Personal  holiness  in  ministers, 
 
 Dundee,  September,  1840. 
 
 My  dear  Brother, — I  have  had  a  severe  illness,  or  would  have 
 answered  your  kind  note  long  before  this.  I  fear  you  may  have 
 left  Breadalbane  before  this  can  reach  it ;  still  I  write  in  hope. 
 You  may  be  sure  I  ever  follow  you  with  my  prayers  and  earnest 
 longings  of  heart  that  God  may  humble,  purify,  and  make  use  of 
 you  to  carry  glad  tidings  of  great  joy  to  the  inmost  hearts  of  poor, 
 guilty,  perishing  sinners,  wherever  you  go.  I  have  been  much 
 interested  by  all  that  I  have  heard  of  the  good  that  has  attended 
 you  in  the  north.  I  long  to  hear  still  more.  The  very  name  of 
 Moulin  stirs  up  the  inmost  depths  of  the  heart,  when  I  remember 
 what  great  things  the  Lord  Jesus  did  there  of  old.  Do  write  to 
 me  when  you  have  a  moment,  and  stir  me  up.  Yoa  know  a  word 
 to  a  minister  is  worth  a  word  to  three  or  four  thousand  souls  some- 
 times. Nothing  stirs  me  up  so  much  to  be  instant  and  faithful  as 
 hearing  of  the  triumphs  of  the  Lord  Jesus  in  other  places.  I  am 
 glad  and  thankful  to  say  that  we  are  not  left  quite  desolate.  There 
 have  been  evident  tokens  of  the  presence  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
 among  my  dear  people  many  nights, — more,  I  think,  upon  the 
 Thursday  nights  than  on  the  Sabbaths.  Some  I  have  met  with 
 seemingly  awakened  without  any  very  direct  means.  A  good 
 number  of  young  mill-girls  are  still  weeping  after  the  Lord  Jesus. 
 I  have  been  out  of  my  pulpit  only  one  Sabbath,  and  I  hope  to  be 
 back  to  it  next  Sabbath,  if  the  Lord  will. 
 
 What  Mr  T.  mentioned  to  you  was  true  of  some  having  followed 
 after  an  enthusiastic  kind  of  man,  who  in  my  absence  came  among 
 them.  Doubtless  Satan  wanted  to  carry  off  some  of  the  sheep,  and 
 succeeded  so  far.     Still  I  trust  it  will  end  in  good.     Some  have 
 
248  LETTERS. 
 
 been  a  good  deal  humbled  in  the  dust  on  account  of  it,  and  I  have 
 been  roused  up  to  cry  for  more  knowledge  how  to  guide  them  in 
 the  right  w-ay.  I  think,  if  strength  were  restored  to  me,  I  will  try, 
 in  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  catechize  through  my  parish.  I 
 ask  your  advice  and  prayers  on  this.  If  it  could  be  conducted 
 humbly  and  with  patience  and  aptness  to  teach,  I  am  persuaded  it 
 would  tend  to  ground  them  more  deeply  in  divine  things.  Hypo- 
 crites also  might  be  denounced  and  warned,  and  the  unconverted 
 pointedly  dealt  with.  I  feel  the  immense  difficulty  of  it  in  a  town, 
 and  such  a  neglected,  ignorant  one  as  this.  Still,  if  God  were 
 with  me,  who  can  be  against  me  ? 
 
 Everything  I  meet  with,  and  every  day  I  study  my  Bible,  makes 
 me  pray  more  that  God  would  begin  and  carry  on  a  deep,  pure, 
 wide-spread,  and  permanent  work  of  God  in  Scotland.  If  it  be 
 not  deep  and  pure,  it  will  only  end  in  confusion,  and  grieving  away 
 the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  by  irregularities  and  inconsistencies ; 
 Christ  will  not  get  glory,  and  the  country  generally  will  be 
 hardened,  and  have  their  mouths  filled  with  reproaches.  If  it 
 be  not  ivide-spread,  our  God  will  not  get  a  large  crown  out  of  this 
 generation.  If  it  be  not  p)&^^^nane7it,  that  will  prove  its  impurity, 
 and  will  turn  all  our  hopes  into  shame.  I  am  much  more  afraid 
 of  Satan  than  I  used  to  be.  I  learned  a  good  deal  by  being  with 
 Gumming  in  Strathbogie. 
 
 I  am  also  deepened  in  my  conviction,  that  if  we  are  to  be 
 instruments  in  such  a  w^ork,  we  must  be  purified  from  all  filthi- 
 ness  of  the  flesh  and  spirit.  Oh,  cry  for  personal  holiness,  constant 
 nearness  to  God  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  !  Bask  in  his  beams, — 
 lie  back  in  the  arms  of  love, — be  filled  with  his  Spirit ;  or  all 
 success  in  the  ministry  will  only  be  to  your  own  everlasting  con- 
 fusion. 
 
 You  know  how  I  have  always  insisted  on  this  with  you.  It  is 
 because  I  feel  the  need  thereof  myself.  Take  heed,  dear  friend ; 
 do  not  think  any  sin  trivial ;  remember  it  will  have  everlasting 
 consequences.  Oh  to  have  Brainerd's  heart  for  perfect  hohness, — 
 to  be  holy  as  God  is  holy, — pure  as  Christ  is  pure, — perfect  as  our 
 Father  in  heaven  is  perfect !  Oh,  w^hat  a  cursed  body  of  sin  we 
 bear,  that  we  should  be  obHged  by  it  to  break  these  sweet  gospel 
 rules !  How  much  more  useful  might  we  be,  if  w^e  were  only  more 
 free  from  pride,  self-conceit,  personal  vanity,  or  some  secret  sin 
 that  our  heart  knows  !  Oh  hateful  sins,  that  destroy  our  peace, 
 and  ruin  souls ! 
 
 But  I  must  be  done.  I  have  not  attained  the  full  use  of  the 
 pen.     Go  on,  dear  brother  ;  but  an  inch  of  time  remainSj  and  theu 
 
LETTERS.  249 
 
 eternal  ages  roll  on  for  ever, — but  an  inch  on  which  we  can  stand 
 and  preach  the  way  of  salvation  to  a  perishing  world.  May  He 
 count  us  faithful,  keeping  us  in  the  ministry. — Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  REV.  PATEICK  L.  MILLEE, 
 Then  labouring  in  Sti'athbogie,  on  his  being  elected  minister  of  Wallacetown. 
 
 Dundee,  September  18,  1840. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — I  cannot  tell  you  how  sincerely  I  thank  God 
 for  the  event  of  this  evening.  You  are  unanimously  chosen 
 minister  of  Wallacetown.  I  have  already  been  on  my  knees  to 
 praise  God  for  it,  and  to  pray  that  you  may  be  filled  with  the 
 Holy  Spirit  for  this  glorious  work.  I  hope  you  will  see  your  way 
 clear  in  leaving  your  attached  people  at  Botriphnie.  Make  good 
 use  of  your  last  days  among  them.  Warn  every  man.  Take  each 
 aside,  and  tell  him  you  will  be  a  witness  against  him  at  the  last 
 day  if  he  do  not  turn  and  obey  the  gospel.  The  Lord  give  you 
 a  spiritual  family  in  that  place ;  and  may  you  come  to  us  in  the 
 fulness  of  the  blessing  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  I  am  persuaded 
 the  Spirit  of  God  is  still  remarkably  present  in  this  town.  You 
 could  not  become  a  minister  in  a  more  blessed  season,  or  in  a  more 
 promising  field.  Oh  pray  to  be  fitted  for  the  arduous  work  !  I  was 
 just  praying  this  morning  over  Matt.  ix.  36-38,  and  little  thinking 
 that  God  was  about  to  answer  so  graciously. 
 
 I  have  had  a  severe  illness  of  late,  and  been  taught  to  look  more 
 toward  the  church  above.  But  I  am  better,  and  my  heart  warms 
 again  towards  the  Lord's  work  below.  Now,  farewell !  The 
 Lord  humble,  empty,  satisfy,  and  fill  you, — make  you  a  Boanerges 
 and  a  Barnabas  all  in  one.  May  the  Lord  arise,  and  his  enemies 
 be  scattered ;  and  may  poor  parched  Angus  become  hke  the 
 garden  of  the  Lord. — Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  MR  GEORGE  SHAW,  BELFAST. 
 Prophecies  concerning  Israel — Revival— Conduct  of  Studies. 
 
 Dundee,  September  IG,  1810. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — It  gives  me  great  joy  to  be  able  to  answer 
 your  kind  letter,  although  I  fear  you  have  almost  despaired  of  me. 
 In  writing  your  esteemed  pastor,  I  mentioned  to  him  my  intention 
 of  writing  you  very  soon ;  but  I  have  since  then  been  laid  down 
 upon  a  sick-bed  by  a  severe  feverish  illness,  from  which  I  am  now 
 
250  LETTERS. 
 
 only  recovering.  Like  you,  my  dear  friend,  God  has  seen  it  meet 
 to  train  me  often  by  the  rod,  and  I  have  always  found  that  He 
 doeth  all  things  well.  Indeed,  who  would  have  his  own  health  in 
 his  own  guidance  ?  Ah !  how  much  better  to  be  in  his  all-wise, 
 all-powerful  hand,  who  has  redeemed  us,  and  is  making  us  vessels 
 to  hold  his  praise,  now  and  in  eternal  ages !  I  have  been  only 
 twice  in  the  open  air,  and  cannot  yet  manage  the  pen  with  facility ; 
 but  I  cannot  delay  writing  to  you  any  longer.  You  cannot  tell 
 how  much  real  joy  your  letter  gave  me  when  you  tell  me  of  the 
 dear  brethren  who  meet  along  with  you  on  Monday  mornings, 
 to  read  and  pray  concerning  Israel.  This  is  indeed  a  dehghtful 
 fruit  of  my  short  visit  among  you,  for  which  I  give  humble  and 
 hearty  thanks  to  Him  who  has  stirred  up  your  hearts  in  what  I 
 have  felt,  by  experience,  to  be  his  own  blessed  cause.  I  feel 
 deeply  persuaded  from  prophecy,  that  it  will  always  be  difficult  to 
 stir  up  and  maintain  a  warm  and  holy  interest  in  outcast  Israel. 
 The  lovers  and  pleaders  of  Zion's  cause  will,  I  believe,  be  always 
 few.  Do  you  not  think  this  is  hinted  at  in  Jer.  xxx.  13 : 
 "  There  is  none  to  plead  thy  cause,  that  thou  mayest  be  bound 
 up?  "  And  again,  ver.  14  :  "  All  thy  lovers  have  forgotten  thee; 
 they  seek  thee  not."  And  is  not  this  one  of  the  very  reasons  why 
 God  will  at  last  take  up  their  cause  ?  See  ver.  17  :  "I  will  restore 
 health  unto  thee,  because  they  called  thee  an  outcast,  saying,  Thig 
 is  Zion,  whom  no  man  seeketh  after."  It  is  a  sweet  encouragement 
 also  to  learn,  that  though  the  friends  of  Zion  will  probably  be  few, 
 so  that  it  may  almost  be  said,  no  one  seeketh  after  her,  yet  there 
 always  will  be  some  who  will  keep  watch  over  the  dust  of  Jerusa- 
 lem, and  plead  the  cause  of  Israel  with  God  and  with  man.  "See 
 Isa.  Ixii.  6,  7.  If  any  of  your  company  know  the  Hebrew,  you  will 
 see  at  once  the  true  rendering  :  '"'  I  have  set  watchmen  over  thy 
 walls,  0  Jerusalem,  which  shall  never  hold  their  peace  day  nor 
 night.  Ye  that  are  the  Lord's  rememhrancers,  keep  not  silence,  and 
 give  Him  no  rest  till  He  estabhsh,  and  till  He  make  Jerusalem  a 
 praise  in  the  earth."  Oh,  my  dear  brethren,  into  whose  hearts  I 
 trust  God  is  pouring  a  scriptural  love  for  Israel,  what  an  honour  is 
 it  for  us,  worms  of  the  dust,  to  be  made  watchmen  by  God  over 
 the  ruined  walls  of  Jerusalem,  and  to  be  made  the  Lord's  remem- 
 brancers, to  call  his  own  promises  to  his  mind,  that  He  would 
 fulfil  them,  and  make  Jerusalem  a  blessing  to  the  whole  world ! 
 Verse  1st  is  supposed  to  be  the  language  of  our  Lord  himself — our 
 glorious  Advocate  with  the  Father.  Oh  what  an  example  does  He 
 set  us  of  unwearied  intercession!  Verse  2d  showeth  the  great 
 effect  which  the  conversion   of  Israel  will  have  on  the  Gentile 
 
LETTERS.  251 
 
 world.  Verse  3d  shows  how  converted  Israel  will  be  a  glorious 
 diadem  in  God's  hand,  held  out  to  show  forth  his  praise.  Yerse 
 1th  shows  that  it  is  literal  Israel  that  is  spoken  of,  for  there  is  a 
 3weet  promise  to  their  land. 
 
 I  think  you  must  take  these  two  verses,  6,  7,  as  the  motto  of 
 your  praying  society,  not  in  boasting,  but  in  all  humility  of  mind, 
 and  with  much  self- upbraiding  for  the  neglect  of  the  past.  In- 
 deed, you  will  find  it  a  difficult  matter  to  keep  your  heart  in  tune 
 really  to  desire  the  salvation  of  Israel,  and  the  widely  extended 
 glory  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  You  must  keep  in  close  union  to  Jesus, 
 and  much  in  the  love  of  God,  and  be  much  filled  with  the  infinite, 
 almighty  Spirit  of  God.  He  will  help  your  infirmities.  It  is 
 when  you  feel  the  sweetness  of  the  kingdom  of  God  within  you, 
 that  you  will  truly  fall  down  on  your  knees,  and  pray,  "  Thy 
 kingdom  come."  The  possession  of  grace  fills  us  with  very  diffe- 
 rent feelings  from  the  possession  of  anything  else.  A  man  who 
 has  much  money  is  not  very  anxious  that  all  the  world  should  be 
 rich  ;  one  who  has  much  learning  does  not  long  that  all  the  world 
 were  learned ;  but  if  you  have  tasted  the  grace  of  the  gospel,  the 
 irresistible  longing  of  your  hearts  will  be.  Oh  that  all  the  world 
 might  taste  its  regenerating  waters !  And  if  it  be  true,  as  I  think 
 it  is,  that  God's  method  of  bringing  in  the  kingdom  is  to  be  by 
 the  salvation  of  Israel,  how  can  an  enlightened,  gracious  soul  but 
 pray,  "Do  good  in  thy  good  pleasure  unto  Zion?" 
 
 As  to  the  mode  of  studying  prophecy,  dear  friend,  I  am  far 
 from  being  a  capable  adviser.  My  advice,  however,  is  that  you 
 begin  with  the  simple  and  more  unquestioned  parts,  and  then 
 advance  to  the  more  difficult  ground.  Begin  with  fulfilled  pro- 
 phecy :  you  will  thus  gain  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the 
 language  and  manner  of  the  prophetic  writings.  Then  advance 
 to  the  marks  of  unfulfilled  prophecy,  and  cautiously  and  prayer- 
 fully to  those  parts  that  are  obviously  unfulfilled.  This  would  be 
 a  most  interesting  course,  and,  if  humbly  followed  out,  cannot  but 
 give  you  great  light  and  interest  in  the  cause  of  Israel,  and  the 
 world's  conversion.  For  fulfilled  prophecy,  you  might  follow  the 
 guidance  of  Keith  on  Fulfilled  Prophecy,  or  Bishop  Newton,  or  both. 
 
 I  am  dehghted  to  hear  of  the  thankoffering  you  mention.  It  is 
 sweet  when  thankfulness  does  not  end  in  mere  words,  but  in  gifts 
 to  God  and  devotedness  of  our  all  to  Him.  I  am  happy  to  say 
 that  the  Lord's  cause  seems  still  to  advance  in  Scotland.  On  the 
 very  day  I  arrived  from  Ireland  we  had  very  sweet  tokens  of  the 
 presence  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  the  congregation,  and  many 
 Thursday  evenings  since. 
 
252  LETTERS. 
 
 I  have  been  in  Strathbogie  also,  and  seen  some  of  the  Lord's 
 wonders  there.  He  that  hath  the  key  of  David  has  opened  a  door 
 there,  for  the  salvation  of  many  souls.  I  am  still  as  anxious  as 
 ever  that  God's  work  should  be  pure,  and  unmixed  with  error  and 
 Satanic  delusions ;  and,  therefore,  when  I  pray  for  the  revival  of 
 God's  work,  I  always  add  that  it  may  be  pure  and  permanent.  I 
 have  seen  two  awakened  since  I  came  home,  with  the  use  of  hardly 
 any  means.  If  they  shall  turn  out  real  conversions,  I  think  I  shall 
 never  despair  of  any. 
 
 I  trust  that  your  own  studies  get  on  well,  dear  friend.  Learn 
 much  of  your  own  heart ;  and  when  you  have  learned  all  you  can, 
 remember  you  have  seen  but  a  few  yards  into  a  pit  that  is  un- 
 fathomable. "  The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  des- 
 perately wicked :  who  can  know  it?"  Jer.  xvii.  9.  Learn  much 
 of  the  Lord  Jesus,  For  every  look  at  yourself,  take  ten  looks  at 
 Christ.  He  is  altogether  lovely.  Such  infinite  majesty,  and  yet 
 such  meekness  and  grace,  and  all  for  sinners,  even  the  chief! 
 Live  much  in  the  smiles  of  God.  Bask  in  his  beams.  Feel  his 
 all-seeing  eye  settled  on  you  in  love,  and  repose  in  his  almighty 
 arms.  Cry  after  divine  knowledge,  and  lift  up  your  voice  for 
 understanding.  Seek  her  as  silver,  and  search  for  her  as  for  hid 
 treasure,  according  to  the  word  in  Prov.  ii.  4.  See  that  ver.  10 
 be  fulfilled  in  you.  Let  wisdom  enie?-  into  your  hearts,  and  know- 
 ledge be  pleasant  to  thy  soul ;  so  you  will  be  delivered  from  the 
 snares  mentioned  in  the  following  verses.  Let  your  soul  be  filled 
 with  a  heart-ravishing  sense  of  the  sweetness  and  excellency  of 
 Christ  and  all  that  is  in  Him.  Let  the  Holy  Spirit  fill  every 
 chamber  of  your  heart ;  and  so  there  will  be  no  room  for  folly,  or 
 the  world,  or  Satan,  or  the  flesh.  I  must  now  commend  you  all 
 to  God  and  the  word  of  his  grace.  My  dear  people  are  just 
 assembled  for  worship.  Alas  !  I  cannot  preach  to  them  to-night. 
 I  can  only  carry  them  and  you  on  my  heart  to  the  throne  of 
 grace.     Write  me  soon. — Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  HIS  SABBATH-SCHOOL  TEACHERS,  DURING  A  WEEK 
 OF  ABSENCE  FROM  THEM. 
 
 (Accompanied  by  notes  on  the  Scripture  Lesson  that  was  to  he  taught  in  the 
 classes  that  "vveek.) 
 
 Kelso,  February  24,  1841. 
 
 Mr  DEAR  Friends  and  Fellow-Labourers, — I  send  you  a  few 
 notes  on  the  parable  for  next  Sabbath  evening.     May  you  find 
 
LETTERS.  253 
 
 them  profitable.  You  cannot  tell  what  a  sweet  comfort  it  is  to 
 me,  when  I  am  so  far  distant  from  my  flock,  to  know  that  you  are 
 in  the  midst  of  the  lambs,  speaking  to  God  for  them,  and  speaking 
 to  them  for  God.  I  thank  my  God  without  ceasing  for  your 
 work  of  faith,  and  labour  of  love,  and  patience  of  hope.  Be  not 
 Aveary  in  well-doing,  dear  friends,  for  in  due  season  we  shall  reap, 
 if  we  faint  not.  Do  not  be  impatient — wait  on  the  Lord.  The 
 blessing  will  come.  Use  a  few  spare  half-hours  in  seeking  after 
 the  lambs  on  the  week-days.  This  will  prove  to  the  parents  that 
 you  are  in  earnest.  To  bring  one  child  to  the  bosom  of  Christ 
 would  be  reward  for  all  our  pains  in  eternity.  Oh,  with  what 
 glowing  hearts  we  shall  meet  in  heaven  those  whom  God  has  used 
 us  as  humble  instruments  in  saving !  Meditate  on  Phil.  i.  8. 
 And  may  the  Lord  meet  with  you  and  the  lambs  on  Sabbath-day, 
 and  bless  you,  and  do  you  good. 
 
 Farewell,  dear  fellow-labourers. — Ever  your  affectionate  friend 
 and  pastor,  absent  in  body,  not  in  spirit,  etc. 
 
 TO  A  SOCIETY  IN  BLAIEGOWKIE  FOR  DIFFUSING  THE 
 KNOWLEDGE  OF  THE  TRUTH 
 
 Advices. 
 
 Dundee,  March  27,  1841. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — I  was  happy  indeed  to  receive  your  letter, 
 and  the  rules  of  your  Society,  which  interested  me  very  much. 
 I  would  have  answered  you  sooner,  but  have  been  laid  down  by 
 my  heavenly  Father  on  a  bed  of  sickness,  from  which  I  am  just 
 recovering  by  his  grace.  Spared  fig-trees  should  bear  much  fruit; 
 pray  that  it  may  be  so  with  me.  Luther  used  to  say  that  ^^tempta- 
 tions, afflictions,  and  prayer,  made  a  minister."  I  do  trust  that 
 your  Society  may  be  greatly  blessed, /rs^,  in  the  comforting,  en- 
 livening, and  sanctifying  of  your  own  souls,  and  then  in  the  bring- 
 ing others  to  know  the  same  fountain  where  you  have  found  peace 
 and  purity.  Let  Jesus  come  into  your  meetings  and  sit  at  the 
 head  of  the  table.  It  is  a  fragrant  room  when  the  bundle  of 
 myrrh  is  the  chief  thing  there.  Let  there  be  no  strife  among  you, 
 but  who  to  be  lowest  at  his  feet,  ivho  to  lean  their  head  most  fully 
 on  his  breast.  Let  all  your  conversation,  meditations,  and  read- 
 ings lead  you  to  the  Lamb  of  God.  Satan  would  divert  your 
 minds  away  to  questions  and  old  wives'  fables,  which  gender 
 strifes.     But  the  Holy  Spirit  glorifies  Jesus — draws  to  Jesus — 
 
254  LETTERS. 
 
 makes  you  cleave  to  the  Lord  Jesus  with  full  purpose  of  heart. 
 Seek  advance  of  personal  holiness.  It  is  for  this  the  grace  of 
 God  has  appeared  to  you. — See  Titus  ii.  11,  12.  For  this  Jesus 
 died  ;  for  this  He  chose  you ;  for  this  He  converted  you,  to  make 
 you  holy  men — living  epistles  of  Christ — monuments  of  what  God 
 can  do  in  a  sinner's  heart.  You  know  what  true  holiness  is.  It 
 is  Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory.  Let  Him  dwell  in  you,  and  so  all 
 his  features  will  shine  in  your  hearts  and  faces.  Oh  to  be  like 
 Jesus  !  This  is  heaven,  wherever  it  be.  I  think  I  could  be  happy 
 among  devils,  if  only  the  old  man  were  slain  in  me,  and  I  was 
 made  altogether  like  Jesus !  But,  blessed  be  God,  we  shall  not  be 
 called  to  such  a  trial,  for  we  shall  not  only  be  hke  Jesus,  but  be 
 with  Him  to  behold  his  glory.  Pray  to  be  taught  to  pray.  Do 
 not  be  content  with  old  forms  that  flow  from  the  lips  only.  Most 
 Christians  have  need  to  cast  their  formal  prayers  away,  to  be 
 taught  to  cry,  Abba.  Arrange  beforehand  what  you  have  to 
 pray  for.  Do  not  forget  confession  of  sin,  nor  thanksgiving.  Pray 
 to  get  your  closed  lips  opened  in  intercession ;  embrace  the  whole 
 world,  and  carry  it  within  the  veil.  I  think  you  might  with  advan- 
 tage keep  a  small  book  in  which  you  might  mark  down  objects  to 
 be  prayed  for.  I  pray  God  to  make  you  very  useful  in  the  parish 
 and  in  the  world.  Do  all  things  without  murmurings  and  dis- 
 putings. — See  Phil.  ii.  14,  16.  Live  for  eternity.  A  few  days 
 more,  and  our  journey  is  done.  Oh !  fight  hard  against  sin  and 
 the  devil :  the  devil  never  sleeps.  Be  you  also  active  for  good. 
 The  Lord  bless  you  and  your  dear  minister.  Pray  for  us.  Pray 
 for  the  dead  parishes  around  you. — Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 LETTERS  TO  A  SOUL  SEEKING  JESUS.— No.  L 
 
 Seek  to  know  your  corruption. 
 
 Dundee,  1841. 
 
 Dear  Friend, — According  to  promise,  I  sit  down  to  talk  with 
 you  a  little  concerning  the  great  things  of  an  eternal  world.  How 
 kind  it  is  in  God  that  He  has  given  us  such  an  easy  way  of  com- 
 municating our  thoughts,  even  at  a  distance  !  My  only  reason  for 
 writing  to  you  is,  that  I  may  direct  your  soul  to  Jesus,  the 
 sinner's  friend.  "  This  man  receiveth  sinners."  I  would  wish 
 much  to  know  that  you  were  truly  united  to  Christ,  and  then,  come 
 life,  come  death,  you  will  be  truly  and  eternally  happy.  Do  you 
 think  you  have  been  convinced  of  sin  ?    This  is  the  Holy  Spirit's* 
 
LETTERS.  255 
 
 «'ork,  and  bis  first  work  upon  the  soul. — (John  xvi.  8  ;  Acts  ii.  37, 
 xxi.  29,  30.)  If  you  did  not  know  your  body  was  dangerously  ill, 
 you  would  never  have  sent  for  your  physician;  and  so  you  will 
 never  go  to  Christ,  the  heavenly  Physician,  unless  you  feel  that 
 your  soul  is  sick  even  unto  death.  Oh  !  pray  for  deep  discoveries 
 of  your  real  state  by  nature  and  by  practice.  The  world  will  say 
 you  are  an  innocent  and  harmless  girl ;  do  not  beheve  them.  The 
 world  is  a  har.  Pray  to  see  yourself  exactly  as  God  sees  you  ; 
 pray  to  know  the  worth  of  your  soul.  Have  you  seen  yourself  vile, 
 as  Job  saw  himself? — Job  xi.  3,  5,  xiii.  5,  6  ;  undone,  as  Isaiah 
 saw  himself? — Isa.  vi.  1,  5.  Have  you  experienced  anything  Kke 
 Psalm  li.  ?  I  do  not  wish  you  to  feign  humility  before  God,  nor  to 
 use  expressions  of  self-abhorrence,  which  you  do  not  feel ;  but  oh 
 pray  that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  let  you  see  the  very  reality  of  your 
 natural  condition  before  God  !  I  seldom  get  more  than  a  glance 
 at  the  true  state  of  my  soul  in  its  naked  self.  But  when  I  do, 
 then  I  see  that  I  am  wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind, 
 and  naked. — Rev.  iii.  17.  I  believe  every  member  of  our  body 
 has  been  a  servant  of  sin — Rom.  iii.  13,  18 — throat,  tongue,  lips.j 
 mouth,  feet,  eyes.  Every  faculty  of  our  mind  is  polluted. — Gen» 
 vi.  5.  Besides,  you  have  long  neglected  the  great  salvation ; 
 you  have  been  gainsaying  and  disobedient.  Oh  that  you  were 
 brought  to  pass  sentence  on  yourself,  guilty  of  all !  Hear  what  a. 
 dear  believer  writes  of  himself:  "My  wickedness,  as  I  am  in  my- 
 self, has  long  appeared  to  me  perfectly  ineffable,  and  swallowing 
 up  all  thought  and  imagination,  like  an  infinite  deluge,  or  mountains 
 over  my  head.  I  know  not  how  to  express  better  what  my  sins 
 appear  to  me  to  be,  than  by  heaping  infinite  upon  infinite,  and 
 multiplying  infinite  by  infinite.  When  I  look  into  my  heart  and 
 take  a  view  of  my  wickedness,  it  looks  like  an  abyss  infinitely  deep, 
 and  yet  it  seems  to  me  that  my  conviction  of  sin  is  exceeding  small 
 and  faint."  Perhaps  you  will  ask.  Why  do  you  wish  me  to  have 
 such  a  discovery  of  my  lost  condition  ?  I  answer,  that  you  may 
 be  broken  ofi*  from  all  schemes  of  self-righteousness  ;  that  you  may 
 never  look  into  your  poor  guilty  soul  to  recommend  you  to  God  ; 
 and  that  you  may  joyfully  accept  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
 obeyed  and  died  for  sinners.  Oh  that  your  heart  may  cleave  to 
 Christ !  May  you  forsake  all,  and  follow  Jesus  Christ.  Count 
 everything  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ.  You 
 never  will  stand  righteous  before  God  in  yourself.  You  are  wel- 
 come this  day  to  stand  righteous  before  God  in  Jesus.  Pray  over 
 Phil.  iii.  7,  9.  I  will  try  and  pray  for  you.  Grace  be  with  you.-- » 
 Your  friend  in  Jesus,  etc. 
 
256  LETTERS. 
 
 TO  THE  SAME.— No.  II. 
 Seek  the  righteousness  of  Christ. 
 
 Dear  Friend, — I  was  glad  to  hear  of  your  safe  arrival,  and 
 that  your  health  had  not  suffered  by  the  voyage.  1  trust  the  Lord 
 is  dealing  gently  with  your  frail  body,  so  that  your  mind  may  get 
 leave  freely  to  fix  itself  on  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified.  Above 
 all,  I  pray  that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  sweetly  and  silently  open 
 your  heart,  to  relish  the  way  of  salvation  through  the  blood  and 
 obedience  of  Immanuel.  Through  this  man  is  preached  unto  you 
 the  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  by  Him  all  that  believe  are  justified 
 from  all  things. — Acts  xiii.  38,  39.  You  would  be  deeply  con- 
 cerned to  hear  that  your  room-mate, ,  has  been  so  suddenly 
 
 and  awfully  called  away.  Should  it  not  be  a  solemn  warning  to 
 you  ?  Oh  that  you  may  be  even  now  clothed  in  the  righteousness 
 of  Jesus !  so  that,  if  you  were  called  away,  you  may  meet  God  in 
 peace,  and  hear  Jesus  say,  "  Enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 
 In  yourself  you  never  will  stand  righteous  before  Jehovah.  Ps. 
 cxliii.  2  answers  your  case.  "  Enter  not  into  judgment  with  me," 
 must  be  your  cry.  In  your  nature,  in  your  past  life,  in  your 
 breaking  of  the  holy  law,  in  your  contempt  and  neglect  of  Jesus 
 in  your  indwelling  sin,  God  can  see  nothing  but  what  He  must 
 condemn.  Oh  that  you  would  be  of  the  same  mind  with  God  about 
 your  own  soul!  Do  not  be  afraid  to  look  upon  its  loathsome- 
 ness ;  for  God  offers  to  clothe  you  in  Jesus  Christ.  "  By  the 
 obedience  of  one  shall  many  be  made  righteous,"  Rom.  v.  19. 
 There  is  only  one  in  all  the  world  on  whose  face  God  can  look  and 
 say,  "  He  is  altogether  lovely."  Jesus  is  that  one.  Now  God  is 
 willing  that  you  and  I  should  hide  in  Jesus.  I  feel  at  this  moment 
 that  He  is  my  righteousness.  "  This  is  his  name  whereby  He 
 shall  be  called.  The  Lord  our  Righteousness,"  Jer.  xxiii.  6.  I 
 feel  that  the  love  of  God  shines  upon  my  guilty  soul  through 
 Jesus.  This  is  all  my  peace.  Your  tears  will  not  blot  out  sin  • 
 they  do  nothing  but  weep  in  hell ;  but  that  does  not  justify 
 them.  Your  right  views  of  the  gospel  will  not  justify  you  ;  you 
 must  be  covered  with  a  spotless  righteousness.  Your  change  of 
 heart  and  of  life  will  not  justify  you ;  it  cannot  cover  past  sins 
 — neither  is  it  perfect.  Your  amended  life  is  still  fearfully  sinful 
 in  Jehovah's  sight,  and  yet  nothing  but  perfect  righteousness  can 
 stand  before  Him.  Jesus  offers  you  this  perfect  righteousness;  in 
 Him  you  may  stand  and  hear  God  say,  "  Thou  art  all  fair,  my 
 love."     There  is  no  spot  in  me.     Do  you  thus  look  to  Jesus?     Do 
 
LETTERS.  257 
 
 you  believe  the  record  that  God  has  given  concerning  Him  ?  Do 
 yoa  receive  Christ  with  open  arms?  Do  you  cry,  "My  Lord  and 
 my  God  ;"  my  Surety — my  all?  Dear  friend,  do  not  tarry.  Eter- 
 nity may  be  near.  Now  is  your  best  time,  perhaps  your  only  time, 
 of  closing  with  Christ.  How  many  worlds  would  a  lost  soul  in  hell 
 give  for  such  an  opportunity  of  cleaving  to  Christ  as  you  have  now ! 
 "  He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life."  This  is  all  my  prayer  and  desire 
 for  your  precious  precious  soul. — Ever  yours  in  the  gospel,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  SAME.— No.  III. 
 Joy  in  believing. 
 
 Dear  Friend, — I  send  you  another  line  to  tell  you  Jesus  is  the 
 way.  I  would  like  much  to  hear  how  your  weak  body  prospers, 
 and  whether  your  soul  is  resting  under  the  apple-tree  (Song  ii.  3) ; 
 but  till  some  opportunity  occurs,  I  must  just  content  myself  with 
 committing  your  soul  and  body  into  the  hand  of  Jesus,  your 
 faithful  Creator — 1  Pet.  iv.  19.  We  are  now  looking  forward  to 
 another  communion  season,  and  I  am  busy  instructing  young  per- 
 sons for  that  holy  and  blessed  ordinance.  I  think  you  said  you 
 were  a  good  deal  impressed  at  our  last  communion,  and  wished 
 that  you  had  been  one  of  those  seated  at  the  table  :  perhaps  you 
 may  never  be  permitted  to  sit  at  the  table  on  earth ;  perhaps  your 
 first  communion  may  be  in  glory.  There  is  a  text  in  Rom.  xv.  13, 
 which  expresses  all  my  desire  for  you:  "Now  the  God  of  hope  fill 
 you  with  all  joy  and  peace  In  believing,  that  you  may  abound  in 
 hope,  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  You  see  here  who 
 is  the  author  of  conversion — "  the  God  of  hope."  He  must  open 
 your  heart  to  attend  to  the  things  that  are  spoken.  The  truths 
 that  are  presented  to  you  will  not  convert  your  heart;  the  God  of 
 hope  must  breathe  on  your  heart  and  water  it  oft. '  Then  see 
 how  He  gives  you  joy  and  peace — "  in  beheving."  When  Jesus 
 revealed  himself  to  Thomas  (John  xx.  28),  Thomas  cried  out  with 
 joy,  "My  Lord  and  my  God!"  If  Jesus  reveal  himself  to  you  in 
 all  the  glory  of  his  person,  the  completeness  of  his  work,  and 
 the  freeness  of  his  love,  you  too  will  be  filled  with  appropriating, 
 joyful  faith,  and  will  cry,  "  My  Lord  and  my  God !"  It  is  a  diffi- 
 cult thing  to  explain  what  it  is  to  believe — I  suppose  it  is  impos- 
 sible. But  when  Jesus  unveils  his  matchless  beauty,  and  gives 
 you  a  sweet  glimpse  of  his  matchless  face  that  was  buffeted  and 
 spit  upon,  then  the  soul  joyfully  clings  to  Him.     This  is  believing, 
 
 R 
 
258  LETTERS. 
 
 and  this  is  joy  and  peace  in  believing.  The  truest,  purest  joy 
 flows  from  a  discovery  of  Jesus  Christ.  He  is  the  hidden  treasure 
 that  gives  such  joy  to  the  finder. — Matt.  xiii.  44.  Do  you  think 
 you  have  found  that  treasure?  Touching  question!  for  if  not, 
 you  are  poor  indeed.  But  how  much  joy  may  you  have  in  Christ? 
 *'  The  God  of  ho^e  Jill  you  with  all  joy."  You  need  not  be  afraid 
 to  take  the  full  joy  that  Jesus  gives.  If  you  really  come  unto 
 Christ,  you  come  unto  the  love  of  Jehovah,  and  that  is  a  filhng 
 love.  The  love  of  the  creature  does  not  fill  the  heart ;  but  God's 
 love  coming  full  upon  the  soul  gives  fulness  of  joy. — 1  John  i.  4. 
 It  is  holy  love,  sovereign  love.  I  have  been  interrupted  several 
 times  in  writing  this  little  note.  I  will  not  be  long  in  writing  you 
 again.  Do  decide  the  question  of  your  eternity.  One  thing  is 
 needful :  have  you  closed  with  the  great  Mediator  ?  Have  you 
 got  saving  knowledge  of  Jesus?  Then  only  will  death  lose  its 
 power,  and  the  grave  become  the  bed  of  peaceful  rest. 
 
 There  is  a  land  of  pure  deliglit, 
 
 "Where  saints  immortal  reign ; 
 Infinite  day  excludes  the  night, 
 
 And  pleasures  banish  pain. 
 
 Lean  all  your  care  for  time  and  eternity  on  Jesus  j  that  is  the 
 softest  of  all  pillows — the  bosom  of  our  guardian  Immanuel. — I 
 am,  ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  SAME.— No.  IV. 
 
 Taste  that  Christ  is  precious. 
 
 December  1841. 
 
 Dear  Friend, — It  is  written,  ''  Unto  you  ivho  believe  He  is  pre- 
 cious;'^ and  if  you  are  a  child  of  God,  you  will  know  and  feel  what 
 the  words  mean — 1  Pet.  ii.  7.  At  one  time  Christ  was  "  like  a 
 tender  plant "  to  you,  and  like  "  a  root  out  of  a  dry  ground." 
 You  saw  "  no  form  nor  comeliness  in  Him,  no  beauty  that  you 
 should  desire  Him."  At  that  time  you  were  at  ease  in  Zion — you 
 had  no  concern  for  your  soul.  Do  you  remember  that  time  ?  Is 
 it  otherwise  with  you  now  ?  Have  you  been  pricked  in  your  heart 
 by  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  Have  you  been  made  to  see  how  impossible 
 it  is  for  man  to  be  just  with  God?  and  has  the  Spirit  drawn  away 
 the  veil  from  the  fair  face  of  Immanuel,  and  given  you  an  un- 
 feigned glance  at  the  brow  that  was  crowned  with  the  thorns,  and 
 the  cheek  from  which  they  plucked  off  the  hair  ?     Has  the  Spirit 
 
LETTERS.  259 
 
 opened  a  window  into  the  heart  of  Jesus,  and  let  you  see  tlie  foun- 
 tain-head of  that  love  that  "  passeth  knowledge  ?  "  Then  you  will 
 be  able  to  say,  "  To  me  He  is  precious''  If  you  see  plainly  that  all 
 your  standing  before  God  is  in  Him,  that  He  is  your  foundation- 
 stone,  your  fountain,  your  wedding-garment,  then  you  will  feel 
 Him  to  be  precious.  Most  people  refuse  to  come  to  Christ.  Kead 
 Luke  xiv.  16-24. — ^They  all  with  one  consent  began  to  make 
 excuse.  Why  is  this?  Just  because  they  do  not  see  and  feel 
 that  He  is  precious.  But  oh!  if  you,  my  dear  friend,  feel  that 
 He  is  your  only  righteousness  —  your  only  fountain  of  living 
 water — your  High  Priest — your  Shepherd — your  Advocate,  then 
 you  will  say,  "iZe  is 'precious !''  You  will  never  say,  "Have  me 
 excused."  I  carry  to  you  the  sweet  invitation,  "Come,  for  all 
 things  are  now  ready."  Jesus  is  ready  to  wash  and  clothe  you  m 
 His  own  blood  and  righteousness.  The  Holy  Spirit  is  ready  to 
 come  into  your  heart  and  make  it  new.  The  Father  is  ready  to 
 put  His  arms  round  your  neck  and  kiss  you. — Luke  xv.  20.  The 
 angels  are  ready  to  give  thanks  for  you,  and  to  love  you  as  a  sister 
 for  eternity.  Now,  will  you  come,  for  all  tilings  are  ready  ?  Are 
 you  now  saying  in  your  heart,  "I  cannot  but  beheve  I  am  the 
 chief  of  sinners,  and  Jesus  offers  to  be  my  refuge,  my  Mediator, 
 my  all  in  all ;  I  feel  He  is  precious  ? "  Oh !  dear  friend,  I  trust 
 you  do.  This  only  will  make  you  happy  in  living,  and  blessed  in 
 dying.  This  is  a  poor  dying  world.  Man  that  is  born  of  a 
 woman  is  of  few  days  and  full  of  trouble.  There  is  no  part  here 
 that  death  cannot  take  from  us.  But  if  you  have  Christ,  you 
 have  the  only  imperishable  portion!  Oh,  may  the  Holy  Spirit 
 give  you  a  firm  hold  of  Jesus !  Then  we  shall  meet  in  that  sweet 
 place,  where  there  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow  nor  cry- 
 ing, neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain.  The  Lord  deal  kindly 
 and  gently  with  you,  both  soul  and  body.  Farewell,  dear  friend. — 
 Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  SAME.— No.  V. 
 Be  found  in  Christ. 
 
 Dccemler  8,  1841. 
 
 Dear  Friend, — I  send  you  another  Ime  to  tell  you  of  Him  who 
 is  altogether  lovely.  I  have  a  very  dear  boy  in  my  parish,  who  is 
 dying  just  now.'  He  said  to  me  the  other  day,  "  I  have  just  been 
 feeding  for  some  days  upon  the  words  you  gave  me,  *  His  legs  are 
 
260  LETTERS. 
 
 like  pillars  of  marble  set  upon  sockets  of  fine  gold'  (Song  v.  15); 
 for  (said  he)  I  am  sure  He  is  able  to  carry  me  and  all  my  sins." 
 You  may  say  the  same,  if  your  eyes  have  been  opened  to  see  the 
 beauty,  fulness,  freeness,  and  compassion  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
 Nothing  but  the  hand  of  God  can  open  your  eyes  to  see  your  lost 
 condition  as  it  truly  is.  Flesh  and  blood  cannot  reveal  Him  unto 
 you,  but  my  Father.  Oh !  call  upon  Him  to  do  this  for  you.  A 
 spiritual  discovery  of  yourself  and  of  Jesus  is  better  than  a  million 
 of  worlds  to  you,  and  to  me  also.  Remember,  you  cannot  be  fair 
 in  yourself  before  God.  Song  i.  6  must  be  all  your  prayer : 
 "  Look  not  upon  we."  Take  yourself  at  your  best  moments,  you 
 are  but  a  vile  worm  in  Jehovah's  sight,  and  so  am  I.  Remember, 
 you  may  be  "  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus."  Allow  yourself  to  be 
 found  in  Christ.  Oh !  what  will  come  of  you  if  you  are  found  in 
 yourself?  Where  will  you  appear?  You  will  shrink  back,  and 
 call  on  rocks  and  mountains  to  fall  upon  you  and  cover  you.  But 
 if  you  are  hiding  in  Jesus — if  your  eye  and  heart  are  fixed  upon 
 his  wounds  made  by  our  sins — if  you  are  willing  to  be  righteous 
 in  his  righteousness,  to  lie  down  under  the  stream  of  his  blood, 
 and  to  be  clothed  upon  with  the  snowy  fleece  of  the  Lamb  of 
 God — then  God  will  love  you  with  his  whole  soul  exceedingly. 
 The  pure,  full  love  of  God  streams  through  the  blood  and 
 obedience  of  Jesus  to  every  soul  that  is  lying  under  them,  how- 
 ever vile  and  wretched  in  themselves.  Have  you  tried — have  you 
 tasted  the  holy  love  of  a  holy  God?  Thy  love  is  better  than  wine. 
 It  is  better  than  all  creature  love  or  creature  enjoyments.  Oh ! 
 do  not  live — oh !  do  not  die,  out  of  this  sweet,  sweet,  sin-pardon- 
 ing, soul-comforting  love  of  God !  Remember,  Jesus  is  quite  will- 
 ing to  gather  you  under  his  wings. — Matt,  xxiii.  37.  Put  that 
 beyond  all  doubt.  Remember  also,  the  present  is  your  only  time 
 to  be  saved. — Eccles.  ix.  10.  There  is  no  beheving,  no  repenting, 
 no  conversion  in  the  grave — no  minister  will  speak  to  you  there. 
 This  is  the  time  of  conversion.  We  must  either  gain  you  now,  or 
 lose  you  for  ever.  Oh  that  you  would  use  this  little  time  I  Every 
 moment  of  it  is  worth  a  world.  Your  soul  is  very  dear  to  me — 
 dearer  far  to  Jesus.  Look  to  Him  and  you  will  be  saved. — Ever 
 yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  SAME. 
 Go  up,  leaning  on  Jesus. 
 
 Dear  Fkiexd, — I  have   heard  of  you  from  ,   and  have 
 
 been  praying  for  you,  that  your  eye  may  rest  on  Jesus,  and  that 
 
LETTERS.  261 
 
 your  soul  may  lie  in  perfect  peace  under  his  blood  shed  for  the 
 sins  of  many.  I  have  been  thanking  my  Father,  too,  for  deahng 
 so  bountifully  with  you.  "  He  is  the  Father  of  mercies,  and  the 
 God  of  all  comforts."  I  will  give  you  a  sweet  verse  to  meditate 
 upon  :  "  Who  is  this  that  cometh  up  from  the  wilderness,  leaning 
 upon  the  beloved?" — Song  viii.  5.  Do  you  think  this  is  your 
 position?  Truly  this  world  is  a  wilderness  if  you  have  seen  it 
 rightly.  It  is  a  place  of  guilt  and  shame.  Every  natural  heart  is 
 a  wilderness — a  dead  place  without  a  drop  of  living  water;  and 
 then  all  natural  hearts  put  together  make  up  a  wilderness  world. 
 The  whole  world  lieth  in  wickedness.  There  are  few  that  know 
 and  love  Jesus,  and  these  few  are  panting  to  get  more  of  the  Hnng 
 water.  But  if  you  have  truly  fled  to  Jesus,  you  are  coming  up 
 from  the  wilderness.  Now  is  our  salvation  nearer  than  when  we 
 beheved.  "  The  night  is  far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand."  Have 
 you  found  Jesus  truly  ?  Do  you  feel  willing  to  be  all  vile,  all  hell- 
 deserving  in  yourself,  and  to  let  God's  dear  Son  be  all  your  shield 
 and  righteousness  ?  Oh !  make  sure  of  this.  Never  mind  what 
 man  thinks  of  you.  I  would  not  give  a  straw  for  the  opinions  of 
 men,  as  to  whether  I  was  safe  or  no.  It  is  not  what  man  thinks 
 of  us  that  will  cover  us  on  the  judgment-day.  Oh  no !  You  must 
 be  in  Jesus,  sitting  at  his  feet,  allowing  Him  to  wash  your  stains 
 away,  allowing  Him  to  enwrap  your  guilty  soul  in  divine  righteous- 
 ness. If  you  were  lying  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  no  eye  could 
 see  your  deformities:  so  when  the  infinite  ocean  of  Immanuel's 
 righteousness  flows  over  the  soul,  you  are  swallowed  up  as  it  were 
 in  Christ.  Your  blackness  is  never  seen,  only  his  fairness ;  and 
 thus  a  God  of  truth  can  say,  "  Behold  thou  art  fair ;  behold  thou 
 art  fair,  my  love.  Thou  art  all  fair,  my  love ;  there  is  no  spot  in 
 thee." — Song  iv.  1-7.  Keep  this  always  in  memory ;  and  when 
 guilt  comes  on  the  conscience,  as  it  will,  lie  down  again  beneath 
 the  righteousness  of  Jesus.  Never  lose  sight  of  this.  Jesus  must 
 be  seen  by  the  Father  instead  of  our  gnilty  soul.  It  is  no  change 
 in  our  black  soul  that  is  to  be  our  covering.  You  must  leave  self, 
 and  stand  in  your  Elder  Brother.  Hide  behind  Him.  Let  the 
 Father's  eye  fall  on  Him,  not  on  you.  This  is  what  Jesus  wants. 
 He  died  to  be  a  shelter  for  such  as  you.  This  is  what  the  Father 
 wants ;  for  He  is  not  willing  that  any  should  perish.  If  you  are 
 seen  by  the  Father  a  naked,  guilty  sinner,  you  must  die ;  there 
 is  no  help  for  it.  But  if  Jesus  appear  for  you — if  you  hide  in  his 
 wounds  like  the  dove  in  the  cHffs  of  the  rock,  and  under  his  snowy 
 raiment — then  the  Father  himself  loveth  you,  and  now  you  are 
 coming  up  from  the  wilderness.     Every  hour  that  strikes,  that  ig 
 
262  LETTERS. 
 
 an  hour  less  between  you  and  glory.  Oh  !  do  not  grieve  to  part 
 with  the  world  if  you  are  in  Christ :  an  hour  with  Christ  will  make 
 up  for  all  your  griefs  and  pains.  Half  an  hour  in  the  presence  of 
 our  God  will  make  us  forget  a  lifetime  of  agony.  "  Leaning  on 
 her  beloved!"  Is  this  the  position  of  your  soul?  Do  you  feel 
 empty,  weak,  and  helpless ;  and  do  you  see  Him  mighty  to  save, 
 able  to  save  to  the  uttermost?  "His  legs  are  like  pillars  of 
 marble."  This  is  Christ's  glory,  that  He  justifies  sinners  who 
 have  no  righteousness,  and  sanctifies  souls  that  have  no  inborn 
 holiness.  Let  Jesus  bear  your  whole  weight.  Remember,  He 
 loves  to  be  the  only  support  of  the  soul.  He  is  a  jealous  Saviour. 
 He  wants  to  be  entirely  trusted.  There  is  nothing  that  you  can 
 possibly  need  but  you  will  find  it  in  Him.  ^^  All  my  springs  are  in 
 Thee^  Do  you  want  righteousness  ?  He  has  the  spirit  of  a  weaned 
 child  to  give  you. — Ps.  cxxxi.  Do  you  want  love?  He  is  the 
 fountain  of  love :  all  the  promises  of  God  in  Him  are  yea  and  in 
 Him  amen.  I  am  sure,  if  you  get  a  glimpse  of  Him,  you  would  lay 
 your  head  in  His  breast  and  die  there.  May  the  Spirit  anoint  your 
 eyes  to  see  Him  more  and  more,  and  soften  your  heart  to  lean  on 
 Him.  Those  that  have  leaned  on  Him  through  the  wilderness 
 shall  sit  with  Him  on  the  throne, — Rev.  iii.  21.  Farewell,  dear 
 soul !  the  Lord  feed  you  sweetly,  as  he  feeds  the  flowers,  by  silent 
 drops  of  dew. — Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  MEMBERS  OF  A  PEATEE-MEETING. 
 
 Parable  of  the  Sower. 
 
 My  dear  Friends, — It  has  been  a  matter  of  great  joy  to  me  to 
 hear  that  you  meet  together  from  time  to  time  to  read  the  word  of 
 God  and  pray — to  pray  for  a  blessing  on  yourselves  and  families, 
 that  you  may  be  brought  to  the  saving  knowledge  of  the  Lord 
 Jesus  Christ,  and  to  pray  for  ministers,  that  they  may  be  filled 
 with  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  made  insatiably  greedy  for  the  salvation 
 of  souls,  and  that  the  word  of  God  preached  on  the  Sabbath  may 
 rise  and  be  glorified  till  the  whole  world  bow  the  knee  at  the  name 
 of  Jesus. 
 
 Oh,  you  that  have  had  your  eyes  opened  to  see  your  lost  condition 
 by  nature  and  by  wicked  works, — you  that  have  been  drawn  by  the 
 Father  to  believe  in  Jesus,  to  wash  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and 
 to  put  on  the  righteousness  of  God, — oh !  pray  with  all  your  heart 
 that  your  dear  friends  may  be  brought  to  take  the  peace  you  feel. 
 
LETTERS.  263 
 
 — that  your  enemies  may  be  brought  to  the  same  Saviour,  and 
 that  all  the  world  may  be  brought  to  know  Him,  whom  to  know  is 
 hfe  eternal. 
 
 If  you  look  at  Matt.  xiii.  3-9,  you  will  see  how  much  of  our 
 preaching  is  in  vain,  and  what  need  there  is  to  pray  that  God 
 would  open  the  hearts  we  speak  to. 
 
 Many  among  you,  I  fear,  are  like  the  hard  wayside,  so  that, 
 when  the  seed  falls,  it  cannot  get  into  your  hearts,  and  the  devil 
 plucks  it  all  away — vers.  3,  4.  Is  it  not  true  that  some  of  your 
 hearts  are  like  the  footpath,  trodden  all  the  week  by  wicked 
 thoughts?  '^  Free  passage  this  imy"  is  written  over  your  hearts — 
 common  worldly  thoughts — busy  covetous  desires  of  money — 
 malicious  thoughts — impure,  abominable  thoughts.  Oh  who  can 
 tell  what  a  constant  thoroughfare  of  wicked  imaginations  is  pass- 
 ing night  and  day  through  every  unconverted  mind  !  Oh,  look  at 
 Gen.  vi.  5,  and  weep  over  the  Bible  description  of  your  own  hard 
 hearts.  Now,  when  you  come  to  the  chuuch  on  Sabbath,  your 
 heart  is  like  a  footpath ;  the  seed  cannot  fall  in,  it  lies  upon  the 
 surface.  You  .do  not  understand  the  minister.  Perhaps  he 
 preaches  of  the  desperate  wickedness  of  the  heart,  and  the  danger 
 you  are  in  of  going  to  hell  if  you  be  not  born  again.  You  feel  it 
 to  be  a  dry  subject,  and  turn  your  head  away.  Perhaps  he  is 
 preaching  of  the  love  of  Jesus,  in  tasting  death  for  every  man ; 
 and  that  He  will  in  no  wise  cast  the  vilest  sinner  out.  Still  you 
 feel  no  interest,  and  perhaps  you  fall  asleep  during  the  sermon.  Oh, 
 you  are  the  wayside  hearers, — the  devil  plucks  all  the  seed  away. 
 When  you  turn  your  back  on  the  church,  you  turn  your  back 
 on  divine  things  ;  and  before  you  have  got  half-way  home, 
 the  devil  has  carried  off  every  word  of  the  sermon.  Yea,  often, 
 I  fear,  before  you  have  got  a  sight  of  your  own  cottage,  or  the 
 trees  before  the  door,  the  devil  has  filled  your  hearts  with  abomi- 
 nable worldly  thoughts,  and  your  tongue  with  evil  talk,  unworthy 
 of  the  Sabbath.  O  Satan,  Satan  !  what  a  cunning  fiend  thou  art ! 
 Even  when  the  hard  hearts  will  not  receive  the  word,  thou  wilt  not 
 suffer  it  to  remain  ;  lest  it  should  come  back  in  a  time  of  sickness 
 or  dan-ger,  thou  carriest  all  away. 
 
 Dear  behevers,  pray  that  it  be  not  so  with  you,  nor  with  your 
 friends  ;  pray  for  a  soft  heart  and  a  retentive  memory ;  and  often 
 speak  together  of  the  sermons  you  hear,  and  get  them  harrowed 
 into  your  hearts,  that  Satan  may  be  cheated,  and  your  soul 
 saved. 
 
 Many,  I  fear,  among  you,  are  receiving  the  seed  into  stony 
 places  (Matt.  xiii.  6) — receiving  the  word  for  a  while,  but  soou 
 
264  LETTERS. 
 
 withering  away  in  time  of  persecution.  I  fear  there  may  be  some 
 among  you  who  are  charmed  with  something  about  the  gospel, 
 instead  of  cleaving  in  heart  to  Christ.  I  can  imagine  that  some  of 
 the  wounded  Israelites,  that  were  bitten  by  the  serpent,  were  much 
 taken  with  Moses,  as  he  held  up  the  brazen  serpent,  instead  of 
 looking  at  the  serpent  itself.  Many  are  fond  of  ministers  who  are 
 not  fond  of  Christ.  Read  over  Ezek.  xxxiii.  30-32,  and  pray  that 
 this  be  not  your  case. 
 
 Now,  I  will  give  you  two  marks,  by  which  you  may  know 
 whether  you  are  one  of  these  unfruitful  hearers.  1st,  The  rock?/ 
 heart  will  remain  the  same.  If  you  find  that  your  liking  to  the 
 gospel  is  from  the  surface,  from  curiosity,  or  fancy,  or  love 
 to  a  minister — if  you  find  that  your  rocky  heart  has  never  been 
 broken  by  conviction  of  sin,  has  never  melted  to  flow  towards 
 Jesus — then  you  are  an  empty  professor  ;  you  have  a  name  to  live, 
 while  you  are  spiritually  dead. 
 
 2d,  You  will  endure  for  a  luhile.  A  really  converted  soul  is  like  a 
 branch.  "  I  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches^  It  will  cleave  to  it 
 summer  and  winter.  But  if  you  have  only  a  mock  conversion,  you 
 will  wither  away  when  persecution  comes.  God  knows  how  soon 
 days  of  trial  may  come  in  Scotland.  Be  ye  therefore  ready.  He 
 that  endureth  to  the  end  shall  be  saved.  I  fear,  dear  friends,  that 
 many  of  you  receive  the  seed  among  thorns. — Matt.  xiii.  7.  Look 
 into  your  heart  and  see,  when  you  read  your  Bible  in  the  morning, 
 how  many  cares  and  anxieties  are  dancing  before  your  eyes,  so 
 that  you  can  hardly  see  the  page  you  are  reading.  How  often 
 you  come  to  the  house  of  God,  and  you  see  the  minister  preaching 
 of  eternal  things  with  all  his  might ;  but  your  heart  is  stuffed  full 
 of  cares,  and  plans,  and  pleasures.  Alas,  alas  !  the  world  has  got 
 the  first  hold  of  your  heart,  and  so  you  can  think  of  nothing  else. 
 What  will  it  profit  you  if  you  gain  the  whole  world  and  lose  your 
 own  soul? 
 
 One  thing  is  plain,  that  thorns  and  wheat  cannot  grow  on  the 
 same  spot  of  ground ;  so  that,  if  you  will  keep  to  your  thorns,  you 
 must  burn  with  them.  Oh,  dear  souls,  if  you  got  but  a  glimpse  of 
 the  beauty  of  Jesus,  you  would  leave  all  and  follow  Him !  If  you 
 got  but  a  taste  of  the  sweetness  of  forgiveness,  you  would  count 
 everything  else  but  loss  for  the  excellence  of  the  knowledge  of 
 Christ.  See  how  Matthew  did. — Matt.  ix.  9.  He  was  once  as 
 worldly  as  yourselves,  and  as  greedy  of  money  as  any  one  of  you  ; 
 and  yet  a  word  from  the  sweet  mouth  of  Christ  made  him  leave 
 all.  Read  that  sweet  command  of  Christ — Matt.  x.  37,  38.  Oh ! 
 pray  to  be  made  wilhng  to  leave  all  for  Christ,     He  is  kinder  than 
 
LETTERS.  '         265 
 
 father  or  mother — more  precious  than  son  or  daughter.  Take  up 
 your  cross,  then,  and  follow  Hira, 
 
 Last  of  all,  I  trust  there  are  some  among  you  like  the  good 
 ground  (Matt.  xiii.  8),  who  receive  the  word  into  a  heart  broken 
 up  by  the  Spirit  of  God, — watered  by  prayer, — and  who  bear  fruit 
 unto  life  eternal.  Have  you  had  your  hearts  broken,  dear 
 friends  ?  Has  God  ploughed  up  your  hard,  unbeheving  hearts  ? 
 Have  you  had  real  concern  for  your  perishing  soul  ?  Have  you 
 been  driven  to  your  knees?  Have  you  ever  wept  in  secret  for 
 your  sins  ?  Have  you  been  made  to  tremble  under  your  load  of 
 guilt  ?  Do  you  come  thus  to  the  house  of  God, — your  heart  like  an 
 open  furrow,  waiting  for  the  seed  1  Inquire  earnestly  whether  the 
 fallow-ground  of  your  heart  has  ever  been  broken  up. — Jer.  iv.  3. 
 A  broken  heart  alone  can  receive  a  crucified  Christ. 
 
 Have  you  lt^derstood  the  gospel  ?  Have  you  believed  the 
 record  that  God  has  given  concerning  his  Son  ?  Do  you  feel  that 
 it  is  true  that  God  is  love  ? — that  Christ  has  died,  the  just  for  the 
 unjust? — that  He  is  beckoning  you  to  come  to  Him?  Do  you 
 believe  on  the  Son  of  God  ?  He  that  believeth  shall  be  saved  ;  he 
 that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned. — Mark  xvi.  16. 
 
 Do  YOU  bear  fruit?  Without  holy  fruit  all  evidences  are 
 vain.  How  vain  would  it  be  to  prove  to  a  farmer  that  his  fields 
 were  good  and  productive,  if  they  produced  no  corn  !  You  might 
 say  to  him,  "  Neighbour,  your  land  is  good ;  the  soil  is  dry  and 
 well  trenched."  "Oh!  but,"  he  would  sa}^,  "where  is  the  yellow 
 grain — where  are  the  full  ears  falling  before  the  sickle  of  the 
 reaper?"  Dear  friends,  you  have  awakenings,  enlightenings,  ex- 
 periences, a  full  heart  in  prayer,  and  many  due  signs ;  but  if  you 
 want  holiness,  you  will  never  see  the  Lord.  If  you  are  a  drinker, 
 a  swearer,  a  liar,  a  lascivious  talker,  a  wanton,  a  slanderer,  you  are 
 in  the  broad  way  that  leads  to  destruction. 
 
 Kead  Matt.  vii.  21-23,  and  pray  that  you  may  not  be  deceiving 
 your  own  souls.  Dear  believers,  pray  that  you  may  bear  fruit  an 
 hundredfold.  Do  not  be  content  with  bearing  thirtyfold  or  sixty- 
 fold  ;  pray  to  be  sanctified  ivliolhj. — 1  Thess.  v.  23.  Pray  that  the 
 whole  lump  may  be  leavened. — Matt.  xiii.  33.  Pray  that,  day  or 
 night,  in  company  or  alone,  Sabbath  and  week-day,  you  may 
 adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour  in  all  things.  I  often  pray 
 for  you  all ;  and  desire  that  in  secret,  and  in  your  families,  you 
 will  not  forget  me. — Your  friend  and  soul's  well-wisher,  etc. 
 
266 
 
 LETTERS. 
 
 TO  M.  S 
 
 Trying  dispensations. 
 
 Dundee,  February  28,  184.1. 
 
 Dear  Friend, — I  have  heard  from  J.  S.  of  your  brother's  death, 
 and  I  write  a  Kne  to  comfort  you.  There  is  no  true  comfort  to 
 be  found  but  in  Christ.  He  is  a  fountain  of  living  waters,  and 
 you  must  go  with  your  thirsty  soul  to  Him  and  drink. — John  vii. 
 37 ;  Ps.  Ixiii.  If  your  brother  died  in  the  Lord,  then  he  is  far 
 better  than  if  he  were  here. — Phil.  i.  23.  If  he  died  out  of  the 
 Lord,  you  must  be  like  Aaron  when  "  he  held  his  peace,"  Lev. 
 X.  3.  Be  not  moved  by  these  afflictions,  knowing  that  you  were 
 appointed  thereunto.  Seek  more  and  more  abiding  peace  in  Christ. 
 He  is  not  only  a  Saviour,  but  a  sympathizing  elder  brother. 
 
 Read  John  xi.  and  Lam.  iii.,  and  you  will  see  what  a  compas- 
 sionate bosom  Christ  has.  Lean  your  head  more,  and  you  will 
 find  rest.  "  Do  not  despise  the  chastening  of  the  Lord."  Inquire 
 what  change  He  would  have  wrought  in  you  and  in  all  your 
 friends.  Are  there  any  need  to  be  awakened  ?  let  them  listen  to 
 this  warning.  Are  there  any  need  to  be  brought  off  from  love  of 
 the  world?  let  them  hear  the  voice  of  God  from  your  brother's 
 grave,  saying,  "  What  shall  it  profit  a  man  though  he  gain  the 
 whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?"  Your  brother,  though  dead, 
 still  speaketh.  To  you  he  says,  "  Lean  on  the  beloved  as  you  come 
 up  out  of  the  wilderness.  The  Lord  is  at  hand."  Keep  your 
 eye  fixed  on  Jesus.  Pray  much  for  his  Spirit  and  likeness ;  and 
 be  ready  for  his  coming. 
 
 Our  communion  is  on  Sabbath  next.  Your  friend  J.  thought 
 you  would  perhaps  love  to  be  here.  Farewell  for  the  present. 
 May  the  Lord  Jesus  be  very  near  you,  to  comfort  and  sanctify  and 
 bless  you. — Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  E.  R,  ASKING  COUNSEL. 
 A  sight  of  corruption  drives  to  Christ. 
 
 Dundee,  1842. 
 Dear  Friend, — I  send  you  a  hurried  line,  and  may  the  Spirit 
 accompany  it  with  his  divine  power  to  your  heart !     It  is  a  good 
 thing  to  be  shown  much  of  the  deceitfulness  and  desperate  wicked- 
 ness of  your  heart,  provided  it  lead  you  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  tha? 
 
LETTERS.  267 
 
 He  may  pardon  and  subdue  it.  Slightness  and  carnal  ease  are 
 much  more  to  be  dreaded  than  discoveries  of  our  leprosy. 
 
 The  groans  and  triumphal  song  of  a  believer  are  not  far  sepa- 
 rated, as  you  may  see  in  Paul,  Rom.  vii.  24,  25  :  "0  wretched 
 man,", and  "I  thank  God,"  all  in  one  breath!  David  felt  the 
 same. — See  Ps.  Ixxiii.  At  one  verse  he  feels  himself  a  fool  and  a 
 beast  in  the  sight  of  a  holy  God,  and  in  the  very  next  verses  he  is 
 cleaving  to  Christ  with  a  song  of  unspeakable  joy. — Vers.  22-24. 
 Ah !  there  is  a  sweet  mystery  here — bitter  herbs  along  with  our 
 passover  Lamb.  It  is  sweet  to  see  ourselves  infinitely  vile,  that  we 
 may  look  to  Jehovah  our  Righteousness,  as  all  our  way  to  the 
 Father. 
 
 The  sweet  Psalmist  of  Israel  felt  this  on  his  dying  bed :  "  Although 
 my  house  be  not  so  with  God,  yet  hath  He  made  with  me,"  etc., 
 2  Sam.  xxiii.  5.  His  house  had  been  the  scene  of  many  a  black  sin  ; 
 and  now,  when  dying,  he  could  not  but  confess  that  it  was  not 
 right  with  God.  Not  a  day  he  had  lived  appeared  clean — not  a 
 moment.  So  may  you  say  in  the  house  where  you  live,  and  looking 
 at  the  pollutions  of  your  own  heart :  "  Although  my  house  be  not 
 so  with  God" — although  my  heart  and  hfe  be  not  so,  yet  hath  He 
 made  with  me  an  everlasting  covenant,  ordered  in  all  things  and 
 sure. 
 
 God  makes  that  covenant  with  you,  when  He  brings  you  to  lay 
 hold  on  Jesus  as  your  Surety — your  curse-bearing,  law-fulfilling 
 Surety.  Then  you  are  brought  into  the  bond  of  the  everlasting 
 covenant,  and  all  its  blessings  are  yours — pardon,  righteousness, 
 consolation,  grace  upon  grace,  hfe,  love,  the  spirit  of  supplica- 
 tions— all  are  yours,  and  you  are  Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's. 
 
 Pray  to  be  made  like  Caleb,  who  had  another  spirit,  and  followed 
 the  Lord  fully.  Follow  Christ  all  the  day.  He  is  the  continual 
 burnt-offering  in  whom  you  may  have  peace.  He  is  the  Rock 
 that  follows  you,  from  whom  you  may  have  constant  and  infinite 
 supphes.  Give  yourself  wholly  away  to  Him.  You  are  safe  in 
 no  other  keeping  but  in  the  everlasting  arms  of  Jehovah  Jesus. 
 
 Keep  yourself  from  other  men's  sins.  Do  not  go  to  the  end  of 
 the  string^  that  is,  going  as  far  as  you  can  in  dallying  with  tempta- 
 tion without  committing  open  sin.  Remember  that  it  is  our  happi- 
 ness to  be  under  grace,  and  every  sin  will  be  bitterness  in  the  end, 
 and  will  take  something  out  of  your  eternal  portion  of  glory. 
 
 Grace  be  with  your  dear  and  much  honoured  minister,  and 
 with  all  that  love  Christ  in  sincerity.  Never  cease  to  pray  for  the 
 parish,  and  for  all  parishes,  that  God  would  pour  down  his  life- 
 giving  Spirit,  to  the  conversion  of  perishing  sinners  and  the  glory 
 
2G8  LETTERS. 
 
 of  his  own  great  name.     I  will  remember  you  on  the  12th  of  Jnno. 
 — May  the  Lord  remember  us. — Ever  truly,  etc. 
 
 TO  J.  T 
 
 A  young  boy  anxious  about  liis  soul. 
 
 Collage,  January  27,  1842. 
 
 My  dear  Boy, — I  was  very  glad  to  receive  your  kind  note,  and 
 am  glad  to  send  you  a  short  line  in  return,  although  my  time  is  much 
 taken  up.  You  are  very  dear  to  me,  because  your  soul  is  precious  ; 
 and  if  you  are  ever  brought  to  Jesus,  washed  and  justified,  you 
 will  praise  Him  more  sweetly  than  an  angel  of  light.  I  was  riding 
 among  the  snow  to-day,  where  no  foot  had  trodden,  and  it  was 
 pure,  pure  white ;  and  I  thought  again  and  again  of  that  verse : 
 "  Wash  me^  and  I  shall  he  whiter  than  snow.^'  That  is  a  sweet  prayer, 
 — make  it  your  own.  Often  go  alone  and  look  up  to  Jesus,  who 
 died  to  wash  us  from  our  sins,  and  say,  "  Wash  me.''  Amelia 
 Geddie  was  one  day  dressed  in  a  new  white  frock,  with  red  ribbons 
 in  her  bonnet,  and  some  one  said  to  her,  "  No  doubt  you  will  think 
 yourself  very  trim  and  clean?"  "Ah!  no,"  she  said,  ^^ I  ivill 
 never  think  that  until  I  have  the  fine  ivhite  rohe  of  my  Bedeemers  right- 
 eousness put  upon  me"  I  am  glad,  my  dear  boy,  you  think  that 
 God  is  afflicting  you  to  bring  you  to  himself.  It  is  really  for  this 
 that  He  smites  you.  His  heart,  his  hand,  and  his  rod,  are  all 
 inscribed  wdth  love.  But  then,  see  that  He  does  bring  you  to 
 himself.  Do  not  delay.  The  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone  stretches 
 beneath  every  soul  that  lives  in  sin.  "  There  is  no  peace,  saith  my 
 God,  to  the  wicked."  If  the  Lord  Jesus  would  but  draw  the  curtain 
 and  let  you  see  his  own  fair  face,  and  his  wounded  side,  and  how 
 there  is  room  for  the  guiltiest  sinner  in  Him,  you  would  be  drawn 
 to  Jesus  with  the  cords  of  love.  I  was  preaching  in  Perth  last 
 Sabbath.  When  I  came  out,  a  little  girl  came  up  to  me,  I  think 
 about  three  or  four  years  old.  She  W' anted  to  hear  of  the  way  to 
 be  saved.  Her  mother  said  she  had  been  crying  the  whole  night 
 before  about  her  soul,  and  would  take  no  comfort  till  she  should 
 find  Jesus.  Oh !  pray  that  the  same  Spirit  may  waken  yon. 
 Bemember,  Johnnie,  you  once  wept  for  your  soul  too,  and  prayed 
 and  sought  Jesus.  Have  you  found  Him  ?  or  have  you  looked 
 back,  like  Lot's  wife,  and  become  a  hard,  cold  pillar  of  salt  ? 
 Awake  again,  and  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Your  time 
 may  be  short,   God  only  knows.     The  longest  lifetime  is  short 
 
LETTFRS.  269 
 
 enough.     It  is  all  that  is  given  you  to  be  converted  in.     They  are 
 the  happiest  who  are  brought  soonest  to  the  bosom  of  Jesus. 
 
 Write  me  again.  At  present  I  must  draw  to  a  close.  Give  my 
 kindest  remembrances  to  your  mamma,  and  to  A.  when  you  write. 
 Tell  him  to  write  me.  May  you  all  meet  at  the  table  of  Jesus 
 above ;  and  may  I  be  there  too,  a  sinner  saved  by  grace. — Ever 
 
 TO  A.  T. 
 
 On  the  death  of  his  brother,  the  little  boy  to  wliom  the  preceding  letter  was 
 written. 
 
 St  Peter's,  March  1,  1842. 
 
 My  dear  a., — I  did  not  think  I  was  to  have  answered  your 
 kind  letter  in  the  time  of  bitter  grief.  But  so  it  pleases  Jehovah, 
 whose  will  must  be  our  will,  if  we  would  be  happy.  It  is  good  for 
 you  to  bear  the  yoke  in  your  youth.  This  is  the  way  God  trains 
 his  saints,  and  especially  his  ministers.  I  saw  your  dear  little 
 brother  twice  on  his  dying  bed,  and  indeed  I  could  not  believe 
 he  was  dying,  except  that  his  calm  eye  was  directed  to  the  hills 
 of  Immortality,  and  he  seemed  already  to  breathe  some  of  the 
 atmosphere  of  the  world  of  sinless  joy.  I  do  trust  and  believe 
 that  he  was  a  saved  boy.  You  know  I  am  rather  slow  of  coming 
 to  this  conviction,  and  not  fond  of  speaking  when  I  have  not  good 
 evidence ;  but  here,  I  think,  God  has  not  left  us  in  doubt. 
 
 At  Blairgowrie  he  used  several  times  to  speak  to  me  about 
 divine  things,  and  the  tear  would  gather  in  his  eye  when  he  said 
 that  he  feared  he  had  never  been  brought  to  Jesus.  Once,  when 
 he  had  a  sore  throat,  he  told  me  he  was  not  ready  to  die.  But 
 now  he  was  quite  different.  The  veil  seemed  to  be  lifted  away 
 from  his  heart,  and  he  saw  divine  things  simply  and  fully. 
 
 Over  and  over  he  told  me  that  he  was  not  afraid  to  die,  for 
 Christ  had  died.  "  How  kind  it  was  in  God  to  send  Jesus  to  die 
 for  sinners."  He  seemed  tranquil  and  happy,  even  when  the  pain 
 came  on  in  his  head  and  made  him  knit  his  brows.  You  have 
 reason  to  mingle  praise  with  your  tears.  Do  not  sorrow  as  one 
 who  has  no  hope.  Only  seek  a  right  improvement  of  this  bereave- 
 ment. He  is  not  lost,  but  gone  before,  and  we  shall  soon  put  off 
 this  clay  cottage  also.  And  soon  we  and  he,  made  new,  body  and 
 soul,  shall  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  and  so  be  for  ever  with  the 
 Lord.    I  was  at  your  house  on  Sabbath  night,  and  saw  them  all, — 
 
270  LETTERS. 
 
 sorrowful,  yet  rejoicing.  Your  dear  little  brother  lies  like  a  marble 
 statue  in  the  peaceful  sleep  of  death,  till  Jesus'  voice  shall  waken 
 him.  Happy  boy!  he  shall  hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any 
 more,  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  him,  nor  any  heat.  The  days 
 of  his  mourning  are  ended,  and  his  eternity  of  love  and  holy  joy  is 
 begun. 
 
 Improve  this  sharp  wind,  dear  A.,  for  you  will  soon  lose  the 
 benefit,  if  not  carefully  sought  after.  Search  out  the  Achan  in 
 your  heart  at  such  an  hour.  Let  affliction  strike  heavy  blows  at 
 your  corruptions,  your  idolatries,  and  self-pleasing  and  worldly 
 schemes.  Learn  much  of  Christ  at  such  an  hour.  Study  Him  at 
 the  grave  of  Lazarus — John  xi. ;  and  at  the  gate  of  Nain — Luke 
 viii.  11 ;  and  also  within  the  veil — Rev.  i.  18.  Do  not  be  ashamed 
 to  grieve  deeply;  but  let  your  sadness  find  rehef  in  the  bosom  that 
 was  pierced  with  the  spear. 
 
 "  Is  any  afflicted  ?  let  him  pray."  Strange,  Satan  often  tempts 
 us  to  restrain  prayer  at  such  a  time.  Be  very  gentle  towards  the 
 souls  of  your  kindred  now. 
 
 Remember  D and  H at  the  throne  of  grace.    If  God 
 
 had  taken  them,  where  would  they  have  been  ?  Learn  also  that 
 ministers  must  care  for  lambs.  "  Preach  the  gospel  to  every 
 creature." 
 
 Pray  for  me,  also,  that  I  may  do  so, — that  I  may  be  made  a 
 better  man  and  a  more  faithful  pastor  of  old  and  young. — Ever 
 yours,  till  we  meet  in  glory,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  EEV.  D.  CAMPBELL  OF  LAWEKS 
 Advice  to  a  brother  in  sickness. 
 
 My  dear  Brother, — Like  yourself,  I  have  been  laid  aside 
 from  the  work  of  the  ministry  for  two  Sabbaths,  but  am  now  re- 
 covering. 
 
 I  am  truly  afflicted  to  hear  of  your  trouble ;  and  yet  I  pray  it 
 may  turn  out  to  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel.  The  time  of  my 
 absence  from  my  flock  in  1839  was  more  blessed  to  my  people  than 
 even  my  presence  had  been.  Our  God  can  work  through  means 
 or  above  them.  He  then  puts  the  treasure  into  earthen  vessels, 
 often  allows  the  vessels  to  be  chipped  and  broken,  that  the 
 excellency  of  the  power  may  be  of  God  and  not  of  us.  Fear  not 
 for  your  flock.     The  Chief  Shepherd  who  sent  you  to  them  is 
 
LETTERS.  271 
 
 faithful,  and  his  name  is  the  Mighty  God.  He  can  feed  them  with 
 or  without  you.     And  none  that  are  his  can  perish. 
 
 Use  all  prudent  means  for  your  recovery.  Commit  yourself 
 entirely  to  God,  and  He  will  turn  the  shadow  of  death  into  the 
 morning.  I  have  been  often  brought  very  low,  but  it  has  been 
 always  good  for  me.  In  this  way  God  educates  his  ministers,  both 
 for  his  temple  below,  and  for  being  pillars  in  the  temple  above. 
 
 I  do  not  think  Broughty-Ferry  a  safe  place  for  you,  if  your 
 lungs  are  at  all  affected.  The  air  is  damp,  and  east  wind  cold.  If 
 it  is  only  your  stomach  that  ails,  then  it  will  do  well ;  but  if  you 
 have  any  chest  complaint,  do  not  think  of  the  east  coast.  Blair- 
 gowrie would  be  much  more  suitable;  when  you  would  have  the  kind 
 care  of  a  good  Christian  doctor,  and  the  ministry  of  dear  R.  M. 
 
 I  fear  my  illness  will  prevent  me  leaving  home  this  summer  ;  but 
 I  do  not  know.  Your  absence  will  make  us  pray  more  that  your 
 flock  may  not  be  forgotten. 
 
 Do  not  be  afraid  at  leaving  home.  His  compassions  are  new 
 every  morning.  Great  is  his  faithfulness.  He  doth  not  afflict 
 willingly. 
 
 All  grace  be  with  you  from  the  fountain  of  living  waters. — 
 Ever  yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  REV.  H.  BONAE,  KELSO. 
 Ministerial  arrangements — Breathings  after  holiness. 
 
 August  18,  1842.     . 
 
 My  dear  Horace, — I  laid  aside  your  note,  and  cannot  find  it 
 again.  I  think  you  ask  me  for  the  second  Sabbath  of  November, 
 on  my  way  back  from  London.  I  fear  I  must  not  do  it,  but  abide 
 by  my  former  arrangement.  Mr  Hamilton  presses  me  hard  to 
 stay  two  Sabbaths,  and  I  would  have  agreed,  but  am  to  elect 
 elders  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  November.  According  to  the 
 new  law  of  the  church,  the  signed  lists  are  read  in  a  meeting  of 
 session  on  the  third  Sabbath  after  the  intimation  is  given,  so  that 
 I  will  need  to  be  back,  even  though  I  should  need  to  be  in  Edin- 
 burgh the  week  after.  If  spared  then,  I  shall  hold  to  our  former 
 arrangement. 
 
 We  have  had  a  very  sweet  season  here  during  the  concert,  which 
 was  also  our  communion  week.  Andrew,  CandHsh,  Cormick,  Gum- 
 ming, Milne,  and  Graham  from  Ireland,  all  assisted  me.  We  had 
 meetings  every  morning. 
 
272  LETTERS. 
 
 Your  scheme  was  very  helpful;  I  enclose  mine.  About  700 
 people  attended  each  morning  ;  and  on  the  fast-day,  and  Sabbaths 
 too.     Several  souls  have  been  deeply  awakened. 
 
 I  have  great  desire  for  personal  growth  in  faith  and  holiness.  I 
 love  the  word  of  God,  and  find  it  sweetest  nourishment  to  my  soul. 
 Can  you  help  me  to  study  it  more  successfully  ?  The  righteousness 
 of  God  is  all  my  way  to  the  Father,  for  I  am  the  chief  of  sinners ; 
 and  were  it  not  for  the  promise  of  the  Comforter,  my  soul  would 
 sink  in  the  hour  of  temptation. 
 
 Did  you  observe  that  the  Charlinch  Revival  took  place  in  the 
 week  of  the  concert  for  prayer  last  year  ? 
 
 The  trials  of  the  church  are  near.  May  we  be  kept  in  the 
 shadow  of  the  rock.  Farewell !  May  Jesus  shine  on  you, — 
 Yours,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  EEV.  E.  MACDONALD,  BLAIBGOWEIE. 
 Inward  life — Words  of  counsel. 
 
 Dundee,  1842. 
 My  dear  Friend, — This  is  Friday  evening,  and  I  do  not  know 
 what  to  preach  on  Sabbath  next,  else  I  would  have  written  you 
 at  greater  length;  but  as  I  am  to  see  you  so  soon  face  to  face.,  there 
 is  the  less  need  of  communing  with  ink  and  pen. 
 
 J  hope  your  health  keeps  good,  and  your  labours  abundant, — 
 that  you  have  a  continued  interest  in  the  blood  which  speaketh 
 peace, — a  sense  of  forgiveness  and  acceptance  in  the  beloved, — 
 that  you  feel  "his  right  hand  under  your  head,"  and  the  power  of 
 his  indwelling  Spirit  dwelling  in  you  and  walking  in  you.  These 
 sweet  experiences  alone  make  the  minister's  life  calm  and  serene, 
 like  this  autumnal  evening.  Ah  !  how  easy  it  is  to  speak  or  write 
 about  them  !  What  a  different  thing  to  feel  them  !  It  is  my  con- 
 stant desire,  and  yet  I  am  constantly  disappointed.  I  think  I 
 never  was  brought  to  feel  the  wickedness  of  my  heart  as  I  do  now. 
 Yet  I  do  not  feel  it  as  many  sweet  Christians  do,  while  they  are 
 high  above  it,  and  seem  to  look  down  into  a  depth  of  iniquity, 
 deep,  deep  in  their  bosoms.  Now,  it  appears  to  me  as  if  my  feet 
 were  actually  in  the  miry  clay,  and  I  only  wonder  that  I  am  kept 
 from  open  sin.  My  only  refuge  is  in  the  word,  "  I  will  put  my 
 Spirit  within  you.'*  It  is  only  by  being  made  a  partaker  of  the 
 dwi?ie  nature  that  I  can  escape  the  corruption  that  is  in  the  world 
 through  lust. 
 
LETTERS.  273 
 
 All  things  go  on  here  much  as  they  did.  I  cannot  say  that  my 
 sermons  are  much  shorter,  though  I  have  tried  to  shorten  them. 
 My  meeting  is  still  the  hour  and  half,  nor  do  I  see  how  I  can 
 shorten  it.  It  is  very  well  attended.  A  stranger  started  up  and 
 prayed  one  evening.  I  did  not  interrupt  him,  or  take  notice  of  it, 
 but  have  thought  it  best  to  forbid  it.  None  but  ordained  servants 
 should  speak  in  churches. 
 
 I  hope  you  have  got  all  your  preparations  well  forward.  Deal 
 faithfully  by  all  that  speak  to  you  for  the  communion,  especially 
 the  young.  If  you  would  have  a  clear  conscience,  none  but  those 
 who  are  seeking  really  to  close  with  Jesus  Christ  should  be  allowed 
 to  take  the  bread  and  wine,  if  a  word  of  yours  can  help  it. 
 
 Be  decided  in  keeping  back  the  scandalous.  Stir  up  your  elders 
 to  this.  They  are  very  apt  to  be  remiss.  May  you  have  much 
 grace  given  you  at  this  time,  and  peace — droppings  of  the  Spirit, 
 and  refreshings  of  peace  in  the  heart.  I  invite  all  who  have  any 
 wish  to  speak  to  their  minister  before  communicating,  to  do  so. 
 May  you  have  much  fruit  at  this  time  that  shall  appear  many  days 
 hence !  I  have  been  surprised  to  find  even  a  poor  table  service 
 blessed.  Expect  much,  and  much  will  be  given.  Pray  for  me,  for 
 I  am  all  but  desolate. — Yours  faithfully,  etc. 
 
 TO  ONE  OP  HIS  FLOCK,  WHO  HAD  BEEN  APPOINTED  TO  THE 
 CHARGE  OF  A  FEMALE  SCHOOL  IN  THE  COUNTEY. 
 
 Do  what  you  can. 
 
 Collage,  July  25,  1842. 
 
 Dear  Friend, — I  have  been  laid  aside  for  a  short  time,  and  did 
 not  receive  your  letter  till  it  was  too  late  to  send  the  communis 
 cant's  line,  which  you  desired.  I  have  no  doubt  Mr  B.  would  give 
 you  a  token,  however,  even  without  a  line.  I  am  truly  glad  to 
 hear  that  you  are  so  fully  employed,  and  earnestly  trust  that  your 
 labours  may  be  owned  by  God.  Souls  are  perishing  every  day, 
 and  our  own  entrance  into  eternity  cannot  be  far  distant.  Let  us^ 
 like  Mary,  "  do  what  we  can,"  and  no  doubt  God  will  bless  It,  and 
 reward  us  openly.  Sit  under  a  living  ministry  if  you  can.  Seek 
 much  personal  holiness  and  likeness  to  Christ  in  all  the  features  of 
 his  blessed  character.  Seek  to  be  lamb-like,  without  which  all 
 your  efforts  to  do  good  to  others  will  be  as  sounding  brass  or  a 
 tinkling  cymbal. 
 
 Pray  for  dear  St  Peter's,  that  the  dew  may  never  cease  to  fall 
 
274  LETTEKa. 
 
 there;  continue  in  prayer,  and  wateh  in  the  same  with  thanks- 
 giving.— Ever  truly,  etc. 
 
 TO  ONE  AWAKENED. 
 Call  upon  a  soul  to  choose  Jesus. 
 
 Dundee,  September  1842. 
 
 My  Dear  Gr., — I  was  glad  indeed  to  see,  by  the  hue  you  sent 
 
 me,  that  though  your  mind  is  dark  and  troubled,  you  have  not 
 gone  back  to  the  world.  Ah,  it  is  a  false,  deceiving  world !  It 
 smiles  only  to  betray.  Fain  would  I  lead  you  to  taste  the  peace 
 that  passeth  understanding,  and  that  it  is  only  to  be  found  in  Jesus. 
 You  are  quite  wrong  in  thinking  that  I  do  not  understand  your 
 misery.  I  know  it  well.  It  is  true  Jesus  does  give  me  peace. 
 He  washes  me  from  all  sin  in  his  own  blood.  I  often  feel  Him 
 standing  by  my  side  and  looking  down  upon  me,  saying,  "  Thou 
 are  mine."  Yet  still  I  have  known  more  misery  than  you.  I 
 have  sinned  more  deeply  than  you.  I  have  sinned  against  more 
 light  and  more  love,  and  yet  I  have  found  mercy ;  why  may  not 
 you?  Remember  what  James  Covey  said:  "Tell  poor  sailors 
 that  none  of  them  need  to  despair,  since  poor  blaspheming  Covey 
 found  mercy."  I  was  interrupted  just  while  writing  this,  by  a 
 very  httle  girl  coming  to  ask,  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  " 
 Poor  thing,  she  has  been  weeping  till  I  thought  her  heart  would 
 break.  She  hves  several  miles  off ;  but  a  companion  was  awakened 
 and  told  her,  and  ever  since  she  has  been  seeking  Christ  with  all 
 her  heart.  I  was  telling  her  that  sweet  verse:  "Christ  Jesus 
 came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  of  whom  I  am  the  chief." — 
 1  Tim.  i.  15.  It  will  answer  you  also,  dear  friend.  Christ  Jesus 
 was  God's  dear  Son.  He  made  all  things, — sun,  moon,  and  stars, 
 men  and  angels.  He  was  from  all  eternity  in  the  bosom  of  the 
 Father,  and  yet  He  came  into  the  world.  He  did  not  say,  "I 
 will  keep  my  throne  and  my  happiness,  and  leave  sinners  to  die 
 and  perish  in  their  sins."  No ;  "He  came  into  the  world."  He 
 became  a  babe,  and  was  laid  in  a  manger,  for  there  was  not  room 
 in  the  inn.  The  inn  was  like  your  heart ;  it  was  filled  with  other 
 lodgers,  and  had  no  room  for  Jesus.  He  became  "a  man  of 
 sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief."  He  bore  our  sins  upon  His 
 own  body  on  the  tree.  While  we  were  sinners,  "  Christ  died  for 
 us."     Why  did  He  do  all  this?     Ah!  it  was  to  save  sinners. 
 
LETTERS.  275 
 
 Not  to  save  good  people — not  to  save  angels — but  sinners. 
 Perhaps  you  will  say,  "  But  I  am  too  bad  a  sinner ; "  but  Paul 
 says,  "  of  whom  I  am  the  chief."  Paul  was  the  chief  of  sinners, 
 and  yet  he  was  saved  by  Christ.  So  Christ  is  willing  and  able  to 
 save  you,  though  you  were  the  chief  sinner  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 
 If  Christ  came  into  this  world  and  died  to  save  such  as  you, 
 will  it  not  be  a  fearful  thing  if  you  die  without  being  saved  by 
 Him?  Surely  you  have  lived  long  enough  without  Christ.  You 
 have  despised  Jesus  long  enough.  What  has  the  world  done  for 
 you,  that  you  love  it  so  much  ?  Did  the  world  die  for  you  ? 
 Will  the  world  blot  out  your  sins  or  change  your  heart?  Will 
 the  world  carry  you  to  heaven  ?  No,  no  !  You  may  go  back  to 
 the  world  if  you  please,  but  it  can  only  destroy  your  poor  soul. 
 "She  that  hveth  in  pleasure  is  dead  while  she  liveth." — 1  Tim. 
 V.  6.  Read  these  words  in  your  Bible,  and  mark  them  ;  and  if  you 
 go  back,  that  mark  will  be  a  witness  against  you  before  the  great 
 white  throne,  when  the  books  are  opened.  Have  you  not  lived 
 long  enough  in  pleasure  ?  Come  and  try  the  pleasures  of  Christ, 
 — forgiveness  and  a  new  heart.  I  have  not  been  at  a  dance  or  any 
 worldly  amusement  for  many  years,  and  yet  I  believe  I  have  had 
 more  pleasure  in  a  single  day  than  you  have  had  all  your  life.  In 
 what  ?  you  will  say.  In  feeling  that  God  loves  me, — that  Christ 
 has  washed  me, — and  in  feeling  that  I  shall  be  in  heaven  when  the 
 wicked  are  cast  into  hell.  "  A  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a 
 thousand." — Ps.  Ixxxiv.  10. 
 
 I  do  not  know  what  is  to  be  the  result  of  your  anxieties.  I  do 
 not  know  whether  you  will  be  drawn  to  Christ,  or  driven  back  into 
 the  whirlpool  of  a  perishing  world ;  but  I  know  that  all  will  soon 
 be  settled  for  eternity.  I  was  in  a  very  wicked  family  to-day, 
 where  a  child  had  died.  I  opened  my  Bible,  and  explained  this 
 verse  to  them  over  the  coffin  of  their  little  one :  "  It  is  appointed 
 unto  men  once  to  die,  but  after  this  the  judgment,"  Heb.  ix.  27. 
 Solemn  words  !  we  have  only  once  to  die,  and  the  day  is  fixed. 
 If  you  die  wrong  the  fi.rst  time,  you  cannot  come  back  to  die 
 better  a  second  time.  If  you  die  without  Christ,  you  cannot  come 
 back  to  be  converted  and  die  a  believer, — you  have  but  once  to 
 die.  Oh !  pray  that  you  may  find  Christ  before  death  finds  you. 
 "  After  this  the  judgment."  Not,  after  this  purgatory.  No 
 further  opportunity  to  be  saved  :  "  after  this  the  judgment."  As 
 death  leaves  you,  so  judgment  finds  you.  If  you  die  unsaved,  you 
 will  be  so  in  the  judgment.  May  I  never  see  you  at  the  left  hand ! 
 If  I  do,  you  will  remember  how  I  warned  you,  and  prayed  for 
 you,  and  besought  you  to  come  to  the  Lord  Jesus. 
 
276  LETTEKS. 
 
 Come  to  Jesus, — He  will  in  nowise  cast  you  out. — Your  affec- 
 tionate friend,  etc. 
 
 TO  A  SOUL  INQUIRING  AFTER  JESUS. 
 The  wise  meu — Guilt  in  us,  righteousness  in  Jesus. 
 
 St  Peter's,  Monday,  September  18,  1842. 
 
 My  dear  C, — I  do  not  and  cannot  forget  you  ;  and  though  it  ia 
 very  late,  I  have  to  write  you  a  few  lines  to  say,  Follow  on  to 
 know  Jesus.  I  do  not  know  if  you  can  read  my  crooked  writing, 
 but  I  will  make  it  as  plain  as  I  can.  I  was  reading  this  morning, 
 Luke  ii.  29,  what  old  Simeon  said  when  he  got  the  child  Jesus 
 into  his  arms  :  "  Now  lettest  Thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace, 
 according  to  thy  ward :  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation." 
 If  you  get  a  firm  hold  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  you  will  be  able  to  say 
 the  same. 
 
 If  you  had  died  in  your  ignorance  and  sin,  dear  soul,  where 
 would  you  have  been  this  night?  Ah!  how  shall  we  sufficiently 
 praise  God  if  He  really  has  brought  you  to  the  blood  of  the  Lord 
 Jesus  Christ !  Ps.  xxxvi.  12,  13,  will  suit  your  case.  If  you  all 
 are  really  brought  to  Christ,  it  will  be  something  hke  the  case  of 
 the  wise  men  of  the  East,  Matt.  ii.  When  they  were  in  their  own 
 country,  God  attracted  their  attention  by  means  of  a  star.  They 
 followed  it,  and  came  to  Jerusalem,  saying,  "  Where  is  He  that 
 is  born  King  of  the  Jews?  for  we  are  come  to  worship  Him." 
 Herod  and  Jerusalem  were  troubled  at  the  saying.  No  one  was 
 seeking  Christ  but  themselves.  The  world  thought  they  were 
 mad ;  but  soon  they  saw  the  star  again,  and  it  led  them  to  the 
 house  where  the  infant  Saviour  lay, — his  robe  of  state  a  swaddling 
 band,  his  cradle  the  manger.  Yet  they  kneeled  down  and  called 
 Him,  "my  Lord  and  my  God," — they  got  their  own  souls  saved, 
 and  gave  Him  gifts,  the  best  they  had,  and  then  departed  into 
 their  own  country  with  great  joy  in  their  hearts,  and  heaven  in 
 their  eye.  So  it  may  be  with  you.  The  most  around  you  care 
 not  for  Jesus.  But  you  are  asking,  "  Where  is  He? — we  are  come 
 to  be  saved  by  Him."  None  around  you  can  tell.  They  think 
 you  are  going  out  of  your  mind.  But  God  is  leading  you  to  the 
 very  spot  where  the  Redeemer  is, — a  lowly,  despised,  spit-upon, 
 crucified  Saviour.  Can  this  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world  ?  Yes, 
 dear  soul ;  kneel  down  and  call  Him  your  Redeemer.  He  died  for 
 such  as  you  and  me.     And  now  you  may  go  away  into  your  own 
 
LETTERS.  277 
 
 country  again,  but  not  as  you  came.  You  will  carry  with  you 
 joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  A  young  woman  called  upon 
 me  on  Wednesday  last,  whom  I  had  never  seen  before.  She  said 
 she  was  a  stranger  from  another  part  of  Scotland ;  she  came  to 
 this  town  about  a  year  ago,  and  attended  St  Peter's,  and  there 
 for  the  first  time  learned  that  she  was  a  sinner  and  needed  Christ. 
 About  four  weeks  ago  she  found  rest  and  joy  at  the  Saviour's 
 feet.  I  said  to  her,  "  Then  you  will  bless  God  that  He  brought 
 you  from  your  own  country  lo  this  place."  She  said,  "  I  often  do 
 that."  Another  woman  came  the  same  evening,  whom  I  had  never 
 seen.  She  said  she  had  been  married  eight  years  to  a  wicked 
 husband.  One  of  her  neighbours  had  brought  her  to  our  church, 
 and  now  she  feels  that  Christ  has  saved  her  soul. 
 
 Thus  the  work  goes  on  :  "  The  Lord  added  to  the  church  daily 
 such  as  shall  be  saved."  A  young  woman  was  with  me  to-night 
 in  great  distress.  She  said,  "  I  have  a  wicked  heart  within  me 
 that  would  sink  a  world."  I  said,  "  I  am  thankful  to  hear  you 
 complain  of  your  wicked  heart,  dear  friend,  it  is  unsearchably 
 wicked.  There  is  not  a  sin  committed  on  earth  or  in  hell  but  has 
 its  spring  and  fountain  in  your  breast  and  mine.  You  are  all  sin, 
 — your  nature  is  sin, — your  heart  is  sin, — your  past  life  is  sin, — 
 your  prayers  are  all  sin."  Oh  that  you  would  despair  of  being 
 righteous  in  yourself!  Then  take  the  Lord  Jesus  for  your 
 righteousness.  In  Him  is  no  sin.  And  He  stood  for  us,  and 
 offers  to  be  your  shield, — your  way  to  the  Father.  You  may  be 
 righteous  in  Christ  with  a  perfect  righteousness,  broad  as  the  law, 
 and  pure  as  the  light  of  heaven.  If  you  had  an  angel's  righteous- 
 ness, you  might  well  lay  it  down  and  put  on  Jesus.  The  robe  of 
 a  blood-washed  sinner  is  far  whiter  than  that  of  an  angel.  Do  not 
 fear  the  frown  of  the  world.  When  a  blind  man  comes  against 
 you  in  the  street,  you  are  not  angry  at  him ;  you  say  he  is  blind, 
 poor  man,  or  he  would  not  have  hurt  me.  So  you  may  say  of  the 
 poor  world,  when  they  speak  evil  of  Christians,  they  are  blind.  If 
 they  knew  their  sin  and  misery,  and  the  love  of  Jesus,  they  would 
 cleave  to  Him  also.  Fear  not  them  which  kill  the  body,  and 
 after  that  have  no  more  that  they  can  do.  Keep  close  to  the 
 Lord  Jesus.  He  is  greater  than  all  that  can  be  against  you ; 
 He  is  the  Shepherd  of  his  sheep  ;  He  will  defend  you  from  wolves. 
 Pray  for  the  Holy  Spirit,  dear  friend.  Ask  Him  to  come  into 
 your  heart,  and  abide  there.  It  is  a  mean  dwelHng  for  such  a 
 guest.  Still  He  will  make  it  clean  and  holy  by  dwelling  in  it. 
 Ask  Him  to  teach  you  to  pray,  Rom.  viii,  2G,  27.  He  will  give 
 you  "groanings  that  cannot  be  uttered."     Avsk  Him  lo  change 
 
278  LETTERS. 
 
 your  heart  and  make  it  like  tiiat  of  Jesus.  Ask  Him  to  write  tlie 
 law  upon  your  heart,  and  to  keep  you  in  every  time  of  need.  I 
 fear  you  are  weary  of  my  long  sermons.  Remember,  if  you  are 
 not  saved,  I  will  be  a  witness  against  you  in  the  judgment- day. 
 
 Come,  ye  weary,  heavj''  laden, 
 
 Lost  and  ruined  by  the  fall ; 
 If  ye  tarry  till  you're  better, 
 
 Tou  will  never  come  at  all. 
 Not  the  righteous — sinners  Jesus  came  to  call. 
 
 Farewell !     Write  me  soon   all  your  heart.- — Ever  yours  till 
 glory,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  SAME. 
 Trials  from  a  blind  world — How  the  death  of  Christ  is  an  atonement. 
 
 London,  Novemler  5,  1842. 
 
 My  dear  C, — I  pray  for  you  that  your  faith  may  not  fail.  Hold 
 fast  by  Jesus  for  a  little  while,  and  then  we  shall  be  for  ever  with 
 the  Lord,  where  the  unbelieving  will  never  be.  I  got  safely  up  to 
 town  without  stopping.  The  young  man  in  the  coach  with  us 
 was  Lord  P.  He  and  I  were  alone  all  night  in  the  railway  car- 
 riage, and  I  would  fain  have  told  him  the  way  to  be  saved,  but 
 when  morning  dawned  I  lost  him.  I  preached  twice  on  Thursday, 
 and  once  last  night,  and  now  I  am  preparing  for  to-morrow.  I 
 feel,  like  John  the  Baptist,  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  wilder- 
 ness. The  mad  world  presses  on  like  a  bird  hasting  to  the  snare. 
 They  do  not  know  that  the  dead  are  there,  and  her  guests  are  in 
 the  depths  of  hell. 
 
 I  thank  God  without  ceasing  when  I  remember  you  all, — how 
 God  opened,  your  eyes  and  hearts,  and  made  you  flee  from  the 
 wrath  to  come,  and  believe  the  record  which  God  hath  given  con 
 cerning  his  Son.  "  Fear  none  of  those  things  which  thou  shalt 
 suffer."  "  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a 
 crown  of  life,"  Rev.  ii.  10.  Do  not  be  surprised  if  worldly  people 
 mock  you,  and  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you  falsely.  Jesus 
 told  you  it  would  be  so.  "  If  you  were  of  the  world,  the  world 
 would  love  its  own."  You  have  been  long  enough  of  the  world. 
 Did  the  world  ever  hate  you  then  ?  So  now,  when  you  have  come 
 out  from  among  them,  and  are  cleaving  to  Jesus,  do  you  think 
 they  will  love  you  ?     Remember  Jesus  loves  you.     God  is  for  you, 
 
LETTERS.  279 
 
 and  wlio  can  be  against  you  ?  Remember,  all  who  have  gone  to 
 heaven  before  you  suffered  the  same  things ;  see  Rev.  vii.  14 : 
 "  These  are  they  that  came  out  of  great  tribulation." 
 
 You  wish  to  understand  more  about  Christ's  death  being  an 
 atonement.  I  shall  try  and  explain.  The  curse  which  Adam  by 
 his  sins  brought  upon  us  all  was  this,  "  Thou  shalt  surely  die." — 
 Gen.  ii.  17.  This  included  the  death  of  the  body,  the  death  of  the 
 soul,  and  the  eternal  destruction  of  both  in  hell.  This  is  the  curse 
 that  hangs  over  every  unpardoned  sinner.  And  our  sins  have 
 only  added  certainty  and  weight  to  the  awful  curse,  for  the 
 "  wages  of  sin  is  death."  Now,  when  the  Son  of  God  said  He 
 would  become  our  Surety  and  Saviour,  the  Father  said,  "  Thou 
 must  die  for  them;"  see  John  x.  17,  18:  "I  lay  down  my  life." 
 "This  commandment  have  I  received  from  my  Father."  It  is 
 true,  Christ  did  not  suffer  eternal  destruction  in  hell ;  but  He  was 
 a  person  so  glorious  and  excellent — God'^  own  Son — that  His 
 short  sufferings  were  equal  in  value  to  our  eternal  agonies.  So 
 that,  in  the  eye  of  law,  and  in  God's  account,  Jesus  has  suf- 
 fered all  that  you  and  I  were  condemned  to  suffer.  Hence  that 
 sweet,  sweet  passage,  "  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye,  .  .  .  for  she 
 hath  received  (in  Christ)  of  the  Lord's  hand  double  for  all  her 
 sins." — Isa.  xl.  1,  2.  Christ's  dying  for  us  is  as  much  in  God's 
 account  as  if  we  had  twice  over  borne  the  eternal  agonies  of  hell. 
 Hence  that  sweet  song  which  God  enabled  you  and  G.  to  sing :  "  I 
 will  praise  Thee ;  though  Thou  wast  angry  with  me,  thine  anger 
 is  turned  away,  and  Thou  comfortedst  me." — Isa.  xii.  1.  Hence 
 also  that  triumphant  question,  "Who  is  he  that  condemneth? 
 It  is  Christ  that  died." — Rom.  viii.  34. 
 
 Keep  looking,  then,  to  Jesus,  dear  soul,  and  you  will  have  the 
 peace  that  passeth  all  understanding.  Whenever  Satan  accuses 
 you,  send  him  to  the  stripes  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Deal  gently  and 
 tenderly  with  your  unconverted  friends.  Remember  you  were 
 once  as  blind  as  they.  "  He  was  despised,  and  we  esteemed  Him 
 not." — Isa.  liii.     Honour  your  mother  in  the  Lord.     Give  her  all 
 
 reverence  and  obedience  in  things  not  sinful.     Ask to  read 
 
 and  pray  over  Matt,  xviii.  3-6.  I  would  love  much  to  visit  the 
 cottage  on  my  return,  but  I  fear  I  shall  be  kept  in  town  till 
 Friday,  so  that  I  must  travel  night  and  day  home.  The  Lord 
 bless  you,  and  keep  you  cleaving  to  Christ  the  true  vine.  You 
 have  found  the  pearl  of  great  price.  Go  and  sin  no  more.  "  If 
 any  man  draw  back,  my  soul  shall  have  no  pleasure  in  him."  God 
 is  able  to  keep  you  from  falling.  In  his  dear  arms  I  leave  you. — 
 Yours,  etc. 
 
280  LETTERS. 
 
 TO  A  SOUL  THAT  HAD  BEGUN  TO  SEE  CHRIST. 
 What  you  want  in  yourself  is  to  be  found  in  double  measure  in  Christ. 
 
 Dundee,  November  1842. 
 My  dear  Friend, — Why  did  you  not  write  me  a  few  lines? 
 It  would  be  occupation  to  you,  and  your  soul  might  find  rest, 
 even  when  pouring  itself  out  to  another.  I  do  trust  you  are  seek- 
 ing hard  after  Him  whom  your  soul  loveth.  He  is  not  far  from 
 any  one  of  us.  He  is  a  powerful  and  precious  Saviour,  and  happy 
 are  they  who  put  their  trust  in  Him.  He  is  the  Rose  of  Sharon, 
 lovely  to  look  upon,  having  all  divine  and  human  excellences 
 meeting  in  himself;  and  yet  He  is  the  Lily  of  the  Valleys, — meek 
 and  lowly  in  heart,  willing  to  save  the  vilest.  He  answers  the  need 
 of  your  soul.  You  are  all  guilt ;  He  is  a  fountain  to  wash  you. 
 You  are  all  naked ;  He  has  a  wedding  garment  to  cover  you. 
 You  are  dead ;  He  is  the  life.  You  are  all  wounds  and  bruises ; 
 He  is  the  Balm  of  Gilead.  His  righteousness  is  broader  than  your 
 sin;  and  then  He  is  so  free.  Remember  the  word  we  read  at 
 the  draw-well :  "  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  hfe 
 freely."  Look  at  Isa.  xl.  1,  2  :  "  Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye  my 
 people."  If  you  receive  Christ  as  your  Surety,  you  have  reaUzed 
 double  punishment  for  all  your  sins.  The  sufferings  of  Christ  for  us 
 were  as  honouring  to  God  as  if  we  had  suffered  eternal  punishment 
 thrice  over.  If  you  will  only  open  your  arms  to  receive  Christ  as 
 your  Surety,  then  your  iniquity  is  pardoned.  You  will  taste  imme- 
 diate forgiveness.  Your  warfare  with  the  law  and  an  accusing 
 conscience  will  be  immediately  accomplished.  If  you  will  only  lay 
 hold  on  Christ  now,  you  will  feel  the  force  of  that  sweet  command, 
 "Comfort  ye,  comfort  ye;"  double  comfort,  double  peace,  for  in 
 Jesus  you  have  suffered  double  wrath.  Pray  over  that  verse ;  and 
 may  He  who  first  made  the  hght  to  shine  out  of  darkness  shine 
 into  your  heart,  to  let  you  see  the  way  of  salvation  clearly.  Soon 
 may  you  sing :  "  Thou  wast  angry  with  me ;  but  thine  anger  is 
 turned  away,  and  Thou  comfortest  me."  "  Oh,  to  grace  how  great 
 a  debtor !"  You  are  always  in  my  prayers,  that  God  would  reveal 
 himself  unto  you.  Oh  the  joy  of  being  able  to  say,  "  My  Beloved 
 is  mine,  and  I  am  his !" — Ever  yours  in  the  gospel,  etc. 
 
LEITERS.  281 
 
 TO  THE  REV.  P.  L.  MILLEE,  WALLACETOWN. 
 A  word  iu  season  to  the  weary. 
 
 September  14,  1842. 
 
 My  dear  Patrick, — Wlien  I  last  saw  Horatius,  I  agreed  not 
 to  ask  him  at  all  at  the  autumn  communion,  but  only  in  the  spring 
 I  know  not  well  where  to  look,  as  A.  is  to  undertake  the  Edin- 
 burgh communion. 
 
 Don't  be  cast  down,  except  for  sin.  Lie  low  in  self,  and  set 
 both  feet  on  the  Rock  of  Ages.  The  sun,  by  one  blink,  can  give 
 a  smile  to  nature ;  so  can  the  Lord's  face  give  life  to  our  dark 
 souls.  Numbers  do  not  prove  life  always.  Remember  the  well  of 
 Sychar.  Get  much  of  the  hidden  life  in  your  own  soul ;  soon  it 
 will  make  life  spread  around. 
 
 Try  prayer,  when  preaching  fails.  He  can  turn  the  water  into 
 "fl'ine.     Farewell ! — Ever  yours  in  Jesus,  etc. 
 
 TO  TEE  REV.  J.  MILNE,  PERTH. 
 
 Another  word  in  season  to  a  brother. 
 
 September  24,  ]  812 
 
 My  dear  Brother, — I  long  after  you  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus 
 Christ.  If  I  make  you  sorry,  who  is  he  that  maketh  me  glad,  but 
 the  same  who  is  made  sorry  by  me  ?  I  often  try  to  carry  you  to 
 Jesus,  as  the  four  friends  did  the  palsied  man,  and  I  have  been 
 longing  to  hear  you  say  that  his  word  to  you  was,  "  Be  of  good 
 cheer,  thy  sins  be  forgiven  thee;"  and  then,  "Arise  and  walk." 
 I  wonder  often  God  does  not  hide  his  face  from  me  and  lay  mo 
 low,  yet  He  restores  my  soul  after  many  falls.  He  holds  me  by 
 my  right  hand,  and  I  believe  will  bring  me  to  glory,  though  the 
 weakest  and  most  inconstant  of  all  his  saved  ones.  We  shall 
 praise  more  loudly  than  other  men,  and  love  more  ardently,  and 
 gaze  upon  his  wounds  more  wistfully,  and  say.  He  gave  himself 
 for  us.  Cheer  up,  brother,  and  tell  poor  sinners  what  Jesus  can 
 do ;  for  if  He  could  not  save  the  vilest  of  them  all,  we  had  never 
 preached  the  good  news. 
 
 If  I  could  be  with  you,  how  gladly  would  I,  but  I  do  not  see 
 my  way.  I  have  promised  to  be  in  London  the  first  Sabbath  of 
 November,  which  will  take  me  soon  away,  and  for  a  long  time* 
 from  this  poor  flock. 
 
282  LETTERS. 
 
 Will  you  come  to  me  on  Monday  the  17tb,  the  last  day  of  the 
 concert  for  prayer?  I  think  of  printing  a  similar  tract  to  last 
 year's,  or  perhaps  the  same,  with  improvements.  Suggest  some- 
 thing. 
 
 This  is  Saturday,  and  I  am  empty.  Oh  for  fulness  out  of  Him ! 
 Why  do  we  not  take  all  out  of  Jesus?  —  Ever  yours  till  glory 
 dawn,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  EEV.  J.  MILNE,  PERTH. 
 Breathings  of  heart. 
 
 December  13,  1842. 
 
 My  dear  Brother, — We  are  to  have  the  communion,  if  God 
 permit,  on  1st  January  1843.  A.  B.  is  to  be  with  me.  Could 
 you  come  down  on  the  Thursday  or  Friday  previous,  and  give  us 
 a  good  and  comfortable  word  in  the  evening,  29th  or  30th  Decem- 
 ber— either  you  choose,  or  both  if  you  prefer  that  ? 
 
 I  preach  at  Newtyle  to-night,  and  to-morrow  evening  at  Lin- 
 trathen  in  a  barn,  and  on  Thursday  at  Kirriemuir.  Pray  for  me, 
 for  I  am  a  poor  worm,  all  guilt  and  all  helplessness,  but  still  able 
 to  say,  In  the  Lord  have  I  righteousness  and  strength.  When 
 shjill  the  day  break  and  the  shadows  flee  away?  When  that  which 
 is  perfect  is  come,  then  that  which  is  in  part  shall  be  done  away. 
 I  long  for  love  without  any  coldness,  light  without  dimness,  and 
 purity  without  spot  or  wrinkle.  I  long  to  be  at  Jesus'  feet,  and 
 tell  Him  I  am  all  his,  and  ever  will  be. — Yours  till  then,  etc. 
 
 TO  ONE  WHO  HAD  LATELY  TAKEN  UP  THE  CEOSS. 
 Kept  by  God — Meeting  with  God. 
 
 St  Peter's,  January  31,  1843. 
 My  dear  M., — I  was  glad  indeed  to  hear  that  you  are  prosper- 
 ing, and  that  you  do  not  repent  having  made  Moses'  choice, — 
 Heb.  xi.  24,  25, — of  which  I  used  to  tell  you  so  often.  Happy  is 
 that  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord.  You  remember  what  Ruth 
 said  when  she  clave  to  Naomi? — "  Thy  people  shall  be  my  people, 
 and  thy  God  my  God."  I  have  not  got  your  note  by  me,  and  it  is 
 late,  but  I  will  answer  it  to-morrow.  I  only  write  a  hue  to-night 
 to  strengthen  your  faith, — <'  that  I  may  be  comforted  together 
 
LETTERS.  283 
 
 with  you,  by  the  mutual  faith  both  of  you  and  me." — Rom.  i.  12. 
 I  have  been  remaining  quiet  since  I  wrote  you  last,  that  I  may 
 gather  strength  for  the  north.  I  expect  hard  service,  but  I  hope 
 Jesus  will  be  with  me.  You  remember  the  sweet  promise  Jacob 
 got  at  Bethel  while  he  slept  at  the  foot  of  that  wondrous  ladder : 
 •'  Behold,  I  am  with  thee,  and  will  keep  thee  in  all  places  whither 
 thou  goest ;  for  I  will  not  leave  thee  until  I  have  done  that  which  I 
 have  spoken  to  thee  of."  That  promise  is  to  you  and  me  as  truly 
 as  to  Jacob.  Therefore  do  not  fear  though  you  may  be  taken 
 among  those  who  are  strangers  to  Jesus  and  his  love.  There  is 
 a  sweet  promise,  Ezek.  xi.  16.  I  have  felt  its  preciousness  in 
 foreign  lands.  Jesus  himself  will  be  our  sanctuary  not  made  with 
 hands.  I  was  preaching  on  Thursday  last  on  Rev.  xix.  12  : 
 "On  his  head  were  many  crowns;"  trying  to  teach  them  the 
 kingly  office  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  It  was  a  very  solemn  night.  On 
 Sabbath  I  lectured  on  Heb.  ix.  9,  10,  and  preached  in  the  evening 
 on  Isa.  xlix.  5 :  "Though  Israel  be  not  gathered;"  showing  that 
 however  many  will  be  lost  by  unbehef,  still  Christ  would  not  lose 
 one  beam  of  his  glory.  If  all  the  world  were  blind,  and  said  the 
 sun  was  dark,  that  would  not  take  away  one  bright  ray  from  it. 
 It  was  a  very  awful  subject,  and  my  heart  yearned  over  poor  lost 
 sinners.  Four  little  girls  have  come  since,  asking,  "  What  must  I 
 do  to  be  saved?"  Three  of  them  were  awakened  before,  and  one 
 very  lately.  A  widow  came  last  night  whom  I  never  saw  before, 
 to  tell  me  that  she  had  found  the  Lord  Jesus.  To-night  we  have 
 been  at  a  large  meeting  about  the  tracts  which  are  distributed 
 monthly  to  every  house  in  town, — a  very  sweet  society.  It  is  now 
 late,  and  I  am  talking  a  little  while  with  you  as  we  used  to  do 
 before  retiring.  Did  you  read  Gen.  xxxii.  to-day?  What  a 
 solemn  chapter!  Do  you  ever  come  to  a  spot  you  can  call  Ma- 
 hanaim,  where  the  angels  of  God  meet  you  ?  I  trust  you  are  one 
 of  the  heirs  of  salvation,  and  that  the  angels  are  sent  forth  to 
 minister  to  you.  Unconverted  souls  have  no  such  privilege.  You 
 see  Jacob  was  going  on  God's  errand,  at  God's  command  (see 
 xxxi.  3),  when  the  angels  of  God  met  him.  Oh,  it  is  sweet  to  go 
 on  God's  errands !  How  long  we  went  Satan's,  and  the  world's, 
 and  our  own,  "  serving  diverse  lusts  and  pleasures !"  Do  you  not 
 feel  your  heart  hghter  now  as  you  walk  on  the  narrow  way  ?  Is 
 not  a  Christian's  darkest  hour  calmer  than  the  world's  brightest  ? 
 Is  not  Jacob's  prayer  in  his  distress  an  interesting  one  ?  He  puts 
 God  in  remembrance  of  his  promise.  This  is  what  we  should  do : 
 "  The  Lord  which  said  unto  me."  And  "  Thou  saidst,  I  will 
 surely  do  thee  good." — Gen.  xxxii.  912.   God  commands  us  to  do 
 
284  LETTEllS. 
 
 this :  "  Put  me  in  remembrance."  Isa.  xliii.  26.  It  is  a  blessed 
 way  of  praying,  to  pray  upon  a  promise,  and  to  plead,  "  Do  as 
 Thou  hast  said."  You  remember  Faitlis  Plea,  o.  little  book  Miss 
 C.  gave  you.  Who  do  you  think  the  man  was  that  wrestled  with 
 Jacob?  Was  it  not  Jesus,  the  sinner's  Friend?  At  the  day- 
 break Jacob  began  to  see  his  blessed  features,  and  when  his  thigh 
 was  out  of  joint  he  could  do  nothing  but  hang  upon  Him.  This  is 
 what  you  and  I  should  do.  Say,  "I  will  not  let  Thee  go  except 
 Thou  bless  me."  Are  there  not  some  spots  that  you  can  call 
 Peniel,  where  you  have  met  Jehovah- Jesus  face  to  face  ?  When 
 you  do  get  into  his  presence,  oh  do  not  weary  of  it ;  do  not  soon 
 let  go  your  hold.  I  am  sure  we  lose  much  by  our  slight  hold 
 on  Jesus.  I  was  telling  an  interesting  story  to-night.  Thirty 
 thousand  Spaniards  lately  came  over  the  Pyrenees  into  France,  to 
 escape  the  civil  wars.  Some  Geneva  youths  determined  to  take 
 the  opportunity  of  providing  them  with  Spanish  Testaments.  The 
 London  Society  granted  them  10,000  copies.  With  these  they  set 
 off  and  distributed  freely.  But  the  Spanish  priests  had  come  over, 
 and  would  not  allow  the  Spaniards  to  receive  or  keep  them.  Many 
 were  burned  or  torn ;  they  called  them  "  The  Plague."  One 
 Spanish  youth  bought  a  Testament — kept  it,  read  it,  believed 
 on  Jesus ;  and  when  his  countrymen  returned  to  Spain,  he  stayed 
 behind  to  hear  more  of  these  wonders  of  redeeming  love.  Was 
 not  this  one  precious  soul  worth  all  the  expense  and  trouble  a 
 thousand  times  over?  "Be  not  weary  in  well-doing,  for  in  due 
 season  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not."  Be  active  for  God;  you 
 have  lost  much  time  already.  Do  nothing  rashly,  nothing  unfemi- 
 nine  :  give  no  just  jause  for  reproach,  but  do  not  fear  ridicule  or 
 proud  men's  sneers.  If  they  knew  what  you  know,  they  would 
 rather  inquire,  "  Oh  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  Him !"  Mean- 
 while, good  night.  May  He  who  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps  watch 
 over  you  all,  and  keep  you  till  your  dying  day !  May  Jesus  be 
 near  you,  and  make  you  his  own  1  I  fear  I  must  not  visit  Kelso 
 this  season,  I  leave  for  the  north  on  Monday,  and  do  not  expect 
 to  be  home  till  the  25th.  I  fear  this  cuts  off  all  hope  of  my  visit- 
 ing R the  time  you  mention.     I  do  hope  to  be  in  England 
 
 early  in  the  summer,  but  before  that  I  do  not  see  my  way.  But  I 
 shall  gladly  leave  myself  in  Jehovah's  hand.  Present  duty  is  ours ; 
 neither  must  we  consult  our  mere  wishes.  If  I  hear  from  you 
 before  I  leave,  I  shall  try  and  send  you  another  line.  I  am  glad 
 you  teach  in  the  classes,  and  I  think  I  see  you  telHug  all  you 
 know.  Remember  Paul ;  when  his  heart  was  changed,  for  thirty 
 years  lie  did  nothing  else  than  serve  Jesus.     He  laboured  away 
 
LETTERS.  285 
 
 in  the  service  of  Him  who  died  for  him,  and  plucked  him  from  the 
 burning:.  It  is  interesting  to  notice  also,  how  often  Paul  told 
 them  of  his  own  conversion.  He  told  it  to  the  Jews — Acts  xxii. ; 
 then  to  Agrippa — Acts  xxvi. ;  then  to  the  Galatians — Gal.  i. 
 13-16;  then  to  the  Philippians — Phil.  iii.  4.  I  think  this  is  an 
 example  for  us  to  do  the  same,  cautiously  and  wisely.  John 
 Newton  once  preached  in  Newgate  to  the  prisoners.  He  chose 
 1  Tim.  i.  15  for  his  text,  and  told  them  his  own  history,  so  that 
 they  wept  and  he  wept.  Pray  for  me  still,  that  my  way  may  be 
 made  plain.    This  is  one  of  the  blessings  of  having  spiritual  children, 
 
 that  you  will  surely  pray  for  me.     Do  not  cease  to  pray  for , 
 
 that  her  eyes  may  be  opened  to  see  her  true  condition,  and  that  she 
 may  call  upon  Jesus  before  it  be  too  late.  I  must  now  leave  you 
 and  write  a  little  to  others.  I  preach  at  Wallacetown  to-night. 
 May  the  Master  be  there  !  Oh  He  is  a  sweet  Master  !  One  smile 
 from  Jesus  sustains  my  soul  amid  all  the  storms  and  frowns  of  this 
 passing  world.  Pray  to  know  Jesus  better.  Have  no  other  right- 
 eousness, no  other  strength,  but  only  Jesus.  Soon  we  shall  see 
 Him  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven.  May  you  be  kept  faithful 
 to  death. — Ever  your  loving  friend,  etc. 
 
 TO  M.  B., 
 
 One  of  his  flock  who  had  felt  deserted  in  soul. 
 
 Peterhead,  February  7,  1843. 
 
 Dear  Friend, — I  was  very  happy  to  hear  from  you.  I  grieve 
 to  hear  of  your  sorrow ;  but  Job's  sorrow  was  deeper,  and  David's 
 also,  in  Ps.  xlii.  If  you  cannot  say,  "  I  found  Him  whom  my  soul 
 loveth,"  is  it  not  sweet  that  you  can  say,  "I  am  sick  of  love" — 
 He  is  my  beloved  still,  though  He  has  withdrawn  himself  and 
 is  gone  for  a  time?  Seek  into  the  cause  of  your  declension. 
 See  that  it  be  not  some  Achan  in  your  bosom, — some  idol  set 
 up  in  the  corner  of  your  heart.  See  that  it  be  not  some 
 allowed  sin, — an  unlawful  attachment  that  is  drawing  you  away 
 from  the  bleeding  side  of  Jesus,  and  bringing  a  cloud  between 
 you  and  that  bright  Sun  of  Righteousness.  AVhen  you  find  out 
 the  cause,  confess  it  and  bewail  it  in  the  ear  of  a  listening 
 God.  Tell  Him  all ;  keep  nothing  back.  If  you  cannot  find  out 
 the  cause,  ask  Him  to  tell  it  you.  Get  it  washed  in  the  blood  of 
 Jesus.  Then  get  it  subdued. — Micah  vii.  10.  None  but  the 
 Lord  Jesus  can  either  pardon  or  subdue.     Remember  not  to  rest 
 
286  LETTERS. 
 
 in  a  state  of  desertion.  "  I  will  rise  now  and  go  al30ut  the  city." 
 And  yet  do  not  think  that  you  have  some  great  thing  to  do  before 
 regaining  peace  with  God.  The  work  on  which  peace  is  given  has 
 all  been  done  by  Jesus  for  us.  "  The  word  is  nigh  thee."  Christ 
 is  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  believeth. 
 
 The  sunshine  is  always  sweeter  after  we  have  been  in  the  shade ; 
 so  will  you  find  Jesus  in  returning  to  Him.  True,  it  is  better 
 never  to  wander ;  but  when  you  have  wandered,  the  sooner  you 
 return  the  happier  you  will  be.  "  I  will  go  and  return  to  my  first 
 husband,  for  then  it  was  better  with  me  than  now."  Hos.  ii.  7. 
 
 Do  not  delay,  but  humble  yourself  under  his  mighty  hand,  and 
 He  will  exalt  you  in  due  season.  I  have  been  speaking  to-night 
 in  this  place  to  a  large  and  attentive  audience  on  Zech.  ix.  9.    May 
 
 you  be  enabled  to  apply  it.     Remember  me  to  Mrs  K ,  and 
 
 also  to  all  your  fellow-servants  whom  I  know  and  love  in  the  truth. 
 
 Tell  N C to  make  sure  that  she  is  in  Christ,  and  not  to 
 
 take  man's  word  for  it.     Tell  E L to  abide  in  Jesus ; 
 
 and  tell  her  brother  to  take  care  lest  he  be  a  rotten  branch  of  the 
 true  vine.     Tell  W •  J to  be  faithful  unto  death. 
 
 I  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  know  that  my  children  walk  in  the 
 truth. — I  am,  your  loving  pastor,  etc. 
 
 TO  THE  EEV    ALEX.  GATHERER,  DUNDEE. 
 During  his  visit  to  the  north. 
 
 Ellon,  February  20,  18i3 
 
 Dear  Friend, — I  was  glad  to  hear  from  you  in  this  far-off 
 land.  I  am  deeply  grieved  to  hear  that  fever  still  prevails.  God 
 is  pleading  hard  with  my  poor  flock.  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  your 
 preaching  on  such  precious  texts,  and  hope  they  were  blessed  to 
 many.  Never  forget  that  the  end  of  a  sermon  is  the  salvation  of 
 the  people.  I  feel  more  and  more  that  it  is  God's  cause  in  which 
 we  are  embarked.  King  Jesus  is  a  good  master.  I  have  had 
 some  sweet  seasons  of  communion  with  an  unseen  God,  which  I 
 would  not  give  for  thousands  of  gold  and  silver.  May  you  have 
 much  of  his  presence  with  you !  Write  me  to  Cruden,  or,  if  imme- 
 diately, to  Captain  Shepherd's,  Straloch,  New  Machar. — Ever 
 yours  in  Jesus,  etc. 
 
LETTERS.  287 
 
 TO  ONE  WHO  HAD  MET  WITH  A  BEREAVEMENT. 
 Sorrow  of  the  world — Incidents. 
 
 March  8,  1813. 
 
 Mr  DEAR  , — I  know  you  will  be  wearying  to  hear  from 
 
 me  ;  but  it  lias  scarcely  been  in  my  power  till  now,  I  have  had  so 
 many  things  to  do  since  my  return.  I  trust  Jesus  is  making 
 known  to  you  his  power  to  calm  the  soul  in  the  deepest  trials. 
 "  Where  is  your  faith  ?"  He  said  to  the  disciples ;  and  He  says  to 
 you,  "  All  things  are  possible  to  him  that  believeth." 
 
 I  was  much  afflicted  for  your  sakes  to  read  the  solemn  letter 
 you  sent  me.  Do  you  remember  the  words,  "He  must  needs 
 go  through  Samaria?"  We  are  getting  new  light  upon  their 
 meaning. 
 
 I  was  reading  to-day  about  godly  sorrow,  and  the  sorrow  of 
 the  world.     Do  you  know  the  difference  between  these  two  ? 
 
 Had  this  blow  come  upon  you  in  your  unconverted  state,  it 
 would  have  wrought,  perhaps,  only  the  sorrow  of  the  world, — 
 carnal  sorrow, — sorrow  that  drives  us  away  from  God, — makes  us 
 murmur  and  complain  of  his  dealings.  Like  Pharaoh,  who  turned 
 harder  every  blow  that  God  struck, — even  the  loss  of  his  first-born 
 only  hardened  him.  But  godly  sorrow,  or  more  literally,  "  sorrow 
 towards  God," — grief  that  brings  us  to  the  feet  of  God, — worketh 
 repentance  unto  salvation,  not  to  be  repented  of.  It  is  used  as  an 
 instrument  to  bring  the  humbled  soul  to  cleave  to  Jesus.  Oh  may 
 it  be  so  with  you !  Humble  yourselves  under  the  mighty  hand  of 
 God,  and  He  shall  exalt  you  in  due  season.  Improve  the  season 
 while  it  lasts.  The  farmer  improves  the  seed-time,  to  cast  in  the 
 seed  into  the  furrows.  Now,  when  God  has  made  long  the  furrow 
 by  the  plough  of  affliction  in  your  heart,  oh  see  that  you  let  the 
 
 sower  sow  the  good  seed  deep  in  your  hearts.     I  trust  H.  B 
 
 may  be  made  a  great  blessing  and  comfort  to  you  next  Sabbath. 
 May  you  all  be  enabled  to  meet  with  Jesus  at  his  own  table,  and 
 to  tell  Him  all  your  sorrows  there,  and  ask  grace  to  keep  you  in 
 the  evil  day. 
 
 I  would  Hke  well  to  be  with  you  ;  but  in  body  this  may  not  be. 
 In  heart  I  am  often  with  you,  because  I  can  say  what  I  was  read- 
 ing to-day :  "  Ye  are  in  my  heart  to  live  and  to  die  with  you." 
 2  Cor  vii.  3. 
 
 I  preached  twenty-seven  times  when  I  was  away,  in  twenty-four 
 different  places.  I  was  very,  very  tired,  and  my  heart  has  beat 
 too  much  ever  since,  but  I  am  wonderfully  well      I  have  "fightings 
 
28S  LETTERS. 
 
 Without  and  fears  witbia"  just  now.  Do  pray  earnestly  for  me, — 
 as  indeed  I  know  you  do.  I  wish  you  had  been  with  me  last 
 night.  When  I  was  away,  the  people  agreed  to  meet  twice  a 
 week  in  the  lower  schoolroom  to  pray  for  me  ;  and  now  that  I 
 have  come  back,  we  have  continued  the  meetings.  The  school  is 
 quite  crammed.  Such  sweet  loud  singing  of  praise  I  never  heard, 
 and  many  tears. 
 
 I  stood  by  a  poor  sociahst  in  the  agonies  of  death  to-day.  He 
 was  quite  well  yesterday.  He  anxiously  wished  me  to  come  and 
 pray.     Oh  to  be  ready  when  the  Bridegroom  comes  ! 
 
 Farewell.  Peace  from  above  fill  your  soul,  your  friend  and 
 brother  prays,  etc. 
 
 ANOTHER  TO  ONE  BERExiVED. 
 Betake  yourself  to  Him  that  is  ever  the  same. 
 
 March  9,  1843. 
 
 My  dear , — I  did  not  think  I  would  have  been  so  long  in 
 
 answering  you  in  your  time  of  sorrow,  but  I  have  been  more  than 
 occupied.  I  earnestly  trust  that  this  sad  bereavement  may  be 
 greatly  blessed  by  God  to  you.  Pray  that  you  may  not  lose  this 
 precious  opportunity  of  giving  your  hand  and  heart  for  ever  away 
 to  the  Lord  Jesus.  May  Hosea  ii.  14  be  fulfilled  in  you  all : 
 "  Behold,  I  will  allure  her,  and  bring  her  into  the  wilderness,  and 
 speak  comfortably  unto  her;"  and  that  clear  promise:  "  I  will 
 cause  you  to  pass  under  the  rod,  and  I  will  bring  you  into  the 
 bond  of  the  covenant."  Ezek.  xx.  35-37.  This  solemn  event  shows 
 you  what  I  always  used  to  tell  you,  how  short  your  life  is, — what  a 
 vapour, — how  soon  the  joys  that  depend  on  the  creatures  may  be 
 dried  up ;  that  "  one  thing  is  needful,"  and  that  Mary  was  wise 
 in  choosing  the  good  part  that  cannot  be  takeji  away  from  her.  You 
 remember  the  first  night  you  were  in  St  Peter's  I  showed  you  this 
 preaching  from  Ps.  xvi.  6 :  "  The  lines  have  fallen  to  me  in  pleasant 
 places,  and  I  have  a  goodly  heritage."  I  am  indeed  more  than 
 ever  anxious  about  you,  that  you  receive  not  the  grace  of  God  in 
 vain.  It  is  the  furnace  that  tries  the  metal,  and  it  is  alfiiction  that 
 tries  the  soul  whether  it  be  Christ's  or  not.  I  am  jealous  over  you 
 with  a  godly  jealousy,  lest  the  furnace  should  show  you  to  be 
 reprobate  silver.  Do  let  me  hear  how  your  soul  truly  is, — whether 
 you  can  see  the  hand  of  a  Father  in  this  bereavement,— and  whether 
 you  are  more  than  ever  determined,  through  grace,   to  be  the 
 
LETTERS.  289 
 
 Lord's.  How  sweet  that  Jesus  ever  liveth  !  He  is  the  same  yester- 
 day, and  to-day,  and  for  ever.  You  will  never  find  Jesus  so 
 precious  as  when  the  world  is  one  vast  howling  wilderness.  Then 
 He  is  like  a  rose  blooming  in  the  midst  of  the  desolation, — a  rock 
 rising  above  the  storm.  The  Bible,  too,  is  more  full  of  meaning. 
 Have  you  ever  prayed  over  that  verse :  "  He  doth  not  afflict  luill- 
 inglyf  Lam.  iii.  33.  Oh  precious  book,  that  conveys  such  a 
 message  to  the  mourner's  dwelHng !  And  does  not  trial  bring 
 more  meaning  out  of  that  verse  :  "  We  know  that  all  things  work 
 together  for  the  good  of  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are 
 the  called  according  to  his  purpose?"  Rom.  viii.  28.  The  Bible 
 is  Hke  the  leaves  of  the  lemon-tree — the  more  you  bruise  and  wring 
 them,  the  sweeter  the  fragrance  they  throw  around.  "  Is  any 
 afflicted?  let  him  pray."  Do  you  not  find  that  prayer  is  sweeter 
 now  ?  The  soul  finds  vent  for  its  feehngs  toward  God.  "  Call 
 upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble :  I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt 
 glorify  me."  When  I  had  my  fever  abroad,  Mr  Bonar  whispered 
 that  verse  into  my  ear.  I  had  nearly  lost  all  my  faculties, — I  could 
 remember  nothing  except  that  I  was  far  from  home ;  but  that  verse 
 kept  sounding  in  my  ears  when  I  was  nearly  insensible :  "  I  called, 
 and  He  dehvered  me." 
 
 Are  you  preparing  to  go  to  the  Lord's  table  next  Lord's  day  ? 
 May  you  indeed  have  the  wedding  garment, — righteousness  without 
 works, — and  see  the  King  in  his  beauty, — and  give  yourself  away 
 to  Him,  saying,  "lam  my  beloved's,  and  my  beloved  is  mine!" 
 It  should  be  a  solemn  sacrament  to  you.     I  can  add  no  more. 
 
 Write  me  soon,  dear  G ,  and  tell  me  all  that  is  in  your  heart, 
 
 and  whether  the  voice  of  the  Comforter  does  not  say.  Be  still! 
 when  death  has  left  so  deep  a  silence  in  your  family. — Believe  me 
 ever  your  friend  in  Jesus,  etc. 
 
 TO  ONE  COMPLAINING  OP  THE  PLAGUES  OF  TEE  HEART. 
 
 Passing  on  to  glory. 
 
 St  Peter's,  March  8,  1843. 
 
 My  dear  Friend, — I  send  a  few  lines  to  you  in  answer  to  yours. 
 You  complain  of  the  plague  of  your  own  heart,  and  so  you  will  till 
 you  die.  You  know  little  yet  of  its  chambers  of  imagery.  All  that 
 is  ours  is  sin.  Our  wicked  heart  taints  all  we  say  and  do ;  hence  the 
 need  of  continual  atonement  in  the  blood  of  Jesus.  It  is  not  one 
 pardoning  that  will  serve  the  need  of  our  souls.     We  must  have 
 
 T 
 
290  LETTERS. 
 
 daily,  hourly  pardons.  I  believe  you  are  in  the  furuace,  but  it  is 
 a  short  one.  Soon  the  Bridegroom  will  come,  and  we  shall  be 
 with  Him,  and  Hke  Him,  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
 our  eyes.  I  burst  through  all  the  cobwebs  of  present  things,  and, 
 his  Spirit  anointing  my  eyes,  look  at  Jesus  as  one  beside  me. 
 Blessed  Elder  Brother,  with  two  natures — God  and  man — ever- 
 living,  never-dying,  never-changing  !  I  was  preaching  last  Sabbath 
 on  Heb.  ix.  13,  14  :  "  He  through  the  Eternal  Spirit  offered  him- 
 self. It  was  very  sweet  to  myself.  In  the  afternoon  I  preached  on 
 Rev.  ii.  4,  5  :  "I  have  this  against  thee,  that  thou  hast  left  thy  first 
 love."  I  fear  many  of  my  people  have  done  so  ;  therefore  it  was 
 very  suitable.  Several  I  see  have  felt  it  very  deeply.  In  the 
 evening  I  preached  on  Ps.  Ixxviii.  41 :  "  They  turned  back,  and 
 tempted  God,  and  limited  the  Holy  One  of  Israel," — on  the  sin- 
 fulness of  limiting  God.  It  was  a  very  sweet  and  solemn  day. 
 Meantime,  stay  your  soul  on  God.  "  Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  per- 
 fect peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  Thee,  because  he  trusteth  in 
 Thee."  A  few  more  trials,  a  few  more  tears,  a  few  more  days 
 of  darkness,  and  we  shall  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord !  "  In  this 
 tabernacle  we  groan,  being  burdened."  All  dark  things  shall  yet 
 be  cleared  up,  all  sufferings  healed,  all  blanks  supphed,  and  we 
 shall  find  fulness  of  joy  (not  one  drop  wanting)  in  the  smile  and 
 presence  of  our  God.  It  is  one  of  the  laws  of  Christ's  kingdom, 
 "  We  must  through  much  tribulation  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
 God."  We  must  not  reckon  upon  a  smooth  road  to  glory,  but 
 it  will  be  a  short  one.  How  glad  I  am  that  you  have  "  received 
 the  word  in  much  affliction,  with  joy  of  the  Holy  Ghost ! "  Cleave 
 closely  to  Jesus,  that  you  may  not  have  to  say  in  a  little,  "  Oh  that 
 I  had  affliction  back  again  to  quicken  me  in  prayer,  and  make  me 
 lie  at  his  feet !" 
 
 Trials  make  the  promise  sweet, 
 
 Trials  give  new  life  to  prayer  ; 
 Trials  bring  me  to  his  feet, 
 
 Lay  me  low,  and  keep  me  there. 
 
 This  land  will  soon  be  strangely  convulsed,  if  God  prevent  not. 
 The  plans  now  preparing  for  carrying  the  gospel  into  every  corner 
 of  the  land  are  sweet  indeed.  If  I  be  spared  and  strengthened, 
 I  go  to  London  towards  the  end  of  April.  My  stay  must  be  very 
 short.  It  is  also  intended  to  send  me  to  the  General  Assembly 
 in  May.  My  poor  flock,  how  I  yearn  over  them !  So  many  of 
 them  careless,  and  judgment  at  the  door !  Mr  Burns  comes  to  me 
 to-morrow. 
 
 I  must  add  no  more,  as  I  have  work  before  me.     May  you 
 
LETTEKS.  291 
 
 experience  more  and  more,  that  "  when  He  giveth  quietness,  none 
 can  make  trouble !" — even  as  you  once  experienced  the  other, 
 "  When  He  hideth  his  face,  who  then  can  behold  Him?"  Soon  we 
 shall  see  Him  as  He  is  ;  then  our  trials  shall  be  done.  We  shall 
 reign  with  Him,  and  be  entirely  like  Him.  The  angels  will  know 
 us  by  our  very  faces  to  be  brothers  and  sisters  of  Jesus. 
 
 Remember  Jesus  for  us  is  all  our  righteousness  before  a  holy 
 God,  and  Jesus  in  us  is  all  our  strength  in  an  ungodly  world. 
 Persevere  ever  to  death ;  eternal  life  will  make  up  for  all.  I 
 was  reading  to-day,  "  God  hath  granted  repentance  unto  life." 
 Remember  Barnabas's  advice,  "  Cleave  to  the  Lord," — not  to  man, 
 but  to  the  Lord.  May  He  perfect  all  that  concerneth  you.  Do 
 not  fear  the  face  of  man.  Remember  how  small  their  anger  will 
 appear  in  eternity.  Till  then,  believe  me,  your  friend  in  gospel 
 bands,  etc. 
 
SERMONS   AND   OTHER   REMAINS. 
 
Those  wbo  had  an  opportunity  of  hearing  Mr  M'CnEYNE  at  those  times  when 
 his  soul  was  most  enlarged,  and  his  lips  fresh  touched  with  the  live  coal,  -wOl 
 be  ready  to  remark  that  some  of  his  most  impressive  Sermons  (e.g.  The  Great 
 White  Throne)  are  not  here.  This  is  ti-ue ;  and  the  reason  is,  that  they  were 
 not  found  in  his  mss.  I  might  indeed  have  given  full  notes  from  the  records 
 of  hearers ;  but  it  was  far  better  to  adhere  to  what  was  found  in  his  own  hand- 
 writing, that  so  the  reader  may  be  sure  that,  if  he  has  not  before  him  the 
 discourses  as  they  were  delivered,  he  has  at  least  what  passed  thiough  the 
 author'ej  soul. 
 
SEEMONS,  ETC. 
 
 SERMON  I. 
 
 •*  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life  ;  no  man  cometb  unto 
 the  Fathei*  but  by  me." — John  xiv.  6.. 
 
 It  is  the  saying  of  an  old  divine,  that  God  often  orders  it,  that 
 when  He  is  in  hand  with  the  greatest  mercies  for  us,  then  we  are 
 most  of  all  sinning  against  Him ;  which  He  doth  to  magnify  his 
 love  the  more. 
 
 In  the  words  I  have  read,  we  find  an  example  of  this.  At  no 
 time  did  the  heart  of  Jesus  overflow  with  a  tenderer  and  more 
 sovereign  love  to  his  disciples,  than  when  He  said,  "  Let  not 
 your  heart  be  troubled."  They  were  troubled  by  many  things. 
 He  had  told  them  that  He  was  going  to  leave  them ;  He  had 
 told  them  that  one  should  betray  Him,  that  another  should  deny 
 .Him,  that  they  should  all  be  offended  because  of  Him  that  very 
 night ;  and  perhaps  they  thought  He  was  going  from  them  in 
 anger.  But  whatever  the  cause  of  their  trouble  was,  Jesus' 
 bosom  was  Hke  a  vessel  full  to  overflowing,  and  these  words 
 were  the  overlipping  drops  of  love :  "  Let  not  your  heart  be 
 troubled :  ye  beheve  in  God,  believe  also  in  me."  Surely  such 
 words  of  confiding  tenderness  were  never  whispered  in  this  cold 
 world  before ;  and  oh  then,  think  how  cold,  how  dark,  how  dull 
 is  the  question  with  which  Thomas  breaks  in  upon  the  heavenly 
 discourse :  "  Thomas  saith  unto  Him,  Lord,  we  know  not  whither 
 Thou  goest ;  and  how  can  we  know  the  way  ?  "  And  yet  how 
 condescendingly  does  Jesus  bear  with  their  cold-hearted  dulness ! 
 How  lovingly  does  He  begin  the  very  alphabet  of  salvation  with 
 them,  and  not  only  answers,  but  over-answers  Thomas, — gives 
 him  more  than  he  could  ask  or  think.  He  asked  about  the  way 
 and  the  place  ;  but  Christ  answers,  "  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and 
 
 S95 
 
296  SERMONS. 
 
 the  life  :  no  man  eometh  unto  the  Father  bnt  by  me."  Regardhig 
 this,  then,  as  a  complete  description  of  the  gospel  salvation,  let  us 
 go  over  the  different  parts  of  it. 
 
 I.  Christ  IS  the  Way. — "  I  am  the  way  ;  no  man  eometh,"  etc 
 The  whole  Bible  bears  witness  that  by  nature  we  have  no  way  to 
 the  Father.  We  are  by  nature  full  of  sin,  and  God  is  by  nature 
 infinitely  holy, — that  is,  He  shrinks  away  from  sin.  Just  as  the 
 sensitive  plant,  by  its  very  nature,  shrinks  away  from  the  touch  of 
 a  human  hand,  so  God,  by  his  very  nature,  shrinks  away  from  the 
 touch  of  sin.  He  is  everlastingly  separate  from  sinners  ;  He  is  of 
 purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity. 
 
 (1.)  This  was  impressively  taught  to  Adam  and  the  patriarchs. 
 As  long  as  Adam  walked  hoKly,  God  dwelt  in  him,  and  walked  in 
 him,  and  communed  with  him  ;  but  when  Adam  fell,  "  God  drove 
 the  man  out  of  paradise  ;  and  He  placed  at  the  east  of  the  garden 
 of  Eden,  cherubim  and  a  flaming  sword,  which  turned  every  way 
 to  keep  the  way  of  the  tree  of  life."  This  flaming  sword  between 
 the  cherubim  was  a  magnificent  emblem  of  God, — the  just  and  sin- 
 hating  God.  In  the  bush,  He  appeared  to  Moses  as  a  consuming 
 fire ;  in  the  temple,  He  appeared  between  the  chernl^im  in  the 
 milder  glory  of  the  Shechinah ;  but  here  He  appeared  between  the 
 cherubim  as  a  sword, — a  just  and  sin-hating  God.  And  I  beseech 
 you  to  remark,  that  this  flaming  sword  turned  every  way  to  keep 
 the  way  of  the  tree  of  life.  If  it  had  not  turned  every  way, — if  it 
 had  left  some  footpath  unglared  across, — then  Adam  might  have 
 stolen  in  by  that  footpath,  and  made  his  own  way  to  the  tree  of 
 life.  But  no :  whatever  avenue  he  tried, — however  secret,  how- 
 ever narrow,  however  steep  and  difficult,  however  silently  he 
 crept  along, — still  this  flaming  meteor  met  him,  and  it  seemed  to 
 say,  "How  can  man  be  just  with  God?  by  the  deeds  of  the  law 
 there  shall  no  flesh  living  be  justified."  Well  might  Adam  sit 
 down,  wearied  with  the  vain  search  for  a  pathway  into  life ;  for 
 man  by  nature  has  no  way  to  the  Father. 
 
 But  Christ  says,  "  I  am  the  way."  As  He  says  in  Psalm  xvi., 
 "  Thou  wilt  show  me  the  path  of  life."  No  man  could  find  out  this 
 path  of  life ;  but  Jesus  says,  "  Thou  wilt  show  it  me :  in  thy 
 presence  is  fulness  of  joy ;  at  thy  right  hand  are  pleasures  for 
 evermore."  Jesus  pitied  the  poor  sons  of  Adam  vainly  struggling 
 to  find  out  a  way  into  the  paradise  of  God,  and  He  left  the  bosom 
 of  the  Father,  just  that  He  might  open  up  a  way  for  us  into  the 
 bosom  of  the  Father.  And  how  did  He  do  it  ?  Was  it  by  escap- 
 ing the  vigilance  of  the  flaming  sword  ?     No  ;  for  it  turned  every 
 
SERMONS.  297 
 
 way.  Was  it  by  exerting  liis  divine  authority,  and  commanding 
 the  ghttering  blade  to  withdraw  ?  No  ;  for  that  would  have  been 
 to  dishonour  his  Father's  law  instead  of  magnifying  it.  He  there- 
 fore became  a  man  in  our  stead, — yea,  became  sin.  God  caused 
 to  meet  on  Him  the  iniquities  of  us  all.  He  advanced  in  our  stead 
 to  meet  that  fiery  meteor, — He  fell  beneath  its  piercing  blade; 
 for  He  remembered  the  word  of  the  prophet,  which  is  written  : 
 "  Awake,  0  sword !  against  my  shepherd,  and  against  the  man 
 that  is  my  fellow,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts." 
 
 And  now,  since  the  glittering  blade  is  bathed  in  the  side  of  the 
 Redeemer,  the  guiltiest  of  sinners — whoever  you  be,  whatever 
 you  be — may  enter  in  over  his  bleeding  body,  may  find  access  to 
 the  paradise  of  God,  to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  and  live  for  ever. 
 Come  quickly, — doubt  not ;  for  He  says,  I  am  the  way, 
 
 (2.)  The  same  fact — that  man  has  by  nature  no  way  to  the 
 Father — was  impressively  taught  to  Moses  and  the  people  of 
 Israel. 
 
 When  God  condescended  to  dwell  among  the  children  of  Israel, 
 He  dwelt  peculiarly  in  the  holiest  of  all — the  innermost  apartment 
 of  the  Jewish  temple.  There  the  visible  token  of  his  presence 
 rested  between  the  cherubim,  at  one  time  described  to  us  as  a  light 
 inaccessible  and  full  of  glory,  at  another  time  as  a  cloud  that  tilled 
 the  temple.  But  this  innermost  apartment,  or  holiest  of  all  (or 
 secret  place,  as  it  is  called  in  the  Psalms),  was  separated  from  the 
 holy  place  by  a  curtain  or  veil ;  and  through  that  veil  no  man  was 
 allowed  to  pass,  lest  he  should  die,  except  the  high  priest,  who 
 entered  in  once  in  the  year,  not  without  blood.  Now,  no  picture 
 could  express  more  plainly  that  the  way  into  the  holiest  was  not 
 made  manifest,  that  no  sinful  man  has  any  way  of  coming  into  the 
 presence  of  God. 
 
 But  Jesus  says,  "  I  am  the  way."  Jesus  was  grieved  that  we 
 were  shut  out  from  the  holiest  of  all — from  the  presence  of  God  ; 
 for  He  knew  by  experience  that  in  that  presence  there  is  fulness  of 
 joy.  But  how  did  He  open  the  way  %  Did  He  pull  aside  the  veil, 
 that  we  might  steal  in  secretly  and  easily  into  the  presence  of  the 
 Father  %  No  ;  but  He  offered  himself  an  offering  to  satisfy  divine 
 justice  and  reconcile  us  to  God.  "He  said,  It  is  finished,  and 
 bowed  his  head  and  gave  up  the  ghost.  And,  behold,  the  veil  of 
 the  temple  was  rent  in  twain,  from  the  top  to  the  bottom."  It  is 
 finished :  the  punishment  of  the  law  is  borne,  the  demands  of  the 
 law  are  answered,  the  way  is  finished,  the  veil  is  rent  from  the 
 top  to  the  bottom !  Not  a  shred  of  the  dreadful  curtain  now 
 remains  to  intercept  us.     The  guiltiest,  the  vilest  sinner  of  you 
 
298  SERMONS. 
 
 all,  has  now  liberty  to  enter  in  through  the  rent  veil,  under  the 
 light  of  Jehovah's  countenance, — to  dwell  in  the  secret  of  his 
 tabernacle,  to  behold  his  beauty,  and  to  inquire  in  his  temple. 
 
 And  now,  my  friends,  is  this  your  way  of  coming  to  the  Father  ? 
 Christ  says,  "  I  am  the  way  ;  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father  but 
 by  me."  If,  then,  you  will  still  keep  to  your  own  way,  whatever 
 it  be, — whether  it  be  the  way  of  tears,  or  penances,  or  vows  of 
 amendment,  or  hopes  that  God  will  not  deal  strictly, — if  you  will 
 not  be  warned,  you  will  find  in  the  judgment-day  that  the  cherubic 
 sword  turned  every  way,  and  that  you  are  left  a  prey  to  the  con- 
 suming fire. 
 
 But  oh  !  if  there  be  one  soul  that  can  find  no  peace  in  any  self- 
 righteous  way, — if  there  be  one  of  you  who  find  that  you  are  lost 
 in  yourself, — behold,  Christ  says  to  you,  "I  am  the  way,"  as  He 
 says  in  another  place,  "  I  am  the  door."  It  is  a  full,  free,  and  open 
 way,  and  it  'is  a  way  for  sinners.  Why  wait  a  moment  longer  ? 
 There  was  once  a  partition  wall  between  you  and  God ;  but 
 Christ  hath  cast  it  down.  God  was  once  angry  ;  but  his  anger 
 is  turned  away  from  this  blessed  path.  In  Christ  He  is  ever  well 
 pleased. 
 
 II.  Chnst  is  the  Truth. — The  whole  Bible,  and  the  whole  of 
 experience,  bear  witness  that  by  nature  we  are  ignorant  of  tlie 
 truth.  No  doubt  there  are  many  truths  which  an  unconverted  man 
 does  know.  He  may  know  the  truths  of  mathematics  and  arith- 
 metic,— he  may  know  many  of  the  common  every-day  truths  ;  but 
 still  it  cannot  be  said  that  an  unconverted  man  knows  the  truth,  for 
 Christ  is  the  truth.  Christ  may  be  called  the  key-stone  of  the  arch 
 of  truth.  Take  away  the  key-stone  of  an  arch,  and  the  whole 
 becomes  a  heap  of  rubbish.  The  very  same  stones  may  be  there  ; 
 but  they  are  all  fallen,  smothered,  and  confused, — without  order, 
 without  end.  Just  so  take  Christ  away,  and  the  whole  arch  of 
 truth  becomes  a  heap  of  rubbish.  The  very  same  truths  may  be 
 there  ;  but  they  are  all  fallen, — without  coherence,  without  order, 
 without  end.  Christ  may  be  called  the  sun  of  the  system  of 
 truth.  Take  away  the  sun  out  of  our  system,  and  every  planet 
 would  rush  into  confusion.  The  very  same  planets  would  be  there  ; 
 but  their  conflicting  forces  would  draw  them  hither  and  thither, 
 orb  dashing  against  orb  in  endless  perplexity.  Just  so  take 
 Christ  away,  and  the  whole  system  of  truth  rushes  into  confusion. 
 The  same  truths  may  be  in  the  mind,  but  all  conflicting  and  jarring 
 in  inextricable  mazes  ;  for  "  the  path  of  the  wicked  is  as  darkness  ; 
 they  know  not  at  what  they  stumble."    But  let  Christ  be  revealed 
 
SERMONS.  299 
 
 to  an  unconverted  soul, — let  it  not  be  merely  a  man  speaking  about 
 Christ  unto  him,  but  let  the  Spirit  of  God  reveal  Him, — and  there 
 is  revealed,  not  a  truth,  but  the  truth.  You  put  the  key-stone  into 
 the  arch  of  truth ;  you  restore  the  sun  to  the  centre  of  the  system. 
 All  truth  becomes  orderly  and  serviceable  in  that  mind. 
 
 Now  He  knows  the  truth  with  regard  to  himself.  Did  the  Son 
 of  God  really  leave  the  bosom  of  the  Father  to  bear  wrath  in  oar 
 stead? — then  I  must  be  under  wrath.  Did  the  Lord  Jesus 
 become  a  servant,  that  He  might  obey  the  will  of  God  instead  of 
 sinners  ? — then  I  must  be  without  any  righteousness, — a  child  of 
 disobedience. 
 
 Again,  knowing  Christ,  he  knows  the  truth  with  regard  to  God. 
 Did  God  freely  give  up  his  Son  to  the  death  for  us  all  ? — then,  if 
 I  beheve  in  Jesus,  there  is  no  condemnation  to  me.  God  is  my 
 Father,  and  God  is  love. 
 
 My  friends,  have  you  seen  Christ,  who  is  the  truth  ?  Has  He 
 been  revealed  to  you,  not  by  flesh  and  blood,  but  by  the  Spirit  of 
 our  God  ?  Then  you  know  how  true  it  is  that  in  Him  "  are  hid 
 all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge," — that  He  is  the 
 "Alpha  and  Omega,"  the  beginning  and  the  ending  of  all  know- 
 ledge. But  if  you  have  not  seen  Christ,  then  you  know  nothing 
 yet  as  you  ought  to  know ;  all  your  knowledge  is  like  a  bridge 
 without  a  key-stone, — hke  a  system  without  a  sun.  What  good 
 will  it  do  you  in  hell  that  you  knew  all  the  sciences  in  the  world, 
 all  the  events  of  history,  and  all  the  busy  politics  of  your  little 
 day  ?  Do  you  not  know  that  your  very  knowledge  will  be  turned 
 into  an  instrument  of  torture  in  hell  ?  Oh,  how  will  you  wish  in 
 that  day  that  you  had  read  your  newspaper  less  and  your  Bible 
 more, — that  with  all  your  getting,  you  had  got  understanding, — 
 that  with  all  your  knowledge,  you  had  known  the  Saviour,  whom 
 to  know  is  life  everlasting  ! 
 
 ni.  Christ  is  the  Life, — The  whole  Bible  bears  witness  that 
 by  nature  we  are  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins, — that  we  are  as 
 unable  to  walk  holily  in  the  world,  as  a  dead  man  is  unable  to  rise 
 and  walk. 
 
 Both  Scripture  and  experience  alike  testify  that  we  are  by 
 nature  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins ;  and  yet  it  is  not  a  death 
 in  which  we  are  wholly  inactive,  for  in  it  we  are  said  to  walk 
 according  to  the  course  of  this  world,  according  to  the  prince  of 
 the  power  of  the  air. 
 
 This  truth  is  taught  us  impressively  in  that  vision  of  the  prophec 
 Ezekiel,  where  he  was  carried  out  by  the  Spirit,  and  set  down  in 
 
300  SERMONS. 
 
 the  midst  of  an  open  valley  full  of  dry  bones  ;  and  as  he  passed  by 
 them  round  about,  behold,  there  were  very  many  in  the  open  valley, 
 and  lo !  they  were  very  dry. 
 
 Just  such  is  the  view  which  every  child  of  God  gets  of  tne 
 world.  The  dry  bones  are  very  many,  and  they  are  very  dry; 
 and  he  asks  the  same  question  which  God  asked  of  Ezekiel : 
 "Can  these  bones  live?"  Oh  yes,  my  friends;  and  does  not 
 experience  teach  you  the  same  thing?  True,  the  dead  cannot 
 know  that  they  are  dead  ;  and  yet,  if  the  Lord  touch  your  heart, 
 you  will  find  it  out.  We  prophesy  to  dry  bones ;  for  this  is  the 
 Lord's  way  ;— while  we  prophesy,  the  breath  enters  in.  Look  lack 
 over  your  life,  then.  See  how  you  have  walked  according  to  the 
 course  of  this  world.  You  have  always  been  like  a  man  swimming 
 with  the  stream, — never  like  a  man  swimming  against  the  current. 
 Look  into  your  heart,  and  see  how  it  has  turned  against  all  the 
 commandments  :  you  feel  the  Sabbath  to  be  a  weariness,  instead 
 of  calhng  it  a  dehght  and  honourable.  If  ever  you  tried  to  keep 
 the  commandments  of  God — if  ever  you  tried  to  keep  your 
 eyes  from  unlawful  desires,  your  tongue  from  words  of  anger 
 or  gossiping  or  bitterness,  your  heart  from  malice  and  envy  and 
 covetousness, — if  ever  you  have  tried  this,  and  I  fancy  most  uncon- 
 verted men  have  tried  it, — if  ever  you  have  tried  this,  did  you  not 
 find  it  impossible?  It  was  like  raising  the  dead.  Did  you  not 
 find  a  struggle  against  yourself?  Oh  how  plain  that  you  are  dead, 
 — not  born  again !  Marvel  not  that  we  say  unto  you.  Ye  must  be 
 born  again.  You  must  be  joined  to  Christ,  for  Christ  is  the  life. 
 Suppose  it  were  possible  for  a  dead  limb  to  be  joined  into  a  Kving 
 body  so  completely  that  all  the  veins  should  receive  the  purple 
 tide  of  living  blood, — suppose  bone  to  join  on  to  bone,  and  sinew 
 to  sinew,  and  nerve  to  nerve, — do  you  not  see  that  that  limb, 
 however  dead  before,  would  become  a  living  hmb  ?  Before,  it 
 was  cold  and  stiff  and  motionless,  and  fall  of  corruption ;  now 
 it  is  warm  and  pliable,  and  full  of  life  and  motion.  It  is  a  living 
 limb,  because  joined  on  to  that  which  is  life.  Or,  suppose  it 
 possible  for  a  withered  branch  to  be  grafted  into  a  living  vine  so 
 completely  that  all  the  channels  should  receive  the  flow  of  the 
 generous  sap,  do  you  not  see  that  that  branch,  however  dead 
 before,  becomes  a  living  branch  ?  Before,  it  was  dry  and  fruit- 
 less and  withered  ;  now,  it  is  full  of  sap,  of  life,  and  vigour.  It  is 
 a  living  branch,  for  it  is  joined  to  the  vine,  which  is  its  life.  Well, 
 then,  just  in  the  same  way,  Christ  is  the  life  of  every  soul  that 
 cleaves  to  Him.  He  that  is  joined  to  the  Lord  is  one  spirit.  Is 
 your  soul  like  a  dead  limb — cold,  stiff',  motionless,   and  full  of 
 
SERMONS.  301 
 
 corruption?  Cleave  you  to  Christ,  be  joined  to  Him  by  faith, 
 and  you  shall  be  one  spirit, — you  shall  be  made  warm  and  vigor- 
 ous and  full  of  activity  in  God's  service. 
 
 Is  your  soul  like  a  withered  branch — dry,  fruitless,  and  withered, 
 wanting  both  leaves  and  fruit  ?  Cleave  you  to  Christ ;  be  joined 
 to  Him,  and  you  shall  be  one  spirit.  You  will  find  it  true  that 
 Christ  is  the  life  ;  your  life  will  be  hid  with  Christ  in  God.  You 
 will  say,  I  live  ;  "  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  Hveth  in  me  ;  and  the  life 
 which  I  now  live  in  the  flesh,  I  live  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God, 
 who  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me." 
 
 Remember  then,  my  unbelieving  friends,  the  only  way  for  you  to 
 become  holy  is  to  become  united  to  Christ.  And  remember  you, 
 my  believing  friends,  that  if  ever  you  are  relaxing  in  holiness,  the 
 reason  is,  you  are  relaxing  your  hold  on  Christ.  Abide  in  me,  and 
 I  in  you ;  so  shall  ye  bear  much  fruit.  Severed  from  me,  ye  can 
 do  nothing. 
 
 Dundee,  1836. 
 
 SERMON  II. 
 
 ••  Consider  the  Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  our  profession,  Chi-ist  Jesus." — 
 Heb.  iii.  1. 
 
 When  a  traveller  passes  very  rapidly  through  a  country,  the  eye 
 has  no  time  to  rest  upon  the  different  objects  in  it,  so  that,  when 
 he  comes  to  the  end  of  his  journey,  no  distinct  impressions  have 
 been  made  upon  his  mind, — he  has  only  a  confused  notion  of  the 
 country  through  which  he  has  travelled. 
 
 This  explains  how  it  is  that  death,  judgment,  eternity,  make  so 
 little  impression  upon  most  men's  minds.  Most  people  never  stop 
 to  think,  but  hurry  on  through  hfe,  and  find  themselves  in  eternity 
 before  they  have  once  put  the  question,  *'  What  must  I  do  to  be 
 saved?"  More  souls  are  lost  through  want  of  consideration  than 
 in  any  other  way. 
 
 The  reason  why  men  are  not  awakened  and  made  anxious  for 
 their  souls  is,  that  the  devil  never  gives  them  time  to  consider. 
 Therefore  God  cries.  Stop,  poor  sinner,  stop  and  think.  Consider 
 your  ways.  "  Oh  that  you  were  wise,  that  you  understood  this, 
 that  you  considered  your  latter  end!"  And,  again  He  cries, 
 "  Israel  doth  not  know,  my  people  doth  not  consider." 
 
 In  the  same  way  does  the  devil  try  to  make  the  children  of  God 
 doubt  if  there  be  a  Providence.      He  hurries  them  away  to  the 
 
502  SERMONS. 
 
 shop  and  market.  Lose  no  time,  he  says,  but  make  money. 
 Therefore  God  cries,  Stop,  poor  sinner,  stop  and  think;  and 
 Jesus  says,  "  Consider  the  lihes  of  the  field,  how  they  grow ; 
 consider  the  ravens,  which  have  neither  storehouse  nor  barn." 
 
 In  the  same  way  does  the  devil  try  to  make  the  children  of  God 
 live  uncomfortable  and  unholy  lives.  He  beguiles  them  away  from 
 simply  looking  to  Jesus :  he  hurries  them  away  to  look  at  a 
 thousand  other  things,  as  he  led  Peter,  walking  on  the  sea,  to  look 
 round  at  the  waves.  But  God  says.  Look  here,  consider  the 
 Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  your  profession  ;  look  unto  me  and  be 
 ye  saved  ;  run  your  race,  looking  unto  Jesus  ;  consider  Christ,  the 
 same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever. 
 
 I.  Believers  should  live  in  daily  consideration  of  the  greatness  a7ui 
 glory  of  Christ. 
 
 (1.)  There  was  once  a  time  when  time  was  not, — when  there  was 
 no  earth,  neither  sun,  nor  moon,  nor  star ;  a  time  when  you  might 
 have  wandered  through  all  space,  and  never  found  a  resting-place  to 
 the  sole  of  your  foot, — when  you  would  have  found  no  creatures  any- 
 where, but  God  everywhere, — when  there  were  no  angels  with  golden 
 harps  hymning  celestial  praises,  but  God  alone  was  all  in  all. 
 
 Ques. — Where  was  Jesus  then?  Ans. — He  was  with  God. 
 "  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with  Qod^ 
 He  was  near  to  God,  and  in  perfect  happiness  there.  "  The  Lord 
 possessed  me  in  the  beginning  of  his  way,  before  his  works  of  old. 
 Then  I  was  by  Him  as  one  brought  up  with  Him ;  and  I  was 
 daily  his  delight,  rejoicing  always  before  Him."  He  was  in  the 
 bosom  of  God  :  "  The  only-begotten  Son  which  is  in  the  bosom  of 
 the  Father."  He  was  in  perfect  glory  there  :  "  0  Father,  glorify 
 Thou  me  with  thyself,  with  the  glory  which  I  had  with  thee  before 
 the  world  was ! " 
 
 Q^e5, — What  was  Jesus  then?  Ans. — He  was  God.  The 
 Word  was  with  God,  and  "was  God."  He  was  equal  with  the 
 Father.  "  He  thought  it  no  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God." 
 He  was  rich.  "  He  was  the  brightness  of  his  Father's  glory,  and 
 the  express  image  of  his  person." 
 
 Now,  brethren,  could  I  lift  you  away  to  that  time  when  God 
 was  alone  from  all  eternity  ;  could  I  have  shown  you  the  glory  of 
 Jesus  thcB, — how  He  dwelt  in  the  bosom  of  the  Father,  and  was 
 daily  his  dehght ;  and  could  I  have  told  you,  "  That  is  the  glo- 
 rious Being  who  is  to  undertake  the  cause  of  poor  lost  sinners, — 
 that  is  He  who  is  going  to  put  himself  in  their  room  and  stead, 
 to  suffer  all  they  should  suffer,  and  obey  all  they  should  obey, — 
 
SERMONS.  303 
 
 consider  Jesus,  look  long  and  earnestly,  weigh  every  considera- 
 tion in  the  balance  of  the  soundest  judgment, — consider  his  rank, 
 his  nearness,  his  dearness  to  God  the  Father, — consider  his  power, 
 his  glory,  his  equahty  to  God  the  Father  in  everything, — consider, 
 and  say  do  you  think  you  would  entrust  your  case  to  Him  ?  do 
 you  think  He  would  be  a  sufficient  Saviour  ?  " — oh,  brethren,  would 
 not  every  soul  cry  out.  He  is  enough — I  want  no  other  Saviour  ? 
 
 (2.)  Again,  there  was  a  time  when  this  world  sprang  into  being, 
 — when  the  sun  began  to  shine,  and  earth  and  seas  began  to 
 smile.  There  was  a  time  when  myriads  of  happy  angels  springing 
 into  being,  first  spread  their  wings,  doing  his  commandments, — 
 when  the  morning  stars  sang  together,  and  all  the  sons  of  God 
 shouted  for  joy. 
 
 Ques. — What  was  Jesus  doing  then  ?  Ans. — ''  Without  Him 
 was  not  anything  made  that  was  made."  "  By  Him  were  all 
 things  created  that  are  in  heaven,  and  that  are  in  earth,  visible  and 
 invisible,  whether  they  be  thrones,  or  dominions,  or  principalities, 
 or  powers :  all  things  were  created  by  Him  and  for  Him."  Oh, 
 brethren,  could  I  lift  you  away  back  to  that  wonderful  day,  and 
 show  you  Jesus  calHng  all  the  angels  into  being,  hanging  the 
 earth  upon  nothing  ; — could  you  have  heard  the  voice  of  Jesus  say- 
 ing, "Let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light ;" — and  could  I  have 
 told  you,  "  That  is  He  who  is  yet  to  undertake  for  sinners ;  con- 
 sider Him,  and  see  if  you  think  He  will  be  a  sufficient  Saviour ; 
 look  long  and  earnestly ; " — good  news,  good  news  for  sinners,  if 
 this  mighty  Being  undertake  for  us ! — I  can  as  little  doubt  the 
 sureness  and  completeness  of  my  salvation  as  I  can  doubt  the  sure- 
 ness  of  the  sohd  earth  beneath  my  feet. 
 
 (3.)  But  the  work  of  creation  is  long  since  passed.  Jesus  has 
 been  upon  our  earth.  And  now  He  is  not  here — He  is  risen. 
 Eighteen  hundred  years  and  more  have  passed  since  Christ  was 
 upon  the  earth. 
 
 Ques. — Where  is  Jesus  now  ?  Am. — "  He  is  set  down  at  the 
 right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high."  He  is  upon  the  throne  with 
 God  in  his  glorified  body,  and  his  throne  is  for  ever.  A  sceptre 
 is  put  into  his  hand — a  sceptre  of  righteousness,  and  the  oil  of 
 gladness  is  poured  over  Him.  All  power  is  given  to  Him  in 
 heaven  and  on  earth. 
 
 Oh,  brethren,  could  you  and  I  pass  this  day  through  these 
 heavens,  and  see  what  is  now  going  on  in  the  sanctuary  above, — 
 could  you  see  what  the  child  of  God  now  sees  who  died  last  night, 
 — could  you  see  the  Lamb  with  the  scars  of  his  five  deep  wounds 
 in  the  very  midst  of  the  throne,  surrounded  by  all  the  redeemed, 
 
304  SERMONS. 
 
 every  one  having  harps  and  golden  vials  full  of  odours, — could  you 
 see  the  many  angels  round  about  the  throne,  whose  number  is  ten 
 thousand  times  ten  thousand,  and  thousands  of  thousands,  all 
 singing,  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain," — and  were  one  of 
 these  angels  to  tell  you,  "  This  is  He  that  undertook  the  cause  of 
 lost  sinners ;  He  undertook  to  bear  their  curse  and  to  do  their 
 obedience ;  He  undertook  to  be  the  second  Adam, — the  man  in 
 their  stead ;  and  lo  !  there  He  is  upon  the  throne  of  heaven ; — 
 consider  Him, — look  long  and  earnestly  upon  his  wounds — upon 
 his  glory, — and  tell  me,  do  you  think  it  would  be  safe  to  trust 
 Him  ?  do  you  think  his  sufferings  and  obedience  will  have  been 
 enough?" — Yes,  yes,  every  soul  exclaims.  Lord,  it  is  enough! 
 Lord,  stay  thy  hand !  Show  me  no  more,  for  I  can  bear  no 
 more.  Oh,  rather  let  me  ever  stand  and  gaze  upon  the  almighty, 
 all-worthy,  ah-divine  Saviour,  till  my  soul  drink  in  complete 
 assurance  that  his  work  undertaken  for  sinners  is  a  finished  work  ! 
 Yes,  though  the  sins  of  all  the  world  were  on  my  one  wicked  head, 
 still  I  could  not  doubt  that  his  work  is  complete,  and  that  I  am 
 quite  safe  when  I  believe  in  Him. 
 
 /  would  now  plead  with  believers. — Some  of  you  have  really  been 
 brought  by  God  to  believe  in  Jesus.  Yet  you  have  no  abiding 
 peace,  and  very  little  growing  in  holiness.  Why  is  this  ?  It  is 
 because  your  eye  is  fixed  anywhere  but  on  Christ.  You  are  so 
 busy  looking  at  books,  or  looking  at  men,  or  looking  at  the  world, 
 that  you  have  no  time,  no  heart,  for  looking  at  Christ. 
 
 No  wonder  you  have  little  peace  and  joy  in  believing.  No  won- 
 der you  live  so  inconsistent  and  unholy  a  life.  Change  your  plan. 
 Consider  the  greatness  and  glory  of  Christ,  who  has  undertaken 
 all  in  the  stead  of  sinners,  and  you  would  find  it  quite  impossible 
 to  walk  in  darkness,  or  to  walk  in  sin.  Oh  what  mean,  despicable 
 thoughts  you  have  of  the  glorious  Immanuel!  Lift  your  eyes 
 from  your  own  bosom,  downcast  believer, — look  upon  Jesus.  It  is 
 good  to  consider  your  ways,  but  it  is  far  better  to  consider  Christ. 
 
 /  would  now  invite  anodous  souls. — Anxious  soul !  have  you  un- 
 derstood all  the  glory  of  Christ?  Have  you  understood  that  He 
 undertook  for  guilty  sinners  ?  And  do  you  doubt  if  He  be  a  suffi- 
 cient Saviour  ?  Oh,  what  mean  views  you  have  of  Christ  if  you 
 dare  not  risk  your  soul  upon  Him ! 
 
 Objection. — I  do  not  doubt  that  Christ  has  suffered  and  done 
 quite  enough,  but  I  fear  it  was  for  others,  and  not  for  me.  If  I 
 were  sure  it  was  for  me,  I  would  be  quite  happy.  Ans. — It  is  no- 
 where said  in  the  Bible  that  Christ  died  for  this  sinner  or  that 
 sinner.     If  you  are  waiting  till  you  find  your  own  name  in  the 
 
SEKMONS.  305 
 
 Bible,  you  will  wait  for  ever.  But  it  is  said  a  few  verses  before 
 that,  "He  tasted  death  for  every  man;"  aud  again,  "He  is  the 
 propitiation  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  Not  that  all  men 
 are  saved  by  Him.  Ah !  no  ;  the  most  never  come  to  Jesus,  and 
 are  lost ;  but  this  shows  that  any  sinner  may  come,  even  the  chief 
 of  sinners,  and  take  Christ  as  his  own  Saviour.  Come  you  then, 
 anxious  soul ;  say  you,  He  is  my  refuge  and  my  fortress ;  and 
 then,  be  anxious,  if  you  can. 
 
 11.   Consider  Christ  as  the  Apostle  or  Messenger  of  God. 
 
 The  word  apostle  means  messenger, — one  ordained  and  sent  on 
 a  particular  embassy.  Now  Christ  is  an  Apostle,  for  God  ordained 
 and  sent  Him  into  the  world. 
 
 In  the  Old  Testament,  the  name  by  which  He  is  oftenest  called 
 is  the  Angel  of  the  Lord,  or  the  Messenger  of  the  Covenant.  He 
 is  called  God's  Elect,  chosen  for  the  work;  He  is  called  God's 
 Servant ;  He  is  called  the  Messiah,  or  the  Christ,  or  the  Anointed, 
 because  God  anointed  Him  and  sent  Him  to  the  work.  In  the 
 New  Testament,  over  and  over  again  Christ  calls  himself  the  Sent 
 of  God.  "  As  Thou  hast  sent  me  into  the  world,  so  have  I  sent 
 them  into  the  world,  that  the  world  may  know  that  Thou  hast  sent 
 me."  "  And  these  have  known  that  Thou  hast  sent  me."  All 
 this  shows  plainly  that  it  is  not  the  Son  alone  who  is  interested 
 in  the  saving  of  poor  sinners,  but  the  Father  also.  "  The  Father 
 sent  his  Son  to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world." 
 
 Objection. — True,  Christ  is  a  great  and  glorious  Saviour,  and 
 able  to  accomplish  anything  to  save  poor  sinners;  but  perhaps 
 God  the  Father  may  not  agree  to  pour  out  his  wrath  upon  his 
 Son,  or  to  accept  of  his  Son  as  a  surety  in  our  stead.  Am.- — 
 Look  here,  Christ  is  the  Apostle  of  God.  It  is  as  much  God  the 
 Father's  work,  as  it  is  Christ's  work.  It  occupied  as  much  of  the 
 heart  of  God  as  ever  it  did  of  the  heart  of  Christ.  God  loved  the 
 world  as  much  and  truly  as  ever  Christ  loved  the  world.  God 
 gave  his  Son,  as  much  as  Christ  gave  himself  for  us.  So  God  the 
 Holy  Spirit  is  as  much  interested  in  it  as  the  Father  and  Son. 
 God  gave  his  Son, — the  Spirit  anointed  Him  and  dwelt  in  Him 
 without  measure.  At  his  baptism  God  acknowledged  Him  for 
 his  beloved  Son, — the  Holy  Spirit  came  on  Him  like  a  dove. 
 
 Oh !  brethren,  could  I  lift  you  away  to  the  eternity  that  is  past, — 
 could  I  bring  you  into  the  council  of  the  Eternal  Three ;  and  as  it 
 was  once  said,  "  Let  us  make  man,"  could  I  let  you  hear  the  word, 
 "  Let  us  save  man," — could  I  show  you  how  God  from  all  eternity 
 designed  his  Son  to  undertake  for  poor  sinners;  how  it  was  the 
 
so  6  SEiDioxs. 
 
 very  plan  and  the  bottommost  desire  of  the  heart  of  the  Father 
 that  Jesus  should  come  into  the  world,  and  do  and  die  in  the  stead 
 of  sinners ;  how  the  Holy  Spirit  breathed  sweetest  incense,  and 
 dropped  like  holiest  oil  upon  the  head  of  the  descending  Saviour, — 
 could  I  show  you  the  intense  interest  with  which  the  eye  of  God 
 followed  Jesus  through  his  whole  course  of  sorrow  and  suffering 
 and  death, — could  I  show  you  the  anxious  haste  with  which  God 
 rolled  away  the  stone  from  the  sepulchre  while  it  was  yet  dark, 
 for  He  would  not  leave  his  soul  in  hell,  neither  suffer  his  Holy 
 One  to  see  corruption, — could  I  show  you  the  ecstasies  of  love  and 
 joy  that  beat  in  the  bosom  of  the  infinite  God  when  Jesus  ascended 
 to  his  Father  and  our  Father ;  how  He  welcomed  Him  with  a  ful- 
 ness of  kindness  and  grace  which  God  alone  could  give,  and  God 
 alone  could  receive,  saying,  "  Thou  art  my  Son,  this  day  have  I 
 begotten  Thee;  Thou  art  indeed  worthy  to  be  called  my  Son; 
 never  till  this  day  w^ast  Thou  so  worthy  to  be  called  mine ;  thy 
 throne,  0  God,  is  for  ever  and  ever;  sit  Thou  on  my  right  hand 
 until  I  make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool ;" — 0  sinner,  will  you  ever 
 doubt  any  more  whether  God  the  Father  be  seeking  thy  salvation, 
 — whether  the  heart  of  Christ  and  of  his  Father  be  the  same  in 
 this  one  grand  controversy  ?  0  believer,  consider  this  apostle  of 
 God, — meditate  on  these  things, — look  and  look  again,  until  your 
 peace  be  like  a  river,  and  your  righteousness  like  the  waves  of  the 
 sea, — till  the  breathing  of  your  soul  be,  Abba,  Father ! 
 
 III.   Consider  Christ  as  the  High  Priest  of  our  jjrofession. 
 
 The  duty  of  the  high  priest  was  twofold :  l.s^,  to  make  Atone- 
 ment ;  2^,  to  make  Intercession. 
 
 When  the  high  priest  slew  the  goat  at  the  altar  of  burnt-offer- 
 ings, he  did  it  in  presence  of  all  the  people,  to  make  atonement  for 
 them.  They  all  stood  around,  gazing  and  considering  their  high 
 priest;  and  when  he  gathered  the  blood  into  the  golden  basin, 
 and  put  on  the  white  garments,  and  passed  away  from  their  sight 
 within  the  veil,  their  eye  followed  him,  till  the  mysterious  curtain 
 hid  him  from  their  sight.  But  even  then  the  heart  of  the  believ- 
 ing Jew  followed  him  still.  Now  he  is  drawing  near  to  God  for 
 us ;  now  he  is  sprinkling  the  blood  seven  times  before  the  mercy- 
 seat,  saying.  Let  this  blood  be  instead  of  our  blood ;  now  he  is 
 praying  for  us. 
 
 Brethren,  let  us  also  consider  our  great  High  Priest. 
 
 (1.)  Consider  Him  mahing  Atonevient. — You  cannot  look  at  Him 
 on  the  cross  as  the  disciples  did ;  you  cannot  see  the  blood  stream- 
 ing from  his  five  deep  wounds ;  you  cannot  see  Him  shedding  his 
 
SERMONS.  307 
 
 blood  that  the  blood  of  sinners  might  not  be  shed.  Yet  still,  if 
 God  spare  us,  you  may  see  bread  broken  and  wine  poured  out, — 
 a  living  picture  of  the  dying  Saviour.  Now,  brethren,  the  atone- 
 ment has  been  made,  Christ  has  died,  his  sufferings  are  all  past. 
 And  how  is  it  that  you  do  not  enjoy  peace  ?  It  is  because  you  do 
 not  consider.  "  Israel  doth  not  know,  my  people  doth  not  con- 
 sider." Consider, — has  Jesus  died  in  the  stead  of  guilty  sinners, 
 and  do  you  heartily  consent  to  take  Jesus  to  be  the  man  in  your 
 stead  ?  then,  you  do  not  need  to  die.  Oh,  happy  believer,  rejoice 
 evermore  !  Live  within  sight  of  Calvary,  and  you  will  live  within 
 sight  of  glory ;  and,  oh,  rejoice  in  the  happy  ordinance  that  sets  a 
 broken  Saviour  so  plainly  jjefore  you ! 
 
 (2.)  CoTisider  Christ  as  raahing  Intercession. — When  Christ  as- 
 cended from  the  Mount  of  Olives,  and  passed  through  these 
 heavens,  carrying  his  bloody  wounds  into  the  presence  of  God, — 
 and  when  his  disciples  had  gazed  after  Him,  till  a  cloud  received 
 Him  out  of  their  sight, — we  are  told  that  they  returned  to  Jerusalem 
 with  great  joy.  What !  are  they  joyful  at  parting  with  their 
 blessed  Master?  When  He  told  them  He  was  to  leave  them, 
 sorrow  filled  their  hearts,  and  He  had  to  argue  with  them  and 
 comfort  them,  saying,  "  Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled ;  it  is 
 expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away."  How,  then,  are  they  changed? 
 Jesus  has  left  them,  and  they  are  filled  with  joy.  Oh !  here  is 
 the  secret, — they  knew  that  Christ  was  now  going  into  the  presence 
 of  God  for  them,  that  their  great  High  Priest  was  now  entering 
 within  the  veil  to  make  intercession  for  them. 
 
 Now,  behever,  would  you  share  in  the  great  joy  of  the  disciples  ? 
 Consider  the  Apostle  and  High  Priest  of  our  profession,  Christ 
 Jesus.  He  is  above  yon  clouds,  and  above  yon  sky.  Oh  that  you 
 would  stand  gazing  up  into  heaven,  not  with  the  bodily  eye,  but 
 with  the  eye  of  faith !  Oh,  what  a  wonderful  thing  the  eye  of 
 faith  is !  It  sees  beyond  the  stars,  it  pierces  to  the  throne  of  God, 
 and  there  it  looks  on  the  face  of  Jesus  making  intercession  for  us, 
 whom  having  not  seen  we  love  ;  in  whom,  though  now  we  see  Him 
 not,  yet  believing,  we  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 
 
 Oh !  if  you  would  live  thus,  what  sweet  peace  would  fill  your 
 bosom!  And  how  many  droppings  of  the  Spirit  would  come 
 down  on  you  in  answer  to  the  Saviour's  prayer !  Oh  !  how  your 
 face  would  shine  Hke  Stephen ;  and  the  poor  blind  world  would  see 
 that  there  is  a  joy  which  the  world  cannot  give,  and  the  world 
 cannot  take  away, — a  heaven  upon  earth  ! 
 
 Dundee,  1836. 
 
308  SEKMONS. 
 
 SERMON    III. 
 
 "  As  the  lily  among  thorns,  so  is  my  love  among  the  daughters.  As  the  apple- 
 tree  among  the  trees  of  the  wood,  so  is  my  beloved  among  the  sons.  I  sat 
 down  under  his  shadow  with  great  delight,  and  his  fruit  was  sweet  unto  my 
 taste."— SoxG  of  Solomon  ii.  2,  3. 
 
 If  an  unconverted  man  were  taken  away  into  heaven,  where  Christ 
 Kits  in  glory,  and  if  he  overheard  Christ's  words  of  admiring  love 
 towards  the  believer,  he  could  not  understand  them, — he  could  not 
 comprehend  how  Christ  should  see  a  loveliness  in  poor  religious 
 people  whom  he  in  the  bottom  of  his  heart  despised.  Or  again,  if 
 an  unconverted  man  were  to  overhear  a  Christian  at  his  devotions 
 when  he  is  really  within  the  veil,  and  were  to  listen  to  his  words 
 of  admiring,  adoring  love  towards  Christ,  he  could  not  possibly 
 understand  them, — he  could  not  comprehend  how  the  believer 
 should  have  such  a  burning  affection  toward  one  unseen,  in  whom 
 he  himself  saw  no  form  nor  comeliness.  So  true  it  is  that  the 
 natural  man  knoweth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  for  they 
 are  foolishness  unto  him.  There  may  be  some  now  hearing  me 
 who  have  a  rooted  dislike  to  religious  people, — they  are  so  stiff, 
 so  precise,  so  gloomy,  you  cannot  endure  their  company !  Well, 
 then,  see  here  what  Christ  thinks  of  them :  "  As  the  lily  among 
 thorns,  so  is  my  love  among  the  daughters."  How  different  you 
 are  from  Christ !  There  may  be  some  hearing  me  who  have  no 
 desires  after  Jesus  Christ, — who  never  think  of  Him  with  pleasure; 
 you  see  no  form  nor  comeliness  in  Him,  —  no  beauty  that  you 
 should  desire  Him ;  you  do  not  love  the  melody  of  his  name ; 
 you  do  not  pray  to  Him  continually.  Well,  then,  see  here  what 
 the  believer  thinks  of  Him, — how  different  from  you, — "  As  the 
 apple-tree  among  the  trees  of  the  wood,  so  is  my  beloved  among 
 the  sons.  I  sat  down  under  his  shadow  with  great  delight,  and 
 his  fruit  was  sweet  to  my  taste."  Oh  that  you  would  be  awakened 
 by  this  very  thing, — that  you  are  so  different  from  Christ,  and  so 
 different  from  the  believer, — to  think  that  you  must  be  in  a  natural 
 condition,  you  must  be  under  wrath! 
 
 Doctrine. — The  believer  is  unspeakably  precious  in  the  eyes  of 
 Christ,  and  Christ  is  unspeakably  precious  in  the  eyes  of  the 
 believer. 
 
 I.  Inquire  ivhat  Christ  thinks  of  the  believer. — "As  the  lily  among 
 the  thorns,  so  is  my  love  among  the  daughters." 
 
 Christ  sees  nothing  so  fair  in  all  this  world  as  the  believer.     All 
 
SERMONS.  B09 
 
 the  rest  of  the  world  is  like  thorns ;  but  the  believer  is  hke  a  beau- 
 tiful hly  in  his  eyes.  When  you  are  walking  in  a  wilderness  all 
 overgrown  with  briars  and  thorns,  if  your  eye  falls  upon  some 
 lonely  flower,  tall  and  white,  and  pure  and  graceful,  growing  in 
 the  midst  of  the  thorns,  it  looks  pecuharly  beautiful.  If  it  were  in 
 the  midst  of  some  rich  garden  among  many  other  flowers,  then  it 
 would  not  be  so  remarkable ;  but  when  it  is  encompassed  with 
 thorns  on  every  side,  then  it  engages  the  eye.  Such  is  the  behever 
 in  the  eyes  of  Christ.  "  As  the  lily  among  thorns,  so  is  my  love 
 among  the  daughters." 
 
 (1.)  See  what  Christ  thinks  of  the  unconverted  world.  It  is 
 like  a  field  full  of  briars  and  thorns  in  his  eyes.  First,  Because 
 fruitless.  "  Do  men  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles?" 
 So  Christ  gets  no  fruit  from  the  unconverted  world.  It  is  all  one 
 wide  thorny  waste.  Second,  Because,  when  the  word  is  preached 
 among  them,  it  is  like  sowing  among  thorns.  "Break  up  your 
 fallow  ground,  and  sow  not  among  thorns."  When  the  sower 
 sowed,  some  fell  among  thorns,  and  the  thorns  sprang  up  and 
 choked  them  ;  so  is  preaching  to  the  unconverted.  Third,  Because 
 their  end  will  be  like  that  of  thorns — they  are  dry,  and  fit  only  for 
 the  burning.  "  As  thorns  cut  up  shall  they  be  burned  in  the  fire." 
 "  For  the  earth,  which  is  often  rained  upon  and  only  bears  thorns 
 and  briars,  is  rejected,  and  nigh  unto  cursing,  whose  end  is  to  be 
 burned."  My  friends,  if  you  are  in  a  Christless  state,  see  what 
 you  are  in  the  eyes  of  Christ — thorns.  You  think  that  you  have 
 many  admirable  quahties,  that  you  are  valuable  members  of 
 society,  and  you  have  a  hope  that  it  shall  be  well  with  you  in 
 eternity.  See  what  Christ  says,  You  are  thorns  and  briars,  use- 
 less in  this  world,  and  fit  only  for  the  burning. 
 
 (2.)  See  what  Christ  thinks  of  the  behever  :  '*  As  the  hly  among 
 thorns,  so  is  my  love  among  the  daughters."  The  believer  is  like 
 a  lovely  flower  in  the  eyes  of  Christ.  First,  Because  justified  in 
 the  eyes  of  Christ,  washed  in  his  blood,  he' is  pure  and  white  as 
 a  Hly.  Christ  can  see  no  spot  in  his  own  righteousness,  and 
 therefore  He  sees  no  spot  on  the  believer.  Thou  art  all  fair,  my 
 love, — as  a  lily  among  thorns,  so  is  my  love.  Second,  A  behever's 
 nature  is  changed.  Once  he  was  like  the  barren,  prickly  thorn, 
 fit  only  for  burning  ;  now  Christ  has  put  a  new  spirit  in  him, — the 
 dew  has  been  given  to  him,  and  he  grows  up  like  the  lily.  Christ 
 loves  the  new  creature.  "  All  my  delight  is  in  them."  "  As  the 
 lily  among  thorns,  so  is  my  love  among  the  daughters."  Are  you 
 a  Christian?  then  never  mind  though  the  world  despise  you, 
 though  they  call  you  names  ;  remember  Christ  loves  you;  He  calls 
 
310  SERMONS. 
 
 you  "  my  love."  Abide  in  Him,  and  yoa  shall  abide  in  his  love. 
 "  If  ye  continue  in  my  word,  then  are  ye  my  disciples  indeed." 
 Third,  Because  so  lonely  in  the  world.  Observe,  there  is  but  one 
 lily,  but  many  thorns.  There  is  a  great  wilderness  all  full  of 
 thorns,  and  only  one  lonely  flower.  So  there  is  a  world  lying  in 
 wickedness,  and  a  little  flock  that  believe  in  Jesus.  Some  be- 
 lievers are  cast  down  because  they  feel  solitary  and  alone.  If  I 
 be  in  the  right  way,  surely  I  would  not  be  so  lonely.  Surely  the 
 wise,  and  the  amiable,  and  the  kind  people  I  see  round  about  me, 
 — surely,  if  there  were  any  truth  in  religion,  they  would  know  it. 
 Be  not  cast  down.  It  is  one  of  the  marks  of  Christ's  people  that 
 they  are  alone  in  the  world,  and  yet  they  are  not  alone.  It  is  one 
 of  the  very  beauties  which  Christ  sees  in  his  people,  that  they  are 
 solitary  among  a  world  of  thorns.  "  As  a  lily  among  thorns,  so  is 
 my  love  among  the  daughters."  Do  not  be  discouraged.  This 
 world  is  the  world  of  loneliness.  When  you  are  transplanted  to 
 yon  garden  of  God,  then  you  shall  be  no  more  lonely,  then  you 
 shall  be  away  from  all  the  thorns.  As  flowers  in  a  rich  garden 
 blend  together  their  thousand  odours  to  enrich  the  passing  breeze, 
 so,  in  the  paradise  above,  you  shall  join  the  thousands  of  the  re- 
 deemed, blending  with  theirs  the  odour  of  your  praise ;  you  shall 
 join  with  the  redeemed,  as  living  flowers,  to  form  a  garland  for  the 
 Redeemer's  brow. 
 
 II.  Inquire  what  the  believer  thinTcs  of  Chnst. — "  As  the  apple- 
 tree  among  the  trees  of  the  wood,  so  is  my  beloved  among  the 
 sons.  I  sat  down  under  his  shadow  with  great  dehght,  and  his 
 fruit  was  sweet  to  my  taste." 
 
 (1.)  Christ  is  more  precious  than  all  other  saviours  in  the  eye 
 of  the  believer.  As  a  traveller  prefers  an  apple-tree  to  every 
 other  tree  of  the  wood,  because  he  finds  both  shelter  and  nourish- 
 ing food  under  it,  so  the  behever  prefers  Christ  to  all  other 
 saviours.  When  a  man  is  travelling  in  eastern  countries,  he  is 
 often  like  to  drop  down  under  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun.  It  is 
 a  great  relief  when  he  comes  to  a  wood.  When  Israel  were 
 travelHng  in  the  wilderness,  they  came  to  Elim,  where  were  twelve 
 wells  of  water  and  seventy  palm-trees,  and  they  encamped  there 
 by  the  water.  They  were  glad  of  the  shelter  of  the  trees.  So 
 Micah  says  that  God's  people  "  dwell  solitarily  in  the  wood  ;"  and 
 "Ezekiel  promises,  "  they  shall  sleep  in  the  woods." 
 
 But  if  the  traveller  be  hungry  and  faint  for  lack  of  food,  then  he 
 will  not  be  content  with  any  tree  of  the  wood,  but  he  will  choose 
 out  a  fruit-trees  under  which  he  may  sit  down  and  find  nourish- 
 
SERMONS.  311 
 
 ment  as  well  as  shade.  He  sees  a  fair  apple-tree ;  he  chooses  it 
 out  of  all  the  trees  of  the  wood,  because  he  can  both  sit  under 
 its  shadow  and  eat  its  pleasant  fruits.  So  is  it  with  the  soul 
 awakened  by  God.  He  feels  under  the  heat  of  God's  anger  ;  he  is 
 in  a  weary  land ;  he  is  brought  into  the  wilderness :  he  is  like  to 
 perish  ;  he  comes  to  a  wood  ;  many  trees  offer  their  shade  ;  where 
 shall  he  sit  down  ?  Under  the  fir-tree  ?  Alas  !  what  fruit  has  it  to 
 give  ?  he  may  die  there.  Under  the  cedar-tree,  with  its  mighty 
 branches  ?  Alas  !  he  may  perish  there,  for  it  has  no  fruit  to  give. 
 The  soul  that  is  taught  of  God  seeks  for  a  complete  Saviour. 
 The  apple-tree  is  revealed  to  the  soul.  The  hungry  soul  chooses 
 that  evermore.  He  needs  to  be  saved  from  hell  and  nourished  for 
 heaven.  "As  the  apple-tree  among  the  trees  of  the  wood,  so  is 
 my  beloved  among  the  sons." 
 
 Awakened  souls,  remember  you  must  not  sit  down  under  every 
 tree  that  offers  itself.  "  Take  heed  that  no  one  deceive  you  ;  for 
 many  shall  come  in  Christ's  name,  saying,  I  am  Christ,  and  deceive 
 many."  There  are  many  ways  of  saying.  Peace,  peace,  when  there 
 is  no  peace.  You  will  be  tempted  to  find  peace  in  the  world,  in 
 self-repentance,  in  self-reformation.  Remember,  choose  you  a  tree 
 that  will  yield  fruit  as  well  as  shade.  "  As  the  apple-tree  among 
 the  trees  of  the  wood,  so  is  my  beloved  among  the  sous."  Pray 
 for  a  choosing  faith.  Pray  for  an  eye  to  discern  the  apple-tree. 
 Oh  1  there  is  no  rest  for  the  soul  except  under  that  Branch  which 
 God  has  made  strong.  My  heart's  desire  and  prayer  for  you  is, 
 that  you  may  all  find  rest  there. 
 
 (2.)  Why  has  the  believer  so  high  an  esteem  of  Christ  ? 
 
 Ans.  1. — Because  he  has  made  trial  of  Christ.  "I  sat  down 
 under  his  shadow  with  great  dehght."  All  true  believers  have  sat 
 down  under  the  shadow  of  Christ.  Some  people  think  that  they 
 shall  be  saved  because  they  have  got  a  head-knowledge  of  Christ. 
 They  read  of  Christ  in  the  Bible,  they  hear  of  Christ  in  the  house 
 of  God,  and  they  think  that  is  to  be  a  Christian.  Alas !  my 
 friends,  what  good  would  you  get  from  an  apple-tree,  if  I  were 
 only  to  describe  it  to  you — tell  you  how  beautiful  it  was — how 
 heavily  laden  with  dehcious  eJ^iples  ?  Or,  if  I  were  only  to  show 
 you  a  picture  of  the  tree,  or  if  I  were  to  show  you  the  tree  itself 
 at  a  distance,  what  the  better  would  you  be  ?  You  would  not  get 
 the  good  of  its  shade  or  its  pleasant  fruit.  Just  so,  dear  brethren, 
 what  good  would  you  get  from  Christ,  if  you  only  hear  of  Him  in 
 books  and  sermons,  or  if  you  see  Him  pictured  forth  in  the  sacra- 
 ment, or  if  you  were  to  see  Him  with  your  bodily  eye  ?  What 
 good  would  all  this  do,  if  you  do  not  sit  down  under  his  shadow  I 
 
312  SERMONS. 
 
 Oh,  my  friends,  there  must  be  a  personal  sittinj^  down  under  the 
 shadow  of  Christ  if  you  would  be  saved  !  Christ  is  the  bush  that 
 has  been  burned,  yet  not  consumed.  Oh  !  it  is  a  safe  place  for  a 
 hell-deserving  sinner  to  rest. 
 
 Some  may  be  hearing  me  who  can  say,  "  I  sat  down  under  his 
 shadow."  And  yet  you  have  forsaken  Him.  Ah  !  liave  you  gone 
 after  your  lovers,  and  away  from  Christ  ?  Well,  then,  may  God 
 hedge  up  your  way  with  thorns.  Return,  return,  0  Shulamite ! 
 There  is  no  other  refuge  for  your  soul.  Come  and  sit  down  again 
 under  the  shadow  of  the  Saviour. 
 
 Ans.  2. — Because  he  sat  down  with  great  delight. 
 
 Ist,  Some  people  think  there  is  no  joy  in  religion, — it  is  a 
 gloomy  thing.  When  a  young  person  becomes  a  Christian,  they 
 would  say,  Alas  !  he  must  bid  farewell  to  pleasure, — farewell  to 
 the  joys  of  youth,  farewell  to  a  merry  heart.  He  must  exchange 
 these  pleasures  for  reading  of  the  Bible  and  dry  sermon  books, — 
 for  a  life  of  gravity  and  preciseness.  This  is  what  the  world  says. 
 What  does  the  Bible  say?  "  I  sat  down  under  his  shadow  with  great 
 delight."  Ah !  let  God  be  true,  and  every  man  a  Har.  Yet  no 
 one  can  believe  this  except  those  who  have  tried  it.  Ah  !  be  not 
 deceived,  my  young  friends  ;  the  world  has  many  sensual  and  many 
 sinful  delights, — the  deUghts  of  eating  and  drinking,  and  wearing 
 gay  clothes, — the  ddights  of  revelry  and  the  dance.  No  man  of 
 wisdom  will  deny  that  these  things  are  delightful  to  the  natural 
 heart ;  but  oh !  they  perish  in  the  using,  and  they  end  in  an  eternal 
 hell.  But  to  sit  down  under  the  shadow  of  Christ,  wearied  with 
 God's  burning  anger,  wearied  with  seeking  after  vain  saviours,  at 
 last  to  find  rest  under  the  shadow  of  Christ,  ah !  this  is  great 
 delight.  Lord,  evermore  may  I  sit  under  this  shadow!  Lord, 
 evermore  may  I  be  filled  with  this  joy ! 
 
 2d,  Some  people  are  afraid  of  anything  like  joy  in  religion. 
 They  have  none  themselves,  and  they  do  not  love  to  see  it  in  others. 
 Their  rehgion  is  something  hke  the  stars,  very  high,  and  very 
 clear,  but  very  cold.  When  they  see  tears  of  anxiety,  or  tears  of 
 joy,  they  cry  out.  Enthusiasm,  enthusiasm  !  Well,  then,  to  the 
 law,  and  to  the  testimony.  "  I  sat  down  under  his  shadow  with 
 great  delight^  Is  this  enthusiasm?  0  Lord,  evermore  give  us 
 this  enthusiasm !  May  the  God  of  hope  fill  you  with  all  joy  and 
 peace  in  beheving !  If  it  be  really  in  sitting  under  the  shadow  of 
 Christ,  let  there  be  no  bounds  to  your  joy.  Oh,  if  God  would  but 
 open  your  eyes,  and  give  you  simple,  childhke  faith,  to  look  to  Jesus, 
 to  sit  under  his  shadow,  then  would  songs  of  joy  rise  from  all  our 
 dwellings.     Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always,  and  again  I  say,  Rejoice! 
 
SERMONS.  BVd 
 
 3f/,  Because  the  fruit  of  Christ  is  sweet  to  the  taste.  All  true 
 believers  not  only  sit  under  the  shadow,  but  partake  of  his  pleasant 
 fruits.  Just  as  when  you  sit  under  an  apple-tree,  the  fruit  hangs 
 above  you  and  around  you,  and  invites  you  to  put  out  the  hand 
 and  taste ;  so  when  you  come  to  submit  to  the  righteousness  of 
 God,  bow  your  head,  and  sit  down  under  Christ's  shadow,  all  other 
 things  are  added  unto  you.  First,  Temporal  mercies  are  sweet 
 to  the  taste.  None  but  those  of  you  who  are  Christians  know 
 this,  when  you  sit  under  the  shadow  of  Christ's  temporal  mercies, 
 because  covenant  mercies.  "  Bread  shall  be  given  you  ;  your 
 water  shall  be  sure."  These  are  sweet  apples  from  the  tree  Christ. 
 0  Christian  !  tell  me,  is  not  bread  sweeter  when  eaten  thus  ?  Is  not 
 water  richer  than  wine,  and  Daniel's  pulse  better  than  the  dainties 
 of  the  king's  table?  Second,  Afflictions  are  sweet  to  the  taste. 
 Every  good  apple  has  some  sourness  in  it.  So  is  it  with  the 
 apples  of  the  tree  of  Christ.  He  gives  afflictions  as  well  as  mer- 
 cies ;  He  sets  the  teeth  on  edge ;  but  even  these  are  blessings  in 
 disguise, — they  are  covenant  gifts.  Oh !  affliction  is  a  dismal 
 thing  when  you  are  not  under  his  shadow.  But  are  you  Chris- 
 tians ?  look  on  your  sorrows  as  apples  from  that  blessed  tree.  If 
 you  knew  how  wholesome  they  are,  you  would  not  wish  to  want 
 them.  Several  of  you  know  it  is  no  contradiction  to  say.  These 
 apples,  though  sour,  are  sweet  to  my  taste.  Third,  The  gifts  of 
 the  Spirit  are  sweet  to  the  taste.  Ah  !  here  is  the  best  fruit  that 
 grows  on  the  tree ;  here  are  the  ripest  apples  from  the  topmost 
 branch.  You  who  are  Christians  know  how  often  your  soul  is 
 fainting.  Well,  here  is  nourishment  to  your  fainting  soul.  Every- 
 thing you  need  is  in  Christ.  "  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee." 
 Dear  Christian,  sit  much  under  that  tree,  feed  much  upon  that 
 fruit.  "  Stay  me  with  flagons,  comfort  me  with  apples,  for  I  am 
 sick  of  love."  Fourth,  Promises  of  glory.  Some  of  the  apples 
 have  a  taste  of  heaven  in  them.  Feed  upon  these,  dear  Christians. 
 Some  of  Christ's  apples  give  you  a  rehsh  for  the  fruit  of  Canaan — 
 for  the  clusters  of  Eshcol.  Lord,  evermore  give  me  these  apples  ; 
 for  oh  !  they  are  sweet  to  my  taste. 
 
314  SERMONS. 
 
 SERMON    IV. 
 
 '  A  bword,  a  sword  is  sharpened,  and  also  ftu'bished :  it  is  sharpened  to  make  a 
 sore  slaugliter ;  it  is  furbished  that  it  may  glitter ;  should  we  then  make 
 mirth  ?  it  contemneth  the  rod  of  my  son,  as  every  tree." — Ezek.  xxi.  9,  10. 
 
 From  the  second  verse  of  this  chapter  we  learn  that  this  prophecy 
 was  directed  against  Jerusalem  :  "  Son  of  man,  set  thy  face  toward 
 Jerusalem,  and  drop  thy  word  toward  the  holy  places,  and  prophesy 
 against  the  land  of  Israel." 
 
 We  have  already  told  you  that  Ezekiel,  while  yet  a  youth,  was 
 carried  captive  by  Nebuchadnezzar,  and  placed,  with  a  number 
 of  his  countrymen,  by  the  river  of  Chebar.  It  was  there  that  he 
 delivered  his  prophecies  during  a  space  of  twenty-two  years.  The 
 prophecy  I  have  read  was  deUvered  in  the  seventh  year  of  his  cap- 
 tivity, and  just  three  years  before  Jerusalem  was  destroyed  and 
 the  temple  burnt.  From  verse  2,  we  learn  that  these  words  were 
 directed  against  Jerusalem ;  for  though  God  had  taken  Ezekiel 
 away  to  minister  to  the  captives  by  the  river  of  Chebar,  yet  He 
 made  him  send  many  a  message  of  warning  and  of  mercy  to  his 
 beloved  Jerusalem.  "  Son  of  man,  set  thy  face  toward  Jerusalem, 
 and  drop  thy  word  toward  the  holy  places,  and  prophesy  against 
 the  land  of  Israel." 
 
 God  had  already  fulfilled  many  of  the  words  of  his  prophets 
 against  Jerusalem.  He  had  fulfilled  the  word  of  Jeremiah  against 
 one  of  their  kings  (Jehoiakim).  "He  shall  be  buried  with  the 
 burial  of  an  ass :  drawn  and  cast  forth  beyond  the  walls  of  Jeru- 
 salem." He  had  fulfilled  the  word  of  the  same  prophet  in  carrying 
 another  king  ( Jehoiakin)  to  Babylon  with  all  the  goodly  vessels  of 
 the  house  of  the  Lord.  But  still  neither  prophecies  nor  judg- 
 ments would  awaken  Jerusalem;  so  that  we  are  told  (2  Chron. 
 xxxvi.  12)  that  Zedekiah,  the  next  king,  "  did  that  which  was  evil 
 in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  his  God,  and  humbled  not  himself  before 
 Jeremiah  the  prophet,  speaking  fi'om  the  mouth  of  the  Lord." 
 Yers.  14-16:  "Moreover,  all  the  chief  of  the  priests  and  the 
 people  transgressed  very  much,  after  all  the  abominations  of  the 
 heathen ;  and  polluted  the  house  of  the  Lord,  which  he  had  hal- 
 lowed in  Jerusalem.  And  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers  sent  to 
 them  by  his  messengers,  rising  up  betimes,  and  sending;  because 
 He  had  compassion  on  his  people,  and  on  his  dwelHng-place  :  but 
 they  mocked  the  messengers  of  God,  and  despised  his  works,  and 
 misused  his  prophets,  until  the  wrath  of  the  Lord  arose  against 
 his  people,  till  there  was  no  remedy." 
 
SERMONS.  315 
 
 It  was  in  a  time  of  great  hardness  and  impenitence  in  Jerusalem 
 that  the  prophecy  before  me  was  delivered,  and  just  three  years 
 before  the  wrath  of  God  was  poured  on  them  to  the  uttermost. 
 First,  All  was  mirth  and  sensuality  in  Jerusalem.  Second,  The 
 false  prophets  prophesied  peace,  and  the  people  loved  to  have  it  so. 
 Third,  There  was  no  noise  but  that  of  revelry  within  the  devoted 
 city.  But  in  the  midst  of  that  din  and  revelry,  the  lone  prophet 
 by  the  river  of  Chebar  heard  the  muttering  of  the  distant  thunder. 
 The  faithful  servant  of  God  saw  God  arming  himself  as  a  mighty 
 man  for  the  war,  and  the  glittering  sword  of  vengeance  in  his 
 hand,  and  he  calls  aloud  to  his  countrymen,  all  at  ease,  with 
 awakening  thunders,  "A  sword,  a  sword  is  sharpened,  and  also 
 furbished:  it  is  sharpened  to  make  a  sore  slaughter ;  it  is  furbished 
 that  it  may  glitter  :  should  we  then  make  mirth?" 
 
 My  friends,  those  of  you  who  are  unconverted  are  in  the  very 
 same  situation  as  Jerusalem  was.  In  the  years  that  are  now  fled 
 like  the  mists  of  the  morning,  how  many  messages  have  you  had 
 from  God !  How  many  times  has  He  sent  his  messengers  to  you, 
 rising  up  early  and  sending  them !  His  Bible  has  been  in  your 
 houses,  a  silent  but  most  mighty  pleader  for  God ;  his  providence 
 has  been  in  your  families,  in  sickness  and  death,  in  plenty  or 
 poverty, — all,  all  beseeching  you  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come, — 
 all,  all  beseeching  you  to  cleave  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  only,  the 
 all-sufficient  Saviour.  All  these  messages  have  come  to  you,  and 
 you  are  yet  unconverted — still  dead,  dry  bones,  without  Christ  and 
 without  God  in  the  world ;  and  you  are  saying.  Soul,  take  thine 
 ease,  eat  and  drink  and  be  merry.  But  do,  my  friends,  hearken 
 once  more,  for  God  does  not  wish  any  to  perish.  I  have  a  word 
 from  God  unto  thee :  "A  sword,  a  sword  is  sharpened,  and  also 
 furbished :  it  is  sharpened  to  make  a  sore  slaughter ;  it  is  furbished 
 that  it  may  glitter  :  should  we  then  make  mirth?" 
 
 Doctrine. — It  is  very  unreasonable  in  unconverted  persons  to 
 make  mirth. 
 
 (1.)  It  is  unreasonable,  because  they  are  under  condenwiation. — The 
 sword  is  sharpened,  and  also  furbished.  It  is  sharpened  to  make 
 a  sore  slaughter ;  it  is  furbished  that  it  may  glitter.  Should  we 
 then  make  mirth  ?  There  is  a  common  idea  that  men  are  under 
 probation,  as  Adam  was,  and  that  Christless  persons  will  not  be 
 condemned  till  the  judgment ;  but  this  is  not  the  case.  The  Bible 
 says,  "  He  that  believeth  not  is  condemned  already."  "  He  that 
 hath  not  the  Son  shall  not  see  life,  but  the  wrath  of  God  abideth 
 on  him."     "  Cursed  is  every  one  [not  shall  be]  who  continueth  not 
 
81 G  SERMONS. 
 
 in  all  things  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them."  Christless 
 Bouls  are  at  present  in  the  horrible  pit,  every  mouth  is  stopped, 
 and  they  are  guilty  before  God.  They  are  in  prison,  ready  to  be 
 brought  out  to  execution.  Therefore,  when  God  sends  us  to 
 preach  to  Christless  persons,  He  calls  it  "  preaching  to  the  spirits 
 in  prison,"^  that  is,  who  are  under  condemnation.  The  sword  is 
 not  only  unsheathed,  it  is  sharpened  and  furbished.  It  is  held  over 
 their  heads. 
 
 Should  they  then  make  mirth  ?  It  is  unreasonable  in  a  con- 
 demned malefactor  to  make  mirth.  Would  it  not  greatly  shock 
 every  feeUng  mind  to  see  a  company  of  men  condemned  to  die, 
 meeting  and  making  merry,  talking  Hghtly  and  jestingly,  as  if  the 
 sword  was  not  over  them  ?  Yet  this  is  the  case  of  those  of  you 
 who  are  unconverted  and  yet  live  lives  of  mirth.  You  have  been 
 tried  in  the  balance  and  found  wanting.  You  have  been  condemned 
 by  the  righteous  Judge.  Your  sentence  is  past.  You  are  now  in 
 prison ;  neither  can  you  break  out  of  this  prison :  the  sword  is 
 whetted  and  drawn  over  you.  And  oh !  is  it  not  most  unreason- 
 able to  make  mirth  ?  Is  it  not  most  unreasonable  to  be  happy  and 
 contented  with  yourself  and  merry  with  your  friends  ?  Is  it  not 
 madness  to  sing  the  song  of  the  drunkard?  "Eat,  drink,  and  be 
 merry,  for  to-morrow  we  die." 
 
 (2.)  Because  God's  instilments  of  destruction  are  all  ready. — Not 
 only  are  Christless  persons  condemned  already,  but  the  instruments 
 of  their  destruction  are  prepared  and  quite  ready.  The  sword  of 
 vengeance  is  sharpened,  and  also  furbished.  When  swords  are 
 kept  in  the  armoury,  they  are  kept  blunt,  that  the  rust  may  not 
 hurt  their  edge  ;  but  when  work  is  to  be  done,  and  they  are  taken 
 out  for  the  slaughter,  then  they  are  furbished  and  sharpened, — 
 made  sharp  and  glittering.  So  it  is  with  the  sword  of  the  execu- 
 tioner :  when  not  in  use,  it  is  kept  blunt ;  but  when  work  is  to  be 
 done,  it  is  sharpened  and  made  ready.  It  is  sharpened  and  fur- 
 bished just  before  the  blow  is  struck,  that  it  may  cut  clean.  So  is 
 it  with  God's  sword  of  vengeance.  It  is  not  sheathed  and  blunt, — 
 it  is  sharpened  and  furbished, — it  is  quite  ready  to  do  its  work, — it 
 is  quite  ready  for  a  sore  slaughter.  The  disease  by  which  every 
 unconverted  man  is  to  die  is  quite  ready, — it  is  perhaps  in  his  veins 
 at  this  very  moment.  The  accident  by  which  he  is  to  drop  into 
 eternity  is  quite  ready, — all  the  parts  and  means  of  it  are  arranged. 
 The  arrow  that  is  to  strike  him  is  on  the  string, — perhaps  it  has 
 left  the  string,  and  is  even  now  flying  towards  him. 
 
 *  I  believe  he  afterwards  understood  1  Pet.  iii.  19  to  moan,  "  the  spirits  vrlio 
 ftre  now  in  prison," 
 
SERMONS.  317 
 
 The  place  in  hell  is  quite  ready  for  every  unconverted  soul. 
 When  Judas  died,  the  Scripture  says,  "  he  went  to  his  own  place." 
 It  was  his  own  place  before  he  went  there,  being  quite  prepared 
 and  ready  for  him.  As  when  a  man  retires  at  night  to  his  sleeping- 
 room,  it  is  said  he  has  gone  to  his  own  room,  so  a  place  in  hell 
 is  quite  ready  for  every  Christless  person.  It  is  his  own  place. 
 When  the  rich  man  died  and  was  buried,  he  was  immediately  in 
 his  own  place.  He  found  everything  ready.  He  hfted  up  his 
 eyes  in  hell,  being  in  torments.  So  hell  is  quite  ready  for  every 
 Christless  person.  It  was  prepared,  long  ago,  for  the  devil  and 
 his  angels.  The  fires  are  all  quite  ready,  and  fully  lighted  and 
 burning. 
 
 Ah  !  should  Christless  souls  then  make  mirth  ?  A  malefactor 
 might  perhaps  say  that  he  would  be  merry  as  long  as  the  scaffold 
 was  not  erected  on  which  he  was  to  die.  But  if  he  were  told  that 
 the  scaffold  was  quite  ready, — that  the  sword  was  sharpened,  and 
 the  executioner  standing  ready, — oh !  would  it  not  be  madness 
 to  make  mirth  ?  Alas  !  this  is  your  madness,  poor  Christless  soul. 
 You  are  not  only  condemned,  but  the  sword  is  sharpened  and 
 ready  that  is  to  smite  your  soul ;  and  yet  you  can  be  happy,  and 
 dream  away  your  days  and  nights  in  pleasures  that  perish  in  the 
 using.  The  disease  is  ready,  the  accident  is  ready,  the  arrow  is 
 on  the  string,  the  grave  is  ready,  yea,  hell  itself  is  ready,  your 
 own  place  is  made  ready ;  and  yet  you  can  make  mirth  !  You 
 can  play  games  and  enjoy  company  !  How  truly  is  your  laughter 
 hke  the  crackhng  of  thorns  under  a  pot :  a  flashy  blaze,  and  then 
 the  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever ! 
 
 (3.)  The  sword  may  come  down  at  amj  one  moment. — Not  only  are 
 Christless  persons  condemned  already,  and  not  only  is  the  sword  of 
 vengeance  quite  ready,  but  the  sword  may  come  down  at  any  one 
 moment.  It  is  not  so  with  malefactors  ;  their  day  is  fixed  and  told 
 them,  so  that  they  can  count  their  time.  If  they  have  many  days, 
 they  make  merry  to-day  at  least,  and  begin  to  be  serious  to-morrow. 
 But  not  so  Christless  persons  ;  their  day  is  fixed,  but  it  is  not  told 
 them.  It  may  be  this  very  moment.  Ah  !  should  they  then  make 
 mirth  ? 
 
 Some  malefactors  have  been  found  very  stout-hearted  to  the  very 
 last.  Many  have  received  their  sentence  quite  unmoved,  and  with 
 a  determined  countenance.  Some  have  even  gone  to  the  scaffold 
 quite  unmoved ;  some  even  with  a  light,  careless  spirit.  But  when 
 the  head  is  laid  down  upon  the  block,— when  the  eyes  are  covered, 
 and  the  neck  laid  bare,— when  the  glittering  sword  is  lifted  high 
 in  the  air,  and  may  come  down  any  one  moment, — that  is  a  dreadful 
 
318  SERMONS. 
 
 lime  of  suspense.  It  would  be  very  horrible  to  see  a  man  in  a  liglit. 
 careless  spirit  at  that  time.  Oh !  it  would  be  madness  to  be  merry 
 then.  Alas !  this  is  your  madness,  poor  Christless  soul.  You  are 
 not  only  condemned,  and  not  only  is  the  sword  ready,  but  it  may 
 fall  on  you  at  any  one  moment.  Your  head  is,  as  it  were,  on  the 
 block.  Your  neck  is  bared  before  God,  and  the  whetted  sword 
 is  held  over  you ;  and  yet  can  you  make  mirth  ?  Can  you  take  up 
 your  mind  with  business  and  worldly  things,  and  getting  rich, 
 building  and  planting,  and  this  night  your  soul  may  be  required 
 of  you  ?  Can  you  fill  up  your  time  with  games  and  amusements, 
 and  foohsh  books  and  entertaining  companions  ?  Can  you  fill  up 
 your  hours  after  work  with  loose  talk  and  wanton  behaviour, 
 adding  sin  to  sin,  treasuring  up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath, 
 when  you  know  not  what  hour  the  wrath  of  God  may  come  upon 
 you  to  the  uttermost?  Can  you  go  prayerless  to  your  bed  at 
 night,  your  mind  filled  with  dark  and  horrid  imaginations  not  fit  to 
 be  named,  and  yet  you  may  be  in  hell  before  the  morning  ?  A 
 sword,  a  sword;  it  is  furbished! 
 
 (4.)  Because  God  has  made  no  promise  to  Christless  souls  to  stay  his 
 hand  one  moment. — All  the  promises  of  God  are  yea  and  amen, 
 that  is,  they  are  true.  He  always  fulfils  his  promises.  But  the 
 same  scripture  says  they  are  "  yea  and  amen  m  Christ  Jesus." 
 All  God's  promises  are  made  to  Christ,  and  to  sinners  that  cleave 
 to  Christ.  I  beheve  that  it  is  impossible,  in  the  nature  of  things, 
 that  God  would  make  a  promise  to  an  unconverted  man.  Accord- 
 ingly, all  God's  promises  are  made  to  Christ,  and  to  every  sinner 
 that  cleaves  on  to  Christ.  But  unconverted  persons  are  those  who 
 have  never  come  to  Christ ;  therefore  there  are  no  promises  made 
 to  them.  God  nowhere  promises  to  make  them  anxious.  He 
 nowhere  promises  to  bring  them  to  Christ.  He  nowhere  promises 
 to  keep  them  one  moment  out  of  hell.  "  Should  they  then  make 
 mirth?" 
 
 Let  me  speak  to  Christless  persons  who  are  at  ease.  Many  of 
 you  hearing  me  may  know  that  you  are  in  a  Christless  state ;  and 
 yet  you  know  that  you  are  at  ease  and  happy.  Why  is  this  ?  It 
 is  because  you  hope  to  be  brought  to  Christ  before  you  die.  You 
 say.  Another  day  will  do  as  well,  and  I  will  hear  thee  again  of  this 
 matter  ;  and  therefore  you  take  your  ease  now.  But  this  is  very 
 unreasonable.  It  is  not  worthy  of  a  rational  being  to  act  in  this 
 way.  God  has  nowhere  promised  to  bring  you  to  Christ  before 
 you  die.  God  has  laid  himself  under  no  manner  of  obhgation  to 
 you.  He  has  nowhere  promised  that  you  shall  see  to-morrow,  or 
 that  you  shall  hear  another  sermon.     There  is  a  day  near  at  hand 
 
SERMONS.  319« 
 
 when  you  shall  not  see  a  to-morrow.  If  this  be  not  the  last,  there  is 
 a  sermon  yet  to  be  preached  which  will  be  the  last  you  will  ever  hear. 
 Let  me  speak  to  Christless  persons  who  are  anxious  about  their 
 souls.  Some  hearing  me  know  that  they  are  in  a  Christless  con- 
 dition, and  this  made  them  anxious;  and  yet  it  is  to  be  feared  some 
 are  losing  that  anxiety,  and  now  going  back  to  the  mirth  of  the 
 world.  Why  is  this?  This  is  most  unreasonable.  If  you  are 
 still  out  of  Christ,  however  anxious  you  have  been,  remember 
 God  has  made  no  promises  to  save  you.  The  sword  is  still  over 
 you,  furbished  and  sharpened.  Ah!  do  not  then  make  mirth. 
 Strive  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate.  Take  the  kingdom  of  heaven 
 by  violence.  Press  into  it.  Never  rest  till  you  are  in  the  bonds 
 of  the  covenant.  Then  be  as  happy  as  the  day  is  long. 
 (5.)  It  is  a  sore  slaughter  :  '"'A  sword!  a  swordi'' 
 1st,  Sore,  because  it  luill  he  on  all  luho  are  Christless. — The  dread- 
 fulness  of  the  slaughter  in  Jerusalem  was,  that  all  were  slain, 
 both  old  and  young.  The  command  which  the  prophet  heard 
 was  (ix.  5),  "  Go  ye  through  the  city,  and  smite.  Let  not  your 
 eye  spare,  neither  have  ye  pity.  Slay  utterly  old  and  young, 
 both  maids  and  little  children  and  women ;  but  come  not  near 
 any  man  upon  whom  is  the  mark."  Such  is  the  sore  slaughter 
 waiting  on  unconverted  souls.  All  Christless  persons  will  perish, 
 young  and  old.  God  will  not  spare,  neither  will  his  eye  pity. 
 Think  of  this,  old  grey-headed  persons,  that  have  lived  in  sin, 
 and  never  come  to  Christ;  if  you  die  thus,  you  will  certainly 
 perish  in  the  sore  slaughter.  Think  of  this,  middle-aged  pei^sons, 
 hard-working  merchants  and  labourers,  who  make  money,  but  do 
 not  sell  all  for  the  pearl  of  great  price.  Think  of  this,  ye  Marthas, 
 who  are  careful  and  troubled  about  many  things,  but  who  forget 
 the  one  thing  that  is  needful,  you  also  will  fall  in  the  sore  slaughter. 
 Think  of  this,  young  persons,  who  live  without  prayer,  yet  in  mirth 
 and  jollity ;  you  that  meet  to  jest  and  be  happy  on  Sabbath  even- 
 ings ;  you  that  walk  in  the  sight  of  your  own  eyes, — you,  too,  will 
 fall  in  that  sore  slaughter.  Think  of  this,  little  children,  you  that 
 are  the  pride  of  your  mother's  heart,  but  who  have  gone  astray 
 from  the  womb,  speaking  lies.  Little  children  who  are  fond  of 
 your  plays,  but  are  not  fond  of  coming  to  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the 
 Saviour  of  little  children,  the  sword  will  come  on  you  also.  Oh ! 
 it  is  a  sore  slaughter  that  will  not  spare  the  young,  nor  the  lovely, 
 nor  the  kind — the  gentle  mother  and  affectionate  child — the  widow 
 and  her  only  son.  Should  you  then  make  mirth  ?  Unconverted 
 families,  when  you  meet  in  the  evening  to  jest  and  sport  with  one 
 another,  ask  this  one  question,  Should  we  make  mirth  ?     Is  your 
 
320  SERMONS. 
 
 mirth  reasonable  ?  Is  it  worthy  of  rational  beings  ?  Unconverted 
 companions,  who  meet  so  often  for  mirth  and  amusement,  should 
 you  make  mirth  together  when  you  are  in  such  a  case  ?  Ah !  how 
 dismal  will  the  contrast  be  when  God  says,  Bind  them  in  bundles 
 to  burn  them ! 
 
 2c?,  Sore  slaughter  because  the  sivord  is  the  sword  of  God. — If  it 
 were  only  the  sword  of  man  that  is  furbished  and  sharpened  for 
 the  slaughter,  it  would  not  be  very  terrible.  But  it  is  the  sword 
 of  Almighty  God,  and  therefore  it  is  very  terrible.  "  Fear  not 
 them  that  kill  the  body,  but  after  that  have  no  more  that  they  can 
 do.  But  I  will  forewarn  you  whom  ye  shall  fear :  Fear  Him,  who 
 after  He  hath  killed  the  body,  is  able  to  cast  body  and  soul  into 
 hell ;  yea,  I  say  unto  you,  fear  Him."  If  it  were  the  sword  of 
 man,  it  could  reach  only  to  the  body  ;  but,  ah  !  it  is  the  sword  of 
 God,  and  the  iron  will  enter  into  the  soul.  It  is  the  same  sword 
 that  appeared  in  the  garden  of  Eden, — ''  a  flaming  sword,  that 
 turned  every  way  to  keep  the  way  of  the  tree  of  Ufe."  It  is  the 
 same  sword  which  pierced  the  side  of  Jesus  Christ  in  his  agony. 
 "Awake,  0  sword,  against  my  Shepherd,  and  against  the  man 
 that  is  my  fellow,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts :  I  will  smite  the 
 Shepherd,  and  the  sheep  shall  be  scattered."  It  is  that  sword  of 
 which  Christ  speaks,  when  He  says,  "  It  shall  cut  him  asunder, 
 and  appoint  him  his  portion  with  hypocrites  :  there  shall  be  waihng 
 and  gnashing  of  teeth." 
 
 Dear  brethren,  it  is  not  a  few  flesh  wounds  that  that  sword  will 
 make.  It  will  cut  asunder, — it  will  be  a  death-blow, — eternal  death. 
 It  is  a  death  which  body  and  soul  will  be  always  dying,  yet  never 
 dead. 
 
 (1.)  Let  me  speak  to  the  old. — There  may  be  some  hearing  me  m 
 whom  these  three  things  meet,  namely,  that  they  are  old,  and 
 Christless,  and  full  of  mirth.  Oh !  if  there  be  such  hearing  me, 
 consider  your  ways, — consider  if  your  mirth  be  worthy  of  a  rational 
 being.  I  have  shown  you  plainly  out  of  the  Scriptures  what  your 
 case  is :  Firsts  That  you  are  condemned  already.  Second,  That 
 God's  sword  is  ready.  TJiird^  That  it  may  come  down  any  moment. 
 Fourth,  That  God  has  made  you  no  promise  to  stay  his  hand. 
 And,  Fifth,  That  it  will  be  a  sore  slaughter.  Consider,  then,  if  it 
 be  reasonable  to  believe  a  lie, — to  deceive  your  own  soul,  and  say. 
 Peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace.  In  the  ordinary  course  of 
 things,  you  must  soon  go  the  way  of  all  living, — you  must  be 
 gathered  to  your  fathers  ;  and  then  all  that  I  have  said  will  be 
 fulfilled.  Should  you  then  make  mirth?  Are  you  tottering  on 
 the  brink  of  hell,   and  yet  living  prayerless  and  Christless,  and 
 
SERMONS.  321 
 
 playing  yourself  with  straws, — telling  over  the  oft-repeated  tale 
 of  youth,  and  laughing  over  the  oft-repeated  jest  ?  Alas  !  what 
 a  depth  of  meaning  was  there  in  the  word  of  Solomon !  "I  said 
 of  laughter.  It  is  mad  ;  and  of  mirth,  What  doeth  it  ?  Even  in 
 laughter  the  heart  is  sorrowful,  and  the  end  of  that  mirth  is 
 heaviness." 
 
 (2.)  Let  me  speah  to  the  young. — There  may  be  many  hearing  me 
 iu  whom  these  three  things  meet :  They  are  young  in  years,  far 
 from  Christ,  and  yet  full  of  mirth.  Now,  my  dear  friends,  I  entreat 
 you  to  consider  whether  your  mirth  is  reasonable.  The  sword  is 
 sharpened  for  a  sore  slaughter.     Should  you  then  make  mirth? 
 
 Ohj.  1. — Youth  is  the  time  for  mirth.  Ans. — I  know  well  youth 
 is  the  time  for  mirth.  The  young  lamb  is  a  happy  creature  as  it 
 springs  about  on  the  green  pasture.  The  young  kid  leaps  from 
 rock  to  rock  with  Kveliest  glee.  The  young  horse  casts  its  heels 
 high  in  the  air,  full  of  Hfe  and  activity.  But  then  they  have  no  sin, 
 and  you  have  ;  they  have  no  hell,  and  you  have.  If  you  will  come 
 to  Jesus  Christ  now,  and  be  freed  from  wrath,  ah !  then  you  will 
 find  that  youth  is  the  time  for  mirth, — youth  is  the  time  for  enjoy- 
 ing sweet  peace  in  the  bosom,  and  liveliest  intercourse  with  God, 
 and  brightest  hopes  of  glory. 
 
 Ohj.  2. — You  would  have  us  to  be  gloomy  and  sad.  Ans. — God 
 forbid.  All  that  I  maintain  is,  that  until  you  are  come  to  Christ, 
 your  mirth  is  mad  and  unreasonable.  If  you  will  come  to  Christ, 
 then  be  as  happy  as  you  will ;  there  are  no  bounds  to  your  joy  there, 
 for  you  will  joy  in  God.  And  when  you  die,  you  will  come  to 
 fulness  of  joy  in  his  presence,  and  pleasures  at  his  right  hand  for 
 evermore. 
 
 Ohj.  3. — If  I  be  Christless,  it  will  not  bring  me  into  Christ  to  be 
 sad,  and  therefore  I  may  as  well  be  merry.  Ans. — True,  to  be 
 sad  will  not  bring  you  into  Christ ;  and  yet,  if  you  were  really 
 awakened  to  cry  to  God,  peradventure  He  would  hear  your  cry. 
 If  you  were  striving  to  enter  in,  you  might  find  entrance.  If  you 
 were  pressing  into  the  kingdom,  you  might  take  it  by  violence. 
 Seek  meekness,  seek  righteousness.  It  may  be  ye  shall  be  hid  in 
 the  day  of  the  Lord's  anger.  If  you  stay  where  you  are,  you  are 
 sure  to  be  lost.  If  you  live  on  in  carnal  security,  in  mirth  and 
 jollity,  while  you  are  out  of  Christ,  you  are  sure  to  perish. 
 
 "  Rejoice,  0  young  man,  in  thy  youth,  and  let  thy  heart  cheer 
 thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  thine  heart, 
 and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes ;  but  know  thou  that  for  all  these 
 things  God  will  bring  thee  into  judgment." 
 
 DUNTDBE.   1837. 
 
322  SERMONS. 
 
 SERMON    Y. 
 
 Unto  you,  O  men,  I  call ;  and  my  voice  is  to  the  sons  of  man."— Prov.  viii.  4. 
 
 (1.)  These  are  the  words  of  wisdmi;  and  wisdom  in  the  book  of 
 Proverbs  is  none  other  than  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
 This  is  evident  from  chap.  i.  23,  where  He  says,  "  Behold,  I  will 
 pour  out  my  Spirit  unto  you ;  "  but  it  is  Christ  alone  who  has  the 
 gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  And  again,  from  viii.  22,  where  He  says, 
 "  The  Lord  possessed  me  in  the  beginning  of  his  way  ;  "  and  verse 
 30:  "  Then  I  was  by  Him  as  one  brought  up  with  Him;  and  I  was 
 daily  his  delight,  rejoicing  always  before  Him."  These  words  are 
 true  of  none  but  of  Jesus  Christ, — the  Word  that  was  with  God, 
 and  was  God,  by  whom  all  things  were  made. 
 
 (2.)  The  places  He  goes  to  ivith  the  invitation. — First,  He  goes  to 
 the  country.  He  climbs  every  eminence,  and  cries  there ;  then  He 
 descends  to  the  highway  where  many  roads  meet.  Second,  He  goes 
 to  the  city.  He  begins  at  the  gates,  where  the  people  are  assem- 
 bled to  make  bargains  and  hear  causes ;  then  He  proceeds  along 
 the  principal  avenue  into  the  city,  and  cries  in  at  every  door  as 
 He  passes.  He  first  goes  out  into  the  highways  and  hedges,  then 
 goes  into  the  streets  and  lanes  of  the  city,  carrying  the  blessed 
 message. 
 
 (3.)  Observe  the  manner  in  which  He  invites. — He  cries  aloud, — He 
 puts  forth  the  voice, — He  stands  and  cries, — He  calls  and  lifts  up 
 his  voice, — He  seems  like  some  merchant  offering  his  wares,  first 
 in  the  market,  and  then  from  door  to  door.  Never  did  busy  crier 
 offer  to  sell  his  goods  with  such  anxiety  as  Jesus  offers  his  salva- 
 tion ;  verse  10  :  "  Receive  my  instruction,  and  not  silver ;  and 
 knowledge  rather  than  choice  gold." 
 
 (4.)  Observe  to  whom  the  invitation  is  addressed. — Yerse  4:  "  Unto 
 you',  0  men,  I  call ;  and  my  voice  is  to  the  sons  of  man." 
 Merchants  only  offer  their  goods  to  certain  classes  of  the  people 
 that  will  buy  ;  but  Jesus  offers  his  to  all  men.  Wherever  there 
 is  a  son  of  Adam, — wherever  there  is  one  born  of  woman, — the 
 word  is  addressed  to  him  :  he  that  hath  ears  to  hear,  let  him  hear. 
 
 Doctrine. — Christ  offers  himself  as  a  Saviour  to  all  of  the  human 
 race. 
 
 I.  The  most  awaJcening  truth  in  all  the  Bible. — It  is  commonly 
 thought  that  preaching  the  holy  law  is  the  most  awakening  truth 
 in  the  Bible, — that  by  it  the  mouth  is  stopped,  and  all  the  world 
 becomes  guilty  before  God ;  and,  indeed,  I  believe  this  is  the  most 
 
SERMONS.  323 
 
 ordinary  mean  which  God  makes  use  of.  And  yet  to  me  there  is 
 something  far  more  awakening  in  the  sight  of  a  Divine  Saviour 
 freely  offering  himself  to  every  one  of  the  human  race.  There  is 
 something  that  might  pierce  the  heart  that  is  like  a  stone  in  that 
 cry  :  "  Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call ;  and  my  voice  is  to  the  sons  of 
 man." 
 
 (1.)  Had  you  lived  in  the  days  when  Noah  built  the  ark, — had 
 you  seen  that  mighty  vessel  standing  open  a,nd  ready,  inviting  all 
 the  world  to  come  into  its  roonay  cavities,  would  it  not  have  been 
 the  most  awakening  of  all  sights  ?  Could  you  have  looked  upon  it 
 without  thinking  of  the  coming  flood  that  was  to  sweep  the  un- 
 godly world  away  ? 
 
 (2.)  Had  you  lived  in  the  times  when  Jesus  was  on  the  earth, — 
 had  you  seen  Him  riding  down  the  Mount  Olivet,  and  stopping 
 when  He  came  in  sight  of  Jerusalem,  lying  peaceful  and  slumber- 
 ing at  his  feet, — had  you  seen  the  Son  of  God  weep  over  the  city, 
 and  say,  "  If  thou  hadst  known,  even  thou,  at  least  in  this  thy  day, 
 the  things  which  belong  to  thy  peace  !  but  now  they  are  hid  from 
 thine  eyes," — would  you  not  have  felt  that  some  awful  destruction 
 was  awaiting  the  slumbering  city  ?  Would  He  shed  these  tears 
 for  nothing  ?  Surely  He  sees  some  day  of  woe  coming  which  none 
 knows  but  himself. 
 
 (3.)  Just  so,  dear  friends,  when  you  see  Jesus  here  running  from 
 place  to  place, — from  the  high  places  to  the  highways, — from  the 
 highways  to  the  city  gates, — from  the  gates  to  the  doors ;  when 
 you  hear  his  anxious  cry,  "  Unto  you,  O  men,  I  call," — does  it  not 
 show  that  all  men  are  lost, — that  a  dreadful  hell  is  before  them  1 
 Would  the  Saviour  call  so  loud  and  so  long  if  there  was  no  hell  ? 
 
 Apply  this  to  slumbering  souls. 
 
 1st,  Mark  who  it  is  that  calls  you — it  is  Wisdom  ! — Jesus  Christ, 
 in  whom  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge. 
 "Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call."  Often,  when  ministers  prick  your 
 hearts  in  their  sermons,  you  go  home  and  say,  "  Oh !  it  was  only 
 the  word  of  a  minister, — shall  I  tremble  at  the  words  of  a  man  ?  " 
 But  here  is  the  word  of  no  minister,  but  of  Christ.  Here  is  the 
 word  of  one  who  knows  your  true  condition, — who  knows  your 
 heart  and  your  history, — who  knows  your  sins  done  in  the  light, 
 and  done  in  the  dark,  and  done  in  the  recesses  of  your  heart, — who 
 knows  the  wrath  that  is  over  you,  and  the  hell  that  is  before  you. 
 "  Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call." 
 
 2d,  Mark  in  how  many  places  He  calls  you. — In  the  high  places 
 and  the  highways,  in  the  gates,  in  the  entries,  at  the  coming  in 
 of  the  doors.     Has  it  not  been  so  with  you  ?     Have  you  not  been 
 
324  SERMONS. 
 
 called  in  the  Bible,  in  the  family,  in  the  house  of  prayer  ?  You 
 have  gone  from  place  to  place,  but  the  Saviour  has  gone  after  you. 
 You  have  gone  to  places  of  diversion,  you  have  gone  to  places  of 
 sin,  but  Christ  has  followed  you.  You  have  laid  down  on  a  bed 
 of  sickness,  and  Christ  has  followed  you.  Must  not  the  sheep  be 
 in  great  danger,  when  the  Shepherd  follows  so  far  in  search  of  it  ? 
 3d,  How  loud  He  cms. — He  calls  and  lifts  up  the  voice.  Has  it 
 not  been  so  with  you  ?  Has  He  not  knocked  loudly  at  your  door, 
 in  warnings,  in  providences,  in  deaths  ?  Has  He  not  cried  loudly 
 in  the  preached  word  ?  Sometimes,  when  reading  the  Bible  alone, 
 has  not  the  voice  of  Christ  been  louder  than  thunder  ? 
 
 4:th,  He  cries  to  all. — Had  He  cried  to  the  old,  then  the  young 
 would  have  said,  "  We  are  safe,  we  do  not  need  a  Saviour."  Had 
 He  cried  to  the  young,  the  old  men  among  you  would  have  said, 
 "  He  is  not  for  us."  Had  he  called  to  the  good  or  to  the  bad, 
 still  some  would  have  felt  themselves  excused.  But  He  cries  to 
 you  all.  There  is  not  one  person  hearing,  but  Jesus  cries  to  you. 
 Then  all  are  lost, — old  and  young,  rich  and  poor.  Whatever  you 
 think  of  yourselves,  Jesus  knows  you  to  be  in  a  lost  condition  ; 
 therefore  this  piercing  cry,  "  Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call." 
 
 II.  The  most  comforting  tmth  in  the  Bible. — When  awakened 
 persons  are  first  told  of  Jesus  Christ,  it  generally  adds  to  their 
 grief.  They  see  plainly  that  He  is  a  very  great  and  glorious 
 Saviour ;  but  then  they  feel  that  they  have  rejected  Him,  and  they 
 fear  that  He  never  can  become  their  Saviour.  Yery  often  awakened 
 persons  sit  and  listen  to  a  lively  description  of  Christ, — of  his  work 
 of  substitution  in  the  stead  of  sinners  ;  but  their  question  still  is, 
 "  Is  Christ  a  Saviour  to  me  ?  "  Now,  to  this  question  I  answer, 
 Christ  is  freely  offered  to  all  the  human  race.  "  Unto  you,  0  men, 
 I  call."  If  there  were  no  other  text  in  the  whole  Bible  to  encour- 
 age sinners  to  come  freely  to  Christ,  this  one  alone  might  persuade 
 them.  There  is  no  subject  more  misunderstood  by  unconverted 
 souls  than  the  unconditional  freeness  of  Christ.  So  little  idea  have 
 we  naturally  of  free  grace,  that  we  cannot  believe  that  God  can 
 offer  a  Saviour  to  us,  while  we  are  in  a  wicked,  hell-deserving 
 condition.  Oh,  it  is  sad  to  think  how  men  argue  against  their  own 
 happiness,  and  will  not  believe  the  very  word  of  God  ! 
 
 All  the  types  show  the  Saviour  to  be  free  to  all. 
 
 (1.)  The  brazen  serpent  was  lifted  up  in  sight  of  all  Israel,  that 
 eny  one  might  look  and  be  healed;  and  Christ  himself  explains 
 this :  "  So  must  the  Son  of  man  be  hfted  up,  that  whosoever 
 believeth  on  Him  should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life," 
 
SERMONS.  325 
 
 (2.)  The  Refuge  City  set  on  a  hill,  with  its  gates  open  night 
 and  clay,  showed  this.  Whosoever  will,  may  flee  for  refuge  to  the 
 hope  set  before  us. 
 
 (3.)  The  angels  over  Bethlehem  repeated  the  same  thing : 
 "  Behold,  I  bring  you  glad  tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall  be 
 to  all  people."  And  the  last  invitation  of  the  Bible  is  the  freest 
 of  all :  "  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life  freely." 
 Mark,  also,  in  the  text  before  us :  "  Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call." 
 This  shows  that  He  is  not  free  to  devils ;  but  to  all  men, — to  every 
 one  that  has  human  form  and  human  name, — the  Saviour  is  now 
 free.  It  is  not  for  any  goodness  in  men,  not  for  any  change  in 
 them  that  Christ  offers  himself,  but  just  in  their  lost  condition  as 
 men.  He  freely  puts  himself  within  their  reach.  There  are  many 
 stratagems  by  which  the  devil  contrives  to  keep  man  away  from 
 Christ. 
 
 (1.)  Some  say,  There  is  no  hope  for  me.  "  There  is  no  hope, 
 no ;  for  I  have  loved  strangers,  and  after  them  I  will  go.  I  have 
 committed  such  great  sins,  I  have  sunk  so  deep  in  the  mire  of 
 sin,  I  have  served  my  lusts  so  long,  that  there  is  no  use  of  me 
 thinking  of  turning.  There  is  no  hope,  no."  To  you  I  answer, 
 There  is  hope, — your  sins  may  be  forgiven  for  Christ's  sake, — there 
 is  forgiveness  with  God.  Ah,  why  should  Satan  so  beguile  you  ? 
 True,  you  have  waded  deep  into  the  mire  of  sin,  you  have  de- 
 stroyed yourself ;  and  yet  in  Christ  there  is  help.  He  came  for 
 such  as  you.  Christ  speaks  in  these  words  to  you  :  you  are  of  the 
 human  race,  and  Christ  is  free  to  all  of  the  human  race, — "  Unto 
 you,  0  men,  I  call." 
 
 (2.)  "  I  have  not  the  least  care  about  my  soul.  Up  to  this 
 moment  I  never  listened  to  a  sermon,  nor  attended  to  a  word  in 
 the  Bible.  I  have  no  wish  to  hear  of  Christ,  or  God,  or  eternal 
 things."  To  you  I  answer.  Still  Christ  is  quite  free  to  you. 
 Though  you  have  no  care  for  your  soul,  yet  Christ  has,  and  wishes 
 to  save  it.  Though  you  do  not  care  for  Christ,  yet  He  cares  for 
 you,  and  stretches  out  his  hands  to  you.  Christ  did  not  come 
 to  the  earth  because  people  were  caring  about  their  souls,  but 
 because  we  were  lost.  You  are  only  the  more  lost.  Christ  is 
 all  the  more  seeking  you.  This  day  you  may  find  a  Saviour, 
 "  Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call." 
 
 (3.)  "  If  I  knew  I  were  one  of  the  elect,  I  would  come  ;  but  I 
 fear  I  am  not."  To  you  I  answer,  Nobody  ever  came  to  Christ 
 because  they  knew  themselves  to  be  of  the  elect.  It  is  quite  true 
 that  God  has  of  his  mere  good  pleasure  elected  some  to  everlast- 
 ing life,  but  they  never  knew  it  till  they  came  to  Christ.      Christ 
 
326  SERMONS. 
 
 nowhere  invites  the  elect  to  come  to  Him.  The  question  for  you 
 is  not,  Am  I  one  of  the  elect?  but.  Am  I  of  the  human  race? 
 
 (4.)  Some  of  you  may  be  saying,  "If  I  could  see  my  name  in 
 the  Bible,  then  I  would  believe  that  Christ  wants  me  to  be  saved. 
 When  Christ  called  Zaccheus,  He  said,  '  Zaccheus,  come  down.' 
 He  called  him  by  name,  and  he  came  down  immediately.  Now,  if 
 Christ  would  call  me  by  name,  I  would  run  to  Him  immediately." 
 Now,  to  you  I  say,  Christ  does  call  you  by  your  name,  for  He 
 says,  "  To  you,  O  men,  I  call."  Suppose  that  Christ  had  written 
 down  the  names  of  all  the  men  and  women  in  the  world,  your 
 name  would  have  been  there.  Now,  instead  of  writing  down  every 
 name.  He  puts  them  all  together  in  one  word,  which  includes  every 
 man,  and  woman,  and  child  :  "  Unto  you,  0  men^  I  call ;  and  my 
 words  are  to  the  sons  of  many  So  your  name  is  in  the  Bible. 
 "  Go  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature." 
 
 (5.)  "  If  I  could  repent  and  believe,  then  Christ  would  be  free 
 to  me ;  but  I  cannot  repent  and  beheve."  To  you  I  say.  Are  you 
 not  a  man,  before  you  repent  and  believe  ?  then  Christ  is  offered 
 to  you  before  you  repent.  And,  believer,  Christ  is  not  offered  to 
 you  because  you  repent,  but  because  you  are  a  vile,  lost  sinner. 
 *'  Unto  you,  O  men,  I  call." 
 
 (G.)  "I  fear  the  market  is  over.  Had  I  come  in  the  morning  of 
 life, — I  believe  Christ  was  offered  me  then,  in  youth,  at  my  first 
 sacrament, — but  now  I  fear  the  market-day  is  done."  Are  you  not 
 still  a  man, — one  of  the  human  race  ?  True,  you  have  refused  the 
 Saviour  for  years,  yet  still  He  offers  himself  to  you.  It  was  not 
 for  any  goodness  that  He  offered  himself  to  you  at  first,  but  be- 
 cause you  were  vile  and  lost.  You  are  vile  and  lost  yet,  so  He 
 offers  himself  to  you  still.     "  Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call." 
 
 I  would  here,  then,  take  occasion  to  make  offer  of  Christ  with 
 all  his  benefits  to  every  soul  in  this  assembly.  To  every  man  and 
 woman  and  child  I  do  now,  in  the  name  of  my  Master,  make  full, 
 free  offer  of  a  crucified  Saviour  to  be  your  surety  and  righteous- 
 aess,  your  refuge  and  strength.  I  would  let  down  the  gospel  cord 
 so  low,  that  sinners,  who  are  low  of  stature,  like  Zaccheus,  may 
 lay  hold  of  it.  Oh !  is  there  none  will  lay  hold  on  Christ,  the  only 
 Saviour  ? 
 
 III.  The  most  condemning  truth  in  the  Bible. 
 
 If  Christ  be  freely  offered  to  all  men,  then  it  is  plain  that  all  who 
 live  and  die  without  accepting  Christ  shall  meet  with  the  doom  of 
 those  who  refuse  the  Son  of  God.  "  He  that  sinneth  against  mo 
 wrongeth  his  own  soul :  all  they  that  hate  me  love  death."    Ah ! 
 
SERMONS.  327 
 
 it  is  a  sad  thing  that  the  very  truth,  which  is  life  to  every  believ- 
 ing soul,  is  death  to  all  others.  "  This  is  the  condemnation." 
 We  are  a  sweet  savour  of  Christ  unto  God.'  When  the  ignorant 
 heathens  stand  at  the  bar  of  God — Hindoos,  and  Africans,  and 
 Chinese — who  have  never  had  the  offer  of  Christ  made  to  them, 
 they  will  not  be  condemned  as  those  will  that  have  lived  and  died 
 unsaved  under  a  preached  gospel.  Tyre  and  Sidon  will  not  meet 
 the  same  doom  as  Chorazin  and  Bethsaida,  and  unbelieving 
 Capernaum. 
 
 Oh,  brethren,  you  are  without  excuse  in  the  sight  of  God,  if 
 you  go  home  unsaved  this  day!  The  gospel  cord  has  been  let 
 down  very  low  to  every  one  of  you  this  day.  If  you  go  away 
 without  laying  hold,  your  condemnation  will  be  heavier  at  the  last 
 day.  If  Christ  had  not  come  to  you,  you  had  not  had  sin,  but 
 now  you  have  no  cloak  for  your  sin. 
 
 Objection. — But  my  heart  is  so  hard  that  I  cannot  believe, — my 
 heart  is  so  set  upon  worldly  things  that  I  cannot  turn  to  Christ. 
 I  was  born  this  way.  Ans. — This  does  but  aggravate  your  guilt. 
 It  is  true  you  were  born  thus,  and  that  your  heart  is  like  the 
 nether  millstone.  But  that  is  the  very  reason  God  will  most  justly 
 condemn  you;  because  from  your  infancy  you  have  been  hard- 
 hearted and  unbelieving.  If  a  thief,  when  tried  before  the  judge 
 on  earth,  were  to  plead  guilty,  but  to  say  that  he  had  always  been 
 a  thief, — that  even  in  infancy  his  heart  loved  stealing, — would  not 
 this  just  aggravate  his  guilt,  that  he  was  habit  and  repute  a 
 thief? — So  you. 
 
 Oh,  brethren,  if  you  could  die  and  say  that  Christ  had  never  been 
 offered  to  you,  you  would  have  an  easier  hell  than  you  are  like  to 
 have !  You  must  go  away  either  rejoicing  in  or  rejecting  Christ 
 this  day, — either  won,  or  more  lost  than  ever.  There  is  not  one 
 of  you  but  will  yet  feel  the  guilt  of  this  Sabbath-day ._  This 
 sermon  will  meet  you  yet.  See  that  ye  refuse  not  him  that 
 speaketh:  "How  shall  we  escape  if  we  neglect  so  great  salva- 
 tion?" 
 
 .    St  Pktek's,  Igas. 
 
S:S?8  SERMONS. 
 
 SERMON    YI. 
 
 "That  which  was  from  the  beginning,  which  we  have" heard,  which  we  havo 
 seen  with  our  eyes  which  we  have  looked  upon,  and  our  hands  have 
 handled,  of  the  "Word  of  Life  (for  the  Life  was  manifested,  and  we  have 
 seen  it,  and  bear  witness,  and  show  unto  you  that  Eternal  Life  which  was 
 with  the  Father,  and  was  manifested  unto  us) ;  that  which  we  have  seen 
 and  heard  declare  we  unto  you,  that  ye  also  may  have  fellowship  with  us : 
 and  truly  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ 
 And  these  things  write  we  unto  you,  that  your  joy  may  be  fvill." — 1  John 
 i.  1-4. 
 
 I.  The  subject  of  JolirCs  preaching. 
 
 It  was  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified.  "  That  which  we  have 
 seen  and  heard,  declare  we  unto  you."  This  was  the  preaching 
 of  John  the  Baptist :  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh 
 away  the  sins  of  the  world."  He  pointed  to  Jesus.  This  was  the 
 preaching  of  Philip — Acts  viii.  5  :  "Philip  went  down  to  Samaria, 
 and  preached  Christ  unto  them."  And  when  he  came  to  the 
 Ethiopian  eunuch,  "  he  preached  unto  him  Jesus."  This  was  the 
 preaching  of  Paul:  "I  determined  to  know  nothing  among  you, 
 but  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified."  This  was  the  beginning, 
 and  middle,  and  end  of  the  preaching  of  Paul.  This  was  the 
 preaching  of  John:  -To  declare  all  that  he  had  seen  with  his  eyes, 
 heard  with  his  ears,  handled  with  his  hands,  of  Immanuel, — this 
 was  the  object  of  his  life, — this  was  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  his 
 preaching.  He  knew  that  Jesus  was  like  the  alahaste?'  box,  full  of 
 spikenard,  very  costly;  and  his  whole  labour  was  to  break  the 
 box  and  pour  forth  the  good  ointment  before  the  eyes  of  fainting 
 sinners,  that  they  might  be  attracted  by  the  sweet  savour.  He 
 knew  that  Jesus  was  a  hundle  of  myn%  and  his  whole  life  was 
 spent  in  opening  it  out  to  sinners,  that  they  might  be  overcome 
 by  the  refreshing  odours.  He  carried  about  the  savour  of  Christ 
 with  him  wherever  he  went.  He  knew  that  Jesus  was  the  Balm 
 of  Gilead,  and  his  labour  was  to  open  out  this  bruised  balm  before 
 the  eyes  of  sick  souls,  that  they  might  be  healed. 
 
 (1.)  His  Eternity. — "  That  which  was  from  the  beginning." 
 John  had  often  heard  Jesus  speak  of  his  eternity.  "  In  the  be- 
 ginning was  the  Word."  "  Before  Abraham  was,  I  am."  He 
 remembered  how  Jesus  said  in  prayer  in  the  garden,  "  Glorify  me 
 with  the  glory  which  I  had  with  Thee  before  the  world  was." 
 "  Thou  lovedst  me  before  the  foundation  of  the  world."  John 
 thus  knew  that  He  was  the  Eternal  One, — that  He  was  before 
 
SERMONS.  329 
 
 all  visible  things,  for  He  made  them  all.  By  Him  God  made 
 the  world.  Even  at  the  time  John  was  leaning  on  his  bosom,  he 
 felt  that  it  was  the  bosom  of  the  Uncreated  One.  John  always 
 declared  this ;  he  loved  to  make  Him  known,  O  beloved  !  if  you 
 nave  come  to  lean  on  the  bosom  of  Jesus,  you  have  come  to  the 
 Uncreated  One — the  Eternal  One. 
 
 (2.)  Was  with  the  Father. — John  knew,  from  Prov.  viii.  30,  that 
 Jesus  had  been  with  the  Father ;  "  Then  I  was  by  Him,  as  one 
 brought  up  with  Him,  and  I  was  daily  his  delight,  rejoicing  always 
 before  Him."  He  had  heard  Jesus  tell  many  of  the  secrets  of  his 
 Father's  bosom,  from  which  he  knew  that  He  had  been  with  the 
 Father  :  "  All  things  that  I  have  heard  of  my  Father  I  have  made 
 known  unto  you."  He  had  heard  Jesus  plainly  say,  "  I  came  forth 
 from  the  Father,  and  am  come  into  the  world."  "  Again  I  leave 
 the  world,  and  go  to  the  Father."  John  felt,  even  when  Jesus  was 
 washing  his  feet,  that  this  was  the  man  that  was  God's  fellow. 
 Even  when  he  saw  Jesus  on  the  cross,  with  his  pale  Hps  and  bleed- 
 ing hands  and  feet,  like  a  tortured  worm,  and  "  no  man,"  he  knew 
 that  this  was  the  man  that  was  God's  fellow.  He  lived  to  declare 
 this.  Do  you  thus  look  to  Jesus  ?  Have  you  beheld  the  glory, 
 as  of  the  only-begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth  ? 
 0  tempest-tossed  soul,  this  is  He  that  comes  to  save  thee ! 
 
 (3.)  Eternal  Life. — John  knew  that  Jesus  was  the  Author  of  all 
 natural  life, — that  not  a  man  breathes,  no  beast  of  the  forest  roars, 
 no  bird  stoops  on  the  wing,  but  they  all  receive  the  stream  of 
 life  from  the  hand  of  Immanuel.  He  had  seen  Jesus  raise  the 
 ruler's  daughter  from  the  dead,  and  call  Lazarus  from  the  tomb. 
 He  knew  that  Jesus  was  tlie  Author  of  all  life  in  the  soul.  He 
 had  heard  Jesus  say,  "  As  the  Father  raiseth  up  the  dead,  and 
 quickeneth  whom  He  will,  even  so  the  Son  quicken eth  whom  He 
 will."  "  My  sheep  know  my  voice,  and  I  give  unto  them  eternal 
 life."  He  had  heard  Him  say,  "  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the 
 life."  Above  all,  he  had  felt  in  his  own  soul  that  Christ  was  the 
 Eternal  Life.  In  that  morning,  when  he  sat  with  his  father 
 Zebedee  in  the  boat,  mending  their  nets,  Jesus  said,  "Follow  me!" 
 and  the  life  entered  into  his  soul,  and  he  found  it  a  never-faihng 
 spring  of  life.  Christ  was  his  life ;  therefore  did  he  make  Him 
 known  as  the  Eternal  Life.  Even  when  he  saw  Him  give  up  the 
 ghost ;  when  he  saw  his  pale,  lifeless  body,  the  stiff  hands  and  feet, 
 the  glazed  eye,  the  body  cold  as  the  rocky  tomb  where  they  laid 
 Him  ;  still  he  felt  that  this  was  the  Eternal  Life.  0  beloved  !  do 
 you  believe  that  He  is  the  Hfe  of  the  world  ?  Some  of  you  feel 
 your  soul  to  be  dead — lifeless  in  prayer — lifeless  in  praise.    Oli  look 
 
330  SERMONS. 
 
 on  Him  whom  John  declares  to  you !  All  is  death  without  Him. 
 Bring  your  dead  soul  into  union  with  Him,  and  He  will  give  you 
 eternal  life. 
 
 (4.)  Manifested. — 0  beloved,  if  Jesus  had  not  been  manifested, 
 you  had  never  been  saved !  It  would  have  been  quite  righteous 
 in  God  to  have  kept  his  Son  in  his  own  bosom, — to  have  kept 
 that  jewel  in  his  own  place  upon  the  throne  of  heaven.  God  would 
 have  been  the  same  lovely  God  ;  but  we  would  have  lain  down  in 
 a  burning  hell.  If  that  Eternal  Life  which  was  with  the  Father — 
 if  He  had  remained  in  his  glory  as  the  Living  One,  then  you  and 
 I  would  have  borne  our  own  curse.  But  He  was  manifested : 
 "God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh,  justified  in  the  Spirit,  seen  of 
 angels,  believed  on  in  the  world,  received  up  into  glory."  John 
 saw  Him:  he  saw  his  lovely  countenance;  he  beheld  his  glory, 
 as  the  glory  of  the  only-begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  grace  and 
 truth.  He  saw  that  better  Sun  veiled  with  flesh  that  could  not 
 keep  the  beams  of  his  Godhead  from  shining  through.  He  saw 
 him  on  the  Mount,  when  his  face  shone  like  the  sun.  He  saw  Him 
 in  the  garden,  wlien  He  lay  upon  the  ground.  He  saw  Him  on 
 the  cross,  when  He  hung  between  earth  and  heaven.  He  looked 
 upon  Him, — many  a  time  he  looked  up  on  his  heavenly  countenance, 
 — his  eye  met  his  eye.  He  heard  Him, — heard  the  voice  that  said, 
 "  Let  there  be  Kght !"  He  heard  the  voice  like  the  sound  of  many 
 waters.  He  heard  all  his  gracious  words, — his  words  concernmg 
 God  and  the  way  of  peace.  He  heard  Him  say  to  a  sinner,  "  Be 
 of  good  cheer,  thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee."  He  handled  Him, — he 
 put  his  hands  in  his  hands,  his  arms  aTOund  his  arms,  and  his  head 
 upon  his  bosom.  Perhaps  he  handled  his  body  when  it  was  taken 
 from  the  cross, — touched  the  cold  clay  of  Immanuel.  0  beloved, 
 it  is  a  manifested  Christ  we  declare  unto  you.  It  is  not  the  Son 
 in  the  bosom  of  the  Father ;  that  would  never  have  saved  you. 
 It  is  Jesus  manifested  in  flesh.  The  Son  of  God  hving  and  dying 
 as  man  in  the  stead  of  sinners  ;  Him  we  declare  unto  you. 
 
 Learn  the  true  way  of  coming  to  •peace. — It  is  by  looking  to  a 
 manifested  Jesus.  Some  of  you  think  you  will  come  to  peace  ly 
 looTcing  in  to  your  own  heart.  Your  eye  is  riveted  there.  You 
 watch  every  change  there.  If  you  could  only  see  a  glimpse  of 
 light  there,  oh,  what  joy  it  would  give  you !  If  you  could  only  see 
 a  melting  of  your  stony  heart,  if  you  could  only  see  your  heart 
 turning  to  God,  if  you  could  only  see  a  glimpse  of  the  image  of 
 Jesus  in  your  heart,  you  would  be  at  peace ;  but  you  cannot, — 
 all  is  dark  within.  Oh,  dear  souls,  it  is  not  there  you  will  find  peace ! 
 You  must  avert  the  eye  from  your  bosom  altogether.     You  must  lool 
 
SERMONS.  331 
 
 to  a  declared  Christ.  Spread  out  the  record  of  God  concerning  his 
 Son.  The  gospels  are  the  narrative  of  the  heart  of  Jesus,"  of  the 
 work  of  Jesus,  of  the  grace  of  Jesus.  Spread  them  out  before 
 the  eye  of  your  mind,  till  they  fill  your  eye.  Cry  for  the  Spirit  to 
 breathe  over  the  page,  to  make  a  manifested  Christ  stand  out 
 plainly  before  you ;  and  the  moment  that  you  are  willing  to  beheve 
 all  that  is  there  spoken  concerning  Jesus,  that  moment  you  will 
 wipe  away  your  tears,  and  change  your  sighs  for  a  new  song  of 
 praise. 
 
 II.  The  object  John  had  in  view  by  preaching  Christ. 
 
 (1.)  That  ye  may  have  fellowship  with  us. — To  have  fellowship 
 with  another  is  to  have  things  in  common  with  him.  Thus,  in 
 Acts  iv.  32,  the  first  Christians  were  "  of  one  heart  and  of  one 
 soul ;  neither  said  any  that  aught  of  the  things  which  he  pos- 
 sessed was  his  own,  but  they  had  all  things  in  common."  They  had 
 all  their  goods  in  common ;  they  shared  what  they  had  with  one 
 another.  This  is  v/hat  John  desired  in  spiritual  things, — that 
 we  should  share  with  him  in  his  spiritual  things,  share  and  share 
 alike. 
 
 \st,  Forgiveness. — Some  people  think  it  impossible  to  have  the 
 same  forgiveness  that  the  apostles  had, — that  it  would  be  very 
 bold  to  think  of  tasting  the  same.  But  is  it  not  far  bolder  to  say 
 that  John  is  a  liar,  and  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  a  liar  ?  for  he  here 
 says  plainly,  that  all  his  preaching,  and  all  his  desire  was,  that  you 
 should  have  fellowship  with  him.  Yes,  sinner,  forgiveness  is  as 
 open  to  you  as  it  was  to  John.  The  blood  that  washed  him  is 
 ready  to  wash  you  as  white  as  snow.  John  had  the  same  need  of 
 Christ  that  the  vilest  of  you  have.  Only  look  to  a  declared  Im- 
 manuel ;  clear  your  eye  from  unbelief,  and  look  at  a  freely-revealed 
 Jesus,  and  you  will  find  the  same  forgiveness  is  as  free  to  you  as 
 it  was  to  John. 
 
 2c?,  The  same  love  of  Jesus. — John  was  the  disciple  whom  Jesus 
 loved.  Just  as  Daniel  was  the  prophet  whom  He  greatly  loved, — 
 "  a  man  greatly  beloved," — so  John  was  the  disciple  whom  Jesus 
 loved.  At  the  last  supper  which  Jesus  had  in  this  world,  John 
 leaned  upon  his  bosom.  He  had  the  nearest  place  to  the  heart  of 
 Christ  of  any  in  all  the  world.  Perhaps  you  think  it  is  impossible 
 you  can  ever  come  to  that.  Some  of  you  are  trembling  afar  off ; 
 but  you,  too,  if  you  will  only  look  where  John  points  you,  if  you 
 will  only  believe  the  full  record  of  God  about  Jesus,  will  share  the 
 love  of  Jesus  with  John,  you  will  be  oec  of  his  pecuharly  beloved 
 ones.    Those  that  believe  most,  get  most  love  ;  they  come  nearest 
 
332  SERMONS. 
 
 to  Jesus — they  do,  as  it  were,  lay  their  head  on  his  breast ;  and  no 
 doubt  you  will  one  day  really  share  that  bosom  with  John.  If  you 
 believe  httle,  you  will  keep  far  off  from  Jesus. 
 
 3c?,  The  same  fatherly  dealings  as  John. — John  experienced  many 
 wonderful  dealings  of  God.  He  experienced  many  of  the  primings 
 of  the  Father.  He  was  a  fruitful  branch,  and  the  Father  pruned 
 him  that  he  might  bring  forth  more  fruit.  When  he  was  very  old, 
 he  was  banished  to  Patmos,  an  island  in  the  JSgean  Sea,  and,  it  is 
 supposed,  made  a  slave  in  the  mines  there.  He  was  a  companion 
 in  tribulation ;  but  he  had  many  sweet  shinings  of  the  Father's 
 love  to  his  soul.  He  had  sweet  revelations  of  Christ  in  the  time  of 
 his  affiction  ;  and  he  was  joyfully  delivered  out  of  all  his  troubles. 
 He  experienced  peculiarly  the  fatherly  dealings  of  God.  And  so 
 may  you  do,  behever.  Look  where  John  looked,  believe  as  John 
 believed ;  and,  like  him,  you  will  find  that  you  have  a  Father  in 
 heaven,  who  will  care  for  you,  who  will  correct  you  in  measure, 
 who  will  stay  his  rough  wind  in  the  day  of  his  east  wind,  who  will 
 preserve  you  unto  his  heavenly  kingdom. 
 
 (2.)  Fellowship  with  the  Father. — 0  beloved,  this  is  so  wonderful, 
 that  I  could  not  have  believed  it,  if  I  had  not  seen  it !  Shall  a 
 hell-deserving  worm  come  to  share  with  the  holy  God  ?  Oh  the 
 depth  and  the  length  of  the  love  of  God,  it  passeth  knowledge  ! 
 
 Ist^  In  his  holiness. — A  natural  man  has  not  a  spark  of  God's 
 hoUness  in  him.  There  is  a  kind  of  goodness  about  you.  You 
 may  be  kind,  pleasant,  agreeable,  good-natured,  amiable  people, — 
 there  may  be  a  kind  of  integrity  about  you,  so  that  you  are  above 
 stealing  or  lying  ;  but  as  long  as  you  are  in  a  natural  state,  there 
 is  not  a  grain  of  God's  hohness  in  you.  You  have  not  a  grain  of 
 that  absolute  hatred  against  all  sin  which  God  has ;  you  have 
 none  of  that  flaming  love  for  what  is  lovely,  pure,  holy,  which 
 dwells  in  the  heart  of  God.  But  the  moment  you  beheve  on  a 
 manifested  Christ,  that  moment  you  receive  the  Spirit, — the  same 
 Spirit  which  dwells  in  the  infinite  bosom  of  the  Father  dwelleth  in 
 you ;  so  you  become  partakers  of  God's  holiness, — you  become 
 partakers  of  the  divine  nature.  You  will  not  be  as  holy  as  God  ; 
 but  the  same  stream  that  flows  through  the  heart  of  God  will  be 
 given  you.  Ah  !  does  not  your  heart  break  to  be  hoher  ?  Look 
 then  to  Jesus,  and  abide  in  Him,  and  you  will  share  the  same  spirit 
 v,ith  God  himself. 
 
 2d,  In  his  joy. — No  joy  is  like  the  divine  joy.  It  is  infinite,  full, 
 eternal,  pure  unmingled  joy.  It  is  light,  without  nny  cloud  to 
 darken  it ;  it  is  calm,  without  any  breath  to  rufile  it.  Clouds  and 
 darkness  are  round  about  Him,  storms  and  fire  go  before  Him? 
 
SERMONS.  333 
 
 but  within  all  is  peace  ineffable,  unchangeable.  Believers  in  some 
 measure  share  in  this  joy.  We  might  mention  some  of  the 
 elements  of  God's  joy.  First,  All  things  happen  according  to 
 the  good  pleasure  of  his  will.  He  has  fore-ordained  whatsoever 
 comes  to  pass.  Nothing  comes  unprepared  upon  God.  Many 
 things  are  hateful  in  his  sight,  yet,  looking  on  the  whole,  He  can 
 delight  in  all.  If  you  have  come  to  Christ,  you  will  have  some 
 drops  of  his  joy.  You  can  look  upon  all  events  with  a  calm,  holy 
 joy,  knowing  that  your  Father's  will  and  purposes  alone  shall 
 stand.  Second,  The  conversion  of  souls.  There  is  joy  in  the  pre- 
 sence of  the  angels  of  God  over  one  sinner  repenting,  more  than 
 over  ninety-nine  who  need  no  repentance.  I  have  no  doubt  that 
 this  is  one  of  the  great  elements  of  his  joy — seeing  souls  brought 
 into  his  favour.  God  loves  to  save ;  He  delighteth  in  mercy  ;  He 
 dehghts  when  He  can  be  a  just  God  and  a  Saviour.  If  you  are 
 come  to  Christ,  you  will  have  the  same  joy. 
 
 (3.)  Fellowship  ivith  the  Son. 
 
 1st,  We  share  with  the  Son  in  his  justification. — Once  Jesus  was 
 unjustified;  once  there  were  sins  laid  to  his  charge, — the  sins  of 
 many.  It  was  this  that  occasioned  his  agony  in  the  garden,  on  the 
 cross.  His  only  comfort  was,  "  He  is  near  that  justifieth  me."  He 
 knew  the  time  would  be  short.  But  now  the  wrath  of  God  has  all 
 fallen  upon  Him.  The  thunder-clouds  of  God's  anger  have  spent 
 all  their  lightnings  on  his  head.  The  vials  of  God's  wrath  have 
 poured  out  their  last  drops  upon  Him.  He  is  now  justified  from  all 
 the  sins  that  were  laid  upon  Him.  He  has  left  them  with  the  grave- 
 clothes.  His  fellow-men  and  devils  laid  all  sins  to  his  charge ;  He 
 was  silent.  Do  you  believe  this  record  concerning  the  Son  ?  Do 
 you  cleave  to  Jesus  as  yours  ?  Then  you  have  fellowship  with  Him 
 in  his  justification.  You  are  as  much  justified  as  Christ  is.  There 
 is  as  little  guilt  lying  upon  you  as  there  is  upon  Christ.  The  vials 
 of  wrath  have  not  another  drop  for  Christ,  nor  another  drop  for 
 you.     You  are  justified  from  all  things. 
 
 2d,  His  adoption. — When  Jesus  went  up  to  heaven.  He  said,  "  I 
 go  to  my  Father."  When  He  entered  heaven,  the  word  of  God  was 
 "  Thou  art  my  Son  ;  sit  Thou  on  my  right  hand  until  I  make  thine 
 enemies  thy  footstool."  Oh,  it  was  a  blessed  exchange,  when  He 
 left  the  frowns  and  curses  of  this  world  for  the  embrace  of  his 
 Father's  arms, — when  He  left  the  thorny  crown  for  a  crown  of 
 glory, — when  He  came  from  under  the  wrath  of  God  into  the 
 fatherly  love  of  God !  Such  is  your  change,  you  that  believe  in 
 Jesus.  You  have  fellowship  with  the  Son,  you  share  in  his  adop- 
 tion.    He  says,  "  I  ascend  to  my  Father  and  your  Father."    God 
 
334  SERMONS. 
 
 is  as  much  your  Father  as  He  is  Christ's  Father,  your  God  as 
 Christ's  God.  Oh,  what  a  change !  for  an  heir  of  hell  to  become 
 an  heir  of  God,  and  joint-heir  with  Christ;  to  inherit  God;  to  have 
 a  son's  interest  in  God  !  Eternity  alone  will  teach  you  what  is  in 
 that  word,  "  heir  of  God." 
 
 (4.)  Joy  full. — Other  joys  are  not  filling.  Creature  joys  only 
 fill  a  small  part  of  the  soul.  Money,  houses,  lands,  music,  enter- 
 tainments, friends,  these  are  not  fiUing  joys ;  they  are  just  drops 
 of  joys.  But  Christ  revealed  makes  the  cup  run  over.  "  Thou 
 anointest  my  head  with  oil,  my  cup  runneth  over."  Beheving  in  a 
 manifested  Christ  fills  the  heart  full  of  joy.  *'  In  thy  presence  is 
 fulness  of  joy."  Christ  brings  the  soul  into  God's  presence.  One 
 smile  of  God  tills  the  heart  more  than  ten  thousand  smiles  of  the 
 world. 
 
 You  that  have  nothing  but  creature  joy,  hunting  after  butter- 
 flies, feeding  upon  carrion,  why  do  you  spend  money  for  that  which 
 is  not  bread  ?  You  that  are  aflSicted,  tempest-tossed,  and  not  com- 
 forted, look  to  a  manifested  Jesus.  According  to  your  faith  so  be 
 it  unto  you.  Believe  none,  and  you  will  have  no  joy.  Believe  little, 
 and  you  will  have  little  joy.  Beheve  much,  and  you  will  have 
 much  joy.  Believe  all,  and  you  will  have  all  joy,  and  your  joy  will 
 be  full.  It  will  be  like  a  bowl  hpping  over,  good  measure,  pressed 
 down,  and  running  over.     Amen. 
 
 St  Peter's,  1839. 
 
 SERMON    VII. 
 
 ♦*  A  garden  enclosed  is  my  sister,  my  spouse ;  a  spring  shut  up,  a  fountain  sealed.' 
 —Song  iv.  12. 
 
 Doctrine. — The  believer  is  Christ's  garden, 
 
 I.  The  name  here  given  to  believers. — "  My  sister,  my  spouse,"  or 
 rather,  "  ray  sister-spouse."  There  are  many  sweet  names  from 
 the  lips  of  Christ  addressed  to  behevers  :  "  0  thou  fairest  among 
 women,"  i.  8  ;  "  My  love,"  ii.  2  ;  "  My  love,  my  fair  one,"  ii.  10  ; 
 "  0  my  dove,"  ii.  14 ;  "  My  sister,  my  love,  my  dove,  my  un- 
 defiled,"  v.  2;  "0  prince's  daughter,"  vii.  1.  But  here  is  one  more 
 tender  than  all,  ^^  My  sister,  my  spouse,'^  iv.  9  ;  and  again,  Terse  10, 
 and  here,  verse  12.  To  be  spoken  well  of  by  the  world  is  little  to 
 be  desired ;  but  to  hear  Christ  speak  such  words  to  us,  is  enough 
 to  fill  our  hearts  with  heavenly  joy.     The  meaning  you  will  see  by 
 
SERMONS.  335 
 
 what  Paul  says,  1  Cor.  xi.  5  :  "  Have  we  not  power  to  lead  about 
 a  sister,  a  wife,  as  well  as  other  apostles  ?  "  He  means  power  tc 
 marry  one  who  is  like-minded — a  sister  in  the  Lord ;  one  who  will 
 be  both  a  wife  and  a  sister  in  Christ  Jesus — a  ivife  by  covenant,  a 
 sister  by  being  born  of  the  same  Father  in  heaven.  So  Christ  here 
 says  of  believers,  "  My  sister,  my  spouse,"  that  they  are  not  only 
 united  to  Him  by  choice  and  covenant,  but  are  like-minded  also. 
 
 II.  TJtese  two  things  are  inseparaUe. — Some  would  like  to  be  the 
 spouse  of  the  Saviour,  without  being  the  sister.  Some  would  like 
 to  be  saved  by  Christ,  but  not  to  be  made  like  Christ.  When 
 Christ  chooses  a  sinner,  and  sets  his  love  on  the  soul,  and  when  He 
 woos  the  soul  and  draws  it  into  covenant  with  himself,  it  is  only 
 that  He  may  make  the  soul  a  sister, — that  He  may  impart  his 
 features,  his  same  heart,  his  all,  to  the  soul.  Now,  many  rest  in 
 the  mere  forgiveness  of  sins.  Many  have  felt  Christ  wooing  their 
 soul,  and  offering  himself  freely  to  them,  and  they  have  accepted 
 Him.  They  have  consented  to  the  match.  Sinful  and  worthless 
 and  hell-deserving,  they  find  that  Christ  desires  it ;  that  He  will 
 not  be  dishonoured  by  it ;  that  He  will  find  glory  in  it ;  and  their 
 heart  is  filled  with  joy  in  being  taken  into  covenant  with  so  glo- 
 rious a  bridegroom.  But  why  has  He  done  it  ?  To  make  you 
 partaker  of  his  holiness,  to  change  your  nature,  to  make  you 
 sister  to  himself, — of  his  own  mind  and  spirit.  He  has  sprinkled 
 you  with  clean  water,  only  that  He  may  give  you  a  new  heart 
 also.  He  brings  you  to  himself  and  gives  you  rest  only  that  He 
 may  make  you  learn  of  Him  his  meekness  and  lowliness  in  heart. 
 
 (1.)  Inseparable. — You  cannot  be  the  spouse  of  Christ  without 
 becoming  sister  also.  Christ  offers  to  be  the  bridegroom  of  sin- 
 covered  souls.  He  came  from  heaven  for  this ;  took  flesh  and 
 blood  for  this.  He  tries  to  woo  sinners,  standing  and  stretching 
 out  his  hands.  He  tells  them  of  all  his  power,  and  glory,  and 
 riches,  and  that  all  shall  be  theirs.  He  is  a  blood-sprinkled  bride- 
 groom ;  but  that  is  his  chief  loveliness.  The  soul  believes  his 
 word,  melts  under  his  love,  consents  to  be  his.  "  My  beloved 
 is  mine,  and  I  am  his."  Then  He  washes  the  soul  in  his  own 
 blood ;  clothes  it  in  his  own  righteousness ;  takes  it  in  with  Him 
 to  the  presence  of  his  Father.  From  that  day  the  soul  begins  to 
 reflect  his  image.  Christ  begins  to  hve  in  the  soul.  The  same 
 heart,  the  same  spirit,  are  in  both.  The  soul  becomes  sister  as 
 well  as  spouse, — Christ's  not  only  by  choice  and  covenant,  but  by 
 likeness  also.  Some  of  you  Christ  has  chosen ;  you  have  become 
 his  justified  ones.     Do  you  rest  there  ?     No ;  remember  you  musi 
 
536  SERMONS. 
 
 be  made  like  Him, — reflect  his  image;  you  cannot  separate  the 
 two. 
 
 (2.)  The  order  of  the  two. — You  must  be  first  the  spouse  before 
 you  can  be  the  sister  of  Christ, — his  by  covenant  before  his  by 
 likeness.  Some  think  to  be  like  Christ  first, — that  they  will  copy 
 his  features  till  they  recommend  themselves  to  Christ.  No,  this 
 will  not  do.  He  chooses  only  those  that  have  no  comeliness — 
 polluted  in  their  own  blood,  that  He  may  have  the  honour  of 
 washing  them.  "  When  thou  wast  in  thy  blood,"  Ezek.  xvi.  6. 
 Are  there  any  trying  to  recommend  themselves  to  Christ  by  their 
 change  of  life?  Oh,  how  little  you  know  Him!  He  comes  to 
 seek  those  who  are  black  in  themselves.  Are  there  some  of  you 
 poor,  defiled,  unclean  ?  You  are  just  the  soul  Christ  woos. 
 Proud,  scornful  ?  Christ  woos  you.  He  offers  you  his  all,  and 
 then  He  will  change  you. 
 
 III.  To  ivhat  Christ  compares  believers:  "^  garden  enclosed.''^ — 
 The  gardens  in  the  East  are  always  enclosed ;  sometimes  by  a 
 fence  of  reeds,  such  are  the  gardens  of  cucumbers  in  the  wilder- 
 ness ;  sometimes  by  a  stone  wall,  as  the  garden  of  Gethsemane ; 
 sometimes  by  a  hedge  of  prickly  pear.  But  what  is  still  more 
 interesting  is,  they  are  often  enclosed  out  of  a  wilderness.  All 
 around  is  often  barren  sand ;  and  this  one  enclosed  spot  is  like  the 
 garden  of  the  Lord.     Such  is  the  believer. 
 
 (1.)  Enclosed  hj  election. — In  the  eye  of  God,  the  world  was  one 
 great  wilderness, — all  barren,  all  dead,  all  fruitless.  Ko  part  was 
 tit  to  bear  anything  but  briars.  It  was  nigh  unto  cursing.  One 
 part  was  no  better  than  another  in  his  sight.  The  hearts  of  men 
 were  all  hard  as  rock,  dry  and  barren  as  the  sand.  Out  of  the 
 mere  good  pleasure  of  his  will,  He  marked  out  a  garden  of  de- 
 lights where  He  might  show  his  power  and  grace,  that  it  might 
 be  to  his  praise.  Some  of  you  know  your  election  of  God  by  the 
 fruits  of  it, — by  your  faith,  love,  and  holiness.  Be  humbled  by 
 the  thought  that  it  was  solely  because  He  chose  you.  Why  me, 
 Lord?  why  me? 
 
 (2.)  Enclosed  hy  the  Spirit's  work. — Election  is  the  planning  of 
 the  garden.  The  Spirit's  work  is  the  carrying  it  into  effect. 
 "  He  fenced  it,"  Isa.  v.  2.  When  the  Spirit  begins  his  work,  it  is 
 separating  work.  When  a  man  is  convinced  of  sin,  he  is  no  more 
 one  with  the  careless,  godless  world.  He  avoids  his  companions — ^ 
 goes  alone.  When  a  soul  comes  to  Christ,  it  is  still  more  sepa- 
 rated. It  then  comes  into  a  new  world.  He  is  no  more  under 
 the  curse — no  more  under  wrath.    He  is  in  the  smile  and  favour 
 
SERMONS.  337 
 
 of  God.     Like  Gideon's  fleece,  he  now  receives  the  dew  when  all 
 around  is  dry. 
 
 (3.)  Enclosed  hy  the  arms  of  God. — God  is  a  wall  of  fire.  Angels 
 are  around  the  soul.  EHsha's  hill  was  full  of  horses  of  fire.  God 
 is  round  about  the  soul,  as  the  mountains  stand  round  about 
 Jerusalem.  The  soul  is  hid  in  the  secret  of  God's  presence.  No 
 robber  can  ever  come  over  the  fence.  "  A  vineyard  of  red  wine : 
 I  the  Lord  do  keep  it ;  I  will  water  it  every  moment :  lest  any 
 hurt  it,  I  will  keep  it  night  and  day."  Isa.  xxvii.  2,  3.  This  is 
 sung  over  thee. 
 
 IV.  Well-watered  garden. — Watered  in  three  ways.  First,  By  a 
 hidden  well.  It  is  the  custom  in  the  East  to  roll  a  stone  over  the 
 mouth  of  a  well,  to  preserve  the  water  from  sand.  Second,  By  a 
 fountain  of  Uving  water — a  well  always  bubbling  up.  Third,  By 
 streams  from  Lebanon. 
 
 (L)  "^  spring  shut  up." — This  describes  the  Spirit  in  the  heart, 
 in  his  most  secret  manner  of  working.  In  some  gardens  there  is 
 only  this  secret  well.  A  stone  is  over  the  mouth.  If  you  wish  to 
 water  the  garden,  you  must  roll  away  the  stone,  and  let  down  the 
 bucket.  Such  is  the  hfe  of  God  in  many  souls.  Some  of  you  feel 
 that  there  is  a  stone  over  the  mouth  of  the  well  in  you.  Your 
 own  rocky  heart  is  the  stone.  Stir  up  the  gift  of  God  which  is  in 
 thee. 
 
 (2.)  A  ivell  of  living  water. — This  is  the  same  as  John  iv., — a 
 well  that  is  ever  full  and  running  over.  Grace  new  every  moment ; 
 fresh  upspringings  from  God.     Thus  only  will  you  advance. 
 
 (3.)  Streams  from  Lebanon. — These  are  very  plentiful.  On  all 
 sides  they  fall  in  pleasant  cascades,  in  the  bottom  unite  into  broad 
 full  streams,  and  on  their  way  water  the  richest  gardens.  The 
 garden  of  Ibrahim  Pacha,  near  Acre,  is  watered  with  streams 
 from  Lebanon.  So  believers  are  sometimes  favoured  with  streams 
 from  the  Lebanon  that  is  above.  We  receive  out  of  Christ's  ful- 
 ness,— drink  of  the  wine  of  his  pleasures.  Oh  for  more  of  these 
 streams  of  Lebanon  !  Even  in  the  dry  season  they  are  full.  The 
 hotter  the  summer,  the  streams  from  Lebanon  become  the  fuller, 
 because  the  heat  only  melts  the  mountain  snows. 
 
 Y.  The  fruit. — The  very  use  of  a  garden  is  to  bear  fruit  and 
 flowers.  For  this  purpose  it  is  enclosed,  hedged,  planted,  watered. 
 If  it  bear  no  fruit  nor  flowers,  all  the  labour  is  lost  labour.  The 
 ground  is  nigh  to  cursing.  So  is  it  with  the  Christian.  Three 
 remarkable  things  are  here. 
 
338  '  SERMONS. 
 
 (1.)  No  weeds  are  mentioned. — Pleasanl  fruit-trees,  and  all  the 
 chief  spices  ;  but  no  weeds.  Had  it  been  a  man  that  was  describ- 
 ing his  garden,  he  would  have  begun  with  the  weeds — the  unbehef, 
 corruption,  evil  tempers,  etc.  Not  so  Christ.  He  covers  all  the 
 sins.  The  weeds  are  lost  sight  of.  He  sees  no  perversity.  As  in 
 John  xvii. :  "  They  have  kept  thy  word ;  they  are  not  of  the 
 world."    As  in  Kev.  ii.  2  :  "  I  know  thy  works." 
 
 (2.)  Fruits. — The  pomegranate — the  very  best ;  all  pleasant 
 fruits.  And  all  his  own.  "  From  me  is  thy  fruit  found  ;"  "  His 
 pleasant  fruits,"  verse  16.  The  graces  that  Christ  puts  into  the 
 heart  and  brings  out  of  the  life  are  the  very  best,  the  richest, 
 most  pleasant,  most  excellent  that  a  creature  can  produce.  Love 
 to  Christ,  love  to  the  brethren,  love  to  the  Sabbath,  forgiveness  of 
 enemies,  all  the  best  fruits  that  can  grow  in  the  human  heart. 
 Unreasonable  world!  to  condemn  true  conversion,  when  it  produces 
 the  very  fruits  of  paradise,  acceptable  to  God,  if  not  to  you. 
 Should  not  this  make  you  stand  and  consider  ? 
 
 (3.)  Spices. — These  spices  do  not  naturally  grow  in  gardens. 
 Even  in  the  East  there  never  was  such  a  display  as  this.  So  the 
 fragrant  graces  of  the  Spirit  are  not  natural  to  the  heart.  They 
 are  brought  from  a  far  country.  They  must  be  carefully  watched. 
 They  need  the  stream,  and  the  gentle  zephyr.  Oh,  I  fear  most 
 of  you  should  hang  your  heads  when  Christ  begins  to  speak  of 
 fragrant  spices  in  your  heart !  Where  are  they  ?  Are  there  not 
 talkative,  forward  Christians  ?  Are  there  not  self-seeking,  praise- 
 seeking,  man-pleasing  Christians  ?  Are  there  not  proud-praying 
 Christians  ?  Are  there  not  ill-tempered  Christians  ?  Are  there 
 not  rash,  inconsiderate  ones  ?  Are  there  not  idle,  lazy,  bad-work- 
 ing Christians  ?  Lord,  where  are  the  spices  ?  Verily,  Christ  is  a 
 bundle  of  myrrh.  Oh  to  be  like  Him  !  Oh  that  every  flower  and 
 fruit  would  grow !  They  must  come  from  above.  Many  there 
 are  of  whom  one  is  forced  to  say,  "  Well,  they  may  be  Christians  ; 
 but  I  would  not  like  to  be  next  them  in  heaven ! "  Cry  for  the 
 wind :  ''  Awake,  O  north  wind ;  and  come,  thou  south  ;  blow  upon 
 my  garden,  that  the  spices  thereof  may  flow  out." 
 
SERMONS  83  S 
 
 SERMON    YIII.^ 
 
 (Who  is  this  that  cometh  up  from  the  -wilderness  leaning  upon  her  beloved  ?)  1 
 raised  thee  up  under  the  apple-tree  :  there  thy  mother  brought  thee  forth, 
 there  she  brought  thee  forth  that  bare  thee.  Set  me  as  a  seal  upon  thiue 
 heart,  as  a  seal  upon  thine  arm :  for  love  is  strong  as  death ;  jealousy  is  cruel 
 as  the  grave  :  the  coals  thereof  are  coals  of  fire,  which  hath  a  most  vehement 
 flame.  Many  waters  cannot  quench  love,  neither  can  the  floods  drown  it : 
 if  a  man  would  give  all  the  substance  of  his  house  for  love,  it  would  utterly 
 be  contemned." — Song  viii.  5-7. 
 
 We  are  introduced  to  the  great  Redeemer  and  a  believing  soul, 
 and  are  made  to  overhear  their  converse. 
 
 I.  The  posture  of  the  church. 
 
 (1.)  From  the  wilderness. — To  a  child  of  God  this  world  is  a 
 wilderness.  Firsts  Because  everything  is  fading  here.  Here  is 
 nothing  abiding  ;  money  takes  wings  and  flees  away  ;  friends  die. 
 All  are  like  grass ;  and  if  some  are  more  beautiful  or  more  engag- 
 ing than  others,  still  they  are  only  like  the  flower  of  the  grass, — a 
 little  more  ornamented,  but  withering  often  sooner.  Sometimes  a 
 worldly  comfort  is  like  Jonah's  gourd, — it  came  up  over  his  head 
 to  be  a  shadow  to  deliver  him  from  his  grief.  So  Jonah  was  ex- 
 ceeding glad  of  the  gourd.  But  God  prepared  a  worm,  when 
 the  morning  rose  the  next  day,  and  it  smote  the  gourd  that  it 
 withered.  So  our  worldly  comfort  sometimes  grows  up  over  our 
 head  like  a  shadow,  and  we  are  exceeding  glad  of  our  gourd  ;  but 
 God  prepares  a  worm,  we  faint,  and  are  ready  to  die.  Here  we 
 have  no  continuing  city ;  but  we  seek  one  to  come.  This  is  a  wil- 
 derness :  "Arise,  depart,  this  is  not  thy  rest,  for  it  is  polluted." 
 An  experienced  Christian  looks  upon  everything  here  as  not  abid- 
 ing ;  for  the  things  that  are  seen  are  temporal,  but  the  things  that 
 are  not  seen  are  eternal.  Second,  Because  everything  is  stained  with 
 sin  here.  Even  the  natural  scenery  of  this  world  is  stained  with 
 sin.  The  thorns  and  thistles  tell  of  a  cursed  earth.  Above  all, 
 when  you  look  at  the  floods  of  ungodly  men. — "  We  are  of  God, 
 and  the  whole  world  lieth  in  wickedness."  The  world  does  not 
 know  a  Christian,  and  does  not  love  him.  Though  you  love  them, 
 and  would  lay  down  your  body  that  they  might  pass  over  to  glory, 
 yet  they  will  not  hear.  Above  all,  the  sin  in  our  own  heart  makes 
 us  bend  down  under  our  burden,  and  feel  this  to  be  a  valley  of 
 
 *  This  is  all  that  exists  of  this  sermon,  which  was  memor£.ble  to  many.  It  is 
 little  more  than  a  sketch. 
 
340  SERMONS, 
 
 weeping.  Ah !  wretched  man,  if  we  had  no  body  of  sin,  what  a 
 sweet  glory  would  appear  in  everything ;  we  would  sing  like  the 
 birds  in  spring. 
 
 (2.)  Coming  out  of  it. — Unconverted  souls  are  going  down  into 
 the  wilderness  to  perish  there.  All  Christians  are  coming  up  out 
 of  it.  Sabbath-days  are  like  milestones,  marking  our  way ;  or 
 rather  they  are  like  the  wells  we  used  to  come  to  at  evening. 
 Every  real  Christian  is  making  progress.  If  the  sheep  is  on  the 
 shoulder  of  the  shepherd,  it  is  always  getting  nearer  the  fold. 
 With  some  the  shepherd  takes  long  steps.  Dear  Christians,  you 
 should  be  advancing,  getting  higher,  nearer  to  Canaan,  riper  for 
 glory.  In  the  south  of  Russia,  the  country  is  of  vast  plains,  rising 
 by  steppes.  Dear  friends,  you  should  get  on  to  a  higher  place ; 
 up  another  step  every  Sabbath-day.  In  travelling,  you  never 
 think  of  making  a  house  in  the  wilderness.  So,  dear  friends,  do 
 not  take  up  your  rest  here,  we  are  journeying.  Let  all  your  en- 
 deavours be  to  get  on  in  your  journey. 
 
 (3.)  Leaning  upon  her  beloved. — It  is  very  observable  that  there 
 is  none  here  but  the  bride  and  her  beloved  in  a  vast  wilderness. 
 She  is  not  leaning  upon  him  with  one  arm,  and  upon  somebody 
 else  with  the  other ;  but  she  is  leaning  upon  him  alone.  So  is  it 
 with  the  soul  taught  of  God;  it  feels  alone  with  Christ  in  this 
 world ;  it  leans  as  entirely  upon  Christ  as  if  there  were  no  other 
 being  in  the  universe.  She  leans  all  her  weight  upon  her  husband. 
 When  a  person  has  been  saved  from  drowning,  they  lean  all  their 
 weight  upon  their  deliverer.  When  the  lost  sheep  was  found,  he 
 took  it  upon  his  shoulder.  You  must  be  content  then  to  lean  all 
 your  weight  upon  Christ.  Cast  the  burden  of  temporal  things  upon 
 Him.  Cast  the  care  of  your  soul  upon  Him.  If  God  be  for  us,  who 
 can  be  against  us  ?  They  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  renew 
 their  strength.  The  eagle  soars  so  directly  upward,  that  poets 
 have  fancied  it  was  aiming  at  the  sun.  So  does  the  soul  that 
 waits  on  Christ. 
 
 II.  Christ's  luord  to  the  leaning  soul. 
 
 (1.)  "/  raised  thee  u]),''  etc. — He  reminds  the  believer  of  his 
 natural  state.  Every  soul  now  in  Christ  was  once  like  an  exposed 
 infant  (Ezek.  xvi.),  cast  out  into  the  open  field.  "  Behold,  I  was 
 shapen  in  iniquity."  Do  not  forget  what  you  were.  If  ever  you 
 come  to  forget  what  you  were,  then  you  may  be  sure  you  are  not 
 right  with  God.  Observe  when  the  contrition  comes.  When  you 
 are  leaning  on  Christ,  then  He  tells  you  of  your  sin  and  misery, 
 Ezek.  xxxvi.  31. 
 
SERMONS.  341 
 
 (2.)  He  reminds  you  of  his  love  :  "  I  raised  thee  up."  He  Jiirn- 
 selfis  the  apple-tree,  open  on  all  sides  round,  affording  shadow  and 
 fruit.  /  raised  thee.  Christ  not  only  shelters,  but  draws  into  the 
 shelter.  "  To  Him  he  glory."  Are  there  not  some  who  feel  like 
 an  infant — cast  out  ?  Turn  your  eye  to  Christ,  He  only  can  raise 
 up  your  soul  under  the  apple-tree. 
 
 IH.  The  leaniny  soul  cries  for  continued  grace. 
 
 Set  me  as  a  seal. — It  is  a  sure  mark  of  grace  to  desire  more. 
 The  High  Priest  had  a  beautiful  breastplate  over  his  breast, 
 adorned  with  jewels, — make  me  one  of  these.  He  had  also  a  jewel 
 on  each  shoulder, — make  me  one  of  these.  These  were  bound 
 with  chains  of  gold,  but  the  believer  with  chains  of  love.  This  is 
 a  true  mark  of  grace.  If  you  be  contented  to  remain  where  you 
 are,  without  any  more  nearness  to  God,  or  any  more  holiness,  this 
 is  a  clear  mark  you  have  got  none.  Hide  me  deeper,  bind  me 
 closer,  and  carry  me  more  completely. 
 
 (1.)  The  love  of  Christ  is  strong  as  death. — Death  is  awfully 
 strong.  When  he  comes  upon  a  stout  young  man,  he  brings  him 
 down.    So  is  the  love  of  Christ. 
 
 (2.)  Cruel^  or  stubborn,  as  the  grave. — The  grave  will  not  give  up 
 its  dead,  nor  will  Christ  give  up  his  own.  ■  Oh  !  pray  that  this  love 
 may  embrace  you.  Vehement  as  hell, — unquenchable  fire.  You 
 have  your  choice,  dear  friends,  of  two  eternal  fires.  "  Who  shall 
 separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ,"  etc.?  Rom.  viii.  Floods 
 cannot  drown  it, — afflictions  cannot. 
 
 (3.)  It  cannot  be  bought. — "If  a  man  would  give  all  the  sub- 
 stance," etc.    You  must  accept  it  free  or  not  at  i\\L 
 Dundee,  1840 
 
342  SERMONS. 
 
 SERMON  IX 
 
 ''  After  ihis  I  beheld,  and,  lo,  a  great  multitude,  which  no  man  could  number,  of 
 all  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues,  stood  before  the  throne, 
 and  before  the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands ; 
 .'ind  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying,  Salvation  to  our  God  which  sitteth  upon 
 the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb.  And  all  the  angels  stood  round  about  the 
 throne,  and  about  the  elders  and  the  four  beasts,  and  fell  before  the  throne  on 
 their  faces  and  worshipped  God,  saying,  Amen:  Blessing,  and  glory,  and 
 wisdom,  and  thanksgiving,  and  honour,  and  power,  and  might,  be  unto  our 
 God  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen,  And  one  of  the  elders  answered,  saying 
 unto  me.  What  are  these  which  are  arrayed  in  white  robes  ?  and  whence 
 came  they  ?  And  I  said  unto  him.  Sir,  thou  knowest.  And  he  said  unto  me, 
 These  are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their 
 robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Therefore  are  they 
 before  the  throne  of  God,  and  serve  Him  day  and  night  in  his  temple :  and  He 
 that  sitteth  on  the  throne  shall  dwell  among  them.  They  shall  hunger  no 
 more,  neither  thirst  any  more ;  neither  shall  the  sun  light  on  them,  nor  any 
 heat.  For  the  Lamb,  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,  shall  feed  them, 
 and  shall  lead  them  unto  living  fountains  of  waters :  and  God  shall  wipe 
 away  all  tears  from  their  eyes." — ^Rev.  vii.  9  to  the  end. 
 
 It  is  one  thing  to  read  these  words  with  a  poet's  eye,  and  another 
 thing  to  read  them  with  the  eye  of  a  Christian.  Oh  pray,  dear 
 friends,  that  the  Spirit  may  tear  away  the  veil  from  our  hearts, 
 and  show  us  the  grand  realities  that  are  here !  It  is  sweet  and 
 profitable — 
 
 (1.)  For  the  avjokening  of  the  ungodly^  that  you  may  see  what  are 
 the  exercises  of  the  heavenly  world,  and  how  unfit  you  would  be 
 for  them.  I  suppose  many  of  you  feel  that  you  have  not  washed 
 your  robes,  and  that  you  could  not  sing  their  song.  Then  you 
 must  be  on  the  road  to  hell. 
 
 (2.)  For  the  instruction  of  believers. — It  shows  you  what  are  the 
 chief  employments  of  that  happy  world,  where  we  shall  so  soon  be  ; 
 it  gives  you  the  key-note  of  the  heavenly  song  ;  it  teaches  you  to 
 spend  much  of  your  time  in  the  same  exercises  in  which  you  shall 
 spend  eternity. 
 
 (3.)  For  comfort  to  afflicted  helievers. — It  shows  you  how  short 
 your  trials  will  be.  These  light  auctions  are  but  for  a  moment ; 
 you  need  not  murmur  nor  grieve, — a  little  while,  and  we  shall  be 
 with  Christ,  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  your  tears.  For  this 
 end  it  was  given  to  John. 
 
SERMONS.  343 
 
 I,   What  John  saw  and  heard. 
 
 (1.)  A  great  inultitude  of  all  nations. — When  John  was  on  earth 
 he  saw  but  few  behevers  :  "  We  are  of  God,  and  the  whole  world 
 lieth  in  wickedness."  The  church  was  like  a  lily  in  a  jSeld  of 
 thorns,  lambs  in  the  midst  of  wolves ;  but  now  quite  different, — 
 thorns  are  plucked  away,  the  liUes  innumerable.  "  Out  of  all 
 nations." — Perhaps  he  could  discern  his  fellow-apostles,  his  own 
 brother  James,  and  holy  Paul,  and  angel-faced  Stephen ;  the  dark 
 Egyptian,  the  swarthy  Ethiopian,  the  woolly-headed  negro,  the  far 
 distant  Chinese,  the  Burman,  the  Hindoo,  the  blue-eyed  German, 
 the  dark-eyed  Italian,  and  multitudes  perhaps  from  a  distant 
 island  of  the  sea.  Every  country  had  its  representatives  there, — 
 some  saved  out  of  every  land.  All  were  like  Christ,  and  yet  all 
 retained  their  different  peculiarities.  Learn  that  Christ  ivill  have  a 
 glorious  crown. — He  shall  see  of  the  travail  of  his  soul,  and  be 
 satisfied.  Often,  when  I  look  at  a  large  town  like  Dundee,  and 
 see  so  few  converted  to  Christ,  my  heart  sickens  within  me ;  I 
 often  feel  as  if  we  were  labouring  for  nought  and  in  vain. 
 Although  there  has  been  so  much  blessing,  yet  such  masses  of 
 ungodly  families !  But  oh,  cheer  up,  Christ  shall  have  his  full 
 crown!  Though  there  should  not  be  another  saved  out  of  this 
 place,  Christ  will  have  his  full  reward.  We  shall  be  quite  satisfied 
 when  we  see  the  whole.  He  hath  mercy  on  whom  He  will  have 
 mercy.  Learn  the  power  of  his  blood.  It  blots  out  the  sins  of  all 
 that  multitude, — sins  of  every  name  and  dye.  Why  not  yours?  Oh! 
 when  such  a  glorious  company  are  saved,  why  should  you  be  lost? 
 When  so  many  are  going  out  of  this  place,  why  should  you  keep 
 back? 
 
 (2.)  Their  position. — They  stood  before  the  throne, — yea,  nearer 
 than  the  angels,  for  they  stood  round  about.  The  redeemed  stood 
 next  the  throne,  the  angels  round  them.  This  marks  their  com- 
 plete righteousness.  But  the  ungodly  cannot  stand  in  the  judg- 
 ment. If  God  were  only  to  bring  an  ungodly  man  into  his 
 presence,  he  would  die.  You  greatly  mistake  if  you  think  God 
 needs  to  put  out  great  strength  to  destroy  you.  As  a  cloud  is 
 dried  up  by  being  in  the  light  of  the  sun,  so  you  would  perish  at 
 the  presence  of  God  as  a  moth  in  a  caudle.  But  this  great 
 company  stand  next  the  throne, — God's  eye  full  upon  them.  In 
 Christ  they  stand,  not  in  themselves.  Nearer  than  angels :  the 
 angels  have  only  creature-righteousness, — these  have  on  Creator- 
 righteousness.  The  righteousness  of  Christ  is  a  million  times  more 
 lovely  than  that  of  the  highest  angel,  therefore  they  stand  nearer. 
 The  righteousness  of  God  is  upon  them  all, — who  shall  condemn  ? 
 
344  SERMONS. 
 
 If  you  are  ever  to  be  near  God,  you  may  come  freely  to  Him  now 
 Why  keep  so  far  away  ? 
 
 (3.)  Their  dress ;  ivhite  roles  and  palms. — They  have  all  the  same 
 dress,  there  is  no  difference.  It  is  the  garment  of  Christ.  One  was 
 a  far  greater  believer  than  another, — made  far  greater  advances  in 
 hohness, — yet  the  same  dress.  Whiter  than  the  angels,  verse  13. 
 The  angels  also  are  represented  as  dressed  in  white ;  yet  it  would 
 appear  that  their  robes  were  far  outshone  by  the  bright  shining 
 raiment  of  the  redeemed.  The  angels  have  on  creature-righteous- 
 ness, the  redeemed  the  righteousness  of  God.  This  is  what  is 
 now  offered  to  you,  sinners.  Awakened  persons  are  sometimes  led 
 to  cry,  "Oh  that  I  had  never  sinned  I"  but  here  is  something  better 
 than  if  you  had  never  sinned.  Palms  are  signs  of  victory.  The 
 Jews  used  to  take  branches  of  palms  at  the  feast  of  tabernacles,  or 
 ingathering,  which  w^as  a  type  of  heaven.  The  angels  have  no 
 palms,  for  they  have  fought  no  fight,  they  have  gained  no  victory. 
 Every  one  that  has  a  white  robe  has  a  palm.  Every  one  that  is 
 in  Christ  shall  overcome.     Be  not  afraid  of  your  enemies. 
 
 (4.)  Their  song.  The  substance  of  it — Salvation. — They  give  God 
 all  the  glory.  On  earth,  there  are  many  that  cannot  believe  in 
 an  electing  God — that  God  chose  them  for  no  good  in  them ;  but 
 in  heaven  they  all  feel  it,  and  give  Him  all  the  praise.  On  earth, 
 many  speak  of  making  themselves  willing  ;  but  in  heaven  they  sing 
 <"'  Salvation  to  God."  On  earth,  many  go  about  to  estabhsh  their 
 own  righteousness ;  in  heaven,  "  glory  to  the  Lamb."  On  earth, 
 many  take  Christ  as  part  of  their  righteousness,  and  their  duties  as 
 part ;  in  heaven,  all  give  glory  to  the  Lamb.  What  say  you  to 
 this  song  ?  Does  it  find  an  echo  in  your  heart  ?  Remember  you 
 must  begin  it  now,  if  you  are  to  sing  it  afterwards.  The  effect  of 
 it — it  stirs  up  the  hearts  of  the  angels^  verses  11,  12.  Often  on 
 earth,  when  one  behever  begins  to  praise  God  for  what  He  has  done 
 for  his  soul,  it  stirs  up  the  hearts  of  others.  So  in  heaven,  when 
 the  angels  hear  the  voice  of  redeemed  sinners, — brands  plucked  out 
 of  the  fire, — standing  in  near  the  throne,  they  will  obtain  a  ravish- 
 ing view  of  the  glory  of  God,  his  mercy  and  grace,  they  will  fall 
 down  and  worship  God.  They  will  not  envy  the  redeemed  their 
 place ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  be  filled  with  intense  praise  by 
 hearing  of  what  God  has  done  for  their  souls.  How  do  you  feel 
 when  you  hear  of  others  being  saved  and  brought  nearer  to  God 
 than  you?  Do  you  envy  and  hate  them,  or  do  you  fall  down  and 
 praise  God  for  it  ? 
 
 II.  Their  past  history — verses  13,  14. 
 
SERMONS.  345 
 
 Two  particulars  are  given.  Each  liad  a  different  history  ;  still 
 in  these  two  they  were  ahke. 
 
 (1.)  Theij  had  washed  their  robes. — This  leads  us  back  to  their 
 conversion.  Once  every  one  of  that  company  had  filthy  garments. 
 They  were  hke  Joshua,  their  garment  was  spotted  by  the  flesh. 
 It  was  Hke  a  garment  with  the  leprosy  in  it.  Some  stained  with 
 blood, — spots  of  blood  upon  their  garments  ;  some  with  adultery ; 
 some  with  disobedience  to  parents ;  some  with  pride,  falsehood, 
 evil  speaking, — all,  all  were  stained.  Every  one  was  convinced 
 that  he  could  not  make  himself  clean ;  he  could  not  wash  his 
 garments  nor  throw  them  off;  he  was  brought  to  see  himself 
 lost  and  helpless.  Jesus  was  revealed  to  him,  and  his  precious 
 blood  shed  for  sinners,  even  the  chief,  saying  to  the  heavy  laden, 
 "  Come  to  me."  Of  all  that  company,  there  is  not  one  stands  there 
 in  any  other  way.  All  are  washed  in  blood.  It  is  their  only  way 
 of  standing.  Have  you  been  washed  in  blood  ?  You  will  find  not 
 one  in  heaven  who  went  there  in  any  other  way.  You  think  to  go 
 to  heaven  by  your  own  decency,  innocency,  attention  to  duties. 
 Well,  you  would  be  the  only  such  one  there :  all  are  washed  in 
 blood.     Come  and  let  us  reason  together. 
 
 (2.)  They  came  out  of  great  tribulation. — Every  one  that  gets  to 
 the  throne  must  put  their  foot  upon  the  thorn.  The  way  to  the 
 crown  is  by  the  cross.  We  must  taste  the  gall-  if  we  are  to  taste 
 the  glory.  When  justified  by  faith,  God  led  them  into  tribulations 
 also.  When  God  brought  Israel  through  the  Red  Sea,  He  led 
 them  into  the  wilderness  ;  so,  when  God  saves  a  soul.  He  tries  it. 
 He  never  gives  faith  without  trying  it.  The  way  to  Zion  is 
 through  the  Valley  of  Baca.  You  must  go  through  the  wilder- 
 ness of  Jordan  if  you  are  to  come  to  the  Land  of  Promise.  Some 
 believers  are  much  surprised  when  they  are  called  to  suffer.  They 
 thought  they  would  do  some  great  thing  for  God ;  but  all  that 
 God  permits  them  to  do  is  to  suffer.  Go  round  every  one  in 
 glory, — every  one  has  a  different  story,  yet  every  one  has  a  tale  of 
 suffering.  One  was  persecuted  in  his  family, — by  his  friends  and 
 companions ;  another  was  visited  by  sore  pains  and  humbhng 
 disease, — neglected  by  the  world ;  another  was  bereaved  of  chil- 
 dren ;  another  had  all  these  afilictions  meeting  in  one, — deep  called 
 unto  deep.  Mark,  all  are  brought  out  of  them.  It  was  a  dark  cloud, 
 but  it  passed  away ;  the  water  was  deep,  but  they  have  reached 
 the  other  side.  Not  one  of  them  blames  God  for  the  road  He  led 
 them:  "Salvation"  is  their  only  cry.  Is  there  any  of  you,  dear 
 children,  murmuring'  at  your  lot  ?  Do  not  sin  against  God.  This 
 is  the  way  God  leads  all  his  redeemed  ones.     You  must  have  a 
 
846  SERMONS. 
 
 palm  as  well  as  a  white  robe.  No  pain,  no  palm ;  no  cross,  no 
 crown;  no  thorn,  no  throne;  no  gall,  no  glory.  Learn  to  glory 
 in  tribulations  also,  "  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present 
 time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  that  shall  be 
 revealed  in  us." 
 
 III.  Future  history. 
 
 (1.)  Immediate  service  of  God. — Here,  we  are  allowed  to  spend 
 much  of  our  time  in  our  worldly  callings.  It  is  lawful  for  a  man 
 to  win  his  bread,  to  plough,  sow,  reap,  to  spin  and  weave.  Then, 
 all  our  strength  will  be  put  forth  in  the  immediate  service  of  God. 
 We  shall  stand  before  Him,  and  He  shall  dwell  among  us.  It  will 
 be  a  perpetual  Sabbath.  We  shall  spend  eternity  in  loving  God, 
 in  adoring,  admiring,  and  praising  God.  We  should  spend  much 
 of  our  present  time  in  this.  Some  people  imagine  that  they  are 
 not  serving  God  unless  they  are  visiting  the  sick,  or  engaged  in 
 some  outward  service;  whereas  the  highest  of  all  service  is  the 
 love  of  adoration  in  the  soul.  Perhaps  God  gets  more  glory  by  a 
 single  adoring  look  of  some  poor  behever  on  a  sick-bed,  than  from 
 the  outward  labours  of  a  whole  day. 
 
 (2.)  Not  in  the  wilderness  any  more. — At  present  we  are  like  a 
 flock  in  the  wilderness,  our  soul  often  hungry,  and  thirsty,  and 
 sorely  tried.  Often  we  feel  as  if  we  could  go  no  farther,  but  must 
 lie  down  and  die.  Often  we  feel  temptations  too  much  for  us,  or 
 persecutions  too  strong  for  us  to  bear.  When  we  are  with  Christ 
 we  shall  hunger  no  more,  all  our  pains  shall  be  ended.  Learn  to 
 glorify  Him  in  the  fires,  to  sing  in  the  wilderness.  This  is  the 
 only  world  where  you  can  give  God  that  glory. 
 
 (3.)  Father^  Son,  and  Spirit  ivill  hless  us. — The  Lamb  shall  feed 
 us  :  He  that  died  for  us.  We  shall  always  see  our  security  before 
 us  in  our  Surety ;  no  trembling  shall  ever  come  over  our  soul.  He 
 shall  be  one  like  us — a  Laiiib — hke  the  least  of  us ;  we  shall  learn 
 of  God  from  Him.  The  Spirit  will  be  like  "  living  fountains  of 
 waters."  Here,  we  never  have  enough ;  there,  without  measure. 
 The  FatJier  will  be  a  father  to  us.  He  will  wipe  away  tears — the 
 tears  we  shed  in  dying, — wilderness  tears, — the  tears  over  lost 
 friends,  and  a  perishing  world.  "  What  manner  of  persons  ought 
 we  to  be!" 
 Dundee,  1640. 
 
SERMONS.  34-7 
 
 SERMON  X. 
 
 "  For  verily  He  took  not  on  Him  the  nature  of  angels ;  but  He  took  on  Him  the 
 seed  -^f  Abraham.  Wherefore  in  all  things  it  behoved  Him  to  be  made  like 
 unto  his  brethren,  that  He  might  be  a  merciful  and  faithful  High  Priest  in 
 things  pertaining  to  God,  to  make  reconciliation  for  the  sins  of  the  people. 
 For  in  that  He  himself  hath  suffered,  being  tempted,  He  is  able  to  succour 
 them  that  are  tempted." — Heb.  ii.  16-18. 
 
 Doctrine — Christ  a  merciful  High  Priest. 
 
 I.  The  sovereign  rnercy  of  Christ  in  becoming  man. — "  For  verily 
 He  took  not  on  Him  the  nature  of  angels ;  but  He  took  on  Him 
 the  seed  of  Abraham."  We  read  of  two  great  rebellions  in  the 
 history  of  the  universe — the  rebellion  of  the  angels,  and  the  re- 
 bellion of  man.  For  infinitely  wise  and  gracious  purposes  God 
 planned  and  permitted  both  of  these,  that  out  of  evil  He  might 
 bring  forth  good.  The  first  took  place  in  heaven  itself.  Pride 
 was  the  sin  by  which  the  angels  fell,  and  therefore  it  is  called 
 "  the  condemnation  of  the  devil."  "  They  kept  not  their  first 
 estate,  but  left  their  own  habitation."  "  God  spared  them  not, 
 but  cast  them  down  to  hell,  and  delivered  them  into  chains  of 
 darkness,  to  be  reserved  unto  judgment."  The  next  fall  took  place 
 upon  earth.  Satan  tempted,  and  man  fell, — beheved  the  devil 
 rather  than  God,  and  so  came  under  the  curse :  "  Thou  shalt 
 surely  die."  Both  of  these  families  came  under  the  same  frown — 
 under  the  same  condemnation ;  both  were  condemned  to  the  same 
 "  everlasting  fire."  But  the  glorious  Son  of  God  resolved,  from 
 all  eternity,  to  die  for  sinners.  Now,  for  which  of  the  two  shall 
 He  die?  Perhaps  the  angels  in  heaven  would  long  that  He 
 should  die  for  their  once  brother  angels.  The  angeUc  nature  was 
 higher  than  that  of  man.  Men  had  fallen  deeper  into  sin  than  the 
 rebel  angels.  Will  He  not  die  for  angels?  Now,  here  is  the 
 answer :  "  Verily  He  took  not  on  Him  the  nature  of  angels ;  but 
 He  took  on  Him  the  seed  of  Abraham."  Here  is  sovereign  mercy 
 passing  by  one  family  and  coming  to  another.  Let  us  wonder 
 and  adore  the  sovereign  mercy  of  Jesus. 
 
 (1.)  Do  not  be  surprised  if  Jesus  passes  many  by.  The  Lord 
 Jesus  has  been  riding  through  our  country  in  a  remarkable  manner, 
 seated  on  his  white  horse,  and  wearing  many  crowns.  He  has 
 sent  out  many  arrows  and  pierced  many  hearts  in  this  place,  and 
 
348  SERMONS. 
 
 brought  many  to  his  feet ;  but  has  He  not  passed  many  by  ?  Are 
 there  not  many  given  up  to  their  own  hearts'  lust,  and  walking 
 in  their  own  counsel  ?  Be  not  surprised.  This  is  the  very  way 
 He  did  when  He  came  to  this  earth ;  He  passed  the  gate  of  hell. 
 Although  his  bosom  was  full  of  love  and  grace,  although  "  God 
 is  love,"  He  felt  it  not  inconsistent  to  pass  fallen  angels  by,  and  to 
 come  and  die  for  men.  And  so,  though  Jesus  is  love  still,  yet  He 
 can  save  some,  and  leave  others  to  be  hardened.  "  Many  widows 
 were  in  Israel  in  the  time  of  Elijah  the  prophet ;  but  unto  none  of 
 them  was  Elijah  sent,  save  unto  Sarepta,  a  city  of  Zidon,  unto  a 
 woman  that  was  a  widow."  And  many  lepers  were  in  Israel  at 
 the  time  of  Elisha  the  prophet,  and  none  of  them  was  cleansed, 
 saving  Naaman  the  Syrian. 
 
 (2.)  If  Christ  has  visited  your  soul,  give  Him  all  the  glory. 
 "  Not  unto  us,  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy  name  give  glory." 
 The  only  reason  why  you  are  saved  is  the  sovereign  compassion  of 
 Jesus.  It  is  not  that  you  are  better  than  others,  that  you  were 
 less  wicked,  of  better  dispositions,  more  attentive  to  your  Bible. 
 Many  who  have  been  left  have  been  much  more  blameless  in  their 
 life.  It  is  not  that  you  have  sat  under  a  peculiar  ministry.  God 
 has  made  the  same  ministry  a  means  of  hardening  multitudes.  It 
 is  the  free  grace  of  God.  Love  God  for  ever  and  ever,  because 
 He  chose  you  of  his  own  free  will.  Adore  Jesus,  that  He  passed 
 by  millions,  and  died  for  you.  Adore  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  He 
 came  out  of  free  sovereign  mercy  and  awakened  you.  It  will  be 
 matter  of  praise  through  eternity. 
 
 (3.)  If  Christ  is  now  visiting  your  soul,  do  not  trifle  with  Him. 
 Some  persons,  when  Christ  begins  to  knock  at  the  door  of  their 
 heart,  put  Him  off  from  time  to  time.  They  trifle  with  their  con- 
 victions. They  say,  I  am  too  young  yet,  let  me  taste  a  little  more 
 pleasure  of  the  world :  youth  is  the  time  for  mirth  ;  another  time  I 
 will  open  the  door.  Some  say,  I  am  too  busy ;  I  have  to  provide 
 for  my  family ;  when  I  have  a  more  convenient  season  I  will  call 
 for  Thee.  Some  say,  I  am  strong  and  healthy ;  I  hope  I  have 
 many  years  to  live;  when  sickness  comes,  then  I  will  open  the 
 door.  Consider  that  Christ  may  not  come  again.  He  is  knocking 
 now :  let  Him  in.  Another  day  He  may  pass  by  your  door.  You 
 cannot  command  convictions  of  sin  to  come  when  you  like.  Christ 
 is  entirely  sovereign  in  saving  souls.  No  doubt,  many  of  you  have 
 had  your  last  knock  from  Christ.  Many  of  you  that  were  once 
 concerned  are  not  so  now ;  and  you  cannot  bring  it  back  again. 
 There  is  no  doubt  a  time  in  every  man's  life,  when,  if  he  opens  the 
 door,  he  will  be  saved ;  if  he  does  not,  he  will  perish.     Probably 
 
SERMONS.  349 
 
 this  may  be  that  time  to  many  of  you.     Christ  may  be  giving  last 
 knocks  to  some  to-day. 
 
 II.  Clirist  made  like  us  in  all  things. — Christ  not  only  became 
 man,  but  it  behoved  Him  to  be  made  like  us  in  all  things.  He 
 suffered,  being  tempted. 
 
 In  my  last  lecture,  I  showed  you  the  only  two  points  in  which 
 He  was  different  from  us.  First,  In  being  God  as  ivell  as  man.  In 
 the  manger  at  Bethlehem  there  lay  a  perfect  infant,  but  there  also 
 was  Jehovah.  That  mysterious  being  who  rode  on  an  ass's  colt, 
 and  wept  over  Jerusalem,  was  as  much  a  man  as  you  are,  and  as 
 much  God  as  the  Father  is.  The  tears  He  shed  were  human 
 tears,  yet  the  love  of  Jehovah  swelled  below  his  mantle.  That 
 pale  being  that  hung  quivering  on  the  cross  was  indeed  man  ;  it 
 was  human  blood  that  flowed  from  his  wounds  ;  but  He  was  as 
 truly  God.  Second,  In  being  without  sin.  He  was  the  only  one  in 
 human  form  of  whom  it  can  be  said.  He  was  holy,  harmless,  un- 
 defiled,  and  separate  from  sinners ;  the  only  one  on  whom  God 
 could  look  down  from  heaven,  and  say,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son, 
 in  whom  I  am  well  pleased."  Every  member  of  our  body  and 
 faculty  of  our  mind  we  have  used  as  the  servants  of  sin.  Every 
 member  of  his  body  and  faculty  of  his  mind  were  used  only  as 
 servants  to  holiness.  His  mouth  was  the  only  human  mouth  from 
 which  none  but  gracious  words  ever  proceeded.  His  eye  was  the 
 only  human  eye  that  never  shot  forth  flames  of  pride,  or  envy,  or 
 lust.  His  hand  was  the  only  human  hand  that  never  was  stretched 
 forth  but  in  doing  good.  His  heart  was  the  only  human  heart  that 
 was  not  deceitful  above  all  things  and  desperately  wicked.  When 
 Satan  came  to  Him,  he  found  nothing  in  Him.  Now,  in  these 
 two  things  it  behoved  Him  to  be  unlike  his  brethren,  or  He  could 
 not  have  been  a  Saviour  at  all.  In  all  other  things  it  behoved 
 Him  to  be  made  like  us.  There  was  no  part  of  our  condition  that 
 He  did  not  humble  himself  unto. 
 
 (1.)  He  passed  through  all  the  terms  of  our  life  from  childhood 
 to  manhood.  First,  He  was  an  infant  of  days,  exposed  to  all  the 
 pains  and  dangers  of  infancy.  "  Ye  shall  find  the  babe,  wrapped 
 in  swaddhng  clothes,  lying  in  a  manger."  Second,  He  bore  the 
 trials  and  pains  of  boyhood.  Many  a  one,  no  doubt,  would 
 wonder  at  the  holy  boy  in  the  carpenter's  shop  at  Nazareth.  He 
 grew  in  wisdom,  and  in  stature,  and  in  favour  with  God  and  with 
 man.  Third,  He  bore  the  afflictions  and  anxieties  of  manhood, 
 when  He  began  to  be  about  thirty  years  of  age. 
 (2.)  He  tasted  the  difficulties  of  many  situations  in  life.     Tha 
 
350  SERMONS. 
 
 first  thirty  years,  it  is  probable,  He  shared  the  humble  occupatioa 
 of  Joseph  the  carpenter ;  He  tasted  the  trials  of  working  for  his 
 daily  bread.  Then  He  subsisted  on  the  kindness  of  others.  Cer- 
 tain women,  which  followed  Him,  ministered  unto  Him  of  their  sub- 
 stance. He  had  not  where  to  lay  his  head.  Many  a  night  He 
 spent  on  the  Mount  of  Olives,  or  on  the  hills  of  G-alilee.  Then 
 He  bore  the  trials  of  a  gospel  minister.  He  preached  from 
 morning  till  night,  and  yet  with  how  small  success !  so  that  He 
 could  say,  "  I  have  laboured  in  vain,  I  have  spent  my  strength  for 
 nought  and  in  vain."  How  often  He  was  grieved  hy  their  unbelief! 
 He  marvelled  at  their  unbelief.  "  Oh  faithless  generation!  how 
 long  shall  I  be  with  you,  how  long  shall  I  suffer  you!"  How 
 often  He  offended  many  by  his  preaching  !  "Many  said,  This  is  an 
 hard  saying;  who  can  hear  it?"  "From  that  time  many  of  his 
 disciples  went  back,  and  walked  no  more  with  Jesus."  John  vi.  66. 
 How  often  they  hated  Him  for  his  love  !  "  For  my  love  they  are 
 my  adversaries:  but  I  gave  myself  unto  prayer."  Ps.  cix.  4. 
 How  his  own  disciples  grieved  Him  by  their  want  of  faith  !  "  O 
 ye  of  little  faith,  have  I  been  so  long  time  with  you ! "  The  un- 
 belief of  Thomas ;  their  sleeping  in  the  garden  ;  forsaking  Him 
 and  fleeing  ;  Peter  denying,  Judas  betraying  Him  ! 
 
 (3.)  What  trials  He  had  from  his  own  family !  Even  his  own 
 brothers  did  not  beheve  on  Him,  but  mocked.  The  people  of  his 
 town  tried  to  throw  Him  over  the  rocks.  What  pain  He  suffered 
 from  his  mother,  when  He  saw  the  sword  piercing  her  fond  heart  I 
 how  He  said  to  John,  "Behold  thy  mother !"  and  to  his  mother, 
 "  Behold  thy  son !"  even  in  the  midst  of  his  dying  agonies. 
 
 (4.)  What  trials  from  Satan!  Believers  complain  of  Satan,, 
 but  they  never  felt  his  power  as  Christ  did.  What  an  awful  con- 
 flict was  that  during  forty  days  in  the  wilderness  !  How  fearfully 
 did  Satan  urge  on  Pharisees,  and  Herod,  and  Judas,  to  torment 
 Him  !  What  an  awful  hour  was  that  when  He  said,  This  is  your 
 hour,  and  the  power  of  darkness !  What  an  awful  cry  was  that, 
 "Save  me  from  the  lion's  mouth!"  (Ps.  xxii.  22),  when  He  felt 
 his  soul  in  the  very  jaws  of  Satan  ! 
 
 (5.)  What  trials  from  God  !  Believers  often  groan  under  the  ■ 
 hidings  of  God's  countenance ;  but  ah !  they  seldom  taste  even  a 
 drop  of  what  Christ  drank.  What  dreadful  agony  was  that  in 
 Gethsemane,  when  the  blood  gushed  through  the  pores !  How 
 dreadful  was  that  frown  of  God  on  the  cross,  when  He  cried,  "My 
 God,  my  God!"  In  all  these  things,  and  a  thousand  more.  He 
 was  made  like  unto  his  brethren.  He  came  into  our  place. 
 Through  eternity  we  shall  study  these  sufiferings. 
 
SERMONS.  351 
 
 1st,  Learn  the  amazing  love  of  Christ,  that  He  should  leave 
 glory  for  such  a  condition. 
 
 2d,  Learn  to  bear  sufferings  cheerfully.  You  have  not  yet 
 suffered  as  He  did. 
 
 III.  The  end — That  He  might  he  a  merciful  and  faithful  High 
 Priest.' — The  work  of  Christ  as  an  high  priest  is  here  laid  down 
 as  twofold.  First,  To  make  an  atonement  for  our  sins.  Second, 
 To  succour  his  people  under  temptations. 
 
 (1.)  To  make  atonement. — This  is  the  great  work  of  Christ  as 
 our  High  Priest.  For  this  it  was  needful  that  He  should  become 
 man  and  die.  Had  He  remained  God  alone  in  the  bosom  of  his 
 Father,  He  might  have  pitied  us,  but  He  could  not  have  died  for 
 us,  nor  taken  our  sins  away.  We  must  have  perished.  Every 
 priest  in  the  Old  Testament  was  a  type  of  Jesus  in  this  ;  every 
 lamb  that  was  slain  typified  Jesus  offering  up  his  own  body  a 
 sacrif.c    for  our  sins. 
 
 Let  your  eye  rest  there  if  you  would  be  happy.  Those  few 
 dark  hours  on  Calvary,  when  the  great  High  Priest  was  offering 
 up  the  amazing  sacrifice,  give  light  for  eternity  to  the  believing 
 soul.  This  only  will  cheer  you  in  dying.  Not  your  graces,  not 
 your  love  to  Christ,  not  anything  in  you,  but  only  this — Christ 
 hath  died.  He  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me.  Christ  hath 
 appeared  to  put  away  sm  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself. 
 
 (2.)  To  succour  the  tempted. — All  believers  are  a  tempted  people. 
 Every  day  they  have  their  trials ;  every  time  is  to  them  a  time  of 
 need.  The  unconverted  are  little  tempted ;  they  are  not  in  trouble 
 as  others,  neither  are  they  plagued  like  other  men.  They  do  not 
 feel  temptations  rising  in  their  heart ;  nor  do  they  know  the  power 
 of  Satan.  Before  conversion,  a  man  beheves  as  little  in  the  devil 
 as  he  believes  in  Christ.  But  when  a  man  comes  to  Christ,  then 
 he  becomes  a  tempted  soul,  "  poor  and  needy,  seeking  water  and 
 there  is  none." 
 
 He  is  tempted  hy  God. — God  did  tempt  Abraham ;  not  to  sin, 
 for  God  cannot  be  tempted  with  evil,  neither  tempteth  He  any 
 man.  Still,  God  always  tries  his  children.  He  never  gives  faith 
 but  He  brings  his  child  into  a  situation  where  it  will  be  tried. 
 Sometimes  He  exalts  him,  to  try  if  he  will  turn  proud  and  forget 
 God ;  sometimes  He  brings  him  low,  to  see  if  he  will  murmur 
 against  God.  Blessed  is  the  man  that  endureth  temptations. 
 Sometimes  He  brings  them  into  a  strait,  where  the  trial  is,  whether 
 they  will  believe  in  Him  alone,  or  trust  to  flesh  and  blood. 
 
 The  luorld  tempts  a  child  of  God. — They  watch  for  their  haltiwg. 
 
352  SEiiMoxs. 
 
 They  love  nothing  better  than  to  see  a  child  of  God  fall  into  sin. 
 It  soothes  their  conscience  to  think  that  all  are  equally  bad. 
 They  frown  ;  they  smile. 
 
 Their  own  heart  is  a  fountain  of  temptation. — Sometimes  it  says, 
 What  harm  is  there  in  that  ? — it  is  a  little  sin  ;  or,  I  will  just  sin 
 this  once,  and  never  again ;  or,  I  will  repent  after  and  be  saved. 
 
 Satan  hurls  his  fe?y  darts. — He  terrifies  them  away  from  Christ, 
 disturbs  them  at  prayer,  fills  their  mind  with  blaspheaiies,  hounds 
 on  the  world  against  them. 
 
 Ah !  believers,  you  are  a  tempted  people.  You  are  always 
 poor  and  needy.  And  God  intends  it  should  be  so,  to  give  you 
 constant  errands  to  go  to  Jesus.  Some  may  say,  it  is  not  good  to 
 be  a  behever ;  but  ah !  see  to  whom  we  can  go. 
 
 We  have  a  merciful  and  faithful  High  Priest.  He  sufi'ered,  being 
 tempted,  just  that  He  might  succour  them  that  are  tempted.  The 
 high  priest  of  old  not  only  ofiered  sacrifice  at  the  altar, — his  work 
 was  not  done  when  the  lamb  was  consumed.  He  was  to  be  a 
 father  to  Israel.  He  carried  all  their  names  graven  over  his  heart, 
 — he  went  in  and  prayed  for  them  within  the  veil.  He  came  out 
 and  blessed  the  people,  saying,  "  The  Lord  bless  thee  and  keep 
 thee.     The  Lord  make  his  face  shine,"  etc.    Num.  vi.  24-26. 
 
 So  it  is  with  the  Lord  Jesus.  His  work  was  not  all  done  on 
 Calvary.  He  that  died  for  our  sins  lives  to  pray  for  us, — to  help 
 in  every  time  of  need.  He  is  still  man  on  the  right  hand  of  God. 
 He  is  still  God,  and  therefore,  by  reason  of  his  divinity,  is  present 
 here  this  day  as  much  as  any  of  us.  He  knows  your  every  sorrow, 
 trial,  difficulty ;  every  half-breathed  sigh  He  hears,  and  brings  in 
 notice  thereof  to  his  human  heart  at  the  right  hand  of  God.  His 
 human  heart  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever  ;  it  pleads 
 for  you,  thinks  on  you,  plans  deliverance  for  you. 
 
 Dear  tempted  brethren  !  Go  boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  to 
 obtain  mercy  and  find  grace  to  help  you  in  your  time  of  need. 
 
 Are  you  bereaved  of  one  you  loved  ?  Go  and  tell  Jesus ; 
 spread  out  your  sorrows  at  his  feet.  He  knows  them  all;  feels 
 for  you  in  them  all.  He  is  a  merciful  High  Priest.  He  is  faithful 
 too,  never  awanting  in  the  hour  of  need.  He  is  able  to  succour 
 you  by  his  word,  by  his  Spirit,  by  his  providence.  He  gave  you 
 all  the  comfort  you  had  by  your  friends.  He  can  give  it  you 
 without  them.  He  has  taken  away  the  stream  that  you  may  go 
 to  the  fountain . 
 
 Are  you  suffering  in  body  ?  Go  to  this  High  Priest.  He  is 
 intimately  acquainted  with  all  your  diseases  ;  He  has  felt  that 
 very  pain.    Remember  how,  wheu  they  brought  to  Him  one  that 
 
SERMONS.  353 
 
 was  deaf  and  had  an  impediment  in  his  speech,  He  looked  up  to 
 heaven  and  sighed,  and  said,  Ephphatha!  He  sighed  over  his 
 misery.  So  He  sighs  over  you.  He  is  able  to  give  you  deUver- 
 ance,  or  patience  to  bear  it,  or  improvement  by  it. 
 
 Are  you  sore  tempted  in  soul — put  into  trying  circumstances, 
 so  that  you  know  not  what  to  do  ?  Look  up ;  He  is  able  to 
 succour  you.  If  He  had  been  on  earth,  would  you  not  have  gone 
 to  Him — would  you  not  have  kneeled  and  said,  Lord,  help  me  ? 
 Does  it  make  any  difference  that  He  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God  ? 
 He  is  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever. 
 
 SERMON    XI. 
 
 OEDINATION    SERMON. 
 (At  the  Ordination  of  the  Eev.  P.  L.  Miller,  Wallacetown,  Dundee,  1840.) 
 
 "  I  charge  thee  therefor^  before  God,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  judge 
 the  quick  and  the  dead  at  his  appearing  and  his  kingdoiD^  preach  the  word  ; 
 be  instant  in  season,  out  of  season ;  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long- 
 suffering  and  doctrine." — 2  Tim.  iv.  1,  2. 
 
 I.  Where  faithful  ministers  stand — "  Before  God  and  the  Lord 
 Jesus  Christ''  Tliere  is  not  a  more  awfully  aGfectiug  situation  in 
 the  whole  world  than  that  in  which  a  faithful  minister  stands. 
 
 (1.)  Before  God. — This  is  true  in  two  ways  : 
 
 \st^  As  a  sinner  saved  hy  grace. — He  was  once  far  off,  but  is 
 now  brought  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Jesus.  Having  "  boldness  to 
 enter  into  the  holiest  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  by  a  new  and  living 
 way  which  He  hath  consecrated  for  us  through  the  veil,  that  is  to 
 say,  his  flesh,"  he  draws  near.  He  stands  within  the  veil — in  the 
 holiest  of  all — in  the  love  of  God.  He  is  justified  before  God.  A 
 faithful  minister  is  an  example  to  his  flock  of  a  sinner  saved.  God 
 says  to  him  as  He  did  to  Abraham,  "  Walk  before  me,  and  be 
 thou  perfect."  He  can  say  with  Paul,  "I  was  a  blasphemer,  and 
 a  persecutor,  and  injurious,  bat  I  obtained  mercy."  A  faithful 
 minister  is  like  Aaron's  rod,  that  was  laid  up  beside  the  ark  of 
 God  and  budded  there. 
 
 2d,  As  a  servant. — In  the  East,  servants  always  stand  in  the 
 presence  of  their  master,  watching  his  hand.  The  Queen  of 
 Sheba  said  to  Solomon,  "  Happy  are  these  thy  servants,  which 
 stand  continually  before  thee  and  hear  thy  wisdom."  So  it  is 
 said  of  the  angels,  that  "  they  do  always  behold  the  face  of  my 
 Father  which  is  in  heaven."     Even  when  most  engaged  in  the 
 
 z 
 
354  SERMONS. 
 
 service  of  the  saints,  they  feel  under  his  all-seeing,  holy,  living 
 eye.  So  ought  faithful  ministers  to  feel.  They  should  feel  con- 
 stantly in  his  presence, — under  his  soul-piercing,  gentle  guiding, 
 holy,  living  eye.  "  I  will  guide  thee  with  mine  eye."  "  The  eyes 
 of  the  Lord  are  over  the  righteous."  Ah  !  how  often  we  feel  we 
 are  before  man.  Then  all  power  withers,  and  we  become  weak  as 
 other  men  ;  but  oh !  how  sweet  to  feel  in  the  presence  of  God,  as 
 if  there  were  no  eye  on  us  but  God's.  In  prayer,  how  sweet  to  feel 
 before  Him ;  to  kneel  at  his  footstool,  and  to  put  our  hand  upon 
 the  mercy-seat — no  curtain,  no  veil,  no  cloud  between  the  soul  and 
 God  !  In  preaching,  how  sweet  to  say,  like  Elijah,  when  he  stood 
 before  Ahab,  "  I  stand  before  the  Lord  God  of  Israel!"  To  stand 
 at  his  feet,  in  his  family,  in  his  pavihon,  oh  behevers,  it  is  then  we 
 get  above  the  billows  !  The  applause  of  men,  the  rage  and  con- 
 tempt of  men,  then  pass  by  us  like  the  idle  wind  which  we  regard 
 not.  Thus  is  a  minister  like  a  rock  in  the  ocean ;  the  mountain- 
 billows  dash  upon  its  brow,  and  yet  it  stands  unshaken. 
 (2.)  Before  Jesus  Christ. — This  also  is  true  in  two  ways  : 
 1st,  The  faithful  minister  has  a  present  sight  of  Christ  as  his 
 Righteousness.  He  is  like  John  the  Baptist.  "Seeing  Jesus 
 coming  unto  him,  he  saith,  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God!"  Or  like 
 Isaiah,  he  saw  "  his  glory,  and  spake  of  Him."  His  own  soul  is 
 ever  watching  at  Gethsemane  and  at  Golgotha.  Oh  brethren,  it 
 is  thus  only  we  can  ever  speak  with  feeling,  or  with  power,  or 
 with  truth,  of  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ !  We  must  have 
 the  taste  of  the  manna  in  our  mouth,  "  milk  and  honey  under 
 our  tongue,"  else  we  cannot  tell  of  its  sweetness.  We  must  be 
 drinking  the  living  water  from  the  smitten  rock,  or  we  cannot 
 speak  of  its  refreshing  power.  We  must  be  hiding  our  guilty 
 souls  in  the  wounds  of  Jesus,  or  we  cannot  with  joy  speak  of  the 
 peace  and  rest  to  be  found  there.  This  is  the  reason  why 
 unfaithful  ministers  are  cold  and  barren  in  their  labours.  They 
 speak,  like  Balaam,  of  a  Saviour  whose  grace  they  do  not 
 feel.  They  speak,  like  Caiaphas,  of  the  blood  of  Christ,  without 
 having  felt  its  power  to  speak  peace  to  the  troubled  heart.  This 
 is  the  reason  why  many  good  men  have  a  barren  ministry.  They 
 speak  from  clear  head-knowledge,  or  from  past  experience,  but 
 not  from  a  present  grasp  of  the  truth — not  from  a  present  sight 
 of  the  Lamb  of  God.  Hence  their  words  fall  like  a  shower  of 
 snow, — fair  and  beautiful,  but  cold  and  freezing.  The  Lord  give 
 us  to  stand  in  the  presence  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
 
 2d,  The  faithful  minister  should  feel  the  presence  of  a  living 
 SaYiour.     A  minister   should  be  like  the  bride  in  the  Song ; 
 
SERMONS.  355 
 
 "  Leaning  upon  her  beloved."  This  was  Jeremiah's  strength 
 (i.  8) :  "  Be  not  afraid  of  their  faces,  for  I  am  with  thee  to  dehver 
 thee,  saith  the  Lord."  So  it  was  with  Paul  (Acts  xviii.  9,  10)  :  "  Be 
 not  afraid,  but  speak,  and  hold  not  thy  peace  :  for  I  am  with  thee, 
 and  no  man  shall  set  on  thee  to  hurt  thee ;  for  I  have  much  people 
 in  this  city."  So  Jesus  told  all  the  disciples :  "  Yet  a  little  while, 
 and  the  world  seeth  me  not ;  but  ye  see  me :  because  I  hve,  ye 
 shall  live  also."  And  again  He  says  expressly:  "Lo,  I  am  with 
 you  alway,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world."  Yes,  brethren,  Christ 
 is  as  truly  walking  in  the  midst  of  the  seven  golden  candlesticks, 
 as  truly  in  this  place  to-day,  as  if  you  saw  Him  with  your  bodily 
 eyes.  His  humanity  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God, — appearing  in 
 the  presence  of  God  for  us.  His  Godhead  fills  all  in  all.  Thus 
 He  is  vtith  us, — standing  with  our  right  hand,  so  that  we  cannot 
 be  moved.  It  is  sweet  to  know  and  feel  this.  Thus  only  can  we 
 be  sustained  amid  all  the  trials  of  the  ministry.  Are  we  weary  ? 
 we  can  lean,  hke  John,  upon  his  bosom.  Are  we  burdened  with  a 
 sense  of  sin  ?  we  can  hide  in  the  clefts  of  that  Rock  of  Ages.  Are 
 we  empty?  we  can  look  up  to  Him  for  immediate  supply.  Are 
 we  hated  of  all  men  ?  we  can  hide  under  his  wings.  Stand  before 
 the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  then  you  may  smile  at  Satan's  rage, 
 and  face  a  frowning  world.  Learn  here  also  the  guilt  of  refusing 
 a  gospel  ministry :  "  He  that  refuseth  you,  refuseth  me ;  and  he 
 that  refuseth  me,  refuseth  Him  that  sent  me." 
 
 (3.)  Within  sight  of  judgment — "  Who  shall  judge  the  quick  and 
 dead." — Ministers  and  their  flocks  shall  meet  together  before  the 
 throne  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  That  will  be  a  solemn  day.  They  have 
 many  solemn  meetings  on  earth.  An  ordination  day  is  a  solemn  day. 
 Their  meetings  from  Sabbath  to  Sabbath  are  solemn  meetings; 
 and  sacrament  days  are  very  solemn  days.  But  their  meeting  at 
 the  judgment-seat  will  be  by  far  the  most  solemn  of  all.     Then, 
 
 1st,  The  minister  will  give  in  his  account,  either  with  joy  or 
 with  grief.  He  will  no  more  meet  to  plead  with  the  people,  or  to 
 pray  with  them,  but  to  bear  witness  how  they  received  the  word. 
 Of  some  he  will  give  account  with  a  joyful  countenance, — that  they 
 received  the  word  with  all  readiness  of  mind, — that  they  were  con- 
 verted and  became  Hke  little  children  :  these  will  be  his  joy  and 
 crown.  Of  most  with  grief, — that  he  carried  the  message  to  them, 
 but  they  would  not  come — they  made  light  of  it ;  or  perhaps  they 
 listened  for  a  while,  but  drew  back  into  perdition.  He  will  be  a 
 swift  witness  against  them  in  that  day.     "  Depart,  ye  cursed." 
 
 2d,  Then  the  people  will  give  in  their  account  of  the  minister. 
 If  he  was  faithful ;  if  he  made  it  his  meat  and  drink  to  do  the  will 
 
356  SERMONS. 
 
 of  God  ;  if  he  preached  the  whole  truth  with  seriousness,  urgency, 
 iove  ;  if  he  was  holy  in  his  life  ;  if  he  preached  publicly,  and  from 
 nouse  to  house ;  then  that  minister  shall  shine  like  the  stars.  If 
 he  was  unfaithful ;  if  he  fed  himself,  but  not  the  flock ;  if  he  did 
 not  seek  the  conversion  of  souls,  did  not  travail  in  birth ;  if  he 
 sought  his  own  ease,  his  own  wealth,  his  own  praise,  and  not  their 
 souls  ;  then  shall  the  loud  curses  of  ruined  souls  fall  on  that 
 wretched  man,  and  God  shall  say,  Take  the  unfaithful  servant, 
 and  bind  him  hand  and  foot,  and  cast  him  into  outer  darkness.  Oh! 
 behevers,  it  is  the  duty  of  ministers  to  preach  with  this  solemn  day 
 in  their  eye.  We  should  stand,  like  Abraham,  looking  down  on 
 the  smoke  of  Sodom ;  like  John,  listening  to  the  new  song  and 
 golden  harps  of  the  new  Jerusalem.  Would  not  this  take  away 
 the  fear  of  man?  Would  not  this  make  us  urgent  in  our  preach- 
 ing ?  You  must  either  get  these  souls  into  Christ,  or  you  will  yet 
 see  them  lying  down  in  everlasting  burnings.  Oh !  brethren,  did  I 
 not  say  truly  that  the  place  where  a  minister  stands  is  the  most 
 solemn  spot  in  all  this  world  ? 
 
 II.  The  grand  business  of  the  faithful  minister. — Described  in  two 
 ways :  First,  Generally — Preach  the  Word ;  Second,  More  in  de- 
 tail— Reprove,  rebuke,  exhort. 
 
 (1.)  Preach  the  Word.  —  The  grand  work  of  the  minister,  in 
 which  he  is  to  lay  out  his  strength  of  body  and  mind,  is  preaching. 
 AYeak  and  foolish  as  it  may  appear,  this  is  the  grand  instrument 
 which  God  has  put  into  our  hands,  by  which  sinners  are  to  be 
 saved,  and  saints  fitted  for  glory.  It  pleased  God,  by  the  foohsh- 
 ness  of  preaching,  to  save  them  that  believe.  It  was  to  this  our 
 blessed  Lord  devoted  the  years  of  his  own  ministry.  Oh,  what  an 
 honour  has  He  put  upon  this  work,  by  preaching  in  the  synagogues, 
 in  the  temple,  and  by  the  blue  waves  of  Galilee,  under  the  canopy 
 of  heaven!  Has  He  not  consecrated  this  world  as  preaching 
 ground  ?  This  was  the  grand  work  of  Paul  and  all  the  apostles ; 
 for  this  was  our  Lord's  command :  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 
 preach  the  gospel."  Oh  !  brethren,  this  is  our  great  work.  It  is 
 well  to  visit  the  sick,  and  well  to  educate  children  and  clothe  the 
 naked.  It  is  well  to  attend  presbyteries.  It  is  well  to  write  books 
 or  read  them.  But  here  is  the  main  thing — preach  the  word.  The 
 pulpit  is,  as  George  Herbert  says,  "  our  joy  and  throne."  This  is 
 our  watch-tower.  Here  we  must  warn  the  people.  The  silver  trum- 
 pet is  put  into  our  hand.  Woe  be  unto  us  if  we  preach  not  the  gospel. 
 
 The  Matter — The  Word. — It  is  in  vain  we  preach,  if  we  preach 
 not  the  word, — the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 
 
SERMONS.  357 
 
 1st,  Not  other  matters. — "  Ye  are  my  witnesses."  "  The  same 
 came  to  kar  ivitness  of  that  light."  We  are  to  speak  of  nothing; 
 bat  what  we  have  seen  and  heard  from  God.  It  is  not  the  work 
 of  the  minister  to  open  up  schemes  of  human  wisdom  or  learning, 
 not  to  bring  his  own  fancies,  but  to  tell  the  facts  and  glories  of 
 the  gospel.     We  must  speak  of  what  is  within  the  word  of  God. 
 
 2d,  Preach  the  word — the  most  essential  parts  especially.  If 
 you  were  with  a  dying  man,  and  knew  he  had  but  half  an  hour  to 
 live,  what  would  you  tell  him?  Would  you  open  up  some  of  the 
 curiosities  of  the  word,  or  enforce  some  of  the  moral  commands 
 of  the  word  ?  Would  you  not  tell  him  his  undone  condition  by 
 nature  and  by  wicked  works?  Would  you  not  tell  him  of  the 
 love  and  dying  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ?  Would  you  not  tell  him  of 
 the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ?  These  are  the  essential  things 
 which  a  man  must  receive  or  perish.  These  are  the  great  subject- 
 matters  of  preaching.  Should  we  not  preach  as  Jesus  did  when 
 He  went  to  Emmaus,  when  He  began  at  Moses  and  all  the  pro- 
 phets, and  expounded  to  them  the  things  concerning  himself? 
 Let  there  be  much  of  Christ  in  your  ministry,  says  the  excellent 
 Eliot.  RoAvland  Hill  used  to  say.  See  there  be  no  sermon  without 
 three  Rs  in  it :  Ruin  by  the  fall.  Righteousness  by  Christ,  and 
 Regeneration  by  the  Spirit.  Preach  Christ  for  awakening,  Christ 
 for  comforting,  Christ  for  sanctifying.  "  God  forbid  that  I  should 
 glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
 
 2>d,  Preach  as  the  word. — I  would  humbly  suggest  for  the 
 consideration  of  all  ministers,  whether  we  should  not  preach  more 
 in  the  manner  of  God's  word.  Is  not  the  word  the  sword  of  the 
 Spirit  ?  Should  not  our  great  work  be  to  take  it  from  its  scab- 
 bard, to  cleanse  it  from  all  rust,  and  then  to  apply  its  sharp  edge 
 to  the  consciences  of  man  ?  It  is  certain  the  fathers  used  to  preach 
 in  this  manner.  Brown  of  Haddington  used  to  preach  as  if  he 
 had  read  no  other  book  than  the  Bible.  It  is  the  truth  of  God  in 
 its  naked  simpKcity  that  the  Spirit  will  most  honour  and  bless. 
 "  Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth  :  thy  word  is  truth." 
 
 (2.)  Reprove,  rebuke,  exhort. — The  first  work  of  the  Spirit  o-n  the 
 natural  heart  is  to  reprove  the  ivorld  of  sin.  Although  He  is  the 
 Spirit  of  love, — although  a  dove  is  his  emblem, — although  He  be 
 compared  to  the  soft  wind  and  gentle  dew, — still  his  first  work  is 
 to  convince  of  sin.  If  ministers  are  filled  with  the  same  Spirit, 
 they  will  begin  in  the  same  way.  It  is  God's  usual  method  to 
 awaken  them,  and  bring  them  to  despair  of  salvation  by  their  own 
 righteousness,  before  He  reveals  Christ  to  them.  So  it  was  with 
 the  jailor.     So  it  was  with  Paul ;  he  was  blind  three  days,     A 
 
358  SERMONS. 
 
 faithful  minister  must  lay  himself  out  for  this.  Plough  up  the 
 fallow  ground,  and  sow  not  among  thorns.  Men  must  be  brought 
 down  by  law  work  to  see  their  guilt  and  misery,  or  all  our  preach 
 ing  is  beating  the  air.  Oh !  brethren,  is  this  our  ministry  ?  Let  us 
 do  this  plainly.  The  most,  I  fear,  in  all  our  congregations,  are 
 sailing  easily  down  the  stream  into  an  undone  eternity,  unconverted 
 and  unawakened.  Brethren,  they  will  not  thank  us  in  eternity  for 
 speaking  smooth  things, — for  sewing  pillows  to  their  arm-holes, 
 and  crying.  Peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace.  No,  they  may 
 praise  us  now,  but  they  will  curse  our  flattery  in  eternity.  Oh  for 
 the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ  in  every  minister,  that  we  might  long 
 after  them  all !  Exhort. — The  original  word  means  to  comfort, — 
 to  speak  as  the  Comforter  does.  This  is  the  second  part  of  the 
 Spirit's  work,  to  lead  to  Christ,  to  speak  good  news  to  the  soul. 
 This  is  the  most  difficult  part  of  the  Christian  ministry.  Thus 
 did  John :  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God."  Thus  did  Isaiah :  "  Com- 
 fort ye,  comfort  ye."  Thus  did  our  Lord  command :  "  Go,  preach 
 the  gospel  to  every  creature."  It  is  true  this  makes  the  feet  of  the 
 gospel  messenger  beautiful  on  the  mountains.  He  has  to  tell  of  a 
 full,  free.  Divine  Saviour. 
 
 And  here  I  would  observe  what  appears  to  me  a  fault  in  the 
 preaching  of  our  beloved  Scotland.  Most  ministers  are  accustomed  to 
 set  Christ  before  the  people.  They  lay  down  the  gospel  clearly 
 and  beautifully,  but  they  do  not  urge  men  to  enter  in.  Now  God 
 says,  Exhort, — beseech  men, — persuade  men  ;  not  only  point  to  the 
 open  door,  but  compel  them  to  come  in.  Oh  to  be  more  merciful 
 to  souls,  that  we  would  lay  hands  on  men  and  draw  them  in  to  the 
 Lord  Jesus ! 
 
 III.  The  manner. 
 
 (1.)  With  long-suffering. — There  is  uo  grace  more  needed  in  the 
 Christian  ministry  than  this.  This  is  the  heart  of  God  the  Father 
 towards  sinners :  "He  is  long-suffering  to  us- ward,  not  willing 
 that  any  should  perish."  This  is  the  heart  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 
 How  tenderly  does  He  cry,  "  Oh!  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  how  often 
 would  I,"  etc.  This  is  the  mind  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  striving 
 with  men.  He  will  not  always  strive,  but  oh  how  long  He  does 
 strive  with  men !  Dear  believers,  had  He  not  striven  long  with 
 us,  we  would  this  day  have  been  like  Lot's  hfe,  monuments  of  grace 
 resisted.  Now,  such  ought  ministers  to  be.  Above  all  men  we 
 need  "love  that  suffers  long  and  is  kind."  Sometimes,  when  sinners 
 are  obstinate  and  hard-hearted,  we  are  tempted  to  give  up  in  de- 
 spair, or  to  lose  temper  and  scold  them, — like  the  disciples  calling 
 
SERMONS.  359 
 
 down  fire  from  heaven.  But,  brethren,  we  must  be  of  another 
 sph-it.  The  wrath  of  man  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God. 
 Only  be  filled  with  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  and  it  will  make  us  patient 
 toward  all.     It  will  make  us  cry,  "  How  often  would  I,"  etc. 
 
 (2.)  With  doctrine. — Some  good  men  cry,  Flee,  flee,  without 
 showing  the  sinner  what  he  is  to  flee  from ;  and  again,  they  cry. 
 Come,  come,  without  showing  plainly  the  way  of  pardon  and 
 peace.  These  men  act  as  one  would  do  who  should  run  through 
 the  streets  crying,  Fire,  fire,  without  telling  where.  In  the 
 preaching  of  the  apostles  you  will  observe  the  clear  and  simple 
 statement  of  the  truth  preceding  the  warm  and  pathetic  exhorta- 
 tion. This  has  always  been  followed  by  the  most  judicious  and 
 successful  divines. 
 
 It  behoves  ministers  to  unite  the  cherub  and  the  seraph  in  their 
 ministry, — the  angel  of  knowledge  and  the  angel  of  burning  zeal. 
 If  we  would  win  souls,  we  must  point  clearly  the  way  to  heaven, 
 while  we  cry,  Flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  I  believe  we  cannot 
 lay  down  the  guilt  of  man — his  total  depravity — and  the  glorious 
 gospel  of  Christ  too  clearly ;  that  we  cannot  urge  men  to  embrace 
 and  flee  too  warmly.  Oh  for  a  pastor  who  unites  the  deep  know- 
 ledge of  Edwards,  the  vast  statements  of  Ow3c,  and  the  vehement 
 appeals  of  Richard  Baxter  ! 
 
 (3.)  With  urgency. — If  a  neighbour's  house  were  on  fire,  would 
 we  not  cry  aloud  and  use  every  exertion  ?  If  a  friend  were  drown- 
 ing, would  we  be  ashamed  to  strain  every  nerve  to  save  him  ?  But 
 alas !  the  souls  of  our  neighbours  are  even  now  on  their  way 
 to  everlasting  burnings, — they  are  ready  to  be  drowned  in  the 
 depths  of  perdition.  Oh !  shall  we  be  less  earnest  to  save  their 
 never-dying  souls,  than  we  would  be  to  save  their  bodies  ?  How 
 anxious  was  the  Lord  Jesus  in  this !  When  He  came  near  and 
 beheld  the  city.  He  wept  over  it.  How  earnest  was  Paul! 
 "  Remember  that  by  the  space  of  three  years  I  ceased  not  to 
 warn  every  one  night  and  day  with  tears."  Such  was  George 
 Whitfield ;  that  great  man  scarcely  ever  preached  without  being 
 melted  into  tears.  Brethren,  there  is  need  of  the  same  urgency 
 now.  Hell  is  as  deep  and  as  burning  as  ever.  Unconverted  souls 
 are  as  surely  rushing  to  it.  Christ  is  as  free — pardon  as  sweet 
 as  ever !  Ah  !  how  we  shall  be  amazed  at  our  coldness  when  we 
 do  get  to  heaven ! 
 
 (4.)  At  all  times. — Our  Lord  went  about  continually  doing 
 good ;  He  made  it  his  meat  and  drink.  "  Daily  in  the  temple." 
 So  should  we.  Satan  is  busy  at  all  times  ;  he  does  not  stand  upon 
 ceremony ;  he  does  not  keep  himself  to  Sabbath-days,  or  canonical 
 
360  SER^roNS. 
 
 hours.  Death  is  busy.  Men  are  dying  while  we  are  sleeping. 
 About  fifty  die  every  minute;  nearly  one  every  second  entering 
 into  an  unchangeable  world  !  The  Spirit  of  God  is  busy.  Blessed 
 be  God,  He  hath  cast  our  lot  in  times  when  there  is  the  moving  of 
 the  great  Spirit  among  the  dry  bones.  Shall  ministers  then  be 
 idle,  or  stand  upon  ceremony  ?  Oh  that  God  would  baptize  us 
 this  day  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire,  that  we  might  be  all 
 changed  as  into  a  flame  of  fire,  preaching  and  building  up  Christ's 
 church  till  our  latest,  our  dying  hour ! 
 
 CHARGE    TO    THE    JHNISTER. 
 
 My  dear  Brother, — It  is  not  many  years  ago  since  you  and  I 
 played  together  as  children,  and  now,  by  the  wonderful  providence 
 of  God,  I  have  been  appointed  to  preside  at  your  ordination  to  the 
 office  of  the  holy  ministry.  Truly  his  way  is  in  the  sea,  and  his 
 path  in  the  deep  waters.  Do  not  think,  then,  that  1  mean  to 
 assume  an  authority  which  I  have  not.  I  cannot  speak  to  you  as 
 a  father,  but  as  a  brother  beloved  in  the  Lord  let  me  address  a 
 few  words  of  counsel  to  you. 
 
 (1.)  Thank  God  for  putting  you  into  the  ministry — "I  thank 
 Christ  Jesus  my  Lord  for  that  He  counted  me  faithful,  putting  me 
 into  the  ministry."  "  To  me,  who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all 
 saints,"  etc.  Oh  brother,  thank  God  for  saving  your  soul ;  for 
 sending  his  Spirit  into  your  heart,  and  drawing  you  to  Christ ! 
 But  this  day  you  have  a  new  cause  of  thankfulness  in  being  put 
 into  the  ministry.  It  is  the  greatest  honour  in  this  world.  "Had 
 I  a  thousand  lives,  I  would  willingly  spend  them  in  it ;  and  had  I 
 a  thousand  sons,  I  would  gladly  devote  them  to  it."  True,  it  is  an 
 awfully  responsible  office  :  the  eternity  of  thousands  depends  on 
 your  faithfulness  ;  but  ah !  the  grace  is  so  full,  and  the  reward  so 
 glorious.  "If,"  said  the  dying  Payson,  "If  ministers  only  saw 
 the  preciousness  of  Christ,  they  would  not  be  able  to  refrain  from 
 clapping  their  hands  with  joy.  and  exclaiming,  I  am  a  minister  of 
 Christ !  I  am  a  minister  of  Christ ! "  Do  not  forget,  then,  dear 
 brother,  amid  the  broken  accents  of  confession  from  a  broken  heart, 
 to  pour  out  a  song  of  thankfulness.  Thanks  be  to  God,  for  my  own 
 part,  during  the  few  years  I  have  been  a  minister;  I  can  truly  say  that 
 I  desire  no  other  honour  upon  earth  than  to  be  allowed  to  preach 
 the  everlasting  gospel.    Thanks  be  to  God  for  his  unspeakable  gift. 
 
 (2.)  Seek  the  anointing  of  the  Holy  Spirit. — The  more  anointing 
 of  the  Holy  Spirit  you  have,  the  more  will  you  be  a  happy,  holy, 
 and  successful  minister.      You  remember  the  two  olive-trees  that 
 
SERMONS.  N  861 
 
 stood  close  by  the  goldeu  candlestick,  and  emptied  the  golden  oil 
 out  of  themselves.  These  represent  successful  ministers,  anointed 
 ones  that  stand  by  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth.  The  Lord  make 
 you  like  one  of  them.  Remember  John  the  Baptist :  "  He  shall  be 
 filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  many  of  the  children  of  Israel 
 shall  he  turn  to  the  Lord  their  God."  The  Lord  fill  you  in  like 
 manner,  and  then  you  will  be  a  converting  minister.  Remember 
 the  apostles.  Before  the  day  of  Pentecost  they  were  dry,  sapless 
 trees, — they  had  little  fruit ;  but  when  the  Spirit  came  on  them 
 like  a  mighty  rushing  wind,  then  three  thousand  were  pricked  to 
 the  heart. 
 
 Oh !  brother,  plead  with  God  to  fill  you  with  the  Spirit,  that 
 you  may  stand  in  his  counsel,  and  cause  the  people  to  hear  his 
 words,  and  turn  many  from  the  evil  of  their  ways.  You  know 
 that  a  heated  iron,  though  blunt,  can  pierce  its  way  even  where  a 
 much  sharper  instrument,  if  cold,  could  not  enter.  Pray  that  you 
 may  be  filled  with  the  fire  of  the  Spirit,  that  you  may  pierce  into 
 the  hard  hearts  of  unconverted  sinners. 
 
 (3.)  Do  not  rest  without  success  in  your  ministry. — Success  is  the 
 rule  under  a  living  ministry ;  want  of  success  is  the  exception. 
 "  The  luant  of  ministerial  success,''  says  Robinson,  "  is  a  tremendous 
 circumstance,  never  to  be  contemplated  ivithout  horror.""  Your  people 
 will  be  of  two  kinds  : — 
 
 Is^,  The  Lord's  people. — Those  who  are  already  in  Christ,  seek 
 for  success  among  them.  He  gave  some  pastors  and  teachers  for 
 the  perfecting  of  the  saints.  Never  forget  Christ's  words  :  "  Feed 
 ray  sheep,  feed  my  lambs."  Be  like  Barnabas,  a  son  of  consolation. 
 Exhort  them  to  cleave  to  the  Lord.  Do  not  say,  "  They  are  safe, 
 and  1  will  let  them  alone."  This  is  a  great  mistake.  See  how 
 Paul  laid  out  his  strength  in  confirming  the  disciples.  Be  a  helper 
 of  their  joy.  Do  not  rest  till  you  get  them  to  five  under  the  pure, 
 holy  rules  of  the  gospel. 
 
 2d,  The  great  mass  you  will  find  to  be  unconverted. — Go, 
 brother,  leaving  the  ninety-nine,  go  after  the  one  sheep  that  was 
 lost.  Leave  your  home,  your  comforts,  your  bed,  your  ease,  your 
 all,  to  feed  lost  souls.  The  Lord  of  Glory  left  heaven  for  this  ;  it 
 is  enough  for  the  disciple  to  be  as  his  Master.  It  is  said  of 
 Alleine,  that  "he  was  infinitely  and  insatiably  greedy  of  the  con- 
 version of  souls."  Rutherford  wrote  to  his  dear  people,  "My 
 Witness  is  above,  that  your  heaven  would  be  two  heavens  to  me, 
 and  the  salvation  of  you  all  as  two  salvations  to  me."  The  Lord 
 give  you  this  heavenly  compassion  for  this  people.  Do  not  be 
 satisfied  without  conversion.     You  will  often  find  that  there  is  a 
 
o62  SERMONS. 
 
 shaking  among  the  dry  bones, — a  coming  together  bone  to  his 
 bone, — skin  and  flesh  come  upon  them,  but  no  breath  in  them. 
 Oh !  brother,  cry  for  the  breath  of  heaven.  Remember  a  moral 
 sinner  will  he  down  in  the  same  hell  with  the  vilest. 
 
 (4.)  Lead  a  holy  life. — I  believe,  brother,  that  you  are  born  from 
 above,  and  therefore  I  have  confidence  in  God  touching  you,  that 
 you  will  be  kept  from  the  evil.  But  oh !  study  universal  hoHness 
 of  life.  Your  whole  usefulness  depends  on  this.  Your  sermon 
 on  Sabbath  lasts  but  an  hour  or  two, — your  life  preaches  all  the 
 week.  Remember,  ministers  are  standard-bearers.  Satan  aims 
 his  fiery  darts  at  them.  If  he  can  only  make  you  a  covetous 
 minister,  or  a  lover  of  pleasure,  or  a  lover  of  praise,  or  a  lover  of 
 good  eating,  then  he  has  ruined  your  ministry  for  ever.  Ah !  let 
 him  preach  on  fifty  years,  he  will  never  do  me  any  harm.  Dear 
 brother,  cast  yourself  at  the  feet  of  Christ,  implore  his  Spirit  to 
 make  you  a  holy  man.    Take  heed  to  thyself,  and  to  thy  doctrine. 
 
 (5.)  Last  of  all,  he  a  man  of  prayer. — Give  yourself  to  prayer,  and 
 to  the  ministry  of  the  word.  If  you  do  not  pray,  God  will  pro- 
 bably lay  you  aside  from  your  ministry,  as  He  did  me,  to  teach 
 you  to  pray.  Remember  Luther's  maxim,  '^  Bene  ordsse  est  bene 
 studmsse."  Get  your  texts  from  God, — your  thoughts,  your  words, 
 from  God.  Carry  the  names  of  the  little  flock  upon  your  breast, 
 like  the  High  Priest ;  wrestle  for  the  unconverted.  Luther  spent 
 his  three  best  hours  in  prayer.  John  Welch  prayed  seven  or 
 eight  hours  a  day.  He  used  to  keep  a  plaid  on  his  bed,  that  he 
 might  wrap  himself  in  it  when  he  rose  during  night.  Sometimes 
 his  wife  found  him  on  the  ground  lying  weeping.  When  she  com- 
 plained, he  would  say,  "  Oh  woman !  I  have  the  souls  of  three 
 thousand  to  answer  for,  and  I  know  not  how  it  is  with  many  of 
 them."  Oh  that  God  would  pour  down  this  spirit  of  prayer  on 
 you  and  me,  and  all  the  ministers  of  our  beloved  church,  and 
 then  we  shall  see  better  days  in  Scotland.  I  commend  you  to 
 God,  etc. 
 
 CHARGE    TO    THE    PEOPLE. 
 
 Dear  Brethren, — I  trust  that  this  is  to  be  the  beginning  of 
 many  happy  days  to  you  in  this  place.  Gifts  in  answer  to  prayer 
 are  always  the  sweetest.  I  believe  your  dear  pastor  has  been 
 given  you  in  answer  to  prayer,  for  I  do  not  think  your  wonderful 
 unanimity  can  be  accounted  for  in  any  other  way. 
 
 (1.)  Love  your  pastor. — So  far  as  I  know  him,  he  is  worthy  of 
 your  love.    I  beUeve  he  is  one  to  whom  the  Lord  has  been  very 
 
SERMONS.  363 
 
 merciful,  that  God  has  already  owned  his  labours,  and  I  trust  will 
 a  thousand  times  more.  Esteem  him  very  highly  in  love  for  his 
 work's  sake.  You  little  know  the  anxieties,  temptations,  pains, 
 and  wrestlings,  he  will  be  called  to  bear  for  you.  Few  people 
 know  the  deep  wells  of  anxiety  in  the  bosom  of  a  faithful  pastor. 
 Love  and  reverence  him  much.  Do  not  make  an  idol  of  him;  that 
 will  destroy  his  usefulness.  It  was  said  of  the  Erskines,  that  men 
 could  not  see  Christ  over  their  heads.  Remember,  look  beyond 
 him  and  above  him.  Those  that  would  have  worshipped  Paul 
 were  the  people  who  stoned  him.  Do  not  stumble  at  his  infirmities. 
 There  are  spots  upon  the  sun,  and  infirmities  in  the  best  of  men. 
 Cover  them — do  not  stumble  at  them.  Would  you  refuse  gold 
 because  it  was  brought  you  in  a  ragged  purse  f  Would  you  re- 
 fuse pure  water  because  it  came  in  a  chipped  bowl  ?  The  treasure 
 is  in  an  earthen  vessel. 
 
 (2.)  Make  use  of  your  pastor. — He  has  come  with  good  news 
 from  a  far  country.     Come  and  hear. 
 
 Is^,  Wait  patiently  on  his  ministry. — He  does  not  come  in  his 
 own  name.  The  Lord  is  with  him.  If  you  refuse  him,  you  will 
 refuse  Christ ;  for  he  is  the  messenger  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 
 
 2d,  Welcome  him  into  your  houses.  He  is  coming,  like  his 
 Master,  to  seek  that  which  was  lost,  and  to  bind  up  that  which  is 
 broken;  to  strengthen  that  which  was  sick,  and  to  bring  again 
 that  which  was  driven  away.  You  have  all  need  of  him,  whether 
 converted  or  not.  Remember  there  is  an  awful  curse  against  those 
 who  receive  not  gospel  messages.  He  will  shake  the  dust  off  his 
 feet  against  you,  and  that  dust  will  rise  against  you  in  judgment. 
 
 M,  Do  not  trouble  him  about  worldly  matters. — His  grand 
 concern  is  to  get  your  soul  saved.  He  is  not  a  man  of  business, 
 but  a  man  of  prayer.  He  has  given  himself  to  prayer,  and  to  the 
 ministry  of  the  word. 
 
 4:ih,  Go  freely  to  him  about  your  souls. — "  The  minister's  house 
 was  more  thronged  than  ever  the  tavern  had  wont  to  be." ,  These 
 were  happy  days.  There  is  no  trade  I  would  like  to  see  broken  in 
 this  place  but  that  of  the  taverners.  It  is  a  soul-destroying  trade. 
 I  would  like  to  see  the  taverns  emptied,  and  the  minister's  house 
 thronged.  Do  not  hesitate  to  go  to  him.  It  is  your  duty  and 
 your  privilege.  It  is  your  duty.  It  will  encourage  him,  and  show 
 him  how  to  preach  to  your  souls.  It  is  your  privilege.  I  have 
 known  many  get  more  light  from  a  short  conversation  than  from 
 many  sermons. 
 
 5tk,  Be  brief. — Tell  your  case.  Hear  his  word  and  be  gone. 
 Remember  his  body  is  weak,  and  Ms  time  precious.     You  are 
 
364  SERMONS. 
 
 stealing  bis  time  from  others  or  from  God.  1  cannot  tell  you  what 
 a  blessing  it  will  be  if  you  will  be  very  short  in  your  calls.  The 
 talk  of  the  lips  tendeth  to  penury. 
 
 (3.)  Go^s  children^  pray  for  Mm. — Pray  for  his  body,  that  he 
 may  be  kept  strong,  and  spared  for  many  years.  Pray  for  his 
 soul,  that  he  may  be  kept  humble  and  holy, — a  burning  and  a 
 shining  light, — that  he  may  grow.  Pray  for  his  ministry,  that  it 
 may  be  abundantly  blessed, — that  he  may  be  anointed  to  preach 
 good  tidings.  Let  there  be  no  secret  prayer  without  naming  hira 
 before  your  God,  no  family  prayer  without  carrying  your  pastor  in 
 your  hearts  to  God.  Hold  up  his  hands,  so  Israel  will  prevail 
 against  Amalek. 
 
 (4.)  Unconverted  souls,  prize  this  opportunity. — I  look  on  this 
 ordination  as  a  smile  of  Heaven  upon  you.  God  might  have  taken 
 away  ministers  from  this  town  instead  of  giving  us  more.  I  be- 
 lieve the  Lord  Jesus  is  saying,  "  I  have  much  people  in  this  city." 
 The  door  is  begun  to  be  opened  this  day.  The  Spirit  is  beginning 
 to  shine.  Oh  that  you  would  know  the  day  of  your  visitation! 
 This  is  the  market-day  of  grace  beginning  in  this  end  of  the  town, 
 and  you  should  all  come  to  buy.  Oh  that  you  knew  the  day  of 
 your  visitation  !  Some,  I  fear,  will  be  the  worse  of  this  ministry, 
 and  not  the  better.  The  election  will  be  saved,  and  the  rest  be 
 blinded.  Some  will  yet  wish  they  had  died  before  this  church  was 
 opened.  Be  sure,  dear  souls,  that  you  will  either  be  saved,  or 
 more  lost,  by  this  ministry.  Your  pastor  comes  with  the  silver 
 trumpet  of  mercy.  Why  will  ye  turn  it  into  the  trumpet  of  judg 
 ment  ?  He  comes  with  glad  tidings  of  great  joy.  Why  should 
 you  turn  them  into  sad  tidings  of  endless  woe?  He  comes  to 
 preach  the  acceptable  day  of  the  Lord.  Why  will  ye  turn  it  into 
 the  day  of  vengeance  of  our  God  ? 
 
 16^^  Bee.  1840. 
 
 SERMON    XII. 
 
 "  There  is  no  fear  in  love;  but  perfect  love  castetli  out  fear:  because  fear  hath 
 torment.  He  that  feareth  is  not  naade  perfect  in  love.  We  love  Him,  because 
 He  first  loved  us.  If  a  man  say,  I  love  God,  and  hateth  his  brother,  he  is  a 
 liar;  for  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother  whom  he  hath  seen,  how  can  he  love 
 God  whom  he  hath  not  seen  ?  And  this  commandment  have  we  from  Him, 
 That  he  who  loveth  God  love  his  brother  also." — 1  John  iv.  18-21. 
 
 Doctrine. — Perfect  love  casteth  out  fear. 
 
 I.  The  state  of  an  awakened  soul- — "  Fear  hath  toi^ment.'" 
 
SERMONS.  365 
 
 There  are  two  kinds  of  fear  mentioned  in  the  Bible  very  oppo- 
 site from  one  another.  The  one  is  the  very  atmosphere  of  heaven, 
 the  other  is  the  very  atmosphere  of  hell. 
 
 (1.)  There  is  the  fear  of  love. — This  is  the  very  temper  of  a  little 
 child:  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom.  This 
 was  the  mind  of  Job.  "  He  feared  God  and  hated  evil."  Nay, 
 it  is  the  very  spirit  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  On  Him  rested  ''  the  spirit 
 of  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  made  Him  of  quick  understanding  in 
 the  fear  of  the  Lord." 
 
 (2.)  There  is  the  fear  of  terror. — This  is  the  very  temper  of 
 devils :  "  The  devils  believe  and  tremb'.e."  This  is  what  was  in 
 Adam  and  Eve  after  the  Fall ;  they  fled  from  the  voice  of  God, 
 and  tried  to  hide  themselves  in  one  of  the  trees  of  the  garden. 
 This  'TS'as  the  state  of  the  jailor  when  he  trembled,  and  sprang  in 
 and  brought  them  out,  and  fell  at  their  feet,  saying,  "  Sirs,  what 
 must  I  do  to  be  saved  ? "  This  is  the  fear  here  spoken  of — tor- 
 menting fear.  "  Fear  hath  torment."  Some  of  you  have  felt  this 
 fear  that  hath  torment.  Many  more  might  feel  it  this  day ;  you 
 are  within  reach  of  it.     Let  me  explain  its  rise  in  the  soul. 
 
 l5^,  A  natural  man  casteth  off  fear,  and  restrains  prayer  before 
 God.  "  They  have  been  at  ease  from  their  youth,  and  settled 
 down  upon  their  lees ;  they  have  not  been  emptied  from  vessel  to 
 vessel,  therefore  their  taste  remains  in  them,  and  their  scent  is  not 
 changed."  They  are  like  fallow -ground  that  has  never  been 
 broken  up  by  the  plough,  but  is  overrun  with  briers  and  thorns. 
 Are  there  not  some  among  you  that  never  trembled  for  your  soul  ? 
 You  think  you  are  as  good  as  your  neighbours.  Ah !  well,  your 
 dream  will  be  broken  up  one  day  soon. 
 
 2c?,  When  the  Spirit  of  God  opens  the  eyes,  He  makes  the 
 stoutest  sinner  tremble.  He  shows  him  the  number  of  his  si?is,  or 
 rather  that  they  cannot  be  numbered.  Before,  he  had  a  memory 
 that  easily  forgot  his  sins ;  oaths  shpped  over  his  tongue,  and  he 
 knew  it  not ;  every  day  added  new  sins  to  his  page  on  God's  book, 
 yet  he  remembered  not.  But  now  the  Spirit  of  God  sets  all  his 
 sins  straight  before  him.  All  unpardoned,  long-forgotten  enor- 
 mities, rise  up  behind  him.  Then  he  begins  to  tremble.  "In- 
 numerable evils  have  compassed  me  about." 
 
 3c?,  The  Spirit  makes  him  feel  the  greatness  of  sin,  the  exceed- 
 ing sinfulness  of  it.  Before,  it  seemed  nothing ;  but  now,  it  rises 
 like  a  flood  over  the  soul.  The  wrath  of  God  he  feels  abiding  on 
 him;  a  terrible  sound  is  in  his  ears.  He  knows  not  what  to  do;  his 
 fear  hath  torment.  Sin  is  seen  now  as  done  against  a  holy  God ; 
 done  against  a  God  of  love  j  done  against  Jesus  Christ  and  his  lova 
 
366  SERMONS. 
 
 Uh,  A  third  thing  which  awfully  torments  the  soul  is  corruption 
 working  in  the  heart.  Often  persons  under  conviction  are  made 
 to  feel  the  awful  workings  of  corruption  in  their  heart.  Often 
 temptation  and  conviction  of  sin  meet  together  and  awfully  torment 
 the  soul,  rending  it  in  pieces.  Conviction  of  sin  is  piercing  his 
 heart,  driving  him  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come ;  and  yet  at  the 
 same  moment  some  raging  lust,  or  envy,  or  horrid  malice,  is  boil- 
 ing in  his  heart,  driving  him  towards  hell.  Then  a  man  feels  a 
 hell  within  him.  In  hell  there  will  be  this  awful  mixture :  there 
 will  be  an  overwhelming  dread  of  the  wrath  of  God,  and  yet  cor- 
 ruption, boiling  up  within,  will  drive  the  soul  more  and  more  into 
 the  flames.  This  is  often  felt  on  earth.  Some  of  you  may  be 
 feeling  it.     This  is  the  fear  that  hath  torment. 
 
 5^^,  Another  thing  the  Spirit  convinces  the  soul  of,  is  his  in- 
 ability to  help  himself.  When  a  man  is  first  awakened,  he  says,  I 
 shall  soon  get  myself  out  of  this  sad  condition.  He  falls  upon 
 many  contrivances  to  justify  himself.  He  changes  his  life ;  he  tries 
 to  repent,  to  pray.  He  is  soon  taught  that  "  his  righteousnesses 
 are  filthy  rags" — that  he  is  trying  to  cover  rags  with  filthy  rags; 
 he  is  brought  to  feel  that  all  he  can  do  signifies  just  nothing,  and 
 that  he  never  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean.  This 
 sinks  the  soul  in  gloom.     This  fear  hath  torment. 
 
 Qth,  He  fears  he  shall  never  be  in  Christ.  Some  of  you  perhaps 
 know  that  this  fear  hath  torment.  The  free  offer  of  Christ  is  the 
 very  thing  that  pierces  you  to  the  heart.  You  hear  that  He  is 
 altogether  lovely — that  He  invites  sinners  to  come  to  Him — that 
 He  never  casts  out  those  that  do  come.  But  you  fear  you  will 
 never  be  one  of  these.  You  fear  you  have  sinned  too  long  or  too 
 much — you  have  sinned  away  your  day  of  grace.  Ah !  this  fear 
 hath  torment. 
 
 Some  will  say,  "  It  is  not  good  to  be  awakened,  then." 
 
 Ans.  1.  It  is  the  way  to  peace  that  paseeth  understanding. — 
 It  is  Grod's  chosen  method,  to  bring  you  to  feel  your  need  of 
 Christ  before  you  come  to  Christ.  At  present  your  peace  is  like 
 a  dream !  when  you  awake  you  will  find  it  so.  Ask  awakened 
 souls  if  they  would  go  back  again  to  their  slumber.  Ah,  no ;  if  I 
 die,  let  me  die  at  the  foot  of  the  cross;  let  me  not  perish  un- 
 awakened. 
 
 Ans.  2.  You  must  be  awakened  cue  day. — If  not  now,  you  will 
 afterwards,  in  hell.  After  death,  fear  will  come  on  your  secure 
 souls.  There  is  not  one  unawakened  soul  in  hell;  all  are  trem- 
 bling there.  The  devils  tremble ;  the  damned  spirits  tremble. 
 Would  it.  not  be  better  to  tremble  now,  and  flee  to  Jesus  Christ 
 
SERMONS.  367 
 
 for  refuge  ?  Now,  He  is  waiting  to  be  gracious  to  you.  Then,  He 
 will  mock  when  your  fear  cometh.  You  will  know  to  all  eternity 
 that  "  fear  hath  torment." 
 
 II.  The  change  on  believing. — "  There  is  no  fear  in  love."  "  Per- 
 fect love  casteth  out  fear." 
 
 (1.)  The  love  here  spoken  of  is  not  our  love  to  God,  but  His 
 love  to  us ;  for  it  is  called  perfect  love.  All  that  is  ours  is  imper- 
 fect. When  we  have  done  all,  we  must  say,  "  We  are  unprofitable 
 servants."  Sin  mingles  with  all  we  think  and  do.  It  were  no 
 comfort  to  tell  us,  that  if  we  would  love  God  perfectly,  it  would 
 cast  out  fear ;  for  how  can  we  work  that  love  into  our  souls  ?  It 
 is  the  Father's  love  to  us  that  casteth  out  fear.  He  is  the  Perfect 
 One.  All  his  works  are  perfect.  He  can  do  nothing  but  what  is 
 perfect.  His  knowledge  is  perfect  knowledge ;  his  wrath  is  perfect 
 wrath ;  his  love  is  perfect  love.  It  is  this  perfect  love  which  casteth 
 out  fear.  Just  as  the  sunbeams  cast  out  darkness  wherever  they 
 fall,  so  does  this  love  cast  out  fear. 
 
 (2.)  But  where  does  this  love  fall? — On  Jesus  Christ.     Twice 
 
 God  spake  from  heaven,  and  said,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in 
 
 whom  I  am  well  pleased."     God  perfectly  loves  his  own  Son.     He 
 
 sees  infinite  beauty  in  his  person.     God  sees  himself  manifested. 
 
 He  is  infinitely  pleased  with  his  finished  work.     The  infinite  heart 
 
 of  the  infinite  God  flows  out  in  love  towards   our  Lord  Jesus 
 
 Christ.     And  there  is  no  fear  in  the  bosom  of  Christ.     All  his 
 
 fears  are  past.     Once  He  said,  "  While  I  suffer  thy  terrors  I  am 
 
 distressed ; "   but  now   He  is  in  perfect   love,  and  perfect  love 
 
 casteth  out  fear.     Hearken,  trembling  souls!     Here  you  may  find 
 
 rest  to  your  souls.     You  do  not  need  to  live  another  hour  under 
 
 your  tormenting  fears.    Jesus  Christ  has  borne  the  wrath  of  which 
 
 you  are  afraid.     He  now  stands  a  refuge  for  the  oppressed — a 
 
 refuge  in  the  time  of  trouble.     Look  to  Christ,  and  your  fear  will 
 
 be  cast  out.     Come  to  the  feet  of  Christ,  and  you  will  find  rest. 
 
 Call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  you  will  be  delivered.     You 
 
 say  you  cannot  look,  nor  come,  nor  cry,  for  you  are  helpless. 
 
 Hear,  then,  and  your  soul  shall  live.    Jesus  is  a  Saviour  to  the 
 
 helpless.      Christ  is  not  only  a  Saviour  to  those  who  are  naked 
 
 and  empty,  and  have  no  goodness  to  recommend  themselves,  but 
 
 He  is  a  Saviour  to  those  who  are  unable  to  give  themselves  to 
 
 Him.    You  cannot  be  in  too  desperate  a  condition  for  Christ.    As 
 
 long  as  you  remain  unbelieving,  you  are  under  his  perfect  wrath — 
 
 wrath  without  any  mixture.    The  wrath  of  God  will  be  as  amazing 
 
 as  his  love.    It  comes  out  of  the  same  bosom.     But  the  moment 
 
368  SERMONS. 
 
 you  look  to  Christ,  you  will  come  under  his  perfect  love — love 
 without  any  coldness — light  without  any  shade — love  without  any 
 cloud  or  mountain  between.  God's  love  will  cast  out  all  your 
 fears. 
 
 III.  His  love  gives  boldness  in  the  day  of  judgment,  ver.  17. — 
 There  is  a  great  day  coming,  often  spoken  of  in  the  Bible — the 
 day  of  judgment — the  day  when  God  shall  judge  the  secrets  of 
 men's  hearts  by  Christ  Jesus.  The  Christless  will  not  be  able  to 
 stand  in  that  day.  The  ungodly  shall  not  stand  in  the  judgment. 
 At  present,  sinners  have  much  boldness  ;  their  neck  is  an  iron 
 sinew,  and  their  brow  brass.  Many  of  them  cannot  Wush  when 
 they  are  caught  in  sin.  Amongst  ourselves,  is  it  not  amazing  how 
 bold  sinners  are  in  forsaking  ordinances  ?  With  what  a  brazen  face 
 will  some  men  swear !  How  bold  some  ungodly  men  are  in  coming 
 to  the  Lord's  table !  But  it  will  not  be  so  in  a  little  while. 
 When  Christ  shall  appear, — the  holy  Jesus,  in  all  his  glory, — then 
 brazenfaced  sinners  will  begin  to  blush.  Those  that  never  prayed 
 will  begin  to  wail.  Sinners,  whose  limbs  carried  them  stoutly  to 
 sin  and  to  the  Lord's  table  last  Sabbath,  will  find  their  knees 
 knocking  against  one  another.  Who  shall  abide  the  day  of  his 
 coming,  and  who  shall  stand  when  He  appears  ?  AVhen  the  books 
 are  opened, — the  one  the  book  of  God's  remembrance,  the  other 
 the  Bible, — then  the  dead  will  be  judged  out  of  those  things  written 
 in  the  books.  Then  the  heart  of  the  ungodly  will  die  within  them ; 
 then  will  begin  "  their  shame  and  everlasting  contempt."  Many 
 wicked  persons  comfort  themselves  with  this,  that  their  sin  is  not 
 known — that  no  eye  sees  them ;  but  in  that  day  the  most  secret 
 sins  will  be  all  brought  out  to  the  light.  "  Every  idle  word  that 
 men  shall  speak,  they  shall  give  an  account  thereof  in  the  day 
 of  judgment."  How  would  you  tremble  and  blush,  0  wicked 
 man,  if  I  were  now  to  go  over  before  this  congregation  the  secret 
 sins  you  have  committed  during  the  past  week, — all  your  secret 
 fraud  and  cheating,  your  secret  unclearmess,  your  secret  malice 
 and  envy, — how  you  would  blush  and  be  confounded !  How  much 
 more  in  that  day,  when  the  secrets  of  your  whole  life  shall  be 
 made  manifest  before  an  assembled  world !  What  eternal  confu- 
 sion will  sink  down  your  soul  in  that  day !  You  will  be  quite 
 chop-fallen ;  all  your  pride  and  blustering  will  be  gone. 
 
 All  in  Christ  will  have  boldness— 
 
 (1.)  Because  Christ  shall  be  Judge. — What  abundant  peace  will 
 it  give  you  in  that  day,  believer,  when  you  see  Christ  is  Judge ! 
 — He  that  shed  his  blood  for  you — He  that  is  your  Surety,  your 
 
SEKMONS.  369 
 
 Shepherd,  your  all.  It  will  take  away  all  fear.  You  will  be  able 
 to  say,  Who  shall  condemn?  for  Christ  hath  died.  In  the  very 
 hand  that  opens  the  books  you  will  see  the  marks  of  the  wounds 
 made  by  your  sins.  Christ  will  be  the  same  to  you  in  the  judg- 
 ment that  He  is  now. 
 
 (2.)  Because  the  Father  himself  loveth  you. — Christ  and  the  Father 
 are  one.  The  Father  sees  no  sin  in  you  ;  because,  as  Christ  is,  so 
 are  you  in  this  world.  You  are  judged  by  God  according  to  what 
 the  Surety  is ;  so  that  God's  love  will  be  with  you  in  that  day. 
 You  will  feel  the  smile  of  the  Father,  and  you  will  hear  the  voice 
 of  Jesus  saying,  "  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father." 
 
 Learn  to  fear  nothing  between  this  and  judgment.  Fear  not — 
 wait  on  the  Lord,  and  be  of  good  courage. 
 
 lY.  The  consequences  of  being  in  the  love  of  God. 
 
 (L)  "  We  love  Him^  because  He  first  loved  us,'*  ver.  19. — When 
 a  poor  sinner  cleaves  to  Jesus,  and  finds  the  forgiving  love  of  God, 
 he  cannot  but  love  God  back  again.  When  the  prodigal  returned 
 home,  and  felt  his  father's  arms  around  his  neck,  then  did  he  feel 
 the  gushings  of  affection  toward  his  father.  When  the  summer 
 sun  shines  full  down  upon  the  sea,  it  draws  the  vapours  upward 
 to  the  sky.  So  when  the  sunbeams  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 
 fall  upon  the  soul,  they  draw  forth  the  constant  risings  of  love  to 
 Him  in  return. 
 
 Some  of  you  are  longing  to  be  able  to  love  God.  Come  into  his 
 love,  then.  Consent  to  be  loved  by  Him,  though  worthless  in 
 yourself.  It  is  better  to  be  loved  by  Him  than  to  love,  and  it  is 
 the  only  way  to  learn  to  love  Him.  When  the  light  of  the  sun 
 falls  upon  the  moon,  it  finds  the  moon  dark  and  unlovely ;  but  the 
 moon  reflects  the  light,  and  casts  it  back  again.  So  let  the  love  of 
 God  shine  into  your  breast,  and  you  will  cast  it  back  again.  The 
 love  of  Christ  constraineth  us.  "  We  love  Him,  because  He  first 
 loved  us."  The  only  cure  for  a  cold  heart  is  to  look  at  the  heart 
 of  Jesus. 
 
 Some  of  you  have  no  love  to  God  because  you  love  an  idol. 
 You  may  be  sure  you  have  never  come  into  his  love — that  curse 
 rests  upon  you  :  "  If  any  man  love  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  let 
 him  be  Anathema  maranatha." 
 
 (2.)  We  love  our  brother  also. — If  you  love  an  absent  person,  you 
 will  love  their  picture.  W^hat  is  that  the  sailor's  wife  keeps  so 
 closely  wrapped  in  a  napkin,  laid  up  in  her  best  drawer  among 
 sweet-smelling  flowers?  She  takes  it  out  morning  and  evening, 
 and  gazes  at  it  through  her  tears.    It  is  the  picture  of  her  absent 
 
 2  a 
 
370  SERMONS. 
 
 husband.  She  loves  it  because  it  is  like  him.  It  has  many  imper- 
 fections, but  still  it  is  like.  Believers  are  the  pictures  of  God  in 
 this  world.  The  Spirit  of  Christ  dwells  in  them.  They  walk  as 
 He  walked.  True,  they  are  full  of  imperfections ;  still  they  are 
 true  copies.  If  you  love  Him,  you  will  love  them ;  you  will  make 
 them  your  bosom  friends. 
 
 Are  there  none  of  you  that  disKke  real  Christians  ?  You  do  not 
 like  their  look,  their  ways,  their  speech,  their  prayers.  You  call 
 them  hypocrites,  and  keep  away  from  them.  Do  you  know  the 
 reason  ?  You  hate  the  copy,  because  you  hate  the  original ;  you 
 hate  Christ,  and  are  none  of  his. 
 St  Peter's,  1840. 
 
 SERMON   XIII. 
 
 ACTION  SERMON.— (9c<o&er  25,  1840. 
 
 But  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
 by  -whom  the  world  is  crucified  unto  me,  and  I  unto  the  world." — Gal.  vi.  14. 
 
 Doctrine. — Glorying  in  the  Cross. 
 
 I.  The  suhject  here  spoken  of  hy  Paul — The  Cross  of  Christ. 
 
 This  word  is  used  in  three  dififerent  senses  in  the  Bible.  It  is 
 important  to  distinguish  them. 
 
 (1.)  It  is  used  to  signify  the  wooden  cross — the  tree  upon  which 
 the  Lord  Jesus  was  crucified.  The  punishment  of  the  cross  was  a 
 Roman  invention.  It  was  made  use  of  only  in  the  case  of  slaves, 
 or  very  notorious  malefactors.  The  cross  was  made  of  two  beams 
 of  wood  crossing  each  other.  It  was  laid  on  the  ground,  and  the 
 criminal  stretched  upon  it.  A  nail  was  driven  through  each  hand, 
 and  one  nail  through  both  the  feet.  It  was  then  lifted  upright, 
 and  let  fall  into  a  hole,  where  it  was  wedged  in.  The  crucified 
 man  was  then  left  to  die,  hanging  by  his  hands  and  feet.  This 
 was  the  death  to  which  Jesus  stooped.  "  He  endured  the  cross, 
 despishig  the  shame."  "  He  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
 death  of  the  cross."  Matt,  xxvii.  40,  42  ;  Mark  xv.  30,  32  ;  Luke 
 xxiii.  26  ;  John  xix.  17,  19,  25,  31  ;  Eph.  ii.  16. 
 
 (2.)  It  is  used  to  signify  the  way  of  salvation  hy  Jesus  Christ 
 crucified.  So  1  Cor.  i.  18,  "  The  preaching  of  the  cross  is  to  them 
 that  perish  foolishness,  but  unto  us  who  are  saved  it  is  the  power 
 of  God ;"  compared  with  verse  23,  "  We  preach  Christ  crucified," 
 
SERMONS.  371 
 
 etc.  Here  it  is  plaiu  the  preaching  of  the  Cross  and  the  preaching 
 of  Christ  crucified  are  the  same  thing.  This  is  the  meaning  in  the 
 passage  before  us,  "  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,"  etc.  It  is 
 the  name  given  to  the  whole  plan  of  salvation  by  a  crucified 
 Redeemer.  That  little  word  implies  the  whole  glorious  work  of 
 Christ  for  us.  It  impHes  the  love  of  God  in  giving  his  Son 
 (John  iii.  16);  the  love  of  Christ  in  giving  himself  (Eph.  v.  2); 
 the  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God ;  his  substitution — one  for 
 many;  his  atoning  sufferings  and  death.  The  whole  work  of 
 Christ  is  included  in  that  little  word,  the  Cross  of  Christ.  And  the 
 reason  is  plain ;  his  dying  on  the  cross  was  the  lowest  point  of  his 
 humihation.  It  was  there  He  cried,  "  It  is  finished !" — the  work  of 
 my  obedience  is  finished,  my  sufferings  are  finished,  the  work  of 
 redemption  is  complete,  the  wrath  of  my  people  is  finished ;  and 
 He  bowed  the  head  and  gave  up  the  ghost.  Hence  his  whole 
 finished  work  is  called  the  Cross  of  Christ. 
 
 (3.)  It  is  used  to  signify  the  suffenngs  home  in  following  Christ. 
 "  If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up 
 his  cross  and  follow  me,"  Matt.  xvi.  24.  When  a  man  deter- 
 mines to  follow  Christ,  he  must  give  up  his  sinful  pleasures,  his 
 sinful  companions ;  he  meets  with  scorn,  ridicule,  contempt,  hatred, 
 the  persecution  of  worldly  friends ;  his  name  is  cast  out  as  evil. 
 "  He  that  will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus  must  suffer  persecution." 
 Now,  to  meet  all  these  is  to  "  take  up  the  cross."  "  He  that 
 taketh  not  up  liis  cross  and  followeth  after  me,  is  not  worthy 
 of  me." 
 
 In  the  passage  before  us  the  words  are  used  in  the  second 
 meaning, — the  plan  of  salvation  by  a  crucified  Saviour. 
 
 Dear  friends,  it  is  this  that  is  set  before  you  in  the  broken  bread 
 and  poured  out  wine, — the  whole  work  of  Christ  for  the  salvation 
 of  sinners.  The  love  and  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  are  all  gathered 
 into  a  focus  there.  The  love  of  the  Father ;  the  covenant  with  the 
 Son  ;  the  love  of  Jesus  ;  his  incarnation,  obedience,  death ;  all  are 
 set  before  you  in  that  broken  bread  and  wine.  It  is  a  sweet,  silent 
 sermon.  Many  a  sermon  contains  not  Christ  from  beginning  to 
 end.  Many  show  Him  doubtfully  and  imperfectly.  But  here  is 
 nothing  else  but  Christ,  and  Him  crucified.  Most  rich  and  speaking 
 ordinance !  Pray  that  the  very  sight  of  that  broken  bread  may 
 break  your  hearts,  and  make  them  flow  to  the  Lamb  of  God. 
 Pray  for  conversions  from  the  sight  of  the  broken  bread  and 
 poured  out  wine.  Look  attentively,  dear  souls  and  little  children , 
 when  the  bread  is  broken  and  the  wine  poured  out.  It  is  a  heart- 
 affecting  sight.     May  the  Holy  Spirit  bless  it.     Dear  believers, 
 
372  SERMONS. 
 
 look  you  attentively,  to  get  deeper,  fuller  views  of  the  way  of 
 pardon  and  holiness.  A  look  from  the  eye  of  Christ  to  Peter 
 broke  and  melted  his  proud  heart, — he  went  out  and  wept  bitterly. 
 Pray  that  a  single  look  of  that  broken  bread  may  do  the  same  for 
 you.  When  the  Roman  centurion,  that  watched  beside  the  cross 
 of  Jesus,  saw  Him  die,  and  the  rocks  rend,  he  cried  out,  "  Truly 
 this  was  the  Sou  of  God!"  Look  at  this  broken  bread,  and  you 
 will  see  the  same  thing,  and  may  your  heart  be  made  to  cry  after 
 the  Lord  Jesus.  When  the  dying  thief  looked  on  the  pale  face  of 
 Immanuel,  and  saw  the  holy  majesty  that  beamed  from  his  dying 
 eye,  he  cried,  "Lord,  remember  me !"  This  broken  bread  reveals 
 the  same  thing.  May  the  same  grace  be  given  you,  and  may  you 
 breathe  the  cry,  Lord,  remember  me. 
 
 Oh  get  ripening  views  of  Christ,  dear  believers !  The  corn  in 
 harvest  sometimes  ripens  more  in  one  day  than  in  weeks  before. 
 So  some  Christians  gain  more  grace  in  one  day  than  for  months 
 before.  Pray  that  this  may  be  a  ripening  harvest-day  in  your 
 souls. 
 
 II.  PauVs  feelings  towards  the  Cross  of  Christ — "  God  forlid^'  etc, 
 (1.)  It  is  implied  that  he  had  utterly  forsaken  the  way  of  right- 
 eousness by  deeds  of  the  law.  Every  natural  man  seeks  salvation 
 by  making  himself  better  in  the  sight  of  God.  He  tries  to  mend 
 his  life ;  he  puts  a  bridle  on  his  tongue ;  he  tries  to  command  his 
 feelings  and  thoughts,  all  to  make  himself  better  in  the  sight  of 
 God.  Or  he  goes  further :  tries  to  cover  his  past  sins  by  rehgious 
 observances;  he  becomes  a  religious  man,  prays,  w-eeps,  reads, 
 attends  sacraments,  is  deeply  occupied  in  religion,  and  tries  to  get 
 it  into  his  heart ;  all  to  make  himself  appear  good  in  the  eye  of 
 God,  that  he  may  lay  God  under  debt  to  pardon  and  love  him. 
 Paul  tried  this  plan  for  long.  He  was  a  Pharisee,  touching  the 
 righteousness  in  the  law  blameless ;  he  lived  an  outwardly  blame- 
 less life,  and  was  highly  thought  of  as  a  most  religious  man.  "But 
 what  things  were  gain  to  me,  those  I  counted  loss  for  Christ." 
 When  it  pleased  God  to  open  his  eyes,  he  gave  up  this  w^ay  of  self- 
 righteousness  for  ever  and  ever ;  he  had  no  more  any  peace  from 
 looking  in, — "we  have  no  confidence  in  the  flesh;"  he  bade  fare- 
 well for  ever  to  that  way  of  seeking  peace.  Nay,  he  trampled  it 
 under  his  feet.  "  I  do  count  them  but  dung  that  I  may  win 
 Christ."  Oh !  it  is  a  glorious  thing  when  a  man  is  brought  to 
 trample  under  feet  his  own  righteousness ;  it  is  the  hardest  thing 
 in  the  world. 
 
 (2.)  Be  hetodk  himself  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Chnst. — Paul  got  such  a 
 
SERMONS.  373 
 
 view  of  tlie  glory,  brightness,  and  excellency  of  the  way  of  salva- 
 tion by  Jesus,  that  it  filled  his  whole  heart.  All  other  things  sunk 
 into  littleness.  Every  mountain  and  hill  was  brought  low,  the 
 crooked  was  made  straight,  the  rough  places  smooth,  and  the 
 glory  of  the  Lord  was  revealed.  As  the  rising  sun  makes  all  the 
 stars  disappear,  so  the  rising  of  Christ  upon  his  soul  made  every- 
 thing else  disappear.  Jesus,  suffering  for  us,  filled  his  eye — filled 
 his  heart.  He  saw,  believed,  and  was  happy.  Christ  for  us, 
 answered  all  his  need.  From  the  Cross  of  Christ  a  ray  of  heavenly 
 light  flamed  to  his  soul,  filling  him  with  light  and  joy  unspeakable. 
 He  felt  that  God  was  glorified,  and  he  was  saved ;  he  cleaved  to 
 the  Lord  with  full  purpose  of  heart.  Like  Edwards,  "I  was 
 unspeakably  pleased." 
 
 (3.)  He  gloried  in  the  Cross. — He  confessed  Christ  before  men  ; 
 he  was  not  ashamed  of  Christ  before  that  adulterous  generation  ; 
 he  gloried  that  this  was  his  way  of  pardon,  peace,  and  holiness. 
 Ah !  what  a  change !  Once  he  blasphemed  the  name  of  Jesus, 
 and  persecuted  to  the  death  those  that  called  on  his  name ;  now 
 it  is  all  his  boast :  "  Straightway  he  preached  Christ  in  the  syna- 
 gogues, that  He  is  the  Son  of  God."  Once  he  gloried  in  his 
 blameless  hfe  when  he  was  among  Pharisees  ;  now  he  glories  in 
 this,  that  he  is  the  chief  of  sinners,  but  that  Christ  died  for  such 
 as  he.  Once  he  gloried  in  his  learning,  when  he  sat  at  the  feet  of 
 Gamahel ;  now  he  glories  in  being  reckoned  a  fool  for  Christ's 
 sake, — in  being  a  little  child,  led  by  the  hand  of  Jesus.  At  the 
 Lord's  table,  among  his  friends,  in  heathen  cities,  at  Athens, 
 at  Rome,  among  the  wise  or  unwise,  before  kings  and  princes, 
 he  glories  in  it  as  the  only  thing  worthy  of  being  known, — the  way 
 of  salvation  by  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified. 
 
 Dear  friends,  have  you  been  brought  to  glory  only  in  the  Cross 
 of  Christ? 
 
 (1.)  Have  you  given  over  the  old  way  of  salvation  by  the  deeds 
 of  the  law  ?  Your  natural  heart  is  set  upon  that  way.  You  are 
 always  for  making  yourself  better  and  better,  till  you  can  lay  God 
 under  obligation  to  pardon  you.  You  are  always  for  looking  in 
 for  righteousness.  You  are  looking  in  at  your  convictions,  and 
 sorrow  for  past  sins, — your  tears  and  anxious  prayers ;  or  you  are 
 looking  in  at  your  amendment, — forsaking  of  wicked  courses,  and 
 struggles  after  a  new  hfe;  or  you  are  looking  at  your  own  religious 
 exercises, — your  fervency  and  enlarged  heart  in  prayer,  or  in  the 
 house  of  God ;  or  you  are  looking  at  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
 in  you, — the  graces  of  the  Spirit.  Alas !  alas !  The  bed  is 
 shorter  than  that  you  can  stretch  yourself  on  it,  the  covering:  is 
 
^74  SERMONS. 
 
 narrower  than  that  you  can  wrap  yourself  in  it.  Despair  of  pardon 
 in  that  way.  Give  it  up  for  ever.  Your  heart  is  desperately 
 wicked.  Every  righteousness  in  which  your  heart  has  anything 
 to  do  is  vile  and  polluted,  and  cannot  appear  in  his  sight.  Count 
 it  all  loss,  filthy  rags,  dung,  that  you  may  win  Christ. 
 
 (2.)  Betake  yourself  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Beheve  the  love 
 of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  He  delighteth  in  mercy  ;  He  is  ready 
 to  forgive ;  in  Him  compassions  flow ;  He  justifies  the  ungodly. 
 Have  you  seen  the  glory  of  the  Cross  of  Jesus  ?  Has  it  attracted 
 your  heart?  Do  you  feel  unspeakably  pleased  with  that  way  of 
 salvation  ?  Do  you  see  that  God  is  glorified  when  you  are  saved  ? 
 that  God  is  a  God  of  majesty,  truth,  unsullied  holiness,  and  in- 
 flexible justice,  and  yet  you  are  justified?  Does  the  Cross  of 
 Christ  fill  your  heart  ?  Does  it  make  a  great  calm  in  your  soul, — 
 a  heavenly  rest  ?  Do  you  love  that  word :  "  the  righteousness  of 
 God,"  "the  righteousness  which  is  by  faith,"  the  righteousness 
 without  works  ?  Do  you  sit  within  sight  of  the  Cross  ?  Does 
 your  soul  rest  there  ? 
 
 (3.)  Glory  only  in  the  Cross  of  Christ. — Observe,  there  cannot 
 be  a  secret  Christian.  Grace  is  hke  ointment  hid  in  the  hand,  it 
 bewrayeth  itself.  A  lively  Christian  cannot  keep  silence.  If  you 
 truly  feel  the  sweetness  of  the  Cross  of  Christ,  you  will  be  con- 
 strained to  confess  Christ  before  men.  "It  is  like  the  best  wine, 
 that  goeth  down  sweetly,  causing  lips  to  speak."  Do  you  confess 
 Him  in  your  family  ?  Do  you  make  it  known  there  that  you  are 
 Christ's?  Remember,  you  must  be  decided  in  your  own  house. 
 It  is  the  mark  of  a  hypocrite  to  be  a  Christian  everywhere  except 
 at  home.  Among  your  companions,  do  you  own  Him  a  friend 
 whom  you  have  found  ?  In  the  shop  and  in  the  market,  are  you 
 willing  to  be  known  as  a  man  washed  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ? 
 Do  you  long  that  all  your  dealings  be  under  the  sweet  rules  of  the 
 gospel  ?  Come,  then,  to  the  Lord's  table,  and  confess  Him  that 
 has  saved  your  soul.  Oh  !  grant  that  it  may  be  a  true,  free,  and 
 full  confession.  This  is  my  sweet  food,  my  lamb,  my  righteousness, 
 my  Lord  and  my  God,  my  all  in  all.  "  God  forbid  that  I  should 
 glory,  save  in  the  Cross."  Once  you  gloried  in  riches,  friends, 
 fame,  sin ;  now  in  a  crucified  Jesus. 
 
 HI.  The  effects. — "  The  world  is  crucified  to  me,  and  I  unto  the 
 world." — "  If  any  man  be  in  Christ  Jesus,  he  is  a  new  creature," 
 etc.  When  the  blind  beggar  of  Jericho  got  his  eyes  opened  by 
 the  Lord,  this  world  was  all  changed  to  him,  and  he  to  the  world. 
 So  it  was  with  Paul.     No  sooner  did  he  rise  from  his  knees,  with 
 
SERMONS.  375 
 
 the  peace  of  Jesus  in  his  heart,  than  the  world  got  its  death-blow 
 in  his  eyes.  As  he  hurried  over  the  smooth  stones  of  the  streets 
 of  Damascus,  or  looked  down  from  the  flat  roof  of  his  house  upon 
 the  lovely  gardens  on  the  banks  of  the  Abana,  the  world  and  all 
 its  dazzling  show  seemed  to  his  eye  a  poor,  shrivelled,  crucified 
 thing.  Once  it  was  his  all.  Once  its  soft  and  slippery  flatteries 
 were  pleasant  as  music  to  his  ear.  Riches,  beauty,  pleasure,  all 
 that  the  natural  eye  admires,  his  heart  was  once  set  upon ;  but  the 
 moment  he  beheved  on  Jesus  all  these  began  to  die.  True,  they 
 were  not  dead,  but  they  were  nailed  to  a  cross.  They  no  more  had 
 that  living  attraction  for  him  they  once  had ;  and  now  every  day 
 they  began  to  lose  their  power.  As  a  dying  man  on  the  cross 
 grows  weaker  and  weaker  every  moment,  while  his  heart's  blood 
 trickles  from  the  deep  gashes  in  his  hands  and  feet,  so  the  world, 
 that  was  once  his  all,  began  to  lose  every  moment  its  attractive 
 power.  He  tasted  so  much  sweetness  in  Christ,  in  pardon,  access 
 to  God,  the  smile  of  God,  the  indwelling  Spirit,  that  the  world 
 became  every  day  a  more  tasteless  world  to  him. 
 
 Another  eifect  was,  "/  to  the  tvorld." — As  Paul  laid  his  hand 
 upon  his  own  bosom,  he  felt  that  it  also  was  changed.  Once  it 
 was  as  a  mettled  race-horse  that  paces  the  ground  and  cannot  be 
 bridled  in ;  once  it  was  like  the  fox-hounds  on  the  scent,  impatient 
 of  the  leash, — his  heart  thus  rushed  after  fame,  honour,  worldly 
 praise ;  but  now  it  was  nailed  to  the  cross,  a  broken,  contrite 
 heart.  True,  it  was  not  dead.  Many  a  fitful  start  his  old  nature 
 gave,  that  drove  him  to  his  knees  and  made  him  cry  for  grace  to 
 help  ;  but  still,  the  more  he  looked  to  the  cross  of  Jesus,  the  more 
 his  old  heart  began  to  die.  Every  day  he  felt  less  desire  for  sin, — 
 more  desire  for  Christ,  and  God,  and  perfect  hohness. 
 
 Some  may  discover  that  they  have  never  come  to  Christ.  Has 
 the  world  been  crucified  to  you  ?  Once  it  was  your  all — its  praise, 
 its  riches,  its  songs,  and  merry-makings.  Has  it  been  nailed  to 
 the  cross  in  your  sight  ?  Oh  !  put  your  hand  on  your  heart.  Has 
 it  lost  its  burning  desire  after  earthly  things?  They  that  are 
 Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh,  with  its  affections  and  lusts.  Do 
 you  feel  that  Jesus  has  put  the  nails  through  your  lusts  ?  Do  you 
 wish  they  were  dead?  What  answer  can  you  make,  sons  and 
 daughters  of  pleasure,  to  whom  the  dance,  and  song,  and  the  glass, 
 and  witty  repartee,  are  the  sum  of  happiness  ?  Ye  are  jione  of 
 Christ's.  What  answer  can  you  make,  lovers  of  money,  sordid 
 money-makers,  who  had  rather  have  a  few  more  sovereigns  than 
 the  grace  of  God  in  your  heart  ?  What  answer  can  you  make, 
 flesh-pleasers,  night-walkers,  lovers  of  darkness?      Ye  are  not 
 
876  SERMONS. 
 
 Christ's.  Ye  have  not  come  to  Christ.  The  world  is  all  alive  to 
 you,  and  you  are  living  to  the  world.  You  cannot  glory  in  the 
 cross,  and  love  the  world.  Ah!  poor  deluded  souls,  you  have 
 never  seen  the  glory  of  the  way  of  pardon  by  Jesus.  Go  on  ;  love 
 the  world;  grasp  every  pleasure;  gather  heaps  of  money;  feed 
 and  fatteu  on  your  lusts  ;  take  your  fill.  What  will  it  profit  you 
 when  you  lose  your  own  soul? 
 
 Some  are  saying,  Oh  that  the  world  were  crucified  to  me,  and  I 
 to  the  world !  Oh  that  my  heart  were  as  dead  as  a  stone  to  the 
 world,  and  alive  to  Jesus!  Do  you  truly  wish  it?  Look,  then, 
 to  the  cross.  Behold  the  amazing  gift  of  love.  Salvation  is  pro- 
 mised to  a  look.  Sit  down,  like  Mary,  and  gaze  upon  a  crucified 
 Jesus.  So  will  the  world  become  a  dim  and  dying  thing.  When 
 you  gaze  upon  the  sun,  it  makes  everything  else  dark ;  when  you 
 taste  honey,  it  makes  everything  else  tasteless :  so  when  your 
 soul  feeds  on  Jesus,  it  takes  away  the  sweetness  of  all  earthly 
 things, — praise,  pleasure,  fleshly  lusts,  all  lose  their  sweetness. 
 Keep  a  continued  gaze.  Run,  looking  unto  Jesus.  Look,  till  the 
 way  of  salvation  by  Jesus  fills  up  the  whole  horizon,  so  glorious 
 and  peace-speaking.  So  will  the  world  be  crucified  to  you,  and 
 you  unto  the  world. 
 
 SERMON    XIY. 
 
 "  Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord,  and  bow  myself  before  the  High  God  ? 
 Shall  I  come  before  Him  with  burnt-offerings,  with  calves  of  a  year  old  ? 
 Will  the  Lord  be  pleased  with  thousands  of  i-ams,  or  with  ten  thousands  of 
 rivers  of  oil  ?  Shall  I  give  my  first-born  for  my  transgression,  the  fruit  of 
 my  body  for  the  sin  of  my  soul  ?  He  hath  showed  thee,  0  man,  what  is 
 good :  and  what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly,  and  to  love 
 mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God  ?  " — Micah  vi.  6-8. 
 
 Doctrine. — The  good  way  of  coming  before  the  Lord, 
 
 The  question  of  an  awakened  soul. — "  Wherewith  shall  I  come 
 before  the  Lord?"  An  unawakened  man  never  puts  that  question. 
 A  natural  man  has  no  desire  to  come  before  God,  or  to  bow  him- 
 self before  the  High  God.  He  does  not  like  to  think  of  God.  He 
 would  rather  think  of  any  other  subject.  He  easily  forgets  what 
 he  is  told  about  God.  A  natural  man  has  no  memory  for  divine 
 things,  because  he  has  no  heart  for  them.  He  has  no  desire  to 
 come  before  God  in  prayer.      There  is  nothing  a  natural  man 
 
SERMONS.  377 
 
 hates  more  than  prayer.  He  would  far  rather  spend  half  an  hour 
 every  morning  in  bodily  exercise  or  in  hard  labour,  than  in  the 
 presence  of  God.  He  has  no  desire  to  come  before  God  when  he 
 dies.  He  knows  that  he  must  appear  before  God,  but  it  gives 
 him  no  joy.  He  had  rather  sink  into  nothing  ;  he  had  rather 
 never  see  the  face  of  God.  Ah !  my  friends,  is  this  your  condi- 
 tion ?  How  surely  you  may  know  that  you  have  "  the  carnal 
 mind  which  is  enmity  against  God  !"  You  are  like  Pharaoh  : 
 "  Who  is  the  Lord,  that  I  should  obey  Him?"  You  say  to  God, 
 "  Depart  from  me,  for  I  desire  not  the  knowledge  of  thy  ways." 
 What  an  awful  state  it  is  to  be  in,  to  have  no  desire  after  Him  who 
 is  the  fountain  of  living  waters  ! 
 
 I.  Here  is  the  piercing  question  of  every  awahened  soul. 
 
 (1.)  An  awakened  soul  feels  that  his  chief  happiness  is  in  coming 
 before  God.  This  was  unfallen  Adam's  happiness.  He  felt  like  a 
 child  under  a  loving  Father's  eye.  It  was  his  chief  joy  to  come 
 before  God,  to  be  loved  by  Him,  to  be  like  a  mote  in  the  sunbeam, 
 to  be  continually  basked  in  the  sunshine  of  his  love,  no  cloud  or 
 veil  coming  between.  This  is  the  joy  of  holy  angels,  to  come  before 
 the  Lord,  and  bow  before  the  High  God.  In  his  presence  is 
 fulness  of  joy.  "  The  angels  do  always  behold  the  face  of  my 
 Father."  On  whatever  errand  of  love  they  fly,  they  still  feel  that 
 his  eye  of  love  is  on  them, — this  is  their  daily,  hourly  joy.  This 
 is  the  true  happiness  of  a  believer.  Hear  David  (Psalm  xlii.),  "  As 
 the  hart  panteth  after  the  water-brooks,  so  panteth  my  soul  after 
 Thee,  0  God.  My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  living  God : 
 when  shall  I  come  and  appear  before  God?"  He  panteth  not 
 after  the  gifts  of  God, — not  his  favours  or  comforts, — but  after 
 himself.  A  beUever  longs  after  God — to  come  into  his  presence, 
 to  feel  his  love,  to  feel  near  to  Him  in  secret,  to  feel  in  the  crowd 
 that  he  is  nearer  than  all  the  creatures.  Ah!  dear  brethren, 
 have  you  ever  tasted  this  blessedness  ?  There  is  greater  rest  and 
 solace  to  be  found  in  the  presence  of  God  for  one  hour,  than  in  an 
 eternity  of  the  presence  of  man.  To  be  in  his  presence — under  his 
 love,  under  his  eye — is  heaven,  wherever  it  be.  God  can  make 
 you  happy  in  any  circumstances.     Without  Him,  nothing  can. 
 
 (2.)  An  awakened  soul  feels  difficulties  in  the  way. — "  Where- 
 with," etc.     There  are  two  great  difficulties. 
 
 1st,  The  nature  of  the  sinner. — "  Wherewith  shall  I,"  etc.  When 
 God  really  awakens  a  soul.  He  shows  the  vileness  and  hatefulness 
 of  himself.  He  directs  the  eye  within.  He  shows  him  that  every 
 imagination  of  his  heart  has  been  only  evil  continually  ;  that  every 
 
378  SERMONS. 
 
 member  of  his  body  he  has  used  in  the  service  of  siu ;  that  he  has 
 treated  Christ  in  a  shameful  manner;  that  he  has  sinned  both 
 against  law  and  love ;  that  he  has  kept  the  door  of  his  heart 
 barred  against  the  Lord  Jesus,  till  his  head  was  filled  with  dew, 
 and  his  locks  with  the  drops  of  the  night.  Oh  !  brethren,  if  God 
 has  ever  discovered  yourself  to  you,  you  would  wonder  that  such  a 
 lump  of  hell  and  sin  should  have  been  permitted  to  hve  and  breathe 
 so  long, — that  God  should  have  had  patience  with  you  till  this  day. 
 Your  cry  will  be,  "Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the  Lord?" 
 Though  all  the  world  should  come  before  Him,  how  can  I  ? 
 
 2d,  The  nature  of  God.—''  The  High  God."  When  God  really 
 awakens  a  soul,  He  generally  reveals  to  him  something  of  his  own 
 holiness  and  majesty.  Thus  He  dealt  with  Isaiah  (vi.):  "I  saw  the 
 Lord  sitting  upon  a  throne  high  and  lifted  up,  and  his  train  filled 
 the  temple.  Above  it  stood  the  seraphim ;  one  cried  to  another. 
 Holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  the  whole  earth  is  filled 
 with  his  glory.  Then  said  I,  Woe  is  me,  for  I  am  undone." 
 When  Isaiah  saw  that  God  was  so  great  a  God,  and  so  holy,  he 
 felt  himself  undone.  He  felt  that  he  could  not  stand  in  the  pre- 
 sence of  so  great  a  God.  Oh  !  brethren,  have  you  ever  had  a 
 discovery  of  the  highness  and  holiness  of  God,  so  as  to  lay  you 
 low  at  his  feet  ?  Oh!  pray  for  such  a  discovery  of  God  as  Job  had: 
 "  I  have  heard  of  Thee  hy  the  hearing  of  the  ear,  but  now  mine 
 eye  seeth  Thee  :  wherefore  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and 
 ashes."  Alas  !  I  fear  that  most  of  you  will  never  know  that  God 
 with  whom  you  have  to  do,  till  you  stand  guilty  and  speechless 
 before  his  great  white  throne.  Oh  that  you  would  pray  for  a  dis- 
 covery of  Him  now,  that  you  may  cry,  "  Wherewith  shall  I  come 
 before  the  Lord,  and  bow  myself  before  the  High  God !" 
 
 M,  The  anxiety  of  the  awakened  soul  leads  to  the  question — 
 "  Wherewith  ?  " — Ah  !  it  is  a  piercing  question.  It  is  the  question 
 of  one  who  has  been  made  to  feel  that  "one  thing  is  needful." 
 Anything  he  has  he  would  give  up  to  get  peace  with  God.  If  he 
 had  a  thousand  rams,  or  ten  thousand  rivers  of  oil,  he  would 
 gladly  give  them.  If  the  life  of  his  children,  the  dearest  objects 
 on  this  earth,  would  attain  it,  he  would  give  them  up.  If  he  had 
 a  thousand  worlds,  he  would  give  all  for  an  interest  in  Christ. 
 Woe  to  you  that  are  at  ease  in  Zion.  Woe  to  those  of  you  that 
 never  asked  this  question,  Wherewith  shall  I  come  before  the 
 Lord?  Ah!  foolish  triflers  with  eternal  things!  Poor  butterflies, 
 that  flutter  on  from  flower  to  flower,  and  consider  not  the  dark 
 eternity  that  is  before  you !  Prepare  to  meet  thy  God,  0  Israel  I 
 Ye  are  hastening  on  to  death  and  judgment,  yet  never  ask,  What 
 
SERMONS.  379 
 
 garment  shall  cover  me,  when  I  stand  before  the  great  white 
 throne  ?  If  you  were  going  to  appear  before  an  earthly  monarch, 
 you  would  ask  beforehand,  Wherewith  shall  I  be  attired  ?  If  you 
 were  to  be  tried  at  an  earthly  bar,  you  would  make  sure  of  an 
 advocate.  How  is  it  you  press  on  so  swiftly  to  the  bar  of  God, 
 and  never  ask  the  question,  Wherewith  shall  I  appear  ?  "  If  the 
 righteous  scarcely  are  saved,  where  shall  the  ungodly  and  the 
 sinner  appear?" 
 
 II.  The  answer  of  peace  to  the  awakened  soul. — "  He  hath  showed 
 thee,  0  man,  what  is  good."  Nothing  that  man  can  bring  with 
 him  will  justify  him  before  God.  The  natural  heart  is  always 
 striving  to  bring  something  to  be  a  robe  of  righteousness  before 
 God.  There  is  nothing  a  man  would  not  do, — nothing  he  would 
 not  suffer, — if  he  might  only  cover  himself  before  God.  Tears, 
 prayers,  duties,  reformations,  devotions ;  the  heart  will  do  any- 
 thing to  be  righteous  before  God.  But  all  this  righteousness  is 
 Ulthy  rags.     For, 
 
 (1.)  The  heart  remains  an  awful  depth  of  corruption.  Every- 
 thing in  which  that  heart  has  any  share  is  polluted  and  vile. 
 Their  very  tears  and  prayers  would  need  to  be  washed. 
 
 (2.)  Supposing  this  righteousness  perfect,  it  cannot  cover  the 
 past.  It  answers  only  for  the  time  in  which  it  was  done.  Old 
 sins,  and  the  sins  of  youth,  still  remain  uncovered. 
 
 Oh  !  dear  brethren,  if  Jesus  is  to  justify  you.  He  must  do  as  He 
 did  to  Joshua,  "Take  away  the  filthy  garments  from  him;"  and 
 "  I  will  clothe  thee  with  change  of  raiment,"  Zech.  iii.  4.  The 
 hand  of  Jesus  alone  can  take  off  your  filthy  garments.  The  hand 
 of  Jesus  alone  can  clothe  you  with  change  of  raiment. 
 
 Christ  is  the  good  ivay. — "  He  hath  showed  thee,"  etc.  "  Stand 
 ye  in  the  ways,  and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths  where  is  the 
 good  way,  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  for  your  souls." 
 Christ  is  the  good  way  to  the  Father.  First,  Because  He  is  so 
 suitable.  He  just  answers  the  case  of  the  sinner  :  for  every  sin  of 
 the  sinner  He  has  a  wound,  for  every  nakedness  He  has  a  covering, 
 for  every  emptiness  He  has  a  supply.  There  is  no  fear  but  He 
 will  receive  the  sinner,  for  He  came  into  the  world  on  purpose  to 
 sa7e  sinners.  There  is  no  fear  but  the  Father  will  be  well  pleased 
 with  us  in  Him,  for  the  Father  sent  Him,  laid  our  iniquity  upon 
 Him,  raised  Him  from  the  dead,  and  points  you  to  Him.  "  He 
 hath  showed  thee,  0  man,  what  is  good."  Second,  He  is  so  free. — 
 "  As  by  one  man's  disobedience  many  were  made  sinners,  so  by  the 
 obedience  of  one  shall  many  be  made  righteous."    As  far  as  the 
 
380  SERMONS. 
 
 curse  by  Adam  extends,  so  far  does  the  offer  of  pardon  by  Jesus 
 extend.  Here  is  good  news  to  the  vilest  of  men.  You  may  be 
 covered  just  as  completely  and  as  freely  as  those  that  have  never 
 sinned  as  you  have  done.  "  He  hath  showed  thee,  0  man,  what  is 
 good."  Third,  He  is  so  God-glorifying. — All  other  ways  of  salva- 
 tion are  man- glorifying,  but  this  way  is  God-glorifying  ;  therefore 
 it  is  good.  That  way  is  good  and  best  which  gives  the  glory  to 
 the  Lamb.  The  way  of  righteousness  by  Jesus  is  good,  on  this 
 account,  that  Jesus  gets  all  the  praise.  To  Him  be  glory.  It  is 
 of  faith,  that  it  might  be  by  grace.  If  a  man  could  justify  himself, 
 or  if  he  could  believe  of  himself  and  draw  the  righteousness  of 
 Christ  over  his  soul,  that  man  would  glory.  But  when  a  man  lies 
 dead  at  the  feet  of  Jesus,  and  Jesus  spreads  his  white  robe  over 
 him,  out  of  free  sovereign  mercy,  then  Jesus  gets  all  the  praise. 
 
 Have  you  chosen  the  good  way  of  being  justified  ?  This  is  the 
 way  which  God  has  been  showing  from  the  foundation  of  the 
 world.  He  showed  it  in  Abel's  lamb,  and  in  all  the  sacrifices,  and 
 by  all  the  prophets.  He  shows  it  by  his  Spirit  to  the  heart.  Has 
 this  good  way  been  revealed  to  you  ?  If  it  has,  you  will  count 
 all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  it.  Oh, 
 sweet,  divine  way  of  justifying  a  sinner !  Oh  that  all  the  world 
 but  knew  it !  Oh  that  we  saw  more  of  it !  Oh  that  you  could 
 make  use  of  it !  "  Walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  unto  your 
 souls." 
 
 III.  GocVs  requirement  of  the  justified. — When  Jesus  healed  the 
 impotent  man  at  the  pool  of  Bethesda,  He  said  to  him,  "  Behold, 
 thou  art  made  whole :  sin  no  more,  lest  a  worse  thing  happen  unto 
 thee."  And  again,  when  He  covered  the  sin  of  the  adulteress,  He 
 said,  "  Neither  do  I  condemn  thee  :  go,  and  sin  no  more."  John 
 viii.  So  here,  when  He  shows  the  good  way  of  righteousness,  He 
 adds,  "And  what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee  ?" 
 
 (1.)  God  requires  his  redeemed  ones  to  be  holy. — If  you  are  his 
 brethren.  He  will  have  you  righteous,  holy  men. 
 
 Is^,  He  requires  you  to  do  justly — to  be  just  in  your  dealings 
 between  man  and  man.  This  is  one  of  his  own  glorious  features. 
 He  is  a  just  God.  "  Shall  not  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  do 
 right?"  "He  is  my  Rock,  and  there  is  no  unrighteousness  in 
 Him."  Are  you  come  to  Him  by  Jesus? — He  requires  you  to 
 reflect  his  image.  Are  you  his  child  ? — you  must  be  like  Him.  Oh, 
 brethren,  be  exact  in  your  dealings !  Be  like  your  God.  Take 
 care  of  dishonesty ;  take  care  of  trickery  in  business.  Take  care 
 of  crying  up  your  goods  when  selling  them,  and  crying  them  down 
 
SEKMONS.  381 
 
 when  buying  them.  "It  is  naught,  it  is  naught,  saith  the  buyer  ; 
 but  when  he  is  gone  his  way,  then  he  boasteth."  It  shall  not  be 
 so  among  you.     God  requires  you  to  do  justly. 
 
 2  J,  He  requires  you  to  love  mercy. — This  is  the  brightest  feature 
 in  the  character  of  Christ.  If  you  are  in  Christ,  drink  deep  of  his 
 spirit ;  God  requires  you  to  be  merciful.  The  world  is  selfish, 
 unmerciful.  An  unconverted  mother  has  no  mercy  on  the  soul  of 
 her  own  child.  She  can  see  it  dropping  into  hell  without  mercy. 
 Oh,  the  hellish  cruelty  of  unconverted  men  1  It  shall  not  be  so  with 
 you.     Be  merciful,  as  your  Father  in  heaven  is  merciful. 
 
 3^,  He  requires  you  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God. — Christ  says, 
 ''  Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  of  heart."  If  God  has 
 covered  all  your  black  sins,  rebellions,  backslidings,  outbreakings, 
 then  never  open  your  mouth  except  in  humble  praise.  God  re- 
 quires this  at  your  hand.     Walk  with  God,  and  walk  humbly. 
 
 (2.)  Remember  this  is  God's  end  in  justifying  you. — He  loved  the 
 church,  and  gave  himself  for  it,  that  He  might  sanctify  and  cleanse 
 it.  This  was  his  great  end,  to  raise  up  a  pecuhar  people  to  serve 
 Him,  and  bear  his  likeness,  in  this  world  and  in  eternity.  For  this 
 He  left  heaven,  for  this  He  groaned,  bled,  died,  to  make  you  holy. 
 If  you  are  not  made  holy,  Christ  died  in  vain  for  you. 
 
 (3.)  Whatever  He  requires,  He  (jives  grace  to  perform. — Christ  is 
 not  only  good  as  our  way  to  the  Father,  but  He  is  our  fountain  of 
 living  waters.  Be  strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus. 
 There  is  enough  in  Christ  to  supply  the  need  of  all  his  people. 
 An  old  minister  says,  A  child  can  carry  little  water  from  the  sea  in 
 its  two  hands,  and  so  it  is  little  we  get  out  of  Christ.  There  are 
 unsearchable  riches  in  Him. 
 
 Be  strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in  Him.  Live  out  of  yourself, 
 and  live  upon  Him;  go  and  tell  Him,  that  since  He  requires  all  this 
 of  thee,  He  must  give  thee  grace  according  to  your  need.  My  God 
 shall  supply  all  your  need,  according  to  his  riches  in  glory  by  Christ 
 Jesus.  He  hath  showed  you  one  that  is  good,  even  the  fair  Im- 
 manuel :  now  lean  upon  Him  ;  get  hfe  from  Him  that  shall  never 
 die  ;  get  living  water  from  Him  that  shall  never  dry  up.  Let  his 
 hand  hold  you  up  amid  the  billows  of  this  tempestuous  sea.  Let 
 his  shoulder  carry  you  over  the  thorns  of  this  wilderness.  Look  as 
 much  to  Him  for  sanctification  as  for  justification. 
 
 So  will  your  walk  be  close  with  God, 
 
 Calm  and  serene  your  frame ; 
 So  pm-er  light  shall  mark  the  road 
 
 That  leads  you  to  the  Lamb. 
 
382  SERJIONS. 
 
 SERMON   XY. 
 
 "  For  I  delight  in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man :  but  I  see  anotner  law  ia 
 my  members  warring  against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into 
 captivity  to  the  law  of  sin  whicli  is  in  my  members.  O  wretched  man  that  1 
 am !  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  ?  I  thank  God,  through 
 Jesus  Christ  om-  Lord.  So  then  with  the  mind  I  m3^self  serve  the  law  oi 
 God,  but  with  the  flesh  the  law  of  sin." — Eom.  vii.  22-25. 
 
 A  BELIEVER  is  to  be  known  not  only  by  his  peace  and  joy,  but  by 
 his  warfare  and  distress.  His  peace  is  pecuhar:  it  flows  from 
 Christ;  it  is  heavenly,  it  is  holy  peace.  His  warfare  is  as  pecuhar  : 
 it  is  deep-seated,  agonizing,  and  ceases  not  till  death.  If  the  Lord 
 wall,  many  of  us  have  the  prospect  of  sitting  down  next  Sabbath  at 
 the  Lord's  table  The  great  question  to  be  aaswered  before  sit- 
 ting down  there  is,  Have  I  fled  to  Christ  or  no  ? 
 
 'Tis  a  point  I  long  to  know. 
 
 Oft  it  causes  anxious  thought, 
 Do  I  love  the  Lord  or  no  ? 
 
 Am  I  his,  or  am  I  not  ? 
 
 To  help  you  to  settle  this  question,  I  have  chosen  the  subject  of 
 the  Christian's  warfare,  that  you  may  know  thereby  whether  you 
 are  a  soldier  of  Christ — whether  you  are  really  fighting  the  good 
 fight  of  faith. 
 
 I.  A  believer  delights  in  the  law  of  God. — "  I  delight  in  the  law  of 
 God  after  the  inward  man,"  ver.  22. 
 
 (L)  Before  a  man  comes  to  Christ,  he  hates  the  law  of  God — 
 his  whole  soul  rises  up  against  it.  "  The  carnal  mind  is  enmity," 
 etc.,  viii.  7.  First,  Unconverted  men  hate  the  law  of  God  on 
 account  of  its  purity,  "  Thy  word  is  very  pure,  therefore  thy 
 servant  loveth  it."  For  the  same  reason  worldly  men  hate  it. 
 The  law  is  the  breathing  of  God's  pure  and  holy  mind.  It  is 
 infinitely  opposed  to  all  impurity  and  sin.  Every  line  of  the  law 
 is  against  sin.  But  natural  men  love  sin,  and  therefore  they  hate 
 the  law,  because  it  opposes  them  in  all  they  love.  As  bats  hato 
 the  light,  and  fly  against  it,  so  unconverted  men  hate  the  pure 
 light  of  God's  law,  and  fly  against  it.  Second,  They  hate  it  for  its 
 breadth.  "  Thy  commandment  is  exceeding  broad."  It  extends  to 
 all  their  outward  actions,  seen  and  unseen ;  it  extends  to  every  idle 
 word  that  men  shall  speak ;  it  extends  to  the  looks  of  their  eye ;  it 
 dives  into  the  deepest  caves  of  their  heart ;  it  condemns  the  most 
 
SERMONS.  383 
 
 secret  springs  of  sin  and  lust  that  nestle  there.  Unconverted  men 
 quarrel  with  the  law  of  God  because  of  its  strictness.  If  it  ex- 
 tended only  to  my  outward  actions,  then  I  could  bear  with  it ;  but 
 it  condemns  my  most  secret  thoughts  and  desires,  which  I  cannot 
 prevent.  Therefore  ungodly  men  rise  against  the  law.  Third, 
 They  hate  it  for  its  unchangeahleness.  Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass 
 away,  but  one  jot  or  one  tittle  of  the  law  shall  in  no  wise  pass  away. 
 If  the  law  would  change,  or  let  down  its  requirements,  or  die,  then 
 ungodly  men  would  be  well  pleased.  But  it  is  unchangeable  as 
 God :  it  is  written  on  the  heart  of  God,  with  whom  is  no  variable- 
 ness nor  shadow  of  turning.  It  cannot  change  unless  God  change ; 
 it  cannot  die  unless  God  die.  Even  in  an  eternal  hell  its  demands 
 and  its  curses  will  be  the  same.  It  is  an  unchangeable  law,  for  He 
 is  an  unchangeable  God.  Therefore  ungodly  men  have  an  un- 
 changeable hatred  to  that  holy  law. 
 
 (2.)  When  a  man  comes  to  Christ,  this  is  all  changed.  He  can 
 say,  "  I  dehght  in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man.'*  He  can 
 say  with  David,  "  Oh  how  I  love  thy  law !  it  is  my  meditation  all 
 the  day."  He  can  say  with  Jesus,  in  the  40th  Psalm,  "  I  delight 
 to  do  thy  will,  0  my  God  ;  yea,  thy  law  is  within  my  heart." 
 
 There  are  two  reasons  for  this  : — 
 
 \st,  The  law  is  no  longer  an  enemy. — If  any  of  you  who  are  trembling 
 under  a  sense  of  your  infinite  sins,  and  the  curses  of  the  law  which 
 you  have  broken,  flee  to  Christ,  you  will  find  rest.  You  will  find 
 that  He  has  fully  answ^ered  the  demands  of  the  law  as  a  surety  for 
 sinners  ;  that  He  has  fully  borne  all  its  curses.  You  will  be  able 
 to  say,  "  Christ  hath  redeemed  me  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being 
 made  a  curse  for  me,  as  it  is  written,  Cursed,"  etc.  You  have 
 no  more  to  fear,  then,  from  that  awfully  holy  law :  you  are  not 
 under  the  law,  but  under  grace.  You  have  no  more  to  fear  from 
 the  law  than  you  will  have  after  the  judgment-day.  Imagine  a 
 saved  soul  after  the  judgment-day.  When  that  awful  scene  is 
 past;  when  the  dead,  small  and  great,  have  stood  before  that 
 great  white  throne;  when  the  sentence  of  eternal  woe  has  fallen 
 upon  all  the  unconverted,  and  they  have  sunk  into  the  lake  whose 
 fires  can  never  be  quenched;  would  not  that  redeemed  soul  say,  I 
 have  nothing  to  fear  from  that  holy  law ;  I  have  seen  its  vials 
 poured  out,  but  not  a  drop  has  fallen  on  me  ?  So  may  you  say 
 now,  0  believer  in  Jesus!  When  you  look  upon  the  soul  of  Christ, 
 scarred  with  God's  thunderbolts ;  when  you  look  upon  his  body, 
 pierced  for  sin,  you  can  say,  He  was  made  a  curse  for  me ;  wliy 
 should  I  fear  that  holy  law? 
 
 2d,  The  Spirit  of  God  ivrites  the  law  on  the  heart. — This  is  the 
 
384  SEK-yiONS. 
 
 j3romise :  "  After  those  days,  saith  the  Lord,  I  will  put  my  law  in 
 their  inward  parts,  and  write  it  in  their  hearts ;  and  will  be  their 
 God,  and  they  shall  be  my  people."  Jer.  xx:j$:i.  33.  Coming  to 
 Christ  takes  away  your  fear  of  the  law ;  but  it  is  the  Holy  Spirit 
 coming  into  your  heart  that  makes  you  love  the  law.  The  Holy 
 Spirit  is  no  more  frightened  away  from  that  heart ;  He  comes  and 
 softens  it ;  He  takes  out  the  stony  heart  and  puts  in  a  heart  of 
 flesh ;  and  there  He  writes  the  holy,  holy,  holy  law  of  God.  Then 
 the  law  of  God  is  sweet  to  that  soul ;  he  has  an  inward  delight  in 
 it.  "  The  law  is  holy,  and  the  commandment  holy,  and  just,  and 
 good."  Now  he  unfeignedly  desires  every  thought,  word,  and 
 action  to  be  according  to  that  law.  "  Oh  that  my  ways  were 
 directed  to  keep  thy  statutes :  great  peace  have  they  that  love  thy 
 law,  and  nothing  shall  offend  them."  The  11 9th  Psalm  becomes 
 the  breathing  of  that  new  heart.  Now  also  he  would  fain  see  all 
 the  world  submitting  to  that  pure  and  holy  law.  "Rivers  of 
 waters  run  down  mine  eyes  because  they  keep  not  thy  law."  Oh 
 that  all  the  world  but  knew  that  hoKness  and  happiness  are  one ! 
 Oh  that  all  the  world  were  one  holy  family,  joyfully  coming  under 
 the  pure  rules  of  the  gospel !  Try  yourselves  by  this.  Can  you  say, 
 "  I  dehght,"  etc.  ?  Do  you  remember  when  you  hated  the  law  of 
 God  ?  Do  you  love  it  now  ?  Do  you  long  for  the  time  when  you 
 shall  live  fully  under  it — holy  as  God  is  holy,  pure  as  Christ  is  pure? 
 
 Oh  come,  sinners,  and  give  up  your  hearts  to  Christ,  that  He 
 may  write  on  it  his  holy  law !  You  have  long  enough  had  the 
 devil's  law  graven  on  your  hearts:  come  you  to  Jesus,  and  He 
 will  both  shelter  you  from  the  curses  of  the  law,  and  He  will  give 
 you  the  Spirit  to  write  all  that  law  in  your  heart ;  He  will  make 
 you  love  it  with  your  inmost  soul.  Plead  the  promise  with  Him. 
 Surely  you  have  tried  the  pleasures  of  sin  long  enough.  Come, 
 now,  and  try  the  pleasures  of  hohness  out  of  a  new  heart. 
 
 If  you  die  with  your  heart  as  it  is,  it  will  be  stamped  a  wicked 
 heart  to  all  eternity.  "  He  that  is  unjust,  let  him  be  unjust  still ; 
 and  he  that  is  filthy,  let  him  be  filthy  still."  Kev.  xxii,  11.  Oh 
 come  and  get  the  new  heart  before  you  die ;  for  except  you  be 
 born  again,  you  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God ! 
 
 II.  A  true  believer  feels  an  opposing  law  in  his  members. — "  I  see 
 another  law,"  etc.,  ver.  23.  AVhen  a  sinner  comes  first  to  Christ, 
 he  often  thinks  he  will  now  bid  an  eternal  farewell  to  sin :  now  I 
 shall  never  sin  any  more.  He  feels  already  at  the  gate  of  heaven. 
 A  little  breath  of  temptation  soon  discovers  his  heart,  and  he  cries 
 out,  "  /  see  another  law" 
 
SERMONS.  >  385 
 
 (1.)  Observe  what  he  calls  it — ^'■another  law;"  quite  a  different 
 law  from  the  law  of  God ;  a  law  clean  contrary  to  it.  He  calls 
 it  a  "  law  of  sin"  ver.  25 ;  a  law  that  commands  him  to  commit 
 sin,  that  urges  him  on  by  rewards  and  threatenings — "  a  law 
 of  sin  and  death  "  viii.  2;  a  law  which  not  only  leads  to  sin,  but 
 leads  to  death,  eternal  death  :  "  the  wages  of  sin  is  death."  It  is 
 tie  same  law  which,  in  Galatians,  is  called  ^^  the  flesh:"  "The 
 flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit,"  etc.,  Gal.  v.  17.  It  is  the  same 
 wMch,  in  Eph.  iv.  22,  is  called  "  the  old  man"  which  is  wrought 
 according  to  the  deceitful  lusts ;  the  same  law  which  in  Col.  iii. 
 is  called  '^ your  members" — "Mortify,  therefore,  your  members, 
 which  are,"  etc. ;  the  same  which  is  called  "  a  body  of  death" 
 Rom.  vii.  24.  The  truth  then  is,  that  in  the  heart  of  the  believer 
 there  remains  the  whole  members  and  body  of  an  old  man,  or  old 
 nature  :  there  remains  the  fountain  of  every  sin  that  has  ever  pol- 
 luted the  world. 
 
 (2.)  Observe  again  what  this  law  is  doing — '•''warring."  This 
 law  in  the  members  is  not  resting  quiet,  but  warring  —  always 
 fighting.  There  never  can  be  peace  in  the  bosom  of  a  believer. 
 There  is  peace  with  God,  but  constant  war  with  sin.  This  law  in 
 the  members  has  got  an  army  of  lusts  under  him,  and  he  wages 
 constant  war  against  the  law  of  God.  Sometimes,  indeed,  an 
 army  are  lying  in  ambush,  and  they  lie  quiet  till  a  favourable 
 moment  comes.  So  in  the  heart  the  lusts  often  lie  quiet  till  the 
 hour  of  temptation,  and  then  they  war  against  the  soul.  The  heart 
 is  hke  a  volcano :  sometimes  it  slumbers  and  sends  up  nothing  but 
 a  little  smoke ;  but  the  fire  is  slumbering  all  the  while  below,  and 
 will  soon  break  out  again.  There  are  two  great  combatants  in 
 the  believer's  soul.  There  is  Satan  on  the  one  side,  with  the  flesh 
 and  all  its  lusts  at  his  command ;  then  on  the  other  side  there  is 
 the  Holy  Spirit,  with  the  new  creature  all  at  his  command.  And 
 so  "  the  flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit,  and  the  Spirit  against  the 
 flesh :  and  these  two  are  contrary  the  one  to  the  other ;  so  that  ye 
 cannot  do  the  things  that  ye  would." 
 
 Is  Satan  ever  successful '?  In  the  deep  wisdom  of  God  the  law 
 in  the  members  does  sometimes  bring  the  soul  into  captivity.  Noah 
 was  a  perfect  man,  and  Noah  walked  with  God,  and  yet  he  was 
 led  captive.  "  Noah  drank  of  the  wine,  and  was  drunken." 
 Abraham  was  the  "  friend  of  God,"  and  yet  he  told  a  lie,  saying 
 of  Sarah  his  wife,  "  She  is  my  sister."  Job  was  a  perfect  man, 
 one  that  feared  God  and  hated  evil,  and  yet  he  was  provoked  to 
 curse  the  day  wherein  he  was  born.  And  so  with  Moses,  and 
 David,  and  Solomon,  and  Hezekiah,  and  Peter,  and  the  apostles. 
 
 2b 
 
386  SERMONS. 
 
 (1.)  Have  you  experienced  this  warfare?  It  is  a  clear  mark  of 
 God's  children.  Most  of  you,  I  fear,  have  never  felt  it.  Do  not 
 mistake  me.  AH  of  you  have  felt  a  warfare  at  times  between 
 your  natural  conscience  and  the  law  of  God.  But  that  is  not  the 
 contest  in  the  believer's  bosom.  It  is  a  warfare  between  the  Spirit 
 of  God  in  the  heart,  and  the  old  man  with  his  deeds. 
 
 (2.)  If  any  of  you  are  groaning  under  this  warfare,  learn  to  be 
 humbled  by  it,  but  not  discouraged. 
 
 1st,  Be  humbled  under  it. — It  is  intended  to  make  you  lie  in  the 
 dust,  and  feel  that  you  are  but  a  worm.  Oh !  what  a  vile  wretch 
 you  must  be,  that  even  after  you  are  forgiven,  and  have  received 
 the  Holy  Spirit,  your  heart  should  still  be  a  fountain  of  every 
 wickedness !  How  vile,  that  in  your  most  solemn  approaches  to 
 God,  in  the  house  of  God,  in  awfully  affecting  situations,  such 
 as  kneehng  beside  the  death-bed,  you  should  still  have  in  your 
 bosom  all  the  members  of  your  old  nature !  Let  this  make  you  lie 
 low. 
 
 2d,  Let  this  teach  you  your  need  of  Jesus, — You  need  the  blood  of 
 Jesus  as  much  as  at  the  first.  You  never  can  stand  before  God 
 in  yourself.  You  must  go  again  and  again  to  be  washed ;  even 
 on  your  dying  bed  you  must  hide  under  Jehovah  our  Righteous 
 ness.  You  must  also  lean  upon  Jesus.  He  alone  can  overcome 
 in  you.     Keep  nearer  and  nearer  every  day. 
 
 od,  Be  not  discouraged. — Jesus  is  wilUng  to  be  a  Saviour  to  such 
 as  you.  He  is  able  to  save  you  to  the  uttermost.  Do  you  think 
 your  case  is  too  bad  for  Christ  to  save?  Every  one  whom  Christ 
 saves  had  just  such  a  heart  as  you.  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith ; 
 lay  hold  on  eternal  life.  Take  up  the  resolution  of  Edwards; 
 "Never  to  give  over,  nor  in  the  least  to  slacken  my  fight  with  my 
 corruptions,  however  unsuccessful  I  may  be."  "  Him  that  over- 
 cometh  will  I  make  a  pillar,"  etc. 
 
 III.  The  feelings  of  a  believer  during  this  warfare. 
 
 (1.)  He  feeb  wretched.  —  "0  wretched  man  that  I  am!"  ver. 
 24.  There  is  nobody  in  this  world  so  happy  as  a  believer.  He 
 has  come  to  Jesus,  and  found  rest.  He  has  the  pardon  of  all  his 
 sins  in  Christ.  He  has  near  approach  to  God  as  a  child.  He  has 
 the  Holy  Spirit  dwelHng  in  him.  He  has  the  hope  of  glory.  In 
 the  most  awful  times  he  can  be  calm,  for  he  feels  that  God  is  with 
 him.  Still  there  are  times  when  he  cries,  0  wretched  man  !  When 
 he  feels  the  plague  of  his  own  heart ;  when  he  feels  the  thorn  in 
 the  flesh;  when  his  wicked  heart  is  discovered  in  all  its  fearful 
 mahgnity ;  ah,  then  he  lies  down,  crying,  0  wretched  man  that  1 
 
SERMONS.  387 
 
 am !  One  reason  of  this  wretchedness  is,  that  sin,  discovered  in 
 the  heart,  takes  away  the  sense  of  forgiveness.  Guilt  comes  upon 
 the  conscience,  and  a  dark  cloud  covers  the  soul.  How  can  I  ever 
 go  back  to  Christ  ?  he  cries.  Alas  !  I  have  sinned  away  my 
 Saviour.  Another  reason  is,  the  loathsomeness  of  sin.  It  is  felt 
 like  a  viper  in  the  heart.  A  natural  man  is  often  miserable  from 
 his  sin,  but  he  never  feels  its  loathsomeness ;  but  to  the  new  crea- 
 ture it  is  vile  indeed.  Ah !  brethren,  do  you  know  anything  of  a 
 believer's  wretchedness  ?  If  you  do  not,  you  will  never  know  his 
 joy.  If  you  know  not  a  believer's  tears  and  groans,  you  will  never 
 know  his  song  of  victory. 
 
 (2.)  He  seeks  deliverance. — "  Who  shall  deliver  me?"  In  ancient 
 times,  some  of  the  tyrants  used  to  chain  their  prisoners  to  a  dead 
 body  ;  so  that,  wherever  the  prisoner  wandered,  he  had  to  drag  a 
 putrid  carcase  after  him.  It  is  believed  that  Paul  here  alludes  to 
 this  inhuman  practice.  His  old  man  he  felt  a  noisome  putrid 
 carcase,  which  he  was  continually  dragging  about  with  him.  His 
 piercing  desire  is  to  be  freed  from  it.  Who  shall  dehver  us  ?  You 
 remember  once,  when  God  allowed  a  thorn  in  the  flesh  to  torment 
 his  servant, — a  messenger  of  Satan  to  buffet  him, — Paul  was 
 driven  to  his  knees.  "  I  besought  the  Lord  thrice,  that  it  might 
 depart  from  me."  Oh,  this  is  the  true  mark  of  God's  children !  The 
 world  has  an  old  nature ;  they  are  all  old  men  together.  But  it 
 does  not  drive  them  to  their  knees.  How  is  it  with  you,  dear 
 souls?  Does  corruption  felt  within  drive  you  to  the  throne  of 
 grace?  Does  it  make  you  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord?  Does 
 it  make  you  like  the  importunate  widow :  "  Avenge  me  of  mine 
 adversary?"  Does  it  make  you  like  the  man  coming  at  midnight 
 for  three  loaves  ?  Does  it  make  you  like  the  Canaanitish  woman, 
 crying  after  Jesus  ?  Ah,  remember,  if  lust  can  work  in  your  heart, 
 and  you  he  down  contented  with  it,  you  are  none  of  Christ's  ! 
 
 (3.)  He  gives  thanks  for  victory. — Truly  we  are  more  than  con- 
 querors through  Him  that  loved  us ;  for  we  can  give  thanks  before 
 the  fight  is  done.  Yes,  even  in  the  thickest  of  the  battle  we  can 
 look  up  to  Jesus,  and  cry.  Thanks  to  God.  The  moment  a  soul 
 groaning  under  corruption  rests  the  eye  on  Jesus,  that  moment 
 his  groans  are  changed  into  songs  of  praise.  In  Jesus  you  dis- 
 cover a  fountain  to  wash  away  the  guilt  of  all  your  sin.  In  Jesus 
 you  discover  grace  sufiicient  for  you, — grace  to  hold  you  up  to 
 the  end,— and  a  sure  promise  that  sin  shall  soon  be  rooted  out  alto- 
 gether. "Fear  not,  I  have  redeemed  thee.  I  have  called  thee 
 by  my  name ;  thou  art  mine."  Ah,  this  turns  our  groans  into 
 songs  of  praise  !    How  often  a  psalm  begins  with  groans  and  ends 
 
388  SEKMONS. 
 
 with  praises !  This  is  the  daily  experience  of  all  the  Lord's  people. 
 Is  it  yours  ?  Try  yourselves  by  this.  Oh,  if  you  know  not  the 
 believer's  song  of  praise,  you  will  never  cast  your  crowns  with 
 them  at  the  feet  of  Jesus !  Dear  believers,  be  content  to  glory  in 
 your  infirmities,  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  you. 
 Glory,  glory,  glory  to  the  Lamb  ! 
 
 SERMON   XVL 
 
 THE    BEOKEN    HEAET 
 
 "  The  sacrifices  of  God  are  a  broken  spirit :  a  broken  and  a  contrite  heart, 
 0  God,  Thou  wilt  not  despise."— Ps.  li.  17. 
 
 No  psalm  expresses  more  fully  the  experience  of  a  penitent  believing 
 soul : — First,  His  humbling  confession  of  sin,  vers.  3,  4,  5.  Second, 
 His  intense  desire  for  pardon  through  the  blood  of  Christ,  ver.  7. 
 Third,  His  longing  after  a  clean  heart,  ver.  10.  Fourth,  His  desire 
 to  render  something  to  God  for  all  his  benefits.  (1.)  He  says,  I  will 
 teach  transgressors  thy  ways.  (2.)  My  lips  shall  show  forth  thy 
 praise.  (3.)  He  will  give  a  broken  heart,  vers.  16,  17.  Just  as, 
 long  ago,  they  used  to  offer  slain  lambs  in  token  of  thanksgiving, 
 so  he  says  he  will  offer  up  to  God  a  slain  and  broken  heart.  Every 
 one  of  you,  who  has  found  the  same  forgiveness,  should  come  to 
 the  same  resolution — offer  up  to  God  this  day  a  broken  heart. 
 
 I.  The  natural  heart  is  sound  and  unbroken. 
 
 The  law,  the  gospel,  mercies,  afflictions,  death,  do  not  break  the 
 natural  heart.  It  is  harder  than  stone ;  there  is  nothing  in  the  uni- 
 verse so  hard.  '*'  Ye  stout-hearted,  that  are  far  from  righteous- 
 ness," Isa.  xlvi.  12.  "  We  have  walked  to  and  fro  through  the 
 earth,  and  behold  all  the  earth  sitteth  still  and  is  at  rest,"  Zech. 
 i.  11.  "I  will  search  Jerusalem  with  candles,  and  punish  the  men 
 that  are  settled  on  their  lees,"  Zeph.  i.  12.  "  They  have  made 
 their  faces  harder  than  a  rock,"  Jer.  v.  3.  "Careless  women," 
 Isa.  xxxii.  10.     "  Women  that  are  at  ease,"  ver.  11. 
 
 Whyf — First,  The  veil  is  upon  their  hearts.  They  do  not 
 believe  the  Bible,  the  strictness  of  the  law,  the  wrath  to  come; 
 the  face  of  a  covering  is  over  their  eyes.  Second,  Satan  has 
 possession.  Satan  carries  the  seed  away.  Third,  Dead  in  tres- 
 passes and  sins.  The  dead  hear  not,  feel  not;  they  QlVq  past  feeling. 
 Fourth,  They  build  a  wall  of  untempered  mortar.  They  hope  for 
 safety  in  some  refuge  of  lies — that  they  pray,  or  give  alms. 
 
SERMONS.  389 
 
 Pray  God  to  keep  away  from  you  the  curse  of  a  dead,  unbroken 
 heart.  First,  Because  it  will  not  last  long ;  you  are  standing  on 
 shppery  places ;  the  waves  are  below  your  feet.  Second,  Because 
 Christ  will  laugh  at  your  calamity.  If  you  were  now  concerned, 
 there  is  hope.  Ministers  and  Christians  are  ready ;  Christ  is  ready; 
 but  afterwards  He  will  laugh. 
 
 II.  The  awakened  heart  is  wounded,  not  broken. 
 
 (1.)  The  law  makes  the  first  wound. — When  God  is  going  to  save 
 a  soul,  He  brings  the  soul  to  reflect  on  his  sins :  "  Cursed  is  every 
 one,"  etc.  "  Whatsoever  things  the  law  saith,"  etc.  "  I  was  alive 
 without  the  law  once,"  etc.    Life  and  heart  appear  in  awful  colours. 
 
 (2.)  The  majesty  of  God  makes  the  next  wound. — The  sinner  is  made 
 sensible  of  the  great  and  holy  Being  against  whom  he  has  sinned. 
 ^^ Against  Thee,''  Ps.  li.  4. 
 
 (3.)  The  third  wound  is  from  his  own  helplessness  to  make  himself 
 better. — Still  the  heart  is  not  broken ;  the  heart  rises  against  God. 
 First,  Because  of  the  strictness  of  the  law.  Second,  Because  faith 
 is  the  only  way  of  salvation,  and  is  the  gift  of  God.  Third,  Because 
 God  is  sovereign,  and  may  save  or  not  as  He  will.  This  shows  the 
 unbroken  heart.     There  is  no  more  miserable  state  than  this. 
 
 Learn — It  is  one  thing  to  be  awakened,  and  another  thing  to  be 
 saved.     Do  not  rest  in  convictions. 
 
 III.  The  believing  heart  is  a  broken  heart  two  ways. 
 
 (1.)  It  is  broken  from  its  own  righteousness. — When  the  Holy 
 Spirit  leads  a  man  to  the  cross,  his  heart  there  breaks  from  seek- 
 ing salvation  by  his  own  righteousness.  All  his  burden  of  per- 
 formance and  contrivances  drops.  First,  The  work  of  Christ 
 appears  so  perfect, — the  wisdom  of  God  and  the  power  of  God, — 
 divine  righteousness.  "  I  wonder  that  I  should  ever  think  of  any 
 other  way  of  salvation.  If  I  could  have  been  saved  by  my  own 
 duties,  my  whole  soul  would  now  have  refused  it.  I  wonder  that 
 all  the  world  did  not  see  and  comply  with  this  way  of  salvation  by 
 the  righteousness  of  Christ." — {Brainerd,  p.  319.)  Second,  The 
 grace  of  Christ  appears  so  wonderful.  That  all  this  righteousness 
 should  be  free  to  such  a  sinner !  That  I  so  long  neglected,  de- 
 Bpised,  hated  it,  put  mountains  between,  and  yet  that  He  has  come 
 over  the  mountains  !  "  That  thou  mayest  remember  and  be  con- 
 founded, and  never  open  thy  mouth  any  more  because  of  thy  shame, 
 when  I  am  pacified  toward  thee  for  all  that  thou  hast  done,"  Ezek. 
 xvi.  63.  Have  you  this  broken  heart — broken  within  sight  of  the 
 cross  ?     It  is  not  a  look  into  your  own  heart,  or  the  heart  of  hell, 
 
390  SERMONS. 
 
 but  into  the  heart  of  Christ,  that  breaks  the  heart.  Oh,  pray  for 
 this  broken  heart !  Boasting  is  excluded.  To  Him  be  glory. 
 Worthy  is  the  Lamb !  All  the  struggles  of  a  self-righteous  soul 
 are  to  put  the  crown  on  your  own  head  instead  of  at  the  feet  of 
 Jesus. 
 
 (2.)  Broken  from  love  of  sin. — When  a  man  believes  on  Christ,  he 
 then  sees  sin  to  be  hateful.  First^  It  separated  between  him  and 
 God,  made  the  great  gulf,  and  kindled  the  fires  of  hell.  Second, 
 It  crucified  the  Lord  of  Glory ;  weighed  down  his  soul ;  made  Him 
 sweat,  and  bleed,  and  die.  Third,  It  is  the  plague  of  his  heart 
 now.  All  my  unhappiness  is  from  my  being  a  sinner.  Now  he 
 mourns  sore  like  a  dove,  that  he  should  sin  against  so  much  love. 
 "  Then  shall  ye  remember  your  ways,  and  all  your  doings  wherein 
 ye  have  been  defiled,  and  shall  loathe  yourselves  in  your  own 
 sight." 
 
 lY.  Advantages  of  a  hroTcen  heart. 
 
 (1.)  It  Jcee^ys  yon  from  leing  offended  at  the  preaching  of  the  Cross. — 
 A  natural  heart  is  offended  every  day  at  the  preaching  of  the  cross. 
 Many  of  you,  I  have  no  doubt,  hate  it.  The  preaching  of  another's 
 righteousness, — that  you  must  have  it  or  perish, — many,  I  have  no 
 doubt,  are  often  enraged  at  this  in  their  hearts.  Many,  I  doubt 
 not,  have  left  this  church  on  account  of  it;  and  many  more,  I 
 doubt  not,  will  follow.  All  the  offence  of  the  cross  is  not  ceased. 
 But  a  broken  heart  cannot  be  offended.  Ministers  cannot  speak 
 too  plainly  for  a  broken  heart.  A  broken  heart  would  sit  for  ever 
 to  hear  of  the  righteousness  without  works. 
 
 Many  of  you  are  offended  when  we  preach  plainly  against  sin. 
 Many  were  offended  last  Sabbath.  But  a  broken  heart  cannot  be 
 offended,  for  it  hates  sin  worse  than  ministers  can  make  it.  Many 
 are  like  the  worshippers  of  Baal :  "  Bring  forth  thy  son  that  he 
 may  die,"  Judges  vi.  30.  But  a  broken  heart  loves  to  see  the 
 idol  stamped  upon  and  beaten  small. 
 
 (2.)  A  broken  heart  is  at  rest. — The  unconverted  heart  is  like  the 
 troubled  sea  :  "  Who  will  show  us  any  good  ?"  It  is  going  from 
 creature  to  creature.  The  awakened  soul  is  not  at  rest ;  sorrows 
 of  death,  pains  of  hell,  attend  those  who  are  forgetting  their  resting- 
 place.  But  the  broken  heart  says,  "  Return  unto  thy  rest,  O  my 
 soul."  The  righteousness  of  Christ  takes  away  every  fear,  "  casts 
 out  fear."  Even  the  plague  of  the  heart  cannot  truly  disturb,  for 
 he  casts  his  burden  on  Jesus. 
 
 (3.;  Nothing  can  haijpen  ivrong  to  it. — To  the  unconverted,  how 
 dreadful  is  a  sick-bed,  poverty,  death — tossed  like  a  wild  beast  in 
 
SERMONS.  39 1 
 
 a.  net !  But  a  broken  heart  is  satisfied  with  Christ.  This  is  enough ; 
 he  has  no  ambition  for  more.  Take  away  all,  this  remains.  He  is 
 a  weaned  child. 
 
 SERMON    XVII. 
 
 "The  wicked  are  estranged  from  the  womb;  they  go  astray  as  soon  as  they  be 
 born,  speaking  lies.  Their  poison  is  lilte  the  poison  of  a  serpent;  they  are 
 like  the  deaf  adder  that  stoppeth  her  ear,  which  will  not  hearken  to  the  voice 
 of  charmers,  charming  never  so  wisely." — Ps.  Iviii.  3-5. 
 
 It  has  been  supposed  by  some  interpreters  that  this  psalm  was 
 written  as  a  prophetic  description  of  the  unjust  judges  who  con- 
 demned our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  (1.)  It  begins  by  reproving  them 
 for  their  unjust  judgment :  "  Do  ye  indeed,"  etc.,  ver.  1.  (2.) 
 It  opens  up  the  dark  recesses  of  their  heart  and  history :  "  The 
 wicked  are  estranged  from  the  womb,"  etc.,  ver.  3.  And  (3.)  It 
 shows  their  coming  destruction :  "  The  righteous  shall  rejoice  when 
 he  seeth  the  vengeance ;  he  shall  wash  his  feet  in  the  blood  of  the 
 wicked,"  ver.  10.  However  this  may  be,  they  were  of  the  same 
 nature  with  us.  The  scribes  and  Pharisees  who  condemned  our 
 Lord  had  hearts  of  the  same  kind  as  ours,  so  that  we  may  learn 
 this  day  the  awful  depravity  of  the  heart  of  man. 
 
 I.  Original  depravity. — "  The  wicked  are  estranged  from  the 
 womb,"  ver.  3.  The  expression  "from  the  womb"  occurs  fre- 
 quently in  Scripture,  and  means  from  the  very  first  period  of  our 
 existence.  The  angel  of  the  Lord  said  to  the  wife  of  Manoah, 
 "  The  child  shall  be  a  Nazarite  unto  God  from  the  womb," 
 Judges  xiii.  5  ;  that  is,  from  the  very  first  point  of  its  existence. 
 God  says  to  Jeremiah  (i.  5),  "  Before  I  formed  thee  in  the  belly  I 
 knew  thee ;  and  before  thou  camest  forth  out  of  the  womb  I  sancti- 
 fied thee,  and  ordained  thee  a  prophet  unto  the  nations."  Jeremiah 
 was  set  apart  as  a  prophet  before  he  was  born.  Paul  says,  "  But 
 when  it  pleased  God,  who  separated  me  from  my  mother's  womb, 
 and  called  me  by  his  grace,  to  reveal  his  Son  in  me,"  Gal.  i.  15. 
 Paul  was  set  apart  by  God  for  the  work  of  the  ministry  from  the 
 very  first.  So,  in  the  words  before  us,  it  is  declared  that  from  the 
 very  first  we  are  estranged  from  God.  Now,  this  estrangement  is 
 twofold. 
 
 (1.)  Of  the  head. — The  whole  mind  is  estranged  from  God.  "At 
 that  time  ye  were  without  God."     The  natural  man  is  ignorant  of 
 
392  SERMOXS. 
 
 God  from  the  very  womb.  God  is  a  stranger  to  him,  so  that  he 
 does  not  know  Him.  He  has  no  true  discovery  of  God's  infinite 
 purity,  of  his  immutable  justice,  and  of  the  strictness  of  the  law. 
 He  does  not  know  the  love  of  God,  nor  how  freely  He  has  provided 
 a  Saviour.  He  is  mainly  ignorant  of  God.  "  God  is  not  in  all  his 
 thoughts,"  Ps.  X.  4.  Either  he  does  not  turn  his  mind  upon  God 
 at  all,  or  else  he  thinks  Him  altogether  such  an  one  as  himself, 
 "  There  is  none  that  understandeth,"  Ps.  xiv.  2. 
 
 (2.)  Of  the  heart. — A  new-born  child  will  naturally  feel  after  its 
 mother's  breast;  it  naturally  seeks  the  breast.  But  it  does  not  in 
 the  same  manner  seek  after  God.  "  There  is  none  that  seeketh 
 after  God."  From  the  very  first  we  dislike  God.  A  child  soon 
 comes  to  reUsh  the  presence  of  its  earthly  parents,  and  of  other 
 children.  It  does  not  relish  the  presence  of  God.  The  natural 
 tendency  of  the  heart  is  to  go  away  from  God,  and  to  remain  out 
 of  his  sight.  A  natural  man  does  not  like  the  presence  of  a  very 
 eminent  saint.  If  he  has  full  liberty,  he  will  leave  the  room  and 
 seek  other  company  more  suited  to  his  taste.  This  is  the  very 
 way  he  treats  God.  God  is  too  holy  for  him, — He  is  too  pure, — and 
 therefore  he  does  all  he  can  to  leave  his  company.  This  is  the 
 reason  you  cannot  get  unconverted  men  to  pray  in  secret.  They 
 would  rather  spend  half  an  hour  in  the  tread-mill  every  morning 
 than  go  to  meet  God.  This  is  the  true  condition  of  every  one  of 
 you  who  is  now  unconverted ;  indeed,  it  was  the  condition  of  us 
 all,  but  some  of  you  have  been  brought  out  of  it.  From  the  time 
 you  were  in  the  womb  till  now,  your  whole  head  and  heart  have 
 been  turned  away  from  God.  "  The  imagination  of  man's  heart  is 
 evil  from  his  youth,"  etc.,  Gen.  viii.  21.  "  Who  can  bring  a 
 clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean?  not  one."  Job  xiv.  4.  Your 
 ivhole  nature  is  totally  depraved.  You  are  accustomed  to  think 
 that  you  have  some  parts  good ;  that  though  some  part  was  de- 
 praved, yet  some  part  remained  sound.  But  learn  that  the  whole 
 head  is  sick,  the  whole  heart  is  faint.  Your  whole  history  is  covered 
 with  sin.  You  are  accustomed  to  think  that  great  part  of  your 
 life  has  been  innocent.  You  admit  that  some  pages  of  your  hfe 
 are  stained  with  crimson  and  scarlet  sins, — some  pages  you  blush 
 to  look  back  upon, — but  surely  you  have  some  fair  leaves  also. 
 Learn  that  you  are  "estranged  from  the  womb."  Every  moment 
 you  have  spent  without  God,  and  turning  away  from  God, — every 
 page  has  got  this  written  at  the  top  of  it.  This  day  God  was  not  in 
 all  his  thoughts,  he  did  not  like  to  retain  God  in  his  knowledge. 
 "Every  imagination  of  the  thoughts  of  his  heart  w^as  only  evil 
 continually,"  Gen.  vi.  5. 
 
SERMONS.  393 
 
 II.  Actual  sin—^^  They  go  astray,''  etc—There  are  two  paths 
 from  which  every  natural  man  goes  astray  as  soon  as  born. 
 
 (1.)  The  way  of  God's  commandments. — This  is  the  pure  way  of 
 light  in  which  holy  angels  walk.  "  They  do  his  commandments, 
 hearkening  to  the  voice  of  his  word,"  Ps.  ciii.  It  is  a  pure  way, 
 having  ten  paths  in  which  the  feet  of  the  upright  love  to  go. 
 "Blessed  are  the  undefiled  in  the  way,  who  walk  in  the  law  of 
 the  Lord."  "  Make  me  to  go  in  the  path  of  thy  commandments  ; 
 for  therein  do  I  delight."  From  this  we  go  astray  as  soon  as 
 born,  speaking  lies.  One  of  these  paths  says,  "  Thou  shalt  not 
 bear  false  witness  against  thy  ueighJ30ur ;"  but  this  is  one  of  the 
 very  first  that  is  forsaken, — speaking  lies.  "We  all  hke  sheep 
 have  gone  astray,  turning  every  one  to  his  own  way,"  Isa.  liii.  6. 
 
 (2.)  The  xuay  of  pardon. — Jesus  saith  unto  him,  "I  am  the 
 way  ;"  and  again,  "Strait  is  the  gate  and  narrow  is  the  way  that 
 leadeth  unto  life."  The  same,  "  The  redeemed  sLall  walk  there," 
 Isa.  XXXV.  9.  From  this  way  also  "  they  go  astray  as  soon  as 
 born,  speaking  Kes."  Life  is  given  to  sinners  just  that  they  may 
 enter  upon  this  way.  but  they  spend  it  in  going  further  and  further 
 away.  The  parable  of  the  lost  sheep  shows  the  true  state  of 
 every  unconverted  soul  wandering  away  from  the  Good  Shepherd. 
 He  is  seeking  to  save  the  lost ;  you  are  wandering  further  and 
 further  away.  "  They  are  all  gone  out  of  the  way,"  Rom.  iii. 
 12.  "Destruction  and  misery  are  in  their  ways,  and  the  way  of 
 peace  have  they  not  known."  And,  oh!  what  fearful  meaning 
 does  this  give  to  the  declaration,  "  speaking  lies ;"  for  it  is  written, 
 "Who  is  ahar,  but  he  that  denieth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ?"  1 
 John  ii.  22.  And  again,  "  He  that  believeth  not  God,  hath  made 
 God  a  liar."  No  man  can  go  away  from  Christ  without  speaking 
 lies. 
 
 Leaim — The  fearful  condition  of  those  of  you  who  are  natural 
 men. 
 
 \st,  From  the  day  you  were  born  you  have  gone  astray  from 
 the  path  of  God's  commandments.  Every  year,  month,  week,  day, 
 hour,  minute,  has  been  filled  up  with  sin.  Every  day  has  seen 
 you  go  further  from  holiness,  further  from  God,  nearer  to  hell. 
 You  are  treasuring  up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath.  Oh  ! 
 what  a  treasure,  heaping  up  fuel  to  burn  you  through  eternity. 
 If  any  of  you  live  in  drinking  or  swearing,  or  any  one  sin,  you  are 
 heaping  up  fuel  for  your  eternal  hell.  You  are  getting  further 
 on  in  your  sin.  You  are  wreathing  your  chains  more  and  more 
 round  you.  By  a  law  of  human  nature,  every  time  you  sin,  the 
 habit  becomes  stronger,  so  that  you  are  every  day  becoming  more 
 
394  SERMONS. 
 
 completely  like  the  devil.  It  is  every  day  more  hard  to  turn.  Expe- 
 rience shows  that  most  people  are  converted  when  young.  Dear 
 young  people,  every  day  you  live  in  sin  it  will  be  more  impos- 
 sible to  turn.     "  They  that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me." 
 
 2df,  From  the  day  you  were  born  you  have  gone  astray  from 
 Christ.  The  Good  Shepherd  has  been  seeking  you.  Every  day 
 you  remain  unsaved,  you  are  wandering  away  from  Him.  Every 
 day  you  are  getting  nearer  to  hell  and  further  from  Christ.  Un- 
 behef  gets  stronger  every  day. 
 
 III.  The  deadly  enmity  of  natural  men  to  God. — "  Their  poison," 
 etc. — For  two  reasons  : — 
 
 (1.)  Because  they  are  the  children  of  the  old  serpent,  the  devil. — 
 All  natural  men  are  the  seed  of  the  serpent. — See  Gen.  iii.  15.  All 
 who  oppose  and  dislike  the  children  of  God,  do  so  because  they 
 are  the  seed  of  the  serpent,  and  the  poison  of  the  old  serpent  re- 
 mains in  tliem.  John  the  Baptist  called  the  Pharisees  a  generation 
 of  vipers:  "0  generation  of  vipers!"  Matt.  iii.  7.  In  a  still 
 more  dreadful  manner  did  our  blessed  Lord:  "Ye  serpents,  ye 
 generation  of  vipers!"  Matt,  xxiii.  33.  The  Pharisees  and  Sad- 
 ducees  were  not  of  a  different  nature  from  us  ;  they  had  the  same 
 flesh  and  blood,  and  the  same  wicked  heart ;  they  were  children  of 
 their  father  the  devil,  and  the  lusts  of  their  father  they  would  do  • 
 "  Their  poison  was  like  the  poison  of  a  serpent." 
 
 (2.)  Because  they  have  a  mortal  enmity  to  God. — The  poison  of  the 
 serpent  is  deadly  poison.  When  it  darts  its  envenomed  sting  into 
 a  man,  it  seeks  to  kill  him.  Such  is  the  cruel  venom  of  the  natural 
 heart  against  God.-  He  is  a  mortal  enemy  to  God's  holy  govern- 
 ment. It  has  been  said,  "  If  the  throne  of  God  were  within  your 
 reach,  and  you  knew,  it  would  not  be  safe  one  hour."  He  is  a 
 mortal  enemy  to  the  very  being  of  God.  "  The  fool  has  said  in 
 his  heart,  There  is  no  God,"  Ps.  xiv.  1.  It  is  in  his  heart  he  says 
 this  ;  this  is  the  secret  desire  of  every  unconverted  bosom.  If  the 
 breast  of  God  were  within  the  reach  of  men,  it  would  be  stabbed  a 
 milhon  of  times  in  one  moment.  When  God  was  manifest  in  the 
 flesh.  He  was  altogether  lovely ;  He  did  no  sin ;  He  went  about 
 continually  doing  good  :  and  yet  they  took  Him  and  hung  Him  on 
 a  tree ;  they  mocked  Him  and  spit  upon  Him.  And  this  is  the 
 way  men  would  do  with  God  again. 
 
 Learn — First,  The  fearful  depravity  of  your  heart.  I  venture  to 
 say  there  is  not  an  unconverted  man  present  who  has  the  most 
 distant  idea  of  the  monstrous  wickedness  that  is  now  within  his 
 breast.   Stop  till  you  are  in  hell,  and  it  will  break  out  unrestrained. 
 
SERMONS.  395 
 
 J3ut  still  let  me  tell  you  what  it  is ;  you  have  a  heart  that  would 
 kill  God  if  you  could.  If  the  bosom  of  God  were  now  withiu  your 
 reach,  and  one  blow  would  rid  the  universe  of  God,  you  have  a 
 heart  fit  to  do  the  deed.  Second,  The  amazing  love  of  Christ : 
 "  While  we  were  enemies,  Christ  died  for  us." 
 
 IV.  Deaf  to  the  voice  of  the  gosj^eL^lt  is  a  well-known  fact  that 
 many  kinds  of  serpents  can  be  tamed  by  the  power  of  music.  This 
 is  referred  to  in  Eccles.  x.  11  and  Jer.  viii.  17.  Many  travellers 
 in  Egypt  and  India  have  seen  this.  But  there  is  said  to  be  one 
 kind  of  serpent  which  is  either  deaf,  so  that  it  cannot  hear  the 
 music,  or  it  has  the  power  of  making  itself  deaf  for  the  time,  so 
 that  it  is  not  charmed.     So  it  is  with  unconverted  men. 
 
 Christ  is  the  great  charmer.  His  voice  is  like  the  sound  of 
 many  waters.  Never  man  spake  like  this  man.  When  Andrew 
 and  Peter  heard  it,  they  left  all  and  followed  Him ;  so  did  James, 
 and  John,  and  Matthew.  When  the  bride  hears  Him,  she  cries, 
 The  voice  of  my  beloved !  When  the  sheep  hear  his  voice,  they 
 follow  Him ;  when  the  dead  hear  his  voice,  they  live ;  when  the 
 heavy  laden  hear  it,  they  find  rest. 
 
 But  unconverted  men  will  not  hear.  They  are  like  Manasseh — 
 they  will  not  hearken  ;  they  are  like  the  Jews  when  Stephen 
 preached — they  stopped  their  ears  and  ran. 
 
 Ah!  how  many  of  you  are  doing  this  very  thing — stopping  your 
 ears!  How  many  of  you  stop  your  ears  with  the  noise  of  the 
 world,  its  business  and  care, — some  with  a  favourite  lust !  The 
 voice  of  the  Great  Charmer  has  been  often  heard  in  this  place, 
 and  some  have  heard  it  and  followed  Him ;  and  why  are  you  left 
 behind  ? 
 
 Learn — First,  The  folly  of  this.  He  is  charming  you  to  bless 
 you — to  bring  you  to  peace,  pardon,  holiness.  "  There  is  no 
 other  name  given  among  men  whereby  you  can  be  saved."  Second, 
 The  guilt  of  this.  It  is  the  highest  sin  of  all,  to  "  refuse  Him  that 
 speaketh  from  heaven,"  Heb.  xii.  25.  It  is  put  last  here.  It  is 
 unpardonable.  All  manner  of  sin  and  blasphemy  may  be  forgiven 
 to  you  ;  but  if  you  will  not  hear  the  voice  of  Christ,  you  must 
 perish.  Christ  is  knocking  at  your  door  and  saying,  ''If  any 
 man  hear  my  voice,  I  will  come  in."  Oh,  think  of  the  guilt  of 
 letting  the  Son  of  God  stand  at  your  door  !  Some  would  fain  lay 
 the  blame  off  themselves ;  but  God  washes  himself  clear  of  the 
 unbehever's  guilt.  It  is  you  that  stop  your  ear;  ye  do  always 
 resist  the  Holy  Ghost.  You  will  one  day  find  that  he  that  be- 
 lieveth  not  shall  be  damnod. 
 
396  SERMONS. 
 
 SERMON    XVIII. 
 
 •*  0  Ephraiiti,  what  shall  I  do  unto  thee  ?  0  Jiidah,  what  shall  I  do  unto  thee  ? 
 for  your  goodness  is  as  a  morning  cloud,  and  as  the  early  dew  it  goeth 
 away." — Hosea  vi.  4. 
 
 Doctrine. — The  impressions  of  natural  men  are  fading. 
 
 In  these  words,  God  complains  that  He  did  not  know  what  to 
 do  with  Israel,  their  impressions  were  so  fading.  He  says,  verse  5, 
 that  He  had  hewed  them  by  the  prophets,  and  slain  them  by  the 
 words  of  his  month ;  and  their  judgments  were  as  the  light  that 
 goeth  forth.  At  one  time  He  sent  them  severe  awakening  messages 
 of  coming  wrath ;  then  messages  of  love  and  grace,  as  bright  and 
 as  many  as  the  beams  of  the  sun.  They  were  a  little  impressed 
 by  them ;  the  cloud  of  distress  began  to  gather  on  their  brow ; 
 the  dew  of  grief  seemed  to  start  to  their  cheek,  but  it  soon  dried 
 up.  It  was  like  the  morning  cloud  and  early  dew  that  goeth  away. 
 So  it  is  with  all  the  unconverted  persons  in  this  congregation, 
 who  will  finally  perish.  God  has  sent  them  awakening  messages  ; 
 hewed  them  by  the  prophets,  and  slain  them  by  the  words  of  his 
 mouth.  He  has  sent  them  also  sweet  encouraging  messages ;  his 
 judgments  have  been  like  the  light  that  goeth  forth.  They  think, 
 and  are  impressed  for  a  little,  but  it  soon  dies  away.  "  0  Ephraim, 
 what  shall  I  do,"  etc. 
 
 I.  The  fact  that  the  impressions  of  natural  men  fade  away. 
 
 (1.)  Prove  the  fact  from  Scripture. — The  Scriptures  abound  with 
 examples  of  it.  Firsts  Lot's  wife.  She  was  a  good  deal  awakened. 
 The  anxious  faces  of  the  two  angehc  men — their  awful  words, 
 and  merciful  hands — made  a  deep  impression  on  her.  The  anxiety 
 of  her  husband,  too,  and  his  words  to  his  sons-in-law,  sunk  into 
 her  heart.  She  fled  with  anxious  steps ;  but  as  the  morning 
 brightened,  her  anxious  thoughts  began  to  wear  away.  She 
 looked  back,  and  became  a  pillar  of  salt.  Second^  Israel  at  the  Red 
 Sea.  When  Israel  had  been  led  through  the  deep  water  in  safety, 
 and  when  they  saw  their  enemies  drowned,  then  they  sang  God's 
 praise.  Their  hearts  were  much  affected  by  this  deliverance. 
 They  sang,  "  The  Lord  is  my  strength  and  song.  He  also  is  be- 
 come my  salvation."  They  sang  his  praise,  but  soon  forgot  his 
 works.  In  three  days  they  were  murmuring  against  God  because 
 of  the  bitter  waters.  Third,  Once  a  young  man  came  running  to 
 Jesus,  and  he  kneeled  down^  saying,  "  Good  Master,  what  good 
 
SERMONS.  397 
 
 thing  shall  I  do  that  I  may  inherit  eternal  life  ? "  A  flash  of  con- 
 viction had  passed  over  his  conscience ;  he  was  now  kneehng  at 
 the  feet  of  Christ,  but  he  never  kneeled  there  any  more ;  he  went 
 away  sorrowful.  His  goodness  was  hke  a  morning  cloud.  Fourth, 
 Once  Paul  preached  before  Felix,  the  Roman  governor ;  and  as  he 
 reasoned  of  righteousness,  temperance,  and  judgment  to  come, 
 Felix  trembled.  The  preaching  of  the  gospel  made  the  proud 
 Roman  tremble  on  his  throne,  but  did  it  save  his  soul  ?  Ah,  no ! 
 "Go  thy  way  for  this  time ;  when  I  have  a  more  convenient  season 
 I  will  send  for  thee."  His  goodness  was  like  the  morning  cloud. 
 Fifth,  Again,  Paul  preached  before  King  Agrippa  and  his  beautiful 
 Bernice,  with  all  the  captains  and  chief  men  of  the  city.  The 
 word  troubled  Agrippa's  heart, — the  tear  started  into  his  royal 
 eye, — for  a  moment  he  thought  of  leaving  all  for  Christ.  "  Almost 
 thou  persuadest  me  to  be  a  Christian."  But  ah !  his  goodness 
 was  like  a  morning  cloud  and  early  dew.  In  all  these  the  cloud 
 gathered  over  them, — for  a  moment  the  dew  glistened  in  their  eye, 
 but  soon  it  passed  away,  and  left  the  hard  rocky  heart  behind. 
 
 (2.)  Prove  the  fact  from  experience. — Most  men  under  a  preached 
 gospel  have  their  times  of  awakening.  If  the  impressions  of  natu- 
 ral men  were  permanent,  then  most  would  be  saved ;  but  we  know 
 that  this  is  not  the  case.  Few  there  be  that  find  it.  Perhaps 
 I  would  not  go  far  wrong  if  I  were  to  say  that  there  may  not  be 
 ten  grown-up  men  in  this  congregation  who  have  never  experienced 
 any  concern  for  their  soul,  and  yet  I  fear  there  may  be  hundreds 
 who  will  finally  perish. 
 
 1st,  How  many  have  had  a  time  of  awakening  in  childhood,— 
 when  they  were  prayed  over  by  a  believing  mother,  or  warned  by 
 a  believing  father,  or  taught  by  a  faithful  Sabbath-school  teacher ; 
 how  many  have  had  deep  impressions  made  at  the  Sabbath 
 school ;  but  they  have  passed  away  like  the  morning  cloud  and 
 early  dew ! 
 
 2c?,  At  their  first  communion,  when  they  first  spoke  to  a  mini- 
 ster about  their  soul,  and  heard  his  piercing  questions  and  faithful 
 warnings,  when  they  got  their  token  from  his  hand,  when  they  first 
 received  the  bread  and  wine,  and  sat  at  the  table  of  the  Lord, 
 they  trembled ;  the  tear  dimmed  their  eye ;  they  went  home  to 
 pray.  But  soon  it  wore  away.  The  world — pleasure — cares — 
 involved  the  mind,  and  all  was  gone  like  the  cloud  and  the  dew. 
 
 3c?,  A  first  sickness.  How  many,  laid  down  on  a  bed  of  sick- 
 ness, are  made  to  look  over  the  verge  of  the  grave !  They  tremble 
 as  they  think  how  unprepared  they  are  to  die ;  and  now  they  begin 
 to  vow  and  resolve,  If  the  Lord  spare  me,  I  will  avoid  evil  com* 
 
398  SERMONS. 
 
 panions,  I  will  pray  and  read  my  Bible,  etc. ;  but  no  sooner  are  they 
 better  than  the  resolutions  are  forgotten,  like  the  cloud  and  dew. 
 
 4:tli,  First  death  in  a  family.  What  a  deep  impression  this 
 makes  on  a  feeling  heart !  That  lovely  circle  is  broken  round  the 
 fire,  and  never  will  be  whole  again.  Now  they  begin  to  pray, — to 
 turn  to  Him  that  smites.  Perhaps,  kneehng  beside  the  cold  body, 
 they  vow  no  longer  to  go  back  to  sin  and  folly.  Or,  following  the 
 body  to  the  grave,  while  the  big  tear  stands  in  the  eye,  they  pro- 
 mise to  bury  all  their  sins  and  follies  in  the  grave  of  their  beloved 
 one.  But  soon  a  change  comes  over  them, — the  tears  dry  up, 
 and  the  prayer  is  forgotten.  The  world  takes  its  place  again  and 
 reigns.     Their  goodness  is  as  the  morning  cloud. 
 
 5th,  In  a  time  of  awakening,  many  receive  deep  impressions. 
 Some  are  alarmed  to  see  others  alarmed  that  are  no  worse  than 
 they.  Many  have  their  feelings  stirred, — their  affections  moved. 
 Many  are  brought  to  desire  conversion, — to  weep  and  to  pray. 
 Mr  Edwards  mentions  that  there  was  scarcely  an  individual  in  the 
 whole  town  unconcerned ;  there  were  tokens  of  God's  presence  in 
 every  house.  So  here  ;  and  yet,  when  the  time  is  past,  how  soon 
 they  sink  back  into  former  indifference !  Their  goodness  is  as  the 
 morning  cloud. 
 
 Dear  friends,  ye  are  my  witnesses.  I  do  not  know,  but  I  believe 
 I  am  not  wrong  in  stating,  that  by  far  the  greater  number  of  you 
 have  been  under  remorse  at  some  time  or  another,  and  yet  God 
 and  your  own  consciences  know  how  fading  these  impressions  have 
 been.  Just  as  the  morning  cloud  passes  off  the  mountain's  brow, 
 and  the  dew  is  dried  up  from  the  rock,  and  leaves  it  a  rock  still, 
 so  your  impressions  have  passed  away,  and  left  you  a  rocky  heart 
 still.  So  it  is  in  those  that  perish.  The  way  to  hell  is  paved  with 
 good  intentions,  and  hell  is  peopled  with  those  who  once  wept  and 
 prayed  for  their  souls.    "O  Ephraim,  what  shall  I  do  unto  thee?" 
 
 (3.)  Let  us  show  the  steps  of  impressions  fading  away. — When  a 
 natural  man  is  under  concern,  he  begins  to  make  a  very  dihgent 
 use  of  the  means  of  grace. 
 
 1st,  Prayer. — When  a  man  is  under  the  fear  of  hell,  he  begins  to 
 pray,  and  often  he  has  very  melting  and  sweet  affections  in  prayer. 
 As  long  as  his  impressions  last,  he  may  be  very  constant  in  his 
 duty.  But  will  he  always  call  upon  God?  When  his  concern 
 ceases,  his  praying  in  secret  gradually  ceases  also.  Not  all  at  once, 
 but  by  degrees  he  gives  up  secret  prayer.  Once  he  has  been  out 
 in  company,  another  time  kept  long  at  business,  another  time  he  is 
 sleeping,  and  so  by  degrees  he  gives  it  up  altogether.  "  0  Ephraim," 
 etc. 
 
SERMONS,  399 
 
 2(i,  Hearing  the  word. — When  a  man  is  first  awakened,  he  comes 
 well  out  to  the  preaching  of  the  word.  He  knows  that  God  blesses 
 especially  the  preaching  of  the  word, — that  it  pleases  God  by  the 
 foolishness  of  preaching  to  save  them  that  beheve.  He  is  an 
 arrested  hearer ;  he  drinks  in  the  words  of  the  minister ;  he  is 
 lively  in  his  attendance  on  the  word ;  if  there  be  preaching  in  the 
 week-evening,  he  puts  by  his  work  in  order  to  be  there.  But 
 when  his  concern  wears  away,  he  begins  to  weary  first  of  the  week- 
 day service,  then  of  the  Sabbath ;  then  perhaps  he  seeks  a  more 
 careless  ministry,  where  he  may  slumber  on  till  death  and  judg- 
 ment. Ah !  this  has  been  the  course  of  thousands  in  this  place. 
 "  0  Ephraim,"  etc. 
 
 3cZ,  Asking  counsel  of  ministers. — When  souls  are  under  remorse, 
 they  often  ask  counsel  of  the  under  shepherds  of  Christ.  "  Going 
 and  weeping,  they  come  to  seek  the  Lord  their  God :  they  ask 
 the  way  to  Zion."  They  go  to  the  watchman,  saying.  Saw  ye 
 Him  whom  my  soul  loveth  ?  This  is  one  of  the  duties  of  the  faith- 
 ful pastor,  for  "  the  priest's  lips  should  keep  knowledge ;  and  they 
 should  seek  the  law  at  his  mouth ;  for  he  is  the  messenger  of  the 
 Lord  of  Hosts."  But  when  concern  dies  away,  this  dies  away. 
 Many  come  once,  that  never  come  again.     "  O  Ephraim,"  etc. 
 
 4<A,  Avoiding  sin. — When  a  man  is  under  convictions,  he  always 
 avoids  open  sin, — flees  from  it  with  all  his  might.  He  reforms  his 
 life  ;  his  soul  is  swept  and  garnished.  But  when  his  concern  dies 
 away,  his  lusts  revive,  and  he  goes  back  hke  a  dog  to  his  vomit, 
 and  like  the  sow  that  was  washed  to  its  wallowing  in  the  mire.  If 
 there  was  anything  saving  in  the  impressions  of  natural  men,  they 
 would  turn  hoKer;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  turn  worse  and 
 worse.  Seven  devils  enter  into  that  man,  and  the  latter  end  is 
 worse  than  the  beginning.     "  0  Ephraim,"  etc. 
 
 II.  Reasons  ivhy  the  impressions  of  natural  men  die  away. 
 
 (1.)  They  never  are  brought  to  feel  truly  lost. — The  wounds  of 
 natural  men  are  generally  skin  deep.  Sometimes  it  is  just  a  flash 
 of  terror  that  has  alarmed  them.  Often  it  is  the  sense  of  some  one 
 great  sin  they  have  committed.  Sometimes  it  is  only  sympathy 
 with  others, — fleeing  because  others  flee.  They  are  often  brought 
 to  say,  I  am  a  great  sinner ;  I  fear  there  is  no  mercy  for  me.  Still 
 they  are  not  brought  to  feel  undone^ — their  mouth  is  not  stopped, — 
 they  do  not  cover  the  lip  like  the  leper.  They  think  a  little  prayer, 
 sorrow,  repentance,  amendment,  will  do.  If  they  could  only  change 
 their  way.  They  are  not  brought  to  see  that  all  they  do  just 
 signifies  nothing  toward  justifying  them.     If  they  were  brought  to 
 
400  SERMONS. 
 
 feel  their  utterly  lost  state,  and  their  need  of  another's  righteous- 
 ness, they  never  could  rest  in  the  world  again. 
 
 (2.)  They  never  saw  the  beauty  of  Christ, — A  flash  of  terror  may 
 bring  a  man  to  his  knees,  but  will  not  bring  him  to  Christ.  Ah ! 
 no ;  love  must  draw.  A  natural  man,  under  concern,  sees  no 
 beauty  nor  desirableness  in  Christ.  He  is  not  brought  to  look  to 
 Him  whom  he  pierced,  and  to  mourn.  When  once  a  man  gets  a 
 sight  of  the  supreme  excellence  and  sweetness  of  Christ, — when  he 
 sees  his  fulness  for  pardon,  peace,  holiness, — he  will  never  draw 
 back.  He  may  be  in  distress  and  in  darkness ;  but  he  will  rise 
 and  go  about  the  city  to  seek  Him  whom  his  soul  loveth.  The 
 heart  that  has  once  seen  Christ  is  smit  with  the  love  of  Him,  and 
 never  can  rest  nor  take  up  with  others  short  of  Him. 
 
 (3.)  He  never  had  heart-hatred  of  sin. — The  impressions  of  natural 
 men  are  generally  of  terror.  They  feel  the  danger  of  sin,  not 
 the  filthiness  of  it.  They  feel  that  God  is  just  and  true ;  that  the 
 law  must  be  avenged ;  that  the  wrath  of  God  will  come.  They 
 see  that  there  is  hell  in  their  sins ;  but  they  do  not  feel  their  sins 
 to  be  a  hell.  They  love  sin ;  they  have  no  change  of  nature. 
 The  Spirit  of  God  does  not  dwell  in  them;  and  therefore  the 
 impression  wears  easily  away,  like  as  on  sand.  Those  that  are 
 brought  to  Christ  are  brought  to  see  the  turpitude  of  sin.  They  ' 
 cry  not.  Behold  I  am  undone ;  but.  Behold  I  am  vile.  As  long  as 
 sin  is  in  their  breast,  they  are  kept  fleeing  to  the  cross  of  Christ. 
 
 (4.)  They  have  no  promises  to  keep  their  impressions. — Those  who 
 are  in  Christ  have  sweet  promises.  "  I  will  put  my  fear  in  their 
 hearts,"  Jer.  xxxii.  40.  "  Being  confident  that  He  which  hath 
 begun  a  good  work  in  you  will  perform  it,"  Phil.  i.  6.  But  natural 
 men  have  no  interest  in  these  promises ;  and  so,  in  the  time  of 
 temptation,  their  anxieties  easily  wear  away. 
 
 III.  Sadness  of  their  case. 
 
 (1.)  God  mourns  over  their  case. — "  0  Ephraim."  It  must  be  a 
 truly  sad  case  that  God  mourns  over.  When  Christ  wept  over 
 Jerusalem,  it  showed  it  was  in  a  desperate  case,  because  that  eye 
 that  wept  saw  plainly  what  was  coming ;  and,  accordingly,  in  a 
 few  years,  that  lovely  city  was  a  ruined  heap,  and  multitudes  of 
 those  then  living  were  in  hell,  and  their  children  vagabonds.  When 
 Christ  looked  round  on  the  Pharisees  with  anger,  being  grieved  at 
 the  hardness  of  their  hearts,  it  showed  a  desperate  case  ;  He  would 
 not  grieve  for  nothing.  So  here  you  may  be  sure  the  case  of 
 natural  men  who  lose  their  impressions  is  very  desperate,  from 
 these  words  of  God,  "  0  Ephraim." 
 
SERMONS.  401 
 
 (2.)  God  has  no  new  method  of  awakening. — God  speaks  as  even 
 at  a  loss  what  to  do,  to  show  you  that  there  remaineth  no  more 
 sacrifice  for  sins.  You  have  heard  all  the  awakening  truths  in  the 
 Bible,  and  all  the  winning,  comforting  truths.  You  have  been  at 
 Sinai,  and  at  Gethsemane,  and  at  Calvary  :  what  more  can  I  do 
 unto  thee  ?  These  have  been  pressed  home  upon  you  by  divine 
 providences,  in  affliction,  by  the  bed  of  death,  and  in  a  time  of  wide 
 awakening.  You  have  passed  through  a  season  when  it  was 
 tenfold  more  likely  that  you  would  be  truly  converted  than  any 
 other  time.  You  are  sunk  back !  Ah !  the  harvest  is  past,  the 
 summer  is  ended,  and  you  are  not  saved.  God  has  no  more 
 arrows  in  his  quiver,  no  new  arguments,  no  other  hell,  no  other 
 Christ. 
 
 (3.)  No  good  hj  your  paM  impressions. — When  the  cloud  is  dried 
 up  off  the  mountain's  brow,  and  the  dew  off  the  rock,  the  mountain 
 is  as  great  as  before,  and  the  rock  as  hard ;  but  when  convictions 
 fade  away  from  the  heart  of  a  natural  man,  they  leave  the  mountain 
 of  his  sins  much  greater,  and  his  rocky  heart  much  harder.  It  is 
 less  likely  that  that  man  will  ever  be  saved.  Just  as  iron  is  hardened 
 by  being  melted  and  cooled  again;  just  as  a  person  recovering 
 from  fever  relapses,  and  is  worse  than  before. 
 
 \st,  You  are  now  older,  and  every  day  less  likely  to  be  saved  ; 
 your  heart  gets  used  to  its  old  ways  of  thinking  and  feehug  ;  the 
 old  knee  cannot  easily  learn  to  bend. 
 
 2d,  You  have  offended  the  Spirit ;  you  have  missed  your  oppor- 
 tunity ;  you  have  vexed  the  Holy  Spirit ;  convictions  are  not  in 
 your  own  power ;  the  Spirit  hath  mercy  on  whom  He  will  have 
 mercy. 
 
 Zd,  You  have  got  into  the  way  of  putting  aside  convictions. 
 The  eyeUd  naturally  closes  when  any  object  is  coming  against 
 it ;  so  does  the  heart  of  a  practised  worldling  close  and  shut  out 
 convictions. 
 
 4i/i,  When  you  come  to  hell,  you  will  wish  you  never  had  had 
 convictions,  they  will  make  your  punishment  so  much  the  greater. 
 
 I  would  now  entreat  all  who  have  any  impressions  not  to  let 
 them  slip.  It  is  a  great  mercy  to  hve  under  a  gospel  ministry ; 
 still  greater  to  live  in  a  time  of  revival ;  still  greater  to  have  God 
 pouring  the  Spirit  into  your  heart,  awakening  your  soul.  Do  not 
 neelect  it,  do  not  turn  back ;  remember  Lot's  wife.  Escape  for 
 thy  life  ;  look  not  behind  thee  ;  tarry  not  in  all  the  plain.  Escape 
 to  the  mountain,  lest  thou  be  consumed. 
 
 '£  Q 
 
402  SERMONS. 
 
 SERMON   XIX. 
 
 "  Sfce  hath  done  what  she  could ;  she  is  come  aforehand  to  anoint  my  body  to 
 the  burying."— Mark  xiv.  8. 
 
 Doctrine. — Do  what  you  can. 
 
 From  the  Gospel  of  John  (xi.  2),  we  learn  that  this  woman  was 
 Mary,  the  sister  of  Lazarus  and  Martha.  We  have  already 
 learned  that  she  was  an  eminent  believer  :  "  She  sat  at  the  feet  of 
 Jesus,  and  heard  his  word."  Jesus  himself  said  of  her :  "  Mary 
 hath  chosen  the  good  part,  which  shall  not  be  taken  away  from 
 her."  Now  it  is  interesting  to  see  this  same  Mary  eminent  in 
 another  way, — not  only  as  a  contemplative  believer^  but  as  an  active 
 believer. 
 
 Many  seem  to  think,  that  to  be  a  believer  is  to  have  certain 
 feelings  and  experiences  ;  forgetting  all  the  time  that  these  are  but 
 the  flowers,  and  that  the  fruit  must  follow.  The  engrafting  of  the 
 branch  is  good,  the  inflowing  of  the  sap  good,  but  the  fruit  is  the 
 end  in  view.  So  faith  is  good,  and  peace  and  joy  are  good,  but 
 holy  fruit  is  the  end  for  which  we  are  saved. 
 
 I  trust  many  of  you,  last  Sabbath,  were  like  Mary,  sitting  at 
 the  Redeemer's  feet,  and  hearing  his  word.  Now  I  would  persuade 
 you  to  be  like  Mary,  in  doing  what  you  can  for  Christ.  If  you  have 
 been  bought  with  a  price,  then  glorify  God  in  your  body  and 
 spirit,  which  are  his.     I  beseech  you  by  the  mercies  of  God. 
 
 I.  These  are  things  ivhich  we  can  do. 
 
 (1.)  We  could  love  Christ,  pray  and  praise  more. — What  this 
 woman  did  she  did  to  Christ.  Jesus  had  saved  her  soul,  had  saved 
 her  brother  and  sister,  and  she  felt  that  she  could  not  do  too  much 
 for  Him.  She  brought  an  alabaster  box  of  ointment,  very  costly,  and 
 brake  the  box  and  poured  it  on  his  head.  No  doubt,  she  loved  his 
 disciples, — holy  John  and  frank  Peter, — yet  still  she  loved  Christ 
 more.  No  doubt  she  loved  Christ's  poor,  and  was  often  kind  to 
 them ;  yet  she  loved  Jesus  more.  On  his  blessed  head,  that  was  so 
 soon  to  be  crowned  with  thorns, — on  his  blessed  feet,  that  were  so 
 soon  to  be  pierced  with  nails, — she  poured  the  precious  ointment 
 This  is  what  we  should  do.  If  we  have  been  saved  by  Christ,  we 
 should  pour  out  our  best  affections  on  Him.  It  is  well  to  love  his 
 disciples,  well  to  love  his  ministers,  well  to  love  his  poor,  but  it  is 
 best  to  love  himself.  We  cannot  now  reach  his  blessed  head,  iiar 
 anoint  his  holy  feet ;  but  we  can  fall  down  at  his  footstool,  and 
 
SERMONS.  403 
 
 pour  out  our  affections  towards  Him.  It  was  not  the  ointment 
 Jesus  cared  for, — what  does  the  King  of  Glory  care  for  a  little 
 ointment  ? — but  it  is  the  loving  heart,  poured  out  upon  his  feet ; 
 it  is  the  adoration,  praise,  love,  and  prayers  of  a  believer's  broken 
 heart,  that  Christ  cares  for.  The  new  heart  is  the  alabaster  box 
 that  Jesus  loves. 
 
 Oh,  brethren,  could  you  not  do  more  in  this  way  ?  Could  you 
 not  give  more  time  to  pouring  out  your  heart  to  Jesus — breaking 
 the  box,  and  filHng  the  room  with  the  odour  of  your  praise? 
 Could  you  not  pray  more  than  you  do  to  be  filled  with  the  Spirit, 
 that  the  Spirit  may  be  poured  down  on  ministers,  and  God's 
 people,  and  on  an  unconverted  world?  Jesus  loves  tears  and 
 groans  from  a  broken  heart. 
 
 (2.)  We  could  live  holier  lives. — The  church  is  thus  described 
 in  the  Song  of  Solomon :  "  Who  is  this  that  cometh  out  of  the 
 wilderness  like  pillars  of  smoke,  perfumed  with  myrrh  and  frank- 
 incense, with  all  powders  of  the  merchant?"  The  holiness  of  the 
 believer  is  like  the  most  precious  perfume.  When  a  holy  believer 
 goes  through  the  world,  filled  with  the  Spirit,  made  more  than 
 conqueror,  the  fragrance  fills  the  room ;  "  'tis  as  if  an  angel  shook 
 his  wings."  If  the  world  were  full  of  believers,  it  would  be  like  a 
 bed  of  spices ;  but  oh  how  few  believers  carry  much  of  the  odour 
 of  heaven  along  with  them  !  How  many  you  might  be  the  means 
 of  saving,  if  you  lived  a  holy,  consistent  life, — if  you  were  evidently 
 a  sacrifice  bound  upon  God's  altar !  Wives  might  thus,  without 
 the  word,  win  their  husbands,  when  they  see  your  chaste  conver- 
 sation coupled  with  fear ;  parents  might  in  this  way  save  their 
 children,  when  they  saw  you  holy  and  happy  ;  children  have  often 
 thus  saved  their  parents.  Servants,  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God 
 your  Saviour  in  all  things  ;  let.  your  light  shine  before  men.  The 
 poorest  can  do  this  as  well  as  the  richest,  the  youngest  as  well  as 
 the  oldest.     Oh,  there  is  no  argument  hke  a  holy  fife ! 
 
 (3.)  You  could  seek  the  salvation  of  others. — If  you  have  really  been 
 brought  to  Christ  and  saved,  then  you  know  there  is  a  hell, — you 
 know  that  all  the  unconverted  around  you  are  hastening  to  it ; 
 you  know  there  is  a  Saviour,  and  that  He  is  stretching  out  his 
 hands  all  the  day  long  to  sinners.  Could  you  do  no  more  to  save 
 sinners  than  you  do  ?  Do  you  do  all  you  can  ?  You  say  you  joray 
 for  them;  but  is  it  not  hypocrisy  to  pray  and  do  nothing?  Will 
 God  hear  these  prayers  ?  Have  you  no  fears  that  prayers  without 
 labours  are  only  provoking  God  ?  You  say  you  cannot  speak, 
 yon  are  not  learned.  Will  that  excuse  stand  in  the  judgment  ? 
 Does  it  require  much  learning  to  tell  fellow-sinners  that  they  are 
 
404  SERMONS. 
 
 perishing?  If  their  house  was  on  fire,  would  it  require  much 
 learning  to  wake  the  sleepers  ? 
 
 Begin  at  home. — Could  you  not  do  more  for  the  salvation  of  those 
 at  home  ?  If  there  are  children  or  servants,  have  you  done  all  you 
 can  for  them?  Have  you  done  all  you  can  to  bring  the  truth 
 before  them,  to  bring  them  under  a  living  ministry,  to  get  them  to 
 pray  and  give  up  sin  ? 
 
 Do  you  do  what  you  can  for  your  neighbours  ?  Can  you  pass 
 your  neighbours  for  years  together,  and  see  them  on  the  broad 
 way,  without  warning  them  ?  Do  you  make  a  full  use  of  tracts^ 
 giving  suitable  ones  to  those  that  need  them  ?  Do  you  persuade 
 Sabbath-breakers  to  go  to  the  house  of  God  ?  Do  you  do  any- 
 thing in  Sabbath  schools  ?  Could  you  not  tell  little  children  the 
 way  to  be  saved  ?  Do  you  do  what  you  can  for  the  world  ?  The 
 field  is  the  world. 
 
 (4.)  Feed  Chnst's  poor. — I  am  far  from  thinking  that  the  wicked 
 poor  should  be  passed  over,  but  Christ's  poor  are  our  brothers  and 
 sisters.  Do  you  do  what  you  can  for  them  ?  In  the  great  day, 
 Christ  will  say  to  those  on  his  right  hand,  "  Come  ye  blessed,  for  I 
 was  an  hungered,  and  ye  gave  me  meat."  They  stand  in  the  place 
 of  Christ.  Christ  does  not  any  more  stand  in  need  of  Mary's  oint- 
 ment, or  Martha's  hospitality,  or  the  Samaritan's  drink  of  water. 
 He  is  beyond  the  reach  of  these  things,  and  will  never  need  them 
 more  ;  but  He  has  left  many  of  his  brothers  and  sisters  behind  in 
 this  world,  some  diseased,  some  lame,  some  Hke  Lazarus  all  covered 
 with  sores  ;  and  He  says.  What  ye  do  to  them,  ye  do  to  me.  Do 
 you  live  plainly,  in  order  to  have  more  to  give  away  ?  Do  you  put 
 away  vain  and  gaudy  clothes,  that  yon  may  be  able  to  clothe  the 
 naked?  Are  you  thrifty  in  managing  what  you  have,  letting 
 nothing  be  lost "? 
 
 II.  Reasons  icliy  we  should  do  ivhat  we  can. 
 
 (1.)  Christ  has  done  what  He  could  for  us. — "  What  could  have 
 been  done  more  to  my  vineyard,  that  I  have  not  done  in  it?"  Isa. 
 V.  4.  He  thought  nothing  too  much  to  do  and  to  suffer  for  us. 
 While  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.  Greater  love  than 
 this  hath  no  man.  All  his  life,  between  the  manger  at  Bethlehem 
 and  the  cross  of  Calvary,  was  spent  in  labours  and  infinite  sufferings 
 for  us.  All  that  we  needed  to  suffer.  He  suft'ered ;  all  that  we 
 need  to  obey,  He  obeyed.  All  his  hfe  in  glory  He  spends  for  us. 
 He  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  us.  He  is  head  over  all 
 things  for  us ;  makes  everything  in  all  worlds  work  together  for 
 our  good.    It  is  all  but  incredible  that  each  person  of  the  Godhead. 
 
SERMONS.  405 
 
 has  made  himself  over  to  us  to  be  ours.  Tbe  Father  says^  "  I  am 
 thy  God;"  the  Son,  "Fear  not,  for  I  have  redeemed  thee;"  the 
 Holy  Ghost  makes  us  a  temple,  "  I  will  dwell  in  them,  and  walk  in 
 them."  Is  it  much  that  we  should  do  all  we  can  for  Him, — that 
 we  should  give  ourselves  up  to  Him  who  gave  himself  for  us  ? 
 
 (2.)  Satan  does  all  he  can. — Sometimes  he  comes  as  a  lion — your 
 adversary  the  devil,  as  a  roaring  lion,  walketh  about,  seeking  whom 
 he  may  devour ;  sometimes  as  a  serpent,  "  as  the  serpent  beguiled 
 Eve  ;"  sometimes  as  an  angel  of  light.  He  does  all  he  can  to  tempt 
 and  beguile  the  saints,  leading  them  away  by  false  teachers,  inject- 
 ing blasphemies  and  polluted  thoughts  into  their  minds,  casting  fiery 
 darts  at  their  souls,  stirring  up  the  world  to  hate  and  persecute 
 them,  stirring  up  father  and  mother  against  the  children,  and 
 brother  against  brother.  He  does  all  he  can  to  lead  captive 
 wicked  men,  Winding  their  minds,  not  allowing  them  to  listen  to 
 the  gospel,  steeping  them  in  swinish  lusts,  leading  them  into  de- 
 spair. When  he  knows  his  time  is  short,  he  rages  all  the  more. 
 Oh,  should  not  we  do  all  we  can,  if  Satan  does  all  he  can  ? 
 
 (8.)  We  have  done  all  we  could  the  other  ivay. — This  was  one  of 
 Paul's  great  motives  for  doing  all  he  could  :  "  I  thank  Christ  Jesus 
 our  Lord  for  putting  me  into  the  ministry;  for  I  was  a  blasphemer, 
 and  persecutor,  and  injurious."  He  never  could  forget  how  he  had 
 persecuted  the  church  of  God,  and  wasted  it ;  and  this  made  him 
 as  diligent  in  building  it  up,  and  haling  men  and  women  to  Christ. 
 He  preached  the  faith  which  once  he  destroyed.  So  with  Peter : 
 "  Let  us  live  the  rest  of  our  time  in  the  flesh  not  to  the  lusts  of 
 men,  but  to  the  will  of  God ;  for  the  time  past  of  our  Hves  may 
 suffice  to  have  wrought  the  will  of  the  Gentiles,  when  we  walked  in 
 lasciviousness,  lusts,  excess  of  wine,  revellings,  banquetings,  and 
 abominable  idolatries."  So  with  John  Newton:  "  How  can  the  old 
 African  blasphemer  be  silent?"  So  with  many  of  you;  you  ran 
 greedily  after  sin ;  you  were  at  great  pains  and  cost,  and  did  not 
 spare  health,  or  money,  or  time,  to  obtain  some  sinful  gratification. 
 How  can  you  now  grudge  anything  for  Christ  ?  Only  serve  Christ 
 as  zealously  as  you  once  served  the  devil. 
 
 (4.)  Christ  will  own  and  reiuard  what  we  do. — The  labour  that 
 Christ  blesseth  is  believing  labour.  It  is  not  words  of  human 
 wisdom,  but  words  of  faith,  that  God  makes  arrows.  The  word 
 of  a  little  maid  was  blessed  in  the  house  of  Naaman  the  Syrian. 
 "  Follow  me"  was  made  the  arrow  to  pierce  the  heart  of  Matthew. 
 It  is  all  one  to  God  to  save,  whether  with  many,  or  with  them  that 
 have  no  might.  If  you  would  do  all  you  can,  the  town  would  he 
 iilled  with  the  fragrance.     Christ  will  reward  it.    He  defended 
 
406  SERMONS. 
 
 Mary's  work  of  love,  and  said  it  should  be  spoken  of  over  all  the 
 world,  and  it  will  yet  be  told  in  the  judgment.  A  cup  of  cold  water 
 He  will  not  pass  over.     "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant." 
 
 (5.)  If  you  do  not  do  all  you  can,  how  can  you  prove  yourself  a 
 Christian  ? — "  Pure  religion  and  undefiled  before  God  the  Father 
 is  this.  To  visit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in  their  affliction,  and 
 to  keep  himself  unspotted  from  the  world."  You  are  greatly  mis- 
 taken if  you  think  that  to  be  a  Christian  is  merely  to  have  certain 
 views,  and  convictions,  and  spiritual  delights.  This  is  all  well ; 
 but  if  it  leads  not  to  a  devoted  life,  I  fear  it  is  all  a  delusion.  If 
 any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature. 
 
 III.  Let  us  answer  objections. 
 
 (1.)  The  world  will  mock  at  us. — A?is.  This  is  true.  They  mocked 
 at  Mary ;  they  called  it  waste  and  extravagance ;  and  yet,  Christ 
 said  it  was  well  done.  So,  if  you  do  what  you  can,  the  world  will 
 laugh  at  you,  but  you  will  have  the  smile  of  Christ.  They  mocked 
 at  Christ  when  He  was  full  of  zeal ;  they  said  He  was  mad  and 
 had  a  devil.  They  mocked  at  Paul,  and  said  he  was  mad ;  and  so 
 with  all  Christ's  living  members.  "  Rejoice,  inasmuch  as  ye  are 
 partakers  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ."  "If  ye  suffer  with  Him, 
 ye  shall  also  reign  with  Him." 
 
 (2.)  What  can  I  do? — Iain  a  woman. — Mary  was  a  woman,  yet  she 
 did  what  she  could.  Mary  Magdalene  was  a  woman,  and  yet  she 
 was  first  at  the  sepulchre.  Phebe  was  a  woman,  yet  a  succourer 
 of  many,  and  of  Paul  also.  Dorcas  was  a  woman,  yet  she  made 
 coats  and  garments  for  the  poor  at  Joppa.  /  am  a  child — Out  of 
 the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings  God  perfects  praise.  God  has 
 often  used  children  in  the  conversion  of  their  parents. 
 
 (3.)  /  have  too  little  grace  to  do  good. — "  He  that  watereth  others, 
 shall  be  watered  himself."  "  The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made  fat." 
 "  It  pleased  the  Father  that  in  Christ  should  all  fulness  dwell." 
 There  is  a  full  supply  of  the  Spirit  to  teach  you  to  pray ;  a  full 
 supply  of  grace  to  slay  your  sins  and  quicken  your  graces.  If  you 
 use  opportunities  of  speaking  to  others,  God  will  give  you  plenty, 
 if  you  give  much  to  God's  poor,  you  shall  never  want  a  rich 
 supply.  "  God  is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound  toward  you ; 
 that  ye,  always  having  all  suflQciency  in  all  things,  may  abound  to 
 every  good  work."  "  Bring  all  the  tithes  unto  my  storehouse,  and 
 prove  rae  now  herewith."  "  Honour  the  Lord  with  thy  substance, 
 and  with  the  first-fruits  of  all  thine  increase  :  so  shall  thy  barns  be 
 filled  with  plenty,  and  thy  presses  shall  burst  out  with  new  wine." 
 
 April  26,  1842. 
 
SEKMONS.  107 
 
 SERMON     XX. 
 
 "  it  was  but  a  little  that  I  passed  from  them,  but  I  found  Him  whcm  my  soul 
 loveth:  I  held  Him,  and  ^ould  not  let  Him  go,  until  I  had  brought  Him  into 
 my  mother's  house,  and  into  the  chamber  of  her  that  conceived  me." — Song 
 iii.  4. 
 
 Have  you  found  Him  whom  your  soul  loveth  ?  Have  you  this  day 
 seen  his  beauty,  heard  his  voice,  beheved  the  record  concerning 
 Him,  sat  under  his  shadow,  found  fellowship  with  Him  ?  Then  hold 
 Him,  and  do  not  let  Him  go. 
 
 I.  Motives. 
 
 (1.)  Because  peace  is  to  he  found  in  Him. — Justified  by  faith,  we 
 have  ^9eace  ivith  God, — not  peace  with  ourselves,  not  peace  with  the 
 world,  with  sin,  with  Satan,  but  peace  with  God.  True  divine 
 peace  is  to  be  found  only  in  believing — only  in  keeping  fast  hold  of 
 Christ.  If  you  let  Him  go,  you  let  go  your  righteousness ;  for 
 this  is  his  name.  You  are  then  without  righteousness,  without  a 
 covering  from  the  wrath  of  God,  without  a  way  to  the  Father. 
 The  law  will  again  condemn  you ;  God's  frown  will  again  over- 
 shadow you ;  you  will  again  have  terrors  of  conscience.  Hold  Him 
 then,  and  do  not  let  Him  go.  Whatever  you  let  go,  let  not  Christ 
 go ;  for  He  is  our  peace,  not  in  knowledge,  not  in  feehng,  but  tmst 
 in  Him  alone. 
 
 (2.)  Holiness  flows  from  Him. — No  true  holiness  in  this  world,  but 
 it  springs  from  Him.  A  living  Christ  is  the  spring  of  holiness  to 
 all  his  members.  As  long  as  we  hold  Him,  and  do  not  let  Him  go, 
 our  holiness  is  secure.  He  is  engaged  to  keep  us  from  falling.  He 
 loves  us  too  well  to  let  us  fall  under  the  reigning  power  of  sin.  His 
 word  is  engaged  ;  "  I  will  put  my  Spirit  within  you."  His  honour 
 would  be  tarnished  if  any  that  cleave  to  Him  were  suffered  to  live 
 in  sin.  If  you  let  Him  go,  you  will  fall  into  sin.  You  have  no 
 strength,  no  store  of  grace,  no  power  to  resist  a  thousand  enemies, 
 no  promises.  If  Christ  be  for  you,  who  can  be  against  you  ?  but 
 if  you  let  go  his  arms,  where  are  you  ? 
 
 (3.)  Hope  of  glory  is  in  Him. — We  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory 
 of  God.  If  you  have  found  Jesus  this  day,  you  have  found  a  way 
 into  glory.  A  few  steps  more,  you  can  say,  and  I  shall  be  for 
 ever  with  the  Lord.  I  shall  be  free  from  pain  and  sorrow,  free 
 from  sin  and  weakness,  free  from  enemies.  As  long  as  you  hold 
 Christ,  you  can  see  your  way  to  the  judgment-seat.  "  Thou  wilt 
 guide  me  vv'itb  thy  counsel,  and  receive  me  to  thy  glory."     This 
 
408  SEHMUNS. 
 
 gives  you  such  joy,  such  traiisportmg  desires  atter  the  heavenly 
 world  !  But  let  Christ  go,  and  this  will  be  gone.  Let  Christ  go, 
 and  how  can  you  die?  The  grave  is  covered  with  clouds  of 
 threatening.  Let  Him  go,  and  how  can  you  go  to  the  judgment 
 —where  can  you  appear  ? 
 
 II.  Means. 
 
 (1.)  Christ  promises  to  keep  you  holding  Him. — If  you  are  really 
 holding  Christ  this  day,  you  are  in  a  most  blessed  condition,  for 
 Christ  engages  to  keep  you  cleaving  to  Him.  "My  soul  followeth 
 hard  after  Thee,  and  thy  right  hand  upholdeth  me."  He  that  is 
 the  Creator  of  the  world  is  the  upholder  of  it,  so  He  that  new 
 creates  the  soul  keeps  it  in  being.  This  is  never  to  be  forgotten. 
 Not  only  does  the  church  lean  on  her  beloved,  but  He  puts  his 
 left  hand  under  her  head,  and  his  right  hand  doth  embrace  her 
 "  I  taught  Ephraim  how  to  go,  taking  them  by  their  arms."  It  is 
 good  for  a  child  to  hold  fast  by  its  mother's  neck;  but  ah!  that 
 would  be  a  feeble  support,  if  the  maternal  arm  did  not  enfold  the 
 child,  and  clasp  it  to  her  bosom.  Faith  is  good ;  but  ah !  it  is 
 nothing  without  the  grace  that  gave  it.  "I  will  put  my  fear  in 
 your  heart." 
 
 (2.)  Faith  in  Christ. — The  only  way  to  hold  fast  is  to  beheve 
 more  and  more.  Get  a  larger  acquaintance  with  Christ, — with 
 his  person,  work,  and  character.  Every  page  of  the  gospel  un- 
 folds a  new  feature  in  his  character, — every  line  of  the  epistles 
 discloses  new  depths  of  his  work.  Get  more  faith,  and  you  will 
 get  a  firmer  hold.  A  plant  that  has  got  a  single  root  may  be 
 easily  torn  up  by  the  hand,  or  crushed  by  the  foot  of  the  wild 
 beast,  or  blown  down  by  the  wind  ;  but  a  plant  that  has  a  thou- 
 sand roots  struck  down  into  the  ground  can  stand.  Faith  is  like 
 the  root.  Many  beheve  a  httle  concerning  Christ, — one  fact. 
 Every  new  truth  concerning  Jesus  is  a  new  root  struck  down- 
 wards. Beheve  more  intensely.  A  root  may  be  in  a  right  direction, 
 but,  not  striking  deep,  it  is  easily  torn  up.  Pray  for  deep-rooted 
 faith.  Pray  to  be  stabhshed,  strengthened,  settled.  Take  a  long 
 intense  look  at  Jesus, — often,  often.  If  you  wanted  to  know  a 
 man  again,  and  he  was  going  away,  you  would  take  an  intense 
 look  at  his  face.  Look  then  at  Jesus — deeply,  intensely — till 
 every  feature  is  graven  on  your  heart.  Thomas  Scott  overcame 
 the  fear  of  death  by  looking  intensely  at  his  dead  child,  who  had 
 died  in  the  Lord. 
 
 (3.)  Prayer. — Jacob  at  Bethel.  "  Take  hold  of  my  strength," 
 Isa.  xxvii.  5.    You  must  begin  and  pray  after  another  fashion 
 
SERMONS.  409 
 
 than  you  have  done.     Let  it  be  real  intercourse  with  God,  like 
 Hezekiah,  Jacob,  Moses,  etc. 
 
 (4.)  By  not  offending  Him, — First,  By  sloth.  When  the  soul 
 turns  sleepy  or  careless,  Christ  goes  away.  Nothing  is  more 
 offensive  to  Christ  than  sloth.  Love  is  an  ever-active  thing,  and 
 when  it  is  in  the  heart  it  will  keep  us  waking.  Many  a  night  his 
 love  to  us  kept  Him  waking.  Now,  can  you  not  watch  with  Him 
 one  hour  ?  Song  v.  2.  Second,  By  idols.  You  cannot  hold  two 
 objects.  If  you  are  holding  Christ  to-day,  and  lay  hold  of  another 
 object  to-morrow.  He  cannot  stay.  He  is  a  jealous  God.  You 
 cannot  keep  worldly  companions  and  Christ  too.  "  A  companion 
 of  fools  shall  be  destroyed."  When  the  ark  came  into  the  house 
 of  Dagon,  it  made  the  idol  fall  flat.  Third,  By  being  unwilling  to 
 be  sanctified.  When  Christ  chooses  us,  and  draws  us  to  himself, 
 it  is  that  He  may  sanctify  us.  Christ  is  often  grieved  away,  by 
 our  desiring  to  reserve  one  sin.  Fourth,  By  an  unholy  house.  "  I 
 brought  Him  into  my  mother's  house."  Eemember  to  take  Christ 
 home  with  you,  and  let  Him  rule  in  your  house.  If  you  walk  with 
 Christ  abroad,  but  never  take  Him  homC;  you  will  soou  part  com- 
 pany for  ever. 
 
 SERMON    XXL 
 
 "  To  whom  God  would  make  known  what  is  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  this 
 mystery  amoug  the  Gentiles ;  which  is  Christ  in  you  the  hope  of  glory.".— 
 Col.  i.  27 
 
 The  gospel  is  here  described  as  "Christ  in  you  the  hope  of 
 glory."  There  are  two  distinct  senses  in  which  these  words  may 
 be  taken,  and  I  cannot  positively  determine  which  is  the  true  one. 
 It  is  possible  that  both  may  be  intended.     I  shall  open  up  both. 
 
 I.  Christ  in  you,  means  Christ  embraced  by  faith  as  our  righteous- 
 ness and  strength ;  and  this  is  the  sure  ground  upon  which  we 
 hope  for  glory.  In  this  sense  it  appears  to  be  used,  "  That  Christ 
 may  dwell  in  your  hearts  by  faith,"  Eph.  iii.  17.  When  a  sinner's 
 heart  is  opened  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  when  the  beauty  and  excellence 
 of  the  Saviour  is  shown  to  him,  the  heart  inwardly  embraces  and 
 cleaves  to  Christ.  Every  new  discovery  of  Christ  to  the  soul  re- 
 news this  act  of  inward  cleaving  to  the  Lord  Jesus.  Every 
 reproach,  every  temptation,  every  fall  into  sin,  every  bereavement, 
 makes  the  soul  more  really,  firmly,  and  fully  embrace  the  Lord 
 
410  SERMONS. 
 
 Jesus ;  and  so,  by  continual  faith,  Christ  may  be  said  to  dwell  in 
 the  heart,  as  in  Eph.  iii.  17,  "  That  Christ  may  dwell  in  your 
 heart  by  faith."  Christ  thus  embraced  is  the  hope  of  glory.  It  is 
 this  constant  abiding  faith — this  close  embracing  of  Christ  as  all 
 our  righteousness — it  is  this  which  gives  a  calm,  sweet,  full,  peace- 
 ful hope  of  glory.  The  soul  that  can  say,  Christ  is  mine,  can  also 
 say,  Glory  is  mine ;  for  we  need  nothing  but  Christ  to  shelter  us 
 in  the  judgment-day.  Can  you  say  that  Christ  is  thus  in  you  the 
 hope  of  glory  ?  If  you  have  not  got  Christ,  you  have  no  good 
 hope  of  glory. 
 
 II.  Christ  formed  in  the  soul  hy  the  Spirit. — See  Gal.  iv.  19. 
 Christ  formed  in  the  soul  is  also  the  hope  of  glory,  and  this  I  take 
 to  be  the  full  meaning  of  this  verse.  So,  "  Abide  in  me,  and  I  in 
 you ;"  John  xv.  4.  "  I  in  them,  and  Thou  in  me  ;"  John  xvii.  23. 
 "  And  I  in  them,"  ver.  26. 
 
 (1.)  The  mind  of  Christ  is  formed  in  the  soul. — ''  We  have  the 
 mind  of  Christ,"  1  Cor.  ii.  16.  By  the  mind,  I  understand  the 
 thinking  powers  of  man.  Now,  every  behever  has  the  mind  of 
 Christ  formed  in  him.  He  thinks  as  Christ  does:  "This  is  the 
 spirit  of  a  sound  mind,"  2  Tim  i.  7.  This  is  being  of  the  same 
 mind  in  the  Lord.  I  do  not  mean  that  a  believer  has  the  same 
 all-seeing  mind,  the  same  infallible  judgment  concerning  everything 
 as  Christ  has  ;  but  up  to  his  light  he  sees  things  as  Christ  does. 
 
 He  sees  sin  as  Christ  does.  Christ  sees  sin  to  be  evil  and  bitter. 
 He  sees  it  to  be  filthy  and  abominable — its  pleasures  all  a  delusion. 
 He  sees  it  to  be  awfully  dangerous.  He  sees  the  inseparable  con- 
 nection between  sin  and  suffering.     So  does  a  behever. 
 
 He  sees  the  gospel  as  Christ  does.  Christ  sees  amazing  glory  in 
 the  gospel,  the  way  of  salvation  which  He  himself  has  wrought 
 out.  It  appears  a  most  complete  salvation  to  Him — most  free — 
 most  glorifying  to  God  and  happy  for  man.     So  does  the  believer. 
 
 He  sees  the  luorld  as  Christ  does.  Christ  knows  what  is  in  man. 
 He  looked  on  this  world  as  vanity  compared  with  the  smile  of  his 
 Father.  Its  riches,  its  honours,  its  pleasures,  appeared  not  worth 
 a  sigh.     He  saw  it  passing  away.    So  does  the  believer. 
 
 He  sees  time  as  Christ  did.  "  I  must  work  the  work  of  Him 
 that  sent  me  while  it  is  day;  the  night  cometh" — "I  come 
 quickly."     So  does  a  believer  look  at  time. 
 
 He  sees  eternity  as  Christ  does.  Christ  looked  at  everything  in 
 the  light  of  eternity.  "  In  my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions." 
 Everythmg  is  valuable  in  Christ's  eyes,  only  as  it  bears  on  eternity. 
 So  with  believers. 
 
SERMONS.  411 
 
 (2.)  The  heart  of  Christ — By  the  heart  I  mean  the  affections — 
 that  part  of  us  that  loves  or  hates,  hopes  and  fears.  We  have 
 Christ's  heart  formed  m  us  :  "I  will  put  my  Spirit  within  you" — 
 "I  in  you" — "  My  words  abide  in  you." 
 
 1st,  The  same  love  to  God. — What  intense  delight  Jesus  L-f^d  \^ 
 his  Father !  "  Pi^ighteous  Father,  the  world  hath  not  known  Thee, 
 but  I  have  known  Thee" — "  I  am  not  alone,  for  the  Father  is  with 
 me"—."  I  thank  Thee,  0  Father"— "  Abba,  Father"— "Father, 
 into  thy  hand  I  commend  my  spirit."     So  with  every  believer. 
 
 2d,  The  same  aversion  to  God's  frown. — "  Why  hast  Thou  for- 
 saken me?'"  Ps.  xxii.  1.  "Thou  hast  brought  me  into  the  dust 
 of  death,"  ver.  15.  "Thy  wrath  lieth  hard  upon  me,"  Ps.  Ixxxviii. 
 7.  "  Thou  hast  hfted  me  up,  and  cast  me  down,"  Ps.  cii.  10.  So 
 with  the  children  of  God.  "I  will  say  unto  God  my  Rock,  Why 
 hast  Thou  forgotten  me?"  Ps.  xlii.  9. 
 
 2>d,  The  same  love  to  saints. — "  To  the  saints  that  are  in  the 
 earth,  and  to  the  excellent,  in  whom  is  all  my  delight,"  Ps.  xvi.  3. 
 "  Having  loved  his  own  which  were  in  the  world.  He  loved  them 
 to  the  end,"  John  xiii.  1.  "  Greater  love  hath  no  man  than  this, 
 that  a  man  lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends,"  John  xv.  13.  "I  will 
 come  again,  and  receive  you  to  myself,"  John  xiv.  3.  "  Saul,  Saul, 
 why  persecutest  thou  me?"  Acts  ix.  4.  So  it  is  with  all  true 
 behevers.     Every  one  that  loveth  is  born  of  God. 
 
 Uh,  Compassion  to  sinners. — This  was  the  main  feature  of 
 Christ's  character.  This  brought  Him  from  heaven  to  die.  This 
 made  Him  weep  over  Jerusalem, — long  to  gather  her  children. 
 This  makes  Him  delay  his  coming,  not  willing  that  any  should 
 perish.  2  Pet.  iii.  9.  All  Christ's  own  are  like  Him  in  this.  The 
 same  heart  throbs  within  them. 
 
 bth,  Tenderness  to  the  awakened. — "He  will  not  break  the 
 bruised  reed."  Oh  the  tenderness  of  the  lips  that  said,  "  Come 
 unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden ! "  Such  are  all 
 Christians. 
 
 (3.)  The  life  of  Christ. — They  live  the  same  life  in  the  main  that 
 Christ  did  in  the  world.  Though  they  have  many  falls,  wax  cold, 
 etc.,  still  the  main  current  of  their  life  is  Christ  living  in  them. 
 "Christ  liveth  in  me,"  Gal.  ii.  20.  "I  will  dwell  in  them,  and 
 walk  in  them,"  2  Cor.  vi.  16* 
 
 Bearing  reproaches. — "  When  He  was  reviled.  He  reviled  not 
 again ;  when  He  suffered.  He  threatened  not,"  1  Pet.  ii.  23. 
 Christ  felt  reproach  keenly  :  "  Reproach  hath  broken  mine  heart." 
 Still  He  reviled  no  man,  but  prayed  for  them.     So  believers. 
 
 In  doing  good. — "  He  went  about  doing  good."    He  made  this 
 
412  SERMONS.' 
 
 his  meat  and  drink.  So  will  all  who  have  Christ  formed  in  them. 
 They  do  good,  and  to  communicate  forget  not.  They  are  the 
 aknoners  of  the  world.     "  They  parted  to  all  men,"  Acts  ii.  45. 
 
 In  being  sejmrate  from  sinners. — Christ  walked  through  the  midst 
 of  sinners  undefiled.  Like  a  beam  of  light  piercing  into  a  foul 
 dungeon,  or  like  a  river  purifying  and  fertihzing,  itself  untainted, 
 so  did  Christ  pass  through  this  world  ;  and  so  do  all  his  own.  "  I 
 will  not  know  a  wicked  person,"  Ps.  ci.  4. 
 
 But  how  is  it  that  Christ  formed  in  us  is  the  hope  of  glory  ? — 
 First,  Not  legally.  Christ  in  the  soul  is  not  our  title  to  glory.  We 
 must  have  a  complete  righteousness  to  be  our  title ;  but  Christ  in 
 the  soul  is  not  complete.  Most  are  sadly  deficient  in  many  of  the 
 main  features  of  Christ.  It  is  Christ  for  us,  laid  hold  on  by  faith, 
 that  is  our  title  to  glory.  Christ  our  wedding  garment — the  Lord 
 our  righteousness  ;  this,  and  this  alone,  can  give  us  boldness  in  the 
 day  of  judgment.  Second,  Still  really  it  is  so.  (L)  It  is  evidence 
 that  we  have  beUeved  on  Christ.  A  man  may  know  that  he  has 
 believed  on  Christ  without  any  evidences.  "  He  that  believes  has 
 the  witness  in  himself."  But  if  a  man  has  believed,  the  effects  will 
 soon  be  seen.  Christ  will  be  formed  in  him,  and  then  he  will  have 
 double  evidence  that  Christ  is  his.  "  He  that  lacketh  these  things 
 is  blind,"  2  Pet.  i.  9.  (2.)  It  is  meetness  for  glory.  A  holy 
 believer  feels  heaven  begun.  "  The  kingdom  of  God  is  within 
 you."  He  can  say,  Kow  I  know  I  shall  soon  be  in  heaven,  for  it 
 is  already  begun  in  me.  Christ  lives  in  me.  I  shall  soon  be  for 
 ever  with  the  Lord. 
 
 Improvement. — (1.)  Have  you  got  the  legal  title  to  glory? — Christ 
 dwelling  in  you  by  faith  ?  You  have  heard  how  those  who  are 
 enlightened  by  God  embrace  Christ,  and  put  Him  on  abidingly  for 
 righteousness.  Have  you  done  so?  Have  you  put  on  Christ? 
 This  is  the  only  legal  title  to  glory.  If  you  have  not  this,  your 
 hope  is  a  dream. 
 
 (2.)  Have  you  got  the  meetness  for  glory  f — Christ  formed  in  you  ? 
 Does  Christ  hve  in  you,  and  walk  in  you  ?  "  Without  hohness  no 
 man  shall  see  the  Lord." 
 
 Dundee,  1843. 
 
 He  writes  at  the  close  of  his  notes  after  sermon-—"  Very  sweet  and  solemn 
 night." 
 
SERMONS.  413 
 
 SERMON  XXII. 
 
 A  CASTAWAY. 
 
 •  1  tl'.erefore  so  run,  not  as  uncertainly  ;  so  fight  I,  not  as  one  that  beateth  the 
 air  :  but  I  keep  under  my  body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection ;  lest  that  by  any 
 means,  when  I  have  preached  to  others,  I  myself  should  be  a  castaway." — ■ 
 1  Cor.  ix.  26,  27. 
 
 Observe,  (1 .)  How  earnestly  Paul  sought  the  Jcingdom  of  heaven. — 
 "  I  therefore  so  run,  not  as  uncertainly  ;  so  fight  I,  not  as  one  that 
 beateth  the  air,"  ver.  26.  It  was  long  after  his  conversion  that 
 Paul  writes  in  this  manner.  He  could  say,  "  To  me  to  live  is 
 Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain."  He  felt  it  better  to  depart  and  be 
 with  Christ.  He  knew  there  was  a  crown  laid  up  for  him ;  and 
 yet  see  how  earnest  he  was  to  advance  in  the  divine  life.  He  was 
 like  one  at  the  Grecian  games  running  for  a  prize.  This  is  the 
 way  all  converted  persons  should  seek  salvation.  "  So  run  that  ye 
 may  obtain."  It  is  common  for  many  to  sit  down  after  conversion, 
 and  say,  I  am  safe,  I  do.  not  need  to  strive  any  more.  But  Paul 
 pressed  toward  the  mark. 
 
 (2.)  One  particular  in  ivhich  he  icas  very  earnest. — "  I  keep  under 
 my  body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection."  He  had  observed  in  the 
 Grecian  games  that  those  who  were  to  run  and  fight,  were  very 
 attentive  to  this  :  "  And  every  man  that  striveth  for  the  mastery 
 is  temperate  in  all  things,"  ver.  25.  This  was  one  thing  that 
 Paul  strove  for,  to  be  temperate  in  all  things,  especially  in  eating 
 and  drinking :  "I  keep  under  my  body,  and  bring  it  into  sub- 
 jection." 
 
 (3.)  His  reason  for  all  this  earnestness. — "  Lest,  when  I  have 
 preached  to  others,  I  myself  should  be  a  castaway."  Not  that 
 Paul  had  not  an  assurance  of  his  salvation  ;  but  he  felt  deeply 
 that  his  high  office  in  the  church  would  not  save  him  although  he 
 was  one  of  the  apostles, — the  apostle  of  the  Gentiles, — one  that 
 had  laboured  more  than  all  the  rest.  Though  many  had  been  con- 
 verted under  his  ministry,  he  knew  that  still  that  would  not  keep 
 him  from  being  a  castaway.  Judas  had  preached  to  others,  and 
 yet  was  cast  away.  Paul  felt  also,  that  if  he  lived  a  wicked  life, 
 he  would  surely  be  east  away.  He  knew  there  was  an  indissoluble 
 connection  between  living  in  sin  and  being  cast  away,  and  there- 
 fore it  was  a  constant  motive  to  him  to  holy  diligence.  What  he 
 feared  was,  being  "  a  castaway."  The  word  is  frequently  trans- 
 lated "  reprobate."      It  is  taken  from  the  trying  of  metals  •  the 
 
414  SERMONS. 
 
 dross,  or  part  that  is  thrown  away,  is  said  to  be  reprobate,  or 
 cast  away. 
 
 What  is  it  to  be  cast  away  ? 
 
 I.  Wicked  men  shall  he  cast  away  from  God. — "  Depart  from 
 me,  ye  cursed,"  Matt.  xxv.  41.  "  Who  shall  be  punished  with 
 everlasting  destruction  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from 
 the  glory  of  his  power,"  2  Thess.  i.  9. 
 
 (1.)  Away  from  Christ. — At  present,  ungodly  men  are  often  near 
 to  Christ.  Christ  stands  at  their  door  and  knocks.  He  stretches 
 out  his  hands  to  them  all  the  day  long.  He  speaks  to  them  in 
 the  Bible  and  the  preached  gospel.  He  says,  Come  unto  me,  and 
 I  will  give  you  rest.  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in  nowise 
 cast  out.  But  when  Christ  pronounces  that  sentence,  "  Depart 
 from  me,  ye  cursed,"  there  will  not  be  one  knock  more,  not  one 
 invitation  more,  not  one  sweet  offer  more.  Christ  is  the  only 
 way  to  the  Father  ;  but  it  shall  be  then  closed  for  ever.  Christ  is 
 the  only  door ;  but  it  shall  then  be  shut  for  evermore.  It  is  the 
 blessedness  of  the  redeemed  that  they  shall  be  with  Christ.  "  To- 
 day shalt  thou  be  with  me.''  Having  a  desire  to  be  absent  from 
 the  body  and  present  ivith  the  Lord.  So  shall  they  be  ever  vnth 
 the  Lord.  His  servants  shall  serve  Him,  and  they  shall  see  his 
 face.  It  is  this  that  maintains  the  eternal  calm  in  the  bosom  of 
 the  redeemed.  But  the  ungodly  shall  be  cast  away  from  all  this. 
 "  Bind  him  hand  and  foot,  and  cast  him  into  utter  darkness." 
 
 (2.)  Away  from  God. — True,  the  wicked  can  never  be  cast  away 
 from  the  presence  of  God.  "  If  I  make  my  bed  in  hell,  behold 
 Thou  art  there!"  Ps.  cxxsix.  8.  Job  says,  "Hell  is  naked 
 before  Him,  and  destruction  hath  no  covering"  (xxvi.  6).  His 
 almighty  power  creates  it ;  his  breath  kindles  it.  "  The  breath  of 
 the  Lord,  like  a  stream  of  brimstone,  doth  kindle  it,"  Isa.  xxx. 
 33.     But  they  shall  be  banished, — 
 
 Is^  From  the  fruition  of  God. — God  said  to  Abraham,  "  I  am 
 thy  shield,  and  thine  exceeding  great  reward."  God  makes  him- 
 self over  to  the  believing  soul,  saying,  I  will  be  thy  God.  David 
 says,  "  God  is  the  strength  of  my  heart,  and  my  portion  for  ever." 
 Who  can  tell  the  joy  of  those  who  enjoy  God,  who  have  God, 
 the  infinite  God,  as  their  portion?  From  this  the  Christless 
 shall  be  cast  away.  You  will  have  no  portion  in  God.  God  will 
 not  be  your  God.     His  attributes  will  be  all  against  you. 
 
 2^,  From  the  favour  of  God. — "  In  thy  favour  is  life."  The 
 favour  of  God  is  what  behevers  feel  on  earth.  A  beam  of  God's 
 countenance  is  enough  to  fill  the  heart  of  a  believer  to  overflowing. 
 
SERMONS.  415 
 
 It  is  enough  to  light  up  the  pale  cheek  of  a  dying  saint  with 
 seraphic  brightness,  and  make  the  heart  of  the  lone  widow  sing  for 
 'joy.  From  all  this  the  Christless  shall  be  cast  away  for  ever  ;  and 
 instead  of  it,  Jehovah's  frown  shall  light  on  them  for  ever.  "  It  is 
 a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living  God." 
 
 3d,  Cast  away  from  the  blessing  of  God. — God  is  the  fountain 
 of  all  blessing.  No  creature  is  good  or  pleasant  any  more  than 
 God  makes  it  to  be  so.  The  sun  warms  us,  our  food  nourishes  us, 
 our  friends  are  pleasant  to  us  :  because  God  makes  them  so.  All 
 the  joys  in  the  world  are  but  beams  from  that  uncreated  light ; 
 but  separate  a  man  from  God,  and  all  becomes  dark.  God  is  the 
 fountain  of  all  joy  :  separate  a  man  from  God  finally,  and  no 
 creature  can  give  him  joy.  This  is  to  be  cast  away,  cut  off  from 
 God  for  ever  and  ever.  Though  there  were  no  lake  of  fire,  this 
 of  itself  would  be  hell. 
 
 II.  Wicked  men  shall  he  cast  away  hy  the  Holy  Spirit. — It  is  not 
 often  thought  of,  but  it  is  true,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  is  now  dealing 
 and  striving  with  natural  men.  All  the  decency  and  morality  of 
 unconverted  men  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  restraining  grace  of  the 
 Holy  Spirit. 
 
 (1.)  The  Holy  Spirit  works  on  natural  men  through  the  ordinances. — 
 The  ordinance  of  family  worship  is  often  greatly  blessed  to  restrain 
 wicked  children,  so  that  they  are  kept  from  vicious  courses  and 
 outbreaking  sins.  The  ordinance  of  the  read  and  preached  word 
 is  also  greatly  blessed  in  this  way  to  restrain  wicked  men.  The 
 awful  threatenings  of  the  word — the  sweet  invitations  and  pro- 
 mises of  the  gospel — have  this  effect  on  unconverted  men,  that 
 they  are  greatly  restrained  from  going  to  extreme  lengths  in 
 wickedness. 
 
 (2.)  The  Holy  Spirit  also  works  through  providences  in  restraining 
 ivicked  men. — He  places  them  in  such  circumstances  that  they  can- 
 not sin  as  they  would  otherwise  do.  He  often  reduces  them  to 
 poverty,  so  that  they  cannot  run  into  the  vices  they  were  inchned 
 unto  ;  or  He  lays  sickness  on  their  body,  so  that  their  keen  rehsh 
 for  sin  is  greatly  blunted ;  or  He  terrifies  them  by  bereavements, 
 so  that  they  are  kept  in  the  bondage  of  fear,  and  dare  not  sin  with 
 so  high  a  hand  as  they  would  otherwise  do. 
 
 (3.)  The  Holy  Spirit  also  restrains  through  convictions  of  sin. — 
 Many  men  have  deep  wounds  of  conviction  who  are  never  saved. 
 Many  are  pierced  with  arrows  of  the  word  from  time  to  time,  and 
 thus  are  driven  away  from  their  wicked  companions,  and  scared 
 from  open  sin.     Restraining  grace  is  an  amazing  work  of  God.    It 
 
416  SERMONS. 
 
 is  more  wonderful  than  his  setting  a  bound  to  the  sea  that  it  can- 
 not pass  over.  Think  what  a  hell  every  unconverted  bosom 
 would  become,  if  the  Spirit  were  to  withdraw  and  give  men  over 
 to  their  own  heart's  lusts  !  Think  what  a  hell  an  unconverted 
 family  would  become,  if  the  Spirit  were  to  withdraw  his  bands ! 
 What  hatreds,  strifes,  murders,  parricides,  would  take  place ! 
 Think  what  a  hell  this  town  would  become,  if  every  Christless 
 man  were  given  over  to  the  lusts  of  his  own  heart ! 
 
 Now  this  is  to  be  a  castaway.  "  My  Spirit  shall  not  always 
 strive  with  man,"  Gen.  vi.  3.  The  Holy  Spirit,  I  believe,  strives 
 with  all  men:  "Ye  do  always  resist  the  Holy  Ghost,"  Acts  vii. 
 51  ;  but  He  will  not  always  strive.  When  the  day  of  grace  is 
 done,  when  the  sinner  sinks  into  hell,  the  Spirit  will  strive  no 
 more. 
 
 1st,  The  Spirit  will  strive  no  more  through  ordinances.  There 
 will  be  no  family  worship  in  hell,  no  Bible  read,  no  psalms  sung. 
 There  will  be  no  Sabbath  in  hell,  no  preached  gospel,  no  watch- 
 men to  warn  you  of  your  sin  and  danger.  The  voice  of  the  watch- 
 man will  be  silent ;  the  danger  has  come  ;  your  doom  will  be  past, 
 and  no  room  for  repentance. 
 
 2d,  The  Spirit  will  no  more  strive  through  providences,  There 
 will  be  no  more  poverty  or  riches,  no  more  sickness  or  bereave- 
 ments, no  kindly  providences  restraining  the  soul  from  sin,  nothing 
 but  anguish  and  despair  unutterable. 
 
 3d,  There  will  be  no  more  convictions  by  the  Spirit.  Conscience 
 will  condemn,  but  it  will  not  restrain.  Your  hearts  will  then 
 break  out.  All  your  hatred  to  God,  the  fountains  of  contempt  and 
 blasphemy  in  your  heart,  will  be  all  broken  up.  You  will  blas- 
 pheme the  God  of  heaven.  All  your  lusts  and  impurities,  that 
 have  been  pent  up  and  restrained  by  restraining  grace  and  the  fear 
 of  man,  will  burst  forth  with  amazing  impetuosity.  You  will  be 
 as  wicked  and  blasphemous  as  fhe  devils  around  you. 
 
 Oh  the  misery  of  this  !  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter.  The  way 
 of  transgressors  is  hard.  Ah !  sinners,  you  will  yet  find  sin  the 
 hardest  of  all  masters ;  you  will  yet  find  your  groveUing  lusts  to 
 be  worse  than  the  worm  that  never  dies.  "  He  that  is  unjust,  let 
 him  be  unjust  still,"  Rev.  xxii.  11. 
 
 III.  Wicked  men  shall  be  cast  aivay  hy  all  the  creatures. — The 
 state  of  unconverted  men  at  present,  although  a  very  dreadful  one, 
 is  yet  not  hopeless.  The  angels  watch  the  unconverted,  to  see  if 
 there  are  any  signs  of  repentance.  It  is  believed  that  the  holy 
 angels  arc  present  in  the  assembly  of  God's  worshippers.     1  Tim 
 
\  SERMONS.  ~  417 
 
 V.  21.  And  if  so,  no  doubt  they  watch  your  faces,  to  see  if  a  tear 
 starts  into  your  eye,  or  a  prayer  trembles  on  your  lip.  There  would 
 be  joy  this  day  among  the  angels,  if  one  sinner  was  to  repent. 
 
 The  redeemed  on  earth  are  peculiarly  interested  in  unconverted 
 souls.  They  pray  for  them  night  and  day,  many  of  them  with  tears ; 
 many  a  child  of  God  wets  his  pillow  with  tears  in  behalf  of  perishing 
 souls.  Jeremiah  wept  in  secret  places  for  their  pride.  David  says, 
 "  Rivers  of  water  run  down  mine  eyes."  They  seek  your  conversion 
 more  than  any  personal  benefit.  Ministers  are  set  apart  to  seek  after 
 lost  and  perishing  souls.  "  Go  rather  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house 
 of  Israel."  If  ministers  are  hke  their  Master,  this  will  be  their 
 great  errand, — that  by  all  means  we  may  save  some.  But  when 
 the  day  of  grace  is  past,  all  holy  creatures  will  cast  you  away. 
 Reprobate  silver  shall  men  call  them,  for  the  Lord  hath  rejected 
 them. 
 
 The  angels  will  no  longer  take  any  interest  in  you.  They  will 
 know  that  it  is  not  fit  they  should  pity  you  any  more.  You  will 
 be  tormented  in  the  presence  of  the  holy  angels,  and  in  the  pre- 
 sence of  the  Lamb. 
 
 The  redeemed  will  no  longer  pray  for  you,  nor  shed  another 
 tear  for  you.  They  will  see  you  condemned  in  the  judgment,  and 
 not  put  in  one  word  for  you.  They  will  see  you  depart  into  everlast- 
 ing fire,  and  yet  not  pray  for  you.  They  will  see  the  smoke  of  your 
 torments  going  up  for  ever  and  ever,  and  yet  cry,  Alleluiah ! 
 
 Ministers  will  no  more  desire  your  salvation.  It  will  no  more  be 
 their  work.  The  number  of  the  saved  will  be  complete  without  you  ; 
 the  table  will  be  full.  Ministers  will  bear  witness  against  you  in 
 that  day. 
 
 Even  devils  will  cast  you  off.  As  long  as  you  remain  on  earth, 
 the  devil  keeps  you  in  his  train ;  he  flatters  you,  and  gives  you 
 many  tokens  of  his  friendship  and  esteem ;  but  soon  he  will  cast 
 you  off.  You  will  be  no  longer  pleasant  to  him ;  you  will  be  a 
 part  of  his  torment ;  and  he  will  hate  you  and  torment  you,  be- 
 cause you  deceived  him,  and  he  deceived  you. 
 
 IV.  Wicked  men  shall  he  cast  away  hy  themselves. — It  is  said,  they 
 shall  wish  to  die,  and  shall  not  be  able :  they  shall  seek  death, 
 and  death  shall  flee  from  them.  I  beheve  that  some  suicides  expe- 
 rience the  beginnings  of  hell.  I  believe  Judas  did  :  he  could  not 
 bear  himself,  and  he  tried  to  cast  himself  away.  This  will  be  the 
 feeling  of  lost  souls.  They  will  not  be  able  to  bear  the  sight  of 
 themselves  ;  they  will  be  weary  of  being ;  they  will  wish  they  had 
 never  been.      At  present,  unconverted  men  are  often  very  self- 
 
 2d 
 
418  SERMONS. 
 
 complacent.  They  love  to  employ  their  faculties ;  the  wheels  of 
 their  life  go  smoothly  ;  their  affections  are  pleasant.  Memory  has 
 many  pleasant  green  spots  to  look  back  upon.  How  different 
 when  the  day  of  grace  is  done !  (1.)  The  understanding  will  be 
 clear  and  full  to  apprehend  the  real  nature  of  your  misery.  Your 
 mind  will  then  see  the  holiness  of  God,  his  almightiness,  his  ma- 
 jesty. You  will  see  your  own  condemned  condition,  and  the  depth 
 of  your  hell.  (2.)  The  will  in  you  will  be  all  contrary  to  God's 
 will :  even  though  you  see  it  add  to  your  hell,  yet  you  will  hate  all 
 that  God  loFCS,  and  love  all  that  God  hates.  (3.)  Your  conscience 
 is  God's  vicegerent  in  the  soul.  It  will  accuse  you  of  all  your  sins. 
 It  will  set  them  in  order  and  condemn  you.  (4.)  Your  affections 
 will  still  love  your  kindred.  "  I  have  five  brethren,"  you  will 
 say.  Earthly  fathers  who  are  evil  know  how  to  give  good  gifts 
 to  their  children.  Even  in  hell  you  will  love  your  own  kin- 
 dred ;  but  ah  !  what  misery  it  will  cost  you,  when  you  hear  them 
 sentenced  along  with  you !  (5.)  Your  memmy  will  be  very  clear. 
 You  will  remember  all  your  misspent  Sabbaths ;  your  sermons 
 heard,  as  if  you  did  not  hear ;  your  place  in  the  house  of  God ; 
 your  minister's  face  and  voice;  the  bell:  through  millions  of 
 ages  after  this,  you  will  remember  these,  as  if  yesterday.  (6.) 
 Your  anticipations. — Everlasting  despair.  Oh,  how  you  will  wish 
 you  had  never  been  !  How  you  will  wish  to  tear  out  your  memory, 
 these  tender  affections,  this  accusing  conscience!  You  will  seek 
 death,  and  it  will  flee  from  you.  This,  this  is  to  be  lost !  This  is 
 everlasting  destruction  !     This  is  to  be  a  castaway ! 
 
 Lessons. — (1.)  Let  believers  learn  Paid's  earnest  diligence. — A 
 wicked  life  will  end  in  being  a  castaway.  These  two  are  linked  to- 
 gether, and  no  man  can  sunder  them. 
 
 (2.)  Hell  luill  he  intolerable. — I  have  not  spoken  of  the  lake  of 
 fire,  of  the  utter  darkness,  and  the  worm  that  never  dies.  I  have 
 spoken  only  of  the  mental  facts  of  hell ;  and  yet  these  by  them- 
 selves are  intolerable.  Oh,  who  can  tell  what  it  will  be  when  both 
 meet,  and  meet  eternally?  "Who  knows  the  power  of  thine 
 anger  ?  "  Oh  do  not  keep  away  from  Christ  now !  Now  He  says, 
 Come ;  soon,  soon  He  will  say,  Depart.  Oh  do  not  resist  the  Holy 
 Spirit  now !  Now  He  strives,  but  He  will  not  always  strive  with 
 you.  Soon,  soon  He  will  leave  you.  Oh  do  not  despise  the  word 
 of  ministers  and  godly  friends !  Now  they  plead  with  you,  weep 
 for  you,  pray  for  you.  Soon,  soon  they  will  be  silent  as  the  grave, 
 or  sing  hallelujah  to  see  you  lost !  Oh  do  not  be  proud  and  self- 
 admiring  !  Soon  you  will  loathe  the  very  sight  of  yourself,  and 
 wish  you  had  never  been! 
 
SERMONS.  419 
 
 (3.)  The  amazing  love  of  Christ  .in  hearing  all  this  for  sinners. — 
 Christ  is  a  wrath-bearing  Surety.  All  that  is  included  in  being  a 
 castaway  He  bore.     Amen. 
 
 JmMary  1843. 
 
 SERMON  XXIII. 
 
 A  COMMUNION  SABBATH  IN  ST  PETEE'S. 
 
 I.    SERMON. 
 
 "  Father,  I  will  that  they  also  whom  Thou  hast  given  me  be  "vvith  mo  where  I 
 am ;  that  they  may  behold  my  glory,  which  Thou  hast  given  me ;  for 
 Thou  lovedst  me  before  the  foundation  of  the  world." — John  xvii.  24. 
 
 I.  The  manner  of  this  prayer. — "  Father,  I  will."  This  is  the  most 
 wonderful  prayer  that  ever  rose  from  this  earth  to  the  throne  of 
 God,  and  this  petition  is  the  most  wonderful  in  the  prayer.  No 
 human  lips  ever  prayed  thus  before :  "  Father,  I  will."  Abraham 
 was  the  friend  of  God,  and  got  very  near  to  God  in  prayer;  but  he 
 prayed  as  dust  and  ashes.  "  I  have  taken  upon  me  to  speak  unto 
 God,  that  am  but  dust  and  ashes."  Jacob  had  power  with  God,  and 
 prevailed,  yet  his  boldest  word  was,  "  I  will  not  let  Thee  go  except 
 Thou  bless  me."  Daniel  was  a  man  greatly  beloved,  and  got 
 immediate  answers  to  prayer,  and  yet  he  cried  to  God  as  a  sinner : 
 "0  Lord,  hear!  0  Lord,  forgive!  0  Lord,  hearken  and  do!" 
 Paul  was  a  man  who  got  very  near  to  God,  and  yet  he  says,  "I 
 bow  my  knees  to  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
 But  when  Christ  prayed.  He  cried,  "  Father,  I  will."  Why  did  He 
 pray  thus?  He  was  GocCs  fellow.  "Awake,  0  sword,  against  my 
 Shepherd,  against  the  man  that  is  my  fellow."  He  thought  it  no 
 robbery  to  be  equal  with  God.  It  was  He  that  said,  "  Let  there  be 
 light,  and  there  was  light."     So  now  He  says,  "  Father,  I  will." 
 
 He  spoke  as  the  Intercessor  with  the  Father. — He  felt  as  if  his  work 
 were  already  done  :  "I  have  finished  the  work  which  Thou  gavest 
 me  to  do."  He  felt  as  if  He  had  already  suffered  the  cross,  and 
 now  claims  the  crown.  "  Father,  I  will."  This  is  the  intercession 
 now  heard  in  heaven. 
 
 He  had  one  will  with  the  Father — "  I  and  my  Father  are  one." 
 One  God,  one  in  heart  and  will.  True,  He  had  a  holy  human 
 soul,  and  therefore  a  human  will ;  but  his  human  will  was  one  with 
 his  divine  will.  The  human  string  in  his  heart  was  tuned  to  the 
 same  string  with  his  divine  will. 
 
420  SERMONS. 
 
 Learn  how  surely  this  prayer  will  be  answered,  dear  children  of 
 God.  It  is  impossible  this  prayer  should  be  unanswered.  It  is  ihe 
 will  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son.  If  Christ  wills  it,  and  if  the 
 Father  wills  it,  you  may  be  sure  nothing  can  hinder  it.  If  the 
 sheep  be  in  Christ's  hand,  and  in  the  Father's  hand,  they  shall 
 never  perish. 
 
 II.  For  whom  He  jyrays. — "  They  also  whom  Thou  hast  given  me." 
 Six  times  in  this  chapter  does  Christ  call  his  people  by  this  name  : 
 "  They  whom  Thou  hast  given  me."  It  seems  to  have  been  a 
 favourite  word  of  Christ,  especially  when  carrying  them  on  his 
 heart  before  the  Father.  The  reason  seems  to  be  that  He  would 
 remind  the  Father  that  they  are  as  much  the  Father's  as  they  are 
 his  own ;  that  the  Father  has  the  same  interest  in  them  that  He 
 has,  having  given  them  to  Him  before  the  world  was.  And  so 
 He  repeats  it  in  ver.  10  :  "All  mine  are  thine,  and  thine  are  mine." 
 Before  the  world  was,  the  Father  chose  a  people  out  of  this  world. 
 He  gave  them  into  the  hand  of  Christ,  charging  Him  not  to  lose 
 one, — ^to  bear  their  sins  on  his  own  body  on  the  tree, — to  raise 
 Him  up  at  the  last  day.  And,  accordingly,  He  says,  "  Of  all 
 whom  Thou  hast  given  me  have  I  lost  none."  Is  there  any  mark 
 on  those  who  are  given  to  Christ  ?  They  are  no  better  than  others. 
 Sometimes  He  chooses  the  worst!  Ans. — Yes.  "All  that  the 
 Father  giveth  me  shall  come  to  me."  One  of  the  sure  marks  of 
 all  that  were  given  to  Christ  is  that  they  come  to  Jesus  :  "  They 
 all  come  to  Jesus  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant,  and  to  the 
 blood  of  sprinkhng."  Are  you  come  to  Christ  ?  Has  your  heart 
 been  opened  to  receive  Christ  ?  Has  Christ  been  made  precious  to 
 you  ? — then  you  may  be  quite  sure  you  were  given  to  Christ  before 
 the  world  was.  Your  name  is  in  the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life,  and 
 your  name  is  on  the  breastplate  of  Christ.  It  is  for  you  He  prays, 
 "Father,  I  will  that  that  soul  be  with  me."  Christ  will  never  lose 
 you.  The  Father  which  gave  you  to  Him  is  greater  than  all,  and 
 none  is  able  to  pluck  you  out  of  the  Father's  hand. 
 
 III.  The  Argument — "  For  Thou  lovedst  me." — He  reminds  the 
 Father  of  his  love  to  Him  before  the  world  was.  When  there  was 
 no  earth,  no  sun,  no  man,  no  angel, — when  He  was  by  Him, — then 
 Thou  lovedst  me.  Who  can  understand  this  love, — the  love  of  the 
 uncreated  God  to  his  uncreated  Son  ?  "The  love  of  Jonathan  to 
 David  was  very  great,  surpassing  the  love  of  women.  The  love  of 
 a  believer  to  Christ  is  very  great,  for  they  see  Him  to  be  altogether 
 lovely.     The  love  of  a  holy  angel  to  God  is  very  ardent,  for  they 
 
SERMONS.  421 
 
 are  like  a  flame  of  fire.  But  these  are  all  creature  loves ;  these  are 
 but  streams ;  but  the  love  of  God  to  his  Son  is  an  ocean  of  love. 
 There  ie  everything  in  Christ  to  draw  the  love  of  his  Father.  Now 
 discern  his  argument, — If  Thou  love  me,  do  this  for  my  people. 
 
 Just  as  He  said  to  Paul,  "  Why  persecutest  thou  me  ?  "  He  felt 
 himself  one  with  his  afflicted  members  on  earth.  Just  as  He  will  say 
 at  the  last  day,  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  to  one  of  the  least  of  these 
 my  brethren,  ye  did  it  unto  me."  He  reckons  believers  a  part  of 
 himself;  what  is  done  to  them  is  done  to  Him.  So  here,  when  He 
 carries  them  to  his  Father,  this  is  all  his  argument :  "  Thou  lovedst 
 me."     If  Thou  love  me,  love  them,  for  they  are  part  of  me. 
 
 See  how  surely  Christ's  prayer  will  be  answered  for  you,  beloved. 
 He  does  not  plead  that  you  are  good  and  holy ;  He  does  not  plead 
 that  you  are  worthy ;  He  only  pleads  his  own  loveliness  in  the  eyes 
 of  the  Father.  Look  not  on  them,  He  says,  but  look  on  me.  Thou 
 lovedst  me  before  the  foundation  of  the  world. 
 
 Learn  to  use  the  same  argument  with  God,  dear  believers.  This 
 is  asking  in  Christ's  name,  for  the  Lord's  sake ;  this  is  the  prayer 
 that  is  never  refused.  See  that  you  do  not  come  in  your  own 
 name,  else  you  will  be  cast  out. 
 
 Come  thus  to  his  table.  Say  to  the  Father,  Accept  me,  for 
 Thou  lovedst  Him  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 
 
 lY.  The  prayer  itself , — Two  parts. 
 
 (1.)  "  That  they  may  he  with  me." — (1.)  What  He  does  not  mean, 
 — He  does  not  mean  that  we  should  be  presently  taken  out  of  this 
 world.  Some  of  you  that  have  come  to  Christ  may,  this  daj^,  bo 
 favoured  with  so  much  of  his  presence,  and  of  the  love  of  the 
 Father,  so  much  of  the  joy  of  heaven,  and  such  a  dread  of  going 
 back  to  betray  Christ  in  the  world,  that  you  may  be  wishing  that 
 this  house  were  indeed  the  gate  of  heaven ;  you  may  desire  that 
 you  might  be  translated  from  the  table  below  at  once  to  the  table 
 above.  "  I  am  in  a  strait  betwixt  two,  having  a  desire  to  depart, 
 and  be  with  Christ."  Still  Christ  does  not  wish  that.  "  I  pray 
 not  that  Thou  shouldst  take  them  out  of  the  world,  but  that  Thou 
 shouldst  keep  them  from  the  evil."  "  Whither  I  go,  thou  canst 
 not  follow  me  now  "  (Like  that  woman  in  JBrainercTs  Journal — "  0 
 blessed  Lord,  do  come  I  Oh,  do  take  me  away ;  do  let  me  die  and 
 go  to  Jesus  Christ.  I  am  afraid,  if  I  live,  I  shall  sin  again.")  (2.) 
 What  He  does  mean. — He  means,  that  when  our  journey  is  done,  we 
 should  come  to  be  with  Him.  Every  one  that  comes  to  Christ  has 
 a  journey  to  perform  in  this  world.  Some  have  a  long,  and  some 
 a  short  one.     It  is  through  a  wilderness.     Still  Christ  prays  tliat, 
 
422  SERMONS. 
 
 at  the  end,  you  may  be  with  Him.  Every  one  that  comes  to  Christ 
 hath  his  twelve  hours  to  fill  up  for  Christ.  "  I  must  work  the  works 
 of  Him  that  sent  me,  while  it  is  day."  But  when  that  is  done, 
 Christ  prays  that  you  may  be  with  Him.  He  means  that  you  shall 
 come  to  his  Father'' s  house  wath  Him.  "  In  my  Father's  house  are 
 many  mansions."  You  shall  dwell  in  the  same  house  with  Christ. 
 You  are  never  very  intimate  with  a  person  till  you  see  them  in  their 
 own  house — till  you  know  them  at  home.  This  is  what  Christ 
 wants  with  us— that  we  shall  come  to  be  with  Him,  at  his  own 
 home.  He  wants  us  to  come  to  the  same  Father's  bosom  with 
 Him.  "  I  ascend  to  my  Father  and  your  Father."  He  wants  us 
 to  be  in  the  same  smile  with  Him,  to  sit  on  the  same  throne  with 
 Him,  to  swim  in  the  same  ocean  of  love  with  Him. 
 
 Learn  how  certain  it  is  that  you  shall  one  day  soon  be  with 
 Christ.  It  is  the  will  of  the  Father,  it  is  the  will  of  the  Son.  It 
 is  the  prayer  of  Christ.  If  you  have  really  been  brought  to  Christ, 
 you  shall  never  perish.  You  may  have  inany  enemies  opposing  you 
 in  your  way  to  glory.  Satan  desires  to  have  you,  that  he  may  sift 
 you  like  wheat.  Your  worldly  friends  will  do  all  they  can  to  hinder 
 you.  Still  you  shall  be  with  Christ.  We  shall  see  your  face  at  the 
 table  of  glory.  You  have  a  hard  heart,  an  unbelieving  heart,  a  heart 
 deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked.  You  often  think 
 your  heart  will  lead  you  to  betray  Christ.  Still  you  shall  be  with 
 Christ.  If  you  are  in  Christ  to-day,  you  shall  be  ever  with  the 
 Lord.  You  have  lived  a  wicked  life.  You  have  dreadful  sins  to 
 look  back  upon.  Still,  if  you  are  come  to  Jesus,  this  is  his  word  to 
 thee,  "  Thou  shalt  be  with  me  in  paradise."  In  truth,  Christ  can- 
 not want  you.  You  are  his  jewels — his  crown.  Heaven  would  be 
 no  heaven  to  Him,  if  you  were  not  there.  This  may  give  you 
 courage  in  coming  to  the  Lord's  table.  Some  of  you  fear  to  come 
 to  this  table,  because,  though  you  cleave  to  Christ  to-day,  you 
 fear  you  may  betray  Him  to-morrow.  But  you  need  not  fear. 
 "  He  that  hath  begun  a  good  work  in  you  will  perform  it  till  the 
 day  of  Jesus  Christ."  You  shall  sit  at  the  table  above,  where 
 Christ  himself  shall  be  at  the  head.  You  need  not  fear  to  come  to 
 this  table. 
 
 (2.)  To  behold  my  glory  which  Thou  hast  given  me. — There  are 
 three  stages  in  the  glory  of  Christ.  It  will  be  the  employment  of 
 heaven  to  behold  them  all. 
 
 1st,  The  original  glory  of  Christ. — This  is  his  underived,  uncreated 
 glory,  as  the  equal  of  the  Father.  It  is  spoken  of  in  Pro  v.  viii.  30 : 
 "Then  I  was  by  Him,  as  one  brought  up  with  Him  ;  I  was  daily 
 his  dehght,  rejoicing  always  before  Him."     And  again,  iu  this 
 
SERMONS.  423 
 
 prayer,  "  The  glory  which  I  had  with  Thee  before  the  world  was," 
 ver.  5.  Of  this  glory  no  man  can  speak,  no  angel,  no  archangel. 
 OAe  thing  alone  we  know,  that  we  are  to  honour  the  Son,  even  as 
 we  honour  the  Father.  He  shared  with  the  Father  in  being  the 
 all-perfect  One,  when  there  was  none  to  admire,  none  to  adore, 
 no  angels  with  golden  harps,  no  seraphs  to  hymn  his  praise,  no 
 cherubim  to  cry.  Holy,  holy,  holy.  Before  all  creatures  were.  He 
 was — one  with  the  infinitely  perfect,  good,  and  glorious  God.  He 
 was  then  all  that  He  afterwards  showed  himself  to  be.  Creation 
 and  redemption  did  not  change  Him.  They  only  revealed  what  He 
 was  before.  They  only  provided  objects  for  those  beams  of  glory 
 to  rest  upon,  that  were  shining  as  fully  before,  from  all  eternity. 
 Eternity  will  be  much  taken  up  with  praisiug  God  that  ever  He 
 revealed  himself  at  all ;  that  ever  He  came  out  from  the  retirement 
 of  his  lovely  and  bhssful  eternity. 
 
 2flf,  When  He  hecame flesh. — "  The  Word  was  made  flesh."  Christ 
 did  not  get  more  glory  by  becoming  man,  but  He  manifested  his 
 glory  in  a  new  way.  He  did  not  gain  one  perfection  more  by  be- 
 coming man ;  He  had  all  the  perfections  of  God  before.  But  now 
 these  perfections  were  poured  through  a  human  heart.  The  al- 
 mightiness  of  God  now  moved  in  a  human  arm. .  The  infinite  love  of 
 God  now  beat  in  a  human  heart.  The  compassion  of  God  to  sinners 
 now  glistened  in  a  human  eye.  God  was  love  before,  but  Christ 
 was  love  covered  over  with  flesh.  Just  as  you  have  seen  the  sun 
 shining  through  a  coloured  window, — it  is  the  same  sunhght  still, 
 and  yet  it  shines  with  a  mellowed  lustre, — so  in  Christ  dwelt  all 
 the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  bodily.  The  perfection  of  the  Godhead 
 shone  through  every  pore,  through  every  action,  word,  and  look, — 
 the  same  perfections, — they  were  only  shining  with  a  mellowed 
 brightness.  The  veil  of  the  temple  was  a  type  of  his  flesh,  be- 
 cause it  covered  the  bright  light  of  the  holiest  of  all.  But  just  as 
 the  bright  light  of  the  Shechinah  often  shone  through  the  veil,  so  did 
 the  Godhead  of  Christ  force  itself  through  the  heart  of  the  man 
 Christ  Jesus.  There  were  many  openings  of  the  veil  when  the 
 bright  glory  shone  through. 
 
 1.  When  He  turned  the  water  into  wine. — He  manifested  forth 
 his  glory,  and  his  disciples  believed  on  Him.  Almighty  power 
 spoke  in  a  human  voice,  and  the  love  of  God,  too,  shone  in  it ;  for 
 He  showed  that  He  came  to  turn  all  our  water  into  wine. 
 
 2.  When  He  wept  over  Jerusalem. — That  was  a  great  outlet 
 of  his  glory.  There  was  much  that  was  human  in  it.  The  feet 
 were  human  that  stood  upon  Mount  Olivet.  The  eyes  were 
 human  eyes  that  looked  down  upon  the  dazzling  city     The  tears 
 
424  SERMONS. 
 
 were  human  tears  that  fell  upon  the  ground.  But  oh,  there  was 
 the  tenderness  of  God  beating  beneath  that  mantle !  Look  and 
 live,  sinners.  Look  and  live.  Behold  your  God !  He  that  hdth 
 seen  a  weeping  Christ  hath  seen  the  Father.  This  is  God  mani- 
 fest in  the  flesh.  Some  of  you  fear  that  the  Father  does  not  wish 
 you  to  come  to  Christ  and  be  saved.  But  see  here,  God  is  mani- 
 fest in  flesh.  He  that  hath  seen  Christ  hath  seen  the  Father. 
 See  here  the  heart  of  the  Father  and  the  heart  of  the  Son  laid 
 bare.  Oh,  wherefore  should  you  doubt  ?  Every  one  of  these  tears 
 trickles  from  the  heart  of  God. 
 
 3.  On  the  cross. — The  wounds  of  Christ  were  the  greatest  out- 
 lets of  his  glory  that  ever  were.  The  divine  glory  shone  more  out 
 of  his  wounds  than  out  of  all  his  hfe  before.  The  veil  was  then 
 rent  in  twain,  and  the  full  heart  of  God  allowed  to  stream  through. 
 It  was  a  human  body  that  writhed,  pale  and  racked,  upon  the 
 accursed  tree ;  they  were  human  hands  that  were  pierced  so  rudely 
 by  the  nails ;  it  was  human  flesh  that  bore  that  deadly  gash  upon 
 the  side ;  it  was  human  blood  that  streamed  from  hands,  and  feet, 
 and  side ;  the  eye  that  meekly  turned  to  his  Father  was  a  human 
 eye ;  the  soul  that  yearned  over  his  mother  was  a  human  soul. 
 But  oh,  there  was  divine  glory  streaming  through  all ;  every  wound 
 was  a  mouth  to  speak  of  the  grace  and  love  of  God !  Divine  holi- 
 ness shone  through.  What  infinite  hatred  of  sin  was  there  when 
 He  thus  ofiered  himself  a  sacrifice  without  spot  unto  God !  Divine 
 wisdom  shone  through :  all  created  intelligences  could  not  have 
 devised  a  plan  whereby  God  would  have  been  just,  and  yet  the 
 justifier.  Divine  love:  every  drop  of  blood  that  fell  came  as  a 
 messenger  of  love  from  his  heart  to  tell  the  love  of  the  fountain. 
 This  was  the  love  of  God.  He  that  hath  seen  a  crucified  Christ 
 hath  seen  the  Father.  Oh,  look  on  the  broken  bread,  and  you  will 
 see  this  glory  still  streaming  through !  Here  is  the  heart  of  God 
 laid  bare, — God  is  manifest  in  flesh.  Some  of  you  are  poring  over 
 your  own  heart, — examining  your  feelings, — watching  your  dis- 
 ease. Avert  the  eye  from  all  within.  Behold  me, — behold  me ! 
 Christ  cries.  Look  to  me,  and  be  ye  saved.  Behold  the  glory  of 
 Christ !  There  is  much  difficulty  about  your  own  heart,  but  no 
 darkness  about  the  heart  of  Christ.  Look  in  through  his  wounds ; 
 believe  what  you  see  in  Him. 
 
 3c7,  Christ's  glory  above. — I  cannot  speak  of  this.  I  trust  I  shall 
 one  day  soon  see  it.  He  has  not  laid  aside  the  glory  which  He  had 
 on  earth.  He  is  still  the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the 
 world.  But  He  has  got  more  glory  now.  His  humanity  is  no  more 
 a  veil  to  hide  any  of  the  beams  of  his  Godhead.    God  shines  all 
 
SEEMONS.  425 
 
 the  more  plainly  through  Him.     He  has  got  many  crowns  now, — 
 the  oil  of  gladness  now, — the  sceptre  of  righteousness  now. 
 
 Heaven  will  he  spent  in  beholding  his  glory. — We  shall  see  the 
 Father  eternally  in  Him.  We  shall  look  in  his  face,  and  in  his 
 human  eye  shall  read  the  tender  love  of  God  to  us  for  ever.  We 
 shall  hear  from  his  holy  human  lips  plainly  of  the  Father.  "  In 
 that  day  I  shall  no  more  speak  to  you  in  parables,  but  show  you 
 plainly  of  the  Father."  We  shall  look  on  his  scars,  healed,  yet 
 plain  and  open  on  his  hands,  and  feet,  and  side,  and  heaven-bright 
 brow,  and  shall  read  eternally  there  the  hatred  of  God  against  sin, 
 and  his  love  to  us  that  made  Him  die  for  us.  And  sometimes, 
 perhaps,  we  may  lean  our  head  where  John  leaned  his,  upon  his 
 holy  bosom.  Oh !  if  heaven  is  to  be  spent  thus,  what  will  you  do, 
 who  have  never  seen  his  glory  ? 
 
 Oh  beloved,  if  your  eternity  is  to  be  spent  thus,  spend  much  of 
 your  time  thus  !   If  you  are  to  be  thus  engaged  at  the  table  above, 
 be  thus  engaged  now  at  the  table  below. 
 CoMMUxiox  Sabbath,  Jan.  19,  1840. 
 
 II.    FENCING   THE    TABLES. 
 
 "  But  a  certain  man  named  Ananias,  with  Sapphira  his  wife,  sold  a  possession, 
 and  kept  back  j^art  of  the  price,  his  wife  also  being  privy  to  it,  and  brought  a 
 certain  part,  and  laid  it  at  the  apostles'  feet.  But  Peter  said,  Ananias,  why 
 hath  Satan  filled  thine  heart  to  lie  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  to  keep  back  part 
 of  the  price  of  tlte  land?  Whilst  it  remained,  was  it  not  thine  own.'  and 
 after  it  was  sold,  was  it  not  in  thine  own  power?  Why  hast  thou  conceived 
 this  thing  in  thine  heart  ?  Thou  hast  not  lied  unto  men,  but  unto  God.  And 
 Ananias,  hearing  these  words,  fell  down,  and  gave  up  the  ghost ;  and  great 
 fear  came  on  all  them,  that  heard  these  things.  And  the  young  men  arose, 
 wound  him  up,  and  carried  him  out,  and  buried  him.  And  it  was  about  the 
 space  of  three  hours  after,  when  his  wife,  not  knowing  what  was  done,  came 
 in.  And  Peter  answered  unto  her.  Tell  me  whether  ye  sold  the  land  for  so 
 much  ?  And  she  said,  Yea,  for  so  much.  Then  Peter  said  unto  her,  How  is 
 it  that  ye  have  agreed  together  to  tempt  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  ?  Behold,  the 
 feet  of  them  which  have  buried  thy  husband  are  at  the  door,  and  shall  carry 
 thee  out.  Then  fell  she  down  straightway  at  his  feet,  and  yielded  up  tlie  ghost ; 
 and  the  young  men  came  in,  and  found  her  dead,  and,  carrying  her  forth, 
 buried  her  by  her  husband.  And  great  fear  came  upon  all  the  church,  and 
 upon  as  many  as  heard  these  things.  And  by  the  hands  of  the  apostles  were 
 many  signs  and  wonders  wrought  among  the  people ;  (and  they  were  all 
 with  one  accord  in  Solomon's  porch.  And  of  the  rest  durst  no  man  join 
 himself  to  them ;  but  the  people  magnified  them.  And  believers  were  the 
 more  added  to  the  Lord,  multitudes  both  of  men  and  women.)" — Acts  v.  1-14. 
 
 There  have  been  hypocrites  in  the  church  of  Christ  from  the  be- 
 ginning.    There  was  one,  Judas,  even  among  the  twelve  apostles; 
 
426  SERMONS. 
 
 and  in  the  apostolic  church  there  was  an  Ananias  and  a  Sapphira. 
 Attend  (1.)  To  their  sin — a  lie.  When  so  much  of  the  Spirit  was 
 given,  all  were  of  one  heart  and  one  soul.  Those  that  had  estates, 
 sold  them,  and  brought  the  j^rice,  and  laid  it  at  the  apostles'  feet. 
 It  was  a  lovely  sight  to  see.  Among  the  rest  came  one  Ananias ; 
 he  was  rich.  From  some  worldly  motive,  he  had  joined  himself 
 to  the  Christians — husband  and  wife,  both  Christless,  graceless 
 souls.  He  sold  his  possessions  to  be  like  the  rest,  and  brought  a 
 part,  and  said  it  was  his  all !  He  pretended  to  be  a  Christian — he 
 pretended  that  grace  was  in  his  heart.  It  was  not  a  lie  to  man 
 only,  but  to  the  Holy  Ghost ;  for  he  was  declaring  that  God  had 
 wrought  a  change  upon  his  soul,  when  there  was  none — he  was 
 still  old  Ananias.  (2.)  Their  punishment. — They  fell  down  and  gave 
 up  the  ghost.  Oh !  it  is  an  awful  thing  when  sinners  die  in  the 
 act  of  sin — with  the  lie  in  their  mouth — with  the  oath  on  their 
 tongue.  So  it  was  with  poor  Ananias  and  his  wife.  In  a  moment 
 — in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye — they  were  in  the  place  where  all 
 Hars  go.  (3.)  The  effect — great  fear  came  upon  them  all.  None 
 durst  join  themselves  to  the  apostles'  company. 
 
 Dear  friends,  these  things  are  written  for  our  learning.  Are 
 there  none  come  up  here  to-day  with  Ananias'  lie  in  their  heart? 
 
 The  broken  bread  and  poured-out  wine  represent  the  broken 
 body  and  shed  blood  of  Christ.  Oh !  it  is  enougli  to  melt  the 
 heart  of  the  stoutest  to  look  at  them.  To  take  that  bread  and 
 that  wine  is  declaring  that  you  do  close  with  Christ — that  you 
 take  Him  to  be  your  Saviour — that  God  has  opened  your  heart  to 
 believe.  In  marriage,  the  acceptance  of  the  right  hand  is  a  solemn 
 declaration,  by  sign,  that  you  accept  the  bride  or  bridegroom; 
 and  so  in  the  Lord's  Supper.  If  it  is  not  so  with  you,  then  it  is  a 
 lie;  and  it  is  a  lie  to  the  Holy  Ghost.  Ananias  came  declaring  that 
 he  had  got  the  Spirit's  work  upon  his  heart.  It  was  a  time  when 
 much  of  God's  Spirit  had  been  given,  vers.  31,  32.  It  is  hkely  he 
 and  his  wife  had  some  convictions.  But  since  it  was  false — since 
 he  was  not  really  what  he  pretended  to  be — it  was  said,  "  he  lied 
 to  the  Holy  Ghost."  So,  dear  friends,  the  Holy  Ghost  is  peculiarly 
 present  in  this  ordinance.  He  glorifies  Christ.  He  has  converted 
 many  in  this  place.  To  sin  to-day,  is  to  lie  against  the  Holy 
 Ghost.  By  coming  to  the  table,  you  profess  that  you  are  under  the 
 Spirit's  teaching.     If  you  are  not,  you  He  unto  the  Holy  Ghost ! 
 
 Now,  do  you  know  that  you  have  not  come  to  Christ?  Do  you 
 know  that  you  are  unconverted?  And  will  you  sit  down  there 
 and  take  the  bread  and  wine  ?  Take  heed,  Ananias !  Thou  art 
 not  lying  to  a  man,  but  unto  God. 
 
SERMONS.  427 
 
 Perhaps  there  is  one  among  you  who  is  secretly  addicted  to 
 drinking,  to  swearing,  to  uncleanness.  Will  you  come  and  take 
 the  bread  and  wine  ?     Take  heed,  Ananias  ! 
 
 Perhaps  there  are  two  of  you,  husband  and  wife,  who  know  that 
 neither  of  you  were  ever  converted.  You  never  pray  together, 
 and  yet  you  agree  together  to  come  here.  Take  heed,  Ananias 
 and  Sapphira ! 
 
 Is  there  none  of  you  a  persecutor?  Suppose  a  father,  whose 
 children  have  come  to  Christ,  but  in  your  heart  you  hate  their 
 change ;  you  oppose  it  with  bitter  words ;  and  yet,  with  a  smooth 
 countenance,  you  come  to  sit  beside  them  at  the  same  table !  0 
 hypocrite,  take  heed  lest  you  drop  down  dead !  Draw  back  that 
 hand  lest  it  wither !  If  we  should  see  the  cup  drop  from  your 
 hand,  and  the  eye  glaze,  and  the  feet  become  cold,  oh,  where 
 would  your  soul  be  ? 
 
 Dear  children  of  God,  do  not  be  discouraged  from  coming  to 
 this  holy  table.  It  is  spread  for  sinners  that  have  come  to  Jesus. 
 ''  Oh,  come  and  dine !"  Some  of  you  say,  "  I  do  not  know  the  way 
 to  this  table."  Jesus  says,  "  I  am  the  way."  Some  of  you  say, 
 "  I  am  bhnd ;  I  cannot  see  my  sins,  nor  my  Saviour."  Go  wash 
 in  the  Pool  of  Siloam.  Some  of  you  say,  "  I  am  naked."  Jesus 
 says,  "  I  counsel  thee  to  buy  of  me  white  raiment,  that  thou 
 mayest  be  clothed."  You  are  polluted  in  your  own  blood ;  but 
 has  Christ  thrown  his  skirt  over  you  ?  Then  do  not  fear ;  come 
 with  his  robe  on  you.     Come  thus,  and  you  come  welcome. 
 
 III.  TABLE  SERVICE. 
 
 (The  only  specimen  of  his  Table  Service,  found  in  his  own  handwriting-,  but 
 without  date.) 
 
 "  My  heloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  his."  (1.)  In  the  arms  of  my  faith 
 He  is  mine.  I  was  once  of  the  world — cold  and  careless  about 
 my  soul.  God  awakened  me,  and  made  me  feel  I  was  lost.  I 
 tried  to  make  myself  good — to  mend  my  life ;  but  I  found  it  in 
 vain :  I  sat  down  more  lost  than  before.  I  was  then  told  to 
 believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus.  So  I  tried  to  make  myself  beheve. 
 I  read  books  on  faith,  and  tried  to  bend  my  soul  to  beheve,  that 
 so  I  might  get  to  heaven ;  but  still  in  vain.  I  found  it  written, 
 "  Faith  is  the  gift  of  God."  "  No  man  can  call  Jesus  Lord,  but 
 by  the  Holy  Ghost."  So  I  sat  down  more  lost  than  ever.  Whilst 
 I  was  thus  helpless,  Jesus  drew  near, — his  garments  dipped  in 
 blood.  He  had  waited  long  at  my  door,  though  I  knew  it  not. 
 "  His  head  was  filled  with  dew,  and  his  locks  with  the  drops  o/ 
 
428  SERMONS. 
 
 the  night."  He  had  five  deep  wounds,  and  He  said,  "  I  died  in 
 the  stead  of  sinners ;  and  any  sinner  may  have  me  for  a  Saviour. 
 You  are  a  helpless  sinner,  will  you  have  me  ?  "  How  can  I  resist 
 Him  ? — He  is  all  I  need  !  I  held  Him,  and  would  not  let  Him  go. 
 "  My  beloved  is  mine^ 
 
 (2.)  In  the  amis  of  my  love,  He  is  mine.  Once  I  did  not  know 
 what  people  meant  by  loving  Jesus.  I  always  wished  to  ask  how 
 they  could  love  one  whom  they  had  never  seen ;  but  was  answered, 
 "  Whom  not  having  seen,  we  love."  But  now  that  I  have  hidden 
 in  Him — now  that  I  am  cleaving  to  Him — now  I  feel  that  I 
 cannot  but  love  Him  ;  and  I  long  to  see  Him,  that  I  may  love  Him 
 more.  Many  a  time  I  fall  into  sin,  and  that  takes  away  my  feeling 
 of  safety  in  Christ.  Darkness  comes,  all  is  clouded,  Christ  is  away. 
 Still  even  then  I  am  sick  of  love.  Christ  is  not  light  and  peace 
 to  me;  but  I  follow  hard  after  Him  amid  the  darkness, — He  is 
 precious  to  me  ;  and  even  though  I  be  in  darkness.  He  is  my 
 beloved  still.     "  This  is  my  beloved,  and  this  is  my  friend." 
 
 (3.)  He  is  mine  in  the  Sacrament. — Many  a  time,  have  I  said  to 
 Him  in  prayer.  Thou  art  mine.  Many  a  time,  when  the  doors 
 were  shut,  and  Jesus  came  in  showing  his  wounds,  saying,  "  Peace 
 be  unto  you,"  my  soul  clave  to  Him,  and  said,  "  My  Lord  and  my 
 God !"  My  beloved.  Thou  art  mine !  Many  a  time  have  I  trysted 
 with  Him  in  lonely  places,  where  there  was  no  eye  of  man.  Many 
 a  time  have  I  called  to  the  rocks  and  trees  to  witness  that  I  took 
 Him  to  be  my  Saviour.  He  said  to  me,  "  I  will  betrothe  thee  unto 
 me  for  ever  ;"  and  I  said  to  Him,  "  My  beloved  is  mine."  Many 
 a  time  have  I  gone  with  some  Christian  friend,  and  we  poured  out 
 our  trembling  hearts  together,  consulting  one  with  another  as 
 to  whether  we  had  liberty  to  close  with  Christ  or  no ;  and  both 
 together  we  came  to  this  conclusion,  that  if  we  were  but  helpless 
 sinners  we  had  a  right  to  close  with  the  Saviour  of  sinners.  We 
 clave  to  Him,  and  called  Him  ours.  And  now  have  we  come  to 
 take  Him  publicly,  to  call  an  ungodly  world  to  witness,  to  call 
 heaven  and  earth  for  a  record  to  our  soul,  that  we  do  close  with 
 Christ.  See  He  giveth  himself  to  us  in  the  bread ;  lo !  we  accept 
 of  Him  in  accepting  this  bread.  Bear  witness,  men  and  angels, 
 bear  witness,  all  the  universe — "  My  beloved  is  mine." 
 
 (The  communicants  then  partook  of  the  broken  bread  and  the  cup  of 
 blessing.) 
 
 (It  was  his  custom,  after  they  had  communicated,  to  speak 
 briefly  on  a  few  suitable  texts,  before  dismissing  them  from  the 
 tables.    On  Sabbath,  Jan.  19,  the  texts  were,  "  Love  one  another  ;" 
 
SERMONS.  429 
 
 "  Whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name,  He  will  give 
 it;"  " In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation,  but  in  me  ye  shall 
 have  peace.") 
 
 IV.  ADDRESS  AT  THE  CLOSE  OF  THE  DAY. 
 
 "  Now  unto  Him  that  is  able  to  keep  you  from  falling,  and  to  present  you  faultless 
 before  the  presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy." — Jude  24. 
 
 There  is  no  end  to  a  pastor's  anxieties.  Our  first  care  is  to  get 
 you  into  Christ ;  and  next,  to  keep  you  from  falhng.  I  have  a 
 good  hope,  dearly  beloved,  that  a  goodly  number  of  you  have  this 
 day  joined  yourselves  to  the  Lord.  But  now  a  new  anxiety  begins, 
 to  get  you  to  walk  in  Christ, — to  walk  after  the  Spirit.  Here  we 
 are  to  tell  you  of  what  God  our  Saviour  is  able  to  do  for  you : 
 First,  To  keep  you  from  falling  all  the  way ;  Second,  To  present 
 you  faultless  at  the  end. 
 
 I.  To  keep  you  from  falling. 
 
 (1.)  We  are  not  able  to  keep  you  from  falling. — Those  that  lean  on 
 ministers  lean  on  a  reed  shaken  with  the  wind.  When  a  soul  has 
 received  saving  good  through  a  minister,  he  often  thinks  that  he 
 will  be  kept  from  falling  by  the  same  means.  He  thinks,  "  Oh,  if  I 
 had  this  friend  always  beside  me  to  warn  me,  to  advise  me  !"  No  ; 
 ministers  are  not  always  by,  nor  godly  friends.  Your  fathers, 
 where  are  they  ?  and  the  prophets,  do  they  live  for  ever  ?  We 
 may  soon  be  taken  from  you,  and  there  may  come  a  famine  of  the 
 bread.  And,  besides,  our  words  will  not  always  tell.  When 
 temptation  and  passions  are  strong,  you  would  not  give  heed  to  us. 
 
 (2.)  You  are  not  able  to  keep  yourselves  from  falling. — At  present 
 you  know  little  of  the  weakness  or  wickedness  of  your  own  heart. 
 There  is  nothing  more  deceitful  than  your  estimate  of  your  own 
 strength.  Oh,  if  you  saw  your  soul  in  all  its  infirmity  ;  if  you  saw 
 how  every  sin  has  its  fountain  in  your  heart ;  if  you  saw  what  a 
 mere  reed  you  are,  you  would  cry,  "  Lord,  hold  up  my  goings." 
 You  may  be  at  present  strong ;  but  stop  till  an  inviting  company 
 occur ;  stop  till  a  secret  opportunity.  Oh  how  many  have  fallen 
 then !  At  present  you  feel  strong, — your  feet  like  hinds'  feet.  So 
 did  Peter  at  the  Lord's  table.  But  stop  till  this  burst  of  feeling 
 has  passed  away ;  stop  till  you  are  asked  to  join  in  some  unholy 
 game  ;  stop  till  some  secret  opportunity  of  sinning  all  unseen, — till 
 some  bitter  provocation  rouses  your  anger, — and  you  will  find  that 
 you  are  weak  as  water,  and  that  there  is  no  sin  that  you  may  no^ 
 fall  into, 
 
430  SERMONS. 
 
 (3.)  Our  Saviour-God  is  able. — Christ  deals  with  us  as  you  do 
 with  your  children.  They  cannot  go  alone;  you  hold  them:  so 
 does  Christ  by  his  Spirit.  '•  I  taught  Ephraim  also  to  go,  taking 
 them  by  their  arms,"  Hos.  xi.  3.  Breathe  this  prayer  :  "  Lord, 
 take  me  by  the  arms."  John  Newton  says,  When  a  mother  is 
 teaching  her  child  to  walk  on  a  soft  carpet,  sue  will  sometimes  let 
 it  go,  and  it  will  fall,  to  teach  it  its  weakness ;  but  not  so  on  the 
 brink  of  a  precipice.  So  the  Lord  will  sometimes  let  you  fall,  Uke 
 Peter  on  the  waters,  though  not  to  your  injury.  The  shepherd 
 layeth  the  sheep  on  his  shoulder ;  it  matters  not  how  great  the 
 distance  be ;  it  matters  not  how  high  the  mountains,  how  rough 
 the  path:  our  Saviour-God  is  an  almighty  Shepherd.  Some  of 
 you  have  mountains  in  your  way  to  heaven, — some  of  you  have 
 mountains  of  lusts  in  your  hearts,  and  some  of  you  have  moun- 
 tains of  opposition :  it  matters  not,  only  lie  on  the  shoulder. 
 He  is  able  to  keep  you ;  even  in  the  dark  valley  He  will  not 
 stumble. 
 
 II.  To  present  you  faultless. 
 
 (1.)  Faultless  in  righteousness. — As  long  as  you  live  in  your 
 mortal  body,  you  will  be  faulty  in  yourself.  It  is  a  soul-ruining 
 error  to  believe  anything  else.  Oh,  if  ye  would  be  wise,  be  often 
 looking  beneath  the  robe  of  the  Redeemer's  righteousness  to  see 
 your  own  deformity !  It  will  make  you  keep  faster  hold  of  his 
 robe,  and  keep  you  washing  in  the  fountain.  Now,  when  Christ 
 brings  you  before  the  throne  of  God,  He  will  clothe  you  with  his 
 own  fine  linen,  and  present  you  faultless.  Oh,  it  is  sweet  to  me  to 
 think  how  soon  you  shall  be  the  righteousness  of  God  in  Him. 
 What  a  glorious  righteousness  that  can  stand  the  light  of  God's 
 face  !  Sometimes  a  garment  appears  white  in  dim  light :  when  you 
 bring  it  into  the  sunshine  you  see  the  spots.  Oh  prize,  then,  this 
 divine  righteousness,  which  is  your  covering. 
 
 (2.)  Faultless  in  holiness. — My  heart  sometimes  sickens  when  I 
 think  upon  the  defects  of  believers  ;  when  I  think  of  one  Christian 
 bemg  fond  of  company,  another  vain,  another  given  to  evil  speak- 
 ing. Oh,  aim  to  be  holy  Christians ! — bright,  shining  Christians. 
 The  heaven  is  more  adorned  by  the  large  bright  constellations 
 than  by  many  insignificant  stars  ;  so  God  may  be  more  glorified  by 
 one  bright  Christian  than  by  many  indifferent  ones.  Aim  at  being 
 that  one. 
 
 Soon  we  shall  be  faultless.  He  that  begun  will  perform  it.  We 
 shall  be  like  Him,  for  we  shall  see  Him  as  He  is.  When  you  lay 
 down  this  body,  you  may  say,  Farewell  lust  for  ever, — farewell  my 
 
SERMONS.  431 
 
 nateful  pride, — ^farewell  hateful  selfishness, — farewell  strife  and 
 envying, — farewell  being  ashamed  of  Christ.  Oh,  this  makes  death 
 sweet  indeed !     Oh,  long  to  depart  and  to  be  with  Christ ! 
 
 III.  To  Him  he  glory. 
 
 (1.)  Oh,  if  anything  has  been  done  for  your  soul,  give  Him  the 
 gloi-y!  Give  no  praise  to  others;  give  all  praise  to  Him.  (2.) 
 And  give  Him  the  dominion  too.  Yield  yourselves  unto  Him,  soul 
 and  body. 
 
 SERMON    XXIV. 
 
 THE   VOICE    OF   MY  BELOVED. » 
 
 "  The  voice  of  my  beloved !  beliold,  he  cometh  leaping  upon  the  mountains, 
 skipping  upon  the  hills.  My  beloved  is  like  a  roe,  or  a  young  hart ;  behold, 
 he  standeth  behind  our  wall,  he  looketh  forth  at  the  windows,  showing  him- 
 seK  through  the  lattice.  My  beloved  spake,  and  said  unto  me,  Eise  up,  my 
 love,  my  fair  one,  and  come  away.  For,  lo,  the  winter  is  past,  the  rain  is 
 over  and  gone ;  the  flowers  appear  on  the  earth  ;  the  time  of  the  singing  of 
 birds  is  conv  ,  and  the  voice  of  the  tui-tle  is  heard  in  our  land ;  the  fig-tree 
 putteth  forth  her  green  figs,  and  the  vines  with  the  tender  grape  give  a  good 
 smell.  Arise,  my  love,  my  fair  one,  and  come  away.  0  my  dove,  that  art 
 in  the  clefts  of  the  rock,  in  the  secret  places  of  the  stairs,  let  me  see  thy 
 countenance,  let  me  hear  thy  voice ;  for  sweet  is  thy  voice,  and  thy  coun- 
 tenance is  comely.  Take  us  the  foxes,  the  little  foxes,  that  spoil  the  vines  ; 
 for  our  vines  have  tender  grapes.  My  beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  his ;  he 
 feedeth  among  the  lilies.  Until  the  day  break,  and  the  shadows  flee  away, 
 turn,  my  beloved,  and  be  thou  like  a  roe,  or  a  young  hart,  upon  the  moun- 
 tains of  Bether." — Song  of  Solomon  ii.  8-17. 
 
 There  is  no  book  of  the  Bible  which  affords  a  better  test  of  the 
 depth  of  a  man's  Christianity  than  the  Song  of  Solomon.  (1.)  If 
 a  man's  religion  be  all  in  his  head — a  well-set  form  of  doctrines, 
 built  hke  mason-work,  stone  above  stone — but  exercising  no 
 influence  upon  his  heart,  this  book  cannot  but  offend  him ;  for 
 there  are  no  stiff  statements  of  doctrine  here  upon  which  his  heart- 
 less religion  may  be  built.  (2.)  Or,  if  a  man's  religion  be  all  in  his 
 fancy — if,  like  PKable  in  the  Pilgrim's  Progress,  he  be  taken  with 
 the  outward  beauty  of  Christianity — if,  like  the  seed  sown  upon 
 the  rocky  ground,  his  reKgion  is  fixed  only  in  the  surface  faculties 
 
 1  August  14,  1836,  when  he  preached  as  candidate,— the  first  day  he  preached 
 in  St  Peter's. 
 
432  SERMONS. 
 
 of  the  mind,  while  the  heart  remains  rocky  and  unmoved  ;  though 
 he  will  relish  this  book  much  more  than  the  first  man,  still  there  is 
 a  mysterious  breathing  of  intimate  affection  in  it,  which  cannot  but 
 stumble  and  offend  him.  (3.)  But  if  a  maris  religion  he  heart  religion 
 — if  he  hath  not  only  doctrines  in  his  head,  but  love  to  Jesus  in 
 his  heart — if  he  hath  not  only  heard  and  read  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
 but  hath  felt  his  need  of  Him,  and  been  brought  to  cleave  unto 
 Him,  as  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand,  and  the  altogether 
 lovely,  then  this  book  will  be  inestimably  precious  to  his  soul ;  for 
 it  contains  the  tenderest  breathings  of  the  believer's  heart  towards 
 the  Saviour,  and  the  tenderest  breathings  of  the  Saviour's  heart 
 again  towards  the  beUever. 
 
 It  is  agreed  among  the  best  interpreters  of  this  book — (1.)  That 
 it  consists  not  of  one  song,  but  of  many  songs ;  (2.)  That  these 
 songs  are  in  a  dramatic  form  ;  and  (3.)  That,  like  the  parables  of 
 Christ,  they  contain  a  spiritual  meaning,  under  the  dress  and  orna- 
 ments of  some  poetical  incident. 
 
 The  passage  which  I  have  read  forms  one  of  these  dramatical 
 songs,  and  the  subject  of  it  is,  a  sudden  visit  which  an  Eastern 
 bride  receives  from  her  absent  lord.  The  bride  is  represented  to 
 us  as  sitting  lonely  and  desolate  in  a  kiosk,  or  Eastern  arbour — a 
 place  of  safety  and  of  retirement  in  the  gardens  of  the  East — 
 described  by  modern  travellers  as  "an  arbour  surrounded  by  a 
 green  wall,  covered  with  vines  and  jessamines,  with  windows  of 
 lattice-work." 
 
 The  mountains  of  Bether  (or,  as  it  is  on  the  margin,  the  mounts  of 
 division),  the  mountains  that  separate  her  from  her  beloved,  appear 
 almost  impassable.  They  look  so  steep  and  craggy,  that  she  fears 
 he  will  never  be  able  to  come  over  them  to  visit  her  any  more. 
 Her  garden  possesses  no  lovehness  to  entice  her  to  walk  forth.  All 
 nature  seems  to  partake  in  her  sadness ;  winter  reigns  without  and 
 within  ;  no  flowers  appear  on  the  earth  ;  all  the  singing  birds  ap- 
 pear to  be  sad  and  silent  upon  the  trees  ;  and  the  turtle's  voice  of 
 love  is  not  heard  in  the  land. 
 
 It  is  whilst  she  is  sitting  thus  lonely  and  desolate  that  the  voice 
 of  her  beloved  strikes  upon  her  ear.  Love  is  quick  in  hearing  the 
 voice  that  is  loved ;  and  therefore  she  hears  sooner  than  all  her 
 maidens,  and  the  song  opens  with  her  bursting  exclamation,  "  The 
 voice  of  my  beloved ! "  When  she  sat  in  her  solitude,  the  moun- 
 tains between  her  and  her  lord  seemed  nearly  impassable,  they  were 
 so  lofty  and  so  steep ;  but  now  she  sees  with  what  swiftness  and 
 ease  he  can  come  over  these  mountains,  so  that  she  can  compare 
 him  to  nothing  else  but  the  gazelle,  or  the  young  hart,  the  loveliest 
 
SERMONS.  433 
 
 and  swiftest  creatures  of  the  mountains.  '•  My  beloved  is  like  a 
 roe,  or  a  young  hart."  Yea,  while  she  is  speaking,  already  he  has 
 arrived  at  the  garden  wall ;  and  now,  behold,  "  he  looketh  in  at 
 the  window,  showing  himself  through  the  lattice."  The  bride  next 
 relates  to  us  the  gentle  invitation,  which  seems  to  have  been  the 
 song  of  her  beloved  as  he  came  so  swiftly  over  the  mountains. 
 While  she  sat  alone,  all  nature  seemed  dead — winter  reigned ;  but 
 now  he  tells  her  that  he  has  brought  the  spring-time  along  with 
 him.  "  Arise,  my  love,  my  fair  one,  and  come  away.  For,  lo,  the 
 winter  is  past,  the  rain  is  over  and  gone ;  the  flowers  appear  on 
 the  earth ;  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  come,  and  the  voice 
 of  the  turtle  is  heard  in  our  land.  The  fig-tree  putteth  forth  her 
 green  figs,  and  the  vines  with  the  tender  grape  give  a  good  smell. 
 Arise,  my  love,  my  fair  one,  and  come  away."  Moved  by  this 
 pressing  invitation,  she  comes  forth  from  her  place  of  retirement 
 into  the  presence  of  her  lord,  and  clings  to  him  like  timorous  dove 
 to  the  clefts  of  the  rock ;  and  then  he  addresses  her  in  these  words 
 of  tenderest  and  most  dehcate  affection  :  "  0  my  dove,  that  art  in 
 the  clefts  of  the  rock,  in  the  secret  places  of  the  precipice,  let  me 
 see  thy  countenance,  let  me  hear  thy  voice  ;  for  sweet  is  thy  voice, 
 and  thy  countenance  is  comely."  Joyfully  agreeing  to  go  forth 
 with  her  lord,  she  yet  remembers  that  this  is  the  season  of  greatest 
 danger  to  her  vines,  from  the  foxes  which  gnaw  the  bark  of  the 
 vines;  and  therefore  she  will  not  go  forth  without  leaving  this 
 command  of  caution  to  her  maidens :  "Take  us  the  foxes,  the  little 
 foxes  that  spoil  the  vines,  for  our  vines  have  tender  grapes."  She 
 then  renews  the  covenant  of  her  espousals  with  her  beloved,  in 
 these  words  of  appropriating  affection  :  "  My  beloved  is  mine,  and 
 I  am  his ;  let  him  feed  among  the  Hlies."  And  last  of  all,  because 
 she  knows  that  this  season  of  intimate  communion  will  not  last, 
 since  her  beloved  must  hurry  away  again  over  the  mountains,  she 
 will  not  suffer  him  to  depart  without  beseeching  him  that  he  will 
 often  renew  these  visits  of  love,  till  that  happy  day  dawn  when  they 
 shall  not  need  to  be  separated  any  more :  "  Until  the  day  break, 
 and  the  shadows  flee  away,  turn,  my  beloved,  and  be  thou  like  a 
 roe  or  a  young  hart  upon  the  mountains  of  Bether." 
 
 We  might  well  challenge  the  whole  world  of  genius  to  pro- 
 duce in  any  language  a  poem  such  as  this — so  short,  so  compre- 
 hensive, so  dehcately  beautiful.  But  what  is  far  more  to  our 
 present  purpose,  there  is  no  part  of  the  Bible  which  opens  up 
 more  beautifully  some  of  the  innermost  experience  of  the  believer's 
 heart. 
 
 Let  us  now,  then,  look  at  the  parable  as  a  description  of  one  of 
 
 2  E 
 
434  SERMONS. 
 
 those  visits  which  the  Saviour  often  pays  to  believing  souls,  when 
 He  manifests  himself  unto  them  in  that  other  way  than  He  doeth 
 unto  the  world. 
 
 I.  When  Christ  is  away  frora  the  soul  of  the  heliever,  he  sits  alone. — 
 We  saw  in  the  parable,  that,  when  her  lord  was  away,  the  bride 
 sat  lonely  and  desolate.  She  did  not  call  for  the  young  and  the 
 gay  to  cheer  her  solitary  hours.  She  did  not  call  for  the  harp  of 
 the  minstrel  to  soothe  her  in  her  solitude.  There  was  no  pipe, 
 nor  tabret,  nor  wine  at  her  feasts.  No,  she  sat  alone.  The  moun- 
 tains seemed  all  but  impassable.  All  nature  partook  of  her  sadness. 
 If  she  could  not  be  glad  in  the  hght  of  her  lord's  countenance,  she 
 was  resolved  to  be  glad  in  nothing  else.  She  sat  lonely  and  deso- 
 late. Just  so  it  is  with  the  true  believer  in  Jesus.  Whatever  be 
 the  mountains  of  Bether  that  have  come  between  his  soul  and 
 Christ, — whether  he  hath  been  seduced  into  his  old  sins,  so  that 
 "  his  iniquities  have  separated  again  between  him  and  his  God, 
 and  his  sins  have  hid  his  face  from  Him,  that  He  will  not  hear," — > 
 or  whether  the  Saviour  hath  withdrawn  for  a  season  the  com- 
 fortable light  of  his  presence  for  the  mere  trial  of  his  servant's 
 faith,  to  see  if,  when  he  "  walketh  in  darkness  and  hath  no  light, 
 he  will  still  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  himself  upon 
 his  God," — whatever  the  mountains  of  separation  be,  it  is  the  sure 
 mark  of  the  believer  that  he  sits  desolate  and  alone.  He  cannot 
 laugh  away  his  heavy  care,  as  worldly  men  can  do.  He  cannot 
 drown  it  in  the  bowl  of  intemperance,  as  poor  bhuded  men  can  do. 
 Even  the  innocent  intercourse  of  human  friendship  brings  no  balm 
 to  his  wound — nay,  even  fellowship  with  the  children  of  God  is 
 now  distasteful  to  his  soul.  He  cannot  enjoy  what  he  eujoyed 
 before,  when  they  that  feared  the  Lord  spoke  often  one  to  another. 
 The  mountains  between  him  and  the  Saviour  seem  so  vast  and 
 impassable,  that  he  fears  He  will  never  visit  him  more.  All  nature 
 partakes  of  his  sadness — winter  reigns  without  and  within.  He 
 sits  alone,  and  is  desolate.  Being  afflicted,  he  prays  ;  and  the 
 burden  of  his  prayer  is  the  same  with  that  of  an  ancient  behever : 
 "  Lord,  if  I  may  not  be  made  glad  with  the  light  of  thy  coun- 
 tenance, grant  that  I  may  be  made  glad  with  nothing  else ;  for  joy 
 without  Thee  is  death." 
 
 Ah!  my  friends,  do  you  know  anything  of  this  sorrow?  Do 
 you  know  what  it  is  thus  to  sit  alone  and  be  desolate,  because 
 Jesus  is  out  of  view  ?  If  you  do,  then  rejoice,  if  it  be  possible, 
 even  in  the  midst  of  your  sadness  !  for  this  very  sadness  is  one  of 
 the  marks  that  you  are  a  believer — that  you  find  all  your  peace 
 and  all  your  joy  in  union  with  the  Saviour. 
 
SERMONS.  435 
 
 But  ab,  how  contrary  is  the  way  with  most  of  you !  You 
 know  nothing  of  this  sadness.  Yes,  perhaps  you  make  a  mock 
 at  it.  You  can  be  happy  and  contented  with  the  world,  though 
 you  have  never  got  a  sight  of  Jesus.  You  can  be  merry  with 
 your  companions,  though  the  blood  of  Jesus  has  never  whispered 
 peace  to  your  soul.  Ah,  how  plain  that  you  are  hastening  on  to 
 the  place  where  "there  is  no  peace,  saith  my  God,  to  the  wicked!" 
 
 II.  Christ's  coming  to  the  desolate  believer  is  often  sudden  and  won- 
 derful.— We  saw  in  the  parable,  that  it  was  when  the  bride  was 
 sitting  lonely  and  desolate  that  she  heard  suddenly  the  voice  of 
 her  lord.  Love  is  quick  in  hearing ;  and  she  cries  out,  "  The 
 voice  of  my  beloved!"  Before,  she  thought  the  mountains  all  but 
 impassable ;  but  now  she  can  compare  his  swiftness  to  nothing  but 
 that  of  the  gazelle  or  the  young  hart.  Yea,  whilst  she  speaks,  he 
 is  at  the  wall — at  the  window — showing  himself  through  the 
 lattice.  Just  so  is  it  oftentimes  with  the  believer.  While  he  sits 
 alone  and  desolate,  the  mountains  of  separation  appear  a  vast  and 
 impassable  barrier  to  the  Saviour,  and  he  fears  He  may  never 
 come  again.  The  mountains  of  a  believer's  provocations  are  often 
 very  great.  "  That  I  should  have  sinned  again,  who  have  been 
 washed  in  the  blood  of  Jesus.  It  is  little  that  other  men  should 
 sin  against  Him;  they  never  knew  Him — never  loved  Him  as  I 
 have  done.  Surely  I  am  the  chief  of  sinners,  and  have  sinned  away 
 my  Saviour.  The  mountain  of  my  provocations  hath  grown  up  to 
 heaven,  and  He  never  can  come  over  it  any  more."  Thus  it  is 
 that  the  behever  writes  bitter  things  against  himself ;  and  then  it 
 is  that  oftentimes  he  hears  the  voice  of  his  beloved.  Some  text  of 
 the  word,  or  some  word  from  a  Christian  friend,  or  some  part  of  a 
 sermon,  again  reveals  Jesus  in  all  his  fulness — the  Saviour  of  sin- 
 ners, even  the  chief.  Or  it  may  be  that  He  makes  himself  known 
 to  the  disconsolate  soul  in  the  breaking  of  bread,  and  when  He 
 speaks  the  gentle  words,  "  This  is  my  body,  broken  for  you  ;  this 
 cup  is  the  New  Testament  in  my  blood,  shed  for  the  remission  of 
 the  sins  of  many ;  drink  ye  all  of  it," — then  he  cannot  but  cry  out, 
 "  The  voice  of  my  beloved !  behold,  He  cometh  leaping  upon  the 
 mountains,  skipping  upon  the  hills." 
 
 Ah !  my  friends,  do  you  know  anything  of  this  joyful  surprise  ? 
 If  you  do,  why  should  you  ever  sit  down  despairingly,  as  if  the 
 Lord's  hand  were  shortened  at  all  that  He  cannot  save,  or  as  if 
 his  ear  were  grown  heavy  that  He  cannot  hear  ?  In  the  darkest 
 hour  say,  "Why  art  thou  cast  down,  0  my  soul?  and  why  art 
 thou  disquieted  within  me?     Still  trust  in  God,  for  I  shall  yet 
 
436  SERMONS. 
 
 praise  Him,  who  is  the  health  of  my  countenance,  and  my  God." 
 Come  expectingly  to  the  word.  Do  not  come  with  that  hstless 
 indifference,  as  if  nothing  that  a  fellow-worm  can  say  were  worth 
 your  hearing.  It  is  not  the  word  of  man,  but  the  word  of  the 
 living  God.  Come  with  large  expectations,  and  then  you  will  find 
 the  promise  true,  that  He  filleth  the  hungry  with  good  things, 
 though  He  sends  the  rich  empty  away. 
 
 in.  Christ's  coming  changes  all  things  to  the  believer,  and  his  love  is 
 more  tender  than  ever. — We  saw  in  the  parable  that  when  the  bride 
 sat  desolate  and  alone,  all  nature  was  steeped  in  sadness.  Her 
 garden  possessed  no  charms  to  draw  her  forth,  for  winter  reigned 
 without  and  within.  But  when  her  lord  came  so  swiftly  over  the 
 mountains,  he  brought  the  spring  along  with  him.  All  nature  is 
 changed  as  he  advances,  and  his  invitation  is,  "  For  the  winter  is 
 past,  the  rain  is  over  and  gone ;  arise,  my  love,  my  fair  one,  and 
 come  away."  Just  so  it  is  with  the  believer  when  Christ  is  away ; 
 all  is  winter  to  the  soul.  But  when  He  comes  again  over  the 
 mountains  of  provocation,  He  brings  a  gladsome  spring-time  along 
 with  Him.  When  that  Sun  of  Righteousness  arises  afresh  upon 
 the  soul,  not  only  do  his  gladdening  rays  fall  upon  the  believer's 
 soul,  but  all  nature  rejoices  in  his  joy.  The  mountains  and  hills 
 burst  forth  before  Him  into  singing,  and  all  the  trees  of  the  field  clap 
 their  hands.  It  is  like  a  change  of  season  to  the  soul.  It  is  like 
 that  sudden  change  from  the  pouriug  rains  of  a  dreary  winter  to 
 the  full  blushing  spring,  which  is  so  pecuhar  to  the  climes  of  the 
 Sun. 
 
 The  world  of  nature  is  all  changed.  Instead  of  the  thorn  comes 
 up  the  fir-tree,  and  instead  of  the  brier  comes  up  the  myrtle-tree. 
 Every  tree  and  field  possesses  a  new  beauty  to  the  happy  soul. 
 The  world  of  grace  is  all  changed.  The  Bible  was  all  dry  and  mean- 
 ingless before ;  now,  what  a  flood  of  light  is  poured  over  its  pages! 
 how  full,  how  fresh,  how  rich  in  meaning,  how  its  simplest  phrases 
 touch  the  heart!  The  house  of  prayer  was  all  sad  and  dreary  be- 
 fore— its  services  were  dry  and  unsatisfactory ;  but  now,  when  the 
 behever  sees  the  Saviour,  as  he  hath  seen  Him  heretofore  within 
 his  holy  place,  his  cry  is :  "  How  amiable  are  thy  tabernacles,  O 
 liord  of  Hosts !  a  day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand." 
 The  garden  of  the  Lord  was  all  sad  and  cheerless  before ;  now  ten- 
 derness towards  the  unconverted  springs  up  afresh,  and  love  to  the 
 people  of  God  burns  in  the  bosom — then  they  that  fear  the  Lord 
 speak  often  one  to  another.  The  time  of  singing  the  praises  of 
 Jesus  is  come,  and  the  turtle  voice  of  love  to  Jesus  is  once  more 
 
SERMONS.  437 
 
 heard  in  the  land ;  the  Lord's  vine  flourishes,  and  the  pomegranate 
 buds,  and  Christ's  voice  to  the  soul  is,  "Arise,  my  love,  my  fair 
 one,  and  come  away/' 
 
 As  the  timorous  dove  pursued  by  the  vulture,  and  well-nigh 
 made  a  prey,  with  fluttering  anxious  wing,  hides  itself  deeper  than 
 ever  in  the  clefts  of  the  rock,  and  in  the  secret  places  of  the  pre- 
 cipice, so  the  backslidden  believer,  whom  Satan  has  desired  to 
 have,  that  he  might  sift  him  as  wheat,  when  he  is  restored  once 
 more  to  the  all-gracious  presence  of  his  Lord,  clings  to  Him  with 
 fluttering,  anxious  faith,  and  hides  himself  deeper  than  ever  in  the 
 wounds  of  his  Saviour.  Thus  it  was  that  the  fallen  Peter,  when 
 he  had  so  grievously  denied  his  Lord,  yet,  when  brought  again 
 within  sight  of  the  Saviour,  standing  upon  the  shore,  was  the  onl}' 
 one  of  the  disciples  who  girt  his  fisher's  coat  unto  him,  and  cast 
 himself  into  the  sea  to  swim  to  Jesus ;  and  just  as  that  backslidden 
 apostle,  when  again  he  had  hidden  himself  in  the  clefts  of  the  Rock 
 of  Ages,  found  that  the  love  of  Jesus  was  more  tender  towards 
 him  than  ever,  when  he  began  that  conversation,  which,  more  than 
 all  others  in  the  Bible,  combines  the  kindest  of  reproofs  with  the 
 kindest  of  encouragements,  "  Simon,  son  of  Jonas,  lovest  thou  me 
 more  than  these?"  just  so  does  every  backslidden  believer  find, 
 that  when  again  he  is  hidden  in  the  freshly  opened  wounds  of  his 
 Lord,  the  fountain  of  his  love  begins  to  flow  afresh,  and  the  stream 
 of  kindness  and  affection  is  fuller  and  more  overflowing  than  ever,  for 
 his  word  is,  "Oh,  my  dove,  that  art  in  the  clefts  of  the  rock,  in  the 
 secret  places  of  the  precipice,  let  me  see  thy  countenance,  let  me 
 hear  thy  voice ;  for  sweet  is  thy  voice,  and  thy  countenance  is  comely." 
 
 Ah,  my  friends,  do  you  know  anything  of  this  ?  Have  you  ever 
 experienced  such  a  coming  of  Jesus  over  the  mountain  of  your 
 provocations,  as  made  a  change  of  season  to  your  soul  ?  and  have 
 you,  backslidden  beUever,  found,  when  you  hid  yourself  again 
 deeper  than  ever  in  the  clefts  of  the  rock — like  Peter  girding  his 
 fisher's  coat  unto  him,  and  casting  himself  into  the  sea — have  you 
 found  his  love  tenderer  than  ever  to  your  soul?  Then,  should  not 
 this  teach  you  quick  repentance  when  you  have  fallen  ?  Why  keep 
 one  moment  away  from  the  Saviour  ?  Are  you  waiting  till  you 
 wipe  away  the  stain  from  your  garments  ?  Alas !  what  will  wipe 
 it  off,  but  the  blood  you  are  despising  ?  Are  you  waiting  till  you 
 make  yourself  worthier  of  the  Saviour's  favour?  Alas!  though 
 you  wait  till  all  eternity,  you  can  never  make  yourself  worthier. 
 Your  sin  and  misery  are  your  only  plea.  Come,  and  you  will  find 
 with  what  tenderness  He  will  heal  your  backslidings,  and  love  you, 
 freely ;  and  say,  "  Oh,  my  dove,"  etc. 
 
438  SERMONS. 
 
 TV.  I  observe  the  tlreefold  disposition  of  fear,  love,  and  hope, 
 which  this  visit  of  the  Saviour  stirs  up  in  the  believer's  bosom. 
 These  three  form,  as  it  were,  a  cord  in  the  restored  believer's 
 bosom,  and  a  threefold  cord  is  not  easily  broken. 
 
 (1.)  First  of  all,  there  is  fear. — As  the  bride  in  the  parable 
 would  not  go  forth  to  enjoy  the  society  of  her  lord,  without  leaving 
 the  command  behind  to  her.  maidens  to  take  the  foxes,  the  httle 
 foxes,  that  spoil  the  vines,  so  does  every  believer  know  and  feel 
 that  the  time  of  closest  communion  is  also  the  time  of  greatest 
 danger.  It  was  when  the  Saviour  had  been  baptized,  and  the 
 Holy  Ghost,  like  a  dove,  had  descended  upon  Him,  and  a  voice, 
 saying,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased," — it 
 was  then  that  He  was  driven  into  the  wilderness  to  be  tempted  of 
 the  devil;  and  just  so  it  is  when  the  soul  is  receiving  its  highest 
 privileges  and  comforts,  that  Satan  and  his  ministers  are  nearest — 
 the  foxes,  the  little  foxes,  that  spoil  the  vines.  (1.)  Spiritual 
 pride  is  near.  When  the  soul  is  hiding  in  the  wounds  of  the 
 Saviour,  and  receiving  great  tokens  of  his  love,  then  the  heart 
 begins  to  say,  Surely  I  am  somebody — how  far  I  am  above  the 
 everyday  run  of  believers !  This  is  one  of  the  little  foxes  that  eats 
 out  the  Hfe  of  vital  godliness.  (2.)  There  is  making  a  Christ  of 
 your  comforts — looking  to  them,  and  not  to  Christ — leaning  upon 
 them,  and  not  upon  your  beloved.  This  is  another  of  the  little 
 foxes.  (3.)  There  is  the  false  notion  that  now  you  must  surely 
 be  above  sinning,  and  above  the  power  of  temptation,  now  you 
 can  resist  all  enemies.  This  is  the  pride  that  goes  before  a  fall — 
 another  of  the  foxes,  the  little  foxes,  that  spoil  the  vines.  Never 
 forget,  I  beseech  you,  that  fear  is  a  sure  mark  of  a  believer.  Even 
 when  you  feel  that  it  is  God  that  worketh  in  you,  still  the  word 
 saith,  "Work  out  your  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling ; — even 
 when  your  joy  is  overflowing,  still  remember  it  is  written,  "  Rejoice 
 with  trembling ;"  and  again :  "  Be  not  high-minded,  but  fear."  Re- 
 member the  caution  of  the  bride,  and  say :  "  Take  us  the  foxes, 
 the  little  foxes,  that  spoil  the  vines,  for  our  vines  have  tender 
 grapes." 
 
 (2.)  But  if  cautious  fear  be  a  mark  of  a  believer  in  such  a  season, 
 still  more  is  appropriating  love.  When  Christ  comes  anew  over 
 mountains  of  provocation,  and  reveals  himself  to  the  soul  free  and 
 full  as  ever,  in  another  way  than  He  doth  unto  the  world,  then  the 
 soul  can  say,  "My  beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  his."  I  do  not  say 
 that  the  believer  can  use  these  words  at  all  seasons.  In  times  of 
 darkness  and  in  times  of  sinfulness  the  reality  of  a  believer's  faith 
 ^  to  be  measured  rather  by  his  sadness  than  by  his  confidence. 
 
SERMONS.  439 
 
 But  I  do  say,  that,  in  seasons  when  Christ  reveals  himself  afresh 
 to  the  soul,  shining  out  like  the  sun  from  behind  a  cloud,  with  the 
 beams  of  sovereign,  unmerited  love — then  no  other  words  will 
 satisfy  the  true  believer  but  these :  "  My  beloved  is  mine,  and  I 
 am  his."  The  soul  sees  Jesus  to  be  so  free  a  Saviour — so  anxious 
 that  all  should  come  to  Him  and  have  life — stretching  out  his  hands 
 all  the  day — having  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wicked — plead- 
 ing with  men :  "  Turn  ye,  turn  ye,  why  will  ye  die  ?"  The  soul  sees 
 Jesus  to  be  so  fitting  a  Saviour — the  very  covering  which  the  soul 
 requires.  When  first  he  hid  himself  in  Jesus,  he  found  Him  suitable 
 to  all  his  need — the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  laud.  But 
 now  he  finds  out  a  new  fitness  in  the  Saviour,  as  Peter  did  when 
 he  girt  his  fisher's  coat  unto  him,  and  cast  himself  into  the  sea.  He 
 finds  that  He  is  a  fitting  Saviour  for  the  backshding  behever ;  that 
 his  blood  can  blot  out  even  the  stains  of  him  who,  having  eaten 
 bread  with  Him,  has  yet  lifted  up  the  heel  against  Him.  The 
 soul  sees  Jesus  to  be  so  full  a  Saviour — giving  to  the  sinner  not 
 only  pardons,  but  overflowing,  immeasurable  pardons — giving  not 
 only  righteousness,  but  a  righteousness  that  is  more  than  mortal, 
 for  it  is  all  divine — giving  not  only  the  Spirit,  but  pouring  water 
 on  him  that  is  thirsty,  and  floods  upon  the  dry  ground.  The  soul 
 sees  all  this  in  Jesus,  and  cannot  but  choose  Him  and  dehght  in 
 Him  with  a  new  and  appropriating  love,  saying,  "  My  beloved  is 
 mine''  And  if  any  man  ask.  How  darest  thou,  sinful  worm,  to  call 
 that  Divine  Saviour  thine  ?  the  answer  is  here,  For  I  am  his :  He 
 chose  me  from  all  eternity,  else  I  never  would  have  chosen  Him. 
 He  shed  his  blood  for  me,  else  I  never  would  have  shed  a  tear  for 
 Him.  He  cried  after  me,  else  I  never  would  have  breathed  after 
 Him.  He  sought  after  me,  else  I  never  would  have  sought  after 
 Him.  He  hath  loved  me,  therefore  I  love  Him.  He  hath  chosen 
 me,  therefore  I  evermore  choose  Him.  "My  beloved  is  mine, 
 and  I  am  his." 
 
 (3.)  But,  lastly,  if  love  be  a  mark  of  the  true  behever  at  such 
 a  season,  so  also  is  prayerful  hope.  It  was  the  saying  of  a  true 
 believer,  in  an  hour  of  high  and  wonderful  communion  with  Jesus, 
 "  Lord,  it  is  good  for  us  to  be  here ! "  My  friend,  you  are  no 
 behever,  if  Jesus  hath  never  manifested  himself  to  your  soul  in  your 
 secret  devotions — in  the  house  of  prayer,  or  in  the  breaking  of 
 bread — in  so  sweet  and  overpowering  a  manner,  that  you  have 
 cried  out,  "  Lord,  it  is  good  for  me  to  be  here !"  But  though  it  be 
 good  and  very  pleasant,  like  sunlight  to  the  eyes,  yet  the  Lord 
 sees  that  it  is  not  wisest  and  best  always  to  be  there.  Peter  must 
 come  down  again  from  the  mount  of  glory,  and  fight  the  good  fight 
 
440  SERMONS. 
 
 of  faith  amid  the  shame  and  contumely  of  a  cold  and  scornful 
 world.  And  so  must  every  child  of  God.  We  are  not  yet  iu 
 heaven,  the  place  of  open  vision  and  unbroken  enjoyment.  This  is 
 earth,  the  place  of  faith,  and  patience,  and  heavenward -pointmg 
 hope.  One  great  reason  why  close  and  intimate  enjoyment  of  the 
 Saviour  may  not  be  constantly  realized  in  the  behever's  breast  is, 
 to  give  room  for  hope,  the  third  string  that  forms  the  threefold 
 cord.  Even  the  most  enlightened  believers  are  walking  here  in  a 
 darksome  night,  or  twilight  at  most ;  and  the  visits  of  Jesus  to 
 the  soul  do  but  serve  to  make  the  surrounding  darkness  more 
 visible.  But  the  night  is  far  spent,  the  day  is  at  hand.  The  day 
 of  eternity  is  breaking  in  the  east.  The  Sun  of  Righteousness  is 
 hasting  to  rise  upon  our  world,  and  the  shadows  are  preparing  to 
 flee  away.  Till  then,  the  heart  of  every  true  believer,  that  knows 
 the  preciousness  of  close  communion  with  the  Saviour,  breathes  the 
 earnest  prayer,  that  Jesus  would  often  come  again,  thus  sweetly 
 and  suddenly,  to  hghten  him  in  his  darksome  pilgrimage.  Ah! 
 yes,  my  friends,  let  every  one  who  loves  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sin- 
 cerity, join  now  in  the  blessed  prayer  of  the  bride :  "  Until  the 
 day  break,  and  the  shadows  flee  away,  turn,  my  beloved,  and  be 
 thou  like  a  roe  or  a  young  hart  upon  the  mountains  of  Bether  " 
 
 SERMON  XXV. 
 
 OUR  DUTY   TO   ISEAEL.> 
 "  To  the  Jew  first."— Rom.  i.  16. 
 
 Most  people  are  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  The  wise  are 
 ashamed  of  it,  because  it  calls  men  to  believe  and  not  to  argue ; 
 the  great  are  ashamed  of  it,  because  it  brings  all  into  one  body ; 
 the  rich  are  ashamed  of  it,  because  it  is  to  be  had  without  money 
 and  without  price ;  the  gay  are  ashamed  of  it,  because  they  fear  it 
 will  destroy  all  their  mirth  ;  and  so  the  good  news  of  the  glorious 
 Son  of  God  having  come  into  the  world  a  Surety  for  lost  sinners, 
 is  despised,  uncared  for — men  are  ashamed  of  it.  Who  are  not 
 ashamed  of  it  ?  A  little  company,  those  whose  hearts  the  Spirit 
 of  God  has  touched.  They  were  once  like  the  world,  and  of  it ;  but 
 He  awakened  them  to  see  their  sin  and  misery,  and  that  Christ 
 *  Preached  Nov.  17,  1839,  after  returning  from  the  Mission  to  the  Jews. 
 
SERMONS.  441 
 
 alone  was  a  refuge,  and  now  they  cry,  None  but  Christ !  none  but 
 Christ!  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory  save  in  the  Cross  of 
 Christ.  He  is  precious  to  their  heart — He  lives  there ;  He  is 
 often  on  their  lips  ;  He  is  praised  in  their  family ;  they  would  fain 
 proclaim  Him  to  all  the  world.  They  have  felt  in  their  own  expe- 
 rience that  the  gospel  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation,  to  the 
 Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Greek.  Dear  friends,  is  this  your  expe- 
 rience ?  Have  you  received  the  gospel  not  in  word  only,  but  in 
 power  1  Has  the  power  of  God  been  put  forth  upon  your  soul 
 along  with  the  word  ?  Then  this  word  is  yours  :  I  am  not  ashamed 
 of  the  gospel  of  Christ. 
 
 One  pecuHarity  in  this  statement  I  wish  you  to  notice.  He 
 glories  in  the  gospel  as  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  the 
 Jew  first;  from  which  I  draw  this  Doctrine — That  the  gospel  should 
 be  preached  first  to  the  Jews. 
 
 (1.)  Because  judgment  imll  begin  ivith  tlwn — "Indignation  and 
 wrath,  to  the  Jew  first,"  Rom.  ii.  6-10.  It  is  an  awful  thought, 
 that  the  Jew  will  be  the  first  to  stand  forward  at  the  bar  of  God 
 to  be  judged.  When  the  great  white  throne  is  set,  and  He  sits 
 down  upon  it  from  whose  face  the  heavens  and  earth  flee  away ; 
 when  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand  before  God,  and  the  books 
 are  opened,  and  the  dead  are  judged  out  of  those  things  that  are 
 written  in  the  books;  is  it  not  a  striking  thought,  that  Israel — poor, 
 blinded  Israel — will  be  the  first  to  stand  in  judgment  before  God? 
 
 When  the  Son  of  man  shall  come  in  his  glory,  and  all  the  holy 
 angels  with  Him — when  He  shall  sit  upon  the  throne  of  his  glory, 
 and  before  Him  shall  be  gathered  all  nations,  and  He  shall  sepa- 
 rate them  one  from  another,  as  a  shepherd  divideth  his  sheep 
 from  the  goats — when  the  awful  sentence  comes  forth  from  his  lips. 
 Depart,  ye  cursed — and  when  the  guilty  many  shall  move  away  from 
 before  Him  into  everlasting  punishment — is  it  not  enough  to  make 
 the  most  careless  among  you  pause  and  consider,  that  the  indigna- 
 tion and  wrath  shall  first  come  upon  the  Jew — that  their  faces  will 
 gather  a  deeper  paleness,  their  knees  knock  more  against  each 
 other,  and  their  hearts  die  within  them  more  than  others  ? 
 
 Why  is  this  1  Because  they  have  had  more  light  than  any  other 
 people.  God  chose  them  out  of  the  world  to  be  his  witnesses. 
 Every  prophet  was  sent  first  to  them;  every  evangelist  and  apostle 
 had  a  message  for  them.  Messiah  came  to  them.  He  said,  "  I  am 
 not  sent  but  to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel."  The  word  of 
 God  is  still  addressed  to  them.  They  still  have  it  pure  and  unadul- 
 terated in  their  hand.  Yet  they  have  sinned  against  all  this  light — 
 against  all  this  love.    "  0  Jerusalem,  Jerusalem,  thou  that  kille*4 
 
442  SEBMONS. 
 
 the  prophets,  and  stonest  them  which  are  sent  unto  thee,  how 
 often  would  I  have  gathered  thy  children  together,  as  a  hen 
 gathers  its  chickens  under  its  wings,  and  ye  would  not!"  Their 
 cup  of  wrath  is  fuller  than  that  of  other  men — their  sea  of  wrath 
 is  deeper.  On  their  very  faces,  you  may  read  in  every  chme,  that 
 the  curse  of  God  is  over  them. 
 
 Is  not  this  a  reason,  then,  why  the  gospel  should  first  be  preached 
 to  the  Jew  ?  They  are  ready  to  perish — to  perish  more  dreadfully 
 than  other  men.  The  cloud  of  indignation  and  wrath  that  is  even 
 now  gathering  above  the  lost,  will  break  first  upon  the  head  of 
 guilty,  unhappy,  unbelieving  Israel.  And  have  you  none  of  the 
 bowels  of  Christ  in  you,  that  you  will  not  run  first  to  them  that  are 
 in  so  sad  a  case  ?  In  an  hospital,  the  kind  physician  runs  first  to 
 that  bed  where  the  sick  man  lies  who  is  nearest  to  die.  When  a 
 ship  is  sinking,  and  the  gallant  saUors  have  left  the  shore  to  save 
 the  sinking  crew,  do  they  not  stretch  out  the  arm  of  help  first  to 
 those  that  are  readiest  to  perish  beneath  the  waves  ?  And  shall 
 we  not  do  the  same  for  Israel  ?  The  billows  of  God's  anger  are 
 ready  to  dash  first  over  them — shall  we  not  seek  to  bring  them  first 
 to  the  Rock  that  is  higher  than  they  ?  Their  case  is  more  despe- 
 rate than  that  of  other  men — shall  we  not  bring  the  good  Physician 
 to  them,  who  alone  can  bring  health  and  cure  ? — for  the  gospel  is 
 the  power  of  God  unto  salvation,  to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  to  the 
 Greek. 
 
 I  cannot  leave  this  head  without  speaking  a  word  to  those  of 
 you  who  are  in  a  situation  very  similar  to  that  of  Israel — to  you 
 who  have  the  word  of  God  in  your  hands,  and  yet  are  unbelieving 
 and  unsaved.  In  many  respects,  Scotland  may  be  called  God's 
 second  Israel.  No  other  land  has  its  Sabbath  as  Scotland  has; 
 no  other  land  has  the  Bible  as  Scotland  has  ;  no  other  land  has 
 the  gospel  preached,  free  as  the  air  we  breathe,  fresh  as  the 
 stream  from  the  everlasting  hills.  Oh  then,  think  for  a  moment, 
 you  who  sit  under  the  shade  of  faithful  ministers,  and  yet  re- 
 main unconcerned  and  unconverted,  and  are  not  brought  to  sit 
 under  the  shade  of  Christ,  think  how  like  your  wrath  will  be  to 
 that  of  the  unbelieving  Jew  !  And  thiuk,  again,  of  the  marvellous 
 grace  of  Christ,  that  the  gospel  is  first  to  you.  The  more  that 
 your  sins  are  like  scarlet  and  like  crimson,  the  more  is  the  blood 
 free  to  you  that  washes  white  as  snow ;  for  this  is  still  his  word 
 to  all  his  ministers.  Begin  at  Jerusalem. 
 
 (2.)  It  is  like  God  to  care  first  for  the  Jews. — It  is  the  chief  glory 
 and  joy  of  a  soul  to  be  hke  God.  You  remember  this  was  the 
 glory  of  that  condition  in  which  Adam  was  created.     "Let  us 
 
SERMONS.  448 
 
 make  mau  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness.'*  His  understanding 
 was  without  a  cloud.  He  saw,  in  some  measure,  as  God  seeth ; 
 his  will  flowed  in  the  same  channel  with  God's  will ;  his  affections 
 fastened  on  the  same  objects  which  God  also  loved.  When  man 
 fell,  we  lost  all  this,  and  became  children  of  the  devil,  and  not 
 children  of  God.  But  when  a  lost  soul  is  brought  to  Christ,  and 
 receives  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  puts  off  the  old  man,  and  puts  on  the 
 new  man,  which  after  God  is  created  in  righteousness  and  true 
 holiness.  It  is  our  true  joy  in  this  world  to  be  like  God.  Too 
 many  rest  in  the  joy  of  being  forgiven,  but  our  truest  joy  is  to  he 
 like  Him.  Oh  rest  not,  beloved,  till  you  are  renewed  after  his 
 image,  till  you  partake  of  the  divine  nature.  Long  for  the  day 
 when  Christ  shall  appear,  and  we  shall  be  fully  like  Him,  for  we 
 shall  see  Him  as  He  is. 
 
 Now,  what  I  wish  to  insist  upon  at  present  is,  that  we  should  be 
 like  God,  even  in  those  things  which  are  pecuhar.  We  should  be 
 like  Him  in  understanding,  in  will,  in  holiness,  and  also  in  his  pecu- 
 liar affections.  "  Love  is  of  God,  and  every  one  that  loveth  is  born 
 of  God,  and  knoweth  God.  He  that  loveth  not  knoweth  not  God, 
 for  God  is  love."  But  the  whole  Bible  shows  that  God  has  a 
 pecuhar  affection  for  Israel.  You  remember  when  the  Jews  were 
 in  Egypt,  sorely  oppressed  by  their  taskmasters,  God  heard  their 
 cry,  and  appeared  to  Moses  :  "  I  have  seen,  I  have  seen  the  afflic- 
 tion of  my  people,  and  I  have  heard  their  cry,  for  I  know  their 
 sorrows." 
 
 And,  again,  when  God  brought  them  through  the  wilderness, 
 Moses  tells  them  why  He  did  it.  "  The  Lord  did  not  set  his  love 
 upon  you,  nor  choose  you  because  ye  were  more  in  number  than 
 any  people,  for  ye  were  the  fewest  of  all  people,  but  because  the 
 Lord  loved  you,"  Dent.  vii.  7.  Strange,  sovereign,  most  pecuhar 
 love !  He  loved  them  because  He  loved  them.  Should  we  not  be 
 like  God  in  this  peculiar  attachment  ? 
 
 But  you  say,  God  has  sent  them  into  captivity.  Now,  it  is  true 
 God  hath  scattered  them  into  every  land  :  "  The  precious  sons  of 
 Zion,  comparable  to  fine  gold,  how  are  they  esteemed  as  earthen 
 pitchers!"  Lam.  iv.  2.  But  what  says  God  of  this?  "I  have 
 left  mine  house,  I  have  forsaken  mine  heritage,  I  have  given  the 
 dearly  beloved  of  my  soul  into  the  hand  of  her  enemies,"  Jer.  xii.  7. 
 It  is  true  that  Israel  is  given  for  a  little  moment  into  the  hand  of 
 her  enemies,  but  it  is  as  true  that  they  are  still  the  dearly  beloved 
 of  his  soul.  Should  we  not  give  them  the  same  place  in  our  heart 
 which  God  gives  them  in  his  heart?  Shall  we  be  ashamed  to 
 cherish  the  same  affection  which  our  heavenly  Father  cherishes  ? 
 
444  SERMONS. 
 
 Shall  we  be  ashamed  to  be  unlike  the  world,  and  like  God  in  this 
 peculiar  love  for  captive  Israel  ? 
 
 But  you  say,  God  has  cast  them  off.  Hath  God  cast  away  his 
 people  which  He  foreknew  ?  God  forbid  !  The  whole  Bible  con- 
 tradicts such  an  idea.  "Is Ephraim  my  dear  son?  is  he  a  pleasant 
 child  ?  for  since  I  spake  against  him,  I  do  earnestly  remember  him 
 still ;  therefore  my  bowels  are  troubled  for  him :  I  will  surely  have 
 mercy  upon  him,  saith  the  Lord,"  Jer.  xxxi.  20.  "  I  will  plant 
 them  again  in  their  own  land  assuredly,  with  my  whole  heart  and 
 with  my  whole  soul."  "  Zion  saith.  The  Lord  hath  forsaken  me, 
 and  my  Lord  hath  forgotten  me.  Can  a  woman  forget  her  suck- 
 ing child,  that  she  should  not  have  compassion  on  the  son  of  her 
 womb  ?  Yea,  they  may  forget,  yet  will  I  not  forget  thee,"  Isa. 
 xlix.  14.  "And  so  all  Israel  shall  be  saved,  as  it  is  written,  There 
 shall  come  out  of  Zion  the  Deliverer,  and  shall  turn  away  ungodli- 
 ness from  Jacob."  Now  the  simple  question  for  each  of  you  is, 
 and  for  our  beloved  church.  Should  we  not  share  with  God  in  his 
 peculiar  affection  for  Israel  ?  If  we  are  filled  with  the  Spirit  of 
 God,  should  we  not  love  as  He  loves  ?  Should  we  not  grave  Israel 
 upon  the  palms  of  our  hands,  and  resolve  that  through  our  mercy 
 they  also  may  obtain  mercy  ? 
 
 (3.)  Because  there  is  peculiar  access  to  the  Jews. — In  almost  all  the 
 countries  we  have  visited,  this  fact  is  quite  remarkable ;  indeed,  it 
 seems  in  many  places  as  if  the  only  door  left  open  to  the  Christian 
 missionary  is  the  door  of  preaching  to  the  Jews. 
 
 We  spent  some  time  in  Tuscany,  the  freest  state  in  the  whole 
 of  Italy.  There  you  dare  not  preach  the  gospel  to  the  Roman 
 Catholic  population.  The  moment  you  give  a  tract  or  a  Bible,  it 
 is  carried  to  the  priest,  and  by  the  priest  to  the  government,  and 
 immediate  banishment  is  the  certain  result.  But  the  door  is  open 
 to  the  Jews.  No  man  cares  for  their  souls;  and  therefore  you 
 may  carry  the  gospel  to  them  freely. 
 
 The  same  is  the  case  in  Egypt  and  in  Palestine. — You  dare  not 
 preach  the  gospel  to  the  deluded  followers  of  Mahomet ;  but  you 
 may  stand  in  the  open  market-place  and  preach  the  gospel  to  the 
 Jews,  no  man  forbidding  you.  We  visited  every  town  in  the  Holy 
 Land  where  Jews  are  found.  In  Jerusalem  and  in  Hebron  we 
 spoke  to  them  all  the  words  of  this  life.  In  Sychar  we  reasoned 
 with  them  in  the  synagogue,  and  in  the  open  bazaar.  In  Chaifa, 
 at  the  foot  of  Carmel,  we  met  with  them  in  the  synagogue.  In 
 Zidon  also  we  discoursed  freely  to  them  of  Jesus.  In  Tyre  w^e 
 first  visited  them  in  the  synagogue  and  at  the  house  of  the  B.abbi, 
 and  then  they  returned  our  visit ;  for  when  we  had  lain  down  iu 
 
SERMONS.  445 
 
 ihe  khan  for  the  heat  oi  mid-day,  they  came  to  us  in  crowds.  The 
 Hebrew  Bible  was  produced,  and  passage  after  passage  explained, 
 none  making  us  afraid.  In  Saphet,  and  Tiberias,  and  Acre,  we  had 
 the  like  freedom.  There  is  indeed  perfect  liberty  in  the  Holy  Land 
 to  carry  the  gospel  to  the  Jew. 
 
 In  Constantinople^  if  you  were  to  preach  to  the  Turks,  as  some 
 have  tried,  banishment  is  the  consequence ;  but  to  the  Jew  you 
 may  carry  the  message.  In  Wallachia  and  Moldavia  the  smallest 
 attempt  to  convert  a  Greek  would  draw  down  the  instant  ven- 
 geance of  the  Holy  Synod  and  of  the  government.  But  in  every 
 town  we  went  freely  to  the  Jews  :  in  Bucharest,  in  Foxany,  in 
 Jassy,  and  in  many  a  remote  Wallachian  hamlet,  we  spoke  without 
 hindrance  the  message  to  Israel.     The  door  is  wide  open. 
 
 In  Austria,  where  no  missionary  of  any  kind  is  allowed,  still  we 
 found  the  Jews  wilhng  to  hear.  In  their  synagogues  we  always 
 found  a  sanctuary  open  to  us  ;  and  often,  when  they  knew  they 
 could  have  exposed  us,  they  concealed  that  we  had  been  there. 
 
 In  Prussian  Poland,  the  door  is  wide  open  to  nearly  100,000 
 Jews.  You  dare  not  preach  to  the  poor  Rationahst  Protestants. 
 Even  in  Protestant  Prussia  this  would  not  be  allowed ;  but  you 
 may  preach  the  gospel  to  the  Jews.  By  the  law  of  the  land  every 
 church  is  open  to  an  ordained  minister ;  and  one  of  the  mission 
 aries  assured  me  that  he  often  preached  to  400  or  500  Jews  and 
 Jewesses  at  a  time.  Schools  for  Jewish  children  are  also  allowed. 
 We  visited  three  of  them,  and  heard  the  children  taught  the  way 
 of  salvation  by  a  Redeemer.  Twelve  years  ago  the  Jews  would 
 not  have  come  near  a  church. 
 
 If  these  things  be  true, — and  I  appeal  to  all  of  you  who  know 
 these  countries  if  it  is  not ;  if  the  door  in  one  direction  is  shut,  and 
 the  door  to  Israel  is  so  widely  open ;  oh,  do  you  not  think  that 
 God  is  saying  by  his  providence,  as  well  as  by  his  word.  Go  rather 
 to  the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel  ?  Do  you  think  that  our 
 church,  knowing  these  things,  will  be  guiltless  if  we  do  not  obey 
 the  call  ?  for  the  gospel  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation,  to  the 
 Jew  first,  and  also  to  the  Greek. 
 
 (4.)  Because  they  will  give  life  to  the  dead  world. — I  have  often 
 thought  that  a  reflective  traveller,  passing  through  the  countries 
 of  this  world,  and  observing  the  race  of  Israel  in  every  land,  might 
 be  led  to  guess,  merely  from  the  hght  of  his  natural  reason,  that 
 that  singular  people  are  preserved  for  some  great  purpose  in  the 
 world.  There  is  a  singular  fitness  in  the  Jew  to  be  the  missionary 
 of  the  world.  They  have  not  that  peculiar  attachment  to  home 
 and  country  which  we  have.     They  feel  that  they  are  outcasts  iu 
 
446  SEKMONS. 
 
 every  land.  They  are  also  inured  to  every  clime :  they  are  to  be 
 found  amid  the  suows  of  Russia,  and  beneath  the  burning  sun  of 
 Hindostan.  They  are  also  in  some  measure  acquainted  with  all 
 the  languages  of  the  world,  and  yet  have  one  common  language — 
 the  holy  tongue — in  which  to  communicate  with  one  another.  All 
 these  things  must,  I  should  think,  suggest  themselves  to  every  in- 
 telligent traveller  as  he  passes  through  other  lands.  But  what  says 
 the  iDord  of  God  1 
 
 "It  shall  come  to  pass,  that  as  ye  were  a  curse  among  the 
 heathen,  0  house  of  Judah  and  house  of  Israel;  so  will  I  save 
 you,  and  ye  shall  be  a  blessing,"  Zech.  viii.  13.  To  this  day  they 
 are  a  curse  among  all  nations,  by  their  unbehef — by  their  covet 
 ousness ;  but  the  time  is  coming  when  they  shall  be  as  great 
 a  blessing  as  they  have  been  a  curse. 
 
 "And  the  remnant  of  Jacob  shall  be  in  the  midst  of  many 
 people  as  a  dew  from  the  Lord,  as  the  showers  upon  the  grass, 
 that  tarrieth  not  for  man,  nor  waiteth  for  the  sons  of  men,"  Micah 
 V.  7.  Just  as  we  have  found,  among  the  parched  hills  of  Judah, 
 that  the  evening  dew,  coming  silently  down,  gave  life  to  every 
 plant,  making  the  grass  to  spring,  and  the  flowers  to  put  forth 
 their  sweetest  fragrance,  so  shall  converted  Israel  be  when  they 
 come  as  dew  upon  a  dead,  dry  world. 
 
 "  In  those  days  it  shall  come  to  pass,  that  ten  men  shall  take  hold, 
 out  of  all  languages  of  the  nations,  even  shall  take  hold  of  the  skirt 
 of  him  that  is  a  Jew,  saying.  We  will  go  with  you ;  for  we  have 
 heard  that  God  is  with  you,"  Zech.  viii.  23.  This  never  has  been 
 fulfilled ;  but  as  the  word  of  God  is  true,  this  is  true.  Perhaps 
 some  one  may  say,  If  the  Jews  are  to  be  the  great  missionaries  of 
 the  world,  let  us  send  missions  to  them  only.  We  have  got  a  new 
 hght;  let  us  call  back  our  missionaries  from  India.  They  are 
 wasting  their  precious  lives  there  in  doing  what  the  Jews  are  to 
 accompHsh.  I  grieve  to  think  that  any  lover  of  Israel  should  so 
 far  pervert  the  truth,  as  to  argue  in  this  way.  The  Bible  does  not 
 say  that  we  are  to  preach  ordy  to  the  Jew,  but  to  the  ^qw  first. 
 "  Go  and  preach  the  gospel  to  all  nations,"  said  the  Saviour.  Let 
 us  obey  his  word  like  little  children.  The  Lord  speed  our  beloved 
 missionaries  in  that  burning  chme.  The  Lord  give  them  good 
 success,  and  never  let  one  withering  doubt  cross  their  pure  minds 
 as  to  their  glorious  field  of  labour.  All  that  we  plead  for  is,  that, 
 in  sending  out  missionaries  to  the  heathen,  we  may  not  forget  to 
 begin  at  Jerusalem.  If  Paul  be  sent  to  the  Gentiles,  let  Peter  be 
 sent  to  the  twelve  tribes  that  are  scattered  abroad ;  and  let  not  a 
 by-corner  in  your  hearts  be  given  to  this  cause ;  let  it  not  be  an 
 
SEEMONS.  447 
 
 appendix  to  the  otlier  doings  of  our  church,  but  rather  let  there  be 
 written  on  the  forefront  of  your  hearts,  and  on  the  banner  of  our 
 beloved  church,  "  To  the  Jew  first,"  and  "  Beginning  at  Jeru- 
 salem." 
 
 Lastly,  Because  there  is  a  great  reward.  Blessed  is  he  that 
 blesseth  thee  ;  cursed  is  he  that  curseth  thee.  Pray  for  the  peace 
 of  Jerusalem ;  they  shall  prosper  that  love  her.  We  have  felt 
 this  in  our  own  souls.  In  going  from  country  to  country,  we 
 felt  that  there  was  One  before  us  preparing  our  way.  Though 
 we  have  had  perils  in  the  waters,  and  perils  in  the  wilderness,  perils 
 from  sickness,  and  perils  from  the  heathen,  still  from  all  the  Lord 
 has  delivered  us ;  and  if  it  shall  please  God  to  restore  our  revered 
 companions  in  this  mission  in  peace  and  safety  to  their  anxious 
 families,^  we  shall  then  have  good  reason  to  say,  that  in  keeping  his 
 commandment  there  is  great  reward. 
 
 But  your  souls  shall  be  enriched  also,  and  our  church  too,  if 
 this  cause  find  its  right  place  in  your  affections.  It  was  well  said 
 by  one  who  has  a  deep  place  in  your  afl*ections,  and  who  is  now 
 on  his  way  to  India,  that  our  church  must  not  only  be  evangehcal, 
 but  evangehstic  also,  if  she  would  expect  the  blessing  of  God. 
 She  must  not  only  have  the  light,  but  dispense  it  also,  if  she  is 
 to  be  continued  as  a  steward  of  God.  May  1  not  take  the  liberty 
 of  adding  to  this  striking  declaration,  that  we  must  not  only  be 
 evangehstic,  but  evangelistic  as  God  ivould  have  -us  to  he, — not  only 
 dispense  the  light  on  every  hand,  but  dispense  it  first  to  the  Jew  ? 
 
 Then  shall  God  revive  his  work  in  the  midst  of  the  years.  Our 
 whole  land  shall  be  refreshed  as  Kilsyth  has  been.  The  cobwebs 
 of  controversy  shall  be  swept  out  of  our  sanctuaries,  the  jarrings 
 and  jealousies  of  our  church  be  turned  into  the  harmony  of  praise, 
 and  our  own  souls  become  like  a  well-watered  garden. 
 
 SERMON    XXYI. 
 
 "BLESSED   ARE   THE   DEAD."^ 
 
 '  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth :  Yea,  saith  the 
 Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  hibours ;  and  their  works  do  follow 
 them."— Eev.  xiv,  13.' 
 
 There  are  two  remarkable  things  in  the  manner  in  which  thes6 
 words  are  given  to  us. 
 
 '  Drs  Black  and  Keith  were  at  this  time  still  detained  by  sickness  abroad. 
 -  Preached  in  the  si;mmer  of  18i0. 
 
448  SERMONS. 
 
 I.  They  are  the  words  of  the  Father  echoed  hach  ly  the  Spirit. — ■ 
 "  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven."  "  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit."  John's 
 eye  had  been  riveted  upon  the  wondrous  sight  mentioned  in  verse 
 1.  A  Lamb  stood  on  Mount  Zion,  and  one  hundred  and  forty- 
 four  thousand  redeemed  ones  following  Him  whithersoever  He 
 goeth,  when  suddenly  a  still  small  voice  broke  upon  his  ear,  saying, 
 "  Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  ;"  and  then  the  Holy  Spirit  breathed, 
 Amen.     "  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit." 
 
 It  is  written  in  the  law  that  the  testimony  of  two  witnesses  is 
 true.  Now,  here  are  two  witnesses, — the  Father  of  all,  and  the 
 Holy  Spirit  the  Comforter,  both  testifying  that  it  is  a  happy 
 thing  to  die  in  the  Lord.  Is  there  any  of  you,  God's  children, 
 who  tremble  at  the  thought  of  dying?  Does  death  appear  a 
 monster  with  a  dreadful  dart,  ready  to  destroy  you  ?  Here  are 
 two  sweet  and  blessed  witnesses  who  declare  that  death  has  lost 
 his  sting — that  the  grave  has  lost  its  victory.  Listen,  and  the 
 frown  will  disappear  from  the  brow  of  death, — the  valley  will  be 
 filled  with  light ;  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Spirit  both  unite  in 
 saying,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead." 
 
 II.  "  Writer — Whatever  is  written  down  is  more  durable,  and 
 less  liable  to  be  corrupted,  than  that  which  is  only  spoken  from 
 mouth  to  mouth.  For  this  reason,  God  gave  the  Israelites  the 
 Ten  Commandments,  written  with  his  own  finger  on  two  tables 
 of  stone.  For  the  same  reason.  He  commanded  them,  on  the  day 
 they  passed  over  Jordan,  to  set  up  great  stones,  and  plaster  them 
 with  plaster,  and  write  upon  them  all  the  words  of  that  law.  For 
 the  same  reason,  God  commanded  his  servants  the  prophets  to 
 write  their  prophecies,  and  the  apostles  to  write  their  gospels  and 
 epistles,  so  that  we  have  a  permanent  Bible  instead  of  floating 
 tradition.  For  this  reason  did  Job  wish  his  words  to  be  written. 
 "  Oh  that  my  words  were  written !  Oh  that  they  were  printed  in  a 
 book  !  That  they  were  graven  with  an  iron  pen  and  with  lead  in 
 the  rock  for  ever  !  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth,"  Job  xix.  25. 
 It  was  one  of  his  precious,  ever  memorable  sayings, — a  saying  to 
 comfort  the  heart  of  a  drooping  believer  in  the  darkest  hour, — "  / 
 know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth.''  For  the  same  reason  did  the  voice 
 from  heaven  say,  "  Write" — do  not  hear  it  only,  but  wnte  it — 
 print  it  in  a  book — grave  it  with  an  iron  pen — with  lead  in  the 
 rock  for  ever. 
 
 "  Blessed  are  the  dead."  Learn  the  value  of  this  saying.  It  is 
 a  golden  saying — there  is  gold  in  every  syllable  of  it.  It  is  sweeter 
 than  honey  and  the  honeycomb,- -more  precious  than  gold,  yea, 
 
SERMONS.  449 
 
 much  fine  gold.  It  is  precious  in  the  eyes  of  God.  Write  it  deep 
 in  your  hearts ;  it  will  solemnize  your  life,  and  will  keep  you  from 
 being  led  away  by  its  vain  show.  It  will  make  the  syren  songs 
 of  this  world  inconvenient  and  out  of  tune  ;  it  will  sweetly  soothe 
 you  in  the  hour  of  adversity ;  it  will  rob  death  of  its  sting,  and  the 
 grave  of  its  victory.  Write,  write  deep  on  your  heart,  "  Blessed 
 are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord." 
 
 Now,  consider  the  words  themselves. 
 
 (1.)  ^^  Blessed  are  the  dead." — The  world  say,  Blessed  are  the 
 living  ;  but  God  says,  Blessed  are  the  dead.  The  world  judge  of 
 things  by  sense — as  they  outwardly  appear  to  men  ;  God  judges 
 of  things  by  what  they  really  are  in  themselves — He  looks  at 
 things  in  their  real  colour  and  magnitude.  The  world  says, 
 "  Better  is  a  living  dog  than  a  dead  lion."  The  world  look  upon 
 some  of  their  families,  coming  out  like  a  fresh  blooming  flower  in 
 the  morning, — their  cheeks  covered  with  the  bloom  of  health,  their 
 step  bounding  with  the  elasticity  of  youth, — riches  and  luxuries 
 at  their  command, — long,  bright  summer  days  before  them.  The 
 world  says,  "  There  is  a  happy  soul."  God  takes  us  into  the 
 darkened  room,  where  some  child  of  God  lately  dwelt.  He  points 
 to  the  pale  face  where  death  sits  enthroned,  the  cheek  wasted  by 
 long  disease,  the  eye  glazed  in  death,  the  stiff  hands  clasped 
 over  the  bosom,  the  friends  standing  weeping  around,  and  He 
 whispers  in  our  ears,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead."  Ah,  dear  friends, 
 think  a  moment ! — whether  does  God  or  you  know  best  ?  Who 
 will  be  found  to  be  in  the  right  at  last  ?  Alas,  what  a  vain  show 
 you  are  walking  in  !  L»isquieted  in  vain.  "  Man  that  is  in  honour, 
 and  understandeth  not,  is  like  the  beasts  that  perish."  Even 
 God's  children  sometimes  say,  "  Blessed  are  the  living."  It  is  a 
 happy  thing  to  live  in  the  favour  of  God, — to  have  peace  with 
 God, — to  frequent  the  throne  of  grace, — to  burn  the  perpetual 
 incense  of  praise, — to  meditate  on  his  word, — to  hear  the  preached 
 gospel, — to  serve  God ;  even  to  wrestle,  and  run,  and  fight  in  his 
 service,  is  sweet.  Still  God  says,  ^^  Blessed  are  the  dead."  If  it 
 be  happy  to  have  his  smile  here,  how  much  happier  to  have  it 
 without  a  cloud  yonder!  If  it  be  sweet  to  be  the  growing  corn 
 of  the  Lord  here,  how  much  better  to  be  gathered  into  his  barn  ! 
 If  it  be  sweet  to  have  an  anchor  within  the  veil,  how  much  better 
 ourselves  to  be  there,  where  no  gloom  can  come !  In  "  thy 
 presence  is  fulness  of  joy ;  at  thy  right  hand  are  pleasures  for 
 evermore."  Even  Jesus  felt  this, — God  attests  it.  "  Blessed  are 
 the  dead." 
 
 (2.)  Not  all  the  dead,  but  those  that  "  die  in  the  Lord."    It  is 
 
450  SERMONS. 
 
 truly  amazing  the  multitudes  that  die.  "  Thou  earnest  them  away 
 as  with  a  flood."  Seventy  thousand  die  every  day,  about  fifty 
 every  minute, — nearly  one  every  second  passing  over  the  verge. 
 Life  is  like  a  stream  made  up  of  human  beings,  pouring  on,  and 
 rushing  over  the  brink  into  eternity.  Are  all  these  blessed  ?  Ah, 
 no.  ^'■Blessed  are  the  dead  ivho  die  in  the  Lord.^^  Of  .all  that  vast 
 multitude  continually  pouring  into  the  eternal  world,  a  little  com- 
 pany alone  have  savingly  believed  on  Jesus.  "  Strait  is  the  gate 
 and  narrow  is  the  way  that  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there  be  that 
 find  it."  It  is  not  all  the  dead  who  are  blessed.  There  is  no 
 blessing  on  the  Christless  dead  ;  they  rush  into  an  undone  eternity, 
 unpardoned,  unholy.  You  may  put  their  body  in  a  splendid  coffin  ; 
 you  may  print  their  name  in  silver  on  the  lid ;  you  may  bring  the 
 well-attired  company  of  mourners  to  the  funeral,  in  suits  of  solemn 
 black ;  you  may  lay  the  coffin  slowly  in  the  grave  ;  you  may  spread 
 the  greenest  sod  above  it;  you  may  train  the  sweetest  flowers  to  grow 
 over  it ;  you  may  cut  a  white  stone,  and  grave  a  gentle  epitaph  to 
 their  memory  ; — Btill  it  is  but  the  funeral  of  a  damned  soul.  You 
 cannot  write  blessed  where  God  hath  written  "  cursed.''  "  He  that 
 believeth  shall  be  saved ;  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be  damned." 
 Consider  what  is  implied  in  the  words  "  in  the  Lord." 
 1st,  That  they  ivere  joined  to  the  Lord. — Union  to  the  Lord  has 
 a  beginning.  Every  one  that  is  blessed  in  dying  has  been  con- 
 verted. You  may  dislike  the  word,  but  that  is  the  truth.  They 
 were  awakened — began  to  weep — pray — weep  as  they  went  to 
 seek  the  Lord  their  God.  They  saw  themselves  lost,  undone, 
 helpless, — that  they  could  not  be  just  with  a  holy  God.  They 
 became  babes.  The  Lord  Jesus  drew  near,  and  revealed  himself. 
 "  I  am  the  Bread  of  Life."  "  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in 
 nowise  cast  out."  They  believed  and  were  happy, — rejoiced  in 
 the  Lord  Jesus, — counted  everything  but  loss  for  Christ.  They 
 gave  themselves  to  the  Lord.  This  was  the  beginning  of  their 
 being  in  Christ. 
 
 Dear  friends,  have  you  had  this  beginning  ?  Have  you  under 
 gone  conversion — the  new  birth — grafting  into  Christ  ?  Call  it  by 
 any  name  you  will,  have  you  the  thing  ?  Has  this  union  to  Christ 
 taken  place  in  your  history  ?  Some  say,  I  do  not  know.  If  at  any 
 time  of  your  life  you  had  been  saved  from  drowning, — if  you  were 
 actually  drowned  and  brought  to  life  again, — you  would  remember 
 it  to  your  dying  hour.  Much  more  if  you  had  been  brought  to 
 Christ.  If  you  had  been  bhnd,  and  by  some  remarkable  operation 
 your  eyes  were  opened  when  you  were  full  grown,  would  you  ever 
 forget  it  ?    So,  if  you  have  been  truly  brought  into  Christ,  you  may 
 
SERMONS.  451 
 
 easily  remember  it.  If  not,  you  will  die  in  your  sins.  Whither 
 Christ  has  gone,  thither  you  cannot  come.  "  Except  ye  repent 
 and  be  converted,  ye  shall  all  likewise  perish." 
 
 2c?,  Perseverance  is  implied. — Not  all  that  seem  to  be  branches 
 are  branches  of  the  true  vine.  Many  branches  fall  off  the  trees 
 when  the  high  winds  begin  to  blow — all  that  are  rotten  branches. 
 So  in  times  of  temptation,  or  trial,  or  persecution,  many  false  pro- 
 fessors drop  away.  Many  that  seemed  to  be  behevers  went  back, 
 and  walked  no  more  with  Jesus.  They  followed  Jesus — they 
 prayed  with  Him — they  praised  Him ;  but  they  went  back,  and 
 walked  no  more  with  Him.  So  is  it  stiD.  Many  among  us  doubt- 
 less seem  to  be  converted ;  they  begin  well  and  promise  fair,  who 
 will  fall  off  when  winter  comes.  Some  have  fallen  off,  I  fear, 
 already ;  some  more  may  be  expected  to  follow.  These  will  not 
 be  blessed  in  dying.  Oh,  of  all  death-beds,  may  I  be  kept  from 
 beholding  the  death-bed  of  the  false  professor !  I  have  seen  it 
 before  now,  and  I  trust  I  may  never  see  it  again.  They  are  not 
 blessed  after  death.  The  rotten  branches  will  burn  more  fiercely 
 in  the  flames.  Oh,  think  what  torment  it  will  be,  to  think  that  you 
 spent  your  life  in  pretending  to  be  a  Christian,  and  lost  your 
 opportunity  of  becoming  one  indeed !  Your  hell  will  be  all  the 
 deeper,  blacker,  hotter,  that  you  knew  so  much  of  Christ,  and  were 
 so  near  Him,  and  found  Him  not.  Happy  are  they  who  endure  to 
 the  end,  who  are  not  moved  away  from  the  hope  of  the  gospel, 
 who,  when  others  go  away,  say,  Lord,  to  whom  can  we  go  ?  In 
 prosperity,  they  follow  the  Lord  fully  ;  in  adversity,  they  cleave  to 
 Him  closer  still,  as  trees  strike  their  roots  deeper  iu  storms.  Is 
 this  your  case  ? — endure  it  to  the  end.  "  Be  not  moved  away  from 
 the  hope  of  the  gospel,"  Col.  i.  23.  "  We  are  made  partakers 
 of  Christ,  if  we  hold  the  beginning  of  our  confidence  stedfast  unto 
 the  end,"  Heb.  iii.  15.  Even  in  the  dark  valley  you  will  cling 
 to  Him  still.  Come  to  Him  as  ye  came  at  first — a  guilty  crea- 
 ture, clinging  to  the  Lord  our  Righteousness.  Thou  wast  made 
 my  sin.     This  is  to  die  in  the  Lord,  and  this  is  to  be  blessed. 
 
 III.  Reasons  why  they  are  blessed. 
 
 (1.)  Because  of  the  time. — "From  henceforth."  The  time  of  the 
 persecutions  of  Popery  was  coming  on.  He  was  to  wear  out  the 
 saints  of  the  Most  High;  he  was  to  overcome  and  slay  the  followers 
 of  the  Lamb.  Happy  are  they  that  are  taken  from  the  evil  to 
 come.  The  righteous  perish,  and  no  man  layeth  it  to  heart. 
 Merciful  men  are  taken  away,  none  considering  that  they  are  taken 
 away  from  the  evil  to  come.     This  is  one  reason  why  it  is  better 
 
452  SERMONS. 
 
 to  be  with  Christ.  Persecutions  and  tioubles  are  not  easy  to  flesh 
 and  blood.  If  in  our  day  we  be  called  to  them,  we  must  bear 
 them  boldly,  knowing  that  a  good  reward  is  provided  for  those 
 that  overcome.  See  Rev.  ii.  3 — "And  hast  borne,  and  hast 
 patience,  and  for  my  name's  sake  hast  laboured,  and  hast  not 
 fainted."  But  if  it  be  the  will  of  God  to  call  us  away  before  the 
 day  of  trial  come,  we  must  say,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in 
 the  Lord  from  henceforth."  There  will  be  no  persecutions  there. 
 All  are  friends  to  Jesus  there, — every  one  contending  who  shall 
 cast  their  crowns  lowest  at  his  feet,  who  shall  exalt  Him  highest 
 in  their  praise.  No  discord  there.  None  to  rebuke  our  song 
 there. 
 
 (2.)  They  rest  from  their  labours. — That  which  makes  everything 
 laborious  here  is  sin — the  opposition  of  Satan  and  the  world,  and 
 the  drag  of  our  old  nature.  Some  behevers  have  a  constant 
 struggle  with  Satan.  He  is  standing  at  their  right  hand  to  resist 
 them ;  he  is  constantly  distracting  them  in  prayer,  hurling  fiery 
 darts  at  their  soul,  tempting  to  the  most  horrid  sin.  Their  whole 
 life  is  labour.  But  when  we  die  in  the  Lord,  we  shall  rest  from 
 this  labour.  Satan's  work  will  be  clean  done.  The  accuser  of  the 
 brethren  will  no  more  annoy.  No  lion  shall  be  there,  neither  shall 
 any  ravenous  beast  go  up  thereon,  but  the  redeemed  shall  walk 
 there.  But  above  all,  the  wicked  heart,  the  old  man,  the  body  of 
 sin,  makes  this  life  a  dreadful  labour.  When  we  wake  in  the 
 morning,  it  lies  like  a  weight  upon  us.  When  we  would  run  in  the 
 way  of  God's  commandments,  it  drags  us  back.  When  we  would 
 fly,  it  weighs  us  down.  When  we  would  pray,  it  fills  our  mouth 
 with  other  things.  "0  wretched  man  that  I  am  !"  But  to  depart 
 and  be  with  Christ,  is  to  be  free  from  this.  We  shall  drop  this 
 body  of  sin  altogether.  No  more  any  flesh — all  spirit,  all  new  man; 
 no  more  any  weight  or  drag — we  shall  rest  from  our  labours.  Oh,  it 
 is  this  makes  death  in  the  Lord  blessed !  We  shall  not  rest  from  all 
 work ;  we  shall  be  as  the  angels  of  God — we  shall  serve  Him  day 
 and  night  in  his  temple.  We  shall  not  rest  from  our  work,  but 
 from  our  labours.  There  vdll  be  no  toil,  no  pain,  in  our  work. 
 We  shall  rest  in  our  work.  Oh,  let  this  make  you  willing  to 
 depart,  and  make  death  look  pleasant,  and  heaven  a  home.  "  We 
 shall  rest  from  our  labours."  It  is  the  world  of  holy  love,  where 
 we  shall  give  free,  full,  unfettered,  unwearied  expression  to  our 
 love  for  ever. 
 
 (3.)  Works  follow. — Our  good  works  done  in  the  name  of  Jesus 
 shall  then  be  rewarded.  First,  Observe,  they  shall  not  go  before 
 the  soul.     It  is  not  ou  account  of  them  we  shall  be  accepted.     We 
 
SERMONS.  '153 
 
 must  be  accepted /r5^  altogether  on  account  of  Ehn  in  whom  we 
 stand.  Second,  Our  evil  works  shall  be  forgotten, — buried  in  the 
 depths  of  the  sea, — forgotten,  no  more  mentioned.  Third,  All 
 that  we  have  done  out  of  love  to  Jesus  shall  then  be  rewarded. 
 We  maj  forget  them,  and  say  to  Jesus,  "  When  saw  we  Thee 
 sick,  or  in  prison,  and  came  unto  Thee  ?"  But  He  will  not  forget 
 them  :  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of  these 
 my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me."  A  cup  of  cold  water  shall 
 not  go  unrewarded. 
 
 Look  to  the  recompense  of  reward,  dear  friends,  and  it  will  take 
 the  sting  from  death. 
 
 lY.  What  followed. — The  Lord  Jesus  "put  in  his  sickle  and 
 reaped."     See  vers.  14,  15. 
 
 (1.)  Learn  that  the  Lord  Jesus  gathers  his  sheaves  before  a 
 storm,  just  as  farmers  do ;  so  when  you  see  Him  gathering  ripe 
 saints,  be  sure  that  a  storm  is  near. 
 
 (2.)  Learn  that  Jesus  gathers  his  saints  in  love.  When  Jesus 
 gathers  his  own,  He  does  it  in  love.  Do  not  mourn  for  them  as 
 those  who  have  no  hope.  Jesus  has  gathered  them  into  his  bosom. 
 They  shall  shine  as  the  sun. 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 ON  THE  CLOSE  OF  A  COMMUNION  SABBATH. 
 "  What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ?  "— Hosea  xiv.  8. 
 
 Every  one  who  has  been  truly  united  to  Christ,  and  has  this  day 
 confessed  Him  before  men,  should  now  take  up  these  words,  and 
 solemnly,  in  the  presence  of  God,  declare,  "  What  have  I  to  do 
 any  more  with  idols  ?"     Two  reasons  are  given. 
 
 I.  God  loves  you  freely. — Yer.  4.  If  you  are  this  day  come  to 
 Jesus,  God  loves  you  freely.  If  you  believe  on  Him  that  justifieth 
 the  ungodly,  your  faith  is  counted  for  righteousness.  As  long  as 
 you  came  to  God  in  yourself,  you  were  infinitely  vile,  loathsome, 
 condemned — mountains  of  iniquity  covered  your  soul ;  but  blessed, 
 blessed,  blessed  be  the  Holy  Spirit  who  has  led  you  to  Jesus. 
 You  have  come  to  God's  righteous  Servant,  who  by  his  knowledge 
 justifies  many,  because  He  bears  their  iniquities.  Your  sins  are 
 covered,  God  sees  no  iniquity  m  you ;  God  loves  you  freely,  his 
 
454  SERMONS. 
 
 anger  is  tunied  away  from  you.  What  have  you  to  do,  then,  any 
 more  with  idols  ?  Is  not  the  love  of  God  enough  for  thee  ?  The 
 loving  and  much-loved  wife  is  satisfied  with  the  love  of  her  hus- 
 band ;  his  smile  is  her  joy,  she  cares  little  for  any  other.  So,  if 
 you  have  come  to  Christ,  thy  Maker  is  thine  husband ;  his  free 
 love  to  you  is  all  you  need,  and  all  you  can  care  for  ;  there  is  no 
 cloud  between  you  and  God,  there  is  no  veil  between  you  and  the 
 Father ;  you  have  access  to  Him  who  is  the  fountain  of  happiness, 
 of  peace,  of  hohness, — what  hav^  you  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ? 
 Oh !  if  your  heart  swims  in  the  rays  of  God's  love,  like  a  little 
 mote  swimming  in  the  sunbeam,  you  'vill  have  no  room  in  your 
 heart  for  idols. 
 
 II.  The  Spirit,  like  dew,  descends  on  your  souls. — "  I  will  be  like 
 the  dew,"  ver.  5.  If  you  are  this  day  united  to  Jesus,  the  Spirit 
 will  come  lik,e  dew  upon  your  soul.  The  Spirit  is  given  to  them 
 that  obey  Jesus :  "I  will  pray  the  Father."  When  all  nature 
 is  at  rest,  not  a  leaf  moving,  then  at  evening  the  dew  comes  down 
 — no  eye  to  see  the  pearly  drops  descending,  no  ear  to  hear  them 
 falling  on  the  verdant  grass  :  so  does  the  Spirit  come  to  you  who 
 believe.  When  the  heart  is  at  rest  in  Jesus, — unseen,  unheard 
 by  the  world,  the  Spirit  comes,  auC^  softly  fills  the  believing  soul, 
 quickening  all,  renewing  all  within.  "If  I  go  away,  I  will  send 
 Him  unto  you."  Dear  little  ones,  whom  God  hath  chosen  out  of 
 this  world,  you  are  like  Gideon's  fleece:  the  Lord  will  fill  you  with 
 dew  when  all  around  is  dry.  You  are  his  vineyard  of  red  wine ; 
 He  says,  I  will  water  it  every  moment — silently,  unfelt,  unseen, 
 but  surely.  But,  ah  !  that  Spirit  is  a  Holy  Spirit.  "  I  the  Lord 
 thy  God  am  a  jealous  God."  He  cannot  bear  an  idol  in  his 
 temple.  When  the  ark  of  God  was  carried  into  the  temple  of 
 Dagon,  the  idol  fell  flat  before  it ;  much  more  when  the  Holy 
 Spirit  comes  into  the  heart  will  He  cast  out  the  idols. 
 
 "  When  Christ  came  into  the  temple.  He  found  those  that  sold 
 oxen,  and  sheep,  and  doves,  and  the  changers  of  money,  sitting  ; 
 and  when  He  had  made  a  scourge  of  small  cords.  He  drove  them 
 all  out  of  the  temple."  John  ii.  15.  So  when  the  Holy  Spirit 
 comes  into  any  heart,  He  drives  out  the  buyers  and  sellers.  If 
 you  have  received  the  Spirit,  you  will  be  crying  now  in  your 
 heart,  Lord,  take  these  things  hence  ;  drive  them  out  of  my  heart. 
 What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ?  Some  of  the  idols  to  be 
 cast  away  are — 
 
 (1.)  Self-nghteoumess. — This  is  the  largest  idol  of  the  human 
 heart, — the  idol  which  man  loves   most,  and   God  hates  most. 
 
SERMONS.  455 
 
 Dearly  beloved,  you  will  always  be  going  back  to  tbis  idol.  You 
 are  always  trying  to  be  something  in  yourself, — to  gain  God's 
 favour  by  thinking  little  of  your  sin,  or  by  looking  to  your  repent- 
 ance, tears,  prayers,  or  by  looking  to  your  religious  exercises, 
 your  frames,  etc.,  or  by  looking  to  your  graces — the  Spirit's  work 
 in  your  heart.  Beware  of  false  Christs.  Study  sanctification  to 
 the  utmost,  but  make  not  a  Christ  of  it.  God  hates  this  idol  more 
 than  all  others,  because  it  comes  in  the  place  of  Christ ;  it  sits  on 
 Christ's  throne.  Just  as  the  worship  of  the  Yirgin  Mary  is  the 
 worst  of  all  kinds  of  idolatry,  because  it  puts  her  in  the  place  of 
 Christ,  so  self-righteousness  is  the  idol  God  hates  most,  for  it  sits 
 on  the  throne  of  Christ.  Dash  it  down,  dear  friends  ;  let  it  never 
 appear  again.  It  is  like  Manasseh's  carved  image  in  the  holiest  of 
 all.  When  Manasseh  came  home  an  altered  man  to  Jerusalem, 
 would  not  his  first  visit  be  to  the  holiest  of  all  ?  With  eager  hand 
 he  would  draw  the  veil  aside ;  and  when  he  found  the  carved 
 image,  he  would  dash  it  down  from  the  throne  of  God.  Go  and 
 do  likewise.  If  you  feel  God's  love  freely  by  the  righteousness 
 without  works,  then  why  would  you  go  back  to  this  grim  idol  ? 
 What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ? 
 
 (2.)  Darling  sins. — Every  man  has  his  darling  sins.  Long  they 
 kept  you  from  the  Lord  Jesus.  You  have  this  day  declared  that 
 you  were  wiUing  to  leave  them  all  for  Christ.  Go  home,  then,  and 
 perform  your  vows.  After  Hezekiah's  passover,  when  they  had 
 enjoyed  much  of  the  love  and  Spirit  of  God,  "  all  Israel  that  were 
 present  went  home,  and  broke  the  images  in  pieces,  and  cut  down 
 the  groves,  until  they  bad  utterly  destroyed  them  all."  You 
 might  have  seen  them  entering  the  shady  groves  and  dashing  down 
 the  carved  images.  Go  you  and  do  likewise.  Dash  down  family 
 idols,  unholy  practices  that  have  spread  through  your  family. 
 Dash  down  secret  idols  in  your  own  heart.  Leave  not  one.  Re- 
 member, one  Achan  in  the  camp  troubled  Israel,  and  they  were 
 smitten  before  their  enemies.  So,  one  idol  left  in  your  heart  may 
 trouble  you.  Let  Achan  be  slain  if  you  would  go  on  your  way 
 rejoicing.  What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ?  "  If  thy 
 right  hand  offend  thee,  cut  it  off." 
 
 (3.)  Unlawful  attachments. — There  is  not  a  more  fruitful  source 
 of  sin  and  misery  than  unlawful  attachments.  How  much  of  the 
 poetry  and  music  of  our  country  are  given  over  to  the  worship  of 
 the  idols  of  a  foohsh  heart !  How  many  are  given  over  to  worship 
 a  piece  of  clay  that  will  soon  be  eaten  of  worms !  Oh,  my  friends, 
 have  you  felt  the  love  of  God  ?  Do  you  feel  the  sweet,  full  beams 
 of  his  grace  shining  down  upon  your  soul  ?     Have  you  received 
 
456  SERMONS. 
 
 the  dew  of  his  Spirit?  Row  can  you,  then,  any  more  love  & 
 creature  that  is  void  of  the  grace  of  God  ?  What  have  you  to  do 
 any  more  with  idols?  Dear  young  persons,  abhor  the  idea  of 
 marriage  with  the  unconverted.  Be  not  unequally  yoked  together 
 with  unbelievers.  Marry  only  in  the  Lord.  Remember,  if  it  be 
 otherwise,  it  is  a  forbidden  marriage.  There  may  be  none  on 
 earth  so  kind  or  faithful  as  to  forbid  the  banns  ;  earthly  friends 
 may  be  kind  and  smiling;  the  marriage  circle  may  be  gay  and 
 lovely;  but  God  forbids  the  banns.  But  may  there  not  be  a  lawful 
 attachment?  I  believe  there  may;  but  take  heed  it  be  not  an 
 idol.  I  believe  they  are  happiest  who  are  living  only  for  eternity, 
 who  have  no  object  in  this  world  to  divert  their  hearts  from 
 Christ.  "  The  time  is  short ;  it  remaineth  that  they  who  have 
 wives  be  as  though  they  had  none."  What  have  I  to  do  any  more 
 with  idols  ? 
 
 (4.)  Ministers. — You  have  good  reason  to  love  ministers,  and  to 
 esteem  them  highly  for  their  work's  sake.  They  love  you ;  they 
 watch  for  your  souls  as  they  that  must  give  an  account ;  they  bear 
 you  on  their  hearts ;  they  travail  in  birth  till  Christ  be  formed  in 
 you;  they  spend  and  are  spent  for  you;  they  often  endure  amazing 
 temptations,  agonies,  wrestlings  for  your  sake. 
 
 Some  have  been  your  spiritual  fathers.  This  is  a  holy  tie  that 
 will  never  be  broken.  You  have  good  reason  to  love  your  spiritual 
 father.  You  may  have  ten  thousand  instructors  in  Christ,  etc. ; 
 but  ah,  make  not  an  idol  of  them.  The  people  that  would  have 
 worshipped  Paul,  were  the  very  people  that  stoned  him,  and  left 
 him  for  dead.  Oh,  I  wish  that  this  day  may  bring  you  so  near  to 
 Christ,  and  so  much  under  the  love  of  God  and  the  dew  of  Israel, 
 that  you  shall  no  more  glory  in  man  I  What  have  I  to  do  any 
 more  with  idols  ? 
 
 (5.)  Earthly  pleasures. — This  is  a  smiling,  dazzling  idol,  that  has 
 ten  thousand  worshippers — lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of 
 God.  What  have  you  to  do  any  more  with  this  idol  ?  Sometimes 
 it  is  a  gross  idol.  The  theatre  is  one  of  its  temples — there  it  sits 
 enthroned.  The  tavern  is  another,  where  its  reeling,  staggering 
 votaries  sing  its  praise.  What  have  you  to  do  with  these  ?  Have 
 you  the  love  of  God  in  your  soul — the  Spirit  of  God  in  you  ? 
 How  dare  you  cross  the  threshold  of  a  theatre  or  a  tavern  any 
 more !  What !  the  Spirit  of  God  amid  the  wanton  songs  of  a 
 theatre,  or  the  boisterous  merriment  of  a  tavern !  Shame  on  such 
 practical  blasphemy !  No ;  leave  them,  dear  friends,  to  be  cages 
 of  devils  and  of  every  unclean  and  hateful  bird.  You  must  never 
 cross  their  threshold  any  more.     What  shall  I  say  of  games — 
 
SERMONS.  457 
 
 cards,  dice,  dancing  ?  I  will  only  say  this,  that  if  you  love  them, 
 you  have  never  tasted  the  joys  of  the  new  creature.  If  you  feel  the 
 love  of  God  and  the  Spirit,  you  will  not  lightly  sin  these  joys  away 
 amid  the  vain  anxieties  of  cards,  or  the  rattling  of  senseless  dice. 
 What  shall  I  say  of  simpering  tea-parties,  the  pleasures  of  reli- 
 gious gossiping,  and  useless  calls,  without  meaning,  sincerity,  or 
 end  ?  I  will  only  say,  they  are  the  happiest  of  God's  children  who 
 have  neither  time  nor  heart  for  these  things.  I  believe  there  can- 
 not be  much  of  the  Spirit  where  there  is  much  of  these.  What 
 shall  I  say  of  dress  ?  A  young  behever,  full  of  faith  and  joy,  was 
 offered  a  present  of  flowers  for  her  hair.  She  would  not  take 
 them.  She  was  pressed  to  accept  them;  still  she  refused.  Why 
 will  you  not  ?  Ah,  she  said,  how  can  I  wear  roses  on  my  brow, 
 when  Christ  wore  thorns  on  his  ?  The  joy  of  being  in  Christ  is  so 
 sweet,  that  it  makes  all  other  joys  insipid,  dull,  lifeless.  In  his 
 right  hand  are  riches  and  honours  ;  in  his  left  are  length  of  days. 
 His  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness.  What,  then,  have  I  to  do  any 
 more  with  idols  ? 
 
 (6.)  Money. — Dear  souls,  if  you  have  felt  the  love  of  God — the 
 dew — you  must  dash  down  this  idol.  You  must  not  love  money. 
 You  must  be  more  open-hearted,  more  open-handed,  to  the  poor. 
 "  He  that  gives  to  the  poor  lends  to  the  Lord."  "  Inasmuch  as 
 ye  did  it  to  the  least  of  these,  my  brethren,  ye  did  it  unto  me." 
 You  must  build  more  churches.  God  be  praised  for  what  has 
 been  done :  but  you  must  do  far  more.  I  have  as  many  in  this 
 parish  who  go  nowhere  as  would  fill  another  church.  You  must 
 give  more  to  missions,  to  send  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  to  the  Jews, 
 and  to  the  Gentile  world.  Oh  !  how  can  you  grasp  your  money  in 
 hand  so  greedily,  while  there  are  hundreds  of  millions  perishing  ? 
 You  that  give  tens  must  give  your  hundreds.  You  that  are  poor 
 must  do  what  you  can.  Remember  Mary,  and  the  widow's 
 mite.  Let  us  resolve  to  give  the  tenth  of  all  we  have  to  God. 
 God  is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound  toward  you,  that  ye, 
 always  having  all-sufficiency  in  all  things,  may  abound  to  every 
 good  work. 
 
 (7.)  Fear  of  man. — Grim  idol — bloody-mouthed — many  souls  he 
 has  devoured  and  trampled  down  into  hell !  His  eyes  are  full  of 
 hatred  to  Christ's  disciples.  Scoffs  and  jeers  lurk  in  his  eye.  The 
 laugh  of  the  scorner  growls  in  his  throat.  Cast  down  this  idol. 
 This  keeps  some  of  you  from  secret  prayer,  from  worshipping  God 
 in  your  family,  from  going  to  lay  your  case  before  ministers,  from 
 openly  confessing  Christ.  You  that  have  felt  God's  love  and 
 Spirit,  dash  this  idol  to  pieces     Who  art  thou,  that  thou  shouldfit 
 
458  SERMONS. 
 
 be  afraid  of  a  man  that  shall  die  ?     Fear  not,  thon  worm  Jacob. 
 What  have  I  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ? 
 
 Dearly  beloved  and  longed  for,  my  heart's  desire  for  you  is,  to 
 see  you  a  holy  people.  How  much  longer  my  ministry  may  be 
 continued  among  you,  God  only  knows;  but  if  God  give  me  health 
 and  grace  among  you,  I  here  willingly  devote  my  all  to  Him.  No 
 moment,  no  pleasure,  no  ease,  no  wealth,  do  I  wish  for  myself.  I 
 feel  that  He  has  bought  me,  and  I  am  his  property.  Oh  come,  give 
 yourselves  to  the  Lord  with  me !  Bind  yourself  to  the  horns  of 
 God's  altar.  Time  past  is  enough  to  have  been  the  devil's — the 
 world's — our  own.  Now  let  us  be  Christ's  alone.  Are  you 
 willing  ?  Lord,  bear  witness ;  seal  it  in  heaven ;  write  it  in  thy 
 book.  Bear  witness,  angels,  devils,  scowling  world — bear  witness, 
 sun  and  moon — bear  witness,  stones  and  timber — bear  witness, 
 Jesus,  Lamb  of  God!  We  are  thine  now,  and  thine  for  ever. 
 What  have  we  tp  do  any  more  with  idols  ? 
 
 2oth  October  mo. 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 AFTER  THE  COMMUNION. 
 
 "But  ye,  beloved,  building  up  yourselves  on  your  most  holy  faith,  praying  in  the 
 Holy  Ghost,  keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy  of 
 our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  eternal  life." — Jude  20,  21. 
 
 I.  Those  that  have  been  built  on  Christ,  have  need  to  build  themselves 
 still  more  on  Christ. — If  you  come  rightly  to  this  table,  you  have 
 been  hewn  out  of  the  rock,  and  carried  and  laid  on  the  sure  foun- 
 dation. Others  set  at  nought  that  stone,  but  to  you  it  is  the 
 only  name  under  heaven.  Tou  have  been  built  on  Christ  alone 
 for  righteousness.  Think  not  all  is  done — forget  what  is  behind. 
 You  have  begun  salvation,  work  out  your  salvation. 
 
 (1.)  Build  yourselves  more  simply  on  Christ — on  Christ  alone — 
 his  blood  and  righteousness.  Some  are  hke  a  stone  resting  half  on 
 the  foundation  and  half  on  the  sand.  Some  take  half  their  peace 
 from  Christ's  finished  work,  and  half  from  the  Spirit's  work  within 
 them.  Now  the  whole  of  our  justification  must  be  from  Christ 
 alone.     Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay. 
 
 (2.)  Build  yourselves  more  surely  on  Christ. — Some  stones  do 
 not  lie  smoothly  on  the  foundation — they  are  apt  to  totter.  Seek, 
 brethren,  to  get  a  sure  founding  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.    "  If 
 
SERMONS. 
 
 459 
 
 ye  continue  in  the  faith,  grounded  and  settled,  and  be  not  moved 
 away  from  the  hope  of  the  gospel."  It  is  easy  to  sail  with  a  gentle 
 sea  and  the  wind  in  the  west,  but  the  gale  tries  whether  the  ship 
 be  rightly  balanced.  It  is  easy  to  believe  in  a  sunny  day  like  this, 
 when  broken  bread  and  poured  out  wine  have  been  in  your  hands ; 
 but  stop  till  you  are  in  the  wilderness,  or  afar  at  sea  alone — stop 
 till  fresh  guilt  lies  on  the  conscience — stop  till  a  strong  temptation 
 blows — Oh  then  to  rely  on  Christ  alone  for  righteousness !  Under 
 a  sight  of  sin — Satan  grappling  with  the  soul — Oh  then  to  look  up 
 into  the  face  of  Christ  and  say,  Thou  art  my  robe,  my  righteous- 
 ness, my  shield — thy  blood,  thy  obedience  is  enough  for  me  !  This 
 is  to  believe. 
 
 II.  Pray  in  the  Holy  Ghost. — When  a  believer  prays,  he  is  not 
 alone — there  are  three  with  him :  the  Father  seeing  in  secret,  his 
 ear  open;  the  Son  blotting  out  sin,  and  offering  up  the  prayer; 
 the  Holy  Ghost  quickening  and  giving  desires.  There  can  be  no 
 true  prayer  without  these  three.  Some  people  pray  like  a  parrot, 
 repeating  words  when  the  heart  is  far  from  God.  Some  pray 
 without  the  Father.  They  do  not  feel.  They  are  speaking  to 
 the  back  of  their  chair,  or  to  the  world,  or  to  the  empty  air. 
 Some  pray  without  the  Son.  They  come  in  their  own  name — in 
 their  own  righteousness.  That  is  the  sacrifice  of  fools.  Some 
 pray  without  the  Holy  Ghost.  These  are  not  filled  with  divine 
 breathings.  Dear  friends,  if  you  would  live,  you  must  pray ;  and 
 if  you  would  pray  with  acceptance,  you  must  pray  to  the  Father 
 in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  by  his  Spirit  quickening. 
 
 (1.)  Get  the  Holy  Ghost. — Many  seem  not  to  know  if  there  be  a 
 Holy  Spirit.  Jesus  being  raised  by  the  Father,  has  obtained  the 
 Spirit.     Ask  Him. 
 
 (2.)  Let  Him  h-eathe  ivithin  you. — Do  not  vex  Him. 
 
 (3.)  Pray  ivithout  ceasing. — Whatever  you  need,  ask  Him  imme- 
 diately. Have  set  times  of  approaching  God  solemnly.  Let 
 nothing  interfere  with  these  times.    Take  your  best  time. 
 
 III.  Keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of  God. — It  is  when  you  are  built 
 on  Christ,  and  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  that  you  keep  your- 
 selves in  the  love  of  God.  There  is  one  glorious  Being  whom 
 God  loves  infinitely.  "  1  am  not  alone,  for  the  Father  is  with  me." 
 He  loved  Him  from  eternity,  for  the  pure,  spotless  image  of  him- 
 self. He  loved  Him  for  laying  down  his  life.  He  is  well  pleased 
 for  his  righteousness'  sake.  The  eye  of  the  all-perfect  One  rests 
 with  perfect  complacency  on  Him.    Have  you  this  day  come  into 
 
460  SERMONS. 
 
 Christ — this  clay  come  under  his  shield — are  this  day  found  in 
 Him  ?     If  you  are  in  the  love  of  God,  keep  yourselves  there. 
 
 (1.)  Care  not  for  the  love  of  the  ivorld. — If  you  were  of  the  vy^orld, 
 the  world  would  love  its  own.  Its  best  smiles  are  little  worth.  The 
 world  is  a  dying  thing — a  crucified  man  to  them  that  are  in  Christ. 
 
 (2.)  Prize  the  love  of  God. — Oh,  it  is  sweet  to  be  in  the  garden 
 of  spices — to  have  God  for  your  refuge — God  rejoicing  over  you ! 
 First,  This  takes  all  the  sting  away  from  affliction.  God  is  love 
 to  me.  The  hand  that  wounds  is  the  gentlest  and  most  loving. 
 Second,  This  takes  their  sting  from  the  world's  reproaches.  Third, 
 This  makes  death  sweet.  It  is  a  leap  into  the  arms  of  infinite 
 love,  though  to  some  a  leap  into  a  dark  eternity.  Oh  keep  your- 
 selves in  the  love  of  God  ! 
 
 lY.  Looking  for  mercy. — You  will  be  incomplete  Christians  if 
 you  do  not  look  for  the  coming  again  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  If  the 
 table  has  been  sweet  to-day,  what  will  it  be  when  Jesus  comes 
 again  to  receive  us  to  himself?  If  his  love-letters  and  love-tokens, 
 sent  from  a  far  country,  be  so  sweet,  what  will  the  Bridegroom 
 himself  be  when  He  comes  and  takes  us  by  the  hand  to  present  us 
 to  himself,  and  acknowledge  us  before  an  assembled  world  ? 
 
 (1.)  You  luill  get  an  open  acquittal  on  that  day. — Now  He  gives 
 us  sweet  acquittal  at  the  bar  of  conscience — He  says  :  "  Peace  be 
 tmto  you."  But  when  it  is  open,  we  shall  wear  the  blood-washed 
 robe.     It  will  need  to  be  mercy  even  at  that  day. 
 
 (2.)  Perfect  deliverance  from  sin. — Now  He  gives  us  the  victory 
 by  faith.  He  gives  us  to  feel  the  thorn,  and  to  look  up  for  grace 
 sufficient.  Then  He  will  take  the  thorn  away.  We  shall  be  like 
 Jesus  in  soul  and  body.  Oh,  be  casting  sweet  looks  of  love  toward 
 that  day !  When  a  child  is  expecting  an  elder  brother's  return, 
 when  he  is  to  bring  some  gift,  how  often  he  runs  to  the  window 
 and  watches  for  his  coming  !  Your  elder  Brother  is  coming  with 
 a  sweet  gift.  Oh,  cast  your  eye  often  toward  the  clouds,  to  see  if 
 they  will  break  and  let  his  beautiful  feet  through !  Shorten  the 
 time  by  anticipation. 
 
 (3.)  Jesus  no  more  dishonoured. — Honour  to  the  Lamb  is  a  sweet 
 mercy  to  a  believing  soul.  A  high  day  like  this,  when  Jesus  gets 
 many  a  crown  cast  at  his  feet,  is  sweet  to  a  beheving  soul.  How 
 much  more  the  day  when  we  shall  wear  his  full  crown,  and  when 
 the  slain  Lamb  shall  be  fully  praised ;  and  when  He  shall  come  to 
 be  glorified,  who  once  came  to  be  spit  upon !  That  truly  shall  be 
 mercy  to  our  poor  soul.     Our  cup  shall  run  over. 
 
 Zd  January  1841. 
 
SKETCHES  OF  HIS  SEEMONS.  461 
 
 SKETCHES  OF  HIS  SERMONS, 
 
 WHICH   HE   EXTENDED    IN   THE    DELIVEKY. 
 
 •  Oh  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  to  my  commandments !  then  had  thy  peace  been 
 as  a  river,  and  thy  righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea." — IsA.  xlviii.  18. 
 
 I.  Their  peace  would  have  heen  like  a  river. — (1.)  It  has  a  source. 
 It  begins  at  the  fountain  of  Christ's  blood.  (2.)  It  is  fed  from 
 above.  Rains  and  showers  feed  the  rivers  :  the  shower  of  grace 
 swells  the  rivers  of  peace.  (3.)  It  has  inundations,  as  the  Nile. 
 An  awakening  providence  often  makes  it  overflow.  Afflictions 
 and  the  consolations  under  them  always,  if  the  sufferings  are  the 
 sufferings  of  Christ.  Sacramental  times  also ;  hence  the  desirable- 
 ness of  frequency  in  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  (4.) 
 It  gets  broader  and  broader  to  the  sea.  The  Tay.  "  The  path 
 of  the  just  is  like  the  shining  hght."  Try  yourselves  by  this  text. 
 (5.)  It  is  fertilizing.  It  conveys  nourishment.  Egypt  owes  all  its 
 fertihty  to  the  Nile.  The  peace  of  Christ  makes  every  grace  grow. 
 Holiness  always  grows  out  of  a  peaceful  breast. 
 
 II.  Their  righteousness  would  have  heen  as  the  waves  of  the  sea. — 
 The  righteousness  of  Christ  is  compared  to  the  waves  of  the  sea. 
 Because,  (1.)  It  covers  over  the  highest  sins.  (2.)  It  covers  again 
 and  again.  (3.)  It  is  infinite  righteousness.  You  cannot  count 
 the  waves  of  the  sea. 
 
 Inference. — God  wishes  men  to  be  saved.  God  sometimes  pleads 
 with  men  to  be  saved  for  his  own  pleasure :  it  would  be  pleasant 
 to  Him ;  it  would  make  Him  glad ;  as  in  the  parable  of  the  lost 
 sheep.  Sometimes  He  pleads  for  his  own  glory.  Jer.  xiii.  16; 
 Mai.  ii.  1.  But  here  it  is  for  the  happiness  of  sinners  themselves. 
 So  Ps.  Ixxxi.  13.  Once  more,  He  pleads  with  men,  because  un- 
 willing that  any  should  perish.     2  Pet.  iii.  9. 
 
 "  Now  to  him  that  worketh  is  the  reward  not  reckoned  of  grace,  but  of  debt. 
 But  to  him  that  worketh  not,  but  believeth  on  Him  that  justifieth  the  un- 
 godly, his  faith  is  counted  for  righteousness.  Even  as  David  also  describeth 
 the  blessedness  of  the  man,  unto  whom  God  imputeth  righteousness  without 
 works,  saying,  Blessed  are  they  whose  iniquities  are  forgiven,  and  whose 
 sins  are  covered.  Blessed  is  the  man  to  whom  the  Lord  will  not  impute 
 Bin." — EoM.  iv.  4-8. 
 
 T,  The  ivay  in  which  the  natural  man  seeks  salvation.— ^^  Worketh," 
 ver.  1.     Wishes  it  to  be  of  desert. 
 
462  SKETCHES  OF  HIS  SERMONS. 
 
 II.  The  hettet^  way. — The  old  way.    David's,  Abel's.    "  Worketh 
 not." 
 
 III.  The  blessedness. — David  speaks  of  this. 
 
 At  a  later  period  he  took  the  same  text,  dividing  it  thus : — 
 
 I.  The  working  plan. 
 
 II.  The  believing  plan. 
 
 "  Fools  make  a  mock  at  sin  :  but  among  the  righteous  there  is  f  avoui\"-  - 
 Pkov.  xiv.  9. 
 
 I.  What  the  natural  heart  thinks  of  sin. — (1.)  Men  sin  easily.  As 
 a  fountain  casting  out  its  waters.  Jer.  vii.  Such  is  the  natural 
 flow  of  their  heart.  (2.)  They  bear  the  load  lightly.  At  ease  in 
 Zion.  (3.)  The  heavier  the  load,  they  sin  the  more  easily.  Like 
 a  river  filled.     Eph.  iv.  19. 
 
 II.  What  God  thinlcs  of  sin. — (1.)  He  says  He  hates  it.  Jer, 
 xUv.  4.  (2.)  He  has  prepared  hell  for  it.  (3.)  He  has  punished 
 it  in  his  Son. 
 
 III.  What  awakened  souls  think  of  it. — Rom.  vii.  9  ;  John  xvi. ; 
 Ps.  li.     The  jailor.     The  sting. 
 
 I Y.    What  believers  think  of  it. 
 
 "  Beloved,  let  us  love  one  another  :  for  love  is  of  God ;  and  every  one  that  lovoth 
 is  born  of  God,  and  knoweth  God.  He  that  loveth  not,  knoweth  not  God ; 
 for  God  is  love.  In  this  was  manifested  the  love  of  God  toward  us,  because 
 that  God  sent  his  only-begotten  Son  into  the  world,  that  we  might  live 
 through  Him.  Herein  is  love,  not  that  we  loved  God,  but  that  He  loved  us, 
 and  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  propitiation  for  our  sins.  Beloved,  if  God  so 
 loved  us,  we  ought  also  to  love  one  another.  No  man  hath  seen  God  at  any 
 time.  If  we  love  one  another,  God  dwelleth  in  us,  and  his  love  is  perfected 
 in  us.  Hereby  know  we  that  we  dwell  in  Him,  and  He  in  us,  because  He  hath 
 given  us  of  his  Spirit." — 1  John  iv.  7-13. 
 
 I.  It  is  a  delicate  love. — "  Beloved,  let  us  love  one  another." 
 
 II.  It  is  self-denying  love. — Hear  its  language  :  "If  God  so  loved 
 us,  we  ought,"  etc.     Yer.  11. 
 
 III.  It  is  God'like  love. — ^Yer.  12.  It  is  produced  by  the  Spirit 
 of  God  moving  in  the  heart,  and  it  imitates  God.  "If  God  so 
 loved,"  etc. 
 
SKETCHES  OF  HIS  SERMONS.  463 
 
 lY.  It  is  never-failing  love. — For  no  fountain  is  so  unfailing  as 
 the  heart  of  God,  which  is  its  fountain. 
 
 '^  And  I  will  pour  upon  the  house  of  David,  and  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Jeru- 
 salem, the  spirit  of  grace  and  of  supplications ;  and  they  shall  look  upon  me 
 whom  they  have  pierced,  and  they  shall  mourn  for  Him  as  one  moumeth  for 
 his  only  son,  and  they  shall  be  in  bitterness  for  Him  as  one  that  is  in  bitter- 
 ness for  his  first-born In  that  day  there  shall  be  a  fountain  opened 
 
 to  the  house  of  David,  and  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  for  sin  and  for 
 uncleanness." — Zech.  xii.  10,  xiii.  1. 
 
 I.  The  great  spring. — "  I  will  pour." 
 
 n.  The  great  agent. — "  The  spirit  of  grace  and  supphcation." 
 III.  The  effect.— 'Thej  look ;  they  mourn ;  they  see  the  fountain 
 opened. 
 
 "  The  Lord  om-  Eighteousness." — Jer.  xxxiii.  16. 
 
 Deep  wounding,  from  views  of  Christ  pierced  by  our  sins,  precedes 
 deep  peace  from  views  of  his  righteousness.  Originally  spoken  to 
 Judah  and  Israel. 
 
 I.  It  is  the  sight  of  a  divine  righteousness. — Jehovah  has  made  the 
 atonement. 
 
 II.  It  is  a  living  righteousness. — Jehovah  is  the  righteousness.  A 
 living  one  gives  it.  He  is  exalted  to  give  it.  He  comes  to  you 
 with  the  offer  of  it. 
 
 III.  It  is  an  appropriated  righteousness. — It  would  not  give  me 
 peace  to  see  all  the  world  clothed  in  Christ,  if  I  were  not.  No 
 delight  to  me  except  I  am  sitting  under  his  shade  myself — under 
 the  rock.  The  joy  of  Paul  was,  "  Christ  is  made  unto  us ;"  of 
 Thomas,  "My  Lord." 
 
 Application. — (1.)  The  rest  of  a  believer  consists  in  knowing  that 
 Jehovah  is  his  righteousness.  (2.)  The  folly  of  those  who  rest  in 
 seeking  is  evident — "  ever  learning."  (3.)  We  see  the  misery  of 
 unbeUevers.  There  is  a  glorious  divine  righteousness  that  would 
 make  the  blackest  fair.  It  will  be  your  eternal  torment,  that 
 so  glorious  a  righteousness  was  offered  you,  and  you  died  with' 
 ont  it. 
 
464  SKETCHES  OF  HIS  SERMONS 
 
 *  And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne,  and  Him  that  sat  on  it,  from  whose  face  the. 
 earth  and  the  heaven  fled  away;  and  there  was  found  no  place  for  them. 
 And  I  saw  the  dead,  small  and  great,  stand  before  God :  and  the  books  were 
 opened;  and  another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life:  and  the 
 dead  were  judged  out  of  those  things  which  were  written  in  the  boolcs, 
 according  to  their  works.  And  the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  which  were  in  it ; 
 and  death  and  hell  delivered  up  the  dead  which  were  in  them :  and  they  were 
 judged  every  man  according  to  their  works.  And  death  and  hell  were  cast  into 
 the  lake  of  fire.  This  is  the  second  death.  And  whosoever  was  not  found 
 written  in  the  book  of  life  was  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire." — Key.  xx.  11-15. 
 
 I.  The  Throne  and  the  Judge. 
 
 The  Throne. — (1.)  Great. — Because  so  many  are  to  stand  before 
 it ;  because  so  great  a  Saviour  is  to  sit  down  upon  it ;  because 
 everlasting  sentences  are  to  be  given  out  from  it.  (2.)  White. — 
 Because  of  his  holiness,  because  of  his  equity.  He  will  be  right- 
 eous in  acquitting  and  in  condemning.  None  can  cast  a  stain  upon 
 it.  The  Judge. — Christ  himself.  (1.)  Because  He  is  the  Son  of 
 man ;  knows  by  experience  our  inmost  feehngs,  John  v.  22-27. 
 (2.)  As  a  reward  for  his  pains,  Phil.  ii.  (3.)  For  the  comfort  of 
 the  godly.     (4.)  For  the  confusion  of  the  Christless. 
 
 Lessons. — (1.)  Prepare  for  it.  (2.)  Go  to  a  throne  of  grace. 
 (3.)  Care  for  one  another's  souls. 
 
 II.  The  Judged. — (1.)  All.  The  dead,  small  and  great;  men  of 
 all  ranks  and  degrees ;  rnlers  and  subjects ;  parents  and  children ; 
 pastors  and  people ;  none  too  high,  none  too  low.  (2.)  From  all 
 places;  grave,  sea,  death,  hell.  (3.)  Stand  together,  Phil.  iv.  1; 
 1  Thess,  ii.     (4.)  Before  God.     (5.)  Must  come  forth,  John  v. 
 
 III.  The  Books  opened. — (1.)  The  BooJc  of  Remembrance. — Malachi 
 iii. ;  Ps.  Ivi.  Thoughts,  words,  and  actions ;  secret  sins  done  in 
 the  heart,  or  in  the  dark  ;  secret  fraud  and  uncleanness  ;  forgotten 
 sins.  The  good  deeds  of  the  saints ;  a  cup  of  cold  water ;  Mary's 
 ointment ;  not  according  to  your  appearance,  nor  your  professions, 
 nor  the  thoughts  of  other  men,  nor  your  own  self-flatteries,  but  by 
 "  works."  (2.)  The  Bible.— John  xii.  48.  The  law ;  the  gospel ; 
 not  according  to  your  present  rule ;  men  judge  themselves  by  one 
 another,  or  by  themselves,  or  by  their  fancy.  (3.)  Booh  of  Life. — > 
 To  show  that  his  everlasting  counsels  had  been  fulfilled.  To  show 
 the  source  from  which  every  one  was  saved. 
 
 ly.  The  Sentence. — (1.)  This  explains  why  God  does  not  now 
 take  vengeance.  Did  not  the  hand  wither  ?  The  atheist  in  France. 
 The  railway.  (2.)  The  folly  of  secret  sin.  (3.)  Repent.  God 
 commandeth  all  men  everywhere  to  repent,  because  He  hath  ap- 
 pointed a  day  in  which  He  will  judge  the  world. 
 
LEBANON ITS  SCEN~ERY  AND  ALLUSIONS.  465 
 
 LEBANON— ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS. 
 
 [It  will  be  interesting  to  many  to  seo  how  his  rich  imagination  used  at  timef« 
 to  revel  amid  the  beautiful  images  and  figures  of  the  divine  word.  I  insert  two 
 specimens,  of  which  the  first  was  written  in  his  earlier  days,  when  his  taste  for 
 Scripture  imagery  was  fresh,  and  his  peculiar  style  just  forming.  It  is  a  critical 
 essay  read  in  the  Exegetical  Society,  while  he  was  a  student  in  the  Divinity 
 Hall] 
 
 "  0  Lord  God,  I  pray  Thee,  let  me  go  over  and  see  the  good 
 land  that  is  beyond  Jordan,  that  goodly  mountain,  and  Lebanon." 
 Such  was  the  prayer  of  Moses  in  the  land  of  Moab.  Whether  he 
 had  heard  by  report  of  the  glory  of  snow-capped  Lebanon  from 
 Egyptian  traffickers  in  balm  and  myrrh  and  spiceries,  or  knew  of 
 it  only  by  finding  it  in  the  charter  of  Israel's  promised  inheritance 
 there  is  a  pecuHar  beauty  and  fulness  in  the  prayer,  when,  as 
 descriptive  of  the  good  land,  he  asks  to  see  the  chief  object  of  its 
 moral  beauty,  and  that  of  its  chief  natural  beauty — Zion  and 
 Lebanon ;  the  one  the  type  of  all  spiritual,  the  other  of  all  tem- 
 poral blessings  to  Israel.  What  a  refreshing  sight  to  his  eye,  yet 
 undimmed  with  age,  after  resting  for  forty  years  on  the  mono- 
 tonous scenery  of  the  desert,  now  to  rest  upon  Zion,^  embosomed 
 in  ohve-clad  hills,  and  Lebanon  with  its  vine-clad  base,  and  over- 
 hanging forests,  and  towering  peaks  of  snow  !  "I  pray  Thee,  let 
 me  go  over  and  see  the  good  land,  that  goodly  mountain,  and 
 Lebanon." 
 
 The  same  taste  which  inspired  the  wish  of  the  venerable  law- 
 giver, descended  to  the  people  whom  he  led  to  Canaan  to  such  a 
 degree,  that  Zion  and  Lebanon  have  afforded  more  materials  for 
 figure  and  allusion  to  the  prophets  and  sweet  singers  of  Israel  than 
 perhaps  any  other  individual  natural  objects  whatever.  To  con- 
 sider the  beauty  and  propriety  of  a  few  of  these  allusions  to 
 Lebanon,  is  the  object  of  my  present  investigation. 
 
 I.  The  first  passage  I  mean  to  observe  upon  is  the  29th  Psalm 
 — "  a  Psalm  of  David,"  in  which  the  strength  of  Jehovah  is  cele- 
 brated ;  and  the  exemplification  of  it  is  evidently  taken  from  a 
 
 '  That  Zion  was  known  to  the  Israelites  before  they  reached  Canaan,  if  not  by 
 name,  at  least  as  a  holy  mountain,  seo  such  passages  as  Exod.  xv.  17.  "Thou 
 shalt  bring  them  in  and  plant  them  in  the  mountain  ot  thine  inhoritiiiice,  in  the 
 place  which  Thou  hast  made  for  them  to  dwell  in^  in  the  sanctuary  which  thy  hands 
 have  established,^^ 
 
 2  a 
 
466  LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS. 
 
 thunder-storm  in  Lebanon.     The  Psalm  seems  to  be  addressed  to 
 the  angels ;  see  Ps.  Ixxxix.  7.     It  thus  begins  : 
 
 "Kender  unto  Jeliovali,  ye  sons  of  the  mighty, 
 Eender  unto  Jehovah  glory  and  strength ; 
 Render  to  Jehovah  the  glory  of  his  name, 
 Bow  down  to  Jehovah  in  the  majesty  of  holiness ! " 
 
 Immediately  follows  the  description  of  the  thunder-storm,  in 
 which  it  does  not  seem  fanciful  to  observe  the  historical  progression 
 which  is  usual  on  such  occasions.  The  first  lines  seem  to  describe 
 only  the  noise  of  the  thunder,  the  description  growing  more  intense 
 as  the  rumbling  draws  nearer : 
 
 "  The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  above  the  waters ; 
 The  God  of  Glory  thundereth ! 
 Jehovah  is  louder  than  many  waters. 
 The  voice  of  Jehovah  in  strength, 
 The  voice  of  Jehovah  in  majesty  !  " 
 
 But  now  the  effects  become  visible ;  the  storm  has  descended  on 
 the  mountains  and  forests  : 
 
 "  The  voice  of  Jehovah  shivers  the  cedars. 
 Even  shivers  Jehovah  the  cedars  of  Lebanon  ; 
 And  makes  them  to  skip,  like  a  calf, 
 Lebanon  and  Sirion,  like  a  young  buffalo. 
 The  voice  of  Jehovah  forketh  the  lightning's  flash ! " 
 
 From  the  mountains  the  storm  sweeps  down  into  the  plains, 
 where,  however,  its  effects  are  not  so  fearful  as  on  the  moun- 
 tains. 
 
 *'  The  voice  of  Jehovah  causeth  the  desert  to  tremble — 
 The  voice  of  Jehovah  causeth  to  tremble  the  desert  of  Kadesh — 
 The  voice  of  Jehovah  causeth  the  oaks  to  tremble. 
 And  lays  bare  the  forests  ! 
 Therefore,  in  his  temple  every  one  speaks  of  his  glory." 
 
 The  description  of  the  swollen  torrents  closes  the  scene : 
 
 "Jehovah  upon  the  rain -torrent  sitteth, 
 Yea,  sitteth  Jehovah  a  King  for  ever." 
 
 And  the  moral  or  application  of  the  whole  is — 
 
 "Jehovah  to  his  people  will  give  strength  ; 
 Jehovah  will  bless  his  people  with  peace." 
 
 I  have  to  remark  several  things  in  connection  with  Lebauor 
 
LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS  467 
 
 which  may  illustrate  this  beautiful  Psalm.  That  thunder-storms 
 are  frequent  in  these  mountains  is  matter  of  historical  fact ;  inso- 
 much that  Yolney  could  not  give  a  description  of  the  magnificent 
 view  from  the  top  of  Lebanon  without  mentioning  "  clouds  rolhng 
 at  your  feet"  as  one  ingredient  in  the  scenery.  As  the  Mediter- 
 ranean stretches  away  from  the  very  foot  of  Lebanon,  we  can  be 
 at  no  loss  to  find  the  "  many  waters,''^  whose  roaring  was  drowned 
 in  the  voice  of  Jehovah's  thunder.  Or,  if  our  interpretation  of  the 
 particle  ("  above")  be  thought  not  the  usual  one,  we  may  imagine 
 that  the  storm  came  over  the  sea,  and  that  the  spectator,  standing 
 on  Lebanon,  and  watching  its  progress  as  it  advances  towards 
 him,  says — 
 
 "  The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  upon  the  waters  \ 
 The  God  of  Glory  thundereth  ! 
 Jehovah  is  upon  many  waters  !" 
 
 The  increasing  growling  of  the  thunder,  when  it  reaches  the 
 mountains,  and  reverberates  among  the  valleys,  is  well  represented 
 in  the  increasing  power  of  the  lines, — 
 
 "  The  voice  of  Jehovah  is  in  strengtli, 
 The  voice  of  Jehovah  in  majesty  !  " 
 
 The  only  remark  which  I  make  upon  the  cedars  at  present  is, 
 that  by  the  testimony  of  all  travellers,  "  these  noble  trees  grow 
 amongst  the  snow,  near  the  highest  peak  of  Lebanon."— (See 
 Maundrell.)  This  fact  gives  pecuhar  significancy  to  their  being 
 placed  first  in  the  work  of  devastation  :  and  also  their  great  size. 
 "  The  old  ones  which  remain,"  says  Maundrell,  "  are  of  a  pro- 
 digious bulk.  I  measured  one  of  the  largest,  and  found  it  twelve 
 yards  six  inches  in  girth,  and  yet  sound,  and  thirty-seven  yards  in 
 the  spread  of  its  boughs.  At  about  five  or  six  yards  from  the 
 ground,  it  was  divided  into  five  limbs,  each  of  which  was  equal  to 
 a  great  tree."  The  testimony  of  Pococke,  in  1738,  is  very  similar. 
 The  testimony  of  another  traveller,  quoted  by  Rosenmtiller,  is  also 
 interesting,  showing  well  the  intensiveness  of  the  parallehsm. 
 "  We  saw  others,  indeed,"  says  he,  "  on  the  confines  of  Judea  and 
 Samaria,  but  nowhere  so  lofty  as  in  Lebanon." 
 
 "  The  voice  of  Jehovah  shivers  the  cedars, 
 Jehovah  shivers  even  the  cedars  of  Lebanon  T' 
 
 These  mighty  trees  of  God,  which  for  ages  have  stood  the 
 force  of  the  tempest,  rearing  their  ever-green  colossal  boughs 
 in  the  region  of  everlasting  snow,  are  the  first  objects  of  the  fury 
 
468  LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS 
 
 of  the  lightning,  which  is  well  known  to  visit  first  the  highest 
 objects. 
 
 The  sixth  verse  presents  rather  more  difficulty.  The  ori- 
 ginal is, 
 
 "  And  makes  them  skip  like  a  young  calf, 
 Lebanon  and  Sirion,  like  a  yonng  buffalo." 
 
 At  first  sight  it  might  appear  that  the  cedars  were  still  meant, 
 and  that  Lebanon  and  Sirion  were  used  by  metonymy  for  the 
 cedars  which  grew  upon  them.  But,  (1.)  We  never  hear  of  cedars 
 growing  upon  Sirion^  or  Shemir,  or  Hermon,  for  it  has  all  these 
 names ;  and,  (2.)  There  is  a  parallel  passage  where  this  interpreta- 
 tion will  hardly  answer,  m  Ps.  cxiv.  Describing  the  exodus  of 
 Israel,  it  says, 
 
 "  The  mountains  sldpt  like  rams, 
 And  the  little  hills  like  lambs," 
 
 The  same  verb^  occurs  here,  the  verb  which  means  "  to  skip,  to 
 dance,"  used  in  Nahum  iii.  2  to  signify  the  jolting  of  chariots,  and 
 also  in  Joel  ii.  5.  In  both  these  instances,  rough  motion,  accom- 
 panied with  noise,  seems  intended.  Now,  though  this  may  very 
 well  be  understood  as  a  highly  figurative  description,  as  it  un- 
 doubtedly is,  of  the  usual  effects  of  a  thunder-storm ;  yet  it  is 
 interesting  to  compare  it  with  the  following  passage  of  Yolney, 
 which  describes  certain  phenomena  as  frequent  in  Mount  Lebanon, 
 which  may  give  a  new  meaning  to  the  "  skipping  of  the  moiintaiiis." 
 
 "  When  the  traveller,"  says  he,  "  penetrates  the  interior  of  these 
 mountains,  the  ruggedness  of  the  roads,  the  steepness  of  the 
 declivities,  the  depth  of  the  precipices,  have  at  first  a  terrific 
 effect ;  but  the  sagacity  of  the  mules  which  bear  him  soon  inspires 
 him  with  confidence,  and  enables  him  to  examine  at  his  ease  the 
 picturesque  scenes  which  succeed  one  another,  so  as  almost  to 
 bewilder  him.  There,  as  in  the  Alps,  he  sometimes  travels  whole 
 days  to  arrive  at  a  spot  which  was  in  sight  when  he  set  out.  He 
 turns,  he  descends,  he  winds  round,  he  climbs  ;  and  under  this 
 perpetual  change  of  position,  one  is  ready  to  think  that  a  magical 
 power  is  varying  at  every  step  the  beauties  of  the  landscapes. 
 Sometimes  villages  are  seen,  ready  as  it  were  to  sHde  down  the 
 steep  declivities,  and  so  disposed  that  the  roofs  of  the  one  row  of 
 houses  serve  as  a  street  to  the  row  above.  At  another  time,  you 
 see  a  convent  seated  on  an  isolated  cone,  hke  Marshaia  in  the 
 valley  of  Tigre.     Here  a  rock  is  pierced  by  a  torrent,  forming  a 
 
 •  The  oiiginal  Hebrew  words  are  given  in  the  ms.  tha-oughout. 
 
LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS.  469 
 
 Latural  cascade,  as  at  Nahr-el-Lehan ;  there  another  rock  assumes 
 ihe  appearance  of  a  natural  wall.  Often  on  the  sides,  ledges  of 
 stones,  washed  down  and  left  by  the  waters,  resemble  ruins  disposed 
 by  art.  In  some  places,  the  waters,  meeting  with  inclined  beds, 
 have  undermined  the  intermediate  earth,  and  have  formed  caverns, 
 as  at  Nahr-el-Kelb,  near  Antoura.  In  other  places  they  have 
 worn  for  themselves  subterranean  channels,  through  which  flow 
 little  rivulets  during  part  of  the  year,  as  at  Mar  Hama.  Some- 
 times these  picturesque  circumstances  have  become  tragical  ones. 
 Rocks  loosened  or  thrown  off  their  equilibrium  by  thaw  or  earth- 
 quake, have  been  known  to  precipitate  themselves  on  the  adjacent 
 dwellings,  and  crush  the  inhabitants.  An  accident  of  this  kind, 
 about  twenty  years  ago,  buried  a  whole  village  near  Mar  Djordos, 
 so  as  to  leave  no  trace  of  its  existence.  More  recently,  and  near 
 the  same  spot,  the  soil  of  a  hill,  planted  with  mulberry-trees  and 
 vines,  detached  itself  by  a  sudden  thaw,  and,  sliding  over  the 
 surface  of  the  rock  which  it  had  covered,  like  a  vessel  launched 
 from  the  stocks,  established  itself  entire  in  the  valley  below." 
 
 In  the  next  line  the  storm  has  forced  its  way  to  the  unenclosed 
 plains,  or  to  the  Arabian  desert,  according  to  Rosenmiiller. 
 
 "  The  voice  of  Jehovah  causeth  the  desert  to  tremble, 
 The  voice  of  Jehovah  causeth  to  tremble  the  desert  of 
 Kadesh." 
 
 That  Kadesh-Naphtali  is  meant,  the  geographical  position  of 
 Lebanon  would  make  us  believe,  though  this  is  not  necessary. 
 And  although  Syria  is  much  exposed  to  earthquakes — as,  for 
 example,  that  of  Aleppo  in  1822,  which  was  sensibly  felt  at  Da- 
 mascus— yet  it  does  not  seem  necessary  to  imagine  anything  further 
 than  the  usual  effects  of  a  thunder-storm. 
 
 The  oaks  and  forests  of  verse  9  suit  well  with  the  description 
 given  of  the  lower  limbs  of  Lebanon,  which  abound  in  "  thickets 
 of  myrtle,  woods  of  fir,  walnut-trees,  carob-trees,  and  Turkish 
 oaks."  And  the  rain-torrent  of  verse  10  is  admirably  descriptive  of 
 the  sudden  swell  of  the  thousand  streams  which  flow  from  Lebanon. 
 According  to  modern  travellers,  the  number  of  watercourses  de- 
 scending from  Lebanon  is  immense ;  and  the  suddenness  of  the 
 rise  of  these  streams  may  be  gathered  from  the  contradictions  in 
 their  accounts.  The  Nahr-el-Sazib  is  described  by  one  as  "  a 
 rivulet,  though  crossed  by  a  bridge  of  six  arches;"  by  another  it 
 is  called  "a  large  river."  The  Damour  (the  ancient  Tamyras), 
 which  flows  immediately  from  Lebanon,  is  "  a  river,"  says  Maun- 
 drell,  "  apt  to  swell  much  upon  sudden  rains  ;  in  which  case,  pre- 
 
470  LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS. 
 
 cipitating  itself  from  the  mountains  with  great  rapidity,  it  has  been 
 fatal  to  many  a  passenger."  He  mentions  a  French  gentleman, 
 M.  Spon,  who,  a  few  years  before,  in  attempting  to  ford  it,  was 
 hurried  down  by  the  stream,  and  perished  in  the  sea.  This  is  one 
 instance  of  very  many  in  the  mountains  of  Lebanon,  where  the 
 brook,  which  is  usually  nearly  dry,  becomes  all  at  once  an  impas- 
 sable torrent.  When  Volney  looked  upon  the  rivers  of  Syria  in 
 summer,  he  doubted  whether  they  could  be  called  rivers.  But  had 
 he  ventured  to  cross  them  after  a  thunder-storm,  his  scepticism 
 would  no  longer  have  had  room  or  time  to  exercise  itself,  and  he 
 would  have  felt  the  propriety  of  the  Psalmist's  painting,  when  he 
 says — 
 
 "  Jehovah  sitteth  on  the  rain-torrents, 
 Jehovah  sitteth  a  King  for  ever." 
 
 But  the  imagery  of  this  Psalm  is  not  more  beautiful  and  appro- 
 priate than  is  the  moral  application.  To  what  end  this  painting  of 
 fearful  power, — of  strength  able  to  break  through  all  obstacles, 
 shiver  the  cedars  and  shake  the  mountains  ?  All  this  might,  so 
 fearfully  exemplified  in  the  thunder,  is  exercised  by  Jehovah  for 
 his  peojjle.  Every  attribute  of  Jehovah  is  on  their  side.  And  the 
 sweet  calm  which  follows  upon  the  thunder-storm — when  the  sun 
 breaks  through  the  dusky  clouds  and  makes  all  nature  smile  again 
 with  renewed  and  heightened  brightness — is  not  more  brilHant  and 
 deUghtful  than  the  peace  with  which  Jehovah  blesses  those  for 
 whose  sakes  He  has  displayed  the  might  of  his  arm. 
 
 "  Jehovah  to  his  people  will  give  strength  ;" 
 
 Or, 
 
 "  Jehovah  for  his  people  will  display  strength ; 
 Jehovah  will  bless  his  people  with  peace." 
 
 n.  The  next  passage  wherein  I  shall  attempt  to  examine  the 
 allusion  to  Jehovah,  is  in  Psalm  Ixxii.  16,  rendered  in  our  version 
 thus: — 
 
 "  There  shall  be  a  handful  of  corn  in  the  earth, 
 Upon  the  top  of  the  mountains ; 
 The  fruit  thereof  shall  shake  like  Lebanon ; 
 And  they  of  the  city  shall  flourish  like  grass  of  the  earth." 
 
 The  original  words  for  ^^  handful  of  corn"  are  rendered  by 
 Gesenius  "  abundance  of  corn" — deriving  the  word  from  the 
 Arabic  verb  "  to  disperse,"  compared  with  a  similar  root  in 
 Chaldee  and  Hebrew      Though  the  Septuagint  and  Syriac  are 
 
LEBANON— ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS.  471 
 
 both  obscure,  they  yet  manifestly  favour  this  rendering.     And  this 
 being  the  meaning,  I  would  understand  the  whole  as  a  species  of 
 introverted  parallelism,  where  the  outside  lines  answer  to  one  an 
 other,  and  the  inside  lines  form  a  sort  of  parenthesis. 
 
 "  There  shall  be  abundance  of  corn  in  the  earth, 
 Upon  the  top  of  the  mountains, 
 His  fruit  shall  shake  like  Lebanon, 
 And  they  of  the  city  shall  flourish  like  grass  of  the  earth." 
 
 The  earth  is  to  be  so  thoroughly  cultivated  in  Messiah's  day, 
 that  there  shall  be  corn  on  the  very  tops  of  the  mountains,  for 
 "  his  fruit  shall  shake  like  Lebanon."  It  is,  however,  altogether 
 worthy  of  inquiry,  with  what  propriety  Lebanon  can  be  brought 
 in  to  paint  the  extreme  fertility  and  productiveness  of  the  very  tops 
 of  the  hill,  which  is  to  signaHze  Messiah's  day.  The  following 
 passage  of  Yolney  may  perhaps  throw  some  Hght  upon  the  subject : 
 "  By  dint  of  skill  and  labour,  they  have  compelled  a  rocky  soil 
 to  become  fertile.  Sometimes,  to  avail  themselves  of  the  waters, 
 they  have  made  a  channel  for  them  by  means  of  a  thousand  wind- 
 ings, on  the  declivities,  or  have  arrested  them  in  the  valleys  by 
 embankments.  At  other  times  they  have  propped  up  the  earth 
 that  was  ready  to  roll  down,  by  means  of  terraces  and  walls. 
 Almost  all  the  mountains  being  thus  husbanded,  present  the  ap- 
 pearance of  a  staircase,  or  of  an  amphitheatre,  each  tier  of  which 
 is  a  row  of  vines  or  mulberry-trees.  I  have  counted  upon  one  de- 
 clivity as  many  as  a  hundred,  or  a  hundred  and  twenty  tiers,  from 
 the  bottom  of  the  valley  to  the  top  of  the  hill.  I  forgot  for  the 
 moment  that  I  was  in  Turkey." 
 
 The  evidence  of  Volney  is  unexceptionable.  For  con-iirmation, 
 however,  I  may  add  a  sentence  from  another  excellent  observer : 
 "  We  passed  through  a  beautiful  and  romantic  country,  inhabited 
 by  the  Maronites.  The  road  was  along  the  roots  of  Libanus.  The 
 sides  of  the  mountains  are  interspersed  with  numerous  villages, 
 around  which  the  ground  is  highly  cultivated,  either  luiih  corn, 
 vines,  olive  or  mulberry-trees,  the  earth  being  supported  by  ter- 
 races, formed  of  dry  masonry,  having  the  appearance  of  the  seats 
 of  an  amphitheatre." 
 
 To  understand  the  images  taken  from  Mount  Lebanon,  it  is 
 necessary  to  remark,  that  four  enclosures  of  mountains  are  de- 
 scribed as  rising  one  upon  another.  The  irst  and  lowest  of  these 
 is  described  as  rich  in  grain  and  fruits.  The  second  is  barren, 
 being  covered  only  with  thorns,  rocks,  and  flints.  The  third, 
 though  higher  still,  is  blessed  with  a  perpetual  spring  j  the  trees 
 
472  LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS. 
 
 are  always  green.  There  are  innumerable  orchards  laden  with 
 fruit,  and  it  forms  altogether  a  terrestrial  paradise, 
 
 "  Where  fruits  and  blossoms  blush, 
 In  social  sweetness,  on  the  self-same  bough." 
 
 The  fourth,  or  highest  ridge  of  all,  is  the  region  of  perpetual  snow. 
 Now,  the  imagery  in  the  72d  Psalm  is  evidently  taken  from  the  first 
 of  these  ridges  of  Lebanon,  where  (most  probably  following  the 
 ancient  mode  of  cultivating)  the  monks  of  Lebanon — for  they  were 
 the  chief  cultivators  of  the  terraced  soil — industriously  husband 
 every  particle  of  productive  earth.  In  the  expressive  words  of 
 Burckhardt,  '•'- every  inch  of  ground  is  cultivated," — so  that  no 
 image  could  have  been  more  singularly  expressive  of  the  universal 
 cultivation  under  Messiah's  reign,  than  to  say,  that  "  his  fruit 
 shall  shake  like  Lebanon;"  or,  understanding  the  Psalmist  to 
 speak  figuratively,  what  moral  landscape  could  be  painted  more 
 richly  than  he  does  when  he  intimates  that  those  barren  mountains 
 of  our  world,  which  at  present  yield  no  fruit  unto  God,  shall  be 
 cultivated  in  that  day  so  industriously  and  so  fully,  that  the  fruit 
 shall  wave  like  the  terraced  corn-fields,  or  shake  like  the  hanging 
 mulberry-trees  on  the  terraced  heights  of  Lebanon  ? 
 
 III.  My  only  other  allusion  from  the  Psalms  is  in  Psalm  xcii. 
 12,  14  — 
 
 "  The  righteous  shall  floiurish  like  the  palm-tr;-e  ; 
 He  shall  grow  like  a  cedar  in  Lebanon. 
 They  shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age  ; 
 They  shall  be  fat  and  flourishing." 
 
 Laying  aside  entirely  any  inquiry  as  to  the  palm-tree,  and  laying 
 aside  the  difficulty  contained  in  tlie  13th  verse,  I  have  only  to  com- 
 pare this  description  of  the  cedar  in  Lebanon  with  the  accounts  of 
 those  who  have  visited  them  in  modern  days.  Without  believing 
 (as  the  Maronites  or  Christian  inhabitants  of  the  mountains  do) 
 that  the  seven  very  ancient  cedars  which  yet  remain  in  the  neigh- 
 bourhood of  the  village  of  Eden  in  Lebanon  are  the  remains  of 
 the  identical  forest  which  furnished  Solomon  with  timber  for  the 
 temple,  full  three  thousand  years  ago,  they  can  yet  be  proved  to 
 be  of  very  great  antiquity.  These  very  cedars  were  visited  by 
 Belonius  in  1550,  nearly  three  hundred  years  ago,  who  found  them 
 twenty-eight  in  number.  Rawolf,  in  1575,  makes  them  twenty- 
 four.  Dandini,  in  1600,  and  Thevenot  about  fifty  years  after, 
 make  them  twenty-three,      Maundrell,  in  1696,  found  them  re- 
 
LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS.  473 
 
 duced  to  sixteeu.  Pococke,  in  1738,  found  fifteen  standing,  and 
 a  sixteenth  recently  blown  down,  or  (may  we  not  conjecture?) 
 shivered  by  the  voice  of  God.  In  1810,  Burckhardt  counted 
 eleven  or  twelve ;  and  Dr  Richardson,  in  1818,  states  them  to  be 
 no  more  than  seven.  There  cannot  be  a  doubt,  then,  that  these 
 cedars,  which  were  esteemed  ancient  nearly  three  hundred  years 
 ago,  must  be  of  a  very  great  antiquity ;  and  yet  they  are  described 
 by  the  last  of  these  travellers  as  "  large,  and  tall,  and  beautiful, 
 the  most  picturesque  productions  of  the  vegetable  world  that  we 
 had  seen."  The  oldest  are  large  and  massy,  rearing  their  heads 
 to  an  enormous  height,  and  spreading  their  branches  afar.  Po- 
 cocke also  remarks,  that  "  the  young  cedars  are  not  easily  known 
 from  pines.  I  observed,  they  bear  a  greater  quantity  of  fruit  than 
 the  large  ones."  This  shows  that  the  old  ones  still  bear  fruit, 
 though  not  so  abundantly  as  the  young  cedars,  which,  according 
 to  Richardson,  are  very  productive,  and  cast  many  seeds  annually. 
 How  appropriate,  then,  and  full  of  meaning,  is  the  imagery  of  the 
 Psalmist — 
 
 "  The  righteous  shall  flourish  like  the  palm-tree ; 
 He  shall  grow  like  a  cedar  in  Lebanon. 
 They  shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in  old  age ; 
 They  shall  be  fat  and  flourishing ! " 
 
 IV.  In  the  Song  of  Songs  the  allusions  to  Lebanon  are  very 
 many,  and  of  exquisite  beauty.  I  am  sorry  that  my  time  will 
 Buffer  me  only  to  glance  at  one  in  chap.  iv.  8-15  : — 
 
 "  Come  with  me  from  Lebanon, 
 My  spouse  with  me  from  Lebanon : 
 Look  from  the  top  of  Amana, 
 From  the  top  of  Shenir  and  Hermon, 
 From  the  lions'  dens, 
 From  the  mountains  of  the  leopards." 
 
 It  is  evident  here  that  the  bridegroom  is  pressing  the  bride  to 
 quit  Lebanon  along  with  him,  because  of  the  dangers  to  be  appre- 
 hended from  the  beasts  of  prey.  He  seems  to  bid  her  look  from 
 tnese  dangerous  heights  down  into  the  secure  and  pleasant  valleys 
 below,  where  many  a  dehcious  wilderness  of  flowers  and  fruits  was 
 visible.  In  the  mountains  above  Canobin,  tigers  are  said  to  be 
 frequently  met  with.  I  suppose,  says  Burckhardt,  ounces  are 
 meant.  Speaking  of  some  sepulchres  cut  in  the  limestone  moun- 
 tains opposite  Saide  (ancient  Sidon),  Hasselquist  says,  a  great 
 part  of  them  are  now  open,  and   serve  for  huts  for  shepherds, 
 
474  LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS. 
 
 or  (lens   for   wild  leasts.      And,   lastly,    we   have   the   story   of 
 Thammuz — 
 
 "  Whose  annual  "wound  in  Lebanon  allured 
 The  Syrian  damsels  to  lament  his  fate 
 In  amorous  ditties  aU  a  summer's  day : 
 While  smooth  Adonis,  from  his  native  rock, 
 Ean  purple  to  the  sea,  supposed  with  blood 
 Of  Thammuz  yearly  wounded." 
 
 These  testimonies  show  the  propriety  with  which  Lebanon  is 
 described  as  dangerous  from  wild  beasts.  Looking  from  the  sum- 
 mits of  the  hills,  the  view,  as  described  by  travellers,  is  exquisite 
 in  the  extreme.  Every  valley  seems  cultivated  like  a  garden, 
 watered  by  numberless  fountains  and  rivulets,  such  as  the  scene 
 to  which  the  bridegroom  points  the  eye  of  the  spouse.  By  a  fine 
 turn  of  thought  he  immediately  breaks  out  into  a  comparison  of 
 his  beloved  to  one  of  these  gardens  : — 
 
 "A  garden  enclosed  is  my  sister,  my  spouse — 
 A  spring  shut  up — a  fountain  sealed. 
 Thy  plants  are  an  orchard  of  pomegranates, 
 With  pleasant  fruits,  camphire,  and  spikenard, 
 Spikenard  and  saffron,  calamus  and  cinnamon, 
 With  all  trees  of  frankincense ; 
 Myrrh  and  aloes,  with  all  the  chief  spices; 
 A  fountain  of  gardens, 
 A  well  of  living  waters, 
 And  streams  from  Lebanon." 
 
 I  have  not  now  leisure  to  show,  from  modern  travellers,  the 
 immense  variety  of  fruit,  and  flower,  and  aromatic  shrubs,  with 
 which  the  vales  of  Lebanon  are  enriched.  The  village  of  Eden 
 and  the  Convent  of  Canobin  might  alone  give  illustration  of  this 
 remarkable  passage.  On  the  last  verse  alone  do  I  offer  a  remark. 
 The  spouse  is  compared  to  three  kinds  of  fountains : — (1.)  To  a 
 fountain  of  gardens ;  an  artificial  fountain,  so  distributed  that  it 
 supphes  more  than  one  garden,  or  different  parts  of  the  same 
 garden.  (2.)  To  a  well  of  living  waters ;  a  fresh  springing  well 
 to  supply  the  fountain.  And,  (3.)  To  streams  from  Lebanon, 
 rivulets  constantly  descending  from  the  snow  of  Lebanon,  and 
 subterraneously  supplying  the  well  of  living  waters.  This  is  a 
 most  precise  and  accurate  description  of  a  great  number  of  the 
 garden-fountains  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Libanus.  Of  the  first,  the 
 garden  of  Fahkr-eldin,  near  Tyre,  gives  a  good  example.  "  The 
 walks  are  shaded  with  orange-trees  of  a  large  spreading  size,  and 
 all  of  so  fine  a  growth  that  one  cannot  imagine  anything  more  per' 
 
LEBANON — ITS  SCENERY  AND  ALLUSIONS.  475 
 
 feet  in  their  kind.  Every  one  of  these  lesser  squares  was  bordered 
 with  stone ;  and  in  the  stone-work  were  troughs,  very  artificially 
 contrived,  for  conveying  the  water  all.  over  the  garden,  there  being 
 little  outlets  at  every  tree  for  the  stream  as  it  passes  by  to  flow  out 
 and  water  it."  Ras-el-ayin,  where  are  Solomon's  cisterns,  may 
 illustrate  the  whole  passage.  "  There  are  three  cisterns  entire  at 
 this  day ;  one  about  a  furlong  and  a  half  from  the  sea,  the  other 
 two  a  little  farther  up.  The  former  is  of  an  octagonal  figure, 
 twenty-two  yards  in  diameter.  Upon  the  brink  of  it  you  have  a 
 walk  round,  eight  feet  broad,  from  which,  descending,  you  have 
 another  walk  twenty-one  feet  broad.  The  whole  vessel  contains 
 a  vast  body  of  excellent  water,  and  is  so  well  supplied  frmi  its 
 fountain,  that,  though  there  issues  from  it  a  stream  like  a  brook 
 during  four  miles,  yet  it  is  always  brim-full.  On  the  east  side  of 
 this  cistern  was  the  ancient  outlet  of  the  water  by  an  aqueduct, 
 raised  about  sixty  yards  from  the  ground,  and  containing  a  channel 
 one  yard  wide. 
 
 "  The  fountain  of  these  waters  is  as  unknown  as  the  author  of  them. 
 It  is  certain,  from  their  rising  so  high,  that  they  must  be  brought 
 from  some  part  of  the  mountains,  which  are  about  a  league  distant; 
 and  it  is  as  certain  that  the  work  was  well  done  at  first,  seeing  it 
 performs  its  office  at  so  great  a  distance  of  time.  Hasselquist  is 
 probably  right  in  concluding  that  the  water  which  fills  these  reser- 
 voirs comes  from  subterranean  springs,  and  rises  in  their  bottoms, 
 as  it  does  in  the  hirkets,  or  reservoirs,  in  the  road  from  Damascus 
 to  Jacob's  Bridge.  Are  we  to  suppose  the  source  fictitious,  and 
 formed  by  a  subterraneous  canal  drawn  from  the  mountains  ?  But 
 why  not  have  brought  the  cistern  to  the  rock  itself  ?  It  is  a  more 
 simple  explanation  to  suppose  it  natural,  and  to  conclude  that  ad- 
 vantage has  been  taken  of  one  of  these  ancient  or  subterranean 
 rivers,  of  which  Syria  presents  numerous  instances.  The  idea  of 
 imprisoning  this  stream  to  make  it  reascend  and  gain  its  level,  is 
 worthy  of  the  Phoenicians." — (Modem  Travels  in  Syria,  p.  36.) 
 
 Such,  then,  in  some  degree,  is  the  image  by  which  the  bride- 
 groom portrays  the  bride ;  and  in  reflecting  upon  it,  it  is  hardly 
 possible  to  resist  the  risings  of  imagination  when  we  remember 
 that  the  bridegroom  is  the  Saviour,  and  the  bride  the  Church  of 
 the  Redeemed.  The  subterranean  sti?eams  from  Lebanon  answer 
 so  well  to  the  unseen  suppHes  of  grace,  and  the  well  of  living 
 waters  to  the  living  water  which  is  in  the  believer  springing  up 
 unto  everlasting  life,  and  the  fountain  of  gardens  to  the  fertilizing 
 stream  of  love  and  of  good  works  wherewith  He  nourishes  and 
 diffuses  his  good  things  to  all  around,  that  we  may  be  pardoned 
 
476  NOTES  ON  THE  TYPES 
 
 for  thus  laying  aside  for  a  moment  the  severity  of  sober  criticism 
 to  indulge  the  dream  of  a  not  unholy  imagination. 
 
 SOME  NOTES  ON  THE  TYPES  FOUND  IN  THE 
 TABERNACLE. 
 
 When  you  would  teach  a  little  child  in  the  simplest  and  most 
 interesting  way,  you  do  it  by  means  of  pictures.  In  the  very  same 
 way  did  God  teach  Israel  concerning  Him  who  was  the  consolation 
 of  Israel.  When  they  sat  under  the  shadow  of  the  pillar  cloud, 
 and  were  sheltered  from  the  burning  rays  of  an  eastern  sun,  God 
 wanted  to  teach  them  that  Christ  was  a  shade  on  their  right  hand  ; 
 that  He  would  come  between  them  and  the  burning  wrath  of  God. 
 When  they  followed  the  hght  of  the  pillar  of  fire,  God  wanted  to 
 teach  them  that  Christ  was  the  light  of  this  world ;  that  whoso 
 followeth  Him  shall  not  walk  in  darkness.  When  they  gathered 
 the  snow-white  manna,  and  ground  it  in  mills,  and  baked  it  in 
 pans,  God  wanted  to  teach  them  that  a  bruised  Saviour  must  be 
 the  daily  food  of  our  soul.  When  they  drank  of  the  gushing  river 
 that  flowed  out  of  the  smitten  rock,  God  wanted  to  teach  them  that 
 they  might  daily  receive  the  full  streams  of  the  Holy  Spirit  from 
 the  smitten  Saviour — that  if  any  man  thirst,  he  should  come  to 
 Christ  and  drink. 
 
 I.    THE  HIGH  PRIEST. 
 
 But  of  all  the  types  and  images  of  the  glorious  Saviour,  the 
 most  living,  the  most  wonderful,  was  the  Jewish  High  Priest,  with 
 his  holy  garments,  for  glory  and  for  beauty.  See  Exod.  xxviii.  2. 
 These  garments  were  glorious  and  beautiful  in  two  respects : — 
 First,  They  had  a  natural  glory :  they  were  made  of  the  costhest 
 materials — of  gold,  and  blue,  and  purple,  and  scarlet,  and  fine 
 twined  linen,  ver.  5.  No  expense  of  labour  or  of  riches  was 
 spared  to  make  them  splendid  and  attractive.  But,  second,  They 
 had  a  spiritual  glory — a  glory  and  a  beauty  that  far  excelled  the 
 other,  inasmuch  as  they  clearly  represented  the  excellences  of 
 Christ,  our  glorious  High  Priest  and  Saviour. 
 
 May  the  Lord  lift  away  the  veil,  and  reveal  to  us  from  under 
 the  covering  our  glorious  Immanuel,  so  that  every  soul  may  cry 
 out,  He  is  the  chief  among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether  lovely. 
 
 L  The  Ephodand  the  Bohe  of  the  Ephod.-'YQVS,  6-8,  31,  32.— 
 
FOUND  IN  THE  TABERNACLE.  477 
 
 Observe  three  things  with  regard  to  it.  (1.)  It  was  made  of  the 
 finest  materials  (ver.  6) — of  gold,  and  of  blue,  of  purple,  of  scarlet, 
 and  of  fine  twined  linen :  the  richest  of  metals  was  there ;  the 
 deepest,  most  beautiful  dyes  ;  the  finest  and  purest  linen.  (2.) 
 It  was  wrought  with  the  greatest  skill  (ver.  32).  God  seems  actu- 
 ally to  have  given  the  spirit  of  wisdom  to  the  workmen  who  made 
 it.  It  is  said  to  have  been  made  with  "  cunning  work;"  and  the 
 girdle,  which  was  part  of  the  ephod,  is  called  "  the  curious  girdle." 
 (3.)  It  covered  the  priest  from  head  to  foot.  The  ephod  and  the 
 robe,  when  put  together,  formed  a  complete  garment. 
 
 How  plainly  does  this  point  out  the  beautiful  garment  of  our 
 Redeemer's  righteousness — his  glorious  finished  work,  which  He 
 came  from  heaven  to  work  out !  (1.)  It  is  of  the  finest  materials  : 
 it  is  the  sufferings  and  obedience  of  the  Son  of  God — of  God  mani- 
 fest in  flesh.  Ah,  who  can  tell  the  costhness  of  that  robe  ?  It  is 
 called  (Ps.  xlv.)  "  clothing  of  wrought  gold,"  "  raiment  of-  needle- 
 work." It  is  called  (Rev.  iii.  18)  gold  and  fine  hnen — "  I  counsel 
 thee  to  buy  of  me  gold  tried  in  the  fire."  (2.)  It  was  wrought 
 with  all  the  skill  of  Heaven ;  for  the  gospel  is  the  power  of  God 
 and  the  wisdom  of  God.  In  Christ  are  hid  all  the  treasures  oi 
 wisdom  and  knowledge.  Angels  desire  to  look  into  these  things. 
 It  is  the  mystery  of  God  and  of  Christ.  (3.)  It  covered  Christ 
 from  head  to  foot ;  it  covered  his  whole  soul  from  the  cradle  to  the 
 cross ;  so  that  He  was  beautiful  and  glorious  in  the  eyes  of  the 
 Father.     "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 
 
 Dear  friends,  put  ye  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Have  no  confi- 
 dence in  the  flesh  ;  but  rejoice  in  Christ  Jesus.  Put  on  this  ephod 
 of  righteousness,  this  cunning  work  of  God,  this  curious  girdle  of 
 a  Redeemer's  righteousness.  There  is  the  gold  of  Christ's  God- 
 head in  it, — the  purple  and  scarlet  of  a  Redeemer's  blood, — the 
 fine  twined  linen  of  his  spotless  obedience.  With  what  confidence 
 the  high  priest  could  enter  the  hoHest  when  clothed  with  this 
 wonderful  garment !  So  you,  clothed  in  Christ,  may  come  boldly 
 to  the  throne  of  grace,  to  find  mercy  and  grace  to  help  in  time  of 
 need.     "  I  counsel  thee,"  etc. 
 
 II.  The  stones  on  his  shoulders^  9-12. — Observe  three  things  here : 
 (1.)  That  they  were  precious  stones  on  which  the  names  of  the 
 children  of  Israel  were  engraved,  "  two  onyx  stones."  (2.)  That 
 they  were  set  in  ouches,  or  sockets  of  gold,  and  fastened  by 
 chains.  (3.)  That  these  two  stones  were  put  upon  the  high  priest's 
 shoulders,  and  he  was  to  bear  them  before  the  Lord  upon  hig 
 •shoulders. 
 
478  NOTES  ON  THE  TYPES 
 
 How  plainly  does  this  point  out  the  care  that  the  great  Ke- 
 decmer  takes  of  all  that  are  his  own!  (1.)  Ther  are  precious  in 
 his  night — they  are  his  jewels;  and  "they  shall  be  mine,  saith 
 the  Lord  of  Hosts,  in  that  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels."  "  Ye 
 shall  be  a  peculiar  treasure  unto  me  above  all  people  ;  for  all  the 
 earth  is  mine."  They  are  redeemed  wiVi  his  blood :  no  wonder 
 they  are  precious.  When  a  man  hag  spent  much  on  anything, 
 it  becomes  precious  to  him.  (2.)  They  are  set  in  sockets  of  gold, 
 and  bound  to  him  with  chains  of  gold.  These  chains  and  sockets 
 of  gold  are  the  love  of  Christ — his  electing  love,  his  drawing 
 love,  his  covenant  love.  "  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting 
 love;  therefore  with  loving-kindness  have  I  drawn  thee."  (3.) 
 They  are  on  his  shoulders  ;  so  are  all  behevers.  "  When  he  hath 
 found  it.  He  layeth  it  on  his  shoulders  rejoicing."  Never  does  the 
 Saviour  find  a  lost  soul,  but  He  sets  him  high  on  his  shoulder. 
 "  Even  to  your  old  age  I  am  He ;  and  even  to  hoar  hairs  will  I 
 carry  you :  I  have  made,  and  I  will  bear ;  even  I  will  carry  and 
 will  deliver  you." 
 
 Have  you  taken  Christ  to  be  your  Surety  and  High  Priest?  (1.) 
 Then  you  are  on  his  shoulder — engraved  there,  set  in  gold  there, 
 ehained  there — you  shall  never  perish.  He  has  set  you  as  a  seal 
 upon  his  arm.  Lean  all  your  weight  on  Him.  Do  not  distrust 
 Him.  You  cannot  carry  yourself.  Lean  all  on  Him.  (2.)  Be 
 like  Christ.  You  too  are  a  priest.  Be  like  Christ  in  this.  Bear 
 up  the  children  of  God.  Bear  ye  one  another's  burdens,  and  so 
 fulfil  the  law  of  Christ.  Look  not  every  one  on  his  own  things, 
 but  every  man  also  on  the  things  of  others.  Let  this  mind  be 
 in  you  which  was  also  in  Christ  Jesus.     Be  helpers  of  one  another's 
 
 joy. 
 
 HI.  Breastplate  of  judgment,  15-29. — Observe  three  things.  (1.) 
 Here  also  all  the  names  of  the  children  of  Israel  were  graven  on 
 precious  stones ;  but  observe  the  difference.  Before  there  were 
 two  onyx  stones  ;  here  are  twelve  different  stones — all  different — 
 all  precious.  (2.)  Here  also  the  stones  were  set  in  gold  enclosings, 
 and  the  whole  was  bound  to  the  ephod  with  golden  chains.  (3.) 
 It  was  fastened,  not  upon  his  shoulders,  but  upon  his  breast  over 
 his  heart,  ver.  29.     Aaron  shall  bear. 
 
 How  plainly  does  this  point  out  a  new  feature  in  the  love  and 
 tenderness  of  Christ  for  his  own  redeemed  ones  ! 
 
 (1.)  Observe  how  precious  his  people  are  to  Him.  There  is  a 
 variety  among  the  stones, — every  one  is  different,  yet  all  are 
 precious.     So  there  is  a  great  variety  among  Christ's  people,  yet 
 
FOUND  IN  THE  TABERNACLE.  479 
 
 pil  are  precious  to  Christ.  Some  are  chosen  in  infancy,  like  John 
 the  Baptist  and  Jeremiah,  sanctified  from  the  womb.  Some  are 
 chosen  in  old  age.  Some  are  taken  who  have  committed  but  little 
 sin,  like  Martha  and  Mary ;  some  who  have  committed  much,  like 
 the  woman  which  was  a  sinner,  and  the  dying  thief.  Some  are  taken 
 from  a  cottage,  some  from  a  palace ;  all  different,  yet  all  jewels  in 
 the  eyes  of  the  Redeemer. 
 
 (2.)  Observe  they  are  all  bound  upon  his  heart.  So  believers 
 are  bound  on  Christ's  heart  when  He  goeth  in  before  the  Father. 
 He  is  able  to  save  to  the  uttermost.  Dear  children  of  God,  you 
 often  think  that  Christ  forgetteth  you ;  that  the  glories  of  heaven 
 have  dazzled  his  eyes  ;  that  the  songs  of  angels  have  entranced  his 
 ear ;  that  the  joys  of  his  Father's  right  hand  have  filled  all  his 
 heart ;  that  He  has  no  thought  of  you.  See  here,  you  are  bound 
 to  his  heart,  you  are  enclosed  there,  graven  there.  "  Like  as  a 
 father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear 
 Him."  "  Behold  my  mother  and  my  brethren."  He  is  a  friend 
 that  sticketh  closer  than  a  brother.  Can  a  mother  forget  her 
 sucking  child?  Will  you  ever  distrust  Christ  any  more?  "I 
 will  pray  the  Father;"  "He  maketh  intercession  for  us."  "I 
 pray  for  them  ;  I  pray  not  for  the  world  ;"  "  Neither  pray  I  for 
 these  alone." 
 
 Be  like  Christ.  Ye  are  priests.  Let  the  children  of  God  be 
 precious  to  you  :  bound  to  your  hearts  with  golden  chains  of  love. 
 Love  all  God's  children ;  especially  pray  for  them.  Brethren,  pray 
 for  us. 
 
 lY.  The  Plate  on  forehead,  36-38.— Observe  three  things.  (1.) 
 That  it  was  a  plate  of  pure  gold — not  wrought  gold,  nor  mixed 
 with  anything  else,  but  pure  gold.  (2.)  That  holiness  to  the  Lord 
 was  deeply  engraven  on  it ;  it  was  not  superficially  written,  but 
 graven  like  a  seal.  (3.)  It  was  to  be  always  on  the  forefront  of 
 his  mitre,  and  on  his  forehead — conspicuous  without  concealment. 
 
 How  plainly  does  this  point  out  the  native  holiness  of  our 
 glorious  Redeemer !  From  first  to  last  He  was  a  holy  Saviour. 
 (1.)  His  holiness  was  like  the  fine  gold,  without  mixture,  without 
 alloy.  (2.)  It  was  deeply  engraved  in  his  heart, — not  mere  appear- 
 ance, outside  holiness.  (3.)  It  was  obvious,  open  holiness.  It  was 
 visible  in  his  holy  brow,  in  his  meek  and  dove-like  eye.  His  whole 
 life  was  holiness  to  the  Lord.  Such  an  High  Priest  became  us, 
 who  was  holy,  harmless,  undefiled,  and  separate  from  sinners. 
 Even  in  his  mother's  womb  He  was  "that  holy  thing."  In  his 
 life  "  He  did  no  sin,  neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth."     In 
 
480  NOTES  ON  THE  TYPES 
 
 his  death  "  He  through  the  eternal  Spirit  offered  himself  without 
 spot  unto  God."  He  was,  as  it  were,  the  essence  of  holiness. 
 This  might  well  be  the  motto  on  his  brow — Holiness  to  the 
 Lord. 
 
 (1.)  Learn  ichat  a  complete  Saviour  we  have. — If  He  had  had  one 
 sin  or  infirmity.  He  would  have  needed  to  have  died  for  his  own 
 sin.  But  Ho  knew  no  sin,  and  was  therefore  made  sin  for  us.  Oh 
 rejoice  in  this  holy  Saviour  1 
 
 (2.)  Learn  to  he  like  Him. — "  I  am  the  vine,  ye  are  the  branches." 
 If  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature.  If  you  are  saved 
 by  Christ's  blood,  be  filled  with  Christ's  Spirit.  Remember,  you 
 too  must  be  holiness  to  the  Lord.  The  Spirit  must  write  the  law 
 upon  your  heart — grave  it  deeply  ;  and  yet  let  your  light  so  shine 
 before  men,  that  they,  seeing  your  good  works,  may  glorify  your 
 Father  which  is  in  heaven.  Your  holiness  must  be  in  your  heart, 
 and  yet  upon  your  forehead  too.  Let  everything  you  have  and  are 
 be  devoted  to  Him.  On  the  bells  upon  the  horses  let  it  be  written, 
 "  Holiness  to  the  Lord." 
 
 Y.  The  Bells  and  Pomegranates,  33-35. — (1.)  The  pomegranate 
 is  a  tree  with  a  beautiful  flower  and  fruit,  growing  in  fruitful 
 gardens.  It  was  used  in  the  high  priest's  garments,  to  mark 
 fruitfulness  and  fragrance.  (2.)  The  bell  was  to  give  a  pleasant 
 tinkling  sound  whenever  the  high  priest  walked,  in  going  in  or 
 coming  out.  How  plainly  did  this  signify,  that  wherever  Christ 
 goes,  there  is  the  fragrance  of  sweetest  gardens,  and  a  gladsome 
 sound  of  melody  !  There  was  once  a  time  in  Scotland,  when  our 
 glorious  High  Priest  walked  amid  the  golden  candlesticks — when 
 He  came  into  his  garden,  and  fed  among  the  hhes.  Oh  that  Christ 
 would  come  in  among  you,  and  reveal  himself  unto  you !  Then 
 would  the  winter  be  past,  the  rains  would  be  over  and  gone, 
 the  flowers  v/ould  appear  on  the  earth,  and  the  time  of  the  singing 
 of  birds  be  come.  His  presence  makes  summer, — all  his  garments 
 smell  of  myrrh.  Your  souls  would  become  a  well-watered  garden. 
 When  Jesus  comes  in,  it  is  gladsome  music  to  the  soul.  It  is  like 
 the  sound  of  the  silver  trumpets  ;  it  is  the  melody  of  bells.  Happy 
 is  the  people  that  know  the  joyful  sound :  "  I  bring  you  good 
 tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall  be  to  all  people."  Has  the  sound 
 of  a  present  Saviour  ever  fallen  upon  your  ear  ? 
 
 Christians,  you  are  priests.  Be  Kke  Christ  in  this.  (1 .)  Wherever 
 you  go,  carry  a  savour  of  Christ.  His  name  is  like  ointment  poured 
 forth ;  it  is  like  the  vine  flourishing,  and  the  pomegranate  budding. 
 Let  men  take  knowledge  of  you  that  you  have  been  with  Jesus ; 
 
FOUND  IN  THE  TABERNACLE.  481 
 
 let  it  be  plain  that  you  come  from  within  the  veil ;  let  the  smell  of 
 your  garments  be  as  a  field  which  the  Lord  hath  blessed.  (2.) 
 Carry  a  sound  of  Christ  wherever  you  go.  Not  a  step,  Christians, 
 without  the  sound  of  the  gospel  bell !  Even  in  smallest  things,  be 
 spreading  the  glad  sound.  Edwards  says,  wherever  a  godly  person 
 enters,  he  is  a  greater  blessing  than  if  the  greatest  monarch  were 
 entering.     So  be  it  with  you. 
 
 Now,  my  dear  friends,  it  appears  to  me,  that  even  the  tracts 
 for  which  you  contribute  are  like  those  little  bells.  They  are 
 small  and  despised  by  some,  yet  they  carry  the  clear  sound  of  the 
 gospel  wherever  they  go.  What  Christian  among  you  would  not 
 love  to  see  them  multiplied,  till  every  family  on  the  globe  should 
 hear  the  message  of  mercy  ?  Come,  then,  to  the  help  of  the  Lord 
 against  the  mighty. 
 
 II.  THE  HOLY  PLACE. 
 
 The  Holy  Place  was  the  first  chamber  of  the  tabernacle,  into 
 which  all  the  priests  were  allowed  to  enter  continually  to  trim  the 
 lamps,  and  light  them  at  evening — to  burn  incense  at  the  golden 
 altar,  and  to  arrange  the  shew-bread  on  the  golden  table.  Its 
 contents  were — the  golden  candlestick,  the  altar  of  incense,  not 
 here  mentioned,  and  the  table  of  shew-bread. 
 
 I  dare  not  speak  positively  on  so  difficult  a  subject,  but  I  will 
 open  up  freely  what  appears  to  me  to  be  the  true  meaning  of  the 
 Holy  Place. 
 
 I  think  it  represented  the  condition  of  Christ  mystical,  that  is, 
 of  Christ  and  his  church  before  the  veil  was  rent,  i.e.  before  the 
 death  of  Christ. 
 
 (1.)  There  was  a  bright  golden  candlestick^  filled  with  beaten  oil, 
 lighted  every  evening  by  the  priest.  This  clearly  represented 
 Christ  and  his  members,  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit.  But  then 
 the  light  was  confined  to  a  small  chamber ;  it  did  not  spread 
 afar,  like  a  beacon  across  the  dark  world.  So  Christ  and  his 
 people,  during  the  Old  Testament  church,  were  a  shrouded  light. 
 It  was  a  golden  candlestick,  filled  with  oil,  and  lighted,  but  its 
 beams  confined  within  boards  and  curtains.  It  is  true,  a  few 
 stray  beams  did  escape,  so  as  to  attract  the  Queen  of  Sheba 
 from  a  far  country,  and  the  Ethiopian  eunuch  in  his  chariot,  and 
 the  Roman  centurion,  who  loved  their  nation,  and  built  them  a 
 synagogue.  Still  the  Jewish  Church  was  not  evangelistic.  It 
 was  not  intended  at  that  time  to  spread  the  hght  to  other  nations. 
 But  when  Jesus  comes,  He  breaks  down  the  boards  and  curtains, 
 
 2h 
 
482  NOTES  ON  THE  TYPES 
 
 and  says,  "  Ye  are  the  light  of  the  world,"  "  among  whom  ye  shine 
 as  lights  in  the  ivorld." 
 
 (2.)  lu  Hke  manner,  there  was  a  golden  altar  where  incense  teas 
 hurnt  every  morning  and  evening,  representing  the  intercession  of 
 Christ  and  his  saints.  Still,  it  is  remarkable  that  this  altar  was 
 not  within  the  veil — it  was  not  in  the  hohest  of  all. 
 
 The  Holy  Ghost  here  plainly  signified,  that  the  church  in  the 
 wilderness  had  not  that  liberty  in  prayer  which  we  now  have. 
 They  had  not  that  intimate  nearness  to  God  which  the  New 
 Testament  believers  enjoy.  It  is  true,  Israel  were  a  praying 
 people.  David  sought  God's  face  seven  times  a  day,  and  Daniel 
 kneeled  upon  his  knees  three  times  a  day ;  and  the  67th  Psalm 
 shows  that  they  often  remembered  us  poor  Gentiles  in  their 
 intercessions.  "God  be  merciful  to  us,  and  bless  us,  and  cause 
 his  face  to  shine  upon  us,  that  thy  way  may  be  known  on  the 
 earth,  and  thy  saving  health  among  all  nations."  Stillj  they  had 
 not  that  near,  full,  intimate  liberty  at  the  throne  of  grace,  which  is 
 granted  to  those  who  are  taught  by  the  Spirit  to  pray,  Let  us 
 draw  near,  Abba,  Father. 
 
 (3.)  There  vjas  a  pure  table  covered  with  twelve  loaves,  a  loaf  for 
 each  tribe  of  Israel ;  and  only  the  priests  were  allowed  to  eat  it. 
 This  plainly  intimated  Christ  offered  only  to  the  twelve  tribes  of 
 Israel — the  dispensation  in  which  the  offer  of  salvation  was  nearly 
 confined  to  the  Jews.  How  different  from  the  day  when  Jesus 
 broke  the  loaves,  and  distributed  to  the  multitudes  ;  or  that  day 
 when  Jesus  said,  "I  am  the  bread  of  God  which  cometh  down 
 from  heaven,  and  giveth  life  unto  the  luorld ;  I  am  the  bread  of 
 life ;  He  that  cometh  to  me  shall  never  hunger,  and  he  that 
 beheveth  on  me  shall  never  thirst ! " 
 
 The  Holy  Place  was  then  a  shadow  of  good  things  to  come. 
 Oh,  how  great  is  our  privilege  who  live  in  the  clear  gospel  day ! 
 and  how  awful  your  condemnation,  if,  when  the  shadows  are  fled 
 away,  and  Christ  the  substance  is  freely  offered,  you  still  reject 
 Him  !  "  If  he  that  despised  Moses'  law  died  without  mercy  under 
 two  or  three  witnesses,  of  how  much  sorer  punishment,  suppose 
 ye,  shall  he  be  thought  worthy  who  hath  trodden  under  foot  the 
 Son  of  God,  and  hath  counted  the  blood  of  the  covenant  an  unholy 
 thing,  and  done  despite  unto  the  Spirit  of  grace?" 
 
 in.  THE  MOST  HOLY  PLACE. 
 
 I.  Its  situation  and  name,  ver.  3.  After  the  second  veil.  The 
 veil  here  spoken  of  is  described,  Exod.  xxvi.  31-33.     It  was  made 
 
FOUND  IN  THE  TABERNACLE.  483 
 
 of  blue,  and  purple,  and  scarlet,  and  fine  twined  linen.  It  hung 
 upon  four  pillars,  and  divided  between  the  holy  place  and  the  most 
 holy.  It  is  the  same  veil  that  was  rent  in  twain  when  Jesus  died 
 Matt,  xxvii.  51. 
 
 The  chamber  here  mentioned,  then,  was  the  innermost  of  all — 
 four  square,  the  walls  composed  of  boards  overlaid  with  gold, 
 covered  in  with  curtains,  having  no  light  except  the  bright  cloud 
 that  dwelt  between  the  cherubims,  the  token  that  God  had  his 
 dwelling  there. 
 
 II.  Its  contents. 
 
 (1.)  The  golden  censer.  "Which  had  the  golden  censer,"  ver. 
 4.  This  was  not  the  golden  altar  of  incense,  which  was  not  in 
 the  holiest  of  all,  and  is  not  here  mentioned.  It  is  the  censer 
 spoken  of,  Lev.  xvi.  12.  On  the  solemn  day  of  atonement,  when 
 the  high  priest  entered  into  the  hohest,  he  first  took  this  golden 
 censer,  and  filled  it  with  burning  coals  from  the  altar  of  burnt 
 offering.  He  then  entered  the  holy  place,  and  took  a  handful  of 
 sweet  incense  from  the  golden  altar  of  incense,  the  incense  beaten 
 small,  and  then  he  drew  aside  the  second  veil,  and  entered  the 
 holiest  of  all,  burning  the  incense  all  the  time.  He  was  thus 
 surrounded  with  a  cloud  of  fragrant  incense  as  he  stood  before  the 
 mercy-seat. 
 
 The  meaning  of  this  is  very  obvious :  the  Holy  Ghost  signified 
 by  this,  Jesus  our  Intercessor.  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate 
 with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous.  This  is  the  Angel  of 
 Intercession  whom  John  saw  (Rev.  viii.  3),  offering  up  the  prayers 
 of  all  saints  with  much  incense.  The  prayers  of  the  highest 
 believers  are  all  sinful  and  polluted.  There  is  so  much  unbehef, 
 so  much  selfishness,  so  much  forgetfulness  mingling  with  all,  that 
 every  prayer  is  sin.  But  if  you  put  them  into  the  golden  censer, 
 Jesus  Christ  the  righteous  will  cover  all  the  sin,  and  offer  them  up 
 with  much  incense.  This  is  the  only  way  of  acceptable  worship. 
 Is  this  your  way  of  praying  ?  Have  you  such  a  sense  of  sin  that 
 you  are  ashamed  of  your  prayers'?  or  do  you  put  them  into  Cluist's 
 censer  ?  It  is  an  affecting  thought  that  the  censer  of  Christ  is  so 
 often  empty — so  few  pcayers  put  into  it.  Here  is  the  reason  why 
 the  prayer  of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination  to  God.  Prov.  xv.  8. 
 You  do  not  put  it  into  the  censer  of  Jesus  to  b@  perfumed  with 
 the  cloud  of  incense. 
 
 (2.)  The  ark — This  was  a  chest  made  of  shittim  wood,  and 
 overlaid  round  about,  i.e.  within  and  without,  with  pure  gold. 
 The  only  thing  which  it  contained  in  its  bosom  was  the  two  tables 
 
484  NOTES  ON  THE  TYPES 
 
 of  stone  on  which  God  wrote,  with  his  own  finger,  the  Ten  Com- 
 mandments. 1  Kings  viii.  9.  The  ark  was  the  chief  thing  about 
 the  tabernacle.  It  is  the  first  thing  Moses  was  commanded  to 
 make.  Exod.  xxv.  When  Israel  brought  the  ark  into  the  field 
 of  battle,  the  Philistines  cried  out,  "  God  is  come  into  their  camp." 
 It  was  for  the  ark  of  God  that  Eli's  heart  trembled ;  and  when  his 
 daughter-in-law  died,  she  called  her  child  Ichabod,  saying,  "  The 
 glory  is  departed  from  Israel,  for  the  ark  of  God  is  taken." 
 1  Sam.  iv.  13-22.  It  was  for  looking  into  the  ark  of  God  that 
 God  smote  the  men  of  Bethshemesh.  1  Sam.  vi.  19,  20.  It  was 
 for  putting  out  his  hand  to  touch  the  ark  of  God  that  Uzzah 
 died.  2  Sam.  vi.  6.  It  was  the  ark  of  God  that  brought  such 
 blessing  into  the  house  of  Obed-edom.  2  Sam.  vi.  11.  When 
 Solomon  had  built  the  temple,  all  was  incomplete  until  the  ark 
 was  brought  into  it ;  as  it  is  written  in  the  132d  Psalm,  ver.  8, 
 "Arise,  O  Lord,  into  thy  rest;  Thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength." 
 
 Although  we  have  no  express  warrant  in  the  word  of  God,  yet 
 I  have  no  doubt  that  the  ark  was  intended  to  represent  Christ  the 
 fulfiller  of  all  righteousness. 
 
 Jeremiah  spake  of  Him,  xxiii.  6,  "  This  is  his  name  whereby  He 
 shall  be  called,  The  Lord  our  righteousness  ;^'  and  in  the  40th  Psalm 
 He  says  to  the  Father  (ver.  8),  "I  dehght  to  do  thy  will,  0  my 
 God ;  yea,  thy  law  is  ivithin  my  heart"  And  thus,  when  He  came, 
 He  told  John,  "  It  becometh  us  to  fulfil  all  righteousness."  And 
 Paul  tells  us,  "By  the  obedience  of  one  shall  many  be  made 
 righteous,"  Rom.  v.  This  is  the  main  thing  in  the  gospel,  just 
 as  the  ark  was  the  main  thing  under  the  law.  Without  the  ark, 
 the  tabernacle  was  but  an  empty  form.  Without  Christ,  our  law- 
 fulfilling  righteousness,  rehgion  is  but  a  form  and  a  shadow. 
 
 Is  the  Lord  our  righteousness  the  main  thing  in  your  soul? 
 Has  the  ark  of  God  its  proper  place  in  your  heart  ?  "  Arise,  0 
 Lord,  into  thy  rest ;  Thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength." 
 
 (3.)  The  hidden  manna. — "  Wherein  was  the  golden  pot  that  had 
 manna."  When  God  led  Israel  through  the  wilderness,  "He  fed 
 them  with  the  corn  of  heaven ;  man  did  eat  angels'  food."  He 
 rained  down  manna  on  them  every  morning  for  forty  years.  At 
 that  time  God  commanded  them  to  preserve  an  omer  of  it  (enough 
 for  one  person)  in  a  golden  pot,  "that  they  may  see  the  bread 
 wherewith  I  have  fed  you  in  the  wilderness,"  Exod.  xvi.  32.  Paul 
 here  tells  us  it  was  kept  in  a  golden  pot,  beside  the  ark  within 
 the  veil. 
 
 There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  manna  was  a  type  of  Jesus — 
 the  nourishment  of  his  people.     The  bread  of  God  is  He  which 
 
FOUND  IN  THE  TABERNACLE.  485 
 
 Cometh  down  from  heaven  and  giveth  life  unto  tlie  world.  "  I  am 
 the  bread  of  Hfe,"  John  vi.  33.  But  the  hidden  manna  represented 
 Christ  within  the  veil ;  and,  accordingly,  the  promise  to  him  that 
 overcometh  in  the  church  of  Smyrna  runs  thus :  "  To  him  that 
 overcometh  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  hidden  manna,"  Rev.  ii.  17. 
 Jesus  is  not  to  be  our  food  only  in  the  wilderness,  but  in  eternity  ; 
 we  shall  still  feed  on  that  hidden  manna — that  bread  of  God. 
 
 (4.)  Aaron's  rod— "And  Aaron's  rod  that  budded."  This  rod 
 was  originally  th^  branch  of  an  almond  tree,  which  Moses  cut  in 
 the  wilderness.  It  became  his  shepherd's  rod.  It  was  the  same 
 which  God  changed  into  a  serpent  (Exod.  iv.  3-17),  and  made  it 
 the  wonder-working  rod.  By  it  the  waters  were  made  blood,  the 
 Red  Sea  was  divided.  By  the  same  rod  the  rock  was  smitten  at 
 Meribah,  and  gave  drink  to  the  many  thousands  of  Israel — Exod. 
 xviL ;  and  by  it  the  rock  was  smitten  a  second  time,  when  Moses 
 spoke  unadvisedly  with  his  lips.  Num.  xx.  9.  The  same  rod  was 
 laid  up  before  the  Lord  in  the  rebellion  of  Korah  (Num.  xvii.),  to 
 prove  that  the  priesthood  belonged  to  the  family  of  Aaron.  "  It 
 budded,  and  brought  forth  buds,  and  blossomed  blossoms,  and 
 yielded  almonds."  And  God  commanded  it  to  be  kept  in  the 
 holiest  of  all,  as  a  token  against  the  rebels.  We  have  no  positive 
 Scripture  authority  for  saying  that  this  rod  represented  Christ; 
 and  yet  who  can  doubt  it  f  Originally  an  almond  wand,  growing 
 in  the  wilderness,  it  represents  Jesus,  the  root  out  of  a  dry  ground, 
 without  form  or  comeliness,  having  no  beauty  that  we  should 
 desire  Him — the  man  whose  name  is  the  Branch. 
 
 As  the  wonder-ivorUng  rod,  it  represents  Jesus  the  power  of  God 
 mighty  to  save,  mighty  also  to  destroy  ;  doing  as  never  man  did, 
 and  speaking  as  never  man  spake,  so  that  the  people  said,  "It 
 was  never  so  seen  in  Israel." 
 
 As  smiting  the  rock,  it  represents  Jesus  as  the  Priest  pouring 
 out  his  soul  unto  death,  submitting  to  the  stroke  of  his  own  holy 
 law,  consenting  to  his  own  death,  and  bringing  out  streams  of  life 
 from  his  own  wounds. 
 
 As  blossoming  and  hearing  almonds  before  the  Lord,  it  represents 
 the  root  out  of  a  dry  ground  becoming  a  fruitful  vine.  It  repre- 
 sents the  fruitfulness  of  Jesus'  priesthood— that  his  sufferings  are 
 now  past,  that  He  blossoms  within  the  veil. 
 
 (5.)  The  mercy-seat. — This  was  a  hd  or  covering  to  the  ark  of 
 pure  gold,  of  the  same  length  and  breadth  as  the  ark  itself.  Exod. 
 XXV.  17.  It  was  the  only  Hd  which  the  ark  had,  and  it  fitted  in 
 exactly,  so  as  to  cover  it  close.  The  two  cherubims  stood  upon 
 it,  being  of  one  piece,  beaten  out  of  the  same  pure  metal.     It  was 
 
486  NOTES  ON  THE  TYPES 
 
 upon  this  lid  that  the  bright  cloud,  which  showed  a  preseut  God, 
 rested,  so  that  it  was  called  the  mercy-seat. 
 
 There  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  was  intended  to  represent  Christ, 
 our  propitiation.  First,  He  is  called  by  this  very  name,  Kom.  iii. 
 25,  where  the  word  rendered  "  a  propitiation"  is  literally  "  a  mercy - 
 seat"  Second,  The  mercy-seat  was  sprinkled  with  blood.  The 
 blood  of  the  bullock  and  the  blood  of  the  goat  was  sprinkled  on 
 the  mercy-seat,  and  before  the  mercy-seat  upon  the  ground.  Lev. 
 xvi.  14,  15.  We  are  nowhere  told  that  the  blood  was  ever  wiped 
 off  that  golden  mercy-seat,  so  that  there  can  be  no  doubt  it  was 
 kept  perpetually  stained  with  the  blood.  The  bright  shining  gold 
 of  the  mercy-seat  was  kept  constantly  dimmed  with  the  blood,  and 
 the  ground  before  it  was  kept  always  stained  with  the  same. 
 Third,  It  was  tie  meeting-place  with  the  sinners.  "  There  will  I 
 meet  with  thee,  and  commune  with  thee  from  off  the  mercy-seat," 
 Exod.  XXV.  22.  It  is  the  same  with  "  the  throne  of  grace."  "  Let 
 us  come  boldly  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  find  mercy," 
 Heb.  iv.  16.  Sinners,  have  you  come  to  this  mercy-seat,  this  throne 
 of  grace,  this  propitiation — all  washed  with  blood?  It  is  here 
 God  is  willmg  to  meet  with  you,  and  bless  you,  and  do  you  good. 
 Through  this  man  is  preached  unto  you  the  forgiveness  of  sins. 
 
 (6.)  The  cherubim. — "  And  over  it  the  cherubim  of  glory  shadow- 
 ing the  mercy-seat."  The  cherubims  were  first  seen  at  the  entrance 
 of  the  garden  of  Eden,  one  on  each  side  of  the  flaming  sword  that 
 kept  the  way  of  the  tree  of  life.  Moses  was  commanded  to  make 
 two  of  gold.  Exod.  XXV.  18.  They  were  to  be  beaten  out  of  the 
 mercy-seat,  of  the  same  piece  of  metal ;  they  were  to  stand  upon 
 the  mercy-seat,  their  wings  overshadowing  it,  and  their  faces  bend- 
 ing toward  it.  The  same  creatures  seem  to  be  described  by 
 Isaiah,  as  seraphim  standing ' above  the  throne;  and  by  Ezekiel, 
 as  bearing  God's  throne — Ezek.  i.  10;  and  by  John,  as  standing 
 round  it.     Rev.  iv. 
 
 It  is  now  generally  agreed  by  interpreters,  that  the  cherubims 
 were  emblems  of  the  church  of  the  redeemed  in  heaven.  First, 
 They  were  of  one  piece  with  the  mercy-seat,  even  as  the  church  is 
 united  to  Christ.  Second,  They  stood  upon  the  mercy-seat,  sprinkled 
 with  blood;  they  have  no  other  standing.  The  blood  that  was 
 sprinkled  on  the  mercy-seat  sprinkled  them  also.  Third,  They 
 gazed  down  upon  the  mercy-seat,  even  as  the  redeemed  shall 
 spend  eternity  in  beholding  that  amazing  propitiation,  which 
 brought  glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  peace  to  guilty  men. 
 Fourth,  They  are  the  dwelhng-place  of  God.  "  Thou  that  dwellest- 
 between  the  cherubim,"  Ps.  Ixxx.  1 ;  literally,  Thou  that  inhabitest 
 
FOUND  IN  THE  TABERNACLE.  487 
 
 the  cherubim.  But  this  is  said  to  be  the  privilege  of  the  redeemed 
 alone.  "  An  habitation  of  God,  through  the  Spirit."  Ye  are  the 
 temple  of  the  living  God.  Fifths  They  sing,  Thou  hast  redeemed 
 us.  Rev.  iv.  Are  you  ever  to  be  in  heaven,  dear  friends,  you 
 must  stand  there  like  the  eherubims,  your  feet  upon  the  blood- 
 stained mercy-seat,  your  eyes  fixed  on  Jesus,  our  ever-fulfilling 
 Saviour ;  dwelt  in  by  God,  and  singing :  "  Thou  hast  redeemed 
 me." 
 
 III.  Let  us  consider  now  the  meaning  of  the  chamber  itself,  "  The 
 hohest  of  all."    It  typified  three  things. 
 
 (1.)  Christ. — He  was  the  true  holiest  of  all.  Dan.  ix.  24.  The 
 veil  is  expressly  said  to  be  his  flesh.  Heb.  x.  20.  The  bright 
 cloud,  dwelHng  in  frail  boards  and  curtains,  represented  God  mani- 
 fest in  flesh. 
 
 (2.)  The  gracious  presence  of  God. — This  it  undoubtedly  means. 
 Heb.  X.  19:  Having  boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest.  Believers 
 are  there  invited  to  draw  near  into  the  holiest — to  Him  that 
 dwelleth  between  the  eherubims.  It  is  here  we  are  invited  to  pour 
 out  our  hearts  to  God.  Have  you  learned  to  spend  much  of  your 
 time  within  the  veil  ?  You  would  be  less  moved  by  all  the  changes, 
 and  bereavements,  and  disappointments  of  a  passing  world.  Heb. 
 iv.  16 — throne  of  grace:  mourners  come,  draw  near  and  pour  out 
 your  sorrows  there. 
 
 (3.)  Heaven  itself. — "  Into  heaven  itself"  ver.  24..  Proved  also  by 
 the  promise  of  the  hidden  manna :  "  Which  hope  we  have  as  an 
 anchor  of  the  soul,  sure  and  stedfast,  and  which  entereth  in  within 
 the  veil,"  Heb.  vi.  19.  Christ  is  the  sum  of  heaven.  He  is  the  ark 
 in  which  God's  law  eternally  dwells — the  mercy-seat  where  we 
 shall  ever  meet  with  God.  He  is  the  hidden  manna  on  which  we 
 shall  eternally  feed.  He  is  the  rod  that  budded — the  true  vine  that 
 shall  nourish  us  to  all  eternity. 
 
 Just  as  the  cherubim  there  stood  gazing  on  the  mercy-seat,  and 
 on  the  bright  cloud  that  covered  it ;  so  the  redeemed  shall  spend 
 eternity  in  beholding  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Christ  Jesus. 
 Are  you  to  enter  there  ?  you  must  have  blood,  the  blood  of  Jesus, 
 in  your  hand.  You  must  have  the  smoke  of  the  incense  around 
 you,  and  the  white  linen  coat  girding  you.  Thus  and  thus  only 
 will  you  enter  into  glory.  Even  in  heaven  we  must  be  covered 
 with  Christ's  death  and  righteousness.  You  must  live  in  Christ, 
 and  die  in  Christ,  and  spend  eternity  in  Christ. 
 
PIECES  ALREADY  PUBLISHED, 
 
 EVIDENCE  ON  REVIVALS. 
 
 ANSWERS  TO  QUERIES  ON  THE  SUBJECT  OF  THE  REVIVAL  OF 
 RELIGION  IN  ST  PETER's  PARISH,  DUNDEE. 
 
 Submitted  to  a  Committee  of  the  Presbytery  of  Aberdeen. 
 
 In  December  1840,  the  Presbytery  of  Aberdeen  appointed  a  com- 
 mittee to  inquire  into  the  Hevivals  which  had  recently  occurred  in 
 different  parts  of  the  country,  or  were  taking  place  at  that  time. 
 The  committee,  besides  hearing  evidence  viva  voce,  issued  queries 
 which  were  sent,  amongst  other  ministers,  to  Mr  M'Cheyne.  The 
 following  are  copies  of  these  queries,  and  of  his  answers  : — 
 
 "  I.  Have  Eevivals  taken  place  in  your  parisli  or  district ;  and  if  so,  to  what 
 extent,  and  by  what  instrumentality  and  means  ? 
 
 "  II.  Do  you  know  what  was  the  previous  character  and  habits  of  the  parties  ? 
 
 "III.  Have  anj'  who  are  notorious  for  drunkenness,  or  other  immoralities, 
 neglect  of  family  duties  or  public  ordinances,  abandoned  their  evil  practices,  and 
 become  remarkable  for  their  diligence  in  the  use  of  the  means  of  grace  ? 
 
 "  IV.  Could  you  condescend  on  the  number  of  such  cases.' 
 
 "  V.  Has  the  conduct  of  any  of  the  parties  been  hitherto  consistent ;  and  how 
 long  has  it  lasted  ? 
 
 "  VI.  Have  the  means  to  which  the  Eevivals  are  ascribed  been  attended  with 
 beneficial  effects  on  the  religious  condition  of  the  people  at  large  ? 
 
 "  VII.  Were  there  public  manifestations  of  physical  excitement,  as  in  audible 
 sobs,  groans,  cries,  screams,  etc.  ? 
 
 "  VIII.  Did  any  of  the  parties  throw  themselves  into  unusual  postures  ? 
 
 "IX.  Were  there  any  who  fainted,  fell  into  convulsions,  or  were  ill  in  cthor 
 respects  ? 
 
 "  X.  How  late  have  you  ever  known  Eevival  meetings  last  ? 
 
 488 
 
EVIDENCE  ON  REVIVALS.  489 
 
 "  XI.  Do  you  approve  or  disapprove  of  these  meetings  upon  the  whole  ?  In 
 either  case,  have  the  goodness  to  state  why. 
 
 "  XII.  Was  any  death  occasioned,  or  said  to  be  occasioned,  by  over-excitement 
 in  any  such  case  ?     If  so,  state  the  circumstances,  in  so  far  as  you  know  them. 
 
 "  XIII.  State  any  other  circumstances  connected  with  Revivals  in  your  parish 
 or  district,  which,  though  not  involved  in  the  foregoing  queries,  may  tend  to 
 throw  light  upon,  the  subject." 
 
 ADDITIONAL    QUERIES. 
 
 "XIV.  What  special  circumstances  in  the  preaching  or  ministrations  of  the 
 instruments  appear  to  have  produced  the  results  in  each  particular  case  which 
 may  have  come  under  your  notice  ? 
 
 "XV".  Did  the  person  or  persons  whom  you  described  as  the  instruments  in 
 producing  the  effects  above  adverted  to  address  children  ?  At  what  hour  ?  In 
 what  special  terms  ?     And  what  might  be  the  age  of  the  youngest  of  them  ?  " 
 
 MR   M'CHEYNE's    answers. 
 
 Anstve?'  to  Query  I. — It  is  my  decided  and  solemn  conviction,  in 
 the  sight  of  God,  that  a  very  remarkable  and  glorious  work  of 
 God,  in  the  conversion  of  sinners  and  edifying  of  saints,  has  taken 
 place  in  this  parish  and  neighbourhood.  This  work  I  have  observed 
 going  on  from  the  very  beginning  of  my  ministry  in  this  place  in 
 November  1836,  and  it  has  continued  to  the  present  time  ;  but  it 
 was  much  more  remarkable  in  the  autumn  of  1839,  when  I  was 
 abroad  on  a  Mission  of  Inquiry  to  the  Jews,  and  when  my  place 
 was  occupied  by  the  Rev.  W.  C.  Burns.  Previous  to  my  going 
 abroad,  and  for  several  months  afterwards,  the  means  used  were 
 of  the  ordinary  kind.  In  addition  to  the  services  of  the  Sabbath, 
 in  the  summer  of  1837,  a  meeting  was  opened  in  the  church,  on 
 Thursday  evenings,  for  prayer,  exposition  of  Scripture,  reading 
 accounts  of  Missions,  Revivals  of  Religion,  etc. ;  Sabbath  schools 
 were  formed,  private  prayer-meetings  were  encouraged,  and  two 
 weekly  classes  for  young  men  and  young  women  were  instituted, 
 with  a  very  large  attendance.  These  means  were  accompanied 
 with  an  evident  blessing  from  on  high  in  many  instances.  But 
 there  was  no  visible  or  general  movement  among  the  people  until 
 August  1839,  when,  immediately  after  the  beginning  of  the  Lord's 
 work  at  Kilsyth,  the  word  of  God  came  with  such  power  to  tlie 
 hearts  and  consciences  of  the  people  here,  and  their  thirst  for 
 hearing  it  became  so  intense,  that  the  evening  classes  in  the 
 schoolroom  were  changed  into  densely  crowded  congregations  in 
 the  church,  and  for  nearly  four  months  it  was  found  desirable  to 
 have  public  worship  almost  every  night.     At  this  time,  also,  many 
 
490  EVIDENCE  ON  REVIVALS. 
 
 prayer-meetings  were  formed,  some  of  which  were  strictly  private 
 or  fellowship  meetings,  and  others,  conducted  by  persons  of  some 
 Christian  experience,  were  open  to  persons  under  concern  about 
 their  souls.  At  the  time  of  my  return  from  the  Mission  to  the 
 Jews,  I  found  thirty-nine  such  meetings  held  weekly  in  connection 
 mth.  the  congregation,  and  five  of  these  were  conducted  and 
 attended  entirely  by  little  children.  At  present,  although  many 
 changes  have  taken  place,  I  believe  the  number  of  these  meetings 
 is  not  much  diminished.  Now,  however,  they  are  nearly  all  of  the 
 more  private  kind — the  deep  and  general  anxiety,  which  led  to 
 many  of  them  being  open,  having  in  a  great  degree  subsided. 
 Among  the  many  ministers  who  have  assisted  here  from  time  to 
 time,  and  especially  in  the  autumn  of  1839,  I  may  mention  Mr 
 Macdonald  of  Urquhart,  Mr  Gumming  of  Dumbarney,  Mr  Bonar 
 of  Larbert,  Mr  Bonar  of  Kelso,  and  Mr  Somerville  of  Anderston. 
 Some  of  these  were  present  here  for  a  considerable  time,  and  I 
 have  good  reason  for  beUeving  that  they  were  eminently  counte- 
 nanced by  God  in  their  labours. 
 
 As  to  the  extent  of  this  work  of  God,  I  believe  it  is  impossible 
 to  speak  decidedly.  The  parish  is  situated  in  the  suburb  of  a  city 
 containing  60,000  inhabitants.  The  work  extended  to  individuals 
 residing  in  all  quarters  of  the  town,  and  belonging  to  all  ranks  and 
 denominations  of  the  people.  Many  hundreds,  under  deep  con- 
 cern for  their  souls,  have  come,  from  first  to  last,  to  converse  with 
 the  ministers  ;  so  that  I  am  deeply  persuaded,  the  number  of  those 
 who  have  received  saving  benefit  is  greater  than  any  one  will  know 
 till  the  judgment-day. 
 
 II.,  III.  The  previous  character  of  those  who  seem  to  have 
 been  converted  was  very  various.  I  could  name  not  a  few  in  the 
 higher  ranks  of  hfe  that  seem  evidently  to  have  become  new 
 creatures,  who  previously  Hved  a  worldly  life,  though  unmarked 
 by  open  wickedness.  Many,  again,  who  were  before  nominal 
 Christians,  are  now  living  ones.  I  could  name,  however,  far  more, 
 who  have  been  turned  from  the  paths  of  open  sin  and  profligacy, 
 and  have  found  pardon  and  purity  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and 
 by  the  Spirit  of  our  God ;  so  that  we  can  say  to  them,  as  Paul 
 said  to  the  Corinthians,  "  Such  were  some  of  you ;  but  ye  are 
 washed,  but  ye  are  sanctified,  but  ye  are  justified,"  etc.  I  often 
 think,  when  conversing  with  some  of  these,  that  the  change  they 
 have  undergone  might  be  enough  to  convince  an  atheist  that  there 
 is  a  God,  or  an  infidel  that  there  is  a  Saviour. 
 
 lY.  It  is  not  easy  for  a  minister,  in  a  field  like  this,  to  keep  an 
 exact  account  of  all  the  cases  of  awakening  and  conversion  that 
 
EVIDENCE  ON  REVIVALS.  491 
 
 occur ;  and  there  are  many  of  which  he  may  never  hear.  I  have 
 always  tried  to  mark  down  the  circumstances  of  each  awakened 
 soul  that  apphed  to  me,  and  the  number  of  these,  from  first  to  last, 
 has  been  very  great.  During  the  autumn  of  1839  not  fewer  than 
 from  600  to  700  came  to  converse  with  the  ministers  about  their 
 souls ;  and  there  were  many  more,  equally  concerned,  who  never 
 came  forward  in  this  way.  I  know  many  who  appear  to  have 
 been  converted,  and  yet  have  never  come  to  me  in  private  ;  and  I 
 am  every  now  and  then  meeting  with  cases  of  which  I  never 
 before  heard.  Indeed,  eternity  alone  can  reveal  the  true  number 
 of  the  Lord's  hidden  ones  among  us. 
 
 Y.  With  regard  to  the  consistency  of  those  who  are  believed  to 
 have  been  converted,  I  may  first  of  all  remark,  that  it  must  be 
 acknowledged,  and  should  be  clearly  understood,  that  many  who 
 came  under  concern  about  their  souls,  and  seemed  for  a  time  to 
 be  deeply  convinced  of  sin,  have  gone  back  again  to  the  world.  I 
 believe  that,  at  that  remarkable  season  in  1839,  there  were  very 
 few  persons  who  attended  the  meetings  without  being  more  or  less 
 affected.  It  pleased  God  at  that  time  to  bring  an  awfully  solemn 
 sense  of  divine  things  over  the  minds  of  men.  It  was,  indeed,  the 
 day  of  our  merciful  visitation.  But  many  allowed  it  to  slip  past 
 them  without  being  saved ;  and  these  have  sunk  back,  as  was  to 
 be  expected,  into  their  former  deadness  and  impenitence.  Alas ! 
 there  are  some  among  us,  whose  very  looks  remind  you  of  that 
 awful  warning,  "  Quench  not  the  Spirit." 
 
 Confining  our  view,  however,  to  those  who,  as  far  as  ministers 
 could  judge  by  the  rules  of  God's  word,  seemed  to  be  savingly 
 converted,  I  may  with  safety  say,  that  I  do  not  know  of  more 
 than  two  who  have  openly  given  the  lie  to  their  profession.  Other 
 cases  of  this  kind  may  have  occurred,  but  they  are  unknown  to 
 me.  More,  I  have  little  doubt,  will  eventually  occur ;  for  the 
 voice  of  God  teaches  us  to  expect  such  things.  Some  of  those 
 converted  have  now  walked  consistently  for  four  years;  the  greater 
 part  from  one  to  two  years.  Some  have  had  their  falls  into  sin, 
 and  have  thus  opened  the  mouths  of  their  adversaries;  but  the  very 
 noise  that  this  has  made,  shows  that  such  instances  are  very  rare. 
 Some  have  fallen  into  spiritual  darkness ;  many,  I  fear,  have  left 
 their  first  love  ;  but  yet  I  see  nothing  in  all  this  but  what  is  inci- 
 dent in  the  case  of  every  Christian  church.  Many  there  are  among 
 us,  who  are  filled  with  light  and  peace,  and  are  examples  to  the 
 believers  in  all  things.  We  had  an  additional  communion  season 
 at  my  return  from  the  Continent,  which  was  the  happiest  and 
 holiest  that  I  was  ever  present  at.     The  Monday  was  entirely  de- 
 
492  EVIDENCE  ON  REVIVALS. 
 
 voted  to  thanksgiving,  and  a  thank-offering  was  made  among  ns  to 
 God  for  his  signal  mercies.  The  times  were  hard,  and  my  people 
 are  far  from  wealthy,  yet  the  sum  contributed  was  £71.  This  was 
 devoted  to  missionary  purposes.  It  is  true  that  those  whom  I 
 esteem  as  Christians  do  often  grieve  me  by  their  inconsistencies  ; 
 but  still  I  cannot  help  thinking  that,  if  the  world  were  full  of  such, 
 the  time  would  be  come  when  "  they  shall  neither  hurt  nor  destroy 
 in  all  God's  holy  mountain." 
 
 VI.  During  the  progress  of  this  work  of  God,  not  only  have 
 many  individuals  been  savingly  converted,  but  important  effects 
 have  also  been  produced  upon  the  people  generally.  It  is  indeed 
 amazing,  and  truly  affecting  to  see,  that  thousands  living  in  the 
 immediate  vicinity  of  the  spot  where  God  has  been  dealing  so 
 graciously,  still  continue  sunk  in  deep  apathy  in  regard  to  spiritual 
 things,  or  are  running  on  greedily  in  open  sin.  While  many  from 
 a  distance  have  become  heirs  of  glory,  multitudes,  I  fear,  of  those 
 who  live  within  the  sound  of  the  Sabbath  bell  continue  to  live  on 
 in  sin  and  misery.  Still,  however,  the  effects  that  have  been  pro- 
 duced upon  the  community  are  very  marked.  It  seems  now  to  be 
 allowed,  even  by  the  most  ungodly,  that  there  is  such  a  thing  as 
 conversion.  Men  cannot  any  longer  deny  it.  The  Sabbath  is 
 now  observed  with  greater  reverence  than  it  used  to  be ;  and 
 there  seems  to  be  far  more  of  a  solemn  awe  upon  the  minds  of  men 
 than  formerly.  I  feel  that  I  can  now  stop  sinners  in  the  midst  of 
 their  open  sin  and  wickedness,  and  command  their  reverent  atten- 
 tion, in  a  way  that  I  could  not  have  done  before.  The  private 
 meetings  for  prayer  have  spread  a  sweet  influence  over  the  place. 
 There  is  far  more  solemnity  in  the  house  of  God ;  and  it  is  a 
 different  thing  to  preach  to  the  people  now  from  what  it  once  was. 
 Any  minister  of  spiritual  feeling  can  discern  that  there  are  many 
 praying  people  in  the  congregation.  When  I  came  first  here,  I 
 found  it  impossible  to  establish  Sabbath  schools  on  the  local  sys- 
 tem ;  while,  very  lately,  there  were  instituted  with  ease  nineteen 
 such  schools,  that  are  well  taught  and  well  attended. 
 
 YII.,  YIII.,  IX.  As  I  have  already  stated,  by  far  the  most  re- 
 markable season  of  the  working  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  this  place 
 was  in  1839,  when  I  was  abroad.  At  that  time  there  were  many 
 seasons  of  remarkable  solemnity,  when  the  house  of  God  literally 
 became  "  a  Bochim,  a  place  of  weepers."  Those  who  were  pri- 
 vileged to  be  present  at  these  times  will,  I  believe,  never  forget 
 them.  Even  since  my  return,  however,  I  have  myself  frequently 
 seen  the  preaching  of  the  word  attended  with  so  much  power,  and 
 eternal  things  brought  so  near,  that  the  feelings  of  the  people 
 
EVIDENCE  ON  REVIVALS.  493 
 
 could  not  be  restrained.  I  have  observed  at  such  times  an  awful 
 and  breathless  stillness  pervading  the  assembly ;  each  hearer  bent 
 forward  in  the  posture  of  rapt  attention ;  serious  men  covered 
 their  faces  to  pray  that  the  arrows  of  the  King  of  Zion  might  be 
 sent  home  with  power  to  the  hearts  of  sinners.  Again,  at  such  a 
 time,  I  have  heard  a  half-suppressed  sigh  rising  from  many  a  heart, 
 and  have  seen  many  bathed  in  tears.  At  other  times  I  have  heard 
 loud  sobbing  in  many  parts  of  the  church,  while  a  deep  solemnity 
 pervaded  the  whole  audience.  I  have  also,  in  some  instances,  heard 
 individuals  cry  aloud,  as  if  they  had  been  pierced  through  with  a 
 dart.  These  solemn  scenes  were  witnessed  under  the  preaching  of 
 different  ministers,  and  sometimes  occurred  under  the  most  tender 
 gospel  invitations.  On  one  occasion,  for  instance,  when  the  minister 
 was  speaking  tenderly  on  the  words,  "He  is  altogether  lovely,"  al- 
 most every  sentence  was  responded  to  by  cries  of  the  bitterest  agony. 
 At  such  times  I  have  seen  persons  so  overcome,  that  they  could  not 
 walk  or  stand  alone.  I  have  known  cases  in  which  believers  have 
 been  similarly  affected  through  the  fulness  of  their  joy.  I  have 
 often  known  such  awakenings  to  issue  in  what  I  believe  to  be  real 
 conversion.  I  could  name  many  of  the  humblest,  meekest  be- 
 lievers, who  at  one  time  cried  out  in  the  church  under  deep  agony. 
 I  have  also  met  with  cases  where  the  sight  of  souls  thus  pierced 
 has  been  blessed  by  God  to  awaken  careless  sinners  who  had  come 
 to  mock. 
 
 I  am  far  from  believing  that  these  signs  of  deep  alarm  always 
 issue  in  conversion,  or  that  the  Spirit  of  God  does  not  often  work 
 in  a  more  quiet  manner.  Sometimes,  I  believe,  He  comes  like  the 
 pouring  rain  ;  sometimes  like  the  gentle  dew.  Still  I  would  humbly 
 state  my  conviction,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  all  who  seek  the  salvation 
 of  souls,  and  especially  the  duty  of  ministers,  to  long  and  pray  for 
 such  solemn  times,  when  the  arrows  shall  be  sharp  in  the  heart  of 
 the  King's  enemies,  and  our  slumbering  congregations  shall  be 
 made  to  cry  out,  "  Men  and  brethren,  what  shall  we  do  ?" 
 
 X.,  XL  None  of  the  ministers  who  have  been  engaged  in  the 
 work  of  God  here  have  ever  used  the  name  "Revival  meeting;" 
 nor  do  they  approve  of  its  use.  We  are  told  in  the  Acts  that  the 
 apostles  preached  and  taught  the  gospel  daily ;  yet  their  meetings 
 are  never  called  Revival  meetings.  No  other  meetings  have  taken 
 place  here,  but  such  as  were  held  for  the  preaching  and  teaching 
 of  the  gospel,  and  for  prayer.  It  will  not  be  maintained  by  any 
 one,  that  the  meetings  in  the  sanctuary  every  Lord's  day  are  in- 
 tended for  any  other  purpose  than  the  revival  of  genuine  godliness, 
 through  the  conversion  of  sinners  and  the  edification  of  saints.    All 
 
494  EVIDENCE  ON  REVIVALS. 
 
 the  meetings  in  this  place  were  held,  I  believe,  with  a  single  eye  to 
 the  same  object.  There  seems,  therefore,  to  be  no  propriety  in 
 applying  the  name  pecuharly  to  any  meetings  that  have  been  held 
 in  this  place.  It  is  true,  indeed,  that  on  week  evenings  there  is  not 
 generally  the  same  formaUty  as  on  Sabbaths ;  the  congregation  are 
 commonly  dressed  in  their  working  clothes,  and  the  minister  speaks 
 with  less  regular  preparation. 
 
 During  the  autumn  of  1839  the  meetings  were  in  general  dis- 
 missed at  ten  o'clock ;  although  in  several  instances  the  state  of 
 the  congregation  seemed  to  be  such  as  to  demand  that  the  mini- 
 sters should  remain  still  longer  with  them,  that  they  might  counsel 
 and  pray  with  the  awakened.  I  have  myself  once  or  twice  seen 
 the  service  in  the  house  of  God  continue  till  about  midnight.  On 
 these  occasions  the  emotion  during  the  preaching  of  the  word  was 
 so  great,  that  after  the  blessing  had  been  pronounced  at  the  usual 
 hour,  the  greater  part  of  the  people  remained  in  their  seats  or 
 occupied  the  passages,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  leave  them.  In 
 consequence  of  this,  a  few  words  more  were  spoken  suited  to  the 
 state  of  awakened  souls ;  singing  and  prayer  filled  up  the  rest  of 
 the  time.  In  this  way  the  meeting  was  prolonged  by  the  very 
 necessity  of  the  case.  On  such  occasions  I  have  often  longed  that 
 all  the  ministers  in  Scotland  were  present,  that  they  might  learn 
 more  deeply  what  the  true  end  of  our  ministry  is.  I  have  never 
 seen  or  heard  of  anything  indecorous  at  such  meetings ;  and  on  all 
 such  occasions,  the  feelings  that  filled  my  soul  were  those  of  the 
 most  solemn  awe,  the  deepest  compassion  for  afflicted  souls,  and  an 
 unutterable  sense  of  the  hardness  of  my  own  heart.  I  do  entirely 
 and  solemnly  approve  of  such  meetings,  because  I  beUeve  them  to 
 be  in  accordance  with  the  word  of  God,  to  be  pervaded  by  the 
 Spirit  of  Christ,  and  to  be  ofttimes  the  birthplaces  of  precious, 
 never-dying  souls.  It  is  my  earnest  prayer  that  we  may  yet  see 
 greater  things  than  these  in  all  parts  of  Scotland. 
 
 XII.  There  was  one  death  that  took  place  in  very  solemn  cir- 
 cumstances at  the  time  of  the  work  of  God  in  this  place,  and  this 
 was  ascribed  by  many  of  the  enemies  to  religious  excitement.  The 
 facts  of  the  case,  however,  which  were  published  at  the  time,  clearly 
 show  that  this  was  a  groundless  calumny. 
 
 Xni.  I  have  been  led  to  examine  with  particular  care  the  ac- 
 counts that  have  been  left  us  of  the  Lord's  marvellous  works  in  the 
 days  that  are  past,  both  in  our  own  land  and  in  other  parts  of  the 
 world,  in  order  that  I  might  compare  these  with  what  has  lately 
 taken  place  at  Dundee,  and  in  other  parts  of  Scotland.  In  doing 
 this,  I  have  been  fully  convinced  that  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy 
 
EVIDENCE  ON  REVIVALS.  495 
 
 Spirit  at  the  Kirk  of  Shotts,  and  again,  a  century  after,  at  Cambns 
 lang,  etc.,  in  Scotland,  and  under  the  ministry  of  President  Edwards 
 in  America,  was  attended  by  the  very  same  appearances  as  the  work 
 in  our  own  day.  Indeed,  so  completely  do  they  seem  to  agree, 
 both  in  their  nature  and  in  the  circumstances  that  attended  them, 
 that  I  have  not  heard  a  single  objection  brought  against  the  work 
 of  God  now  which  was  not  urged  against  it  in  former  times-,  and 
 that  has  not  been  most  scripturally  and  triumphantly  removed  by 
 Mr  Robe  in  his  Narrative^  and  by  President  Edwards  in  his  invalu- 
 able Thoughts  on  the  Bevival  of  Religion  in  New  England:  "And 
 certainly  we  must  throw  by  all  talk  of  conversion  and  Christian 
 experience ;  and  not  only  so,  but  we  must  throw  by  our  Bibles, 
 and  give  up  revealed  religion,  if  this  be  not  in  general  the  work  of 
 God." 
 
 Xiy.  I  do  not  know  of  anything  in  the  ministrations  of  those 
 who  have  occupied  my  pulpit  that  may  with  propriety  be  called 
 peculiar,  or  that  is  different  from  what  I  conceive  ought  to  cha- 
 racterize the  services  of  all  true  ministers  of  Christ.  They  have 
 preached,  so  far  as  I  can  judge,  nothing  but  the  pure  gospel  of  the 
 grace  of  God.  They  have  done  this  fully,  clearly,  solemnly  ;  with 
 discrimination,  urgency,  and  affection.  None  of  them  read  their 
 sermons.  They  all,  I  think,  seek  the  immediate  conversion  of  the 
 people,  and  they  believe  that,  under  a  living  gospel  ministry,  suc- 
 cess is  more  or  less  the  rule,  and  want  of  success  the  exception. 
 They  are,  I  believe,  in  general,  peculiarly  given  to  secret  prayer ; 
 and  they  have  also  been  accustomed  to  have  much  united  prayer 
 when  together,  and  especially  before  and  after  engaging  in  public 
 worship.  Some  of  them  have  been  peculiarly  aided  in  declaring 
 the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  and  others  in  setting  forth  the  fulness  and 
 freeness  of  Christ  as  the  Saviour  of  sinners ;  and  the  same  persons 
 have  been,  at  different  times,  remarkably  assisted  in  both  these 
 ways.  So  far  as  I  am  aware,  no  unscriptural  doctrines  have  been 
 taught,  nor  has  there  been  a  keeping  back  of  any  part  of  "  the 
 whole  counsel  of  God." 
 
 XY.  The  ministers  engaged  in  the  work  of  God  in  this  place, 
 believing  that  children  are  lost,  and  may  through  grace  be  saved, 
 have  therefore  spoken  to  children  as  freely  as  to  grown  persons ; 
 and  God  has  so  greatly  honoured  their  labours,  that  many  chil- 
 dren, from  ten  years  old  and  upwards,  have  given  full  evidence  of 
 their  being  born  again.  I  am  not  aware  of  any  meetings  that  have 
 been  held  peculiarly  for  children,  with  the  exception  of  the  Sab- 
 bath schools,  the  children's  prayer-meetings,  and  a  sermon  to 
 children  on  the  Monday  evening  after  the  Communion.     It  was 
 
196  ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED. 
 
 commonly  at  the  public  meetings  in  the  house  of  God  that 
 children  were  impressed ;  often  also  in  their  own  little  meetings, 
 when  no  minister  was  present. 
 
 26th  March  1841. 
 
 ANOTHER   LILY    GATHERED.^ 
 
 CONVERSION  OF  JAMES  LAING. 
 "  My  beloved  is  gone  down  into  liis  garden  to  gather  lilies." — SoxG  vi.  2. 
 
 God  loves  his  mighty  works  to  be  remembered.  We  easily  forget 
 the  most  amazing  displays  of  his  love  and  power,  and  therefore  it 
 is  right  often  to  set  up  a  stone  of  remembrance.  When  Israel 
 passed  over  Jordan  on  dry  land,  God  commanded  Joshua  to  take 
 twelve  stones  out  of  the  dry  bed  of  the  river,  and  to  set  them  up  at 
 Gilgal,  for  a  memorial,  "  that  all  the  people  of  the  earth  might 
 know  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  that  it  is  mighty,"  Josh.  iv.  24.  When- 
 ever the  children  of  Israel  looked  upon  these  massy  stones,  they 
 would  remember  how  God  brought  their  fathers  through  the  swell- 
 ings of  Jordan. 
 
 God  has  done  great  things  for  us  in  this  corner  of  his  vineyard, 
 whereof  we  are  glad.  The  Word  has  often  grown  mightily  and 
 prevailed.  Many  old  sinners  and  many  young  ones  have  given 
 clear  evidence  of  a  saving  change.  And  though  we  cannot  say 
 that  "  the  Lord  added  to  the  church  dail?/  such  as  should  be 
 saved,"  yet  we  can  say,  that  from  the  first  day,  until  now,  He  has 
 never  left  himself  without  a  witness. 
 
 We  have  done  little  in  the  way  of  making  known  the  doings  of 
 the  Lord.  The  record  of  many  a  saved  soul  is  on  high,  and  riiany 
 in  their  heavenly  walk  amid  a  polluted  world  are  Hving  monuments 
 of  what  a  God  of  grace  can  do.  In  this  little  narrative  we  would 
 raise  up  an  humble  stone  to  the  memory  of  a  dear  boy  who  now 
 sleeps  in  Jesus,  and  to  the  praise  of  that  God  and  Saviour  who 
 planted,  watered,  and  gathered  his  own  lily. 
 
 Jajies  Laing  was  born  on  28th  July  1828,  and  lost  his  mother 
 before  he  was  eight  years  old.  Of  the  living  members  of  the  family 
 I  do  not  mean  to  speak ;  they  have  not  yet  finished  their  course,  but 
 
 '  Published  by  Gall  and  Inglis,  Edinburgh,  of  whom  it  may  be  had  in  a  separate 
 form. 
 
ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED.  497 
 
 are  still  in  the  valley  of  tears,  and  trials,  and  temptations.  This 
 only  must  be  noticed,  that  not  long  afcer  God  took  away  the 
 mother,  He  dealt  so  graciously  with  the  elder  sister,  that  she  was 
 henceforth  fitted  to  watch  over  the  other  children  with  a  mother's 
 tenderness. 
 
 James  was  seized  with  the  same  fever  as  that  of  which  his  mother 
 died,  and  he  never  enjoyed  good  health  afterwards.  He  was  natu- 
 rally a  very  quiet  and  reserved  boy,  not  so  rough  in  his  language  as 
 many  of  the  boys  around.  One  day,  when  he  was  lying  on  his  dying 
 bed,  I  was  asking  his  sister  what  kind  of  boy  he  had  been.  She  said 
 that  he  was  as  wicked  as  other  boys,  only  he  did  not  swear.  After 
 I  was  gone,  he  told  his  sister  that  she  was  wrong.  He  never  used 
 to  swear  at  home,  because  he  was  afraid  he  would  be  punished 
 for  it ;  but  when  among  his  companions  he  often  used  to  swear. 
 "Ah!"  added  he,  "it  is  a  wonder  God  did  not  send  me  to  hell 
 when  I  was  a  swearer."  Another  day,  hearing  some  boys  swear- 
 ing near  his  window,  he  said,  "  It  is  a  wonder  God  did  not  leave 
 me  to  swear  among  these  boys  yet."  Such  was  the  early  life  of 
 this  boy.  He  did  not  know  the  God  who  guided  him,  and  in 
 whose  hand  his  breath  was ;  and  such  is  the  life  of  most  of  our 
 children — they  "  cast  off  fear,  and  restrain  prayer  before  God." 
 
 The  Holy  Spirit  strives  even  with  children.  And  when  they 
 grieve  Him,  and  resist  his  awakening  hand.  He  suffers  long  with 
 them.  The  first  time  that  James  showed  any  concern  for  his  soul 
 was  in  the  autumn  of  1839.  It  was  a  solemn  time  in  this  place; 
 St  Peter's  was  like  Bethel.  The  divine  ladder  was  set  down  in 
 the  midst  of  the  people,  and  its  top  reached  up  to  heaven,  and 
 even  strangers  were  forced  to  say,  "  Surely  God  is  in  this  place." 
 Oh  that  these  sweet  days  would  come  back  again!  His  elder 
 brother,  Alexander,  a  sailor  boy,  was  at  that  time  awakened,  and 
 the  same  glorious  Spirit  seemed  to  visit  James  for  a  time.  One 
 evening  their  sister  Margaret,  returning  home  from  a  meeting, 
 found  her  two  brothers  on  their  knees  earnestly  crying  for  mercy. 
 She  did  not  interrupt  them  ;  but  Alexander  afterwards  said  to  her, 
 "  Jamie  feels  that  he  needs  Christ  too.  "We  will  easily  know  if  he 
 be  in  earnest,  for  then  he  will  not  need  to  be  bidden  to  pray." 
 The  test  was  a  trying  one;  James  soon  gave  up  secret  prayer, 
 and  proved  that  his  goodness  was  like  a  morning  cloud  and  the 
 early  dew  which  goeth  away.  This  is  the  mark  of  the  hypocrite 
 laid  down  by  Job,  "  Will  he  always  call  upon  God?"  Job  xxvii. 
 10. 
 
 Another  night  Margaret  observed  James  coming  from  the 
 prayer-meeting  in  the  school  in  great  distress.    He  kept  close  by 
 
 2  I 
 
498  ANOTHER  LII-Y  GATHERED. 
 
 the  wall  of  the  church,  that  he  might  escape  observation.  He  was 
 much  concerned  that  night,  and,  after  retiring  to  rest,  said  to  his 
 sister,  in  his  own  Scottish  dialect,  "  There's  me  come  awa'  without 
 Christ  to-night  again." 
 
 One  Thursday  evening  he  attended  the  weekly  meeting  held  in 
 the  church.  The  passage  explained  was  Romans  iv.  4-6,  and  sin- 
 ners were  urged  to  receive  the  "  righteousness  without  works." 
 Many  were  deeply  affected,  and  would  not  go  away  even  after  the 
 blessing.  James  was  one  of  those  who  remained,  and  when  I  came 
 to  him  he  was  weeping  bitterly.  I  asked  him  if  he  cared  for  his 
 soul :  he  said,  "  Whiles."  I  asked  if  he  prayed  :  he  said,  "  Yes." 
 He  was  much  concerned  on  his  return  home  that  night  both  for 
 others  and  for  his  own  soul.  But  these  dew-drops  were  soon 
 dried  up  again. 
 
 He  attended  the  Sabbath  school  in  the  lane  where  their  cottage 
 stands.  Often,  when  the  teacher  was  reading  the  Bible  or  some 
 awakening  anecdote,  the  tears  flowed  down  his  cheeks ;  but  he 
 tried  to  conceal  his  emotion  from  the  other  boys,  lest  they  should 
 laugh  at  him.  He  afterwards  said  in  his  last  illness,  "  Oh  that  I 
 had  just  another  night  of  the  Sabbath  school !  I  would  not  care 
 though  they  should  laugh  at  me  now."  Sometimes,  during  the 
 reading  and  prayer  in  the  family,  the  word  of  God  was  like  a  fire 
 to  him,  so  that  he  could  not  bear  it ;  and  after  it  wns  over,  he 
 would  run  to  his  wild  companions  in  order  to  drown  the  cries  of 
 his  awakened  conscience. 
 
 In  July  1841  he  went  up  to  Glammis  for  his  health.  I  was 
 preaching  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  he  wished  much  to  go  and 
 liear,  but  was  not  able  to  walk  the  distance.  One  night  he  heard 
 Mr  Cormick  of  Kirriemuir  preach  in  a  cottage  on  John  vii.  37. 
 He  felt  it  deeply,  and  wept  bitterly ;  but  he  remarked  that  none  of 
 the  people  wept.  He  knew  well  when  people  showed  any  concern 
 for  their  soul ;  and  he  often  remarked  that  to  be  anxious  is  not  to 
 be  in  Christ.  When  he  came  home,  he  spoke  much  of  the  careless- 
 ness of  the  people  where  he  had  been.  "  Ah  !  Margaret,  there  was 
 no  Bible  read  yonder.  The  people  a'  went  to  their  bed  just  as  if 
 there  had  not  been  a  God."  What  a  faithful  picture  is  this  of  the 
 state  of  many  of  our  country  parishes ! 
 
 One  night  after  his  return,  a  neighbour  was  sitting  by  the  fire 
 reading  the  work  of  an  old  divine.  It  stated  that  even  carnal  m.en 
 sometimes  receive  a  conviction  they  never  can  forget.  She  turned 
 to  James,  and  asked  him  if  he  had  never  received  a  conviction  that 
 lie  could  not  forget.  "  Yes,"  he  said,  "  I  can  never  forget  it ;  but 
 we  cannot  seek  Christ  twice."    Thus  did  the  long-suffering  of  God 
 
ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED.  499 
 
 wait  upon  this  little  bo}^,  the  good  Spirit  strove  with  him,  and 
 Jesus  stood  at  the  door  and  knocked ;  but  he  would  not  hear. 
 
 The  day  of  Immanuel's  power,  and  the  time  of  love,  was,  how- 
 ever, near  at  hand.  As  the  cold  winds  of  October  set  in,  his  sicklv 
 frame  was  much  affected  :  he  became  weak  and  breathless.  One 
 Tuesday,  in  the  end  of  October,  he  turned  decidedly  worse,  and 
 became  intensely  anxious  about  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  His 
 lamentable  cry  was,  "  Oh,  Jesus,  save  me — save  me  !"  Margaret 
 asked  if  his  concern  was  real,  for  he  had  often  deceived  her  hopes 
 before.  He  wept,  and  said,  "  Yes."  His  body  was  greatly  pained ; 
 but  he  forgot  all  in  the  intense  anxiety  for  his  precious,  never-dying 
 soul.  On  the  Saturday  I  paid  a  visit  to  their  humble  cottage, 
 and  found  the  little  sufferer  sitting  by  the  fire.  He  began  to  weep 
 bitterly  while  I  spoke  to  him  of  Jesus  having  come  into  the  world 
 to  save  sinners'.  I  was  enabled  in  a  simple  manner  to  answer  the 
 objections  that  sinners  make  to  an  immediate  closing  with  Christ. 
 Margaret  wondered ;  for  the  minister  could  not  have  spoken  more 
 to  the  case  of  her  brother  if  he  had  known  it ;  and  she  inwardly 
 thanked  God,  for  she  saw  that  He  was  directing  it.  James  spent 
 the  rest  of  the  day  on  his  knees  in  evident  distress  of  soul.  Oh 
 how  little  the  most  of  those  called  Christians  know  what  it  is  to 
 pass  through  such  deep  waters !  Margaret  asked  him  if  he  was 
 seeking  Jesus :  he  said,  "  Yes."  She  asked,  "If  he  would  like 
 anything — a  bit  of  bread?"  he  said,  "No;  but  I  would  take  a 
 bit  of  the  bread  of  hfe  if  you  would  give  it  me."  She  repKed,  "  I 
 cannot  give  you  that ;  but  if  you  seek  it,  you  will  get  it."  He  re- 
 mained alone  till  evening,  and  was  never  off  his  knees.  Towards 
 night  he  came  to  the  other  end  of  the  cottage,  and  put  this  ques- 
 tion :  "  Have  I  only  to  believe  that  Jesus  died  for  sinners  ?  Is 
 that  all?"  He  was  told,  "Yes."  "Well,  I  beheve  that  Jesus 
 died  for  me,  for  I  am  a  poor,  hell-deserving  sinner.  I  have  been 
 praying  all  this  afternoon,  that  when  Jesus  shed  his  blood  for  sin- 
 ners. He  would  sprinkle  some  of  it  upon  me,  and  He  did  iV'  He 
 then  turned  up  Rom.  v.  8,  and  read  these  words,  "  While  we  were 
 yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us."  His  sister  wept  for  joy,  and  James 
 added,  "  I  am  not  afraid  to  die  now,  for  Jesus  has  died  for  me." 
 Often  after  this  he  bade  his  sister  read  to  him  Rom.  v.,  Ps.  ciii., 
 and  Ps.  cxvi.     These  were  favourite  portions  with  him. 
 
 From  that  day  it  was  a  pleasant  duty  indeed  to  visit  the  cottage 
 of  this  youthful  inquirer.  Many  a  happy  hour  have  I  spent  be- 
 neath that  humble  roof.  Instead  of  dropping  passing  remarks,  I 
 used  generally  to  open  up  a  .passage  of  the  word,  that  he  might 
 grow  in  knowledge.    I  fear  that,  in  general,  we  are  not  sufiBciently 
 
500  AlIOTHER  LILY  GATHERED. 
 
 careful  in  regularly  instructing  the  sick  and  dying.  A  pions  expres- 
 sion and  a  fervent  prayer  are  not  enough  to  feed  the  soul  that  is 
 passing  through  the  dark  valley.  Surely  if  sound  and  spiritual 
 nourishment  is  needed  by  the  soul  at  any  time,  it  is  in  such  an 
 hour  when  Satan  uses  all  his  arts  to  disturb  and  destroy. 
 
 One  Thursday  afternoon  I  spoke  to  him  on  Matt,  xxiii.  37, 
 "  How  often  would  I  have  gathered  your  children."  He  was  in 
 great  darkness  that  day,  and,  weeping  bitterly,  said,  "  I  fear  I 
 have  never  been  gathered  to  Christ ;  but  if  I  have  never  been 
 gathered,  oh  that  I  were  gathered  to  Christ  now  /"  After  I  was 
 gone  he  said,  "  It  would  give  me  no  peace  though  the  minister  and 
 everybody  said  I  was  a  Christian,  if  I  had  not  the  sense  of  it  be- 
 tween God  and  myself." 
 
 He  was  very  fond  of  the  Song  of  Solomon,  and  many  parts  of  it 
 were  opened  up  to  him.  One  day  I  spoke  on  Song  v.  13,  "  His 
 lips  are  like  lihes,  dropping  sweet-smelling  myrrh."  I  told  him 
 that  these  were  some  of  the  drops  that  fell  from  the  hps  of  Jesus : 
 "  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  to  me  and  drink."  "  I  came  to 
 seek  and  to  save  that  which  was  lost."  "  Wilt  thou  be  made 
 whole?"  "I  give  unto  them  eternal  life."  He  said  solemnly^. 
 "  That's  fine." 
 
 Another  day.  Song  i.  5,  "  I  am  black,  but  comely,"  was  ex- 
 plained. He  said,  "  I  am  black  as  hell  in  myself,  but  I'm  all  fair 
 in  Jesus."  This  was  ever  after  a  common  expression  of  his.  An- 
 other day  1  spoke  on  Song  v.  15  :  "His  legs  are  like  pillars  of 
 marble  set  upon  sockets  of  fine  gold;"  and  showed  the  almighty 
 strength  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  The  next  day  when  I  came  in,  I 
 asked  him  how  he  was ;  but,  without  answering  my  question,  he 
 said,  "  I  am  glad  you  told  me  that  about  Jesus'  legs  being  like 
 pillars  of  marble,  for  now  I  see  that  He  is  able  to  carry  me  and 
 all  my  sins." 
 
 On  one  occasion  he  said,  "  I  am  glad  this  psalm  is  in  the  Bible." 
 "  What  psalm  ?"  He  answered,  "  '  Yea,  though  I  walk  in  death's 
 dark  vale.'  He  has  promised  to  be  with  me,  and  God  is  as  good 
 as  his  word." 
 
 At  another  time  I  read  to  him  Isaiah  xHii.  2  :  "  When  thou 
 passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee;"  and  explained 
 that  when  he  came  to  the  deep  deep  waters,  the  Lord  Jesus  would 
 put  his  foot  down  beside  his,  and  wade  with  hira.  This  often 
 comforted  him,  for  he  believed  it  as  firmly  as  if  he  had  seen  the 
 pierced  foot  of  Jesus  placed  beside  his  own ;  and  he  said  to  Mar- 
 garet, "  If  Christ  put  down  his  foot  beside  mine,  theu  I  have 
 nothing  to  fear." 
 
ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED.  501 
 
 One  Sabbath  I  had  been  preaching  on  Caleb  following  the  Lord 
 fully  (Num.  xiv.  24),  and  had  stated  that  every  sin  committed 
 after  conversion  would  take  away  something  from  the  believer's 
 weight  of  eternal  glory.  Alexander,  his  brother,  was  present,  it 
 being  his  only  Sabbath  on  shore.  He  was  much  troubled,  and 
 said,  "Ah!  I  fear  mine  will  be  all  lost."  He  told  the  statement 
 to  James,  who  was  also  troubled.  Alexander  said,  "  You  don't 
 need  to  be  troubled,  Jamie ;  you  are  holy."  James  wept,  and 
 said,  "  I  wonder  to  hear  you  speak."  Alexander  said,  "Ah!  but 
 you  are  hoher  than  me." 
 
 In  the  same  sermon  I  had  said  that  if  believers  did  nothing 
 for  Christ,  they  would  get  in  at  the  door  of  heaven,  but  nothing 
 more.  The  sailor-boy  told  this  to  his  brother,  who  wept  again, 
 saying,  "  I  have  done  nothing  for  Christ."  Alexander  said  he  had 
 done  less.  James  added,  "  I  would  hke  to  be  near  Jesus.  I  could 
 not  be  happy  unless  I  was  near  Him."  Speaking  of  those  who 
 had  gone  to  glory  long  ago,  James  said  that  "  those  who  died  in 
 Christ  now,  and  did  most  for  Him,  Jesus  would  take  them  in  hy 
 (that  is,  near  to  himself),  though  they  were  late  of  coming." 
 
 How  lovely  this  simple,  domestic  scene !  Happy  families  ;  but, 
 ah !  how  few  where  the  children  fear  the  Lord,  and  speak  often 
 one  to  another.  Surely  the  Lord  stands  behind  the  wall  hearken- 
 ing, and  He  will  write  their  words  in  his  book  of  remembrance. 
 "And  they  shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  in  that  day 
 when  I  make  up  my  jewels." 
 
 Some  of  my  dear  brethren  in  the  ministry  visited  this  little  boy, 
 to  see  God's  wonderful  works  in  Him,  and  to  be  helpers  of  his  joy. 
 It  is  often  of  great  importance,  in  visiting  the  dying,  to  call  in  the 
 aid  of  a  fellow-labourer.  Different  Hues  of  testimony  to  the  same 
 Saviour  are  thus  brought  to  meet  in  the  chamber  of  sorrow.  In 
 the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  shall  every  word  be  estab- 
 hshed.  Mr  Cumming  of  Dumbarney,  visiting  him  one  day,  asked 
 him  if  he  suffered  much  pain.  James — "  Sometimes."  Mr  C. — 
 "  When  you  are  in  much  pain,  can  you  think  on  the  sufferings  of 
 the  Lord  Jesus  ?"  James — "  When  I  see  what  Jesus  suffered  for 
 me,  it  takes  away  my  pain.  Mine  is  nothing  to  what  He  suffered." 
 He  often  repeated  these  words  :  "My  light  affection,  which  is  but 
 for  a  moment." 
 
 At  another  time,  Mr  Miller  of  Wallacetown  called  with  me,  and 
 our  httle  sufferer  spoke  very  sweetly  on  eternal  things.  Mr  M. — 
 "  Would  you  like  to  get  better  ?"  James — "  I  would  like  the  will 
 of  God."  3Ir  M. — "  But  if  you  were  getting  better,  would  you 
 just  live  9S  you  did  before?"    James — "If  God  did  not  give  me 
 
502  ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED. 
 
 grace,  I  would."  During  the  same  visit  I  was  asking  Margaret 
 when  he  was  first  awakened.  She  told  me  of  his  first  concern, 
 and  then  of  the  first  day  I  had  called.  James  broke  in,  and  said, 
 "Ah!  but  we  must  not  lean  upon  that."  His  meaning  was,  that 
 past  experiences  arc  not  the  foundation  of  a  sinner's  peace.  I 
 never  met  with  any  boy  who  had  so  clear  a  discovery  of  th^  way 
 of  pardon  and  acceptance  through  the  doing  and  dying  of  the 
 Lord  Jesus,  laid  to  our  account.  One  time  I  visited  him,  I  said, 
 "  I  have  been  thinking  of  this  verse  to-day :  '  The  Lord  is  well 
 pleased  for  his  righteousness'  sake,'"  Isa.  xhi.  21.  He  said, 
 "Explain  that  to  me.  for  I  don't  understand  it."  I  opened  it  up 
 to  him,  but  I  feared  he  did  not  take  up  the  meaning.  Some  days 
 after  he  said  to  his  sister,  "  Margaret,  I  have  been  thinking  of  a 
 sweet  verse  to-day."  She  asked  what  it  was  ;  but  it  had  slipped 
 from  his  memory.  M. — "  Was  it  about  Christ  ?"  James — "Ay." 
 She  quoted  one.  James — "No,  that's  not  it."  At  length  she 
 quoted,  "The  Lord  is  well  pleased,"  etc.  "Ah!  that's  it  (he 
 said) ;  I  was  thinking  it's  no  for  my  righteousness'  sake,  but  for 
 his  righteousness'  sake."  This  showed  how  fully  he  embraced 
 what  so  few  comprehend — the  way  of  salvation  by  "  the  obedience 
 of  one  "  for  many.  Surely  God  was  his  teacher,  for  God  alone  can 
 reveal  the  sweetness  and  glory  of  this  truth  to  the  soul  of  man! 
 
 Mr  Bonar  of  Collace  often  visited  him,  and  these  were  sweet 
 visits  to  little  James.  One  day,  when  Mr  Bonar  had  been  opening 
 up  some  Scripture  to  him,  he  said,  "  Do  you  Jcnow  what  I  am 
 saying,  Jamie  ? "  James — "  Yes,  but  I  canna  get  at  it  (I  cannot 
 feel  its  power) ;  I  see  it  all."  Mr  B. — "  I  think  there  would  be 
 a  pleasure  in  seeing  the  people  drink  when  Moses  struck  the  rock, 
 even  though  one  did  not  get  a  drink  themselves."  James — "  Ah ! 
 but  I  would  like  a  drink." 
 
 One  of  the  loveliest  features  in  the  character  of  this  httle  boy, 
 was  his  intense  love  to  the  souls  of  men.  He  often  spoke  with  me 
 on  the  folly  of  men  living  without  Christ  in  the  world.  I  shall 
 never  forget  the  compassionate  glance  of  his  clear  blue  eye  as  he 
 said,  "  What  a  pity  it  is  that  they  do  not  a'  come  to  Christ ! — they 
 would  be  sic  happy."  He  often  reminded  me  of  the  verse :  "  Love 
 is  of  God,  and  every  one  that  loveth  is  born  of  God,"  1  John  iv.  7. 
 
 One  Sabbath  evening  I  spoke  to  the  scholars  in  the  Sabbath 
 school  about  him.  When  the  school  was  over,  they  all  came  into 
 his  cottage  to  see  him.  The  little  throng  stood  silent  round  his 
 bed,  while  he  spoke  to  them  with  great  solemnity.  "You  all 
 know  what  I  was  ;  I  was  no  better  than  you  ;  but  the  Holy  Spirit 
 opened  my  eyes,  and  I  saw  that  I  was  on  the  very  brink  of  hell. 
 
ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED.  603 
 
 Then  I  cried  to  Jesus  to  save  me,  and  give  me  a  new  heart ;  I 
 put  my  finger  on  the  promise,  and  would  not  come  away  without 
 it :  and  He  gave  me  a  new  heart ;  and  He  is  as  willing  to  give  you 
 all  a  new  heart.  I  have  sinned  with  you  ;  now  I  would  like  you 
 to  come  to  Christ  with  me.  You  would  be  far  happier  in  Christ 
 than  at  your  play.  There  are  sweeter  pleasures  in  Christ.  Here 
 are  two  awful  verses  to  me  : — 
 
 '  There  is  a  dreadful  hell, 
 
 And  everlasting  pains ; 
 There  sinners  must  with  devils  dwell 
 In  darkness,  fire,  and  chains. 
 
 Can  such  a  wretch  as  I 
 
 Escape  this  cursed  end  ? 
 And  may  I  hope,  whene'er  I  die,  ^ 
 
 I  shall  to  heaven  ascend  ? '" 
 
 Then,  pointing  to  the  fire,  he  said,  '*You  could  not  keep  your 
 finger  long  there;  but  remember  hell  is  a  lake  of  fire.  I  would  give 
 you  all  a  prayer  to  pray  to-night.  Go  and  tell  Jesus  that  you  are 
 poor,  lost,  hell-deserving  sinners,  and  tell  Him  to  give  you  a  new 
 heart.  Mind,  He's  willing,  and  oh!  be  earnest — ye'll  no  get  it 
 unless  ye  be  earnest." 
 
 These  were  nearly  his  very  words.  Strange  scene  !  a  dying  boy 
 speaking  to  his  fellows.  They  were  impressed  for  a  time,  but  it 
 soon  wore  away.  Several  Sabbath  evenings  the  same  scene  was 
 renewed.  The  substance  of  all  his  warnings  was,  "  Come  to  Christ 
 and  get  a  new  heart."  He  often  told  me  afterwards  that  he  had 
 been  inviting  them  to  Christ,  "but  (he  added)  iheijll  no  come.^^ 
 
 One  evening  during  the  week,  a  number  of  the  children  came  in. 
 After  speaking  to  them  in  a  very  solemn  manner,  he  took  from 
 under  his  pillow  a  little  book,  called  A  Letter  about  Jesus  Christ. 
 He  turned  up  the  part  where  it  tells  of  six  boys  laying  their  finger 
 on  the  promise  (Ezek.  xxxvi.  26),  and  pleading  for  its  fulfilment. 
 He  was  not  able  to  read  it  to  them,  but  he  said  he  would  give  it 
 to  them ;  and  each  boy  should  keep  it  two  days,  and  read  it,  and 
 do  the  same.  The  boys  were  much  impressed,  and  agreed  to  the 
 proposal. 
 
 One  day,  during  his  illness,  his  sister  found  him  crying  very 
 bitterly.  She  asked  him  what  ailed  him.  He  said,  "Do  you 
 remember  when  I  was  at  the  day-school  at  the  time  of  the 
 Revival  ?  One  day  when  we  were  writing  our  copies,  one  of  the 
 boys  had  been  some  anxious  about  his  soul ;  he  wrote  a  line  to  me 
 on  a  slip  of  paper :  '  Ezek,  xxxvi.  26.    To  James  Laing,    Pray  over 
 
504  ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED. 
 
 it*  I  took  the  paper,  read  it,  and  tore  it,  and  threw  it  on  the 
 floor,  and  laughed  at  the  boy.  Oh,  Margaret,  if  I  hadna  laughed 
 at  him,  maybe  he  would  have  sought  Christ  until  he  had  found 
 Him !  Maybe  I  have  been  the  means  of  ruining  his  soul  to  all 
 eternity !  "  In  how  touching  a  manner  this  shows  the  tenderness 
 of  his  care  for  the  souls  of  others  ;  and  also  how  a  rash  word  or 
 deed,  little  thought  of  at  the  time,  may  plant  a  sting  in  the  dying 
 pillow. 
 
 One  night  I  went  with  my  little  cousin  to  see  James.  I  said, 
 "  I  have  brought  my  Jamie  to  see  you."  He  took  him  kindly  by 
 the  hand,  and  said,  "  We're  twa  Jamies  thegither.  May  we  both 
 meet  in  heaven.  Be  earnest  to  get  Christ.  You'll  no  get  Christ 
 unless  you  are  earnest."  "When  we  were  gone,  he  said  to  his 
 sister,  "  Although  Jamie  bides  with  the  minister,  unless  the  Spirit 
 open  his  eyes,  he  canna  get  Christ." 
 
 His  knowledge  of  the  peculiar  doctrines  of  the  gospel  was  very 
 wonderful.  It  was  not  mere  head  knowledge — it  came  fresh  and 
 clear  from  the  heart,  like  spring  water  welling  up  from  a  great 
 depth.  He  felt  the  sovereignty  of  God  very  deeply.  Once  I  quoted 
 to  him  the  hymn, 
 
 "  Chosen  not  for  good  in  me." 
 
 He  said,  "I  am  sure  it  was  for  naething  in  me.  I  am  a  hell- 
 deserving  sinner."  Often,  when  speaking  of  the  great  things  God 
 had  done  for  their  family,  he  would  say,  "  Ah  !  Margaret,  I  wonder 
 that  Christ  would  look  in  here  and  take  us."  Once  he  said,  "  I 
 wonder  how  Jesus  died  for  such  a  sinner  as  me.  Why  me,  Lord, 
 why  me?" 
 
 The  greatest  want  in  the  religion  of  children  is  generally  seme  of 
 sin.  Artless  simplicity  and  confidence  in  what  is  told,  are  in  some 
 respects  natural  to  children  ;  and  this  is  the  reason  why  we  are  so 
 often  deceived  by  promising  appearances  in  childhood.  The  reality 
 of  grace  in  a  child  is  best  known  by  his  sense  of  sin.  Little  James 
 often  wondered  "  how  God  sent  his  servant  sic  often  to  him,  such 
 a  hell-deserving  smuer."  This  was  a  common  expression  of  his. 
 On  one  occasion  he  said,  "I  have  a  wicked  wicked  heart,  and  a 
 tempting  devil.  He'll  not  let  me  alone,  but  this  is  all  the  hell  that 
 I'll  get.  Jesus  bore  my  hell  already.  Oh,  Margaret,  this  wicked 
 heart  of  mine  would  be  hell  enough  for  me  though  there  was  no 
 other !  But  there  are  no  wicked  hearts  in  heaven."  Often  he 
 prayed,  "  Come,  Holy  Spirit,  and  make  me  holy — make  me  like 
 Jesus." 
 
 The  way  of  salvation  through  the  righteousness  of  Christ  was 
 p.lways  sweet  to  him.     He  had  an  uncommon  grasp  of  it ;  Christ 
 
ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED.  505 
 
 crucified  was  ail  his  salvation  and  all  his  desire.  One  day  his 
 sister  said  to  him,  "  You  must  meet  death  in  Jesus,  and  go  to  the 
 judgment-seat  in  Jesus,  and  spend  eternity  in  Jesus.  You  will  be 
 as  hell-deserving  in  yourself  when  you  stand  before  the  throne  as 
 now."  He  smiled  sweetly,  and  said,  "  Oh,  Margaret,  I  see  it  must 
 be  all  Jesus  from  beginning  to  end ! " 
 
 Another  time  a  little  boy  who  was  in  concern  for  his  soul  came  to 
 see  James,  and  told  him  how  many  chapters  he  had  read,  and  how 
 often  he  had  prayed.  James  did  not  answer  at  the  time,  but  a 
 little  after  he  said  to  his  sister,  "  David  was  here,  and  told  me  how 
 many  chapters  he  had  read,  etc.  I  see  he's  upon  the  working 
 plan ;  but  I  must  tell  him  that  it's  no  his  reading,  nor  yet  his 
 praying,  but  Jesus  alone  that  must  save  him." 
 
 Another  day  he  said,  "The  devil  is  letting  me  see  that  this  word 
 and  another  word  in  my  prayer  is  sin,  but  I  just  tell  him  it  is  all 
 sin.  I  bid  him  go  to  Jesus,  there  is  no  sin  in  Him  ;  and  I  have 
 taken  Him  to  be  my  Saviour." 
 
 He  had  a  very  clear  discovery  of  the  dead  and  helpless  condition 
 of  the  carnal  mind,  and  of  the  need  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  convert  the 
 soul.  Telhng  me  once  of  the  boy  under  concern,  and  of  what  he  had 
 been  saying  to  him,  he  added,  "But  it  is  nonsense  to  speak  of  these 
 things  without  the  Holy  Spirit."  At  another  time  I  was  speaking 
 on  John  xiv.  1.  He  seemed  to  be  thinking  about  something  else, 
 and  suddenly  said,  "  When  we  lose  our  first  love,  it's  no  easy 
 getting  our  second  love  ;  only  the  Spirit  of  God  can  give  it." 
 
 Often,  when  he  saw  the  family  preparing  to  go  to  church,  he 
 would  pray  that  I  might  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit  in  speaking, 
 so  that  some  sinners  might  be  caught.  "I  mind  often  sitting  on  the 
 pulpit  stairs  careless  ;  I  would  hke  if  I  had  that  place  again.  If  I 
 had  but  one  sermon,  I  would  not  be  so  careless  now."  He  often 
 wished  to  be  carried  to  the  church,  but  was  never  able  to  bear  the 
 exertion. 
 
 He  was  no  stranger  to  temptations  from  the  wicked  one.  I 
 scarcely  ever  visited  him  but  he  spoke  to  me  of  these.  Once  he 
 said,  "  The  devil  often  tempts  me  to  think  upon  good  people,  but 
 I  tell  him  it  is  Christ  I  want."  Another  time,  "  What  do  you 
 think?  The  devil  now  tempts  me  to  beheve  that  I'll  never  be 
 saved,  because  I  have  repented  on  my  death-bed."  Often,  when 
 tempted,  he  would  cry,  "  If  I  perish,  I'll  perish  at  .Christ's  feet." 
 A  few  days  before  he  died,  he  said,  "  I  am  afraid  I  will  not  be 
 saved  yet,  for  the  devil  will  catch  my  soul  as  it  leaves  my  body. 
 But  Jesus  says,  '  Ye  shall  never  perish.'  If  I  am  in  the  hand  of 
 Jesus,  the  devil  cannot  pluck  me  out  there." 
 
506  ANOTHER  LILY  GATHEREI?. 
 
 Once  I  found  him  kneeling  on  a  pillow  by  the  fire;  he  complaiiied 
 of  great  darkness,  and  doubted  his  interest  in  Christ.  I  told  him 
 that  we  must  not  close  with  Christ  because  we  feel  Him,  but  be- 
 cause God  has  said  it,  and  that  we  must  take  God's  word  even  in 
 the  dark.  After  that  he  always  seemed  to  trust  God  in  the  dark, 
 even  at  times  when  he  had  no  inward  evidence  of  being  Christ's. 
 At  one  of  these  times,'  a  believer,  who  is  often  in  great  darkness, 
 came  in,  and  asked  him,  "  When  you  are  in  darkness,  Jamie,  how 
 do  you  do  ?  Can  you  go  to  Jesus  ? "  He  answered,  in  his  own 
 pointed  manner,  "  Annie,  woman,  I  have  no  ither  gate  to  gang" 
 
 The  last  text  I  explained  to  him  was  2  Tim.  iv.-  7 :  "  I  have 
 fought  8  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the 
 faith."  I  was  wonderfully  helped  in  showing  him  that,  from  con- 
 version to  coronation,  the  life  of  a  behever  was  one  continued  fight. 
 He  said,  "  Would  you  not  think  that  the  devil  would  let  a  poor 
 young  creature  like  me  alone  ?  but  he's  an  awful  tempter." 
 
 He  had  a  mind  that  loved  to  think  on  the  deep  things  of  God. 
 One  day  a  behever  called  and  prayed  beside  his  bed,  asking  for 
 him  that  he  might  be  "  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God."  The 
 same  person  came  another  day,  and  before  praying  inquired, 
 "What  shall  I  ask  for  you?"  He  said,  "You  mind  what  you 
 sought  for  me  the  last  time.  You  prayed  that  I  might  be  filled 
 with  all  the  fulness  of  God :  I  canna  get  any  more  than  that,  but 
 dinna  seek  any  less  to-day." 
 
 A  dear  Christian  lady  used  to  bring  him  flowers.  She  spoke  to 
 him  of  Christ  being  the  "  hly  of  the  valley,"  and  on  one  occasion 
 brought  him  one.  He  asked  her  to  pick  it  out  from  the  rest,  and 
 give  it  into  his  hand.  Holding  the  gentle  flower  in  his  pale 
 wasted  fingers,  he  looked  at  it,  and  said,  "  This  might  convince 
 the  world  that  there  is  a  God,  though  there  were  nothing  else. 
 Ay,  there  is  a  God — there  is  a  heaven — there  is  a  hell — and  there 
 is  a  judgment-seat — whether  they  will  beheve  it  or  no."  He  said 
 this  in  a  very  solemn  way,  pausing  between  every  member  of  the 
 sentence. 
 
 He  loved  singing  praise  to  God,  though  not  able  to  join  in  it 
 himself.  He  frequently  made  us  sing  beside  his  bed,  and  often 
 bade  them  sing  the  23d  Psalm.  "  I  have  no  strength  to  sing  here 
 (he  would  say)  ;  I  have  a  heart,  but  not  strength  :  when  I  get  to 
 heaven,  I'll  be  able  to  sing  there."  Sometimes  he  would  bid  them 
 sing  these  words,  "  I'm  not  ashamed  to  own  my  Lord."  He  often 
 repeated  that  hymn,  and  he  left  it  in  charge  that  it  should  be  sung 
 by  the  scholars  on  the  night  of  his  death.  The  65th  Paraphrase 
 wns  also  precious  to  him,  especially  that  part :  "  Hark  how  the 
 
ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERE?>.  507 
 
 Miioriug  hosts  above.**    He  loved  these  verses,  and  often  wished 
 that  he  were  among  that  praising  company. 
 
 My  sister  once  sent  him  a  hymn :  "  The  fulness  of  Jesus."  He 
 said  he  liked  it  all,  but  he  liked  the  last  verse  best. 
 
 "  I  long  to  be  with  Jesus 
 
 Amid  the  heavenly  throng, 
 
 To  sing  with  saints  his  praises, 
 
 To  learn  the  angels'  song." 
 
 He  delighted  in  secret  prayer.  In  weakness  and  pain,  yet  he 
 spent  hoars  upon  his  knees,  communing  with  an  unseen  God. 
 When  unable  for  the  outward  part  of  the  exercise,  he  said,  "  Oh, 
 Margaret,  I  prayed  to  Jesus  as  long  as  I  was  able ;  but  now  I'm 
 not  able,  and  He  does  not  want  it  from  me ;  but  I'm  just  always 
 giving  Him  my  heart."  Many  a  night  he  got  no  sleep.  I  asked 
 him  if  he  wearied  during  the  silent  watches.  He  said,  "  No  ;  his 
 left  hand  is  under  my  head,  and  his  right  hand  doth  embrace  me." 
 God  gave  this  dear  boy  a  very  calm  and  cheerful  spirit  in  the 
 midst  of  all  his  trials.  Neither  bodily  pain  nor  the  assaults  of  the 
 devil  could  sour  his  temper,  or  rufiie  his  placid  brow.  At  any 
 time  when  his  pain  increased,  he  would  say,  "  It  is  the  Lord,  let 
 Him  do  what  seemeth  Him  good."  One  time,  in  deep  darkness, 
 he  cried  out,  "  Though  He  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  Him." 
 Again,  when  his  soul  was  more  in  the  light,  he  would  say,  "  I  long 
 to  depart,  and  to  be  with  Christ,  which  is  far  better  ;"  "  but  then 
 I'm  willing  to  wait  .the  Lord's  time ;  good  is  the  will  of  the  Lord." 
 Again  he  would  say,  "  I  long  to  be  with  Jesus.  I  long  to  see 
 Jesus  that  died  for  me.  If  I  am  spared  to  go  out  again,  I  must 
 just  go  leaning  upon  these  words,  'My  grace  is  sufiBcient  for  thee.' 
 They  will  be  sure  to  mock  me,  but  they  mocked  Jesus  before." 
 Once  he  said  to  me,  "  I  wondered  when  I  have  heard  you  say  that 
 Christ  was  sweet ;  but  now  I  feel  Him  to  be  sweet,  sweet"  One 
 time  I  spoke  of  the  fulness  that  is  in  Christ ;  he  said  afterwards, 
 "  I  just  think  that  I  am  lying  with  my  mouth  at  Christ,  drawing 
 from  Him." 
 
 On  the  last  day  of  1841  he  said  to  his  sister,  "I  will  tell  you 
 what  I  would  Hke  for  my  New  Year  (gift).  I  would  like  a  praying 
 heart,  and  a  heart  to  love  Christ  more."  Next  day  a  woman  came 
 in,  and  said,  "  Poor  Jamie !  you'll  get  no  fun  this  New  Year's 
 Day."  James  said,  "  Poor  body,  she  thinks  like  as  I  care  for  the 
 Nev/  Year.  I  have  far  better  than  you  have,  though  you  had  the 
 whole  world.  This  is  the  happiest  New  Year's  Day  that  ever  I 
 had,  for  I  have  Christ."  She  was  very  deaf,  and  did  not  hear 
 what  he  said;  but  he  often  pitied  that  woman,  and  prayed  for  her. 
 
508  ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED. 
 
 At  another  time  liis  father  said,  "Poor  Jamie!"  He  replied, 
 "  Ah,  father,  don't  call  me  poor,  I  am  rich ;  they  that  have  Christ 
 have  all  things." 
 
 A  little  after  the  New  Year,  he  said,  "Margaret,  I  am  not  to  die 
 yet,  for  I  have  mair  to  suffer;  but  I  am  willing,  though  it  should  be 
 for  years."  On  one  occasion,  when  he  was  suffering  much  pain,  he 
 said,  "  Five  minutes  in  glory  will  make  up  for  all  this  suffering." 
 
 When  Margaret  had  to  go  out  with  her  father's  dinner,  she  used 
 to  lock  the  door,  leaving  James  alone  within.  On  returning,  she 
 asked,  "Were  you  wearying,  Jamie?"  His  reply  was,  "Oh  no, 
 Jesus  takes  care  of  me  when  you  are  out."  One  of  his  country 
 friends  came  in  one  day  to  see  him,  and  said,  "  I  am  sure  you  have 
 a  weary  time  of  it,  Jamie."  He  said,  "  Oh  no,  I  never  weary ; 
 Christ  keeps  me  from  wearying." 
 
 After  a  very  happy  communion  season  in  April,  I  went  to  visit 
 him,  and  he  spoke  in  a  most  touching  manner.  "  I  was  not  sorry 
 on  Sabbath  that  all  the  people  were  sitting  at  the  Lord's  table, 
 and  me  lying  here  ;  for  I  thought  I  would  soon  be  at  the  table 
 above  with  Christ,  and  then  I  would  be  far  happier." 
 
 In  a  season  of  great  darkness  he  said,  "  Margaret,  give  me  my 
 Bible"  (meaning  a  little  book  of  texts,  called  Dew-Drops).  When 
 he  had  got  it,  he  sought  out  the  verse,  "  The  Lord  is  a  stronghold 
 in  the  day  of  trouble,  and  He  knoweth  them  that  trust  in  Him." 
 He  said,  "  Margaret,  I'll  trust  in  Him,  though  I  cannot  see  Him. 
 I  will  lie  down  upon  that  verse."  When  his  bed  was  made  at 
 night,  he  would  take  another  verse  to  lie  down  iqwn,  as  he  called  it; 
 so  he  was  fed  by  the  dew  and  the  word. 
 
 A  young  woman  who  lived  in  the  same  lane  was  awakened  to 
 deep  concern  the  same  winter  that  James  was  brought  to  Christ. 
 Before  her  concern  she  never  came  in  to  see  James,  though  her 
 mother  often  advised  her  to  do  so.  But  when  she  was  brought  to 
 feel  her  sin  and  misery,  she  came  in  every  Sabbath  night,  and  was 
 always  tenderly  kind  to  James.  "How  are  you  to-night,  Jamie?" 
 she  would  say  ;  "  you  are  well  off  when  you  can  say,  I  have  found 
 Clirist."  Early  in  spring  this  young  woman  evidently  found  the 
 true  rest  for  her  weary  soul  in  Jesus.  She  became  a  candidate  for 
 the  Lord's  table,  and  was  to  have  been  admitted,  but  God  called 
 her  away  to  sit  at  the  table  that  can  never  be  drawn.  She  died 
 full  of  joy,  with  the  praises  of  God  upon  her  lips.  Margaret  had 
 been  present  at  this  interesting  death-bed,  and  when  she  returned 
 home  she  told  James.  He  answered  with  great  composure,  "I 
 wish  I  had  been  away  with  her ;  but  I  must  wait  the  Lord's  time, 
 Betsy  is  singing  now,  and  I  will  soon  be  there  too." 
 
ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED.  509 
 
 James  used  to  take  the  bitterest  medicines  without  any  reluc- 
 tance. He  folded  his  hands,  shut  his  eyes,  and  asked  God  to  bless 
 it  to  him.  "  Ah  !  Margaret,  if  God  do  not  bless  it  to  me,  it  will 
 do  me  no  good."  Often  she  asked,  "  Is  it  not  bitter?"  He  would 
 say,  "  Yes,  but  Jesus  had  a  bitterer  cup  to  drink  for  me." 
 
 In  the  summer  of  1841,  another  remarkable  boy,  named  James 
 Wallace,  had  died  in  the  Lord.  He  was  one  whom  God  taught 
 in  a  wonderful  manner.  He  had  a  singular  gift  of  prayer,  and 
 was  made  useful  to  many,  both  old  and  young.  James  Laing  had 
 known  him  well  in  former  days.  In  1839,  a  younger  brother  of 
 James  Laing,  named  Patrick,  had  died  also,  not  without  pleasing 
 marks  of  having  undergone  a  divine  change.  It  is  needful  to 
 know  these  things,  to  understand  the  following  dream  of  our  little 
 pilgrim. 
 
 A  short  time  after  he  believed,  he  said,  "  Margaret,  I  will  tell 
 you  my  dream."  Margaret  was  afraid  of  some  fancy  leading  him 
 astray,  and  asked  what  it  was.  James — "  I  thought  there  was  a 
 ladder,  the  foot  of  it  on  earth,  and  the  top  of  it  reached  to  heaven. 
 I  thought  it  was  heaven  I  saw.  There  was  a  great  multitude  of 
 people,  but  I  knew  none  of  them  but  Patrick  and  Jamsie  Wallace. 
 When  I  was  standing  on  the  first  or  second  step  of  the  ladder, 
 Jamsie  AVallace  looked  down  and  said,  ^  Ay,  here's  another  one 
 coming  stepping  up.'''  He  explained  it  by  referring  to  Jacob's 
 ladder,  and  that  Jesus  is  the  ladder.  Margaret  said,  "  Ay,  and 
 you  are  just  on  the  first  step." 
 
 He  was  very  fond  of  the  life  of  John  Ross,  and  nearly  had  it  by 
 heart.  He  said  he  was  in  the  same  mind.  Another  little  book  he 
 loved  was,  "  A  Dying  Thief  and  a  Dying  Saviour."  He  left  it  to 
 his  father.  The  hymn  at  the  end  of  it,  '•  There  is  a  fountain  filled 
 with  blood,"  often  fed  his  soul. 
 
 He  could  write  a  little,  and,  like  John  Ross,  he  used  that  talent 
 in  writing  down  precious  sentences.  One  of  his  little  papers  is  now 
 before  me  :  "  Stand  fast  in  the  Lord.  Be  ye  faithful  unto  death. 
 Abide  in  Him,  abide  in  Him.  Pray  without  ceasing.  This  is  the 
 end." 
 
 In  the  latter  part  of  his  illness  he  was  used  as  an  instrument  in 
 awakening  another  boy,  whose  impressions  I  earnestly  hope  may 
 never  wear  away.  D.  G.  had  been  a  very  wild  boy — so  much  so, 
 that  he  was  expelled  from  the  Sabbath  school.  He  found  his  way 
 into  James'  cottage,  and  there  saw  exemplified  the  truths  he  would 
 not  Hsten  to  in  school.  From  that  day  till  James  died,  David 
 regularly  visited  him,  and  learned  from  him  with  deepest  interest 
 the  things  that  belonged  to  his  peace.   James  often  prayed  with  hnu 
 
510  ANOTHER  LILY  GATHERED. 
 
 alone.  Sometimes  both  prayed  at  the  same  time  for  a  new  heart. 
 Margaret  was  always  made  to  withdraw  at  these  times.  He 
 pleaded  with  this  boy  to  seek  Jesus  when  yomig,  "  for  it's  easier 
 to  find  Jesus  when  we  are  young.  Look  at  Annie  (a  grown-up 
 person,  who  had  been  long  under  concern),  she  has  been  long  in 
 seeking  Christ,  and  she  is  long  in  finding.  Mind  what  I  told  you, 
 for  I  will  soon  be  in  heaven."  Boy — "  Will  you  get  to  heaven?  " 
 James — "  Oh  yes  !  all  that  believe  in  Christ  get  to  heaven,  and  I 
 beheve  that  Jesus  died  for  me.  Now,  David,  if  I  see  you  on  the 
 left  hand,  you  will  mind  that  I  often  bade  you  come  to  Christ." 
 Boy — "  ril  have  naebody  to  pray  with  me,  and  tell  me  about  my 
 soul,  when  you  are  dead."  James — "I  have  bidden  Margaret 
 pray  for  you,  and  I  have  told  the  minister ;  and  go  you  to  our 
 kirk,  and  he  will  tell  you  the  way  to  come  to  Christ." 
 
 Three  times  a-day  did  this  anxious  inquirer  seek  the  prayers  and 
 counsels  of  his  youthful  instructor,  till  James'  strength  gave  way, 
 and  he  could  talk  no  more.  The  day  before  he  died  the  boy  came 
 in ;  James  could  hardly  speak,  but  he  looked  steadily  at  him,  and 
 said,  "  Seeh  on,  David^ 
 
 The  last  visit  I  paid  to  this  young  Christian  was  on  the  Tuesday 
 before  he  died,  in  company  with  Mr  Miller  of  Wallacetown,  and 
 Mr  Smith,  one  of  our  Jewish  missionaries  at  Pesth,  who  was  that 
 same  day  to  sail  from  his  native  land.  After  speaking  a  little  w  e 
 prayed,  and  I  asked  what  I  would  pray  for  him.  James  said, 
 "  Dying  grace."  He  shook  hands  with  us  all.  When  the  mission- 
 ary held  his  hand,  he  said,  "  God's  people  have  much  need  to  pray 
 for  you,  and  for  them  there."  When  we  had  gone  out  he  said, 
 "Maybe  I'll  never  see  the  minister  again." 
 
 On  the  Thursday  he  said,  "  Ah  !  Margaret,  mind  it's  no  easy  to 
 die.  You  know  nothing  about  it.  Even  though  you  have  Christ, 
 it  is  dark."  The  same  day  he  bade  her  give  D.  G.  his  Sunday 
 trousers  and  new  boots,  that  he  might  go  to  the  church.  He  gave 
 his  father  The  Dying  Thief;  and  said,  "I  am  going  to  give  Ahck 
 my  Bible"  (meaning  Dew-Drops).  There  was  a  piece  of  money 
 under  his  pillow.  He  said  it  was  to  buy  Bibles  to  them  that  uever 
 heard  of  Jesus. 
 
 His  aunt  came  in  on  the  Friday  morning.  He  sai:l,  ^''0\  aunt, 
 don't  put  off  seeking  Christ  to  a  death-bed,  for  if  I  had  Christ  to 
 seek  to-day,  what  would  have  become  of  me  ?  but  I  have  given  my 
 heart  to  Christ."  Margaret  asked  him,  "  What  will  I  do  ?  I  will 
 miss  your  company  in  the  house."  James  answered,  "  You  maun 
 just  go  the  mair  to  Jesus.  Do  not  be  ill  about  me  now,  when  1 
 am  dead,  Margaret.     If  I  thought  that,  I  would  be  sorry  ;  and 
 
Al^OTHER  LILY  GATHERED.  511 
 
 more  than  that,  God  would  be  angry  at  you,  for  I  would  be  far 
 liappier.  It  is  better  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ.  Ask  grace  to 
 keep  you  from  it." 
 
 All  that  day  he  spoke  very  little.  In  tlie  evening  he  grew  much 
 worse.  His  sister  wished  to  sit  up  with  him  that  night,  but  he 
 would  not  allow  her.  She  said,  "  These  eyes  will  soon  see  Him 
 whom  your  soul  loves."  James  said,  "Ay."  After  midnight 
 Margaret,  seeing  him  worse,  arose  and  woke  her  father.  She  tried 
 to  conceal  her  tears  ;  but  James  saw  them,  and  said,  with  a  look 
 of  solemn  earnestness,  "Oh,  woman,  I  wonder  to  see  you  do  the  hke 
 of  that !"  He  spoke  little  after  this,  and  about  one  o'clock  on  the 
 Saturday  morning,  11th  June  1842,  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 
 
 From  this  affecting  history,  all  children,  and  especially  the  dear 
 children  committed  to  my  care,  should  learn  an  impressive  lesson. 
 What  is  said  of  Abel  is  true  of  this  dear  boy :  "He,  being  dead, 
 yet  speaketh."  He  warned  many  of  you  when  he  was  on  his  dying 
 bed;  he  prayed  for  you,  and  longed  for  your  conversion;  and  now 
 that  he  has  gone  to  the  world  of  praise,  and  holiness,  and  love,  the 
 history  of  his  dying  hours  is  a  warning  and  an  invitation  to  each  of 
 you.  You  see  here  that  you  are  not  too  young  to  have  the  Holy 
 Spirit  striving  with  you.  You  are  not  too  young  to  resist  the  Holy 
 Ghost.  You  are  not  too  young  to  be  converted  and  brought  to 
 Christ.  If  you  die  without  Christ,  you  will  surely  perish.  The 
 most  of  you  are  wicked,  idle,  profane,  prayerless,  ungodly  children. 
 Many  of  you  are  open  Sabbath-breakers,  liars,  and  swearers.  If 
 you  die  thus,  you  will  have  your  part  in  the  lake  that  burneth  with 
 fire  and  brimstone.  You  will  see  this  little  boy,  and  others  whom  you 
 know,  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  and  you  yourselves  thrust  out.  Oh, 
 repent  and  be  converted,  that  your  sins  may  be  blotted  out !  You 
 may  die  very  soon.     Oh  that  your  latter  end  may  be  like  his ! 
 
 Parents  also  may  learn  from  this  to  seek  the  salvation  of  their 
 children.  Alas !  most  parents  in  our  day  are  hke  the  cruel  ostrich 
 in  the  wilderness,  "which  leaveth  her  eggs  in  the  earth,  and 
 warmeth  them  in  the  dust ;  and  forgetteth  that  the  foot  may 
 crush  them,  or  that  the  wild  beast  may  break  them :  She  is  har- 
 dened against  her  young  ones  as  though  they  were  not  hers," 
 Job  xxxix.  14-16.  How  many  of  you  hold  up  your  children 
 before  God  and  the  congregation,  and  solemnly  vow  to  bring 
 them  up  for  God,  to  pray  for  them  and  in  your  family  with  them, 
 and  then  return  to  your  house  with  the  guilt  of  perjury  upon  your 
 soul !  Alas,  are  not  the  family  altars  of  Scotland  for  the  most 
 part  broken  down,  and  lying  desolate  ?     Is  not  family  government 
 
512  ANOTHER  LILY  GATHEKED. 
 
 in  most  of  your  houses  an  empty  name  ?  Do  not  family  quarrels, 
 and  unholy  companies,  and  profane  jests,  and  sordid  worldliness, 
 prevail  in  most  of  your  tabernacles?  What  can  you  expect  but 
 that  your  children  shall  grow  up  in  your  image,  formalists,  sacra- 
 ment-breakers, loose  livers,  fierce,  incontinent,  heady,  high-minded, 
 lovers  of  pleasure  more  than  lovers  of  God  ?  Oh  that  God  would 
 touch  your  hearts  by  such  a  tale  as  this,  that  you  may  repent  and 
 turn  to  the  Lord,  and  yearn  over  your  children  in  the  bowels  of 
 Jesus  Christ !  Would  you  not  love  to  see  them  fall  asleep  in 
 Jesus  ?  Would  you  not  love  to  meet  them  at  the  right  hand  of 
 the  Judge  ?  Seek  their  conversion  noiv^  if  you  would  meet  them 
 in  glory  hereafter.  How  will  you  bear  to  hear  their  young  voices 
 in  the  judgment,  saying,  "  This  father  never  prayed  for  me ;  this 
 mother  never  warned  me  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come?" 
 
 Dear  brethren  in  the  ministry^  and  labourers  in  the  Sabbath  school^ 
 suffer  the  word  of  exhortation  from  one  who  is  "  your  brother 
 and  companion  in  tribulation."  May  we  not  learn  from  this  to  be 
 more  earnest,  both  in  prayers  and  labours,  in  seeking  the  salvation 
 of  little  children?  We  have  here  one  bright  example  more  in 
 addition  to  all  those  who  have  been  recorded  before,  that  God  can 
 convert  and  edify  a  child  with  the  same  ease  with  which  He  can 
 change  the  heart  of  a  grown  man.  I  have  with  religious  care  re- 
 frained from  embellishing,  or  in  any  way  exaggerating,  the  simple 
 record  of  God's  dealings  with  this  boy.  We  must  not  "  speak 
 wickedly  for  God,  nor  talk  deceitfully  for  Him."  All  who  knew 
 him  can  bear  witness  that  I  have  spoken  "  the  words  of  truth  and 
 soberness."     Indeed  the  half  has  not  been  told. 
 
 How  evident  is  it,  then,  that  God  is  willing  and  able  to  convert 
 the  young !  How  plain  that  if  God  give  grace,  they  can  under- 
 stand and  relish  divine  things  as  fully  as  those  of  mature  age  !  A 
 carnal  mind  of  the  first  order  will  evermore  despise  and  reject  the 
 way  of  salvation  by  Christ ;  but  the  mind  of  a  child,  quickened  by 
 the  Holy  Spirit,  will  evermore  realize  and  delight  in  the  rich  and 
 glorious  mystery  of  the  gospel.  "I  thank  Thee,  0  Father,  Lord 
 of  heaven  and  earth,  because  Thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the 
 wise  and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed  them  unto  babes.  Even  so, 
 Father,  for  so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  Let  us  awake  from 
 an  unbelieving  dream.  Let  us  no  more  be  content  to  labour  with- 
 out fruit.  Let  us  seek  the  present  conversion  to  Christ  of  our  little 
 children.  Jesus  has  reason  to  complain  of  us  that  He  can  do  no 
 mighty  works  in  our  Sabbath  schools  because  of  our  unbehef. 
 
 "  Now  unto  the  King  eternal,  immortal,  invisible,  the  only  wise 
 God,  be  honour  and  glory  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen." 
 
THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  ME.  613 
 
 THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  ME. 
 
 The  Lord's  Supper  is  the  sweetest  of  all  ordinances :  1.  Because  of 
 the  time  ivhen  it  was  instituted.  "  The  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night 
 in  which  He  was  betrayed,  took  bread."  It  was  the  darkest  night 
 that  ever  was  in  this  world,  and  yet  the  brightest — the  night  when 
 his  love  to  sinners  was  put  to  the  severest  test.  How  amazing  that 
 He  should  remember  our  comfort  at  such  a  time  !  2.  Because  it  is 
 the  heliever''s  ordinance.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  men  to  pray.  God 
 hears  even  the  ravens  when  they  cry,  and  so  He  often  hears  the 
 prayers  of  unconverted  men. — Ps.  cvii. ;  Acts  viii.  22.  It  is  the 
 duty  of  all  men  to  hear  the  preached  gospel.  "  Unto  you,  0  men, 
 I  call,  and  my  voice  is  to  the  sons  of  men."  But  the  Lord's  Supper 
 is  the  children's  bread  ;  it  is  intended  only  for  those  who  know  and 
 love  the  Lord  Jesus.  3.  Because  Christ  is  the  beginning,  middle,  and 
 end  of  it.  "  This  do  in  remembrance  of  me."  "  Ye  do  show  the 
 Lord's  death  till  He  come."  There  are  many  sermons  in  which 
 Christ  is  not  from  beginning  to  end ;  many  books  where  you  can- 
 not find  the  fragrance  of  his  name :  but  there  cannot  be  a  sacra- 
 ment where  Christ  is  not  from  beginning  to  end.  Christ  is  the  ' 
 Alpha  and  Omega  of  the  Lord's  Supper;  it  is  all  Christ  and  Him 
 crucified.  These  things  give  a  peculiar  sweetness  to  the  broken 
 bread  and  poured  out  wine. 
 
 I  fear  the  Lord's  Supper  is  profaned  in  a  dreadful  manner  among 
 you.  Many  come  who  are  living  in  positive  sins,  or  in  the  neglect 
 of  positive  duties.  Many  come  who  know  that  they  were  never 
 converted ;  many  who  in  their  hearts  ridicule  the  very  thoughts  of 
 conversion.  Unworthy  communicating  is  a  fearful  sin ;  on  account 
 of  it  God  is  greatly  provoked  to  withdraw  his  Spirit  from  you,  to 
 visit  you  with  frowns  of  providence,  and  to  seal  you  to  the  day  of 
 perdition.  Am  I  become  your  enemy  because  I  tell  you  the  truth  ? 
 Deal  honestly  with  your  soul,  and  pray  over  what  I  am  now  writing; 
 and  may  He  who  opened  the  heart  of  Lydia  open  your  heart  while 
 i  explain. 
 
 THE  ACTIONS  OF  THE  COMMUNICANT. 
 
 I.  He  takes  the  bread  and  the  wine. — When  the  minister  offers  the 
 bread  and  wine  to  those  at  the  table,  this  represents  Christ  freely 
 ollered  to  sinners,  even  the  chief.  The  receiving  of  the  bread  and 
 wine  means — I  do  thankfully  receive  the  broken,  bleeding  Saviour 
 as  my  Surety.  The  act  of  taking  that  bread  and  wine  is  an  appro- 
 priating act ;  it  is  saying  before  God,  and  angels,  and  men,  and 
 
514  THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  WE. 
 
 devils,  "  I  do  flee  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  my  refuge."  Noah's 
 entering  into  the  ark  was  an  appropriating  act.  Let  others  fly  to 
 the  tops  of  their  houses,  to  their  castles  and  towers,  to  the  rugged 
 rocks,  to  the  summits  of  the  highest  mountains, — as  for  me,  I  be- 
 lieve the  word  of  God,  and  flee  to  the  ark  as  my  only  refuge. — 
 Heb.  xi.  7.  When  the  manslayer  fled  into  the  city  of  refuge,  it 
 was  an  appropriating  act.  As  he  entered  breathless  at  the  gates 
 of  Hebron,  his  friends  might  cry  to  him.  Flee  unto  the  wilderness ! 
 or,  Flee  beyond  Jordan  !  But  no,  he  would  say,  I  believe  the  word 
 of  God,  that  I  shall  be  safe  only  within  these  walls ;  this  is  my 
 refuge  city,  here  only  will  I  hide ! — Josh.  xx.  When  an  Israelite 
 brought  an  offering  of  the  herd  or  of  the  flock,  when  the  priest  had 
 bound  it  with  cords  to  the  horns  of  the  altar,  the  offerer  laid  his 
 hands  upon  the  head  of  the  lamb  :  this  was  an  appropriating  act, 
 as  much  as  to  say,  I  take  this  lamb  as  dying  for  me.  The  world 
 might  say.  How  will  this  save  you  ?  mend  your  life,  give  alms  to 
 the  poor.  I  believe  the  word  of  God,  he  would  say ;  I  do  not  wish 
 to  bear  my  own  sins,  I  lay  them  on  the  Lamb  of  God. — Lev.  i.  4. 
 When  the  woman,  trembhng,  came  behind  Jesus  and  touched  the 
 hem  of  his  garment,  this  also  was  an  appropriating  act.  Her 
 friends  might  say  to  her,  Come  and  try  some  more  physicians,  or 
 wait  till  you  are  somewhat  better.  No,  said  she,  "  If  I  may  but 
 touch  his  garment,  I  shall  be  made  whole,"  Mark  v.  28.  In  the 
 42d  Psalm,  David's  enemies  said  to  him  continually,  "  Where  is 
 thy  God?"  This  made  tears  his  meat  night  and  day.  It  was  like 
 a  sword  in  his  bones.  But  in  the  43d  Psalm  he  gathers  courage, 
 and  says,  "  I  will  go  unto  the  altar  of  God,"  where  the  lamb  was 
 slain ;  and  then  he  says,  "  Unto  God,  my  exceeding  joy."  You 
 say,  I  have  no  God :  behold,  I  take  this  lamb  as  slain  for  me,  and 
 therefore  God  is  my  God.  In  the  Song  of  Solomon,  when  the  bride 
 found  him  whom  her  soul  loved,  she  says,  "  I  held  him,  and  would 
 not  let  him  go."  This  was  true  appropriating  faith.  The  world 
 might  say  to  her,  "  Come  this  way,  and  we  will  show  thee  other 
 beloveds,  fairer  than  thy  beloved."  Nay,  saith  she,  "  I  held  him, 
 and  would  not  let  him  go.  This  is  my  beloved,  and  this  is  my 
 friend."     Song  iii.  4. 
 
 Just  such,  beloved,  is  the  meaning  of  receiving  broken  bread 
 and  poured  out  wine  at  the  Lord's  table.  It  is  the  most  solemn 
 appropriating  act  of  all  your  lives.  It  is  declaring  by  signs,  "  I  do 
 enter  into  the  ark  ;  I  flee  into  the  city  of  refuge ;  I  lay  my  hand  on 
 the  head  of  the  Lamb ;  I  do  touch  the  hem  of  his  garment ;  I  do 
 take  Jesus  to  be  my  Lord  and  my  God ;  I  hold  Him,  and  by  grace 
 I  will  never  let  Him  go,"    It  is  a  deliberate  closing  with  Christ,  by 
 
THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  ME.  515 
 
 means  of  signs,  in  the  presence  of  witnesses.  When  the  bride  ac- 
 cepts the  right  hand  in  marriage  before  many  witnesses,  it  is  a 
 solemn  declaration  to  all  the  world  that  she  does  accept  the  bride- 
 groom to  be  her  only  husband.  So,  in  the  Lord's  Supper,  when 
 you  receive  that  bread  and  wine,  you  solemnly  declare,  that,  for- 
 saking all  others,  you  heartily  do  receive  the  Lord  Jesus  as  your 
 only  Lord  and  Saviour. 
 
 If  these  things  be  true,  should  not  many  stay  away  from  this 
 holy  table  ?  Many  of  you  know  that  a  work  of  grace  has  never 
 been  begun  in  your  heart ;  you  never  were  made  to  tremble  for 
 your  soul ;  you  never  were  made  to  pray,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me 
 a  sinner;"  you  never  were  brought  to  "rejoice,  believing  in  God." 
 Oh,  beloved,  let  me  say  it  with  all  tenderness,  this  table  is  not  for 
 you.  Many  of  you  know  you  are  not  in  a  state  you  would  do  to 
 die  in.  You  say,  "  I  hope  to  turn  yet  before  I  die."  Does  not 
 this  show  that  your  sins  are  not  covered — that  you  are  not  born 
 again — that  you  are  not  fled  to  the  hope  set  before  you  ?  This 
 table  is  not  for  you.  Some  of  you  know  well  that  you  have  had 
 convictions  of  sin,  but  they  have  passed  away.  The  walls  of  the 
 house  of  God  have  seen  you  trembling  on  the  brink  of  eternity, 
 but  you  were  never  brought  to  "peace  in  believing" — to  "peace 
 with  God."  You  have  drowned  your  anxieties  in  the  whirl  of 
 business  or  of  pleasure.  You  have  drawn  back.  Your  goodness 
 is  like  the  "  morning  cloud  and  early  dew,  it  goeth  away."  This 
 table  is  not  for  you.  I  speak  to  your  sense  of  honour  and  common 
 honesty.  In  worldly  things,  would  you  tell  a  lie  either  by  word  of 
 mouth  or  by  signs  ?  And  is  it  a  light  matter  to  tell  a  lie  in  eternal 
 things  ?  Will  you  dehberately  declare,  by  taking  the  broken  bread 
 and  poured  out  wine,  what  you  know  to  be  a  lie  ?  Oh,  pray  over 
 the  story  of  Ananias  and  Sapphira,  and  tremble. — Acts  v.  1-1 L 
 May  it  not  be  said  in  heaven  of  many,  "  Thou  hast  not  lied  unto 
 men,  but  unto  God  ?  " 
 
 A  word  to  trembling,  believing  souls.  This  feast  is  spread  for  you. 
 "Eat,  O  friends;  drink,  yea,  drink  abundantly,  O  beloved."  If 
 you  have  faith  as  a  grain  of  mustard-seed,  come»  If  you  are 
 "  weak  in  the  faith,"  ministers  are  commanded  to  receive  you.  If 
 on  the  morning  of  the  communion  Sabbath,  even  for  the  first  time 
 in  your  life,  Christ  appear  full  and  free  to  you,  so  that  you  cannot 
 but  believe  on  Him,  do  not  hesitate  to  come.  Come  to  the  table, 
 leaning  on  the  Beloved,  and  you  will  have  John's  place  there.  You 
 will  lean  peacefully  upon  his  breast. 
 
 II,    He  eats  the  bread  and  drinks  the  wine, — "  Take,   eat"-— 
 
516  THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  ME. 
 
 "Drink  ye  all  of  it."  Eating  and  drinking  in  this  ordinance 
 imply  feeding  upon  Christ.  It  is  said  of  bread  that  it  "  strength- 
 eneth  man's  heart,"  and  of  wine,  that  it  "  maketh  glad  the  heart  of 
 man."  Bread  is  the  staff  of  life,  and  wine  is  very  reviving  to  those 
 who,  hke  Timothy,  have  often  infirmities.  They  are  the  greatest 
 nutritive  blessings  which  man  possesses.  To  feed  on  them  iu  the 
 Lord's  Supper  is  as  much  as  to  say,  I  do  feed  on  Jesus,  as  my  only 
 strength ;  "  in  the  Lord  have  I  righteousness  and  strength."  To 
 take  the  bread  into  the  hand  is  saying  by  signs,  "  He  is  made  of 
 God  unto  me  righteousness."  To  feed  upon  it  is  saying,  "  He  is 
 made  unto  me  sanctification." 
 
 When  Israel  fed  on  manna  for  forty  years,  and  drank  water 
 from  the  rock,  they  were  strengthened  for  their  journey  through 
 the  howling  wilderness.  This  was  a  picture  of  believers  journey- 
 ing through  this  world.  They  feed  every  day  on  Christ  their 
 strength ;  He  is  their  daily  manna ;  He  is  the  rock  that  follows 
 them.  When  the  bride  sat  under  the  shadow  of  the  apple-tree, 
 she  says,  "His  fruit  was  sweet  to  my  taste;"  and  again,  "Stay 
 me  with  flagons,  comfort  me  with  apples,  for  I  am  sick  of  love." 
 Behevers,  this  is  a  picture  of  you.  No  sooner  are  you  sheltered 
 by  the  Saviour,  than  you  are  nourished  and  renewed  by  Him.  He 
 comforts  your  hearts,  and  stablishes  you  in  every  good  word  and 
 work.  In  the  3  6th  Psalm,  when  David  speaks  of  men  trusting 
 under  the  wings  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  he  adds,  "  They  shall  be 
 abundantly  satisfied  with  the  fatness  of  thy  house,  and  Thou  shalt 
 make  them  drink  of  the  river  of  thy  pleasures."  Little  children, 
 you  know  by  experience  what  this  means.  When  you  were 
 brought  to  believe  on  the  Son  of  God,  you  were  adopted  into 
 his  family,  fed  with  the  children's  bread,  and  your  heart  filled 
 with  the  holy  pleasures  of  God.  The  same  thing  is  represented 
 in  feeding  on  the  bread  and  wine.  It  is  a  solemn  declaration  in 
 the  sight  of  the  whole  world,  that  you  have  been  put  into  the  clefts 
 of  the  smitten  rock,  and  that  you  are  feeding  on  the  honey  trea- 
 sured there.  It  is  declaring  that  you  have  sat  down  under  Christ's 
 shadow,  and  that  you  are  comforted  and  nourished  by  the  fruit  of 
 that  tree  of  life.  It  is  saying,  "  I  have  come  to  trust  under  the 
 shadow  of  his  wings,  and  now  I  drink  of  the  river  of  his  pleasures." 
 It  is  a  sweet  declaration  of  your  own  helplessness  and  weakness, 
 and  that  Christ  is  all  your  strength — all  your  life. 
 
 If  this  be  true,  should  not  many  stay  away  from  the  Lord's 
 table?  Many  of  you  know  that  you  were  never  really  grafted 
 into  the  true  vine — that  you  never  received  any  nourishment  from 
 Christ — that  you  never  received  the  Holy  Spirit.     Many  of  you 
 
THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OP  ME.  517   ' 
 
 know  tLat  you  are  dead  branches — that  you  only  seem  to  be  united 
 to  the  vme — that  you  are  the  branches  that  bear  no  fruit,  which 
 He  taketh  away.  Why  should  you  feed  on  that  bread  and  wine  ? 
 Some  of  you  may  know  that  you  are  dead  in  sins,  unconverted, 
 unborn  again  —  that  you  never  experienced  any  change  of  heart 
 hke  that  spoken  of,  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26.  This  bread  and  wine  are 
 not  for  you.  Some  of  you  know  that  you  are  living  under  the 
 power  of  sins  that  you  could  name:  some  of  you,  perhaps,  in 
 secret  profanation  of  the  holy  Sabbath,  "  doing  your  own  ways, 
 finding  your  own  pleasures,  speaking  your  own  words."  Some, 
 perhaps,  in  secret  swearing,  or  lying,  or  dishonesty,  or  drinking, 
 or  uncleanness !  Ah !  why  should  you  feed  on  this  bread  and 
 wine  ?  It  will  do  you  no  good.  Can  you  for  a  moment  doubt 
 that  you  will  eat  and  drink  unworthily?  Dare  you  do  this? 
 Pray  over  these  awful  words  and  tremble :  "  He  that  eateth  and 
 drinketh  unworthily,  eateth  and  drinketh  damnation  to  himself." 
 
 All  who  are  really  "  looking  unto  Jesus"  are  invited  to  come 
 to  the  Lord's  table.  Some  feel  like  a  sick  person  recovering  from 
 a  fever :  you  are  without  strength,  you  cannot  lift  your  hand  or 
 your  head.  Yet  you  look  unto  Jesus  as  your  strength :  He  died 
 for  sinners,  and  He  lives  for  them.  You  look  to  Him  day  by  day. 
 You  say.  He  is  my  bread.  He  is  my  wine ;  I  have  no  strength  but 
 what  comes  from  Him.  Come  you  and  feed  at  the  Lord's  table, 
 and  welcome.  Some  feel  hke  a  traveller  when  he  arrives  at  an  inn, 
 faint  and  weary  :  you  have  no  strength  to  go  farther,  you  cannot 
 take  another  step ;  but  you  lean  on  Jesus  as  your  strength ;  you 
 believe  that  word :  ''•  Because  I  live,  ye  shall  Uve  also."  Come  you 
 and  feed  on  this  bread  and  wine,  with  your  staff  in  your  hand 
 and  shoes  on  your  feet,  and  you  will  "  go  on  your  way  rejoicing." 
 Feeble  branches  need  most  nourishment.  The  more  you  feel 
 your  weakness,  the  amazing  depravity  of  your  heart,  the  power 
 of  Satan,  and  the  hatred  of  the  world,  the  more  need  have  you  to 
 lean  on  Jesus,  to  feed  on  this  bread  and  wine — you  are  all  the 
 more  welcome. 
 
 HI.  He  shares  the  bread  and  wine  with  others. — The  Lord's  table 
 is  not  a  selfish,  solitary  meal.  To  eat  bread  and  wine  alone  is  not 
 the  Lord's  Supper.  It  is  a  family  meal  of  that  family  spoken  of 
 in  Eph.  iii.  15.  You  do  not  eat  and  drink  alone  by  yourself;  you 
 share  the  bread  and  wine  with  all  at  the  same  table.  Jesus  said, 
 *'  Drink  ye  all  of  it." 
 
 This  expresses  love  to  the  hrethren,—&  sweet  feeling  of  oneness  with 
 "  all  those  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity,"— a  heart-filling 
 
518  THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OF  ME, 
 
 desire  that  all  should  have  the  same  peace,  the  same  joy,  the  same 
 spirit,  the  same  holiness,  the  same  heaven  with  yourself.  You 
 remember  the  golden  candlestick  in  the  temple,  with  its  seven 
 lamps.  It  was  fed  out  of  one  golden  bowl  on  the  top  of  it,  which 
 was  constantly  full  of  oil.  The  oil  ran  down  the  shaft  of  the 
 candlestick,  and  was  distributed  to  each  lamp  by  seven  golden 
 pipes  or  branches.  All  the  lamps  shared  the  same  oil.  It  passed 
 from  branch  to  branch.  None  of  the  lamps  kept  the  oil  to  itself ; 
 it  was  shared  among  them  all.  So  it  is  in  the  vine-tree.  The 
 sap  ascends  from  the  root,  and  fills  all  the  branches.  When  one 
 branch  is  satisfied,  it  lets  the  stream  pass  on  to  the  next ;  nay, 
 it  carries  the  rich  juice  to  the  smaller  twigs  and  tendrils,  that 
 all  may  have  their  share — that  all  may  bear  their  precious  fruit. 
 So  it  is  with  the  body.  The  blood  comes  from  the  heart  in  full 
 and  nourishing  streams, — it  flows  to  all  the  members, — one  member 
 conducts  it  to  another,  that  all  may  be  kept  alive,  and  all  may 
 grow. 
 
 So  it  is  in  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  bread  and  wine  are  passed 
 from  hand  to  hand,  to  show  that  we  are  members  one  of  another. 
 "  For  we  being  many,  are  one  bread  and  one  body,  for  we  are  all 
 partakers  of  that  one  bread,"  1  Cor.  x.  1 7.  It  is  a  solemn  declara- 
 tion that  you  are  one  with  all  true  Christians,  one  in  peace,  one  in 
 feeUng,  one  in  holiness ;  and  that  if  one  member  suffer,  you  will 
 suffer  with  it,  or  if  one  member  be  honoured,  you  will  rejoice  with 
 it.  You  thereby  declare  that  you  are  branches  of  the  true  Vine, 
 and  are  vitally  united  to  all  the  branches — that  you  wish  the  same 
 Holy  Spirit  to  pervade  every  bosom.  You  declare  that  you  are 
 lamps  of  the  same  golden  candlestick,  and  that  you  wish  the  same 
 golden  oil  to  keep  you  and  them  burning  and  shining  as  lights  in 
 a  dark  world.  Learn,  once  more,  that  most  should  stay  away 
 from  this  table.  Some  of  you  know  that  you  have  not  a  spark 
 of  love  to  the  Christians.  You  persecute  them,  or  despise  them. 
 Your  tongue  is  like  a  sharp  razor  against  them ;  you  ridicule 
 their  notions  of  grace,  and  conversion,  and  the  work  of  the  Spirit. 
 You  hate  iheir  conversation ;  you  call  it  cant  and  hypocrisy. 
 When  they  are  speaking  on  divine  things  with  a  full  heart,  and 
 you  come  in,  they  are  obliged  to  stop  because  you  dislike  it. 
 Why  should  you  come  to  this  holy  table  ?  What  is  hypocrisy,  if 
 this  is  not  ?  You  put  on  a  serious  face  and  air ;  you  press  eagerly 
 in  to  the  table ;  you  sit  down,  and  look  deeply  solemnized ;  you 
 take  the  bread  into  your  hand,  pretending  to  declare  that  you  have 
 been  converted,  and  brought  to  accept  of  a  crucified  Christ.  You 
 then  eat  of  the  broken  bread  and  drink  of  that  cup  with  evident 
 
THIS  DO  IN  REMEMBRANCE  OP  ME.  519 
 
 marks  of  emotion,  pretending  that  you  are  one  of  those  v- ho  live 
 upon  Jesus,  who  are  filled  with  the  Spirit.  You  then  pass  the 
 bread  and  wine  to  others,  pretending  that  you  love  the  Christians, 
 — that  you  wish  all  to  be  partakers  with  you  in  the  grace  of  the 
 Lord  Jesus ;  and  yet  all  the  while  you  hate  and  detest  them, 
 their  thoughts,  their  ways,  their  company.  You  would  not  for 
 the  world  become  a  man  of  prayer.  Beloved  souls,  what  is  hypo- 
 crisy, if  this  is  not  ?  I  solemnly  declare,  that  I  had  rather  see  you 
 '•  breathing  out  threatenings  and  slaughter  against  the  disciples  of 
 the  Lord,"  than  come  to  be  a  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing.  Are  you 
 not  afraid,  lest,  while  you  are  sitting  at  the  table,  you  should  hear 
 the  voice  of  the  Lord  Jesus  saying,  "  Judas,  betrayest  thou  the 
 Son  of  man  with  a  kiss  ?" 
 
 Dear  believer,  you  "  know  that  you  are  passed  from  death  unto 
 life,  because  you  love  the  brethren."  This  pure  and  holy  life  is  one 
 of  the  first  feehngs  in  the  converted  bosom.  It  is  divine  and 
 imperishable.  You  are  a  companion  of  all  that  fear  God.  It 
 would  be  hell  to  you  to  spend  eternity  with  wicked  men.  Come 
 and  show  this  love  at  the  feast  of  love.  The  table  in  the  upper 
 room  at  Jerusalem  was  but  a  type  and  earnest  of  the  table  in  the 
 upper  room  of  glory.  Soon  we  shall  exchange  the  table  below  for 
 the  table  above,  where  we  shall  give  full  expression  to  our  love  to 
 all  eternity.  There  no  betrayers  can  come — "  no  unclean  thinpf 
 can  enter."  Jesus  shall  be  at  the  head  of  the  table,  and  God  shall 
 wipe  away  all  tears  from  our  eyes. 
 
 QUESTIONS  ADDRESSED  TO  YOUNG  COMMUNICANTS,  TO  BE 
 ANSWERED  IN  SECRET  TO  GOD. 
 
 1.  Is  it  to  please  your  father  or  mother,  or  any  one  on  earth,  that 
 
 you  think  of  coming  to  the  Lord's  table  ? 
 
 2.  Is  it  because  it  is  the  custom,  and  your  friends  and  companions 
 
 are  coming  ? 
 
 3.  Is  it  because  you  have  come  to  a  certain  time  of  life? 
 
 4.  What  are  your  real  motives  for  wishing  to  come  to  the  Lord's 
 
 table?  Is  it  to  thank  God  for  saving  your  soul? — Ps. 
 cxvi.  12,  13;  to  remember  Jesus  ? — Luke  xxii.  19;  to  get 
 near  to  Christ  ? — John  xiii.  23 ;  or  is  it  for  worldly  cha- 
 racter? to  gain  a  name?  to  gain  money? — Matt.  xxvi.  15. 
 
 5.  Who  do  you  think  should  come  to  the  Lord's  table?    who 
 
 should  stay  away  ? 
 
 6.  Do  you  think  any  should  come  but  those  who  are  truly  con- 
 
 verted ?  and  what  is  it  to  be  converted  ? 
 
h20  THE  ACCEPTABLE  YELR   OF  THE  LORD. 
 
 7.  Would  you  come  if  you  knew  yourself  to  be  unconverted  ? 
 
 8.  Should  those  come  who  have  had  deep  concern  about  their 
 
 soul,  but  are  not  come  to  Christ  ? 
 
 9.  Do  you  think  you  have  been  awakened  by  the  Holy  Spirit  ? 
 
 brought  to  Christ?  born  again?     What  makes  you  think 
 so? 
 
 10.  What  is  the  meaning  of  the  broken  bread  and  poured  out 
 
 wine  ? 
 
 11.  What  is  the  meaning  of  taking  the  bread  and  wine  into  your 
 
 hand  ?     Have  you  as  truly  received  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ? 
 
 12.  What  is  the  meaning  of  feeding  upon  them  ?    Are  you  as  truly 
 
 living  upon  Christ? 
 
 13.  What  is  the  meaning  of  giving  the  bread  and  wine  to  those 
 
 at  the  same  table  with  you?     Do  you  as  truly  love  the 
 brethren  ? 
 
 SCKIPTURES  TO  BE  MEDITATED  ON  AT  A  COMMUNION  SEASON. 
 
 Exod.  xii. ;  Ps.  xxii.,  li.,  Ixlx.,  cxvi. ;  Song  of  Sol. ;  Isa.  liii. ; 
 Matt.  ::xii.  1-14  ;  xxvi.,  xxvii. ;  Mark  xiv.,  xv. ;  Luke  xxii.,  xxiii. ; 
 John  xiii.,  xiv.,  xv.,  xvi.,  xvii. ;  1  Cor.  xi.  23-34. 
 St  Peter's,  Dundee,  Oct.  1841. 
 
 THE  ACCEPTABLE  YEAR  OF  THE  LORD. 
 
 "  The  Spirit  of  tlie  Lord  God  is  upon  me ;  because  the  Lord  hath  anointed  me  to 
 preach  good  tidings  unto  the  meek ;  He  hath  sent  me  to  bind  up  the  broken- 
 hearted, to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives,  and  the  opening  of  the  prison  to 
 them  that  are  bound ;  to  proclaim  the  Acceptable  Year  of  the  Lord,  and  the 
 day  ot  vengeance  of  our  Lord :  to  comtort  all  that  moui-n :  to  appoint  unto 
 them  that  mourn  in  Zion,  to  give  unto  them  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy 
 for  mourning,  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness :  that  they 
 might  be  called  trees  of  righteousness,  the  planting  of  the  Lord,  that  He 
 might  be  glorified."— Isa.  Ixi,  1-3. 
 
 It  is  six  years,  this  day,  since  I  first  preached  to  you,  as  yonr 
 pastor,  from  these  blessed  words.  These  years  have  rolled  past 
 us  like  a  mighty  river.  It  is  a  solemn  thing  to  look  over  them.  In 
 climbing  a  lofty  mountain,  it  is  pleasant  to  come  every  now  and 
 then  to  a  resting-place,  where  you  may  stand  and  look  back.  You 
 can  thus  see  the  progress  you  have  made,  and  you  can  observe  tho 
 
THE  ACCEPTABLE  YEAR  OF  THE  LORD.  521 
 
 prospect  winding  all  around  you.  In  like  manner,  in  going  up  the 
 hill  of  Zion,  it  is  pleasant  to  come  to  such  a  resting-place  as  this 
 day  affords,  that  we  may  stand  and  see  what  progress  we  have 
 made,  and  whether  we  have  a  wider,  brighter  prospect  of  eternal 
 glory.  How  many  have  left  our  company  since  these  six  years 
 began  !  They  have  gone  to  render  their  last  account  in  the  world 
 where  time  is  not  measured  by  years.  Of  some  I  trust  we  can  say, 
 "  Blessed  are  the  dead,  for  they  died  in  the  Lord."  Many,  I  trust, 
 have  been  born  again — passed  from  death  unto  life — begun  a  new 
 life  that  shall  never  have  an  end.  Some,  I  hope,  have  been 
 brought  to  climb  a  step  higher  on  Jacob's  ladder — to  get  nearer 
 the  top  of  Pisgah,  to  see  more  of  Canaan's  happy  land.  Some,  I 
 fear,  have  gone  back,  and  walk  no  more  with  Jesus.  Ye  did  run 
 well,  who  did  hinder  you  ?  You  did  put  your  hand  to  the  plough, 
 but  you  have  turned  back,  and  are  not  fit  for  the  kingdom  of  God. 
 Some,  I  fear,  are  six  years  nearer  to  hell ;  your  ear  more  deaf  to  the 
 voice  of  the  charmer ;  your  heart  more  wedded  to  its  idols — more 
 dead  to  God.  Let  us  solemnly  look  back  this  day,  both  minister 
 and  people,  and,  oh,  let  us  take  warning  by  the  errors  of  the  past, 
 and  begin  a  new  and  better  course  from  this  day. 
 
 I.  The  anointing  of  the  Holy  Spirit  makes  a  successful  gospel  mini- 
 ster.— So  it  was  in  Christ's  ministry.  ''  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord 
 God  is  upon  me,"  etc.  So  it  is  in  every  ministry.  The  more 
 anointing  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  more  success  will  the  minister 
 have. 
 
 You  remember  the  two  olive-trees  that  grew  close  beside  the 
 golden  candlestick,  and  emptied  the  golden  oil  out  of  themselves. — 
 Zech.  iv.  12.  These  represent  successful  ministers — "anointed 
 ones  that  stand  by  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth."  Oh,  see  what 
 need  there  is  that  ministers  be  filled  with  the  Spirit — that,  like 
 John,  they  be  "  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day" — that  Christ's 
 people  may  be  kept  "  like  a  lamp  that  burneth  !"  You  remember 
 John  the  Baptist.  The  angel  said  of  him  before  he  was  born, 
 "  He  shall  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  even  from  his  mother's 
 womb."  What  then  will  his  success  be  ?  "  And  many  of  the 
 children  of  Israel  shall  he  turn  to  the  Lord  their  God."  Oh  learn 
 what  need  there  is  that  ministers  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost, 
 that  they  may  be  converting  ministers — that,  like  John,  they  may 
 "  turn  the  hearts  of  the  fathers  to  the  children,  and  the  disobedient 
 to  the  wisdom  of  the  just." 
 
 You  remember  the  apostles.  Before  the  day  of  Pentecost 
 they  were  dry,  sapless  trees.     They  went  over  the  cities  of  Israej 
 
522  TifE  AOCLl^AffLE  YEAR  OP  THE  LORD. 
 
 preaching  the  glad  tidings  of  the  kingdom,  and  yet  it  would  seem 
 they  had  little  or  no  success.  They  could  not  number  many  spi- 
 ritual children.  But  when  the  day  of  Pentecost  was  fully  come — 
 when  the  Spirit  came  on  them  like  a  mighty  rushing  wind — then 
 behold  what  a  change !  Under  the  first  sermon  three  thousand 
 men  were  pricked  in  their  heart,  and  said,  "  Men  and  brethren, 
 what  must  we  do  ?  "  Oh  see  what  need  we  have  of  a  day  of  Pen- 
 tecost to  begm  in  the  hearts  of  ministers,  that  our  words  may  be 
 like  fire,  and  the  hearts  of  the  people  like  wood  ! 
 
 In  looking  back  upon  my  ministry,  I  am  persuaded  that  this  has 
 been  the  great  thing  wanting.  We  have  not  been  like  the  green 
 olive-trees;  we  have  not  been  like  John  the  Baptist,  filled  with 
 the  Holy  Ghost ;  we  have  not  been  like  the  apostles  on  the  day  of 
 Pentecost,  filled  as  with  a  mighty  rushing  wind;  we  have  not 
 been  able  to  say,  like  the  Saviour,  "  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  God 
 is  upon  me,"  or  you  would  not  be  as  you  are  this  day.  There 
 would  not  be  so  many  dead  sinners  amongst  you — slumbering 
 under  the  voice  of  gospel  mercy,  on  the  very  brink  of  hell.  There 
 would  not  be  so  many  labouring  and  heavy  laden  souls  going  from 
 mountain  to  hill,  forgetting  your  resting-place.  There  would  not 
 be  so  many  children  of  light  walking  in  darkness — dull,  heavy,  be- 
 clouded Christians.  That  is  a  piercing  word  :  "  If  they  had  stood 
 in  my  counsel,  and  had  caused  my  people  to  hear  my  words,  then 
 they  should  have  turned  from  their  evil  way,  and  from  the  evil  of 
 their  doings,"  Jer.  xxiii.  22.  Success  is  the  rule  under  a  living 
 ministry.  Want  of  success  is  the  exception.  Oh  pray  that  if 
 God  spare  us  another  year,  we  may  be  more  like  the  high  priest, 
 who  first  went  into  the  hoKest  of  all,  and  then  came  out  and  lifted 
 up  his  hands  and  blessed  the  people  !  Pray  that  we  may  be  more 
 like  the  angels,  who  always  behold  the  face  of  our  Father,  and 
 therefore  are  like  a  flame  o£  fire.  "  He  maketh  his  angels  spirits, 
 his  ministers  a  flame  of  fire."  You  know  that  a  heated  iron, 
 though  blunt,  will  pierce  its  way,  even  where  a  much  sharper  in- 
 strument, if  it  be  cold,  cannot  penetrate.  So,  if  only  our  ministers 
 be  filled  with  the  Spirit,  who  is  hke  fire,  they  will  pierce  into  the 
 hardest  hearts,  where  the  sharpest  wits  cannot  find  their  way.  It 
 was  thus  with  Whitfield:  that  great  man  lived  so  near  to  God,  he 
 was  so  full  of  heavenly  joy  and  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  that  souls 
 were  melted  under  him  like  snow  in  thaw-time.  John  Newton 
 mentions  it  as  a  fact,  that,  in  a  single  week,  Whitfield  received  no 
 fewer  than  a  thousand  letters  from  persons  distressed  in  conscience 
 under  his  preaching.  Oh  pray  that  we  may  not  be  "  clouds  with- 
 out water,"  which  indeed  have  all  the  appearance  of  clouds,  but 
 
THE  ACCEPTABLE  YEAR  OP  THE  LORD.  523 
 
 have  no  rain  in  them !  Pray  that  we  may  come  to  yoa  as  Paul 
 came  to  the  Corinthians,  "  in  weakness,  and  in  fear,  and  in  much 
 trembUng ;  and  that  our  speech  and  our  preaching  may  not  be 
 with  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but  in  demonstration  of  the 
 Spirit  and  of  power:"  1  Cor.  ii.  2-4. 
 
 II.  The  subject  matter  of  all  faithful  preaching, 
 
 (1.)  A  faithful  minister  preaches  good  tidings  to  all  distressed  con- 
 sciences.— This  was  one  great  object  of  Christ's  ministry.  "  The 
 Lord  hath  anointed  me  to  preach  good  tidings  unto  the  meek," 
 etc,  Jesus  came  to  be  a  Saviour  to  the  meek — not  the  naturally 
 gentle  and  sweet-tempered,  but  those  who  are  concerned  about 
 their  souls.  Men  naturally  say,  "  I  am  rich  and  increased  with 
 goods,  and  have  need  of  nothing  ;"  therefore  they  are  proud,  and 
 their  tongue  walketh  through  the  earth.  But  wb^:n  God  begins  a 
 work  of  grace  in  their  heart,  He  convinces  of  sin,  He  humbles 
 them  to  the  dust,  and  makes  them  feel  "  wretched,  and  miserable, 
 and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked."  Jesus  always  offered  himself  as 
 a  Saviour  to  such.  One  poor  leper  said,  "Lord,  if  Thou  wilt. 
 Thou  canst  make  me  clean."  Jesus  said,  "  I  will,  be  thou  clean." 
 Nay,  He  left  an  invitation  which  will  be  precious  to  burdened 
 souls  even  to  the  end  of  the  world :  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that 
 labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest,"  Matt.  xi. 
 28. 
 
 Jesus  came  "  to  hind  up  the  hrohen-hearied.'"  There  is  many  a 
 wounded  heart  that  is  not  broken.  The  broken-hearted  are  those 
 who  have  lost  all  hope  of  saving  themselves  by  their  own  right- 
 eousness. As  long  as  a  person  has  hope,  the  heart  remains  whole 
 and  unbroken.  As  long  as  a  sailor's  wife  has  hope  that  her  hus- 
 band's vessel  may  outride  the  storm,  her  heart  is  calm  within  her ; 
 but  when  the  fatal  news  comes — when  an  eye-witness  tells  that  he 
 saw  the  lifeless  body  sinking  in  the  waves — the  thread  of  hope  is 
 cut  asunder,  her  heart  dies  within  her,  she  droops,  she  sits  down 
 broken-hearted.  As  long  as  an  awakened  sinner  has  hope  of  saving 
 himself — as  long  as  he  thinks  that  self-reformation,  weeping  over 
 past  sins,  and  resolving  against  future  ones,  will  clear  him  before 
 God — so  long  his  heart  is  calm ;  but  when  the  fatal  newti  comes, 
 that  all  he  does  is  done  out  of  a  sinful  heart,  that  even  "'  hirf  right- 
 eousnesses are  as  filthy  rags,"  that  "  by  the  deeds  of  the  law  no 
 flesh  can  be  justified,"  then  does  the  heart  of  the  sinner  die  within 
 him ;  he  says,  "  It  is  done  now,  it  is  all  done  now,  I  never  can  do 
 anything  to  justify  myself."  Is  this  the  state  of  your  soul?  This 
 is  B  case  for  Christ.    He  justifieth  the  ungodly ;  He  imputes  right- 
 
524  THE  ACCEPTABLE  YEAR  OF  THE  LOKD. 
 
 eousness  without  works ;  his  blood  and  righteousness  are  ready  for 
 poor  broken-hearted  sinners.  They  are  the  very  souls  that  answer 
 Him  ;  He  is  the  very  Saviour  that  answers  them.  Once  a  broken- 
 hearted woman,  who  had  spent  her  all  upon  physicians,  and  was 
 nothing  better,  but  rather  worse,  came  behind  Jesus,  and  touched 
 the  hem  of  his  garment.  Did  He  show  himself  the  Saviour  of  the 
 broken-hearted?  Yes ;  He  said,  "  Daughter,  be  of  good  comfort ; 
 thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole." 
 
 Jesus  came  "  to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives."  All  natural  men 
 are  slaves.  Some  are  bound,  and  know  it  not,  like  the  slave  in 
 the  West  Indies,  who  could  not  comprehend  what  liberty  meant. 
 They  are  corded  by  their  sins,  yet  say,  I  am  free.  Some  are  bound 
 and  know  it.  They  are  awakened  to  feel  the  gaUing  chains  of 
 lust ;  they  feel  their  feet  sinking  in  miry  clay.  Some  of  you  know 
 what  it  is  to  sin  and  weep,  and  sin  and  weep  again.  "  The  way  of 
 transgressors  is  hard."  Jesus  came  to  be  a  Saviour  to  such.  He 
 came  not  only  to  be  our  righteousness,  but  to  be  a  fountain  of  life. 
 "  In  the  Lord  have  I  righteousness  and  strength."  Once  there 
 was  a  man  possessed  by  a  legion  of  devils,  exceeding  fierce,  who 
 wore  no  clothes,  and  dwelt  among  the  tombs.  But  Jesus  com- 
 manded the  unclean  spirit  to  go  out  of  him,  and  "  he  sat  down  at 
 the  feet  of  Jesus,  clothed  and  in  his  right  mind." 
 
 One  great  object  of  our  ministry  among  you  has  been  to  bring 
 good  tidings  to  distressed  consciences.  Blessed  be  God,  there  have 
 always  been  some  distressed  consciences  among  you  from  the  first 
 day  until  now.  In  almost  all  our  parishes,  in  these  remarkable 
 times,  there  are  many  souls  under  conviction  of  sin.  There  are 
 always  some  who  feel  uneasy  under  the  word — who  feel  that  their 
 heart  is  not  right  with  God,  that  they  are  slaves  of  sin,  and  who 
 go  on  from  day  to  day  carrying  a  heavy  burden.  I  have  always 
 tried  to  speak  to  such  souls.  I  have  shown  you  plainly  that  you 
 are  not  safe  because  you  are  anxious ;  that  you  need  to  be  i?i 
 Christ  Jesus ;  that  these  convictions  may  die  away.  I  have  tried 
 to  let  down  the  gospel  cord  within  your  reach.  I  have  showed 
 you  that  Christ  offers  himself  in  a  pecuHar  manner  to  such  as  you. 
 "'  The  whole  have  no  need  of  a  physician,  but  they  who  are  sick." 
 How  often  Brainerd  records  it  in  his  journal,  that  a  heavy  laden 
 Boul  was  brought  to  true  and  soUd  comfort  in  Christ  this  day! 
 Why  have  I  so  seldom  to  record  the  same  thing  of  weary  souls 
 among  you?  For  years  I  have  gone  among  you  preaching  the 
 only  foundation  of  a  sinner's  peace.  Yet  how  few  have  had  a 
 lively  and  soul-refreshing  view  of  Christ !  How  few  can  say, 
 *' What  things  were  gain  to  me,  these  I  count  loss  for  Christ  I" 
 
THE  ACCEPTABLE  TEAR  OP  THE  LORD.  625 
 
 Ah !  my  friends,  the  fault  lies  with  you  or  with  me,  for  God  has 
 no  pleasure  in  a  burdened  soul.  "  Oh  that  ye  had  hearkened  to 
 my  commandments,  for  then  had  your  peace  been  like  a  river,  and 
 your  righteousness  like  the  waves  of  the  sea!" 
 
 (2.)  A  faithful  pastor  comforts  mourners  in  Zion. — This  was  an- 
 other great  object  of  Christ's  ministry — "to  comfort  all  that 
 mourn,"  etc.  There  are  many  things  to  bring  a  cloud  over  the 
 brow  of  a  Christian.  There  are  outward  troubles.  "  Many  are 
 the  afflictions  of  the  righteous."  Persecutions  will  come :  "  a 
 man's  foes  shall  be  they  of  his  own  household."  Temptations  will 
 come ;  they  are  common  to  man.  Sloth  and  want  of  watchfulness 
 often  bring  into  darkness. — Song  v.  2-8.  The  body  of  sin  often 
 makes  us  cry,  "  Oh  wretched  man  !"  But  the  Lord  Jesus  has  the 
 tongue  of  the  learned,  to  speak  a  word  in  season  to  them  that  are 
 weary.  The  rehgion  of  Jesus  is  eminently  the  rehgion  of  joy.  He 
 does  not  love  to  see  his  church  sitting  in  ashes,  mourning,  and 
 heavy  with  sorrow.  He  loves  to  see  her  putting  on  his  beautiful 
 righteousness,  filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of  joy,  and  covered  with 
 the  garment  of  praise,  waving  like  green  trees  of  righteousness  to 
 his  glory. 
 
 Once  "  Peter  walked  on  the  water  to  go  to  Jesus ;  but  when  he 
 saw  the  wind  boisterous,  he  began  to  sink,  and  cried.  Lord,  save 
 me.  And  immediately  Jesus  stretched  forth  his  hand  and  caught 
 him,  and  said  unto  him,  0  thou  of  little  faith,  wherefore  didst  thou 
 doubt  ? "  Christ  has  an  almighty  arm  for  sinking  disciples  to  cHng 
 to.  Once  two  disciples  were  walking  towards  a  village  north  of 
 Jerusalem.  They  talked  earnestly  together  to  beguile  the  way, 
 and  they  were  sad.  A  stranger  drew  near,  and  went  with  them ; 
 and  as  he  went  He  expounded  to  them,  in  all  the  Scriptures,  the 
 things  concerning  Jesus.  In  breaking  of  bread  He  was  revealed  to 
 them,  and  left  them  exclaiming,  "  Did  not  our  hearts  burn  within 
 us?"  So  Jesus  reveals  himself  to  his  own  to  this  day,  and  makes 
 the  sad  bosom  burn  with  holy  joy. 
 
 This  has  been  one  of  the  chief  objects  of  my  ministry  among 
 you.  That  scripture  has  been  for  some  time  deeply  engraved 
 upon  my  memory  and  heart,  "  He  gave  some  pastors  and  teachers, 
 for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  for 
 the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ,"  Eph.  iv.  11,  12 ;  and,  accord- 
 ingly, it  has  been  my  endeavour  to  lead  mourners  in  Zion  to  a 
 meeting  with  Christ,  who  alone  can  restore  comfort  to  them. 
 What  has  been  our  success  ?  I  fear  there  are  not  many  of  you  as 
 happy  as  you  might  be.  Are  not  most,  like  Peter,  sinking ;  or  sad, 
 like  the  two  going  to  "Emmaus  ?     Are  not  most  in  all  our  parishes 
 
526  THE  ACCEPTABLE  YEAR  OF  THE  LOBD. 
 
 rather  seeking  than  finding  rest  ?  How  little  is  tliere  among  yon 
 of  the  "  beauty — the  oil  of  joy,  and  the  garment  of  praise !"  How 
 few  can  truly  sing  the  103d  Psalm ;  how  few  feel  their  sins  re- 
 moved, as  far  as  east  is  from  the  west ;  how  few  keep  themselves 
 in  the  love  of  God  ;  how  few  have  Christ  dwelling  in  their  hearts 
 by  faith  ;  how  few  are  filled  with  all  the  fulness  of  God,  and  rejoice 
 with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of  glory ! 
 
 How  often  Brainerd  mentions  in  his  journal :  "  Numbers  wept 
 affectionately,  and  to  appearance  unfeignedly,  so  that  the  Spirit  of 
 God  seemed  to  be  moving  on  the  face  of  the  assembly  ;"  and  again, 
 "  They  seemed  willing  to  have  their  ears  bored  to  the  door-posts  of 
 God's  house,  and  to  be  his  servants  for  ever  !"  How  little  is  there 
 of  this  divine  presence  and  holy  impression  in  our  assemblies !  How 
 many  a  meeting  for  prayer  has  lost  the  fervency  which  once  it  had ! 
 Ah !  surely  the  fault  lies  with  you  or  with  me.  Immanuel  is  still  in 
 the  midst  of  us.  He  is  still  "  full  of  grace  and  truth  ;"  He  is  "  the 
 same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever."  Oh  that  the  little  flock  in 
 this  place  were  covered  with  his  beauty,  filled  with  his  holy  joy, 
 and  clothed  with  his  garment  of  praise ! 
 
 (3.)  A  faithful  ivatchman  preaches  a  free  Saviour  to  all  the  world. — 
 This  was  the  great  object  of  Christ's  ministry — "  To  proclaim  the 
 acceptable  year  of  the  Lord."  "  Unto  you,  0  men,  I  call,"  was 
 the  very  motto  of  his  life.  On  the  year  of  jubilee  the  silver  trumpet 
 was  made  to  sound  throughout  the  whole  land.  Every  man  might 
 return  to  his  possession ;  every  slave  might  go  free.  Christ  felt 
 that  the  trumpet  of  the  true  jubilee  was  committed  to  Him ;  and 
 therefore  his  feet  were  beautiful  upon  the  mountains,  and  He  went 
 about  continually  publishing  glad  tidings  of  peace.  Once  He  stood 
 among  a  crowd  of  unbelieving  Jews.  His  word  was,  "  Him  that 
 cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  nowise  cast  out;"  and  again,  to  a  similar 
 crowd  He  said,  "  I  am  the  door  ;  by  me  if  any  man  enter  in,  he  shall 
 be  saved."  When  He  died  upon  the  cross,  the  priests  scoffed  at 
 Him,  the  people  wagged  their  heads  at  Him,  the  soldiers  cast  lots 
 for  his  garment ;  but  "  the  veil  of  the  temple  was  rent  from  the  top 
 to  the  bottom," — this  signifying  that  the  way  into  the  holiest  was 
 now  made  manifest,  that  any  sinner  might  enter  in  and  be  saved. 
 When  He  arose  from  the  dead,  there  were  but  five  hundred  brethren 
 who  believed  on  his  name :  the  whole  world  was  lying  in  the  wicked 
 one ;  every  creature  under  the  frown  of  an  angry  God.  "  Go  ye," 
 said  He,  "into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
 creature."  When  Laodicea  became  a  dead  and  lukewarm  church, 
 fit  only  to  be  spued  out  of  Christ's  mouth,  you  would  have  ex- 
 pected a  message  of  judgment.    No,  He  sends  one  oi  free,  bound- 
 
THE  ACCEPTABLE  TEAR  OF  THE  LORD,  527 
 
 Jess,  glorious  grace.     "  If  any  man  will  hear  my  voice  and  open 
 the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him." 
 
 This  has  been  the  great  object  of  our  ministry.  In  all  our 
 parishes,  at  the  present  day,  the  great  mass  of  the  people  arc 
 living  without  Christ,  and  without  God,  and  without  hope  in  the 
 world.  The  most,  even  of  church-going  people,  it  is  to  be  feared, 
 are  "  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins."  Ever  since  coming  among  you, 
 our  great  object  has  been  to  awaken  such.  We  have  proclaimed 
 the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  vengeance  of  our 
 God.  We  have  told  you  that  Christ  is  freely  offered  to  you  in 
 your  present  condition,  whatever  that  may  be ;  that  though  you 
 have  lived  in  sin,  and  are  now  living  in  sin,  and  God  is  angry  with 
 you  every  day,  still  Christ  is  free  to  you  every  day.  We  have  told 
 you  that  though  you  do  not  care  for  your  soul,  still  Christ  cares 
 for  it ;  though  you  are  lost,  still  Christ  is  seeking  the  lost ;  though 
 you  are  loving  your  simplicity,  delighting  in  scorning,  and  hating 
 knowledge,  still  Christ  is  crying  after  you ;  that  before  you  repent, 
 and  before  you  believe,  Christ  is  freely  offered  unto  you :  "All  day 
 long  have  I  stretched  out  my  hands  to  a  disobedient  and  gainsaying 
 people." 
 
 What  has  been  our  success  ?  Blessed  be  God,  there  are  some 
 of  you  who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  the  hope  set  before  you ;  but 
 the  most  sleep  on.  Six  acceptable  years  have  passed  over  you.  A 
 year  of  gospel  preaching  is  an  acceptable  year ;  a  year  of  revival, 
 when  many  have  been  pressing  into  the  kingdom  of  God,  is  still 
 more  an  acceptable  year :  both  these  have  passed  over  you.  The 
 door  has  stood  open  all  this  time,  and  any  sinner  among  you  might 
 have  entered  in.  Bibles,  ministers,  providence,  the  Spirit  striving 
 — all  have  been  pressing  you  to  enter  in.  But  you  are  still  without — 
 Christless,  unpardoned,  unborn  again,  unsaved.  What  can  you  look 
 for  but  "the  day  of  vengeance  ?"  A  year  of  mercy  is  past,  a  day 
 of  vengeance  is  coming.  Go^  pleads  long,  but  judgment  will  be 
 the  work  of  a  day.  How  many  among  you  will  never  see  such 
 another  season  of  grace  as  that  which  lately  passed  over  you ! 
 You  will  probably  never  again  have  such  an  opportunity  to  be 
 saved.  "  The  harvest  is  past,  the  summer  is  ended,  and  you  are 
 not  saved."  Many  of  you  will  one  day  wish  you  had  never  heard 
 of  the  acceptable  year ;  many  of  you  will  wish  that  you  had  never 
 heard  the  preached  gospel, — that  you  had  perished  before  the  glo- 
 rious work  of  God  began.  "  Oh  that  ye  were  wise,  that  ye  under- 
 stood this :  that  ye  would  consider  your  latter  end," 
 St  Petkr's,  Dundee,  Aov.  27,  184.2. 
 
528  KEASOKS  V/HT  CHILDREN  SHOULD  FLY 
 
 REASONS  WHY  CHILDREN  SHOULD  FLY  TO 
 CHRIST  WITHOUT  DELAY. 
 
 "  0  satisfy  us  early  with  thy  mercy  -,  that  we  may  rejoice  and  be  glad  all  oui 
 days." — Ps.  so.  14. 
 
 The  late  Countess  of  Huntingdon  was  not  only  rich  in  this  world, 
 but  rich  in  faith,  and  an  heir  of  the  kingdom.  When  she  was  about 
 nine  years  of  age  she  saw  the  dead  body  of  a  little  child  of  her  own 
 age  carried  to  the  grave.  She  followed  the  funeral ;  and  it  was 
 there  that  the  Holy  Spirit  first  opened  her  heart  to  convince  her 
 that  she  needed  a  Saviour.  My  dear  httle  children,  when  you  look 
 upon  the  year  that  has  come  to  an  end,  may  the  Holy  Spirit  bring 
 you  to  the  same  conviction ;  may  the  still  small  voice  say  in  your 
 heart,  Flee  now  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Fly  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
 without  delay.     "  Escape  for  thy  hfe :  look  not  behind  thee." 
 
 I.  Because  life  is  very  short. — "  The  days  of  our  years  are  three- 
 score years  and  ten ;  and  if  by  reason  of  strength  they  be  four- 
 score years,  yet  is  their  strength  labour  and  sorrow,  for  it  is  soon 
 cut  off,  and  we  fly  away."  Even  those  who  live  longest,  when 
 they  come  to  die,  look  back  on  their  life  as  upon  a  dream.  It 
 is  "  like  a  sleep."  The  hours  pass  rapidly  away  during  sleep  ; 
 and  when  you  awake,  you  hardly  know  that  any  time  is  passed. 
 Such  is  life.  It  is  like  "  a  tale  that  is  told."  When  you  are 
 listening  to  an  entertaining  tale,  it  fills  up  the  time,  and  makes  the 
 hours  steal  swiftly  by.  Even  so  "we  spend  our  years  as  a  tale  that 
 is  told." 
 
 You  have  seen  a  ship  upon  the  river,  when  the  sailors  were  all 
 on  board,  the  anchor  heaved,  and  the  sails  spread  to  the  wind,  how 
 it  ghded  swiftly  past,  bounding  over  the  billows;  so  is  it  with 
 your  days :  "  They  are  passed  away  as  the  swift  ships."  Or  per- 
 haps you  have  seen  an  eagle,  when  from  its  nest  in  the  top  of  the 
 rocks  it  darts  down  with  quivering  wing  to  seize  upon  some 
 smaller  bird,  how  swiftly  it  flies ;  so  is  it  with  your  life :  It  flies 
 "  as  the  eagle  hasteth  to  the  prey."  You  have  noticed  the  mist 
 on  the  brow  of  the  mountain  early  in  the  morning,  and  you  have 
 seen,  when  the  sun  rose  with  his  warm,  cheering  beams,  how  soon 
 the  mist  melted  away.  And  "what  is  your  life?  It  is  even  a 
 vapour  that  appeareth  for  a  little  time,  and  then  vanisheth  away." 
 
 Some  of  you  may  have  seen  how  short  life  is  in  those  around 
 you.  "Your  fathers,  where  are  they?  And  the  prophets,  do 
 they  live  for  ever?"     How  many  friends  have  you  lying  in  the 
 
TO  CHRIST  WITHOUT  DELAV.  629 
 
 grave  !  Some  of  you  have  more  friends  in  the  grave  than  in  this 
 world.  They  were  carried  away  "  as  with  a  flood,"  and  we  are 
 fast  hastening  after  them.  In  a  little  while  the  church  where  you 
 sit  will  be  filled  with  new  worshippers — a  new  voice  will  lead  the 
 psalm — a  new  man  of  God  fill  the  pulpit.  It  is  an  absolute  cer- 
 tainty that,  in  a  few  years,  all  of  you  who  read  this  will  be  lying 
 in  the  grave.  Oh,  what  need,  then,  to  fly  to  Christ  without  delay! 
 How  great  a  work  you  have  to  do  !  How  short  the  time  you  have 
 to  do  it  in !  You  have  to  flee  from  wrath,  to  come  to  Christ, 
 to  be  born  again,  to  receive  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  be  made  meet  for 
 glory.  It  is  high  time  that  you  seek  the  Lord.  The  longest  life- 
 time is  short  enough.  Seek  conviction  of  sin  and  an  interest  in 
 Christ.  "  Oh,  satisfy  me  early  with  thy  mercy,  that  I  may  rejoice 
 and  be  glad  all  my  days." 
 
 II.  Because  life  is  very  unceriaiji. — Men  are  like  grass:  "In  the 
 morning,  it  groweth  up  and  flourisheth :  in  the  evening,  it  is  cut 
 down  and  withereth."  Most  men  are  cut  down  while  they  are 
 green.  More  than  one-half  of  the  human  race  die  before  they 
 reach  manhood.  In  the  city  of  Glasgow  alone,  more  than  one-half 
 of  the  people  die  before  the  age  of  twenty.  Of  most  men  it  may 
 be  said,  "  He  cometh  forth  as  a  flower,  and  is  cut  down."  Death 
 is  very  certain,  but  the  time  is  very  uncertain.  Some  may  think 
 they  shall  not  die  because  they  are  in  good  health ;  but  you  for- 
 get that  many  die  in  good  health  by  accidents  and  other  causes. 
 Again,  riches  and  ease  and  comforts,  good  food  and  good  clothing, 
 are  no  safeguards  against  dying.  It  is  written,  "  The  rich  man 
 also  died,  and  was  buried."  Kind  physicians  and  kind  friends  can- 
 not keep  you  from  dying.  When  death  comes,  he  laughs  at  the 
 efforts  of  physicians — he  tears  you  from  the  tenderest  arms.  Some 
 think  they  shall  not  die  because  they  are  not  prepared  to  die ; 
 but  you  forget  that  most  people  die  unprepared,  unconverted,  un- 
 saved. You  forget  that  it  is  written  of  the  strait  gate,  "Few 
 ^.here  be  that  find  it."  Most  people  lie  down  in  a  dark  grave,  and 
 a  darker  eternity.  Some  of  you  may  think  you  shall  not  die 
 because  you  are  young.  You  forget  that  one-half  of  the  human 
 race  die  before  they  reach  manhood.  The  half  of  the  inhabitants 
 of  this  town  die  before  they  are  twenty.  Oh,  if  you  had  to  stand 
 as  often  as  I  have  beside  the  dying  bed  of  little  children — to  see 
 their  wild  looks  and  outstretched  hands,  and  to  hear  their  dying 
 cries— you  would  see  how  needful  it  is  to  fly  to  Christ  now.  It 
 may  be  your  turn  next.  Are  you  prepared  to  die?  Have  you 
 flecl  for  refuge  to  Jesus  ?     Have  you  found  forgiveness  ?     "  Boast 
 
 2  L 
 
530  REASONS  WHY  CHILDREN  SHOULD  FL^f 
 
 not  thyself  of  to-morrow ;  for  tliou  knowest  not  what  B  day  may 
 bring  forth."  , 
 
 III.  3fost  that  are  ever  saved  fly  to  Christ  ivhen  young. — It  was  so 
 in  the  days  of  our  blessed  Saviour.  Those  that  were  come  to 
 years  were  too  wise  and  prudent  to  be  saved  by  the  blood  of  the 
 Son  of  God,  and  He  revealed  it  to  those  that  were  younger  and 
 had  less  wisdom.  "  I  thank  Thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and 
 earth,  because  Thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and 
 prudent,  and  revealed  them  unto  babes.  Even  so,  Father,  for  so 
 it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight."  "  He  gathers  the  lambs  with  his 
 arm,  and  carries  them  in  his  bosom."  So  it  has  been  in  almost  all 
 times  of  the  revival  of  religion.  If  you  ask  aged  Christians,  the 
 most  of  them  will  tell  you  that  they  were  ma^le  anxious  about 
 their  souls  when  young. 
 
 Oh,  what  a  reason  is  here  for  seeking  an  early  iubringing  to 
 Christ !  If  you  are  not  saved  in  youth,  it  is  likely  you  never  will. 
 There  is  a  tide  in  the  affairs  of  souls.  There  are  times  which  may 
 be  called  converting  times.  All  holy  times  are  peculiarly  convert- 
 ing times.  The  Sabbath  is  the  great  day  for  gathering  in  souls — 
 it  is  Christ's  market-day.  It  is  the  great  harvest-day  of  souls.  I 
 know  there  is  a  generation  rising  up  that  would  fain  trample  the 
 Sabbath  beneath  their  feet ;  but  prize  you  the  Sabbath-day.  The 
 time  of  affliction  is  converting  time.  When  God  takes  away  those 
 you  love  best,  and  you  say,  "  This  is  the  finger  of  God,"  remem- 
 ber it  is  Christ  wanting  to  get  in  to  save  you  :  open  the  door  and 
 let  Him  in.  The  time  of  the  striving  of  the  Holy  Spirit  is  con- 
 verting time.  If  you  feel  your  heart  pricked  in  reading  the  Bible, 
 or  in  hearing  your  teacher,  "quench  not  the  Spirit;"  "resist  not 
 the  Holy  Ghost;"  "  grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God."  Youth 
 is  converting  time.  "  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  and 
 forbid  them  not."  Oh,  you  that  are  lambs,  seek  to  be  gathered 
 with  the  arm  of  the  Saviour,  and  carried  in  his  gentle  bosom.  Come 
 to  trust  under  the  Saviour's  wings.     "  Yet  there  is  room." 
 
 IV.  Because  it  is  happier  to  he  in  Christ  than  out  of  Christ. — Many 
 that  read  these  words  are  saying  in  their  heart.  It  is  a  dull  thing 
 to  be  religious.  Youth  is  the  time  for  pleasure — the  time  to  eat, 
 drink,  and  be  merry  ;  to  rise  up  to  play.  Now,  I  know  that  youth 
 is  the  time  for  pleasure ;  the  foot  is  more  elastic  then — the  eye 
 more  full  of  hfe — the  heart  more  full  of  gladness.  But  that  is  the 
 very  reason  why  I  say  youth  is  the  time  to  fly  to  CLirist.  It  is  far 
 happier  to  be  in  Christ  than  to  be  out  of  Christ. 
 
TO  CHRIST  WITHOUT  DELAY,  681 
 
 (1 )  It  satisfies  the  heart. — I  never  will  deny  that  there  are  plea- 
 sures to  be  found  out  of  Christ.  The  song  and  the  dance,  and  the 
 exciting  game,  are  most  engaging  to  young  hearts.  But  ah !  think 
 a  moment.  Is  it  not  an  awful  thing  to  be  happy  when  you  are  un- 
 saved? Would  it  not  be  dreadful  to  see  a  man  sleeping  in  a  house 
 all  on  fire  ?  And  is  it  not  enough  to  make  one  shudder  to  see  you 
 dancing  and  making  merry  when  God  is  angry  with  you  every  day  ? 
 
 Think  again.  Are  there  not  infinitely  sweeter  pleasures  to  be 
 had  in  Christ  ?  "  Whoso  drinketh  of  this  water  shall  thirst  again ; 
 but  whoso  drinketh  of  the  water  that  I  shall  give  him  shall  never 
 thirst."  "  In  thy  presence  is  fulness  of  joy  :  at  thy  right  hand,  are 
 pleasures  for  evermore."  To  be  forgiven,  to  be  at  peace  with  God, 
 to  have  Him  for  a  Father,  to  have  Him  loving  us  and  smiling 
 on  us,  to  have  the  Holy  Spirit  coming  into  our  hearts,  and  making 
 us  holy,  this  is  worth  a  whole  eternity  of  your  pleasures.  "  A 
 day  in  thy  courts  is  better  than  a  thousand."  Oh  to  be  "satisfied 
 with  favour,  and  full  with  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  !"  Your  daily 
 bread  becomes  sweeter.  You  eat  your  meat  "  with  gladness  and 
 singleness  of  heart,  praising  God."  Your  foot  is  more  hght  and 
 bounding,  for  it  bears  a  ransomed  body.  Your  sleep  is  sweeter 
 at  night,  for  *'  so  He  giveth  his  beloved  sleep."  The  sun  shines 
 more  lovingly,  and  the  earth  wears  a  pleasanter  smile,  because  you 
 can  say,  "  My  Father  made  them  all." 
 
 (2.)  It  makes  you  glad  all  your  days. — The  pleasures  of  sin  are 
 only  "for  a  season;"  they  do  not  last.  But  to  be  brought  to 
 Christ  is  like  the  dawning  of  an  eternal  day;  it  spreads  the  serenity 
 of  heaven  over  all  the  days  of  our  pilgrimage.  In  suffering  days, 
 what  will  the  world  do  for  you  ?  "  Like  vinegar  upon  nitre,  so  is 
 he  that  singeth  songs  to  a  heavy  heart."  Believe  me,  there  are 
 days  at  hand  when  you  will  "  say  of  laughter.  It  is  mad ;  and  of 
 mirth.  What  doth  it  ? "  But  if  you  fly  to  Jesus  Christ  now.  He 
 will  cheer  you  in  the  days  of  darkness.  When  the  winds  are  con- 
 trary and  the  waves  are  high,  Jesus  will  draw  near,  and  say,  "  Be 
 not  afraid ;  it  is  I."  That  voice  stills  the  heart  in  the  stormiest 
 hour.  When  the  world  reproaches  you,  and  casts  out  your  name 
 as  evil — when  the  doors  are  shut — Jesus  will  come  in,  and  say, 
 "  Peace  be  unto  you."  Who  can  tell  the  sweetness  and  the  peace 
 which  Jesus  gives  in  such  an  hour  ?  One  little  girl  that  was  early 
 brought  to  Christ  felt  this  when  long  confined  to  a  sick-bed.  "  1 
 am  not  weary  of  my  bed,"  she  said,  "  for  my  bed  is  green,  and  all 
 that  I  meet  with  is  perfumed  with  love  to  me.  The  time,  night 
 and  day,  is  made  sweet  to  me  by  the  Lord.  When  it  is  evening, 
 it  is  pleasant ;  and  when  it  is  morning,  I  am  refreshed." 
 
532  WHY  IS  GOD  A  STKANGEK  IN  THE  LAND  j 
 
 Last  of  all,  in  a  dying  day,  what  will  the  world  do  for  yoa  ? 
 The  dance,  and  the  song,  and  the  merry  companion,  will  then  lose 
 all  their  power  to  cheer  you.  Not  one  jest  more ;  not  one  smile 
 more.  "Oh  that  you  were  wise,  that  you  would  understand  this, 
 and  consider  your  latter  end!"  But  that  is  the  very  time  when 
 the  soul  of  one  in  Christ  rejoices  with  a  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
 glory.  "  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed  softer  than  downy  pillows 
 are."  You  remember,  when  Stephen  came  to  die,  they  battered 
 his  gentle  breast  with  cruel  stones ;  but  he  kneeled  down  and  said, 
 "  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit."  John  Xewton  tells  us  of  a  Chris- 
 tian girl  who,  on  her  dying  day,  said,  "  If  this  be  dying,  it  is  a 
 pleasant  thing  to  die."  Another  little  Christian,  of  eight  years  of 
 age,  came  home  ill  of  the  malady  of  which  he  died.  His  mother 
 asked  him  if  he  were  afraid  to  die.  "  No,"  said  he,  "  I  wish  to 
 die,  if  it  be  God's  will:  that  sweet  word,  Sleep  in  Jesus,  makes  me 
 happy  when  I  think  on  the  grave." 
 
 *'  My  little  children,  of  whom  I  travail  in  birth  again  till  Christ 
 be  formed  in  you,"  if  you  would  live  happy  and  die  happy,  come 
 now  to  a  Saviour.  The  door  of  the  ark  is  wide  open.  Enter  now, 
 or  it  may  be  never. 
 
 WHY  IS  GOD  A  STRANGER  IN  THE  LAND?' 
 
 «'  0  the  hope  of  Israel,  the  Saviour  thereof  in  time  of  trouble,  why  shouldest  Thou 
 be  as  a  stranger  in  the  land,  and  as  a  wayfaring  man  that  turneth  aside  to 
 taiTy  for  a  night  ?  Why  shouldest  Thou  be  as  a  man  astonished,  as  a  mighty 
 man  that  cannot  save  ?  Yet  Thou,  0  Lord,  art  in  the  midst  of  us,  and  we 
 are  called  by  thy  name ;  leave  us  not."— Jer.  xiv.  8,  9. 
 
 In  many  parts  of  Scotland  there  is  good  reason  to  think  that  God 
 is  not  a  stranger,  but  that  the  Lord  Jesus  has  been  making  him- 
 self known,  and  that  the  Holy  Spirit  has  been  quickening  whom 
 He  will.  Still,  in  most  parts  of  our  land,  it  is  to  be  feared  that 
 God  is  a  stranger,  and  hke  a  wayfaring  man  who  turneth  aside  to 
 tarry  for  a  night. 
 
 (1.)  How  few  conversions  are  there  in  the  midst  of  us!  When 
 God  is  present  with  power  in  any  land,  then  there  are  always  many 
 awakened  to  a  sense  of  sin,  and  flocking  to  Christ.  One  godly 
 minister,  speaking  of  such  a  time,  says,  "  There  were  tokens  of 
 God's  presence  in  almost  every  house.  It  was  a  time  of  joy  in 
 families,  on  account  of  salvation  being  brought  unto  them.  Parents 
 » Inserted  by  permission  of  Messrs  Gall  and  Inglis,  Edinburgh,  the  publishers. 
 
WHY  IS  GOD  A  STRANGER  IN  THE  LAND  ?  533 
 
 were  rejoicing  over  their  children  as  new-born,  husbands  over  their 
 wives,  and  wives  over  their  husbands.  The  town  seemed  to  be 
 full  of  the  presence  of  God.  It  never  was  so  full  of  love  nor  of 
 joy,  and  yet  never  so  full  of  distress,  as  it  was  then."  We  hav^e 
 nothing  of  the  kind  amongst  us.  Alas !  what  a  dismal  contrast 
 do  most  of  our  families  present !  How  many  families  where  there 
 is  not  one  living  soul! 
 
 (2.)  How  much  deadness  there  is  among  true  Christians !  In 
 times  of  reviving,  when  God  is  present  with  power  in  any  land, 
 not  only  are  unconverted  persons  awakened  and  made  to  flee  to 
 Christ,  but  those  who  were  in  Christ  before,  receive  new  measures 
 of  the  Spirit ;  they  undergo,  as  it  were,  a  second  new-birth ;  they 
 are  brought  into  the  palace  of  the  King,  and  say,  "  Let  Him  kiss 
 me  with  the  kisses  of  his  mouth,  for  thy  love  is  better  than  wine." 
 A  dear  Christian  in  such  a  time  says,  "  My  wickedness,  as  I  am 
 in  myself,  has  long  appeared  to  me  perfectly  ineffable — like  an  infi- 
 nite deluge,  or  mountains  over  my  head.  I  know  not  how  to  ex- 
 press better  what  my  sins  appear  to  me  to  be,  than  by  heaping 
 infinite  upon  infinite,  and  multiplying  infinite  by  infinite.  Very 
 often  these  expressions  are  in  my  mind,  and  in  my  month — infinite 
 upon  infinite,  infinite  upon  infinite."  How  little  of  fhis  feeling  is 
 there  amongst  us  !  How  few  seem  to  feel  sin  as  an  infinite  evil ! 
 How  plain  that  God  is  a  stranger  in  the  land ! 
 
 (3.)  How  great  is  the  boldness  of  sinners  in  sin !  As  in  Jere- 
 miah's day,  so  in  ours,  many  seem  as  if  "  their  neck  were  an  iron 
 sinew,  and  their  brow  brass."  When  God  is  present  with  power, 
 then  open  sinners,  though  they  may  remain  unconverted,  are  often 
 much  restrained.  There  is  an  awe  of  God  upon  their  spirits.  Alas  ! 
 it  is  not  so  amongst  us.  The  flood-gates  of  sin  are  opened.  ''  They 
 declare  their  sin  as  Sodom,  they  hide  it  not."  Is  it  not,  then,  a 
 time  to  cry,  "  Oh  the  hope  of  Israel,  the  Saviour  thereof,"  etc.  ? 
 
 Should  we  not  solemnly  ask  this  question.  What  are  the  reasons 
 why  God  is  such  a  stranger  in  this  land? 
 
 I.  In  ministers. — Let  os  begin  with  those  who  bear  the  vessels 
 of  the  sanctuary. 
 
 (1.)  It  is  to  be  feared  there  is  much  unfaitlifal  ^reaching  to  the  un- 
 converted. Jeremiah  complained  of  this  in  his  day :  "  They  have 
 healed  the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  my  people  sHghtly,  saying,  Peace, 
 peace,  when  there  is  no  peace."  Is  there  no  reason  for  the  same 
 complaint  in  our  own  day?  The  great  part  of  all  our  congrega- 
 tions are  out  of  Christ,  and  lying  night  and  day  under  the  wrath 
 of  the  Lord  God  Almighty  j  and  yet  it  is  to  be  feared  that  the 
 
534  WHY  IS  GOD  A  STRANGER  IN  THE  LAND  ? 
 
 most  of  the  minister's  anxiety  and  painstaking  is  7iot  taken  np  about 
 them,  that  his  sermons  are  not  chiefly  occupied  with  their  case. 
 All  the  words  of  men  and  angels  cannot  describe  the  dreadfulness 
 of  being  Christless ;  and  yet,  it  is  to  be  feared,  we  do  not  speak  to 
 those  who  are  so  with  anything  Kke  sufficient  plainness,  frequency, 
 and  urgency.  Alas!  how  few  ministers  are  like  the  angels  at 
 Sodom,  mercifully  bold  to  lay  hands  on  hngering  sinners !  How 
 few  obey  that  word  of  Jude,  "  Save  with  fear,  pulling  them  out  of 
 the  fire!" 
 
 Many  of  those  who  deal  faithfully,  yet  do  not  deal  tenderly.  We 
 liave  more  of  the  bitterness  of  man  than  of  the  tenderness  of  God. 
 We  do  not  yearn  over  men  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ.  Paul 
 wrote  of  "  the  enemies  of  the  cross  of  Christ "  with  tears  in  his 
 eyes  I  There  is  little  of  his  weeping  among  ministers  now.  "  Know- 
 ing the  terrors  of  the  Lord,"  Paul  persuaded  men.  There  is  little 
 of  this  persuading  spirit  among  ministers  now.  How  can  we  won- 
 der that  the  dry  bones  are  very,  very  dry— that  God  is  a  stranger 
 in  the  land  ? 
 
 (2.)  It  is  to  be  feared  there  is  much  unfaithfulness  in  setting  forth 
 Christ  as  a  refuge  for  sinners.  When  a  sinner  is  newly  converted, 
 he  would  fain  persuade  every  one  to  come  to  Christ, — the  way  is 
 so  plain,  so  easy,  so  precious.  He  thinks,  Oh,  if  I  were  but  a  mini- 
 ster, how  I  would  persuade  men!  This  is  a  true  feeling  and  a 
 right  feeling.  But  oh,  how  little  is  there  of  this  among  ministers ! 
 David  said,  ^'  I  beheved,  therefore  have  I  spoken."  Few  are  like 
 David  in  this.  Paul  said  he  was  "  determined  to  know  nothing 
 among  men  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  Him  crucified."  Few  are  like 
 Paul  in  this.  Many  do  not  make  it  the  end  of  their  ministry  to 
 testify  of  Jesus  as  the  hiding-place  for  sinners.  It  is  to  be  feared 
 that  many  are  like  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees ;  they  hold  t^->e  door 
 in  their  hand;  they  enter  not  in  themselves,  and  them  that  are 
 entering  in  they  hinder.  Some  set  forth  Christ  plainly  and  faith- 
 fully, but  where  is  Paul's  beseeching  men  to  be  reconciled  ?  We  do 
 not  invite  sinners  tenderly ;  we  do  not  gently  woo  them  to  Christ ; 
 we  do  not  authoritatively  bid  them  to  the  marriage ;  we  do  not 
 compel  them  to  come  in ;  we  do  not  travail  in  birth  till  Christ  be 
 formed  in  them  the  hope  of  glory.  Oh,  who  can  wonder  that  God 
 is  such  a  stranger  in  the  land  ? 
 
 II.  In  Christian  people, 
 
 (1.)  In  regard  to  the  word  of  God.  There  seems  little  thirst  for 
 hearing  the  word  of  God  among  Christians  now.  As  a  dehcate 
 stomach  makes  a  man  eat  sparingly,  so  most  Christians  seem  spar- 
 
WHY  IS  GOD  A  STRANGER  IN  THE  LAND  ?  585 
 
 ing  in  their  diet  in  our  day.  Many  Christians  seem  to  mingle  pride 
 with  the  hearing  of  the  word.  They  come  rather  as  judges  than 
 as  children.  Few  behave  themselves  as  a  weaned  child.  Most 
 seem  to  prefer  the  seat  of  Moses  to  the  seat  of  Mary  at  the  feet  of 
 Christ.  Many  come  to  hear  the  word  of  a  man  that  shall  die,  and 
 not  the  word  of  the  livmg  God.  Oh,  should  not  Christians  be 
 taught  this  prayer :  "  Oh  the  hope  of  Israel,"  etc.  ? 
 
 (2.)  In  regard  to  prayer.  There  is  much  ploughing  and  much 
 sowing,  but  very  little  harrowing  in  of  the  seed  hy  prayer.  God  and 
 your  conscience  are  witnesses  how  little  you  pray.  You  know  you 
 would  be  men  of  power  if  you  were  men  of  prayer,  and  yet  ye  will 
 not  pray.  Unstable  as  water,  you  do  not  excel.  Luther  set 
 apart  his  three  best  hours  for  prayer.  How  few  Luthers  we  have 
 now !  John  Welsh  spent  seven  hours  a  day  in  prayer.  How  few 
 Welshes  we  have  now ! 
 
 It  is  to  be  feared  there  is  little  intercession  among  Christians  now. 
 The  high  priest  carried  the  names  of  the  children  of  Israel  upon 
 his  shoulders  and  breast  when  he  drew  near  to  God — a  picture  of 
 what  Christ  now  does,  and  all  Christians  should  do.  God  and  your 
 conscience  are  witnesses  how  little  you  intercede  for  your  children, 
 your  servants,  your  neighbours,  the  church  of  your  fathers,  and 
 the  wicked  on  every  side  of  you, — how  little  you  pray  for  mini- 
 sters, for  the  gift  of  the  Spirit,  for  the  conversion  of  the  world, — 
 how  selfish  you  are  even  in  your  prayers ! 
 
 It  is  to  be  feared  there  is  little  union  in  prayer.  Christians  are 
 ashamed  to  meet  'together  to  pray.  Christ  has  promised,  "  If  two 
 of  you  shall  agree  on  earth,  touching  something  that  ye  shall  ask, 
 it  shall  be  done  for  you  of  my  Father."  Many  Christians  neglect 
 this  promise.  In  the  Acts,  we  find  that  when  the  apostles  and  dis- 
 ciples were  praying  together,  "  the  place  was  shaken  where  they 
 were  assembled  together,  and  they  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy 
 Ghost,  and  they  spake  the  word  of  God  with  boldness."  Oh,  how 
 often  and  how  long  have  we  despised  this  way  of  obtaining  the 
 outpouring  of  the  Spirit !  Do  not  some  persons  speak  shghtingly 
 of  united  prayer?  Here  is  one  reason  why  God  commands  the 
 clouds  that  they  rain  no  rain  on  us.  He  waits  till  we  seek  Him 
 together,  and  then  He  will  open  the  windows  of  heaven  and  pour 
 down  a  blessing.  Oh  that  all  Christians  would  lift  up  the  cry, 
 "Oh  the  hope  of  Israel'" 
 
 III.  In  unconverted  souls. — There  is  much  to  blame  in  ministers^ 
 and  much  in  the  people  of  God,  but  most  of  all  to  blame  in  uncon- 
 verted souls. 
 
536  WHY  IS  GOD  A  STRANGER  IN  THE  LAND  ? 
 
 (1.)  Sinners  in  our  day  have  great  insensihility  as  to  their  lost  condi- 
 tion. Many  know  that  they  never  believed  on  the  Son  of  God,  and 
 yet  they  are  smiHng  and  happy.  Many  know  that  they  were  never 
 born  again,  and  that  the  Bible  says  they  cannot  see  the  kingdom 
 of  God ;  and  yet  their  step  is  as  light,  and  their  laugh  as  loud,  as 
 if  they  were  heirs  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  instead  of  heirs  of  hell ! 
 It  is  this  that  keeps  God  away,  and  makes  Him  a  stranger  in  the 
 land. 
 
 (2.)  Sinners  in  our  day  have  great  insensibility  as  to  their  need  of 
 Jesus  Christ.  The  Bible  declares  Him  to  be  the  Friend  of  sinners  ; 
 yet  how  many  read  this  who  are  contented  to  live  without  knowing 
 Him  !  Though  Christians  are  always  speaking  of  the  excellency  of 
 Christ — that  He  is  the  chief  est  among  ten  thousand,  and  altogether 
 lovely ;  yet  most  see  no  form  nor  comehness  in  Christ,  no  beauty 
 that  they  should  desire  Him.  They  are  willing  to  hear  of  heaven 
 or  hell  rather  than  of  Christ.  Ah!  this  is  the  crowning  sin  of 
 Scotland,  contempt  of  Christ,  rejection  of  a  freely- offered  Saviour! 
 Oh,  ye  deaf  adders,  that  will  not  hear  the  voice  of  the  charmers,  it 
 is  you  that  make  God  a  stranger  in  the  land,  and  like  a  wayfaring 
 man  that  turneth  aside  to  tarry  for  a  night ! 
 
 (3.)  Thei^e  has  been  much  resisting  of  the  Spirit  in  our  day.  In 
 some  parts  of  Scotland  this  is  eminently  true.  Many  have  been 
 pricked  to  the  heart,  and  yet  have  smothered  their  convictions. 
 Some  have  been  brought  to  intense  anxiety  about  their  souls,  but 
 have  looked  back,  like  Let's  wife,  and  become  pillars  of  salt !  Oh, 
 it  is  this  keeps  God  away  ! 
 
 Dear  unconverted  sinners,  ye  little  know  how  much  you  are  in- 
 terested in  that  this  should  be  a  time  of  reviving  from  the  presence 
 of  the  Lord.  It  is  not  our  part  to  tell  of  coming  judgments,  of 
 fire  from  heaven  or  fire  from  hell;  but  this  we  can  plainly  see,  that 
 unless  the  Spirit  of  God  shall  come  down  on  our  parishes  Hke  rain 
 on  the  mown  grass,  many  souls  that  are  now  in  the  land  of  peace 
 shall  soon  be  in  the  world  of  tossing  and  anguish  !  There  may  be 
 no  sudden  judgments  ;  hell  may  not  be  rained  down  from  heaven, 
 as  upon  Sodom  ;  the  earth  may  not  yawn  to  receive  her  prey,  as  in 
 the  camp  of  Israel  ;  but  Sabbath-breakers,  Hars,  swearers,  drunk- 
 ards, unclean  persons,  formahsts,  worldlings,  and  hypocrites,  yea, 
 all  Christless  souls,  will  quietly  slip  away,  one  by  one,  into  an  un- 
 done eternity !  Come,  then,  and  let  every  believer,  and,  above  all, 
 every  minister,  stir  up  his  heart  to  lay  hold  on  God  and  cry,  "Oh, 
 the  hope  of  Israel,  the  Saviour  thereof  in  time  of  trouble,  why 
 shouldest  Thou  be  as  a  stranger  in  the  land,  and  as  a  wayfaring 
 mau  tliut  turneth  aside  to  tavr^  for  a  night  V* 
 
I  LOVE  THE  lord's  DAY.  537 
 
 It  has  been  the  practice  of  many  ministers  in  England  and  Scot- 
 land to  hold  a  concert  for  prayer  every  Saturday  morning,  from 
 seven  to  eight  o'clock.  Several  ministers  of  our  own  church  have 
 been  in  use  to  meet  at  the  throne  of  grace  on  Saturday  evening,  at 
 seven  o'clock.  Many  congregations  in  different  parts  of  Scotland 
 have  agreed  to  a  concert  for  prayer  in  secret,  and  in  the  family, 
 from  eight  to  nine  on  Sabbath  mornings. 
 
 Might  not  the  Christian  ministers  and  people  of  Scotland,  while 
 separated  in  body,  in  this  manner  maintain  union  in  prayer,  and  so 
 the  cloud  of  blessing,  that  is  now  like  a  man's  hand,  might  spread 
 over  the  whole  sky,  and  bring  times  of  refreshing  from  the  pre- 
 sence of  the  Lord  ? 
 
 I  LOVE  THE  LORD'S  DAY. 
 
 "  The  Sabbath  was  made  for  man." 
 
 Dear  Fjsllow- Countrymen, — As  a  servant  of  God  in  this  dark 
 and  cloudy  day,  I  feel  constrained  to  lift  up  my  voice  in  behalf  of 
 the  entire  sanctification  of  the  Lord's  day.  The  daring  attack  that 
 is  now  made  by  some  of  the  Directors  of  the  Edinburgh  and  Glas- 
 gow Railway  on  the  law  of  God  and  the  peace  of  our  Scottish 
 Sabbath — the  blasphemous  motion  which  they  mean  to  propose  to 
 the  shareholders  in  February  next — and  the  wicked  pamphlets 
 which  are  now  being  circulated  in  thousands,  full  of  all  manner  of 
 lies  and  impieties — call  loudly  for  the  calm,  deliberate  testimony  of 
 all  faithful  ministers  and  private  Christians  in  behalf  of  God's  holy 
 day.  In  the  name  of  all  God's  people  in  this  town  and  in  this  land, 
 T  commend  to  your  dispassionate  consideration  the  following 
 
 REASONS  WHY  WE  LOVE  THE  LORD's  DAY. 
 
 (L)  Because  it  is  the  Lord's  day. — "  This  is  the  day  which  the 
 Lord  hath  made ;  we  will  rejoice,  and  be  glad  in  it,"  Ps.  cxviii.  24. 
 "  I  was  in  the  Spirit  on  the  Lord's  day,"  Rev.  i.  10.  It  is  his,  by 
 example.  It  is  the  day  on  which  He  rested  from  his  amazing  work 
 of  redemption.  Just  as  God  rested  on  the  seventh  day  from  all  his 
 works,  wherefore  God  blessed  the  Sabbath-day,  and  hallowed  it ; 
 so  the  Lord  Jesus  rested  on  this  day  from  all  his  agony,  and  pain, 
 and  humiliation.  "  There  remaineth  therefore  the  keeping  of  a 
 Sabbath  to  the  people  of  God,"  Hob.  iv.  9.     The  Lord's  day  is  his 
 
538  I  LOVE  THE  LORD'S  BAY. 
 
 property,  just  as  the  Lord's  Supper  is  the  supper  belonging  to 
 Christ.  It  is  his  table.  He  is  the  bread.  He  is  the  wine.  He  in- 
 vites the  guests.  He  fills  them  with  joy  and  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 
 So  it  is  with  the  Lord's  day.  All  days  of  the  year  are  Christ's,  but 
 He  hath  marked  out  one  in  seven  as  pecuharly  his  own.  "  He  hath 
 made  it,"  or  marked  it  out.  Just  as  He  planted  a  garden  in  Eden, 
 so  He  hath  fenced  about  this  day  and  made  it  his  own. 
 
 This  is  the  reason  why  we  love  it,  and  would  keep  it  entire.  We 
 love  everything  that  is  Christ's.  We  love  his  word.  It  is  better 
 to  us  than  thousands  of  gold  and  silver.  "  0  how  we  love  his  law  ! 
 it  is  our  study  all  the  day."  We  love  his  house.  It  is  our  tryst- 
 ing-place  with  Christ,  where  He  meets  with  us  and  communes  with 
 us  from  off  the  mercy-seat.  We  love  his  table.  It  is  his  banquet- 
 ing-house,  where  his  banner  over  us  is  love — where  He  looses  our 
 bonds,  and  anoints  our  eyes,  and  makes  our  hearts  burn  with  holy 
 joy.  We  love  his  people,  because  they  are  his,  members  of  his  body, 
 washed  in  his  blood,  filled  with  his  Spirit,  our  brothers  and  sisters 
 for  eternity.  And  we  love  the  Lord's  day,  because  it  is  his.  Every 
 hour  of  it  is  dear  to  us — sweeter  than  honey,  more  precious  than 
 gold.  It  is  the  day  He  rose  for  our  justification.  It  reminds  us  of 
 his  love,  and  his  finished  work,  and  his  rest.  And  we  may  boldly 
 say  that  that  man  does  not  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  who  does 
 not  love  the  entire  Lord's  day. 
 
 Oh  Sabbath- breaker,  whoever  you  be,  you  are  a  sacrilegious 
 robber !  When  you  steal  the  hours  of  the  Lord's  day  for  business 
 or  for  pleasure,  you  are  robbing  Christ  of  the  precious  hours  which 
 He  claims  as  his  own.  Would  you  not  be  shocked  if  a  plan  were 
 deliberately  proposed  for  breaking  through  the  fence  of  the  Lord's 
 table,  and  turning  it  into  a  common  meal,  or  a  feast  for  the  profli- 
 gate and  the  drunkard  ?  Would  not  your  best  feelings  be  har- 
 rowed to  see  the  silver  cup  of  communion  made  a  cup  of  revelry  in 
 the  hand  of  the  drunkard  ?  And  yet  what  better  is  the  proposal 
 of  our  railway  directors  %  "  The  Lord's  day"  is  as  much  his  day  as 
 ^^the  Lord's  talk"  is  his  table.  Surely  we  may  well  say,  in  the 
 words  of  Dr  Love,  that  eminent  servant  of  Christ,  now  gone  to  the 
 Sabbath  above,  "  Cursed  is  that  gain,  cursed  is  that  recreation, 
 cursed  is  that  health,  which  is  gained  by  criminal  encroachments 
 on  this  sacred  day." 
 
 II.  Because  il  is  a  relic  of  Paradise  and  type  of  Heaven. — The  first 
 Sabbath  dawned  on  the  bowers  of  a  sinless  paradise.  When 
 Adam  was  created  in  the  image  of  his  Maker,  he  was  put  into  the 
 garden  to  drees  it  and  to  keep  it.     No  doubt  this  called  forth  all 
 
\  LOVE  THE  LORD'S  DAY.  539 
 
 h»s  energies.  To  train  the  luxuriant  vine,  to  gather  the  fruit  01* 
 the  fig-tree  and  palm,  to  conduct  the  water  to  the  fruit-trees  and 
 flowers,  required  all  his  time  and  all  his  skill.  Man  was  never 
 made  to  be  idle.  Still,  when  the  Sabbath-day  came  round,  his 
 rural  implements  were  all  laid  aside ;  the  garden  no  longer  was  his 
 care.  His  calm,  pure  mind  looked  beyond  things  seen  into  the 
 world  of  eternal  reahties.  He  walked  with  God  in  the  garden, 
 seeking  deeper  knowledge  of  Jehovah  and  his  ways,  his  heart 
 burning  more  and  more  with  holy  love,  and  his  lips  overflowing 
 with  seraphic  praise.  Even  in  paradise  man  needed  a  Sabbath 
 Without  it  Eden  itself  would  have  been  incomplete.  How  little 
 they  know  the  joys  of  Eden,  the  dehght  of  a  close  and  holy  walk 
 with  God,  who  would  wrest  from  Scotland  this  rehc  of  a  sinless 
 world ! 
 
 It  is  also  the  type  of  heaven.  When  a  believer  lays  aside  his 
 pen  or  loom,  brushes  aside  his  worldly  cares,  leaving  them  behind 
 him  with  his  week-day  clothes,  and  comes  up  to  the  house  of  God, 
 it  is  like  the  morning  of  the  resurrection,  the  day  when  we  shall 
 come  out  of  great  tribulation  into  the  presence  of  God  and  the 
 Lamb.  When  he  sits  under  the  preached  word,  and  hears  the 
 voice  of  the  shepherd  leading  and  feeding  his  soul,  it  reminds  him 
 of  the  day  when  the  Lamb  that  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne  shall 
 feed  him  and  lead  him  to  living  fountains  of  waters.  When  he 
 joins  in  the  psalm  of  praise,  it  reminds  him  of  the  day  when  his 
 hands  shall  strike  the  harp  of  God — 
 
 "  Where  congregations  ne'er  break  up, 
 And  Sabbaths  have  no  end." 
 
 When  he  retires,  and  meets  with  God  in  secret  in  his  closet,  or, 
 like  Isaac,  in  some  favourite  spot  near  his  dwelling,  it  reminds  him 
 of  the  day  when  "  he  shall  be  a  pillar  in  the  house  of  our  God,  and 
 go  no  more  out." 
 
 This  is  the  reason  why  vve  love  the  Lord's  day.  This  is  the 
 reason  why  we  "  call  the  Sabbath  a  dehght."  A  well-spent  Sab- 
 bath we  feel  to  be  a  day  of  heaven  upon  earth.  For  this  reason 
 we  wish  our  Sabbaths  to  be  wholly  given  to  God.  We  love  to 
 spend  the  whole  time  in  the  public  and  private  exercises  of  God's 
 worship,  except  so  much  as  is  taken  up  in  the  works  of  necessity 
 and  mercy.  We  love  to  rise  early  on  that  morning,  and  to  sit  up 
 late,  that  we  may  have  a  long  day  with  God. 
 
 How  many  may  know  from  this  that  they  will  never  be  in  heaven ! 
 A  straw  on  the  surface  can  tell  which  way  the  stream  is  flowing. 
 Do  you  abhor  a  holy  Sabbath?     Is  it  a  kind  of  hell  to  you  to  b3 
 
540  I  TovE  THE  lokd's  day. 
 
 with  those  who  are  strict  in  keeping  the  Lord's  day  ?  The  writer 
 of  these  lines  once  felt  as  you  do.  You  are  restless  and  uneasy. 
 You  say,  "  Behold,  what  a  weariness  is  it !"  "  When  will  the  Sab- 
 bath be  gone,  that  we  may  sell  corn?"  Ah!  soon,  very  soon, 
 and  you  will  be  in  hell.  Hell  is  the  only  place  for  you.  Heaven 
 is  one  long,  never-ending,  holy  Sabbath-day.  There  are  no  Sab- 
 baths in  hell. 
 
 in.  Because  it  is  a  day  of  blessings. — When  God  instituted  the 
 Sabbath  in  paradise,  it  is  said,  "  God  blessed  the  Sabbath-day, 
 and  sanctified  it,"  Gen.  ii.  3.  He  not  only  set  it  apart  as  a  sacred 
 day,  but  made  it  a  day  of  blessing.  Again,  when  the  Lord  Jesus 
 rose  from  the  dead  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  before  dawn,  He 
 revealed  himself  the  same  day  to  two  disciples  going  to  Emmaus, 
 and  made  their  hearts  burn  within  them.  Luke  xxiv.  13.  The 
 same  evening  He  came  and  stood  in  the  midst  of  the  disciples,  and 
 said,  "  Peace  be  unto  you  ;"  and  He  breathed  on  them  and  said, 
 "  Receive  ye  the  Holy  Ghost,"  John  xx.  19.  Again,  after  eight 
 days — that  is,  the  next  Lord's  day — Jesus  came  and  stood  in  the 
 midst,  and  revealed  himself  with  unspeakable  grace  to  unbelieving 
 Thomas.  John  xx.  26.  It  was  on  the  Lord's  day,  also,  that  the 
 Holy  Spirit  was  poured  out  at  Pentecost.  Acts  ii.  1  ;  compare 
 Lev.  xxiii.  15,  16.  That  beginning  of  all  spiritual  blessings,  that 
 first  revival  of  the  Christian  church,  was  on  the  Lord's  day.  It 
 was  on  the  same  day  that  the  beloved  John,  an  exile  on  the  sea- 
 girt isle  of  Patmos,  far  away  from  the  assembly  of  the  saints,  was 
 filled  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  received  his  heavenly  revelation. 
 So  that  in  all  ages,  from  the  beginning  of  the  world,  and  in  every 
 place  where  there  is  a  believer,  the  Sabbath  has  been  a  day  of 
 double  blessing.  It  is  so  still,  and  will  be,  though  all  God's 
 enemies  should  gnash  their  teeth  at  it.  True,  God  is  a  God  of 
 free  grace,  and  confines  his  working  to  no  time  or  place ;  but  it 
 is  equally  true,  and  all  the  scoffs  of  the  infidel  cannot  alter  it,  that 
 it  pleases  Him  to  bless  his  word  most  on  the  Lord's  day.  All 
 God's  faithful  ministers  in  every  land  can  bear  witness  that  sinners 
 are  converted  most  frequently  on  the  Lord's  day — that  Jesus  comes 
 in  and  shows  himself  through  the  lattice  of  ordinances  oftenest  on 
 his  own  day.  Saints,  like  John,  are  filled  with  the  Spirit  on  the 
 Lord's  day,  and  enjoy  their  calmest,  deepest  views  into  the  eternal 
 world. 
 
 Unhappy  men,  who  are  striving  to  rob  our  beloved  Scotland  of 
 this  day  of  double  blessing,  "  ye  know  not  what  you  do."  You 
 would  wrest  from  our  dear  countrymen  the  day  when  God  opens 
 
1  LOVE  THE  LORD  S  DAY.  541 
 
 tLe  windows  of  lieaven  and  pours  down  a  blessing.  You  want  to 
 make  the  heavens  over  Scotland  like  brass,  and  the  hearts  of  our 
 people  like  iron.  Is  it  the  sound  of  the  golden  bells  of  our  ever- 
 living  High  Priest  on  the  mountains  of  our  land,  and  the  breathing 
 of  his  Holy  Spirit  over  so  many  of  our  parishes,  that  has  roused 
 up  your  Satanic  exertions  to  drown  the  sweet  sound  of  mercy  by 
 the  deafening  roar  of  railway  carriages?  Is  it  the  returning 
 vigour  of  the  revived  and  chastened  Church  of  Scotland  that  has 
 opened  the  torrents  of  blasphemy  which  you  pour  forth  against 
 the  Lord  of  the  Sabbath  ?  Have  your  own  withered  souls  no  need 
 of  a  drop  from  heaven  ?  May  it  not  be  the  case  that  some  of  you 
 are  blaspheming  the  very  day  on  which  your  own  soul  might  have 
 been  saved  ?  Is  it  not  possible  that  some  of  you  may  remember, 
 with  tears  of  anguish  in  hell,  the  exertions  which  you  are  now 
 making,  against  light  and  against  warning,  to  bring  down  a  wither- 
 ing blight  on  your  own  souls  and  on  the  religion  of  Scotland? 
 
 To  those  who  are  God's  children  in  this  land,  I  would  now,  in 
 the  name  of  our  common  Saviour,  who  is  Lord  of  the  Sabbath-day, 
 address 
 
 A  WORD  OF  EXHORTATION. 
 
 I.  Prize  the  Lord's  day. — The  more  that  others  despise  and 
 trample  on  it,  love  you  it  all  the  more.  The  louder  the  storm  of 
 blasphemy  howls  around  you,  sit  the  closer  at  the  feet  of  Jesus. 
 "He  must  reign  till  He  has  put  all  enemies  under  his  feet." 
 Dihgently  improve  all  holy  time.  It  should  be  the  busiest  day  of 
 the  seven ;  but  only  in  the  business  of  eternity.  Avoid  sin  on  that 
 holy  day.  God's  children  should  avoid  sin  every  day,  but  most  of 
 all  on  the  Lord's  day.  It  is  a  day  of  double  cursing  as  well  as  of 
 double  blessing.  The  world  will  have  to  answer  dreadfully  for  sins 
 committed  in  holy  time.  Spend  the  Lord's  day  in  the  Lord's 
 presence.  Spend  it  as  a  day  in  heaven.  Spend  much  of  it  in 
 praise  and  in  works  of  mercy,  as  Jesus  did. 
 
 II.  Defend  the  Lord's  day. — Lift  up  a  calm  undaunted  testi- 
 mony against  all  the  profanations  of  the  Lord's  day.  Use  all  your 
 influence,  whether  as  a  statesman,  a  magistrate,  a  master,  a  father, 
 or  a  friend,  both  publicly  and  privately,  to  defend  the  entire  Lord's 
 day.  This  duty  is  laid  upon  you  in  the  Jj'ourth  Commandment. 
 Never  see  the  Sabbath  broken  without  reproving  the  breaker  of  it. 
 Even  worldly  men,  with  all  their  pride  and  contempt  for  us,  cannot 
 endure  to  be  convicted  of  Sabbath-breaking.  Always  remember 
 God  and  the  Bible  arc  on  your  side,  and  that  you  will  soon  see 
 
\ 
 
 542  I  LOVE  THE  lord's  DAY. 
 
 these  men  cursing  their  own  sin  and  folly  when  too  late.  Let  all 
 God's  children  in  Scotland  lift  up  a  united  testimony  especially 
 against  these  three  public  profanations  of  the  Lord's  day  : — 
 
 (1.)  The  keeping  open  of  Reading-Booins. — In  this- town,  and  in  all 
 the  large  towns  of  Scotland,  I  am  told,  you  may  find  in  the  public 
 reading-rooms  many  of  our  men  of  business  turning  over  the 
 newspapers  and  magazines  at  all  hours  of  the  Lord's  day ;  and 
 especially  on  Sabbath  evenings,  many  of  these  places  are  filled  like 
 a  little  church.  Ah,  guilty  men  !  how  plainly  you  show  that  you 
 are  on  the  broad  road  that  leadeth  to  destruction.  If  you  were  a 
 murderer  or  an  adulterer,  perhaps  you  would  not  dare  to  deny  this. 
 Do  you  not  know,  and  all  the  sophistry  of  hell  cannot  disprove  it, 
 that  the  same  God  who  said,  "  Thou  shalt  not  kill,"  said  also, 
 *' Remember  the  Sabbath-day  to  keep  it  holy?"  The  murderer 
 who  is  dragged  to  the  gibbet,  and  the  pohshed  Sabbath-breaker, 
 are  one  in  the  sight  of  God. 
 
 (2.)  The  keeping  open  Public- Houses. — Public-houses  are  the  curse 
 of  Scotland.  I  never  see  a  sign,  "  Licensed  to  sell  spirits,"  with- 
 out thinking  that  it  is  a  hcence  to  ruin  souls.  They  are  the 
 yawning  avenues  to  poverty  and  rags  in  this  life,  and,  as  another 
 has  said,  "  the  short  cut  to  hell."  Is  it  to  be  tamely  borne  in  this 
 land  of  light  and  reformation,  that  these  pest-houses  and  dens  of 
 iniquity — these  man-traps  for  precious  souls — shall  be  open  on  the 
 Sabbath,  nay,  that  they  shall  be  enriched  and  kept  afloat  by  this 
 unholy  traffic,  many  of  them  declaring  that  they  could  not  keep 
 up  their  shop  if  it  were  not  for  the  Sabbath  market-day  ?  Surely 
 we  may  well'say,  "Cursed  is  the  gain  made  on  that  day."  Poor 
 wretched  men !  Do  you  not  know  that  every  penny  that  rings 
 upon  your  counter  on  that  day  will  yet  eat  your  flesh  as  if  it  were 
 fire — that  every  drop  of  liquid  poison  swallowed  in  your  gaslit 
 palaces  will  only  serve  to  kindle  up  the  flame  of  "  the  fire  that  is 
 not  quenched  f 
 
 (3.)  Sunday  Trains  upon  the  Railway, — A  majority  of  the  Direc- 
 tors of  the  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  Railway  have  shown  their 
 determination,  in  a  manner  that  has  shocked  all  good  men,  to  open 
 the  railway  on  the  Lord's  day.  The  sluices  of  infidelity  have  been 
 opened  at  the  same  time,  and  floods  of  blasphemous  tracts  are 
 pouring  over  the  land,  decrying  the  holy  day  of  the  blessed  God, 
 as  if  there  was  no  eye  in  heaven,  no  King  on  Zion  Hill,  no  day  of 
 reckoning. 
 
 Christian  countrymen,  awake !  and,  filled  by  the  same  spirit  that 
 delivered  our  country  from  the  dark  superstitions  of  Rome,  let  us 
 beat  back  the  incoming  tide  of  infidelity  and  enmity  to  the  Sabbath. 
 
I  LOVE  THE  lord's  DAY.  543 
 
 Guilty  men !  who,  under  Satan,  are  leading  on  the  deep,  dark 
 phalanx  of  Sabbath-breakers,  yours  is  a  solemn  position.  You 
 are  rohhers.  You  rob  God  of  his  holy  day.  You  are  murderers. 
 You  murder  the  souls  of  your  servants.  God  said,  *'  Thou  shah 
 not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy  servant ;"  but  you  compel  your 
 servants  to  break  God's  law,  and  to  sell  their  souls  for  gain.  You 
 are  sinners  against  light.  Your  Bible  and  your  catechism,  the  words 
 of  godly  parents,  perhaps  now  in  the  Sabbath  above,  and  the  loud 
 remonstrances  of  God-fearing  men,  are  ringing  in  your  ears,  while 
 you  perpetrate  this  deed  of  shame,  and  glory  in  it.  You  are  traitors 
 to  your  country.  The  law  of  your  country  declares  that  you  should 
 *'  observe  a  holy  rest  all  that  day  from  your  own  words,  works, 
 and  thoughts  ;"  and  yet  you  scout  it  as  an  antiquated  superstition. 
 Was  it  not  Sabbath-breaking  that  made  God  cast  away  Israel  ? 
 And  yet  you  would  bring  the  same  curse  on  Scotland  now.  You 
 are  moral  suicides,  stabbing  your  own  souls,  proclaiming  to  the 
 world  that  you  are  not  the  Lord's  people,  and  hurrying  on  your 
 souls  to  meet  the  Sabbath-breaker's  doom. 
 
 In  conclusion,  I  propose,  for  the  calm  consideration  of  all  sober- 
 minded  men,  the  following 
 
 SERIOUS  QUESTIONS. 
 
 (1.)  Can  you  name  one  godly  minister,  of  any  denomination  in 
 all  Scotland,  who  does  not  hold  the  duty  of  the  entire  sanctificatiou 
 of  the  Lord's  day  ? 
 
 (2.)  Did  you  ever  meet  with  a  lively  believer  in  any  country 
 under  heaven — one  who  loved  Christ,  and  lived  a  holy  life — who 
 did  not  delight  in  keeping  holy  to  God  the  entire  Lord's  day  ? 
 
 (3.)  Is  it  wise  to  take  the  interpretation  of  God's  will  concerning 
 the  Lord's  day  from  "  men  of  the  world,"  from  infidels,  scoffers, 
 men  of  unholy  lives,  men  who  are  sand-blind  in  all  divine  things, 
 men  who  are  the  enemies  of  all  righteousness,  who  quote  Scripture 
 freely,  as  Satan  did,  to  deceive  and  betray  ? 
 
 (4.)  If,  in  opposition  to  the  uniform  testimony  of  God's  wisest 
 and  holiest  servants — against  the  plain  warnings  of  God's  word, 
 against  the  very  words  of  your  catechism,  learned  beside  your 
 mother's  knee,  and  against  the  voice  of  your  outraged  conscience 
 — you  join  the  ranks  of  the  Sabbath-breakers,  will  not  this  be  a 
 sin  against  light,  will  it  not  he  heavy  on  your  soul  upon  your  death- 
 bed, will  it  not  meet  you  in  the  judgment-day  ^ 
 
 Praying  that  these  words  of  truth  and  soberness  may  be  owned 
 
544  LETTER  ON  SABB.YTH  RAILWAYS. 
 
 of  God,  aod  carried  home  to  your  hearts  with  divine  power — I 
 remain,  dear  fellow-countrymen,  your  soul's  well-wisher,  etc. 
 
 December  18,  1841. 
 
 SCRIPTURES  TO  BE  MEDITATED  ON. 
 
 1.  Sahhath  commanded. — Ex.  xvi.  22-30;  xx.  8-11;  xxxv.  1-3. 
 Lev.  xix.  3-30.     Deut.  v.  12-15.     Neh.  ix.  14. 
 
 2.  A  sign  of  God's  people. — Ex.  xxxi.  12-17.  2  Kings  iv.  23. 
 Ezek.  XX.  12.     Lam.  i.  7.     Heb.  iv.  9. 
 
 3.  Sabhath-lreahing  punished. — Num.  xv.  32-36.  Lev.  xxvi. 
 33-35.  2  Chron.  xxxvi.  21.  Jer.  xvii.  19-end.  Lam.  ii.  6.  Ezek. 
 XX.  12-26.     Amos  viii.  4-14. 
 
 4.  Day  of  blessing. — Gen.  ii.  2,  3.  Ex.  xvi.  24.  Lev.  xxiv.  8. 
 Num.  xxviii.  9,  10.  Isa.  Ivi.  1-8 ;  Iviii.  13,  14.  John  xx.  1,  19, 
 26.     Acts  ii.  1,  with  Lev.  xxiii.  15.     Rev.  i.  10. 
 
 5.  Rulers  should  guard  the  Sabbath. — Ex.  xx.  10.  Neh.  xiii. 
 15-22. 
 
 6.  Sabbath  in  gospel  times. — Psalm  cxviii.  24.  Isa.  Ixvi.  23. 
 Ezek.  xlvi.  1.  Mark  ii.  27,  28.  Acts  ii.  1 ;  xx.  6,  7.  1  Cor. 
 xvi.  2.     Rev.  i.  10. 
 
 LETTER  ON  SABBATH  RAILWAYS. 
 
 TO  ALEXANDER  M'NEILL,  ESQ.,  ADVOCATE, 
 
 Sir, — I  have  read  the  report  of  your  speech  at  the  meeting  of 
 Directors  of  the  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  Railway,  on  Tuesday, 
 16th  November  last,  and  also  the  motion  which  you  propose  to  lay 
 before  the  shareholders  on  the  24th  February.  As  a  Christian 
 minister,  and  a  free  British  subject,  I  take  leave  to  express  in  this 
 manner  the  deep  feehngs  of  righteous  indignation  which  these  have 
 awakened,  not  in  my  breast  only,  but  in  the  breast  of  every  beUeving 
 man  whom  I  know. 
 
 You  candidly  acknowledge  that  in  the  ranks  of  your  opponents 
 are  to  be  found  "  men  of  lofty  intellect,  of  great  learning  and  piety, 
 and  unbounded  benevolence,"  and  yet,  in  the  same  breath,  you  say, 
 "  You  must  judge  for  yourself,  according  to  the  reason  and  plain 
 sense  of  the  matter."  That  is  to  say,  that  the  host  of  intellectual 
 and  pious  men  who  are  arrayed  against  you  do  not  judge  according 
 to  reftflon  or  plain  sense  in  this  matter,  but  by  some  airy  superhuman 
 
LETTER  ON  SABBATH  RAILWAYS.  645 
 
 notions,  which  a  man  of  sense  may  brush  aside  as  so  many  cobwebs. 
 Ah !  sir,  speak  out  your  mind.  Tell  what  it  is  that  lies  at  the 
 bottom  of  your  enmity  to  the  entire  preservation  of  the  Lord's  day. 
 It  is  the  concealment  of  your  sentiments  that  is  the  darkest  part  of 
 your  whole  address.  You  are  an  utter  stranger  to  me,  and  I  dare 
 not  judge  as  to  your  true  motives.  But  every  thinking  man  can- 
 noii  but  form  this  opinion  in  his  own  mind,  that  the  reason  why  you 
 despise  the  lessons  of  all  God's  holiest  and  wisest  servants  in  this 
 land,  is  not  that  you  think  little  of  the  resolutions  of  popular 
 assemblies  (that  is  a  miserable  subterfuge,  unworthy  of  any  but  a 
 mere  debater),  but  that  you  despise  and  trample  under  foot  the 
 divine  message  which  they  bring.  You  say  you  are  threatened  to 
 be  overwhelmed  with  a  flood  of  obloquy.  Do  not  be  afraid.  You 
 are  on  the  world's  side — "  the  world  cannot  hate  you."  There  are 
 not  many  to  lift  up  their  voices  in  behalf  of  the  holy  Sabbath. 
 Those  who  do,  are  the  followers  of  one  who  bade  us  bless  and 
 curse  not.  You  say  ''  you  do  not  court  approbation,  and  you  care 
 nothing  for  condemnation."  This  may  be  a  brave  speech ;  few  will 
 regard  it  as  a  wise  one.  If  you  mean  that  you  do  not  care  for  the 
 condemnation  of  worldly  men,  there  would  be  something  right  in 
 that,  for  in  doing  our  duty  we  must  expect  that  the  world  which 
 crucified  our  Lord  will  not  spare  his  servants ;  but  if  you  mean 
 that  you  do  not  care  for  the  condemnation  of  God's  people,  and  of 
 the  word  of  God,  and  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  who  is  to  be  your  Judge, 
 then  will  you  soon  repent  your  words  with  bitter  tears.  Why,  sir, 
 what  are  you,  that  you  should  say,  "I  care  nothing  for  condemna- 
 tion ?"  "  Can  thine  heart  endure,  or  can  thine  hands  be  strong  in 
 the  day  that  I  shall  deal  with  thee?"  "Hast  thou  an  arm  like 
 God,  or  canst  thou  thunder  with  a  voice  like  Him  ? "  If  the  con- 
 demnation of  your  words,  which  God's  people  are  now  testifying 
 in  every  part  of  the  land,  be  righteous  condemnation — if  it  be  in 
 accordance  with  the  word  of  God  and  the  mind  of  Christ — is  it  the 
 part  of  a  wise  man  to  say,  "  /  care  not  for  itf  You  may  say  so 
 now  in  the  blindness  of  your  heart,  but  the  day  is  at  hand  when 
 you  will  feel  the  reverse. 
 
 And  now  one  word  as  to  your  proposed  motion.  It  runs  as 
 follows  : — "  Whereas  it  is  the  duty  of  the  directors  of  the  company 
 to  give  implicit  obedience  to  the  law  of  God,  etc., — This  meeting  re- 
 solves that  it  is  not  inconsistent  with  the  duty  of  the  directors  as 
 aforesaid,  and  they  are  hereby  enjoined  to  provide  trains  to  he  run  from 
 the  cities  of  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  respectively,  in  the  morning  and  in 
 the  evening  of  Sunday  "  etc. 
 
 I  do  not  know  whether  this  motion  has  come  entirely  from  your 
 
 2m 
 
546  LETTER  ON  SABBATH  RAILWATS. 
 
 own  mind,  or  whether  several  have  agreed  with  you  in  it ;  but  I  here 
 freely  state  my  conviction,  formed  upon  the  calm  and  deliberate  study 
 of  the  motion,  and  without  the  slightest  desire  to  use  a  harsh  or  im- 
 proper term,  that  the  motion  is  blasphemous.  You  say,  first,  that 
 it  is  your  duty  to  give  imphcit  obedience  to  the  law  of  God.  What  is 
 the  law  of  God  ?  "  Remember  the  Sabbath-day,  to  keep  it  holy.  Six 
 days  shalt  thou  labour,  and  do  all  thy  work  :  but  the  seventh  day  is 
 the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God :  in  it  thou  shalt  not  do  any 
 work,  thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy  daughter,  thy  man-servant,  nor 
 thy  maid-servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy 
 gates  :  For  in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea, 
 and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day :  wherefore  the 
 Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath-day,  and  hallowed  it."  Exod.  xx.  8-11. 
 Now,  sir,  if,  as  I  presume,  you  spent  your  early  years  in  Scotland, 
 trained  up,  perhaps,  under  the  watchful  eye  of  one  who  prayed  for 
 her  child  that  he  might  walk  in  wisdom's  ways,  you  cannot  be 
 ignorant  of  the  explanation  given  of  this  commandment  in  the 
 Shorter  Catechism.  (Qu.  60.)  "  The  Sabbath  is  to  be  sanctified 
 by  a  holy  resting  all  that  day,  even  from  such  worldly  employments 
 and  recreations  as  are  lawful  on  other  days,  spending  the  whole  time 
 in  the  public  and  private  exercises  of  God's  worship,  except  so  much 
 as  is  to  be  taken  up  in  the  works  of  necessity  and  mercy."  This  is 
 the  law  of  God,  and  this  is  the  received  interpretation  of  it,  both 
 of  which  were,  no  doubt,  in  your  eye  when  you  penned  that  memo- 
 rable sentence,  "It  is  the  duty  of  the  directors  to  give  imphcit 
 obedience  to  the  law  of  God."  And  yet,  before  the  ink  was  dry, 
 you  write  down,  "  The  directors  are  enjoined  to  provide  trains  to 
 he  run  in  the  morning  and  evening  of  Sunday."  In  other  words, 
 you  hold  in  your  hand  the  two  Tables  of  Stone,  written  with  God's 
 finger,  and  you  say  we  should  obey  this;  and  then  you  dash  them  on 
 the  ground,  and  say  it  is  our  duty,  notwithstanding,  to  trample  on 
 and  defy  them.  Ah !  sir,  you  may  call  this  reason  and  plain  sense, 
 but  simpler  men  can  see  that  it  is  open  mockery  of  God's  holy 
 law,  and  of  Him  on  whose  heart  it  was  graven  from  eternity.  Such 
 lip-acknowledgment  of  God  and  his  law  God  hates  and  despises. 
 I  solemnly  declare,  and  it  is  the  feehng  of  many  besides  me,  that  I 
 v/ould  have  been  less  shocked  if  you  had  written  down,  *'  It  is  the 
 duty  of  the  directors  to  break  God's  law."  That  would  have  been 
 honest  and  downright,  and  thousands  would  have  applauded  you. 
 But  when  you  set  out  with  the  hypocritical  declaration  that  it  is 
 your  duty  to  give  implicit  obedience  to  the  law  of  God,  and  then 
 conclude  by  declaring  your  resolution  to  break  it,  I  beheve  in  my 
 heart,  that  not  only  will  God's  children  abhor  the  blasphemy,  but 
 
LETTER  ON  SABBATH  RAILWAYS.  647 
 
 honest,  worldly  men  will  despise  your  cowardice.  And  now,  sir,  I 
 have  done.  You  little  know  the  feelings  of  deep  compassion  with 
 which  you,  and  the  unhappy  men  who  voted  with  you,  are  regarded 
 by  many  an  humble  and  holy  behever,  who  loves,  because  he  knows, 
 the  preciousness  of  an  unbroken  Sabbath-day.  Never  in  all  my 
 experience  did  I  meet  with  a  child  of  God  who  did  not  prize,  above 
 all  other  earthly  things,  the  privilege  of  devoting  to  his  God  the 
 seventh  part  of  his  time.  It  is  still  a  sign  between  God  and  his  Israel. 
 It  is  this  simple  fact,  sir,  that  affords  me  ground  to  fear  that,  with 
 an  your  talents,  with  all  your  reason  and  plain  sense,  you  are  yet 
 an  utter  stranger  to  the  peculiar  tastes  and  joys  and  hopes  of 
 those  who  love  the  Lord.  You  proclaim  your  own  shame.  You 
 prove,  even  to  the  blind  world,  that  you  are  not  journeying  toward 
 the  Sabbath  above,  where  the  Sabbath-breaker  cannot  come.  If 
 you  shall  really  carry  your  motion,  against  the  prayers  and  longings 
 of  God's  people  in  this  land,  then,  sir,  you  will  triumph  for  a  little 
 while;  but  Scotland's  sin,  committed  against  light,  and  against 
 solemn  warning,  will  not  pass  unavenged.     I  am,  sir,  etc, 
 
 P.S. — As  an  advocate  learned  in  the  law,  you  must  be  well  aware 
 that  the  law  of  God,  as  expounded  by  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the 
 Estabhshed  Church  of  Scotland  (and  which  is  subscribed  by  every 
 denomination  of  orthodox  Dissenters  in  Scotland),  is  also  the  law 
 of  the  land,  as  ratified  and  enacted  by  the  A*ct  1690  of  the  Parlia- 
 ment of  Scotland,  in  the  two  following  clauses : — 
 
 "As  it  is  the  law  of  nature,  that,  in  general,  a  due  proportion  of 
 time  be  set  apart  for  the  worship  of  God,  so,  in  his  word,  by  a 
 positive,  moral,  and  perpetual  commandment,  binding  all  men  in  all 
 ages.  He  hath  particularly  appointed  one  day  in  seven  for  a  Sab- 
 bath, to  be  kept  holy  unto  Him ;  which,  from  the  beginning  of  the 
 world  to  the  resurrection  of  Christ,  was  the  last  day  of  the  week ; 
 and  from  the  resurrection  of  Christ,  was  changed  into  the  first  day 
 of  the  week,  which  in  Scripture  is  called  the  Lord's  day,  and  is 
 to  be  continued  to  the  end  of  the  world,  as  the  Christian  Sabbath." 
 
 ^'  This  Sabbath  is  then  kept  holy  unto  the  Lord,  when  men, 
 after  a  due  preparing  of  their  hearts,  and  ordering  of  their  com- 
 mon affairs  beforehand,  do  not  only  observe  an  holy  rest  all  the 
 day  from  their  own  works,  words,  and  thoughts,  about  their 
 worldly  employments  and  recreations,  but  also  are  taken  up  the 
 Arhole  time  in  the  public  and  private  exercises  of  his  worship,  and 
 m  the  duties  of  necessity  and  mercy." 
 
 If  this  be  true,  which  you  know  it  is,  then  you  stand  convicted 
 before  the  British  p?iblic  p.s  one  who  proclaimed  it  to  be  the  duty 
 
548  COMMUNION  WITH  BRETHREN 
 
 of  the  airectors  to  break  both  the  law  of  God  and  the  law  of  the 
 land. 
 St  Peter's,  Dukjjee,  1st  December  18-il, 
 
 COMMUNION  WITH  BRETHREN  OF  OTHER 
 DENOMINATIONS. 
 
 TO  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  "  DUNDEE  WARDER." 
 
 Dear  Sir, — Allow  me,  for  the  first  time  in  my  hfe,  to  ask  a  place 
 in  your  columns.  My  object  in  doing  so  is  not  to  defend  myself, 
 which  we  are  all  perhaps  too  ready  to  do,  but  to  state  simply  and 
 calmly  what  appear  to  me  to  be  the  scriptural  grounds  of  Eree 
 Ministerial  Communion  among  all  who  are  faithful  ministers  of  the 
 Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whatever  name  known  among  men.  These 
 views  I  have  long  held  :  they  were  maintained  by  the  early  Refor- 
 mers, and  by  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  her  best  days ;  and  I  bless 
 God  that,  by  the  decision  of  the  last  General  Assembly,  they  are 
 once  more  declared  to  be  the  principles  of  our  beloved  church.  I 
 am  anxious  to  do  this,  because  the  question  is  one  of  great  diffi- 
 culty, requiring  deeper  thought  than  most  have  bestowed  upon  it ; 
 and  it  is  of  vast  importance,  in  this  day  of  conflicting  opinions,  to 
 be  firmly  grounded  on  the  Lord's  side. 
 
 Of  the  respectable  ministers,  who  so  lately  officiated  for  me 
 during  my  illness,  I  shall  say  nothing,  except  that  they  agreed  to 
 assist  me  in  a  time  of  need  in  the  kindest  manner,  and  that,  how- 
 ever much  I  differ  from  them  on  several  points  of  deepest  interest, 
 I,  along  with  many  in  the  church,  do  regard  them  as  faithful 
 ministers  of  Christ;  and  I  trust  they  will  utterly  disregard  the 
 poor  insinuations  as  to  their  motives  (contained  in  the  letters  of 
 your  correspondents),  which,  I  regret  to  say,  disfigure  your  last 
 paper. 
 
 In  order  to  clear  our  way  in  this  subject,  allow  me  to  open  up, 
 first,  the  subject  of  Eree  Communion  among  private  Christians,  and 
 then  that  of  Eree  Communion  among  Christian  ministers. 
 
 1.  I  believe  it  to  be  the  mind  of  Christ,  that  all  who  are  vitally 
 united  to  Him,  should  love  one  another,  exhort  one  another  daily, 
 communicate  freely  of  their  substance  to  one  another  when  poor, 
 pray  with  and  for  one  another,  and  sit  down  together  at  the  Lord's 
 table.    Each  of  these  positions  may  be  proved  by  the  word  of  God, 
 
Oy  OTHER  DENOTVIINATIONS.  549 
 
 It  is  quite  true  that  we  may  be  frequently  deceived  in  deciding 
 upon  the  real  godliness  of  those  with  whom  we  are  brought  into 
 contact.  The  apostles  themselves  were  deceived,  and  we  must  not 
 expect  to  do  the  work  of  the  ministry  with  fewer  difficulties  than 
 they  had  to  encounter.  Still  I  have  no  doubt  from  Scripture  that, 
 where  we  have  good  reason  for  regarding  a  man  as  a  child  of  God, 
 we  are  permitted  and  commanded  to  treat  him  as  a  brother  ;  and, 
 as  the  most  sacred  pledge  of  heavenly  friendship,  to  sit  down  freely 
 at  the  table  of  our  common  Lord,  to  eat  bread  and  drink  wine  to- 
 gether in  remembrance  of  Christ.  The  reason  of  this  rule  is  plain. 
 If  we  have  solid  ground  to  believe  that  a  fellow-sinner  has  been, 
 by  the  Holy  Spirit,  grafted  into  the  true  vine,  then  we  have  ground 
 to  believe  that  we  are  vitally  united  to  one  another  for  eternity. 
 The  same  blood  has  washed  us,  the  same  Spirit  has  quickened  us, 
 we  lean  upon  the  same  pierced  breast,  we  love  the  same  law,  we 
 are  guided  by  the  same  sleepless  eye,  we  are  to  stand  at  the  right 
 hand  of  the  same  throne,  we  shall  blend  our  voices  eternally  in 
 singing  the  same  song :  "  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  !"  Is  it  not  reason- 
 able, then,  that  we  should  own  one  another  on  earth  as  fellow-tra- 
 vellers to  our  Father's  house,  and  fellow -heirs  of  the  incorruptible 
 crown?  Upon  this  I  have  always  acted,  both  in  sitting  down  at 
 the  Lord's  table  and  in  admitting  others  to  that  blessed  privilege. 
 I  was  once  permitted  to  unite  in  celebrating  the  Lord's  Supper  in 
 an  upper  room  in  Jerusalem.  There  were  fourteen  present,  the 
 most  of  whom,  I  had  good  reason  to  believe,  knew  and  loved  the 
 Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Several  were  godly  Episcopalians,  two  were 
 converted  Jews,  and  one  a  Christian  from  Nazareth,  converted 
 under  the  American  missionaries.  The  bread  and  wine  vvere  dis- 
 pensed in  the  Episcopal  manner,  and  most  were  kneeling  as  they 
 received  them.  Perhaps  your  correspondents  would  have  shrunk 
 back  with  horror,  and  called  this  the  confusion  of  Babel.  We  felt  it 
 to  be  sweet  fellowship  with  Christ  and  with  the  brethren ;  and  as 
 we  left  the  upper  room,  and  looked  out  upon  the  Mount  of  Olives, 
 we  remembered  with  calm  joy  the  prayer  of  our  Lord  that  ascended 
 from  one  of  its  shady  ravines,  after  the  first  Lord's  Supper: 
 "  Neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also  which  shall  be- 
 lieve in  me  through  their  word,  that  they  all  may  be  one." 
 
 The  table  of  Christ  is  a  family  table  spread  in  this  wilderness, 
 and  none  of  the  true  children  should  be  absent  from  it,  or  be  sepa- 
 rated while  sitting  at  it.  We  are  told  of  Rowland  Hill  that,  upon 
 one  occasion,  "  when  he  had  preached  in  a  chapel  where  none  but 
 baptized  adults  were  admitted  to  the  sacrament,  he  wished  to  have 
 comraunieated  with  them,  but  was  told  respectfully,  You  cannot  sit 
 
550  COMMUNION  WITH  BRETHHEN 
 
 down  at  oup  table.  He  only  calmly  replied,  "  I  thought  it  was  tin 
 Lord's  table." 
 
 The  early  Reformers  held  the  same  view.  Calvin  wrote  to 
 Cranmer  that  he  would  cross  ten  seas  to  bring  it  about.  Baxter, 
 Owen,  and  Howe,  in  a  later  generation,  pleaded  for  it;  and  the 
 Westminster  Divines  laid  down  the  same  principle  in  few  but 
 solemn  words :  "  Saints,  by  profession,  are  bound  to  maintain  an 
 holy  fellowship  and  communion  in  the  worship  of  God — which 
 communion,  as  God  offereth  opportunity,  is  to  be  extended  unto 
 all  those  who  in  every  place  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord 
 Jesus."  These  words,  embodied  in  our  standards,  show  clearly 
 that  the  views  maintained  above  are  the  very  principles  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 2.  The  second  scriptural  communion  is  Ministerial  Communion. 
 Here  also  I  believe  it  to  be  the  mind  of  Christ,  that  all  who  are 
 true  servants  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  sound  in  the  faith,  called 
 to  the  ministry,  and  owned  of  God  therein,  should  love  one  an- 
 other, pray  one  for  another,  bid  one  another  God-speed,  own  one 
 another  as  fellow-soldiers,  fellow-servants,  and  fellow-labourers  in 
 the  vineyard,  and,  so  far  as  God  offereth  opportunity,  help  one 
 another  in  the  work  of  the  ministry.  Each  of  these  positions  also 
 may  be  proved  by  the  word  of  God.  I  am  aware  that,  practically, 
 it  is  a  point  of  far  greater  difficulty  and  dehcacy  than  the  com- 
 munion of  private  Christians,  because  I  can  own  many  a  one  as  a 
 fellow-Christian,  and  can  joyfully  sit  down  with  him  at  the  Lord's 
 table,  while  I  may  think  many  of  his  views  of  divine  truth  defec- 
 tive, and  could  not  receive  him  as  a  sound  teacher.  But  although 
 caution  and  sound  discretion  are  no  doubt  to  be  used  in  applying 
 this  or  any  other  Scripture  rule,  yet  the  rule  itself  appears  to  be 
 simple  enough — that,  where  any  minister  of  any  denomination  holds 
 the  Head,  is  sound  in  doctrine  and  blameless  in  life,  preaches  Christ 
 and  Him  crucified  as  the  only  way  of  pardon  and  the  only  source 
 of  holiness,  especially  if  he  has  been  owned  of  God  in  the  conver- 
 sion of  souls  and  upbuilding  of  saints,  we  are  bound  to  hold  mini- 
 sterial communion  with  him,  whenever  Providence  opens  the  way. 
 What  are  we  that  we  should  shut  our  pulpits  against  such  a  man  ? 
 True,  he  may  hold  that  Prelacy  is  the  scriptural  form  of  church 
 government ;  he  may  have  signed  the  o7th  article  of  the  Church 
 of  England,  giving  the  Queen  the  chief  power  in  all  causes,  whether 
 ecclesiastical  or  civil :  still,  if  he  be  a  Berridge  or  a  Rowland  Hill, 
 he  is  an  honoured  servant  of  Christ.  True,  he  may  hold  Estabhsh- 
 ments  to  be  unscriptural — he  may  not  see,  as  I  do,  that  the  Queen 
 is  the  minister  of  God,  and  ought  to  use  all  her  authority  in  ex 
 
OP  OTHER  DENOMINATIONS.  551 
 
 tending,  defending,  and  maintainmg  tlie  Church  of  Christ:  still,  if  he 
 be  Hke  some  I  could  name,  he  is  a  faithful  servant  of  Christ.  True, 
 he  may  have  inconsistencies  of  mind  which  we  cannot  account  for — 
 he  may  have  prejudices  of  sect  and  education  which  destroy  much 
 of  our  comfort  in  meeting  him  (and  can  we  plead  exemption  from 
 these  ?) — he  may  sometimes  have  spoken  rashly  and  uncharitably 
 (I  also  have  done  the  same) :  still,  I  cannot  but  own  him  as  a  ser- 
 vant of  Christ.  If  the  Master  owns  him  in  his  work,  shall  the  sin- 
 ful fellow-servant  disown  him  ?  Shall  we  be  more  cautious  than 
 our  Lord  ?  True,  he  may  have  much  imperfection  in  his  views  ; 
 so  had  Apollos.  He  may  be  to  be  blamed  in  some  things,  and 
 withstood  to  the  face  ;  so  it  was  with  Peter.  He  may  have  acted 
 a  cowardly  part  at  one  time ;  so  did  John  Mark.  Still  I  maintain 
 that  unless  he  has  shown  himself  a  Demas,  "  a  lover  of  this  present 
 world,"  or  one  of  those  who  have  a  "form  of  godliness,  denying 
 the  power  thereof,"  we  are  not  allowed  to  turn  away  from  him, 
 nor  to  treat  him  as  an  adversary. 
 
 Such  were  the  principles  of  the  Reformers.  Calvin  says  ol 
 Luther,  when  he  was  loading  him  with  abuse,  "  Let  him  call  me 
 a  dog  or  a  devil,  I  will  acknowledge  him  as  a  servant  of  Christ.'^ 
 The  devoted  Usher  preached  in  the  pulpit  of  Samuel  Rutherford ; 
 and  at  a  later  date,  before  the  unscriptural  Act  of  1799  was 
 passed,  to  hinder  faithful  English  ministers  from  carrying  the  hght 
 of  divine  truth  into  the  death-hke  gloom  of  our  Scottish  parishes, 
 a  minister  of  the  Synod  of  Glasgow  defended  himself  for  admitting 
 Whitfield  into  his  pulpit  in  these  memorable  words : — "  There  is 
 n0  law  of  Christ,  no  Act  of  Assembly,  prohibiting  me  to  give  my 
 piiLipit  to  an  Episcopal,  Independent,  or  Baptist  minister,  if  of 
 soi&nd  principles  in  the  fundamentals  of  religion,  and  of  sober  life."  ^ 
 The  same  truth  is  clearly  to  be  deduced  from  the  25th  chapter  of 
 the  Confession  of  Faith,  where  it  is  declared  that  "the  visible 
 church  consists  of  all  those  throughout  the  world  that  profess  the 
 true  religion,  together  with  their  children."  And  then  it  is  added, 
 "  Unto  this  catholic,  visible  church,  Christ  hath  given  the  ministry," 
 etc.  From  which  it  plainly  follows,  that  faithful  ministers  belong- 
 ing to  all  parts  of  the  visible  church  are  to  be  recognised  as  mini- 
 sters wJiom  Christ  hath  given.  Such  I  believe  to  be  the  prniciples  of 
 God's  word ;  such  are  clearly  the  views  of  the  standards  of  our 
 Church ;  and  I  do  hail  it  as  a  token  that  the  Spirit  of  God  was 
 really  poured  down  upon  the  last  General  Assembly,  that  they  so 
 
 1  See  Presbyterian  Review  for  January  1839,  where  most  of  the  above  facts  are 
 more  fully  stated,  and  similar  views  ably  advanced,  by  a  dear  fellow-labourer  fn 
 ihe  ministry. 
 
552  COMMUNION  WITH  BRETHREK 
 
 calmly  and  deliberately  swept  away  the  uncliristian  Act  of  1799 
 from  the  statute-book,  and  returned  to  the  good  old  way. 
 
 It  has  often  been  my  prayer,  that  no  unfaithful  minister  might 
 ever  be  heard  within  the  walls  of  St  Peter's.  My  elders  and 
 people  can  bear  witness  that  they  have  seldom  heard  any  voice 
 from  its  pulpit  that  did  not  proclaim  "  ruin  by  t]je  Fall,  righteous- 
 ness by  Christ,  and  regeneration  by  the  Spirit."  Difficult  as  it  is 
 in  these  days  to  find  supply,  I  had  rather  that  no  voice  should  be 
 heard  there  at  all  than  "  the  voice  of  strangers,"  from  whom 
 Christ's  sheep  will  flee.  Silence  in  the  pulpit  does  not  edify  souls, 
 but  it  does  not  ruin  them.  But  the  living  servant  of  Christ  is  dear 
 to  my  heart,  and  welcome  to  address  my  flock,  let  him  come  from 
 whatever  quarter  of  the  earth  he  may.  I  have  sat  with  delight 
 under  the  burning  words  of  a  faithful  Lutheran  pastor.  I  have 
 been  fed  by  the  ministrations  of  American  Congregationalists  and 
 devoted  Episcopalians,  and  all  of  my  flock  who  know  and  love 
 Christ  would  have  loved  to  hear  them  too.  If  dear  Martin  Boos 
 were  ahve,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Rome  though  he  was,  he  would 
 have  been  welcome  too ;  and  who  that  knows  the  value  of  souls 
 and  the  value  of  a  living  testimony  would  say  it  was  wrong  ? 
 
 Had  I  admitted  to  my  pulpit  some  frigid  Evangelical  of  our  own 
 church — (I  allude  to  no  individual,  but  I  fear  it  is  a  common  case) 
 — one  whose  head  is  sound  in  all  the  stirring  questions  of  the  day, 
 but  whose  heart  is  cold  in  seeking  the  salvation  of  sinners,  would 
 any  watchful  brother  of  sinners  have  sounded  an  alarm  in  the  next 
 day's  gazette  to  warn  me  and  my  flock  of  the  sin  and  danger  ?  I 
 fear  not.  And  yet  Baxter  says  of  such  a  man,  "  Nothing  can  be 
 more  indecent  than  to  hear  a  dead  preacher  speaking  to  dead  sin- 
 ners the  living  truth  of  the  living  God."  With  such  ministers  I 
 have  no  communion.  "  O  my  soul,  come  not  thou  into  their 
 secret ;  unto  their  assembly,  mine  honour,  be  not  thou  united." 
 
 In  conclusion,  let  me  notice  the  effect  of  this  Free  Ministerial 
 Communion  upon  our  glorious  struggle  for  Christ's  kingly  office  in 
 Scotland.  I  believe,  with  many  of  my  brethren,  that  the  Church 
 of  Scotland  is  at  this  moment  a  city  set  upon  a  hill  that  cannot  be 
 hid.  I  believe  she  is  a  spectacle  to  men  and  to  angels,  contending 
 in  the  sight  of  the  universe  for  Christ's  twofold  crown — his  crown 
 over  nations,  and  his  crown  over  the  visible  Catholic  Church.  She 
 stands  between  the  Voluntary  on  the  one  side,  and  the  Erastian  on 
 the  other,  and  with  one  hand  on  the  word  of  God,  and  the  other 
 lifted  up  to  heaven,  implores  her  adorable  Head  to  uphold  her  as 
 a  faithful  witness  unto  death,  in  a  day  oi  trouble,  and  rebuke,  and 
 blasphemy,     in  generations  past  this  cause  has  been  maintained  in 
 
OF  OTHER  DENOSnXATIOXS.  553 
 
 Scotland  at  all  bands,  and  against  all  enemies  ;  and  if  God  calls  us 
 to  put  our  feet  in  the  blood-stained  footsteps  of  the  Scottish 
 worthies,  I  dare  not  boast,  but  I  will  pray  that  the  calm  faith  of 
 Hugh  Mackail,  and  the  cheerful  courage  of  Donald  Cargill,  may- 
 be given  me.  But  is  this  a  reason  why  we  should  not  live  up  to 
 the  spirit  of  the  New  Testament,  in  our  dealing  with  Christians 
 and  Christian  ministers  of  other  denominations  ?  Is  this  a  reason 
 why  we  should  not  wipe  off  every  stain  from  the  garments  of  our 
 beloved  church  ?  Is  it  not  the  very  thing  that  demands  that  each 
 member  of  our  church  should  set  his  house  in  order,  purging  out 
 all  the  old  leaven  of  carnal  division,  reforming  his  own  spirit  and 
 family,  according  to  the  rule  of  God's  word ;  that  elders  and 
 ministers  should  seek  revival  and  reformation  in  their  private 
 and  public  walk,  and  pant  after  more  of  the  spirit  of  our  suffering 
 Head  and  Elder  Brother?  If  a  faithful  Episcopal  minister  be 
 wrong  in  his  views  of  church  government,  as  I  believe  he  is;  if  many 
 of  our  faithful  Dissenting  brethren  are  wrong  in  opposing  Christ's 
 headship  over  nations,  as  I  believe  they  are,  what  is  the  scriptural 
 mode  of  seeking  to  set  them  right  ?  Is  it  to  set  up  unscriptural 
 barriers  between  us  and  them  ?  Is  it  to  count  them  as  enemies, 
 however  much  Christ  acknowledges  them  as  good  and  faithful  ser- 
 vants? Is  it  to  call  them  by  opprobrious  epithets,  to  impute 
 mean  and  wicked  motives  for  their  undertaking  the  holiest  services, 
 to  rake  among  the  ashes  for  their  hard  sayings?  I  think  not. 
 Christ's  way  is  a  more  excellent  way,  however  unpleasant  to  the 
 proud,  carnal  heart.  "  Let  us,  therefore,  as  many  as  be  perfect, 
 be  thus  minded  ;  and  if  in  anything  ye  be  otherwise  minded,  God 
 shall  reveal  even  this  unto  you."  I  have  looked  at  this  question  from 
 the  brink  of  eternity,  and  in  such  a  light,  I  can  assure  your  corre- 
 spondents that,  if  they  know  the  Lord,  they  will  regret,  as  I  have 
 done,  the  want  of  more  caution  in  speaking  of  the  doings  and 
 motives  of  other  men.  Let  us  do  our  part  towards  our  Dissenting 
 brethren  according  to  the  Scriptures,  however  they  may  treat  us. 
 We  shall  be  no  losers.  Perhaps  we  may  gain  those  who  are 
 brethren  indeed  to  think  more  as  we  do.  At  least  they  will  love 
 as,  and  cease  to  speak  evil  of  us. 
 
 If  our  church  is  to  fall  under  the  iron  foot  of  despotism,  God 
 grant  that  it  may  fall  reformed  and  purified  ;  j)ure  in  its  doctrine, 
 government,  discipline,  and  worship  ;  scriptural  in  its  spirit  ; 
 missionary  in  its  aim,  and  holy  in  its  practice ;  a  truly  golden 
 candlestick ;  a  pleasant  vine.  If  the  daughter  of  Zion  must 
 be  made  a  widow,  and  sit  desolate  on  the  ground,  grant  her 
 ktest  cry  may  be  that  of  her  once  suffering,  now  exalted  Head! 
 
554  TO  THE  LASIBS  OP  THE  FLOCK. 
 
 '•  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  do/ 
 remain,  dear  sir,  yours,  etc. 
 St  Peter's,  Dundee,  July  6,  1842. 
 
 TO  THE  LAMBS  OF  THE  FLOCK. 
 
 "  He  shall  feed  his  flock  like  a  shepherd ;  He  shall  gather  the  lambs  with  his  arin, 
 and  carry  them  in  his  bosom." — Is  at  ah  xl.  11. 
 
 Bp:loved  Children, — Jesus  is  the  Good  Shepherd.  His  arm  was 
 stretched  out  on  the  cross,  and  his  bosom  was  pierced  with  the 
 spear.  That  arm  is  able  to  gather  you,  and  that  bosom  is  open 
 to  receive  you.  I  pray  for  you  every  day  that  you  may  be  saved 
 by  Christ.  He  said  to  me,  "  Feed  my  lambs,"  and  I  daily  return 
 the  words  to  Him,  "Lord,  feed  my  lambs."  In  the  bowels  of 
 Jesns  Christ,  I  long  after  you  all.  I  believe  Christ  has  gathered 
 son^e  of  you.  But  are  no  more  to  be  gathered?  Are  no  more  green 
 brands  to  be  plucked  from  the  burning  ?  Will  no  more  of  you 
 hide  beneath  the  white  robe  of  Jesus  ?  Oh,  come  !  for  "  yet  there 
 is  room."  Lift  up  your  hearts  to  God  while  I  tell  you  something 
 more  of  the  Good  Shepherd. 
 
 I.  JESUS  HAS  A  FLOCK, 
 
 "  He  shall  feed  his  flock  like  a  shepherd."  Every  shepherd 
 must  have  a  flock,  and  so  has  Christ.  I  once  saw  a  flock  in  a 
 valley  near  Jerusalem  ;  and  the  shepherd  went  before  them  and 
 called  the  sheep,  and  they  knew  his  voice  and  followed  him.  I 
 said.  This  is  the  way  Jesus  leads  his  sheep.  Oh  that  I  may  be 
 one  of  them ! 
 
 (1.)  Christ's  flock  is  a  little  floch. — Hear  what  Jesus  says  : 
 "  Fear  not,  little  flock,  for  it  is  your  Father's  good  pleasure  to 
 give  you  the  kingdom."  Luke  xii.  32.  Pray  to  be  among  the 
 little  flock.  Look  at  the  world — eight  hundred  millions  of  men, 
 women,  and  children,  of  different  countries,  colour,  and  language, 
 all  journeying  to  the  judgment-seat !  Is  this  Christ's  flock?  Ah, 
 no  !  Five  hundred  milHons  never  heard  the  sweet  name  of  Jesus, 
 and  of  the  rest  the  most  see  no  beauty  in  the  Rose  of  Sharon. 
 Christ's  is  a  httle  flock.  Look  at  this  town.  What  crowds  press 
 along  the  streets  on  a,  market-day  !  What  a  large  flock  is  here  ! 
 Is  this  the  flock  of  Christ  ?     No.     It  is  to  be  feared  that  most  of 
 
TO  THE  LAMBS  OF  THE  FLOCK.  555 
 
 these  are  not  the  brothers  and  sisters  of  Christ ;  they  do  not  bear 
 his  Hkeness  ;  they  do  not  follow  the  Lamb  now,  and  will  not  follow 
 Him  in  eternity.  Look  round  the  Sabbath  schools.  What  a 
 number  of  young  faces  are  there !  How  many  beaming  eyes ! 
 How  many  precious  souls  !  Is  this  the  flock  of  Christ  ?  No,  no. 
 The  most  of  you  have  hard  and  stony  hearts ;  the  most  of  you 
 love  pleasure  more  than  God  ;  the  most  of  you  love  sin,  and  lightly 
 esteem  Christ.  "  What  a  pity  it  is  that  they  do  not  a*  come  to 
 Christ,  for  they  would  be  sic  happy  !"  said  one  of  yourselves.  I 
 could  weep  when  I  think  how  many  of  you  will  live  lives  of  sin,  and 
 die  deaths  of  horror,  and  spend  an  eternity  in  hell.  Beloved  chil- 
 dren, pray  that  you  may  be  like  the  one  lily  among  many  thorns — 
 that  you  may  be  the  few  lambs  in  the  midst  of  a  world  of  wolves. 
 
 (2.)  Christ's  sheep  are  marked  sheep. — In  almost  every  flock  the 
 sheep  are  all  marked  in  order  that  the  shepherd  may  know  them. 
 The  mark  is  often  made  with  tar  on  the  woolly  back  of  the  sheep. 
 Sometimes  it  is  the  first  letter  of  the  owner's  name.  The  use  of 
 the  mark  is,  that  they  may  not  be  lost  when  they  wander  among 
 other  sheep.  So  it  is  with  the  flock  of  Jesus.  Every  sheep  of  his 
 has  two  marks.  One  mark  is  made  with  the  Hood  of  Jesus.  Every 
 sheep  and  lamb  in  Christ's  flock  was  once  guilty  and  defiled  with 
 sin,  altogether  become  filthy.  But  every  one  of  them  has  been 
 drawn  to  the  blood  of  Jesus  and  washed  there.  They  are  all  like 
 sheep  "  come  up  from  the  washing."  They  can  all  say,  "  Unto 
 Him  that  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood," 
 Rev.  i.  5.  Have  you  this  mark  ?  Look  and  see.  You  can  never 
 be  in  heaven  unless  you  have  it.  Every  one  there  has  washed  his 
 robes  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Rev.  vii. 
 14.  Another  mark  is  made  hy  the  Holy  Spirit.  This  is  not  a  mark 
 which  you  can  see  outside,  like  the  mark  on  the  white  wool  of  the 
 sheep.  It  is  deep,  deep  in  the  bosom,  where  the  eye  of  man  can- 
 not look.  It  is  A  NEW  HEART.  "  A  ncw  heart  also  will  I  give 
 you,"  Ezek.  xxxvi.  26.  This  is  the  seal  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  which 
 He  gives  to  all  them  that  beheve.  With  infinite  power  He  puts 
 forth  his  unseen  hand,  and  silently  changes  the  heart  of  all  that  are 
 truly  Christ's.  Have  you  got  the  new  heart  ?  You  never  will  go 
 to  heaven  without  it.  "  If  any  man  have  not  the  Spirit  of  Christ, 
 he  is  none  of  his."  Beloved  children,  pray  for  these  two  marks  of 
 the  sheep  of  Jesus — forgiveness  through  blood  and  a  new  heart. 
 Oh,  be  in  earnest  to  get  them,  and  to  get  them  now.  Soon  the 
 Chief  Shepherd  will  come,  and  set  the  sheep  on  his  right  hand,  and 
 the  goats  on  his  left.     Where  will  you  be  in  that  day  ? 
 
 (3.)  Christ^ s  sheep  all  jlock  together, — Sheep  love  to  go  together. 
 
55 S  TO  THE  LAMBS  OF  THE  Fl-OCSC 
 
 A  sheep  never  goes  with  a  wolf  or  with  a  dog,  but  always  with 
 the  flock.  Especially  when  a  storm  is  coming  down,  they  keep 
 near  one  another.  When  the  sky  turns  dark  with  clouds,  and  the 
 first  drops  of  a  thunder-shower  are  coming  on,  the  shepherds  say- 
 that  you  will  see  the  sheep  flocking  down  from  the  hills,  and  all 
 meeting  together  in  some  sheltered  valley.  They  love  to  keep 
 together.  So  it  is  with  the  flock  of  Jesus.  They  do  not  love  to 
 go  with  the  world,  but  always  one  with  another.  Christian  loves 
 Christian.  They  have  the  same  peace,  the  same  Spirit,  the  same 
 Shepherd,  the  same  fold  on  the  hills  of  immortality.  Especially 
 in  the  dark  and  cloudy  day,  such  as  our  day  is  likely  to  be,  the 
 sheep  of  Christ  are  driven  together,  to  weep  together.  They  love  to 
 pray  together,  to  sing  praise  together,  to  hide  in  Christ  together. 
 
 "  Little  children,  love  one  another."  Make  companions  of  those 
 that  fear  God.  Flee  from  all  others.  Who  can  take  fire  into 
 their  bosom,  and  not  be  burned  ?  I  remember  of  one  Httle  boy 
 who  was  hideed  a  lamb  of  Christ's  fold.  He  could  not  bear  a  lie ; 
 and  whenever  he  found  any  of  his  companions  telhng  a  falsehood, 
 he  left  their  company  altogether.  There  was  one  boy  with  whom 
 he  was  very  intimate.  This  boy  one  day  began  to  boast  of  some- 
 thing he  had  done,  which  boast  our  little  Christian  saw  at  once  to 
 be  a  lie.  Upon  this  he  told  him  that  he  must  never  again  come  to 
 his  house,  and  that  he  would  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  him 
 till  he  was  a  better  boy.  His  mother  asked  him  how  he  would 
 soon  know  when  he  was  a  better  boy.  He  said  that  he  would  see 
 some  marks  which  would  show  him  that  he  was  better.  "  And  what 
 marks  will  you  know  it  by?"  "I  think,"  said  he,  "the  biggest 
 mark  will  be  that  he  loves  God." 
 
 K.    WHAT  JESUS  DOES  FOR  HIS  FLOCK. 
 
 (1.)  He  died  fgr  them. — "  I  am  the  Good  Shepherd :  the  Good 
 Shepherd  giveth  his  hfe  for  the  sheep."  This  is  the  chief  beauty 
 in  Christ.  The  wounds  that  marred  his  fair  body  make  Him  alto- 
 gether lovely  in  a  needy  sinner's  eye.  All  that  are  now  and  ever 
 shall  be  the  sheep  of  Christ,  were  once  condemned  to  die.  The 
 wrath  of  God  abode  upon  them.  They  were  ready  to  drop  into 
 the  burning  lake.  Jesus  had  compassion  upon  them,  left  his 
 Father's  bosom,  emptied  himself,  became  a  worm  and  no  man,  and 
 died  under  the  sins  of  many.  "  While  we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ 
 died  for  us."  This  is  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Every  one  iu 
 the  flock  can  say,  "  He  loved  me,  and  gave  himself  for  me." 
 
 (2.)  He  seeks  and  finds  them. — We  would  never  seek  Christ  if  He 
 
TO  THE  LAMBS  OF  THE  FLOCK.  657 
 
 did  not  seek  us  first.  We  would  never  find  Christ  if  He  did  not 
 find  us.  "  The  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and  to  save  that  which 
 was  lost."  I  once  asked  a  shepherd,  "  How  do  you  find  sheep 
 that  are  lost  in  the  snow?"  "Oh,"  he  said,  "we  go  down  into 
 the  deep  ravines,  where  the  sheep  go  in  storms ;  there  we  find  the 
 sheep  huddled  together  beneath  the  snow."  "  And  are  they  able 
 to  come  out  when  you  take  away  the  snow?"  "  Oh,  no ;  if  they 
 had  to  take  a  single  step  to  save  their  lives,  they  could  not  do  it. 
 So  we  just  go  in  and  carry  them  out."  Ah,  this  is  the  very  way 
 Jesus  saves  lost  sheep.  He  finds  us  frozen  and  dead  in  the  deep 
 pit  of  sin.  If  we  had  to  take  a  single  step  to  save  our  souls,  we 
 could  not  do  it ;  but  He  reaches  down  his  arm  and  carries  us  out. 
 This  He  does  for  every  sheep  He  saves.  Glory,  glory,  glory  be 
 to  Jesus,  the  Shepherd  of  our  souls.  Oh,  children,  let  Jesus  gather 
 you.  Feel  your  helpless  condition,  and  look  up  and  say.  Lord, 
 help  me. 
 
 (3.)  He  feeds  them. — "  By  me  if  any  man  enter  in,  he  shall  be 
 saved,  and  shall  go  in  and  out  and  find  pasture."     If  Jesus  has 
 saved  you.  He  will  feed  you.     He  will  feed  your  body.     "  I  have 
 been  young,  and  now  am  old ;  yet  never  saw  I  the  righteous  for 
 saken,  nor  his  seed  begging  bread." 
 
 The  birds  without  barn  or  storehouse  are  fed ; 
 rrom  them  let  us  learn  to  trust  for  our  bread  : 
 His  saints  what  is  fitting  shall  ne'er  be  denied, 
 So  long  as  'tis  written — The  Lord  will  provide. 
 
 He  will  feed  your  soul.  He  that  feeds  the  little  flower  in  the  cleft 
 of  the  craggy  precipice,  where  no  hand  of  man  can  reach  it,  will 
 feed  your  soul  with  silent  drops  of  heavenly  dew.  I  shall  never 
 forget  the  story  of  a  little  girl  in  Belfast,  in  Ireland.  She  was  at 
 a  Sabbath  school,  and  gained  a  Bible  as  a  prize  for  her  good  con- 
 duct. It  became  to  her  a  treasure  indeed.  She  was  fed  out  of  it 
 Her  parents  were  wicked.  She  often  read  to  them,  but  they  be- 
 came worse  and  worse.  This  broke  Eliza's  heart.  She  took  to 
 her  bed  and  never  rose  again.  She  desired  to  see  her  teacher. 
 When  he  came  he  said,  "  You  are  not  without  a  companion,  my 
 dear  child,"  taking  up  her  Bible.     "  No,"  she  replied — 
 
 "  Precious  Bible  I  what  a  treasure 
 
 Does  the  word  of  God  afford  I 
 All  I  want  for  life  or  pleasure, 
 
 Food  and  med'cine,  shield  and  sworti 
 Let  the  world  account  me  poor, 
 Having  this,  I  ask  no  more." 
 
558  TO  THE  LAMBS  OF  THE  FLOCE: 
 
 She  had  scarcely  repeated  the  lines  when  she  hung  back  her  head 
 and  died.  Beloved  children,  this  is  the  way  Jesus  feeds  his  flock. 
 He  is  a  tender,  constant,  almighty  Shepherd.  If  you  become  his 
 flock,  He  will  feed  you  all  the  way  to  glory. 
 
 III.    JESUS  CARES  FOR  LAMBS. 
 
 "  He  shall  gather  the  lambs  with  his  arm,  and  carry  them  in  his 
 bosom."  Every  careful  shepherd  deals  gently  with  the  lambs  of 
 the  flock.  When  the  flocks  are  travelling,  the  lambs  are  not  able 
 to  go  far:  they  often  grow  weary  and  lie  down.  Now,  a  kind 
 shepherd  stoops  down  and  puts  his  gentle  arm  beneath  them,  and 
 lays  them  in  his  bosom.  Such  a  shepherd  is  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
 saved  children  are  his  lambs.  He  gathers  them  with  his  arm,  and 
 carries  them  in  his  bosom.  Many  a  guilty  lamb  He  has  gathered 
 and  carried  to  his  Father's  house.  Some  He  has  gathered  out  of 
 this  place  whom  you  and  I  once  knew  well. 
 
 Before  He  came  into  the  world,  Jesus  cared  for  lambs.  Samuel 
 was  a  very  little  child,  no  bigger  than  the  least  of  you,  when  he 
 was  converted.  He  was  girded  with  a  linen  ephod,  and  his  mother 
 made  him  a  little  coat,  and  brought  it  to  him  every  year.  One 
 night  as  he  slept  in  the  Holy  Place,  near  where  the  ark  of  God 
 was  kept,  he  heard  a  voice  cry,  "Samuel!"  He  started  up  and 
 ran  to  old  Eli,  whose  eyes  were  dim,  and  said,  *'  Here  am  I,  for 
 thou  calledst  me."  And  Eli  said,  "  I  called  not,  lie  down  again."  He 
 went  and  lay  down,  but  a  second  time  the  voice  cried,  "  Samuel!" 
 He  rose  and  went  to  Eli,  saying,  "  Here  am  I,  for  thou  didst  call 
 rae."  And  Eli  said,  "  I  called  not,  my  son,  lie  down  again."  A 
 third  time  the  holy  voice  cried,  "Samuel!"  And  he  arose  and 
 went  to  Eli  with  the  same  words.  Then  Eli  perceived  that  the 
 Lord  had  called  the  child;  therefore  Eli  said,  "  Go,  lie  down;  and 
 it  shall  be  if  He  call  thee,  thou  shalt  say,  Speak,  Lord,  for  thy 
 servant  heareth  !"  So  he  went  and  lay  down.  A  fourth  time 
 (how  often  Christ  will  call  on  Kttle  children!)  the  voice  cried, 
 "  Samuel!  Samuel !"  Then  Samuel  answered,  "  Speak,  Lord,  for 
 thy  servant  heareth ! "  Thus  did  Jesus  gather  this  lamb  with  his 
 arm  and  carried  him  in  his  bosom.  For  "  Samuel  grew,  and  the 
 Lord  was  with  him ;  and  the  Lord  revealed  himself  to  Samuel  in 
 Shiloh,"  1  Sam.  iii. 
 
 Little  children,  of  whom  I  travail  in  birth  till  Christ  be  formed 
 in  you,  pray  that  the  same  Lord  would  reveal  himself  to  you. 
 Some  people  say,  you  are  too  young  to  be  converted  and  saved. 
 But  Samuel  was  not  too  young.     Christ  can  open  the  eyes  of  a 
 
TO  THE  LAMBS  OF  THE  FLOCK.  559 
 
 ehil^  as  easily  as  of  an  old  man.  Yea,  youth  is  the  best  time  to 
 be  saved  in.  You  are  not  too  young  to  die,  not  too  young  to  be 
 judged,  and  therefore  not  too  young  to  be  brought  to  Christ.  Do 
 not  be  contented  to  hear  about  Christ  from  your  teachers ;  pray 
 that  He  would  reveal  himself  to  you.  God  grant  there  may  be 
 many  little  Samuels  amongst  you. 
 
 Jesus  cares  for  lambs  still.  The  late  Duke  of  Hamilton  had 
 two  sons.  The  eldest  fell  into  consumption,  when  a  boy,  which 
 ended  in  his  death.  Two  ministers  went  to  see  him  at  the  family 
 seat,  near  Glasgow,  where  he  lay.  After  prayer,  the  youth  took 
 his  Bible  from  under  his  pillow,  and  turned  up  to  2  Tim.  iv.  7,  "  I 
 have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept 
 the  faith ;  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteous- 
 ness;" and  added,  "This,  sirs,  is  all  my  comfort!"  When  his 
 death  approached,  he  called  his  younger  brother  to  his  bed,  and 
 spoke  to  him  with  great  affection.  He  ended  with  these  remark- 
 able words :  "  And  now,  Douglas,  in  a  little  time  you  will  be  a 
 duke,  but  I  shall  he  a  hingJ* 
 
 Let  me  tell  you  a  word  of  another  gentle  lamb,  whom  Jesus 
 gathered,  and  \\]\om  I  saw  on  her  way  from  grace  to  glory.  She 
 was  early  brought  to  Christ,  and  early  taken  to  be  with  Him  where 
 He  is.  She  told  lier  companions  that  she  generally  fell  asleep  on 
 these  words,  "  His  left  hand  is  under  my  head,  and  his  right  hand 
 doth  embrace  me  ;"  and  sometimes  on  these,  "  Underneath  are  the 
 everlasting  arms."  She  said  she  did  not  know  how  it  was,  but 
 somehow  she  felt  that  Christ  was  always  near  her.  Another  time 
 she  said,  "  I  think  it's  the  best  way  to  make  myself  as  loathsome 
 as  I  can  before  Him,  and  then  to  look  to  Jesus."  When  seized 
 with  her  last  illness,  and  told  that  the  doctors  thought  she  would 
 not  live  long,  she  looked  quite  composed,  and  said,  "  I  am  very 
 happy  at  that."  She  said  she  could  not  love  Jesus  enough  here ; 
 that  she  would  like  to  be  with  Him,  and  then  she  would  love  Him 
 as  she  ought.  To  her  tender,  watchful  relative  she  said,  "  I  won- 
 der at  your  often  looking  so  grave.  I'm  surprised  at  it,  for  1 
 think  I  am  the  happiest  person  in  the  house.  I  have  every  tem- 
 poral comfort,  and  then  I  am  going  to  Jesus."  After  a  companion 
 had  been  with  her,  she  said,  "  Margaret  quite  entered  into  my 
 happiness ;  she  did  not  look  grave,  but  smiled ;  that  showed  how 
 much  she  loves  me."  When  sitting  one  evening,  her  head  resting 
 on  a  pillow,  she  was  asked,  "  Is  there  anything  the  matter,  my 
 darling?"  "  Oh,"  she  said,  "I  am  only  weak.  I  am  quite  happy. 
 Jesus  has  said,  *  Thou  art  mine.'"  Another  day,  when  near  her 
 last,  one  said  to  her,  ''Have  you  been  praying  much  to-day?" 
 
560  DAILY  BREAD. 
 
 "  Yes,"  she  replied,  "  and  I  have  been  trying  to  praise  too."  "  And 
 what  have  you  been  praising  for?"  "I  praise  God,"  she  said, 
 "  for  all  the  comforts  I  have.  I  praise  Him  for  many  kind  friends, — 
 you  know  He  is  the  foundation  oi  all;  and  I  praise  Him  for  taking 
 a  sinner  to  glory." 
 
 These  are  a  few  of  the  many  golden  sayings  of  this  lamb  of 
 Christ,  now,  I  trust,  safe  in  the  fold  above.  Would  you  wish  to 
 be  gathered  thus  ?  Go  now  to  some  lonely  place — kneel  down, 
 and  call  upon  the  Lord  Jesus.  Do  not  leave  your  knees  until  you 
 find  Him.  Pray  to  be  gathered  with  his  arm,  and  carried  in  his 
 bosom.  Take  hold  of  the  hem  of  his  garment,  and  say,  "  I  must 
 not — I  dare  not — I  will  not  let  Thee  go  except  Thou  bless  me." 
 
 0  seek  him  in  earnest,  and  seek  Him  in  time, 
 
 For  they  that  seek  early  shall  find ; 
 Wliile  they  that  neglect  Him  are  hardened  in  crime, 
 And  never  can  come  to  this  pure  blessed  clime — 
 
 They  perish  in  anguish  of  mind. 
 
 DAILY  BREAD, 
 
 BEING  A  CALENDAR  FOR  READING  THROUGH  THE  WORD  OF  GOD 
 IN  A  TEAR. 
 
 *'  Thy  word  is  very  pure ;  therefore  thy  servaiit  loveth  it. 
 
 My  Dear  Flock, — The  approach  of  another  year  stirs  up  within 
 me  new  desires  for  your  salvation,  and  for  the  growth  of  those  of 
 you  who  are  saved.  "  God  is  my  record  how  greatly  I  long  after 
 you  all  in  the  bowels  of  Jesus  Christ."  What  the  coming  year  is 
 to  bring  forth,  who  can  tell  ?  There  is  plainly  a  weight  lying  on 
 the  spirits  of  all  good  men,  and  a  looking  for  some  strange  work 
 of  judgment  coming  upon  this  land.  There  is  need  now  to  ask 
 that  solemn  question :  "  If  in  the  land  of  peace,  wherein  thou 
 trustedst,  they  wearied  thee,  then  how  wilt  thou  do  in  the  swelling 
 of  Jordan?" 
 
 Those  believers  will  stand  firmest  who  have  no  dependence  upon 
 self  or  upon  creatures,  but  upon  Jehovah  our  Righteousness.  We 
 must  be  driven  more  to  our  Bibles,  and  to  the  mercy-seat,  if  we  are 
 to  stand  in  the  evil  day.  Then  we  shall  be  able  to  say,  like  David, 
 "  The  proud  have  had  me  greatly  in  derision,  yet  have  I  not  de- 
 clined from  thy  law."  "  Princes  have  persecuted  me  without  a 
 cause,  but  my  heart  standeth  in  awe  of  thy  word." 
 
DAILY  BREAD.  561 
 
 It  has  long  been  in  my  mind  to  prepare  a  scheme  of  Scripture 
 reading,  in  which  as  many  as  were  made  wilKng  by  God  might 
 agree,  so  that  the  whole  Bible  might  be  read  once  by  you  in  the 
 year,  and  all  might  be  feeding  in  the  same  portion  of  the  green 
 pasture  at  the  same  time. 
 
 I  am  quite  aware  that  such  a  plan  is  accompanied  with  many 
 
 DANGERS. 
 
 (1.)  Formality, — We  are  such  weak  creatures  that  any  regularly 
 returning  duty  is  apt  to  degenerate  into  a  lifeless  form.  The  ten- 
 dency of  reading  the  word  by  a  fixed  rule  may,  in  same  minds,  be 
 to  create  this  skeleton  religion.  This  is  to  be  the  peculiar  sin  of 
 the  last  days :  "  Having  the  form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the 
 power  thereof."  Guard  against  this.  Let  the  calendar  perish 
 rather  than  this  rust  eat  up  your  souls. 
 
 (2.)  Self -righteousness. — Some,  when  they  have  devoted  the4r  set 
 time  to  reading  the  word,  and  accomphshed  their  prescribed  por- 
 tion, may  be  tempted  to  look  at  themselves  with  self-complacency. 
 Many,  I  am  persuaded,  are  hving  without  any  divine  work  on  their 
 soul — unpardoned  and  unsanctified,  and  ready  to  perish — who 
 spend  their  appointed  times  in  secret  and  family  devotion.  This 
 is  going  to  hell  with  a  lie  in  the  right  hand. 
 
 (3.)  Careless  reading. — Few  tremble  at  the  word  of  God.  Few, 
 in  reading  it,  hear  the  voice  of  Jehovah,  which  is  full  of  majesty. 
 Some,  by  having  so  large  a  portion,  may  be  tempted  to  weary  of 
 it,  as  Israel  did  of  the  daily  manna,  saying,  "  Our  soul  loatheth 
 this  light  bread!"  and  to  read  it  in  a  sHght  and  careless  manner. 
 This  would  be  fearfully  provoking  to  God.  Take  heed  lest  that 
 word  be  true  of  you :  "  Ye  said  also.  Behold,  what  a  weariness 
 is  it !  and  ye  have  snuffed  at  it,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts," 
 
 (4.)  A  yoke  too  heavy  to  hear. — Some  may  engage  in  reading  with 
 alacrity  for  a  time,  and  afterwards  feel  it  a  burden,  grievous  to  be 
 borne.  They  may  find  conscience  dragging  them  through  the 
 appointed  task  without  any  relish  of  the  heavenly  food.  If  thiii 
 be  the  case  with  any,  throw  aside  the  fetter,  and  feed  at  liberty  in 
 the  sweet  garden  of  God.  My  desire  is  not  to  cast  a  snare  upon 
 you,  but  to  be  a  helper  of  your  joy. 
 
 If  there  be  so  many  dangers,  why  propose  such  a  scheme  at  all  ? 
 To  this  I  answer,  that  the  best  things  are  accompanied  with  dan- 
 ger, as  the  fairest  flowers  are  often  gathered  in  the  clefts  of  Bomu 
 dangerous  precipice.     Let  us  weigh 
 
 2  N 
 
562  DAILY  B3EAD. 
 
 THE  ADVANTAGES. 
 
 (1 .)  The  icliole  Bible  icill  he  read  through  in  an  orderly  manner  in 
 the  course  of  a  year. — The  Old  Testament  once,  the  New  Testament 
 and  Psalms  twice.  I  fear  many  of  you  never  read  the  whole  Bible  ; 
 and  yet  it  is  all  equally  divine :  "  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspira- 
 tion of  God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correc- 
 tion, and  instruction  in  righteousness,  that  the  man  of  God  may  bo 
 perfect."  If  we  pass  over  some  parts  of  Scripture,  we  shall  be 
 incomplete  Christians. 
 
 (2.)  Time  ivill  not  be  wasted  in  choosing  tvhat  portions  to  read. — 
 Often  behevers  are  at  a  loss  to  determine  towards  which  part  of 
 the  mountains  of  spices  they  should  bend  their  steps.  Here  the 
 question  will  be  solved  at  once  in  a  very  simple  manner. 
 
 (3.)  Parents  will  have  a  regular  subject  upon  which  to  examine  their 
 children  and  servants. — It  is  much  to  be  desired  that  family  worship 
 were  made  more  instructive  than  it  generally  is.  The  mere  reading 
 of  the  chapter  is  often  too  like  water  spilt  on  the  ground.  Let  i; 
 be  read  by  every  member  of  the  family  beforehand,  and  then  the 
 meaning  and  application  drawn  out  by  simple  question  and  answer. 
 The  calendar  will  be  helpful  in  this.  Friends,  also,  when  they  meet, 
 will  have  a  subject  for  profitable  conversation  in  the  portions  read 
 that  day.  The  meaning  of  difficult  passages  may  be  inquired  from 
 the  more  judicious  and  ripe  Christians,  and  the  fragrance  of  simpler 
 scriptures  spread  abroad. 
 
 (4.)  The  pastor  will  knoiv  in  what  part  of  the  jmsture  the  floch  are 
 feeding, — He  will  thus  be  enabled  to  speak  more  suitably  to  them 
 on  the  Sabbath  ;  and  both  pastor  and  elders  will  be  able  to  drop  a 
 word  of  light  and  comfort  in  visiting  from  house  to  house,  which 
 will  be  more  readily  responded  to. 
 
 (5.)  The  sweet  bond  of  Christian  love  and  unity  luill  he  strengthened 
 — We  shall  be  often  led  to  think  of  those  dear  brothers  and  sisters 
 in  the  Lord,  here  and  elsewhere,  who  agree  to  join  with  us  in  read- 
 ing these  portions.  We  shall  oftener  be  led  to  agree  on  earth, 
 touching  something  we  shall  ask  of  God.  We  shall  pray  over 
 the  same  promises,  mourn  over  the  same  confessions,  praise  God 
 in  the  same  songs,  and  be  nourished  by  the  saj^:ie  words  of  eternal 
 Ufe. 
 
DAILY  BREAD.  56S 
 
 CALENDAR. 
 
 DIRECTIONS. 
 
 1.  The  centre  column  contains  the  day  of  the  month.  The  two 
 first  cokimns  contain  the  chapter  to  be  read  in  the  family.  The 
 two  last  columns  contain  the  portions  to  be  read  in  secret. 
 
 2.  The  head  of  the  family  should  previously  read  over  the 
 chapter  for  family  worship,  and  mars;  two  or  three  of  the  most 
 prominent  verses,  upon  which  he  may  dwell,  asking  a  few  simple 
 questions. 
 
 3.  Frequently  the  chapter  named  in  the  calendar  for  family 
 reading  might  be  read  more  suitably  in  secret ;  in  which  case  the 
 head  of  the  family  should  intimate  that  it  be  read  in  private,  and 
 the  chapter  for  secret  reading  may  be  used  in  the  family. 
 
 4.  The  metrical  version  of  the  Psalms  should  be  read  or  sung 
 through  at  least  once  in  the  year.  It  is  truly  an  admirable  trans- 
 lation from  the  Hebrew,  and  is  frequently  more  correct  than  the 
 prose  version.  If  three  verses  be  sung  at  each  diet  of  family  wor- 
 ship, the  whole  Psalms  will  be  sung  through  in  the  year, 
 
 5.  Let  the  conversation  at  family  meals  often  turn  upon  the 
 chapter  read  and  the  psalm  sung.  Thus  every  meal  will  be  a  sacra- 
 ment, being  sanctified  by  the  word  and  prayer. 
 
 6.  Let  our  secret  reading  prevent  the  dawning  of  the  day.  Let 
 God's  voice  be  the  first  we  hear  in  the  morning.  Mark  two  or 
 three  of  the  richest  verses,  and  pray  over  every  line  and  word  of 
 them.  Let  the  marks  be  neatly  done,  never  so  as  to  abuse  a  copy 
 of  the  Bible. 
 
 7.  In  meeting  believers  on  the  street  or  elsewhere,  when  an  easy 
 opportunity  offers,  recur  to  the  chapters  read  that  morning.  This 
 will  be  a  blessed  exchange  for  those  idle  words  which  waste  the 
 soul  and  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God.  In  writing  letters  to 
 those  at  a  distance,  make  use  of  the  provision  that  day  gathered. 
 
 8.  Above  all,  use  the  word  as  a  lamp  to  your  feet  and  a  light 
 to  your  path — your  guide  in  perplexity,  your  armour  in  tempta- 
 tion, your  food  in  times  of  faintness.  Hear  the  constant  cry  of 
 tlio  great  Intercessor, 
 
 "  SANCTIFY   THEM   THROUGH   THY   TRUTH  :    I  ilY    WORD 
 IS   TRUTH.'' 
 
 St  Peter's,  Dundee,  ZQith  Dec.  18451, 
 
564 
 
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SONGS  OF  ZION. 
 
SONGS  OF  ZION, 
 
 CriEEIi  AND  GUIDE  PILGRIMS  ON  THEIR  WAY  TO  TIIK 
 HEAVENLY  JERUSALEM. 
 
 1.  THE  BARREN  FIG-TREE. 
 
 WiTinx  a  vineyard's  sunny  bound 
 An  ample  fig-tree  shelter  found, 
 
 Enjoying  sun  and  sbo-wers — 
 The  boughs  were  graceful  to  the  view, 
 With  spreading  leaves  of  deep-green  hue, 
 
 And  gaily  blushing  flowers. 
 
 Wlien  round  the  vintage  season  came, 
 This  blooming  fig  was  still  the  same, 
 
 As  promising  and  fair ; 
 But  though  the  leaves  were  broad  and  jTi'een, 
 No  precious  fruit  was  to  be  seen. 
 
 Because  no  fruit  was  there. 
 
 "  For  three  long  years,"  the  master  cried^ 
 "  Fruit  on  this  tree  to  find  I've  tried, 
 But  aU  in  vain  ray  toil  j 
 Ungrateful  tree !  the  axe's  blow 
 Shall  lay  thy  leafy  honours  low : 
 
 Why  cumbers  it  the  soil  ?  '* 
 
 "  Ah !  let  it  stand  just  one  year  more,** 
 The  dresser  said,  *'  till  all  my  store 
 
 Of  rural  arts  I've  shown : 
 About  the  massy  roots  I'll  dig ; 
 And  if  it  bear,  we've  gained  the  fig, — 
 
 If  not,  then  cut  it  down." 
 
 How  many  years  hast  thou,  my  heart, 
 Acted  the  barren  fig-tree's  part, 
 
 Leafy,  and  fresh,  and  fair,— 
 Enjoying  heavenly  dews  of  grace, 
 And  sunny  smiles  from  God's  own  face  ! — 
 
 But  where  the  fruit?  ah  !  v/here  ? 
 
 573 
 
574  SONGS  OF  ZIOX. 
 
 How  often  must  the  Lord  have  prayed 
 That  still  my  day  might  be  delayed, 
 
 Till  all  due  means  were  tried ! 
 Afflictions,  mercies,  health,  and  paiu, 
 IIow  long  shall  these  be  all  in  vain 
 
 To  teach  this  heart  of  pride ! 
 
 Learn,  0  my  soul,  what  God  demands 
 Is  not  a  faith  like  barren  sands. 
 
 But  fruit  of  heavenly  hue. 
 By  this  we  prove  that  Christ  we  know, 
 If  in  his  holy  steps  we  go  : 
 
 Faith  works  by  love,  if  truo, 
 
 August  14,  1834:. 
 
 2.    JEHOVAH    TSIDKENU. 
 
 "  THE  LORD  OUR  RIGHTEOUSNESS." 
 
 (The  watchword  of  the  Eeformers.) 
 
 I  ONCE  was  a  stranger  to  grace  and  to  God, 
 I  knew  not  my  danger,  and  felt  not  my  load ; 
 Though  friends  spoke  in  rapture  of  Christ  on  the  tree, 
 Jehovah  Tsidkenu  was  nothing  to  me. 
 
 I  oft  read  with  pleasure,  to  soothe  or  engage, 
 Isaiah's  wild  measure  and  John's  simple  page ; 
 But  e'en  when  they  pictm-ed  the  blood-sprinkled  tree, 
 Jehovah  Tsidkenu  seem'd  nothing  to  me. 
 
 Like  tears  from  the  daughters  of  Zion  that  roll, 
 I  wept  when  the  waters  went  over  his  soul 
 Yet  thought  not  that  my  sins  had  nail'd  to  the  tree, 
 Jehovah  Tsidkenu — 'twas  nothing  to  me. 
 
 When  free  grace  awoke  me,  by  light  from  on  hi- h, 
 Then  legal  fears  shook  me,  I  trembled  to  die ; 
 No  refuge,  no  safety  in  self  could  I  see — 
 Jehovah  Tsidkenu  my  Saviour  must  be. 
 
 My  terrors  all  vanished  before  the  sweet  name; 
 My  guilty  fears  banished,  with  boldness  I  came 
 To  drink  at  the  fountain,  life-giving  and  free- 
 Jehovah  Tsidkenu  is  all  things  to  me. 
 
SONGS  OF  ZION.  ^^^ 
 
 Jehovah  Tsidkenu !  my  treasure  and  boadU 
 Jehovah  Tsidkenu!  I  ne'er  can  be  lost; 
 lu  Thee  I  shall  conquer  by  flood  and  by  field—  ^ 
 "My  cable,  my  anchor,  my  breastplate  and  shield  I 
 
 Even  treading  the  valley,  the  shadow  of  death, 
 This  »  watchword"  shall  rally  my  faltering  breall* 
 For  while  from  life's  fever  my  God  sets  me  free, 
 Jehovah  Tsidkenu  my  death-song  shall  be. 
 
 Xovemhei'  18,  1834 
 
 =  THEY  SING  THE  SONG  OF  MOSES." 
 
 Dark  was  the  night,  the  wind  was  high, 
 The  way  by  mortals  never  trod  ^ 
 
 For  God  had  made  the  channel  dry, 
 When  faithful  Moses  stretched  the  rod. 
 
 The  raging  waves  on  either  hand 
 Stood  like  a  massy  tott'ring  wall, 
 
 And  on  the  heaven-defended  band 
 Kefused  to  let  the  waters  fall. 
 
 With  anxious  footsteps,  Israel  trod 
 The  depths  of  that  mysterious  wa/ ; 
 
 Cheered  by  the  pillar  of  their  Gocl, 
 
 That  shone  for  them  with  fav'ring  ray. 
 
 Eat  when  they  reached  the  opposing  shore, 
 As  morning  streaked  the  eastern  sky, 
 
 They  saw  the  billows  hurry  o'er 
 The  flower  of  Pharaoh's  chivalry. 
 
 •S'hcn  awful  gladness  filled  the  mind 
 Of  Israel's  mighty  ransomed  throng ; 
 
 And  while  they  gazed  on  all  behind, 
 Their  wonder  burst  into  a  song. 
 
 Thus,  thy  redeemed  ones.  Lord,  on  earth, 
 While  passing  through  this  vale  of  weepiu 
 
 Mix  holy  trembling  with  their  mirth. 
 
 And  anxious  watching  with  their  sleeping; 
 
 The  night  is  dark,  the  storm  is  loud. 
 The  path  no  human  strength  can  tread; 
 
 Jesus,  be  Thou  the  pillar-cloud, 
 
 Heaven's  light  upon  our  path  4o  shed. 
 
573  SONGS  OF  EION. 
 
 And  oh  !  when,  life's  dark  journey  oV-r, 
 And  death's  enshrouding  valley  prist, 
 
 We  plant  our  foot  on  yonder  shore, 
 And  tread  yon  p;olden  strand  at  last. 
 
 Shall  we  not  see  with  deep  amaze. 
 
 How  grace  hath  led  us  safe  along ; 
 And  whilst  behind — before,  we  gaze, 
 
 Triumphant  burst  into  a  song ! 
 
 And  even  on  earth,  though  sore  bested, 
 Fightings  without,  and  fears  within  ; 
 
 Sprinkled  to-day  from  slavish  dread, 
 To-morrow  captive  led  by  sin : 
 
 Yet  would  I  lift  my  downcast  eyes 
 
 On  Thee,  Thou  brilliant  tower  of  fire— 
 
 Thou  dark  cloud  to  mine  enemies — 
 That  hope  may  all  my  breast  inspire. 
 
 And  thus  the  Lord,  my  strength,  I'll  praise, 
 Though  Satan  and  his  legions  rage ; 
 
 And  the  sweet  song  of  faith  I'll  raise, 
 To  cheer  me  on  my  pilgrimago. 
 
 Edinburgh,  1835. 
 
 4.  ON  MUNGO  PARK'S  FINDING  A  TUFT  OF  GIIEEN  MOSS 
 IN  THE  AFRICAN  DESERT. 
 
 Whatever  way  I  turned,  nothing  appeared  but  danger  and  difficulty.  I  saw 
 myself  in  the  midst  of  a  vast  wilderness,  in  the  depth  of  tbe  rainy  season, 
 naked  and  alone,  surrounded  by  savage  animals,  and  men  still  more  savage. 
 I  was  five  hundred  miles  from  the  nearest  European  settlement.  At  this 
 moment,  painful  as  my  reflections  were,  the  extraordinary  beauty  of  a  small 
 moss  in  fructification  irresistibly  caught  my  eje.  I  mention  this  to  show 
 from  what  trifling  circumstances  the  mind  will  sometimes  derive  consola- 
 tion ;  for  though  the  whole  plant  was  not  larger  than  the  top  of  one  of  my 
 fingers,  I  could  not  contemplate  the  delicate  conformation  of  its  roots,  leaves, 
 and  capsule,  without  admiration.  Can  that  Being,  thought  I,  who  planted, 
 watered,  and  brought  to  perfection,  in  this  obscure  part  of  the  world,  a  thing 
 which  appears  of  so  small  importance,  look  with  unconcern  upon  the  situa- 
 tion and  sufferings  of  creatures  formed  after  his  own  image  .'*  Surely  not. 
 I  started  up,  and  disregarding  both  hunger  and  fatigue,  travelled  forward, 
 assured  that  relief  w.-'fi  at  hand,  and  I  was  not  disappointed."  —  Park's 
 Travels. 
 
SONGS  OF  ZION. 
 
 The  sun  had  reached  his  mid-day  height 
 And  poured  down  floods  of  burning  light 
 
 On  Afric's  barren  land  ; 
 No  cloudy  veil  obscured  the  sky, 
 And  the  hot  breeze  that  struggled  by 
 
 Was  filled  vrith  glowing  sand. 
 
 No  mighty  rock  upreared  its  head, 
 To  bless  the  wanderer  with  its  shade, 
 
 In  all  the  weary  plain ; 
 No  palm-trees  with  refreshing  green, 
 To  glad  the  dazzled  eye,  were  seen, 
 
 But  one  wide  sandy  main. 
 
 Dauntless  and  daring  was  the  mind 
 That  left  all  home-bom  joys  behind 
 
 These  deserts  to  explore — 
 To  trace  the  mighty  Niger's  course, 
 Ajid  find  it  bubbling  from  its  sources 
 
 In  wilds  untrod  before. 
 
 And  ah !  shall  we  less  daring  show, 
 Who  nobler  ends  and  motives  know 
 
 Than  ever  heroes  dream — 
 Who  seek  to  lead  the  savage  mind 
 The  precious  fountain-head  to  find 
 
 Whence  flows  salvation's  stream  ? 
 
 Let  peril,  nakedness,  and  sword. 
 Hot  barren  sands,  and  despot's  word 
 
 Our  burning  zeal  oppose — 
 Yet,  Martyn-like,  well  lift  the  voice, 
 Bidding  the  wilderness  rejoice 
 
 And  blossom  as  the  rose. 
 
 Sad,  faint,  and  weary  on  the  sand 
 Our  traveller  sat  him  down ;  his  hand 
 
 Covered  his  burning  head. 
 Above,  beneath,  behind,  around^ — 
 No  resting  for  the  eye  he  found  j 
 
 All  nature  seemed  as  dead. 
 
 One  tiny  tuft  of  moss  alone, 
 Mantling  with  freshest  green  a  stone. 
 
 Fixed  his  delighted  gaze  : 
 Through  bursting  tears  of  joy  he  smiled, 
 And  while  he  raised  the  tendril  wild, 
 
 His  lips  o'erflowed  with  prais*. 
 9.  o 
 
 577 
 
574? 
 
 SONGS  OF  ZION. 
 
 *'  Oh,  shall  not  He  who  keeps  thee  green 
 Here  in  the  waste,  unknown,  tmseexi, 
 
 Thy  fellow -exile  save  ? 
 He  who  commands  the  dew  to  feed 
 Thy  gentle  flower,  can  surely  lead 
 
 Me  from  a  scorching  grave  I " 
 
 The  beaven-sent  plant  new  hope  inspired-  •- 
 New  courage  all  his  bosom  fired, 
 
 And  bore  him  safe  along  ; 
 Till  with  the  evening's  cooling  shade 
 He  slept  within  the  verdant  glade, 
 
 Lulled  by  the  negro's  song. 
 
 Thus,  we  in  this  world's  wilderness, 
 Where  sin  and  sorrow,  guilt,  distress, 
 
 Seem  undisturbed  to  reign. 
 May  faint  because  we  feel  alone. 
 With  none  to  strike  our  favourite  tone 
 
 And  join  our  homeward  strain. 
 
 Yet,  often  in  the  bleakest  wild 
 
 Of  this  dark  world,  some  heaven-boni  child. 
 
 Expectant  of  the  skies, 
 Amid  the  low  and  vicious  crowd, 
 Or  in  the  dwellings  of  the  proud, 
 
 Meets  our  admiring  eyes. 
 
 From  gazing  on  the  tender  flower. 
 We  lift  our  eyes  to  Him  whose  power 
 
 Hath  all  its  beauty  given  ; 
 Who,  in  this  atmosphere  of  death, 
 Hath  given  it  life  and  form  and  breath, 
 
 And  brilliant  hues  of  heaven. 
 
 Our  drooping  faith,  revived  by  sight, 
 Anew  her  pinion  plumes  for  flight, 
 
 New  hope  distends  the  breast  5 
 With  joy  we  mount  on  eagle  win^. 
 With  bolder  tone  our  anthem  sin^ 
 
 And  8©et  the  piigrim'e  rebt; 
 
 ^farch  in96. 
 
sONr.s  OF  ziON.  ^79 
 
 1  AM  DEBTOR' 
 
 When  this  passing  world  is  doue, 
 When  has  sunk  yon  glaring  sun, 
 When  we  stand  with  Christ  in  glory- 
 Looking  o'er  life's  finished  story, 
 Then,  Lord,  shall  I  fully  know — 
 Not  till  then — how  much  I  owe. 
 
 When  I  hear  the  wicked  call 
 On  the  rocks  and  hills  to  fall, 
 When  I  see  them  start  and  shrink 
 On  the  fiery  deluge  brink, 
 Then,  Lord,  shall  I  fully  know — 
 Not  till  then — how  much  I  owe. 
 
 When  I  stand  before  the  thron® 
 Dresped  in  beauty  not  my  own, 
 When  I  see  Thee  as  Thou  art. 
 Love  Thee  with  unsinning  heart, 
 Then,  Lord,  shall  I  fully  know — 
 Not  till  then — how  much  I  owe. 
 
 When  the  praise  of  heaven  I  hear 
 Loud  as  thunders  to  the  ear. 
 Loud  as  many  waters'  noise. 
 Sweet  as  harp's  melodious  voice, 
 Then,  Lord,  shall  I  fully  know — 
 Not  till  then — how  much  I  owe. 
 
 Even  on  earth,  as  through  a  glass 
 Darkly,  let  thy  glory  pass, 
 Make  forgiveness  feel  so  sweet. 
 Make  thy  Spirit's  help  so  meet, 
 Even  on  earth,  Lord,  make  me  know 
 Something  of  how  much  I  owe. 
 
 Chosen  not  for  good  in  me. 
 Wakened  up  from  wrath  to  flee, 
 Hidden  in  the  Saviour's  side, 
 By  the  Spirit  sanctified, 
 Teach  me.  Lord,  on  earth  to  show<, 
 By  my  love,  how  much  1  owe. 
 
 Oft  I  walk  beneath  the  cloud, 
 Dark  as  midnight's  gloomy  shroud ; 
 But,  when  fear  is  at  the  height, 
 Jesus  comes,  and  all  is  light : 
 Blessed  Jesus  !  bid  me  show 
 Doubting  saints  how  much  I  owe 
 
580  SONGS  OF  ZION. 
 
 WTien  in  flowery  paths  I  tread. 
 
 Oft  by  sin  I'm  captive  led ; 
 
 Oft  I  fall,  but  still  arise ; 
 
 The  Spirit  comes — the  tempter  flies : 
 
 Blessed  Spirit  I  bid  me  show 
 
 Weary  sinners  all  I  owe. 
 
 Oft  the  nights  of  sorrow  reign — 
 "Weeping,  sickness,  sighing,  pain  , 
 But  a  night  thine  anger  bums— 
 Morning  comes,  and  joy  returns : 
 God  of  comforts  I  bid  me  show 
 To  thy  poor,  how  much  I  owe. 
 
 May  1837. 
 
 6.  CHILDREN  CALLED  TO  CHRIST 
 
 Like  mist  on  the  mountain, 
 
 Like  ships  on  the  sea, 
 So  swiftly  the  years 
 
 Of  our  pilgrimage  flee  ; 
 In  the  grave  of  our  fathers 
 
 How  soon  we  shall  lie  1 
 Dear  children,  to-day 
 
 To  a  Saviour  fly. 
 
 How  sweet  are  the  flowerets 
 
 In  AprU  and  May  1 
 But  often  the  frost  makes 
 
 Them  wither  away. 
 Like  flowers  you  may  fade  t 
 
 Are  you  ready  to  die  ? 
 While  "  yet  there  is  room,* 
 
 To  a  Saviour  fly. 
 
 When  Samuel  was  young, 
 
 He  first  knew  the  Lord, 
 He  slept  in  his  smile 
 
 And  rejoiced  in  his  word: 
 8o  most  of  God's  children 
 
 Are  early  brought  nigh: 
 Oh,  seek  Him  in  youth— 
 
 To  a  Saviour  fly. 
 
SONGS  OF  ZION.  581 
 
 Do  you  ask  me  for  pleasure  ? 
 
 Then  lean  on  his  breast, 
 For  there  the  sin-laden 
 
 And  weary  find  rest. 
 In  the  valley  of  death 
 
 You  will  triumphing  cry — 
 *'  If  this  be  caUed  dying, 
 
 'Tis  pleasant  to  die  1" 
 Jan.  1,  1831. 
 
 THY  WORD  IS  A  LAMP  UNTO  MY  FEET,  AND  A 
 LIGHT  UNTO  MY  PATH." 
 
 When  Israel  knew  not  where  to  go, 
 God  made  the  fiery  pillar  glow  ; 
 By  night,  by  day,  above  the  camp 
 It  led  the  way — their  guiding  lamp : 
 Such  is  thy  holy  word  to  me 
 In  day  of  dark  perplexity. 
 When  devious  paths  before  me  spread, 
 And  all  invite  my  foot  to  tread, 
 I  hear  thy  voice  behind  me  say — 
 "  Believing  soul,  this  is  the  way  ; 
 Walk  thou  in  it."     0  gentle  Dove, 
 How  much  thy  holy  law  I  love  1 
 
 My  lamp  and  light 
 
 In  the  dark  night. 
 
 When  Paul  amid  the  seas  seemed  lost. 
 By  Adrian  billows  wildly  tossed, 
 When  neither  sun  nor  star  appeared, 
 And  every  wave  its  white  head  reared 
 Above  the  ship,  beside  his  bed 
 An  angel  stood,  and  "  Fear  not "  said. 
 Such  is  thy  holy  word  to  me 
 When  tossed  upon  aflQiction's  sea : 
 When  floods  come  in  unto  my  soul, 
 And  the  deep  waters  o'er  me  roll, 
 With  angel  voice  thy  word  draws  near 
 And  says,  "  'Tts  I,  why  shouldst  thou  fear »' 
 Through  troubles  great  my  saints  must  go 
 Into  their  rest,  where  neither  woe 
 Nor  sin  can  come ;  where  every  tear 
 From  off  the  cheek  shall  disappear. 
 Wiped  by  God's  hand."    0  gentle  Dovo, 
 Thy  holy  law  how  much  1  love  I 
 
 My  lamp  and  light 
 
 In  the  dark  night. 
 
582  SONGS  OF  2H)N. 
 
 When  holy  Stephen  dauntless  stocj 
 Before  the  Jews,  who  sought  his  bloocJ, 
 With  angel  face  he  looked  on  high, 
 And  wondering,  through  the  parted  sJi:y, 
 Saw  Jesus  risen  from  his  throne 
 To  claim  the  martyr  as  his  own. 
 Angelic  peace  that  sight  bestowed, 
 With  holy  joy  his  bosom  glowed  ; 
 And  while  the  murderous  stones  they  hurl^ri. 
 His  heaven- wrapt  soul  sought  yonder  world 
 Of  rest.     "  My  spirit,  Saviour,  keep," 
 He  cried,  he  kneeled,  he  fell  asleep. 
 Such  be  thy  holy  word  to  me 
 In  hour  of  life's  extremity  I 
 Although  no  more  the  murdering  hacc^ 
 Is  raised  within  our  peaceful  land — 
 The  church  has  rest,  and  I  may  ne'er 
 Be  called  the  martyr's  crown  to  wear : 
 Yet  still,  in  whatsoever  form 
 Death  comes  to  me — in  midnight  storm 
 Whelming  my  bark,  or  in  my  nest, 
 Gently  dismissing  me  to  rest, — 
 0  grant  me  in  thy  word  to  see 
 A  risen  Saviour  beckoning  lue. 
 No  evil  then  my  heart  shall  fear 
 In  the  dark  valley.     Thou  art  near ! 
 My  trembling  soul  and  Thou,  my  God, 
 Alone  are  there ;  thy  staff  and  rod 
 Shall  comfort  me.     0  gentle  Dovei, 
 How  much  thy  holy  law  I  love  ! 
 My  lamp  and  light 
 In  the  dark  night 
 1838. 
 
 8.  FOUNTAIN  OF  SILOA-\L 
 Isaiah  viii.  6. 
 
 Beneath  Moriah's  rocky  side 
 A  gentle  fountain  springs ; 
 
 Silent  and  soft  its  waters  glide, 
 Like  the  peace  the  Spirit  brii.f  s~ 
 
 The  thirsty  Arab  stoops  to  drink 
 Of  the  cool  and  quiet  wave. 
 
 And  the  thirsty  spirit  stops  to  thin!^ 
 Of  Him  who  came  to  save. 
 
SONGS  OF  ZION.  5b3 
 
 Siloam  is  the  fountain's  name, 
 
 It  means  "  Oiie  sent  from  God;" 
 And  thus  the  Holy  Saviour's  fanio 
 
 It  gently  spreads  abroad. 
 
 0  grant  that  I,  like  this  sweet  we!!, 
 
 May  Jesus'  image  bear, 
 And  spend  my  life,  my  all,  to  tell 
 
 How  full  his  mercies  are. 
 
 Foot  of  Carmel,  June  1 839. 
 
 9.  THE  SEA  OF  GALILEE. 
 
 How  pleasant  to  me  thy  deep  blue  wave, 
 
 O  sea  of  Galilee ! 
 For  the  glorious  One  who  came  to  save 
 
 Hath  often  stood  by  thee. 
 
 Fair  are  the  lakes  in  the  land  I  love, 
 Where  pine  and  heather  grow  ; 
 
 But  thou  hast  loveliness  far  above 
 What  Nature  can  bestow. 
 
 It  is  not  that  the  wild  gazelle 
 Comes  down  to  drink  thy  tide. 
 
 But  He  that  was  pierced  to  save  from  hell 
 Oft  wandered  by  thy  side. 
 
 It  is  not  that  the  fig-tree  grows, 
 
 And  palms,  in  thy  soft  air, 
 But  that  Sharon's  fair  and  bleeding  Rose 
 
 Once  spread  its  fragrance  there. 
 
 Graceful  around  thee  the  mountains  me^t, 
 
 Thou  calm  reposing  sea  ; 
 But  ah  I  far  more,  the  beautiful  feet 
 
 Of  Jesus  walked  o'er  thee. 
 
 These  days  are  past — Bethsaida,  where  ? 
 
 Chorazin,  where  art  thou  ? 
 His  tent  the  wild  Arab  pitches  there. 
 
 The  wild  reeds  shade  thy  brow. 
 
 Tell  me,  ye  mouldei-ing  fragments,  te!l. 
 
 Was  the  Saviour's  city  here  ? 
 Lifted  to  heaven,  has  it  sunk  to  hell, 
 
 With  none  to  shed  a  tear  ? 
 
584  gONGS  OF  ZION. 
 
 Ah  I  would  my  flock  from  thee  might  learn 
 How  days  of  grace  will  flee ; 
 
 How  all  an  offered  Christ  who  spurt 
 Shall  mourn  at  last,  like  thee. 
 
 And  was  it  beside  this  very  sea, 
 The  new-risen  Saviour  said 
 
 Three  times  to  Simon,  "  Lovest  thou  me  ? 
 My  lambs  and  sheep,  then  feed." 
 
 0  Saviour  1  gone  to  God's  right  hand  I 
 Yet  the  same  Saviour  still, 
 
 Graved  on  thy  heart  is  this  lovely  strand 
 And  every  fragrant  hill. 
 
 Oh !  give  me,  Lord,  by  this  sacred  wavs, 
 Threefold  thy  love  divine, 
 
 That  I  may  feed,  till  I  find  my  grave, 
 Thy  flock — both  thine  and  mine. 
 
 8c«  of  Galilee,  IGlk  July  1839. 
 
 10.  TO  YONDER  SIDE,  , 
 
 Luke  viu.  22-25. 
 
 Behind  the  hills  of  Naphtali 
 
 The  sun  went  slowly  down, 
 Leaving  on  mountain,  tower,  and  trefi,. 
 
 A  tinge  of  golden  brown. 
 
 The  cooling  breath  of  evening  woke 
 
 The  waves  of  Galilee, 
 Till  on  the  shore  the  waters  broke 
 
 In  softest  melody. 
 
 "  Now  launch  the  bark,"  the  Saviour  crietd- 
 The  chosen  twelve  stood  by — 
 
 "  And  let  us  cross  to  yonder  side, 
 Where  the  hills  are  steep  and  high-*' 
 
 Gently  the  bark  o'er  the  water  creeps. 
 
 While  the  swelling  sail  they  spread, 
 ^nd  the  wearied  Saviour  gently  sleep* 
 
 With  a  pillow  'neath  his  head. 
 
SOl^GS  OF  ZION.  685 
 
 On  downy  bed  the  world  seeks  rest 
 
 Sleep  flies  the  guilty  eye ; 
 But  he  who  leans  on  the  Father's  bre<i8t 
 
 May  sleep  when  storms  are  nigh. 
 
 But  soon  the  lowering  sky  grew  dark 
 
 O'er  Bashan's  rocky  brow — 
 The  storm  rushed  down  upon  the  bark, 
 
 And  waves  dashed  o'er  the  prow. 
 
 The  pale  disciples  trembling  spake, 
 
 While  yawned  the  watery  grave. 
 "  We  perish,  Master !  Master,  wake  I 
 
 Carest  Thou  not  to  save  ?" 
 
 Calmly  He  rose  with  sovereign  will, 
 
 And  hushed  the  storm  to  rest, 
 "  Ye  waves,"  He  whispered,  "  Peace !  be  still  f  * 
 
 They  calmed  like  a  pardoned  breast. 
 
 So  have  I  seen  a  fearful  storm 
 
 O'er  wakened  sinner  roll, 
 Till  Jesus'  voice  and  Jesus'  form 
 
 Said,  "  Peace,  thou  weary  soul." 
 
 And  now  He  bends  his  gentle  ey© 
 
 His  wondering  followers  o'er, 
 *'  Why  raise  this  unbelieving  cry  ? 
 
 I  said,  To  yonder  shore.'" 
 
 When  first  the  Saviour  wakened  me, 
 
 And  showed  me  why  He  died. 
 He  pointed  o'er  life's  narrow  sea, 
 
 And  said,  "  To  yonder  side."" 
 
 "  1  am  the  ark  where  Noah  dwelt, 
 
 And  heard  the  deluge  roar : 
 No  soul  can  perish  that  has  felt 
 
 My  rest — To  yonder  shore.^ 
 
 Peaceful  and  calm  the  tide  of  life, 
 
 When  first  I  sailed  with  Thee — 
 My  sins  forgiven — no  inward  strife— 
 
 My  breast  a  glassy  sea. 
 
 But  soon  the  storm  of  passion  raves  — 
 
 My  soul  is  tempest-tossed — 
 Conniptions  rise,  like  angry  waves  : 
 
 "  Help,  Master,  1  am  lost !  " 
 
586  SONG3  OF  ZION. 
 
 •^  Peace  !  peace !  be  still  thou  raging  breacl, 
 
 My  fulneas  is  for  thee  " — 
 The  Saviour  speaks,  and  all  is  rest. 
 
 Like  the  waves  of  Galilee. 
 
 And  now  I  feel  his  holy  eye 
 Upbraids  my  heart  of  pride — 
 
 "  Why  raise  this  unbelieving  cry  ? 
 1  said,  To  yonder  side."" 
 
 Begun  at  the  Lake  of  Galilee,  Ibth  July  1839. 
 
 11.  ON  THE  MEDITERRANEAN  SEA  IN  THE  BAY  OF  CARMEL 
 
 O  Lord,  this  swelling,  tideless  sea 
 
 Is  like  thy  love  in  Christ  to  me : 
 
 The  ceaseless  waves  that  fill  the  bay 
 
 Through  flinty  rocks  have  worn  their  wav, 
 
 And  thy  unceasing  love  alone 
 
 Hath  broken  through  this  heart  of  stone. 
 
 The  countless  smile  that  gilds  the  deep 
 
 When  sunbeams  on  the  water  sleep, 
 
 Is  like  thy  countless  smile  of  grace 
 
 When  I  am  seen  in  Jesus'  face. 
 
 No  ebbing  tide  these  waters  know, 
 
 Pure,  placid,  constant  in  their  flow : 
 
 No  ebb  thy  love  to  me  hath  known 
 
 Since  first  it  chose  me  for  thine  own. 
 
 Or  if,  perchance,  at  thy  command. 
 
 The  wave  retiring  leaves  the  sand, 
 
 One  moment  all  is  dry,  and  then 
 
 It  turns  to  fill  the  shore  again  : 
 
 So  have  1  found  thy  wondrous  grace 
 
 Forsake  my  soid  a  little  space ; 
 
 Barren  and  cold,  deserted,  diy, 
 
 A  helpless  worm,  to  Thee  I  cry : 
 
 Thy  face  is  hid  a  little  whUe, 
 
 But  with  the  morning  comes  thy  smile — 
 
 Jesus  once  more  his  beauty  shows, 
 
 And  all  my  heart  with  peace  o'erflows. 
 
 These  deep  blue  waters  lave  thft  shore 
 Of  Israel,  as  in  days  of  yor«  I 
 Though  Zion  like  a  field  is  ploughed, 
 And  Salem  's  covered  with  a  cloud — 
 Though  briers  and  thorns  are  tangled  yet. 
 Where  vine  and  olive  twined  before — 
 
SONGS  OF  ZION.  587 
 
 Though  turbaned  Moslems  tread  the  gate, 
 
 And  Judah  sits  most  desolate — 
 
 Their  nets  o'er  Tyre  the  fishers  spread, 
 
 And  Carmel's  top  is  withered — 
 
 Yet  still  these  waters  clasp  the  shore 
 
 As  kindly  as  they  did  before ! 
 
 Such  is  thy  love  to  Judah's  race, 
 
 A  deep  unchanging  tide  of  grace. 
 
 Though  scattered  now  at  thy  command, 
 
 They  pine  away  in  every  land, 
 
 With  trembling  heart  and  failing  eyes. 
 
 And  deep  the  veil  on  Israel  lies. 
 
 Yet  still  thy  word  Thou  canst  not  break, 
 
 "Beloved  for  their  fathers'  sake." 
 
 I8th  July  1839,  near  Acre. 
 
 12.  THE  CHILD  COMING  TO  JESU3. 
 
 Suffer  me  to  come  to  Jesus, 
 Mother,  dear,  forbid  me  not ; 
 
 By  his  blood  from  hell  He  frees  us, 
 Makes  us  fair  without  a  spot. 
 
 Suffer  me,  my  earthly  father, 
 
 At  his  pierced  feet  to  fall : 
 Why  forbid  me  ?  help  me,  rather ; 
 
 Jesus  is  my  all  in  all. 
 
 Suffer  me  to  run  unto  Him : 
 Gentle  sisters,  come  with  me. 
 
 Oh  that  all  I  love  but  knew  Him ! 
 Then  my  home  a  heaven  would  ba. 
 
 Loving  playmates,  gay  and  smiling, 
 Bid  me  not  forsake  the  cross; 
 
 Hard  to  bear  is  your  reviling, 
 Yet  for  Jesus  all  is  dross. 
 
 Yes,  though  all  the  world  have  chid  nite, 
 Father,  mother,  sister,  friend — 
 
 Jesus  never  will  forbid  me  I 
 Jesus  loves  me  to  the  end  I 
 
 Gentle  Shepherd,  on  thy  shoulder 
 
 Garry  me,  a  sinful  lamb; 
 Give  me  faith,  and  make  me  bolder. 
 Till  with  Thee  in  heaven  1  am. 
 July  1841. 
 
5bb  hONGS  OF  ZIOS. 
 
 13.  OIL  IN  THE  LAMP. 
 
 FUR  A  SABBATH  CLASS. 
 
 Matt.  XXV.  1-13. 
 
 Ten  virgins,  clothed  in  white, 
 The  Bridegroom  went  to  meet  i 
 
 Their  lamps  were  burning  bright 
 To  guide  his  welcome  feet. 
 
 Five  of  the  band  were  wise — 
 Their  lamps  with  oil  filled  high.; 
 
 The  rest  this  care  despise, 
 And  take  their  vessels  dry. 
 
 Long  time  the  Lord  abode — 
 
 Down  came  the  shades  of  night — 
 The  weary  virgins  nod, 
 N  And  then  they  sleep  outright. 
 
 At  midnight  came  the  cry 
 Upon  their  startled  ear  : 
 
 Behold  the  Bridegroom  nigh, 
 To  light  his  steps  appear ! 
 
 They  trim  their  lamps ;  in  vain 
 The  foolish  virgins  toil : 
 
 Our  lamps  are  out,  O  deign 
 To  give  us  of  your  oil ! 
 
 Not  so,  the  wise  ones  cry, 
 No  oil  have  we  to  spare ; 
 
 But  swiftly  run  and  buy, 
 That  you  the  joy  may  share. 
 
 They  went  to  buy,  when  lo  ! 
 
 The  Bridegroom  comes  in  state; 
 Within  those  ready  go. 
 
 And  shut  the  golden  gate. 
 
 The  foolish  virgins  now 
 Before  the  gateway  crowd ; 
 
 With  terror  on  their  brow 
 They  knock  and  cry  aloud : 
 
 "  Lord,  open  to  our  call — 
 Hast  Thou  o\xr  names  forgot  ?  " 
 
 Badly  the  accents  fall — 
 "  Depart,  I  know  you  not." 
 
mi. 
 
 dONGS  OF  ZION.  589 
 
 Learn  here,  my  child,  how  vain 
 
 This  world,  with  all  its  lies . 
 Those  who  the  kingdom  gain 
 
 Alone  are  truly  wise. 
 
 How  vain  the  Christian  namei, 
 
 If  still  you  live  in  sin  : 
 A  lamp  and  wick  and  flame, 
 
 No  drop  of  oil  within  I 
 
 Is  your  lamp  filled,  my  child, 
 
 With  oil  from  Christ  above  ? 
 Has  He  your  heart,  so  wild, 
 
 Made  soft  and  full  of  love  ? 
 
 Then  you  are  ready  now 
 
 With  Christ  to  enter  in ; 
 To  see  his  holy  brow, 
 
 And  bid  farewell  to  sin. 
 
 Sinners !  behold  the  gate 
 
 Of  Jesus  open  still ; 
 Come,  ere  it  be  too  late, 
 
 And  enter  if  you  will. 
 
 The  Saviour's  gentle  hand 
 
 Knocks  at  your  door  to-day ; 
 But  vain  his  loud  demand — 
 
 You  spurn  his  love  away. 
 
 So  at  the  Saviour's  door 
 
 Youll  knock,  with  trembling  U»5ajti 
 The  day  of  mercy  o'er, 
 
 Jesus  mil  say — Depart. 
 
 14.  ON  J.  T.,  A  BELIEVING  BOY, 
 
 Who  died  Feb.  1842. 
 
 I  LITTLE  thought,  when  last  we  met, 
 Thy  sun  on  earth  was  nearly  set : 
 I  said  what  I  can  ne'er  forget, 
 
 'D«ar  boy,  weH  meet  again" 
 
 Though  thou  wert  tossed  upon  thy  bed, 
 A.nd  sometimes  criedst,  "  My  h'jati,  my  head!* 
 Vet  still  the  smile  came  back — I  said, 
 
 "  Fair  boy,  we'll  meet  again." 
 
590  BONGS  OF  ZIOK. 
 
 No  hop©  thy  weeping  motlier  had. 
 Thy  sister's  face  was  pale  and  sad, 
 But  thine  was  always  bright  and  glad- 
 Dear  boy,  well  meet  agaia. 
 
 **  'Twas  kind,"  thou  saidst,  "in  God  to  die 
 For  worms  like  me.     Once  I  would  fly 
 A  darkened  room — now  Christ  is  nigh," — 
 Fair  boy,  we'll  meet  again. 
 
 *•■  I  love  you  well,  my  mother  dear — 
 I  love  you  all,  yet  shed  no  tear — 
 I'd  rather  be  with  Christ  than  here — 
 
 Farewell,  well  meet  again. 
 
 "  I  fain  would  live  to  preach  to  men ; 
 But,  if  my  God  should  spare  till  then, 
 I  would  be  loth  to  die  again," — 
 
 Dear  boy,  well  meet  again. 
 
 The  Sabbath-sun  rose  bright  and  clear 
 When  thine  was  setting  on  us  here, 
 To  shine  more  bright  in  yonder  sphere — 
 Farewell,  well  meet  again. 
 
 I  stood  beside  thy  silent  bed  : 
 
 Thy  marble  brow  was  cold  and  dead, 
 
 Thy  gentle  soul  was  fled — was  fled — 
 
 Dear  boy,  well  meet  again. 
 
 I  saw  thee  in  thy  narrow  rest, 
 The  clods  upon  thy  co&n  pressed ; 
 The  clouds  dropped  tears,  yet  in  my  breast 
 God  said,  "  We'll  meet  again." 
 
 Yes,  parents,  smile  through  all  your  tears ; 
 A  crown  of  life  your  darling  wears ; 
 The  grave  a  shady  porch  appears. 
 
 To  where  well  meet  again. 
 
 The  precious  dust  beneath  that  lies. 
 
 Shall  at  the  call  of  Jesus  rise, 
 
 To  Ki««et  the  Bridegroom  in  the  skies, 
 
 That  day  well  meet  agaiii 
 
CONCLUDING  MEMORIALS. 
 
CONCLUDING  MEMORIALS. 
 
 It  is  perhaps  right,  at  the  close  of  this  volume,  to  preserve  a 
 specimen  of  the  many  tributes  to  his  memory  which  appeared  at 
 the  time  of  his  decease.  One  of  these,  written  in  his  own  town 
 by  the  Rev.  J.  Roxburgh,  after  a  brief  review  of  his  life,  con- 
 cluded thus : — 
 
 "  Whether  viewed  as  a  son,  a  brother,  a  friend,  or  a  pastor, 
 often  has  the  remark  been  made  by  those  who  knew  him  most  inti- 
 mately, that  he  was  the  most  faultless  and  attractive  exhibition  of 
 the  true  Christian  which  they  had  ever  seen  embodied  in  a  living 
 form.  His  great  study  was  to  be  Christ-like.  He  was  a  man  of 
 remarkable  singleness  of  heart.  He  lived  but  for  one  object — the 
 glory  of  the  Redeemer  in  connection  with  the  salvation  of  immortal 
 souls.  Hence,  he  carried  with  him  a  kind  of  hallowing  influence 
 into  every  company  into  which  he  entered,  and  his  brethren  were 
 accustomed  to  feel  as  if  all  were  well  when  their  measures  met 
 with  the  sanction  and  approval  of  Mr  M'Cheyne.  He  was,  indeed, 
 the  object  of  an  esteem  and  reverence  altogether  singular  toward 
 so  young  a  man,  and  which  had  their  foundation  in  the  deep  and 
 universal  conviction  of  his  perfect  integrity  of  purpose,  his  unbend- 
 ing sincerity  and  truthfulness,  his  Christian  generosity  of  spirit, 
 and  in  the  persuasion  that  he  was  a  man  who  lived  near  to  God, 
 as  was  evident  from  his  holy  walk,  his  spiritual  and  heavenly- 
 minded  frame,  and  his  singularly  amiable  and  affectionate  temper 
 and  disposition.  In  his  zeal  to  the  cause  in  which  the  church  is 
 engaged  he  was  most  exemplary.  His  spiritual  mind  had  a  quick 
 and  strong  perception  of  the  connection  of  the  great  principles  for 
 which  she  is  contending,  with  the  interests  of  vital  godliness  in  the 
 land.  His  views  concerning  the  issues  of  the  controversy  as  regards 
 the  fate  of  the  Establishment,  and  the  guilt  and  consequent  danger 
 of  the  country,  were  remarkably  dark ;  but,  as  respects  the  im- 
 perishable interests  of  the  gospel,  he  rejoiced  in  the  assurance, 
 '  We  have  a  strong  city  ;  salvation  will  God  appoint  for  walls  and 
 bulwarks.'     The  example  of  his  zeal  and  growing  devotion  in  this 
 
 593  2  p 
 
59-i  CONCLUDING  MEMORIALS. 
 
 cause  has  been  bequeathed  by  him  as  a  precious  legacy  to  his 
 attached  and  weeping  flock.  His  death  has  spread  a  general 
 gloom  among  the  friends  of  religion  throughout  this  town,  and 
 bitter  are  the  tears  that  have  been  wrung  from  many  eyes  all  un- 
 used to  weep.  Every  one  feels  as  if  bereaved  of  a  personal  friend, 
 and  is  at  a  loss  for  language  to  convey  his  sense  of  the  loss  which 
 himself  and  the  cause  of  truth  have  sustained — *  sorrowing  most  of 
 all  that  they  shall  see  his  face  no  more.'  '  There  is  a  prince  and  a 
 great  man  fallen  this  day  in  Israel.'  May  the  Lord  increase  the 
 measures  of  his  grace  and  strength  to  his  surviving  servants,  who 
 are  called  to  occupy  the  breach  thus  left  in  the  walls  of  our  Zion  ! 
 '  Help,  Lord ;  for  the  godly  man  ceaseth ;  for  the  faithful  fail  from 
 among  the  children  of  men.' 
 
 "  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  grief  which  pervades  his  flock. 
 The  lane  in  which  his  residence  was  situated  was  constantly 
 crowded  with  anxious  inquirers,  and  numerous  prayer-meetings 
 were  held  during  the  progress  of  his  illness.  On  Thursday  there 
 was  the  usual  meeting  in  the  church,  and  it  was  then  agreed,  by 
 many  present,  to  meet  for  prayer  the  next  evening  in  the  school- 
 house.  This  they  accordingly  did,  but  it  proved  all  too  small  to 
 contain  the  crowds  who  flocked  to  it,  and  an  adjournment  to  the 
 church  was  necessary.  Towards  the  close,  it  became  known  that 
 increasing  fears  for  their  pastor's  life  were  entertained,  and  the 
 mourning  people  were  with  difficulty  persuaded  against  remaining 
 in  the  church  throughout  the  night ;  and  when,  the  next  morning, 
 the  news  spread  amongst  them,  the  voice  of  weeping  might  have 
 been  heard  in  almost  every  household.  On  Sabbath,  Mr  Bonar 
 of  Collace,  the  dear  friend  of  the  deceased,  and  his  companion  in 
 Palestine,  preached  in  the  forenoon  and  afternoon,  and  Mr  Miller 
 of  Wallacetown  in  the  evening.^  On  each  occasion,  the  church 
 (including  the  passages)  was  crowded  in  every  part ;  and  it  was 
 remarked  by  those  who  were  present,  that  they  never  before  saw 
 so  many  men  in  tears.     It  was  truly  a  weeping  congregation." 
 
 The  funeral  took  place  on  the  Thursday  following.  "  Busi- 
 ness was  almost  totally  suspended  throughout  the  bounds  of 
 his  parish,  and,  hours  before  the  time  appointed  for  the  funeral 
 arrived,  crowds  began  to  draw  towards  the  scene  of  the  mournful 
 obsequies  from  all  parts  of  the  town,  anxious  to  pay  the  last  sad 
 token  of  respect  to  the  remains  of  one  whom  living  they  had 
 esteemed  so  highly.     Long  before  the  hour  arrived,  the  whole  line 
 
 '  The  texts  were  these :— After  reading  2  Kings  ii.  1-15,  the  subject  in  the  fore- 
 noon was  Romans  vii.  38,  39 — iix  the  afternoon,  Romans  viii.  28-30 — in  the  even- 
 ing. Rev.  viii.  13-17. 
 
CONCLUDING  MEMORIALS.  595 
 
 of  road  intervening  between  the  dwelling-house  and  the  churchyard 
 was  crowded  with  men,  women,  and  children,  principally  of  the 
 working  classes.  Every  window  overlooking  the  procession,  and 
 the  church  itself,  were  Hkewise  densely  filled  with  females,  almost 
 all  attired  in  deep  mourning,  and  the  very  walls  and  house-tops 
 were  surmounted  with  anxious  on-lookers.  Altogether,  not  fewer 
 than  six  or  seven  thousand  people  must  have  assembled.  The 
 funeral  procession  itself  was  followed  by  nearly  every  man  in  the 
 parish  and  congregation  who  could  command  becoming  attire  ;  by 
 the  brethren  of  the  presbytery,  and  many  ministers  from  the  sur- 
 rounding districts,  as  well  as  from  a  distance ;  by  the  great  body 
 of  the  elders;  by  most  of  the  Dissenting  ministers  in  town;  and  bj 
 multitudes  of  all  ranks  ard  persuasions  besides,  who  thus  united  it 
 testifying  their  sense  of  the  loss  which  their  common  Christianity 
 had  sustained  in  the  untimely  death  of  him  in  whom  all  recognised 
 one  of  its  brightest  ornaments.  The  grave  was  dug  in  the  path- 
 way, near  the  south-west  corner  of  the  church,  and  within  a  few 
 yards  of  the  pulpit  from  which  he  has  so  often  and  so  faithfully 
 proclaimed  the  word  of  life  ;  and  in  this  his  lowly  resting-place  all 
 that  is  mortal  of  him  was  deposited,  amid  the  tears  and  sobs  of  the 
 crowd.  There  his  flesh  rests  in  that  assured  hope  of  a  blessed  re- 
 surrection, of  the  elevating  and  purifying  influences  of  which  his 
 life  and  his  ministry  were  so  beauteous  an  example.  His  memory 
 will  never  perish 
 
 "The  church  was  opened  for  public  worship  every  evening 
 during  the  week,  and  was  on  each  occasion  filled  to  overflowing. 
 On  Sabbath,  according  to  the  appointment  of  the  presbytery, 
 funeral  sermons  were  preached  by  the  Rev.  Messrs  Roxburgh, 
 Somerville,  and  Burns.  Mr  Roxburgh  preached  from  Phil.  iii. 
 17,  20,  and  21 ;  Mr  Somerville  from  Heb.  iv.  14;  and  Mr  Burns 
 from  Rom.  viii.  30.  So  early  as  nine  o'clock  on  Sabbath  morning,  a 
 crowd,  many  of  them  from  distant  country  parishes,  had  assembled 
 outside  the  church,  and  when  the  doors  were  opened  at  ten  o'clock, 
 the  church  was  instantly  densely  filled  in  every  part,  lobbies  in- 
 cluded. Unfortunately,  they  were  chiefly  strangers,  very  few  of 
 the  congregation  having  succeeded  in  obtaining  admission ;  and  by 
 the  time  the  ordinary  hour  for  commencing  divine  service  had 
 arrived,  another  large  congregation  had  assembled  outside.  To 
 these  Mr  Somerville  volunteered  to  preach ;  and  there  was  service, 
 therefore,  both  within  and  without  the  church,  and  the  same 
 in  the  afternoon.  In  the  afternoon,  arrangements  were  made  to 
 secure  the  admission  within  the  church  of  the  proper  congrega- 
 tion, being  all,  male  and  female,  habited  in  deep  mourning, — the 
 
598  CONCLUDING  MEMORIALS. 
 
 P 
 
 poorest  amongst  them  having  contrived,  by  a  black  ribbon  or  some 
 other  inexpensive  mode  within  their  reach,  to  give  outward  token 
 of  their  inward  grief  of  heart." 
 
 Another  tribute,  from  the  pen  of  Mr  Hamilton,  Regent  Square, 
 London,  is  too  precious  to  be  forgotten,  though  only  a  small  part 
 is  inserted  here : — 
 
 "A  striking  characteristic  of  his  piety  was  absorbing  love  to  the 
 Lord  Jesus.  This  was  his  ruling  passion.  It  lightened  all  his 
 labours,  and  made  the  reproaches  which  for  Christ's  sake  some- 
 times fell  on  him,  by  identifying  him  more  and  more  with  his 
 suffering  Lord,  unspeakably  precious.  lie  cared  for  no  question 
 unless  his  Master  cared  for  it ;  and  his  main  anxiety  was  to  know 
 the  mind  of  Christ.  He  once  told  a  friend,  '  I  bless  God  every 
 morning  I  awake  that  I  live  in  witnessing  times.*  And,  in  a  letter 
 six  months  ago,  he  says,  '  I  fear  lest  the  enemy  shall  so  contrive 
 his  measures  in  Scotland  as  to  divide  the  godly.  May  God  make 
 our  way  plain !  It  is  comparatively  easy  to  suffer  when  we  see 
 clearly  that  we  are  suffering  members  of  Jesus.'  It  were  wrong 
 not  to  mention  the  fact,  that  his  public  actings  were  a  direct 
 emanation  from  the  most  heavenly  ingredient  in  his  character — 
 his  love  and  gratitude  to  the  Divine  Redeemer.  In  this  he  much 
 resembled  one  whose  Letters  were  almost  his  daily  delight — Samuel 
 Rutherford;  and,  Kke  Rutherford,  his  adoring  contemplations  natu- 
 rally gathered  round  them  the  imagery  and  language  of  the  Song 
 of  Solomon.  Indeed,  he  had  preached  so  often  on  that  beautiful 
 book,  that  at  last  he  had  scarcely  left  himself  a  sinirle  text  of  its 
 *^  good  matter'  which  had  not  been  discoursed  on  already.  It  was 
 very  observable  that  though  his  deepest  and  finest  feelings  clothed 
 themselves  in  fitting  words  with  scarcely  any  effort,  when  he  was 
 descanting  on  the  glory  or  grace  of  Immanuel,  he  despaired  of 
 transferring  to  other  minds  the  emotions  which  were  overfilling  his 
 own ;  and  after  describing  those  excellencies  which  often  made  the 
 careless  wistful,  and  made  disciples  marvel,  he  left  the  theme  with 
 evident  regret,  that  where  he  saw  so  much,  he  could  say  so  little. 
 And  so  rapidly  did  he  advance  in  scriptural  and  experimental  ac- 
 quaintance with  Christ,  that  it  was  like  one  friend  learning  more  of 
 the  mind  of  another.  And  we  doubt  not  that,  when  his  hidden  Hie 
 is  revealed,  it  will  be  found  that  his  progressive  holiness  and  useful- 
 ness coincided  with  those  new  aspects  of  endearment  or  majesty 
 which  from  time  to  time  he  beheld  in  the  face  of  Immanuel,  just  as 
 the  '  authority'  of  his  '  gracious  words,'  and  the  impressive  sanctity 
 of  his  demeanour,  were  so  far  c  transference  from  Him  who  spake 
 
CONCLUDING  MEMOlllALa.  597 
 
 as  no  man  ever  spake,  and  lived  as  no  man  ever  lived.  In  his  case 
 the  words  had  palpable  meaning :  '  Beholding  as  in  a  glass  the  glory 
 of  the  Lord,  we  are  changed  into  the  same  image  from  glory  to 
 glory,  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord.' 
 
 "  More  than  any  one  whom  we  have  ever  known,  had  he  learned 
 to  do  everything  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  Amidst  all  his 
 humility,  and  it  was  very  deep,  he  had  a  prevailing  consciousness 
 that  he  was  one  of  those  who  belong  to  Jesus ;  and  it  was  from 
 Him,  his  living  Head,  that  he  sought  strength  for  the  discharge  of 
 duty,  and  through  Him,  his  Righteousness,  that  he  sought  the 
 acceptance  of  his  performances.  The  effect  was  to  impart  habitual 
 tranquillity  and  composure  to  his  spirit.  He  committed  his  ways 
 to  the  Lord,  and  was  sure  that  they  would  be  brought  to  pass ; 
 and  though  his  engagements  were  often  numerous  and  pressing,  he 
 was  enabled  to  go  through  them  without  hurry  or  perturbation. 
 We  can  discern  traces  of  this  uniform  self-possession  in  a  matter 
 so  minute  as  his  handwriting.  His  most  rapid  notes  show  no 
 symptoms  of  haste  or  bustle,  but  end  in  the  same  neat  and  regular 
 style  in  which  they  began ;  and  this  quietness  of  spirit  accompanied 
 him  into  the  most  arduous  labours  and  critical  emergencies.  His 
 effort  was  to  do  all  in  the  Surety ;  and  he  proved  that  promise  : 
 '  Great  peace  have  they  which  love  thy  law,  and  nothing  shall 
 offend  them.* 
 
 "  To  speak  with  the  plainness  which  such  a  solemn  occasion  jus- 
 tifies, or  rather  to  make  the  confession  which  this  heavy  visitation 
 calls  for,  it  must  be  owned  that,  whilst  the  possession  of  such  a 
 bright  and  shining  light  was  the  Church  of  Scotland's  privilege, 
 the  rarity  of  such  is  the  Church  of  Scotland's  sin.  When  we  con- 
 sider the  abihty  and  orthodoxy  of  the  pious  portion  of  our  ministry, 
 it  is  mournful  how  little  progress  the  work  of  God  has  made.  It 
 certainly  has  not  stood  still ;  but,  taking  the  labours  and  success  of 
 the  seven  short  and  feeble  years  allotted  to  this  faithful  evangelist 
 for  our  standard,  we  almost  feel  as  if  the  work  had  been  going 
 back.  If  few  congregations  have  witnessed  the  scenes  with  which 
 St  Peter's  had  become  happily  familiar,  one  reason  is  that  few 
 ministers  preach  with  the  fervour,  the  Christ-exalting  simplicity, 
 and  the  prayerful  expectancy  of  Robert  M'Cheyne ;  and  few  follow 
 out  their  preaching  with  the  yet  more  impressive  urgency  of  his 
 gracious  intercourse  and  consistent  example.  The  voice  of  this 
 loud  providence  shall  not  have  been  uttered  in  vain,  if  it  impart 
 new  instancy  to  the  ministers,  and  new  eagerness  and  solemnity  to 
 .  hearers — if  it  break  up  that  conventional  carnality  which  would 
 restrain  matters  of  eternal  import  to  pulpits  and  Sabbath-days, 
 
598  CONCLUDING  MEMORIALS. 
 
 and  make  it  henceforth  the  business  of  the  gospel  ministry  to  win 
 souls  and  tend  them.  Hireling  shepherds  will  not  regret  the  brother 
 who  is  gone.  His  life  and  labours  were  a  reproof  to  them.  But 
 if  the  many  devout  men  who,  now  that  Stephen  has  been  carried 
 to  his  burial,  are  making  lamentation  over  him,  would  arise  and 
 follow  him,  even  as  he  followed  Christ,  the  present  judgment  would 
 end  in  unprecedented  blessing.  Coming  at  this  conjuncture,  the 
 death  of  this  faithful  witness  is  a  striking  call  to  ministerial  dis- 
 interestedness and  devotedness.  *  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death, 
 and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.'  And  while  some  are  crying 
 mournfully,  'Where  is  the  Lord  God  of  Elijah?'  we  pray  that 
 many  may  find  the  answer  in  a  aouble  portion  of  Elijah's  spirit 
 descending  on  themselves. 
 "  Even  so,  Lord  !     Amen. 
 
 «  London,  April  3,  1843." 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 MlRRA-i-  AND  GJBB,  PRINTKRS.  EDl^niTKGH. 
 
"  The  Publisher's  name  is  a  sufficient  guarantee  for  the  healthy  moral  tone  of  the 
 works,  as  well  as  for  tJteir  thoroughly  evangelical  character.'''' — The  Freeman. 
 
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1 2  List  of  Publicaitons, 
 
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Issued  by  W.  OKphant  &-  Co.                      15 
 
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 Each  %vith  Illuminated  Side  and  Frontispiece^  Cloth  Neat. 
 
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 2.  Captain  John's  Adventures. 
 
 1 7.  Sketches  of  Broadburn. 
 
 3.  Elspeth  Sutherland. 
 
 18.  The  Fir-Tree  of  the  Jura. 
 
 4.  Fanny  Gordon. 
 
 19.  The  First  Christmas-Tree. 
 
 5.  The  Gardener's  Daughter. 
 
 20.  The  Rescue. 
 
 6,  Heni-y  and  Eliza. 
 
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 8.  Jessie  Allan,  the  Lame  Girl. 
 
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 14.  Old  Margie's  Flower  Stall. 
 
 29.  Pleasant  Words. 
 
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 9.  The  Little  Woodman. 
 
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 15.  Little  Blue  Mantle. 
 
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 8.  Susy's  Birthdays. 
 
 3.  The  Best  Warfare. 
 
 9.  Happy  Ellen. 
 
 4.  True  Heart. 
 
 10.  Kitty  Brown. 
 
 5.  Little  Henry. 
 
 II.  The  Best  Friend. 
 
 6.  The  Little  Woodman. 
 
 12.  Red  and  White  Roses. 
 
In  Eight  Volumes,  large  ct'own  8vo,  price  £2,  8s.  ^ 
 
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 DAILY   BIBLE   ILLUSTRATIONS, 
 
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