From The Gospel Magazine.
The following notice appeared in the Gospel Magazine for September. This Magazine, which is published monthly in London (price 6d.), and edited by the Rev. James Ormiston, Rector of St. Mary-le-port, Bristol, is a long-standing and respected exponent of the doctrines of grace on Calvinistic and Evangelical lines. It was established in 1766, and its first editor was the well-known Rev. Augustus Toplady:—
“The Exaltation of Christ.—A SERMON by the REV. D. MACFARLANE, Minister of the Free Presbyterian Church, Dingwall. (Wick: The Ensign Office.)
“The Gospel Magazine has many subscribers and readers in the Highlands of Scotland, and it is one of the spiritual pleasures of our Editorial work to know that the distinctive truths which our Publication has maintained for the long period of upwards of 140 years are precious to the souls of the worthy successors of the old Scottish Covenants and other historic witnesses for the full truth of the Gospel of the Grace of God. It is our privilege, from time to time, to receive epistolary assurance from Highland readers that dear Toplady’s Magazine is a much valued means of grace among the scattered people of God in the extreme northern parts of our Island, and that Christ’s Ministers share with their flocks in the enjoyment of the spiritual pastures to be found in the monthly contributions of those who write for our pages. To the Lord, the Spirit, the praise of this cheering result of our labours is due, and is given. Sometimes there comes to our hands a reciprocal testimony, in the shape of a Highland sermon or pamphlet—sound in Evangelical doctrine and rich in experimental teaching—confirming and encouraging us in our love of “the things of God.” Such incidents we take as tokens for good at our adorable Master’s hand, while we bless the unknown brethren who administer the good cheer. One of the latest of such valued testimonies of fraternal regard comes in a copy of the discourse announced at the head of this review article. It hails from Dingwall, a town in Ross-shire, proverbial for its attachment to ‘the old paths’ in matters of public worship, and for a long succession of faithful preachers of the whole counsel of God—including the veteran Free Church pastor, the late Rev. Dr. Kennedy. The open-air services, conducted with great solemnity on the mountain sides in those parts, and attended by thousands of the country people, have through long, long years afforded evidence of the deep-rooted piety characterising the inhabitants of the sparsely populated district. It would have afforded us special pleasure to reproduce the sermon, ‘The Exaltation of Christ,’ in extenso, but that is not practicable; therefore we must ask our readers to accept a brief sketch only, and then, if they approve, to obtain copies of the entire sermon. The discourse is based on Philippians ii. 9-11. The Preacher appears to have divided his matter into two sections, the former comprising a discourse at morning, and the latter one at evening service. He treats his subject under three heads: (a) The Exaltation of Christ; (b) The Purpose for which he is Exalted; and (c) The Exaltation of Christ shall be ‘to the Glory of God the Father.’ There is a solidity, gravity, and dignity about the preacher’s method of handling his great subject which reminds one of the style of the old Puritans, and as being quite out of touch with that of our modern, popular, and superficial pulpit orators.” (Several extracts are given.)
The above sermon, as already intimated, may be had from the Rev. D. Beaton, F.P. Manse, Wick; price one penny. Postage of one or two copies, $\frac{1}{2}$ d.; six, 1 $\frac{1}{2}$ d.; twelve to eighteen, 3d.