(Many of these Notes were hitherto unpublished.)*
(Continued from page 47.)
REV. DR. KENNEDY, Dingwall, said that the marriage between Christ and His Church was the most wonderful ever heard of. It behoved each party to undergo death and resurrection, before they were united. Christ died on the cross and rose again, and all the elect of God died in themselves and rose again by faith, before they were united to Christ.
Alexander Gair said that the man who had “the law” written on his heart, and a tender conscience, would be more troubled in mind for looking into a park as he passed the road, and finding himself coveting a cow or horse, than another man would be for stealing them.
Rev. John Mackay, Lybster, said that it was man’s duty, first, to know God, and then to acknowledge Him. He said that it was one of Satan’s devices to keep them who knew God from acknowledging Him, and to endeavour to put them who knew Him not, forward to acknowledge One of whom they were ignorant.
Gordon Ross, Helmsdale, in speaking of Paul’s being caught up into “the third heaven,” said that there were three heavens the child of God was sometimes caught up to. The first was God’s election of him in Christ from eternity; the second was the blessing of his effectual calling in a day of power; and the third was his after experience of the goodness and love of the Most High.
John Sutherland, Badbea, said that those whom Christ loved with an everlasting love He chastised as sons and daughters.
A certain man in a country district went one morning to see a godly man of his acquaintance. On entering the house he found that the man had not risen, and thinking that he was asleep, his friend turned away and was about to leave. “Stop,” said the man in bed, “what news shall we have from you this morning?” “Nothing particular,” replied the other. “Well,” said the man in bed, “I have news for you this morning. There is a man in a certain house and a woman in another (mentioning the names and places) who are at this time entering into glory, and if my feet were
* Taken from the notebooks of the late Mr. George Sutherland, Forse, Latheron, Caithness, who died in December, 1916. (See F.P. Magazine, April, 1917.) We had already a series of interesting notes from these books, slightly supplemented from other sources—a series that was concluded in April, 1918.—Ed.
as able as yours, I would not halt till I went to both these houses.” The friend went away, and found it to be true that both the persons mentioned left this earthly scene at the very time the other godly man was speaking to him. “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him.”
One, speaking of the spiritually deserted soul, said, “Well, if you find nothing in following Christ, give up following Him altogether.” “O, no,” says the deserted soul whose desire is truly towards Him, “not for all the world.”
Rev. John Macdonald, Helmsdale, was one day expected to preach at Dunbeath, Caithness. He did not arrive at the moment, and every eye in the congregation was looking eagerly for the minister. A godly elder said to him, as he was coming in: “I am glad you have come. There are more looking for you this day than for Christ.” “No wonder,” replied Mr. Macdonald, “they are better acquainted with me than with Christ.”
Rev. Finlay Cook, Reay, said that the prayers of the ungodly man were often more dangerous to him than his sins, for through self-satisfaction, he choked his conscience with his prayers, and then fell asleep in his carnality. (He did not intend to discourage prayer or encourage sin by this remark. The wise will understand.)
Rev. Mr. Cook was one day catechising in a house, and had asked all in the house a question. He then asked the man of the house what was the least or lowest mark by which believers would know each other. There was no answer. He asked the man’s wife, and there was no answer. “Is there no one here that can answer the question?” he said. At last a man, sitting in a distant corner, answered: “I think they will know one another by their miseries.” “Come nearer me,” said Mr. Cook. The man came forward, and Mr. Cook said, “Could you not have said that they would know each other by their graces?” “Yes,” replied the man, “but you asked for the least mark.” “True,” said Mr. Cook; and they entered into a long conversation.
Mr. Cook on another occasion remarked that, although Providence should put seven burdens on him, if He gave him seven backs to bear them, he would be content.
One said that in the building of a house the small stones were as useful in the building as the largest. All cannot be corner stones or front stones. Small stones, unseen from the outside, were useful for supporting and strengthening the building. The smallest are built on the foundation as well as the largest. Christ is the foundation, and He is also the builder.
(To be continued.)