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Home » Publications » Free Presbyterian Magazine » 1955 » December 1955 » Literary Notice

Literary Notice

DIARY OF JESSIE THAIN: Edited by Rev. Murdoch Campbell, M.A., price 2/6d. To be had from Rev. M. Campbell, Free Church Manse, Resolis, Conon, Ross-shire. This spiritual diary runs to 45 pages in booklet form and is printed in good clear type. There is an interesting and explanatory introduction by Mr. Campbell, explaining that Miss Thain was an intimate friend of the pious and zealous servant of Christ, Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne, Dundee, and also one of those brought to the saving knowledge of Jesus under his ministry. It is pointed out that the identity of the writer is discovered by evidence in the diary itself. Miss Jessie Thain belonged to Heath Park, Blairgowrie, and the second last entry in the diary is headed “Heath Park.” There is also a reference to the death of her younger brother under date of February, 1844. Her family attended Mr. McCheyne’s ministry during their winter residence in Dundee. She herself also died young and, apparently, soon after she had penned the last entry in her diary. In Andrew Bonar’s Memoir Mr. Campbell also points out that there are several letters written by McCheyne to Miss Thain’s mother. The diary itself is most spiritual, and by reason of quite lengthy records of sermons she heard from godly ministers in her day it gives the reader an intimate and refreshing view of the gospel doctrine then being preached by those ministers. And Miss Thain also records her own deep exercise of soul in relation to the gospel she heard from time to time. For example, on one occasion she writes, “What a miserable account I here give of a sermon which was so full and powerful. The Lord sanctify my memory and cause the savour of these rich words to remain with me.” A sample of the expression of her heart’s desires and prayers will be found in the following:—”But thou most gracious God suffer me not, I beseech Thee, to deceive myself. May I be dwelling in Christ and may Christ be found in me the hope of glory. Most wonderful union!” To those who value a real, living, gracious exercise of soul, related to Christ, the gospel preached, and His people, this diary throughout will indeed provide spiritual manna, refreshment, reproof and encouragement. This Diary has never been published before and is printed from the original manuscript. We indeed commend it to our readers, and it will prove a most edifying and useful gift to send to friends, young or old.

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