THE aged trees of righteousness are being cut down one by one throughout the country, and there is much need that importunate prayer would ascend to the God of Israel for the filling of the breaches, so that His cause might be strengthened and His name glorified in the land.
On this occasion, we notice with much sorrow the death of Mr. Donald Gunn, Sinclair Street, Halkirk, who passed away on the 20th April. The deceased had reached the ripe age of 82 years, and was much esteemed as a man of deep and fervent piety. He was born in the year 1820 in Shurrery, parish of Reay, Caithness, and enjoyed for many years the privilege of the gracious and faithful ministry of the honoured Rev. Finlay Cook. Mr. Cook was settled in Reay in 1835. His coming was hailed with delight “by the Lord’s people in that parish and surrounding districts. Worthy Janet Macleod, Sandside, in the fulness of her heart lifted up her hands and exclaimed, ‘Lord, bless the whole earth.'”[^2] The subject of this notice was brought to the saving knowledge of the truth under Mr. Cook’s ministry. Warm was the love he ever cherished for the memory of that worthy minister; and seldom did he engage in conversation on a spiritual topic but he quoted some remark of Mr. Cook’s in tones of the deepest affection and reverence, almost always describing him as “the man of God.” Mr. Gunn, who was a sheep-manager by occupation, was also for a time in the parish of Dunnet. There he sat under the late Rev. David Campbell of the Free Church, an able minister of Christ, and a faithful witness for the truth in his day. Mr. Campbell was a watchman on Zion’s walls, who gave no uncertain sound on the errors of the times, and was strongly opposed to the delusive Union movement which has culminated in the formation of the United Free Church.
Mr. Gunn was a man of more than average mental power, and took an intelligent interest in all the controversies which agitated Church and State in his time. His grasp of any subject he studied was clear and comprehensive, and he could express his views in language of great point and power. He had a profound admiration for the late Dr. Kennedy, Dingwall—as indeed had all right minded people who knew that eminent preacher—and read with much appreciation his articles on the Union controversy. Mr. Gunn deeply deplored the backsliding of the majority in the Free Church, and when the well-known Declaratory Act was passed, he cordially supported the protesting minority, and joined himself without delay to those who formed the Free Presbyterian Church. He had dark views of the state of true religion throughout the land, and in this connection often read the eighth chapter of the prophet Amos.
As to the characteristics of his personal piety it may be said that Mr. Gunn was one who had deep and solemn views of eternity and divine things. A friend well writes:—”He greatly feared resting in a profession of religion without knowing the reality of it. ‘Thousands,’ he would say, ‘in this day, are entering eternity with a lie in their right hand. Oh, eternity, eternity, five minutes of the realisation of it were enough to unhinge the strongest reason.'” While we heard him on one occasion acknowledging that he remembered the time when he took heaven and earth to witness that Christ was his choice and portion, he was yet a man subject to great inward conflicts and temptations. He was not permitted to remain long in a self complacent frame of mind, but was kept a lively wrestler at the throne of grace; to use an expression of his own about others, “No rust was allowed to lie on his soul.” In such seasons of soul trouble, however, he was not easily comforted. He would sometimes exclaim, “Though all the Christians in Scotland should tell me I have an interest in Christ, I would not believe it; only the Spirit of God can make me believe it by shining on the page of the Word.” His life was a long conflict; yet at eventide there was light; and his last days were composed and even bright. It is worthy of note, as coming from one who was led to examine all matters in the light of eternity, that he said to a friend on his death-bed, that whatever other doubts and fears he had, he had none as to the step of separation for the truth taken in 1893.
Mr. Gunn, though a man of commanding presence and ability, was very diffident as to taking part in public exercises, yet latterly, when circumstances called for it, he assisted in the conduct of the meetings in Halkirk to the great satisfaction of the people. He was much concerned about the cause of truth in the district, and it gave him much satisfaction when a minister (the Rev. D. S. Cameron) was recently settled there. At the Friday Fellowship Meeting, on the last Communion occasion, he gave out the question which was based on 2 Cor. i. 21-22; and the words are indicative of the deep spiritual line of thought which characterised his exercises: “Now he which establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” He desired marks of the persons described by the apostle. Perhaps we should not omit noting that Mr. Gunn, though a man of deep and marked experience of the power of the truth, deprecated the tendency of speakers at fellowship meetings to sometimes lay down too hard and fast lines as to the first dealings of the Lord with the souls of His people.
A word of his in prayer was: “O Eternal Love, let the river of life flow through our souls”; and another: “Leave us not like the dead fish that are carried down the stream of iniquity, but make us like the living fish that swim against it.”
It is only a few months since his mother-in-law, Mrs. Hobkirk, to whom he was affectionately united in the Lord, died at a very advanced age, and now he has followed her, as we firmly believe, to the everlasting “rest that remaineth to the people of God.” He leaves a widow and family with whom much sympathy is felt.
“Help, Lord, because the godly man
doth daily fade away;
And from among the sons of men,
the faithful do decay.”—(Ps. xii. 1).
J. S. S.
The Late Neil Shaw, Eyre, Snizort, Skye.
MR. Neil Shaw was born at Glenose, in the parish of Bracadale, in the year 1819, and died at Eyre on the 20th of October, 1901.
When he was about 11 years of age he came under serious religious impressions. This happened in a very remarkable—perhaps a very unusual—way. He gave utterance to some horrid oath, and on reflecting on what he said he felt shocked at his own guilt before God, and was made sensible of his need of mercy. He was enabled to pray for forgiveness for Christ’s sake, and from that day lived an exemplary life. Believing that God would forgive him for Christ’s sake, he clung with purpose of heart to His mercy as his only refuge.
His father’s family consisted of nine—six sons and three daughters. He was the second eldest son. At the age of fifteen years he began to keep family worship in his father’s house.
He spent thirty-three years as crofter in Lorcill, in the parish of Duirinish; for twenty of these he enjoyed the great privilege of sitting under the ministry of the late Rev. Alex. M’Coll, for whom he held the profoundest regard. Though he could never be prevailed upon to take either the office of elder or deacon in the church, yet he was always ready to do anything he could to help his brethren for the furtherance and maintenance of Christ’s cause.
When the Free Presbyterian Church was formed he was one of the first in the parish of Snizort to join it, for he felt he could not have peace of conscience in the Free Church any longer, though he dearly loved it from its beginning. In taking this step he felt that he was acting from a sense of duty towards his own soul—towards the souls of his fellow-sinners—towards a Church which had abandoned her own distinctive principles and doctrines, and towards the truth of God which men had impiously trampled under their feet. He continued to hold fast these convictions to the end.
He was a man possessed of great meekness, and was much respected even by those who could not appreciate his godliness. He met with much trouble in this valley of Baca. He was married twice—his first wife died when her seventh child was born—his second is still living, by whom he had four sons and a daughter. We desire to express our deep sympathy with all his family and to urge upon them to seek the God of their father while the day of grace lasts.
N. C.
Searmon.
LEIS AN URR. ARCH. COOK A BHA ‘N DEIMHIDH.
21ST SEPTEMBER, 1862.
“Agus air dha amharc air Iosa agus e ag imeachd thubhaint e, Feuch Uan De,” &c.—EOIN i. 36-43.
THA an Cruithear a’ nochdadh ‘ard-uachdaranachd ann an iomadh rathad, ach cha’n ‘eil ann an doigh air bith mar am measg creutairean peacach. Tha e ‘ga nochdadh ann an so ann an taghadh nan Abstol gu bhi ‘foillseachadh a ghloir troimh ‘n t-siorruidheadhd. “Agus air dha amharc air Iosa agus e ag imeachd thubhaint e, Feuch Uan De. Agus chuala an dithis dheisciobul e a’ labhaint agus lean iad Iosa.”
Is priseil a bhi am measg cloinn Chriosd. Aon anam a tha ‘miannachadh aithne air Chriosd biodh e am measg cloinne Chriosd. Cha do ghabh Chriosd comhnuidh ann an comunn an t-saoghail, agus thusa, a tha ann an comunn an t-saoghail, co fhad ‘s a bhuanaicheas tu ann cha’n fhaigh thu mor aithne air Iosa. O cha’n iongantach ged a tha an saoghal aineolach air Dia agus air siorruidheadhd. “Thigibh a mach as am meadhon agus dealaichibh riu.” Cha sealbhaich sibh a bheag do chomunn Iosa ‘nan comunn. Ach bha iad so maille ri Eoin agus deirear riu dithis do dheisciobluibh Eoin. Tha e cosmhuil gu’n robh iad a’ cleachdadh na h-uile meadhon a dh’athneadh dhoibh; ach tha e cosmhuil gu’n robh ni eigin aca nach bu chomasach do na meadhonan a riarachadh. Ach bha lamh dhiomhair aig a’ Chruithear a chum annt’ iad; agus ciod a leanas? “Agus air dha amharc air Iosa agus e ag imeachd thubhairt e, Feuch Uan De.” Fhuair iad ann an sud na bheir fois shiorruidh dhoibh, agus ‘s math a dh’fheudta gu’n robh feum ac’ air. Math dh’fheudta gu’n tainig am mi-shonas gu ‘leithid do dh’airde gu’n robh feum aca air fois. “Agus chual’ iad Eoin a’ labhairt agus lean iad Iosa.” Bha ni eigin anns an fhocal a rinn greim air an anam. ‘S iongantach sin ni ann am focal a tha ‘gabbail greim air an anam. Thusa a bhios air do thearnadh tacharaidh ni eigin deth sin riut, ach thus’ a bhios caillte cha choinnich ni dheth so thu.
“Agus air tionndadh do Iosa chunnaic e iad ‘ga leantuinn agus thubhairt e riu, ciod a tha sibh ag iarraidh?” Ann an so tha an ceasnachadh a’ toiseachadh ach bha am freagrach aca-san: agus thubhairt iad ris, Rabbi. Faic an t-urram a ghin ‘fhocal ‘nan anam. Fhuair iad toradh anns an ainm a ghin so ‘nan anam agus thubhairt iadsan ris. “Rabbi, c’aite am bheil thu a’ gabhail comhnuidh? Thubhairt e riu, thigibh agus faicibh.” Thigibh math dh’fheudta gu bothan bochd agus math dh’fheudta creutair bochd ann a’ gal os cionn cridhe cruaidh agus aineolas air Dia, agus spiorad gun toradh do nach comas aon smuain mhath a smuaineachadh ach droch smuaintean agus e ag amharc air sin mar chomharra air gu’n do cheus e Iosa o’anam. Thigibh agus gheibh sibh Iosa an sin agus e a’ dol seachad air tigh nam Phaireasach mhor gheal. Tuigidh clann Chriosd gu bheil e an sin. Aithnichidh iad eadhon ‘nan codal gu bheil e an sin. “B’e Aindreas brathair Shimoin aon do’n dithis a chual’ Eoin agus a lean Iosa. Fhuair esan air tus a bhrathair fein Simon agus thubhairt e ris, fhuair sinn am Mesias ‘se sin Criosd.” Bha so ro phriseil air son a chumail am folach. Cha’n ‘eil drap a dh’aithne air Iosa a tighinn a dh’ ionnsuidh aoin a bhreoghas ‘na bhroilleach. Ged a bhiodh an ceann lan a dh’ eolas na litreach tha an t-eolas a’ breoghadh ann am broilleach a’ chreutair. Ach drap a dh’aithne air Iosa—cha bhreogh sin. Feumaidh e bhi air a thaomadh ann am broilleach an Tighearna air neo air ‘fhosgladh chum maith anaman anns an t-saoghal. Mar sin bha e anns an uair so air ‘fhosgladh do Shimon. Bha Aindreas gun teagamh a’ cleachdadh nam meadhonan ach math dh’ fheudta gun a bhi ‘faotainn a bheag annta. Ach co luath ‘s a fhuair e drap do’n chomhfhurtachd shiorruidh dh’fheumadh so a bhi air ‘fhosgladh do Shimon bochd. Agus math dh’ fheudta gu’n robh Simon cho feumach air ri Aindreas fein. ‘S iomadh uair a.tha an Cruithear a’ deanamh feum do dh’ aon anam chum E Fein fhosgladh do dh’ anamaibh eile. Thusa nach d’ fhuair tre phobull Dhe na dh’ fhuasgail ceanglaichean a shaol thu nach biodh air am fuasgladh tre ‘n t-siorruidheadh no nach tug a slochd thu ciod an gaol a th’ agad do phobull Dhe? Tha sinn a’ leughadh mu Ieremiah gun tug Etiopach a mach as an t-slochd e le cordaibh agus seann bhroineagan. Ma ta tha mi cinnteach nach do sheall Ieremiah riamh air an duine ach le suil bhlath. Ach thusa nach do thachair ni de so riat c’aite am bheil do ghaol do shluagh Dhe? B’fhearr leat a bhi ‘n comunn nam misgearan na bhi ‘nam measg. Ach chuala Simon bochd na nithe so; oir tha an Cruithear gu minic a’ cur an onoir air aon a bhi ‘na mheadhon air son E fein fhosglaidh do chreutair eile.
Tha millseachd anns an drap a’s lugha a dh’ aithne air an Fhear-shaoraiddh tighinn a steach anns an anam a chordas ri nadur an anama agus an t-anam a gheibh drap a dh’aithne air Iosa dh’iarradh e gu’m biodh sin air a chomhpairteachadh ri muinntir eile agus an t-anam a’s mo a gheibh dhe so ‘se a’s mo iarrtus gu’ chomhpairteachadh ri muinntir eile. Bha an t-Abstol eadhon ag iarraidh gu’m biodh e fein air a sgarachadh o Chriosd airson a bhraithrean agus ciod a bh’ann an sin ach drap do’n Spiorad a bha ann an Chriosd o shiorruidheadhd. Mar sin tha sinn a’ leughadh, mur’eil Spiorad Chriosd aig neach cha bhuin e dha. Tha anns an Fhear-shaoraiddh, an uair a gheibh aon blasad air, gu’m bu mhath leis an anam gu’m biodh e aig na h-uile h-aon a tha anns an t-saoghal. Seadh, ‘se cuid de a bhron gu’m biodh aon anns an t-saoghal a dh’easbhuidh air. Thug am Fear-Saoraiddh fein an aithne sin dhoibh. Ghuidh an duine as an deachaidh an legion a chur gu’m feudadh e bhi maille ri Iosa ach chuir Iosa uaith e ag radh, “Pill do d’ thigh fein agus cuir an ceill meud nan nithe a rinn Dia dhuit.” O luchd-aidich gun ghras ag aideachadh Chriosd agus comasach a bhi fad an la gun fhocal mu Chriosd! ‘Nuair a thainig an t-uisge beo a stigh ‘na h-anam dh’fhàg bean Shamaria a soitheach uisge agus dh’ fhalbh i do’n bhaile agus thubhairt i, “thigibh, faicibh duine a dh’innis dhomhsa na h-uile ni a rinn mi riamh: nach e so Criosd?” Bheireadh i an saoghal uile d’a ionnsuidh. Nis ‘se sin an Spiorad a tha ‘tighinn a stigh anns na h-uile agus tha sin chum gloir Chriosd. Faic anam bochd a’ leantuin nam meadhanon le’ spiorad briste a’ smuaineachadh air toirt thairis, math dh’fheudta a’ smuaineachadh gu bheil uiread do throcair airson an diabhuil ‘sa tha air a shonsan nach ‘eil e chum gloir an Fhir-shaoraiddh ‘nuair a tha e ‘briseadh a stigh air an sin gu’m biodh sin air ‘fhoillseachadh a mach? “Thigibh, eisdibh sibhse uile air am bheil eagal Dhe agus cuiridh mi ‘n ceill na rinn e air son m’ anama.” O anam, am bheil teangadh agad airson na h-uile diomhanas agus nach ‘eil teangadh agad airson Chriosd? Cha’n iongantach ged a tha spiorad gun toradh agad.
Ach an uair a tha an Tighearn a’ tighinn a stigh do’n anam tha e ‘g atharrachadh cail an anam: tha e ‘briseadh gaol an anam do chainnt dhiomhain an t-saoghal. Thusa do nach do rinn e so, chan’eil annad ach leanabh diolan. “Ach thoisich iadsan air labhairt le teangaibh eile.” Bha teangannan nuadha air an toirt dhoibh. A lanachd a’ chridhe tha am beul a’ labhairt agus gheibh an t-anam sin tarbhach dha fein. Is iongantach ma gheibh e cronachadh anns an uaigneas airson labhairt ris an t-saoghail mu Chriosd.
“Fhuair e a bhrathair fein Simon.” Cha’n’eil gras a’ milleadh a’ ghraidh nadurraich. Cha’n’eil teagamh nach ’eil gras a’ dol as deigh an t-saoghail uile. Tha farsuinneachd iongantach anns an Tigearn a reir nam briathar sin, “Seallaibh riumsa, uile iomallan na talmhainn agus bithibh air ’ur tearnadh oir is mise Dia.” Nis ma thig drap dó nadur Dhe a steach tha ann an sin na ghabhas a stigh a’ chruitheachd uile agus gu h-araidh a chairdean.
“Agus fhuair esan air tus a bhrathair fein Simon agus thubhairt e ris, fhuair sinn am Mesias, ’se sin Criosd.” O nach ann aig a bha an naiğheachd! Nach sona an t-anam a’ tighinn o mheadhon grais leis an naiğheachd sin, “fhuair sinn am Mesias”? Cha’n ’eil teagamh nach robh e a’ cleachdadh nam meadhonan ach tha e soilleir nach robh e ’faotainn annta na bha a’ toirt fois air son siorruidheachd. Nis tha co-fhulangas iongantach a’ tighinn a stigh anns an anam sin ri anamaibh eile. Cha do dhearbh Simon e fein a bhi ’na namhaid do Dhia. Tha cuid ann agus tha naimhdeas do Dhia annta. Gabhaidh iad ni eigin do’n t-saogail gu’ chumail a mach. Ach dh’eisd Simon ciod a chaidh radh ris, “Fhuair sinn am Mesias.” “Agus thug e gu Iosa e.” Direach cosmhuil ri creutair bochd a fhuair focal ann am meadhon grais, bheireadh e a bhrathair dh’ ionnsuidh a’ mheadhoin sin. Thug e chum Iosa gu pearsanta agus cha’n ’eil teagamh nach tug leis an urnuigh cuideachd. ’Sann mar sud a bhios parant a’ toirt a leinibh chum na h-urnuigh. Tha iarrtus a’ tighinn a stigh ann gu’m faigheadh an leanabh aithne air Iosa agus cha’n’eil Iosa feargach airson sin. Tha cuid agus gheibh bochdan Chriosd ni’s mo do shaorsainn air an son na gheibh iad air an son fein. Tha cuid agus fagaidh iad anns an teine thu. Ach tha cuid eile ann agus thig iad gu bhi ’nan eallach dhuit agus tuigidh tu annad fein nach ’eil an Tigearn feargach airson a bhi ’gan toirt ’na lathair. Tha cuid ann agus gheibh an t-anam grasmhior an cor a sgaoleadh a mach an lathair an Tigearn agus ged a bhiodh iad cho eutrom ris na h-eoin gidheadh bithidh drap anns an anam aig am bhi suil as an deigh gu la a’ bhreitheanais. Tha cuid ann agus gheibh thu bas Chriosd a’ fosgladh air an son. O is priseil sud a bh’aig na deisciobluibh! fathast tha rùm, rùm ann an Dia. Ach tha cuid eile ann is ma bheir thu gu caithir grais iad ’se na nithe grannda anns am bheil iad a’ tighinn beo a thigfad’ chomhair agus a bhriseas do dhanachd air an son an lathair Dhe. Cha’n iongantach ged a tha cuid do bhochdan Chriosd ’gam faotainn fein aonaranach ’nuair a tha an dream ris an robh an comunn aig caithir nan gras ’gan toirt air falbh.
Thug e chum Iosa e—agus thug Iosa ainm nuadh dha. Cha d’ thainig anam riamh chum Iosa dha nach tug e ainm nuadh. “Agus ’nuair a dh’ amhairc Iosa air, thubhairt e, is tusa Simon mac Iona gairmear Cephas dhiot ’se sin air’ eadar-theangachadh Peadar.” Thug e dheth an seann ainm agus thug e ainm nuadh dha. Tha Simon anns a’ cheud chainnt a’ ciallachadh umhailteas air neo geilleadh cosmhuil ris an anam gun ghras. Cha’n’eil ni a thig o’n diabhul do nach geill e. Math dh’ fheudta smuain a’ tighinn a steach anns an anam agus bheir an smuain air falbh an creutair as a deigh. Math dh’ fheudta smuain neoghlán agus bheir an smuain sin an creutair air falbh mar ghaoith math dh’ fheudta ann am meadhon grais. Thigeadh smuain air Dia a stigh agus bheir an smuain sin an t-anam a dh’ionnsuidh na h-urnuigh ach co luath ‘s a tha sin air falbh tha an creutair cho mi-churamach ‘s a bha e roimh. Math dh’ fheudta gu’m bi aig a’ chreutair smuaintean air dealachadh ri comunn agus cainnt an t-saoghail ach ‘nuair a choinnicheas e riu tuidith e annta mar a bha e riámh. Math dh’ fheudta air uairean drap a dh’ urachadh agus gu’m bi e ‘smuaineachadh gu’m faigh e trocair ach ‘nuair a tha sin air falbh tha e cho mi-churamach ‘s a bha e. Air uairean a’ smuaineachadh nach cuir an Tighearn a dh’ ifrinn e air son smuaintean diomhan nach comasach e air cur ‘nan aghaidh. Mar sin tha an creutair air a ghiulan air falbh a’ lubadh leis na h-uile ghaoith o ifrinn. Cha’n e sin a mhain ach nithe salach nach b’ aithne do aon ach e fein agus Dia, agus bi sin ‘na eagal da; ach di-chiumhnichidh se e agus saoilidh e gu’n dichuimhnich Dia e cuideachd. Ach thainig am Fear-saoraidh an rathad agus thubhairt e, “is tu Simon gairear Peadar dhiot.” Rinn e greim air anam le ‘uile-fhiosrachd. Cha b’ aithne do Shimon am Fear-saoraidh gu pearsanta ach ann an so ghlac an uile-fhiosrachd e agus thug sin an lathair Dhe e agus ‘nuair a thig sin am fagus cha’n’eil ‘san anam no ‘san diabhul na bheir air an anam gun a bhi creidsinn ann an uile-fhiosrachd Dhe. Ann an sin thuig Simon gu’n robh e ‘na chreutair cunntas-ach. Fhuair cuid mar sin gu’n robh e ‘gairm a chaorach fein air an ainm. Ged a bhiodh an creutair am measg mile aithnichidh e ‘ainm fein agus cha dean meadhonan nan gras mor-fheum do’n anam. Ann an so bha gniomharan Shimoin bhochd an lathair Dhe. Tha cuid do chreutairean ciontach do pheacaidhean ach bha iad folaichte. Bha cuid ciontach do nithibh a bha ‘toilltinn gu’m biodh iad air an losgadh, ach bha iad folaichte agus shaoil leo gu’n robh iad air am maithheadh. Ach aig Simon bochd fhuair iad aiseirigh agus bha iad an lathair Dhe. Ann an sin thuig Simon bochd gu’n robh na nithe sin ag eiridh o phrionnsapalan salach a bha ‘na anam agus ged a bhiodh an diabhul marbh gu’n robh freumh nan uile ‘na nadur fein agus mar sin gu’n do chaill e a cho-chomunn ri Dia. ‘S uamhasach an sealladh a gheibh cuid dhe sin aig la a’ bhreitheanais. Ann an sin bha Simon bochd ‘na pheacach agus cha di-chuimhnich e sin gu la a bhais. Aon pheacadh a chronaich an Tighearn dhuitsa, cha dichuimhnich thu sin gu la do bhais. Ann an sin thainig Simon bochd gu eudochas anns na h-uile ni ann fein agus ann an sin thainig e gu bhi ‘deanamh greim air Fear-saoraidh—Fear-Saoraidh le’m bu chom-asach co-fhulangas a bhi aige ris. Ann an sin thug am Fear-saoraidh dha ainm nuadh—thainig e gu bhi ‘na charraig. Cha lubadh e leis na h-uile ghaoith o ifrinn, thainig seasmhachd a stigh do’n anam. Tha na h-uile h-aon do chloinn Chriosd ‘nan carraigean agus ‘nuair a chi thusa aon ag aideachadh agus gu’n teid e leis na h-uile ghaoith feudaidh tu co-dhunadh gur cealgair a th’ ann; ach ann an so tha carraig.
Tha seasmhachd an anama anns a’ cheud aite a’ co-sheasamh ann am prionnsapalan glan. An la a choinnich Chriosd ris an anam ghin e prionnsapalan glan anns an anam—siol nan gras. Bha aig na h-oighean glic soithichean agus oladh ‘nan soithichean: bha siol nan gras aca ‘nan anam ach a thaobh nan oighean amaideach bha na h-uile ni aca ‘nan eanchainn: bha na bh’ aca do eagal Dhe a’ seasamh ann an teagasg duine; ach tha fior-eagal Dhe a’ seasamh ann an teagasg Chriosd. Fhuair Muire “Tecel” sgiobhta air teagasg nam Phaireasach. Cha riaraicheadh ni i ach gu’n deanadh an Tighearna e fein aithnichte d’a h-anam. ‘Nuair a bheir an Tighearna uainn na h-uile ni a fhuair sinn o dhaoinibh tha e ‘na aobhar eagail gu’m bi iomadh cho ruisgte ris na droch spioradan. Ach cha teid ni troimh ‘n bhas ach toradh bas Chriosd. Agus shuidh Muire aig cosan Iosa. ‘Sann ann am bas Chriosd a tha fuath do pheacadh agus gaol do anamaibh ri ‘fhaotainn. ‘Sann ann am bas Chriosd a tha uile bhuadhan na Morachd ri’m faotainn. ‘Se sin neart an anama a bhi aig cosan Iosa agus cha toir fochaid an t-saoghail an t-anam as a sin. Far am bheil an drap sin anns an anam ‘sann o Dhia a dh’ eirich e; ‘s e a th’ann siol nan gras a bheir an t-anam gu tobar nan gras. “An t-uisge a bheir mise dhuit bithidh e annad ‘na thobar do bheo-uisge a’ sruthadh a suas chum na beatha maireannaich.” ‘S iomadh ni a tha a’ coinneachadh ris ach far am bheil an drap so cha chum smugaidean an t-saoghail an t-anam uaith. Tha e mar charraig. ‘S ann tre fhocal an Tighearna a tha an drap so a’ tighinn a dh’ ionnsuidh an anama agus ma bha an t-srad sin air a gin le focal Dhe cha bheathaich ni sin ach focal Dhe. ‘S ann mar sin a tha an t-anam mar charraig ann an slighibh Dhe. ‘S iomadh creutair bochd a tha gle lag ‘nuair a tha an Tighearna a’ tighinn a dh’ ionnsuidh an anama ach bithidh a’ bhuaidh aig an drap so mu dheireadh.
Tha seasmhachd an anama ag eiridh anns an dara h-aite o ghaol a’ pheacaidh a bhi air a chaitheamh a mach as an anam. Co fhad’s a tha gaol a pheacaidh air ‘fhagail anns an anam coinnich-eadh am peacadh sin agus nithe na siorruidheachd anns an anam agus dealaichidh an t-anam ri Dia mu’n dealaich e ri peacadh. Ach tha seasmhachd ag eiridh o ghaol a’ pheacaidh a bhi air a chaitheamh a mach as an anam. Tha aithne spioradail air Dia a’ tighinn a stigh anns an anam a tha ‘losgadh na h-uile ni a tha ‘toirt an anam air falbh o Dhia. ‘S iongantach sin—nadur an naoidhein air ‘ur bhreth ag iarraidh bainne fiorghlan an fhocail. ‘S iongantach sin amen an anama ris an ni a bha ann an run siorruidh na Morachd. Bha anns an run an t-anam a naomhachadh agus is iongantach sin amen an anama ‘dol a stigh an lathair na caithreach ris a sin eadhon gu’m biodh e air a naomhachadh. Feudaidh nach bi sin a ghnath aig a’ chreutair ach ‘se cleachdadh grais anns an anam e.
Tha seasmhachd an anama anns an treas aite a’ seasamh ann am faireachadh air a laigse fein. Cha’n ‘eil aon do chloinn Chriosd aig nach robh ruintean. Ach fhuair iad e ‘na ni eucomasach na ruintean sin a choimhlionadh. Seadh, thuig an t-anam gu’m bu treise smuain dhiomhan na e fein. Seadh gu’n toireadh smuain dhiomhan air falbh e o Dhia. ‘S iongantach sin an Cruithear ‘ga bhriseadh fein do’n anam air chor ‘s gu’n tuig an t-anam ni-eigin do’n ainm mhor a tha ‘na Thur laidir. ‘Sann ann an ainm Chriosd a tha tobar neart an anama agus cha’n’eil dleasdanas no gairm anns am feud an creutair a bhi nach ‘eil anns an Fhear-shaoraidh na sheasas ris. Nis tha an Spiorad Naomh a’ fosgladh sin do’n anam agus mar sin a’ tarruinng an anama d’a ionnsuidh fein gu bhi ‘faotainn gras air son grais. Dh’ fheudadh am Fear-saoraidh aon ghairm gu ‘bheatha a leigeadh sios air a shon agus a chomh-pairteachadh ris ann an sin na dheanadh an creutair mar charraig. Dh’ fheudadh Chriosd aon a ghairm gu inbhe anns am biodh aige ri fulang air a shon agus a chomh-pairteachadh ris ann an sin na bheireadh buaidh air daoinibh agus air diabhluibh. Tha neo-chaochluideachd anns an Tighearna a dheanadh e mar charraig.
Tha seasmhachd an anama anns a’ cheathramh aite ag eiridh o eadarghuidhe Chriosd. Bha an taghadh air an earbsadh ri Chriosd anns a’ chumnant agus is iad oighreachd Chriosd agus an la a tha aont’ an anama air a chosnadha tha e air a ghabhail a stigh ann an eadarghuidhe Chriosd. Tha ‘uile-fhiosrachd a’ cuairteachadh neamh agus talamh agus bu mhath sin do Ioseph ‘nuair a thainig am buaireadh. Chunnaic an Tighearn am buaireadh am meag nan diabhul agus leig e leis tighinn air aghaidh ach dh’ ulluich e Ioseph air a shon agus cha’n’eil ni a phianas an diabhul cosmhuil ri peacach bochd ‘bhi ‘toirt buaidh air. Anam bhochd, ‘nuair a theid thusa mach anns a’ mhaduinn cha’n’eil fhios ciod a choinnicheas thu mu’n tig thu steach ach dh’ ulluich an Tighearn Ioseph. Tha mi a’ smuaineachadh nach d’ fhuair e riamh a leithid do shealladh do naomhachd agus millseachd Dhe ‘sa fhuair e air a’ mhaduinn ud air chor ‘s gu’m b’ fhearr leis breoghadh anns a’ phriosan gu la a bhais na peacachadh. Agus ma gheibh thusa drap a dh’ aithne air Dia anns a’ mhaduinn thoir an aire feudaidh sin a bhi airson d’ ulluchadh airson ni eigin. B’ fhearr leis an triuir chloinne losgadh na lubadh do’n iomhaigh oir. Chunnaic iad teine ann an Dia ris nach robh an teine ud ri bhi air a choimeas. Is priseil sin creutair a mhearradhadh air call an t-saoghail air son Dhe. Mar sin tha an Tighearn a’ labhairt ris an anam. Thusa a tha anns an eadarghuidhe, tha an Tighearn a’ labhairt ri d’ anam. Thusa nach ‘eil anns an eadarghuidhe cha’n’eil e a’ labhairt riut. Ach thusa a tha anns an eadarghuidhe feudaidh iomadh ni coinneachadh riut ach tha am focal a’ labhairt riut. Tha teangadh an fhoghluamaiche aige agus is aithne dha focal a labhairt ann an deadh am. O is uamhasach thusa ris nach do labhair Dia riamh. Labhair e ris a’ chnuimheig Iacob, is mise do Dhia—Dia Abrahaím agus Isaac d’athair, na biodh eagal ort dol sios do’n Eiphit, theid mise maille riut. ‘Se sin seasmh-achd an anama.
Anns an aite mu dheireadh tha seasmhachd an anama ann a bhi ‘ga thoirt fein seachad do’n Tighearn: ‘s iongantach sin anam a’ faicinn gur leis an Tighearn e fein; buadhan an anama gur leis an Tighearn iad. Thainig am Fear-saoraidh gu aon aite agus thubhairt na droch spioradan ris, “ciod ar gnothuch-ne riut?” Nam biodh agad fein tigh agus gu’n tigeadh aon agus gu’n gabhadh e sealbh air an tigh nach abradh tu ris, “ciod do ghnothuch ri sin?” ‘Se an t-anam ionad comhnuidh an diabhuil. An la a pheacaich an duine thug ceartas Dhe thairis e do’n diabhl mar pheanas airson a’ pheacaidh sin; mar sin feudaidh an diabhl a rada ‘ciod ar gnothuch riut? nach e so ar tigh fein?’ O is uamhasach thusa a tha ‘dol do’n t-siorrudheadach leis an diabhl ‘nad chridhe! An la a thig am Fear-saoraidh tilgidh e a mach e, tilgidh e a mach an spiorad striopachais, an spiorad nach biodh reidh ris anns an t-saoghal. ‘S iongantach drap a’ tighinn o Dhia a bheireadh an t-anam gu e fein a thoirt thairis do Dhia airson tìm agus siorruidheadh. Ma thig sin gad’ ionnuidhsa cha bhi thu reidh ri do bhuill a bhi ‘nan seirbhisich neoghloine chum euceirt. Cha bhi suil adhaltrannach agad ach bithidh thu airson an Tighearna agus sin ann an iomadh rathad. Choisinn e aonta d’ anam’ agus gleidhidh an Cruithear aont’ an anama gu la do bhais. Agus ‘sann mar sin a tha cuid a’ tighinn gu bhi fadalach airson la am bais. Agus thusa, anam bhochd, a tha an Cruithear a’ deanamh seasmhach feudaidh gu bheil thu an diugh cho lag ‘s gur eagal leat breitheachd air laimh air pobull Dhe a’ saoilsinn gu’m bi sluagh Dhe a’ faicinn ‘nad’ shuilean an ni sin a tha thu fein a’ faireachadh. Bha cuid do bhochdan Chriosd iomadh la mu’m bu chomasach iad air amharc anns an aghaidh air sluagh Dhe agus thusa, anam bhochd, a tha mar sin an diugh tha iad a nis ann an gloir a bha mar sin roimh. Tha muinntir an diugh cho laidir! ach cha b’ ann mar sin a bha cuid aon uair. Bha mi an diugh a’ smuaineachadh gur e gu’m fac an diabhl a mhaith agus a mhaise fein ach nach fac e gur ann o Dhia a bha sin aige a ghin spiorad ardanach ann. Seall, thusa aig am bheil beagan do’n t-saoghal, mar ni sin thu ‘nad dhiabhl le ardan. Ach thusa, a chreutair bhochd, ma ghleidheas e thu o bhi riaraichte leis an t-saoghal gus am faigh thu aithne air fein feudaidh e do dheanamh mar charraig gu la do bhais. Tha e air uairean a’ cumail a chloinn fein le laimh gle fhalaimh ionnus gu’n cuir an leanabh beag eagal orra ach air uairean eile cho treun agus nach cuireadh daoiné no diabhl eagal orra. ‘Se an Tighearn neart an anama. Anam bhochd, ni aon smuain pheacach ‘altrum ‘nad’ anam ni’s mo a chron duitsa na dheanadh na tha do dhiabhl ann an ifrinn.
’Sann le smuaintean peacach a tha an diabhul mar an nathair a’ toirt buaidh air an anam. Agus bithidh feum agadsa air gu’m bi thu air do chuaireachadh leis an eadarghuidhe. Is iongantach sin anam a’ tighinn gu bhi ’faicinn gur leis an Tighearn e fein. ’S iongantach sin lannsaichean Dhe a’ coinneachadh anns an anam. Tha lannsaichean geur anns an fhocal agus is iongantach na lannsaichean sin a’ coinneachadh ri peacadh anns an anam. O thusa ris am bheil an Cruithear tosdach cha’n iongantach ged a bhiodh tu ’nad’ chreutair salach.
Feuchaidh sinn ri searmoin leis an Urr. Maighstir Cook a chur, ann an Gaidhlic, anns a Mhagazine mios an deigh mios car uine.