A LETTER BY EDWARD BLACKSTOCK.*
MAY the Lord kindly enable me to write something which may be for your spiritual encouragement and growth in grace.
I daresay you often question whether you have ever received the grace of God at all. Let me remind you, that that questioning is very common amongst sincere young Christians. The following are some of the reasons why they are so prone to doubt this matter:—
Firstly, Because they discover grace to be so very great, they can hardly believe it is for them.
Secondly, Because they see and feel themselves to be “so unworthy.” Now, if it were bestowed upon our worthiness, it would not be grace. Grace is bestowed upon the ungodly.
Thirdly, They cannot see any grace in them. The eye which sees all other things cannot see itself. A gracious heart sees everything but its own graciousness; therefore, if you can see no wisdom, goodness, or strength in yourself, nothing but folly, sin, weakness, unbelief, etc., it is because grace is already implanted in your breast, and God has opened the eyes of your soul.
Fourthly, But you feel so blind, stupid, dark, cold, and dead, that you think you cannot possess the true grace of God. Yet you see, feel, and mourn over these things. Now, I ask, can mere human nature do this? You feel these things—then you must have life in you; for there can be no feeling where there is no life! Think on this.
Fifthly, But you have not those exalted views of God the Father, of Christ, and of the blessed Spirit, which you would like to have; I answer,—you love, fear, and reverence them. It is the complaint of every true Christian. Moses says, “I beseech thee shew me thy glory,” as if he had never seen anything of it! Whereas he had already tasted so much as made him long for more; and so it is with you.
Sixthly. But you do not see the sinfulness of sin, nor hate it as you would. I answer,—this complaint shows that you do hate it, otherwise it would be a sweet morsel, for sin is sweeter than honey to the natural man. See how the swine will roll itself in mud on a hot summer’s day. So the carnal mind would roll itself in filth, if it were not for the fear of punishment. It is good when we hate sin because it defiles the conscience. A cleanly child dreads falling into the mud pit.
Seventhly, But you, perhaps, complain that you often confess sin to God, forsake it, and then return to it again! . . . . Our backslidings are from ourselves, our returnings are of the Lord of hosts. Returning to sin is the bitter complaint of every sincere
* Mr. Blackstock was a godly Baptist minister who died in London in 1852. His “Autobiography and Letters” is a precious mine of spiritual experience.—Ed.
soul upon earth. At times we loathe it, because it offends our Father, defiles our conscience, disturbs our peace, weakens our faith, darkens our evidences, hinders our souls, interrupts our intercourse with heaven, stops our mouth in prayer, and dishonours God. But show me a Christian who was never guilty of it, and I will put on my spectacles to look at him, and acknowledge that he is a nonsuch! If a real Christian could avoid this returning to sin (I speak especially of heart sins), he would soon be perfect, free from sin, and would have no need of a Mediator, or of the blood of Christ! Jesus and His blood are not wanted, where a man is perfect, but both are highly prized by a sensible sinner. I would rather keep company with a weeping Mary than with a perfect Simon.
Eighthly, But, perhaps, you will say, I have no spirit of prayer—I answer, how do you know? When the poor publican smote upon his breast, and cried, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” I daresay, had you been by him, you would have had hard work to persuade him that he was a mighty man in prayer, and that he had actually forced open the very gates of heaven! Yet so it was, for he went down to his house with his justification sealed in his own conscience.
Now, to prove that you are a stranger to true prayer you must show that you never once uttered that solemn soul-cry, “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” I believe you have put up this scores of times. And if it be so, though you should at present feel too much indifference to prayer, still you are encouraged to ask your heavenly Father to give you His Holy Spirit, and are positively assured He will neither give you a stone nor a serpent.
Ninthly, You will say, “I fear you have too good an opinion of me and my case, or you would speak in very different language.” I answer, this suggestion shows me that you have discovered your heart by nature to be deceitful. “Yes,” you reply, “I know it is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Why, then, your evil heart is the greatest plague you have!
Let me remind you that a knowledge of the plague of the heart is a sure sign of grace bestowed and implanted. Indwelling sin is our disease; a sight thereof is the knowledge of our disease. Only one thing more thou lackest. What is that? The Great Physician with His balm of Gilead! Aye, say you, that is indeed what I most stand in need of, what I sometimes ask for, yet often fear I shall never possess.
You are sin-sick. Did you ever hear of a sin-sick soul being turned away from His door without a cure? No, certainly not! But you are afraid He will have nothing to do with you. So was I once; yet He proved better to me than all my fears. And I am much mistaken if you do not find it so one day.
Did Jehovah Jesus take upon Him human nature and bear the sins and carry the sorrows of His Church? did He suffer His back to be plowed upon with the plowers? did He expose His
blessed face to shame and spitting, suffer His precious head and temples to be pierced with a thorny crown? did He fulfil the law in His own person? did He stand the butt of all the temptations and all the malice of the legions of hell? did He endure the hidings of His Father’s face, and drink up the cup of penal wrath, and die the amazing death of the Cross—the just for the unjust, that He might bring them to God?—merely that He might have an opportunity of refusing your prayers and of shutting the gates of mercy upon you. Far be the thought from you! O, do not trifle with His love, His wounds, His agony, and bloody sweat. “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.”
What! is it better to trust a deceitful heart and to believe a lying devil, than it is to believe your loving Lord? But here we find out the traitor. It is unbelief. O monstrous unbelief! In Christ’s name and strength strive against it, and view it as being your worst foe in heaven, on earth, or in hell. May the Lord Jesus enable you to say—
“Begone, unbelief, my Saviour is near,
And for my relief will surely appear;
By prayer let me wrestle, and He will perform:
With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm.”
Fear not, for Jesus is with you; be not dismayed, for He is your God.
ED. BLACKSTOCK.
Obituary.
ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL, BANKER, KINGUSSIE.
WE record with regret this month the death of Mr. Alexander Macdougall, agent of the Caledonian Bank, Kingussie, which took place on the 29th May. Mr. Macdougall was a member of the Established Church, but a member of an exceptional type. He was a strong opponent of modern innovations in worship and errors in doctrine, and a loyal believer in the Confession of Faith, and the truth of God as set forth therein. He showed much kindness to the ministers and other representatives of the Free Presbyterian Church, and attended their services whenever opportunity offered. Mr. Macdougall was a useful and highly-esteemed member of the community in which he lived, and was noted for his unceasing benevolence to the poor, and generous helpfulness to any who required his counsel or assistance. His removal creates a great blank in the district. One of his brothers is the Rev. Robert Macdougall, Resolis, who is a steadfast upholder of the old paths in the Established Church.—J. S. S.
As we go to press, we note with sorrow the death of the much-respected Mr. Hugh Mackinnon, elder, St. Jude’s, which took place on Sabbath morning, 22nd June, at the ripe age of 78 years.
Searmon
LEIS AN URR. ARCH. COOK A BHA’N DEIMHIDH.
“Ach ma tha ar soisgeul-ne folaichte ‘s ann dhoibhsan a tha caillte a tha e folaichte; anns an do dhall dia an t-saoghail so inntinn na dream nach’eil ‘nan creidich, air eagal gu’n dealraicheadh orra solus soisgeil ghlorrmoir Chriosd neach is e iomhaigh Dhe.”—2 COR. iv. 3, 4.
(A’ cheud shearmon air an earrainn so) 23rd March, 1861.
THA an saoghal air tighinn gu fein-thearuintheachd spioradail agus iadsan a tha anns a’ chunnart a’s mò’s iad is lugha cùram agus is fein-thearuinnt. Anns na h-uile linn do’n t-saoghal mar a b’fhaigse a bha trioblaid air muinntir bha iad a’ fas ni b’fhein-thearuinnt. Anns an t-seann-saoghal mu’n d’ thainig an tuil cha robh smuain air Dia no air siorruidheachd. A’ mhaduinn air an d’ thainig an teine o neamh a nuas air Sodom cha robh drap a dh’ eagal Dhe ann. Math dh’ fheudta gu bheil iad ann an so an diugh a tha gle fhaig air na lasraichean siorruidh agus cha’n ‘eil sin a’ cur curaim sam bith orra. C’air son? Dhall dia an t-saoghail inntinn na dream nach ‘eil ‘nan creidich air eagal gu’n dealraicheadh orrasoisgeulglormhor Chriosd neach is e iomhaigh Dhe
Bha an t-Abstol ann an so a’ labhairt air a shaothair fein anns an t-soisgeul, gu’n robh aige coguis ghlan, nach do thruail e focal Dhe, ach gu’n do labhair e ann an simplidheachd na firinn gun ni ‘na shuil ach slainte an anama agus a bhi ‘toirt anaman gu eolas air an Tighearn. Agus bha uile-fhiosrachd Dhe ‘na comhfhurt-achd dha. Anns an dara h-earrainn tha e ag radh, “chuir sinn cùl ri nithibh folaichte na naire gun sinn a bhi siubhal ann an ceilig no a’ truilleadh focal Dhe ach le foillseachadh na firinn ‘gar moladh fein do choguis nan uile dhaoine ann an sealladh Dhe.” Agus tha e ag innseadh ciod o’n robh sin ag eiridh “agus a reir mar a fhuair sinn trocair cha’ n’ eil sinn a’ fannachadh.” Fhuair e trocair. Fhuair e am Fear-saoraiddh anns an d’ fhuair e trocair agus bu mhaith leis gu’m faigheadh muinntir eile e cuideachd. Ach ‘se a tha e ag radh ann an so, “ma tha ar soisgeul-ne folaichte ‘sann dhoibhsan a tha caillte a tha e folaichte”—cha’n e, “a bhios caillte,” ach “a ta caillte”—“anns an do dhall dia an t-saoghail so inntinn na dream nach ‘eil ‘nan creidich air eagal gu’n dealraicheadh orra solus soisgeil ghlorrmoir Chriosd, neach is e iomhaigh Dhe.” Thugamaid an aire. ‘Nuair a bha am Fear-Saoraiddh anns an t-saoghal gu pearsanta b’e tobar an t-soluis agus na trocair ach dhall dia an t-saoghail suilean dhaoine air dhoigh ‘s nach d’ aithnich iad e. Agus tha e mar sin gu la a’ bhreitheanais dhoibhsan a tha caillte.
Ann an labhairt o na briathraibh so tha sinn a’ runachadh a bhi ‘fosgladh anns a’cheud aite, “Ciod e sin an soisgeul?”
anns an dara h-aite, “Cuid do na doighean anns am bheil
Satan a’ dalladh inntinn na dream nach ‘eil ‘nan creidich,”
anns an treas aite, “Ciamar a dh’ fheudar a radh gu bheil iad caillte?”
I.—Ciod e sin an soisgeul? Feudaidh sinn mor-eolas a bhi againn air focal Dhe agus gidheadh a bhi tur-aineolach air an t-soisgeul. Feudaidh neach eolas cinn a bhi aige agus gidheadh e’ bhi ‘na charraig chruaidh a’ dol do dh’ ifrinn agus mar sin ‘na chreutair a fhuair eolas litireil air an t-soisgeul agus nach ann aig cosan Chriosd a fhuair e sin. Cha’n’eil ‘na sholus ach dorchadas agus treoraichidh e gu dorchadas. Bu chòir do na h-uile chreutair a bhi a’ rannsachadh c’aite an d’ fhuair e’ aithne air an t-soisgeul. Feudaidh sinn a radh gur e deadh-sgeul mor-aoibhneis an soisgeul agus feudar a radh gu bheil an soisgeul air ‘fhilleadh anns an fhocal sin—Criosd. Feudaidh sinn a radh gur e Criosd fein an soisgeul agus an t-anam a fhuair aithne air Criosd fhuair e aithne air an t-soisgeul. Gu bhi ‘fosgladh so;
Bha an duine air a chruthachadh ‘na chreutair naomh ach pheacaich e agus thainig e gu bhi ‘na pheacach. Nis gun aithne air sin agus gun fhaireachadh air, cionnus a bhios Criosd ‘na dheadh sgeul mor-aoibhneis dha? Nam faigheadh an creutair beagan do chomhfurtachdan an t-saoghail so riaraicheadh sin e. Cha’n’eil sinn anns an staid anns an do chruthaicheadh sinn. Bha sinn ar cruthachadh ann an iomhaigh Dhe ach cha ‘n ‘eil sinn anns an staid sin a nis. Tha sinn a’ foillseachadh ni’s mo dhe na th’ anns an diabhul na dhe na tha ann an Dia. Tha gniomharan uaigneach’ an t-saoghail a’ foillseachadh ni’s mo dhe na th’ anns an diabhul na dhe na th’ ann an Dia. Thainig an duine gu bhi ‘na chreutair peacach. Dh’ eirich e ann an ceannaicr an aghaidh na Morachd. Thainig nadur naimhdeis a stigh ann an aghaidh na Morachd, air chor ‘s gu’n dubhairt Dia fein gu’m “b’ aithreach leis an Tighearn gu’n do rinn e an duine air an talamh agus thog e doilghios dha ‘na chridhe.” Ann an sin a nis thuit an duine fo bhinn a’ bhais mar chreutair peacach. Bha binn a’ bhais shiorruidh a mach ‘na aghaidh. Ciod a tha air ‘fhilleadh anns a’ bhinn sin? Cha’n fhaigh iad a mach an t-iomlan deth tre’n t-siorruidh-eachd. Cha’n aithne do dh’ aon ach do Dhia ciod e sin a tha am peacadh a’ toilltinn. Ach tha cothromiachean ceartais aig a’ Mhorachd agus is aithne dha ciod a tha a ghloir ag agairt an aghaidh peacaidh. Tha cionta a’ fagail a’ chreutair lomnochd agus tha gloir Dhe ag agairt gu’n cuirear an gniomh a’ bhinn a tha am peacadh a’ toilltinn. Oh, tha staid an t-saoghail iongantach dorch! Ann an so a nis cha’n ‘eil aig a chreutair cabhair ann an ni cruthaichte. An la a pheacaich an duine bha na h-uile ni ann an cruitheachd Dhe ‘na aghaidh. Bha na h-ainglean ‘na aghaidh. Sheas iad air taobh Dhe ann an aghaidh a’ chreutair a pheacaich an aghaidh na Morachd air chor ‘s gu’m feudadh an creutair direach cruitheachd Dhe ‘fhaicinn ‘na aghaidh. Thusa nach fhac thu fein ‘nad ‘pheacach ciod is aithne dhuit dhe so? Ciod is aithne dhuit dhe d’ fheum air an t-soisgeul? Cionnus a bhios an soisgeul ‘na dheadh sgeul mor-aoibhneis dhuit?
Ann an so a nis bha rùn trocair ann an Dia thaobh an duine agus bha anns an rùn so gu’n sgriosadh e am peacadh “Saithne dhomh na smuaintean a smuainich mi d’ur taobh, deir an Tighearn, smuaintean sith agus cha’n e ainhleas.” Oh! cho tearc ‘e a tha iad a tha a’ smuaineachadh ciod iad na smuaintean a dh’ fheudas a bhi ann an Dia d’an taobh. Ach iadsan nach ‘eil a’ smuaineachadh gheibh iad siorruidheachd uamhasach gu smuaineachadh orra. Ach ‘se a bh’ anns an rùn so diomhaireachd a bha folaichte ann fein. ‘Nuair a pheacaich an duine a thaobh an t-seallaidh a bha aig na h-ainglibh do’n pheacadh mar a bha e ann an aghaidh na Morachd ch’n ‘eil teagamh nach do chomhdhuin iad gu’n robh an duine cho caillte ris na diabhluibh. Ged a bha an run ann an Dia a thaobh an duine bha sin ‘na dhiomhaireachd anns a’ Mhorachd folaichte o’n chruitheachd. Ann an rathad bha eadar-dhealachadh eadar peacadh an duine agus peacadh nan diabhul. Bha peacadh nan diabhul o ard-naimhdeas agus an aghaidh soluis, ach ‘nuair a pheacaich an duine bha e air a mhealladh. Gidheadh bhean am peacadh ri gloir na Morachd mar a bhean peacadh nan diabhul agus mar sin bhiodh e ann an sealladh nan aingeal cho caillte ris na diabhluibh. Agus ‘nuair a dh’ fhosgail E an run siorruidh cha’n ‘eil teagamh nach d’thug sin air oran nuadh a bhi ann an gloir. ‘Sann a gloir a thainig a’ cheisd sin “Cionnus a chuireas mi thu am measg na cloinne?” Agus bha cuid a’ smuaineachadh gur e an t-aite o’n do thuit na diabhuil a bha gu bhi air a lionadh le siol Abrahaím. Nis ‘sann ann an Criosd a bhios sin aca. Tha gloir na Morachd agus slainte an anama a’ coinneachadh ann an Criosd. Agus ‘nuair a thainig e stigh do’n t-saoghal tha sinn a’ leughadh air cuideachd mhoir do armaitibh neimh a bhi ‘moladh Dhe agus ag radh; “Gloir do Dhia anns na h-ardaibh agus air an talamh sith, deadh-ghean do dhaoinibh.” “Deadh-sgeul mor-aobhneis oir rugadh dhuibh an diugh Slanuighhear ann am baile Dhaibhidh neach is e Criosd an Tighearn.” Ann an so a nis eadhon anns an Fhear-shaoraidh a bhi ‘gabhail nadur na daonnachd bha bunchar air a leagadh gu foillseachadh a mach uile bhuadhan Dhe. Cha’n e a mhain gloir Dhe ach uile bhuadhan Dhe, a chomh-fhulangas, a throcair, a naomhachd, a cheartas, a ghaol do dh’ anamaibh neo-bhasmhor air chor ‘s gu’m feud sinn a radh ris—’ deadh-sgeul a’ mhoir-aobhneis.’ Ann an so bha ulluchadh air a dheanamh airson an iomhaigh a thoirt air ais. Cha’n e sin a mhain ach thainig e stigh ‘na urras airson pheacach. Cha robh coir aig an lagh air Criosd. Ach gu bhi ‘labhairt mar dhuine thug am Fear-saoraidh a stigh ‘fhocal do’n Bhreitheamh mhor nan tearnadh E peacaich gu’m fuilingeadh e fein air an son. Thoir thus ‘an aire cha’n aicheadh Dia a lagh; tha ghloir ceangailte ris an lagh naomh; ‘sann o ghaol d’a lagh a tha e gu’n dean e peanas air peacaich ann an ifrinn. Agus thusa a bhuanaicheas ann am peacadh ni ceartas Dhe a lagh a dhion ann do chur-sa a dh’ifrinn. Ach thainig Criosd ‘na urras agus mur bhitheadh mar bha sin cha’n ‘eil sinn a’ smuaineachadh gu’n cruthaicheadh Dia an duine. Ach thug Criosd e fein mar so agus, gu bhi ‘labhairt le h-urram, rinn an lagh greim air ann an nadur na daonnachd. “Ach ‘nuair a thainig coimhlionadh na h-aimsir chuir Dia a Mhac fein uaith’ a ghineadh o mhnaoi a
rinneadh fo’n lagh chum gu’n saoradh e iadsan a bha fo’n lagh ionnus gu’m faigheamaid uchd-mhacachd na cloinne.” Thusa a bha ann an suil trocair rinn lagh Dhe greim air Criosd airson na h-uile focal dhiomhan a labhair thusa agus cha do leigeadh saor e gus an do phaigheadh an fheoirlinn dheireannach. Cha b’ aithne do’n lagh trocair, dh’fheumadh ceartas a bhi riarachte. Agus ‘se sin an soisgeul; ‘se sin deadh-sgeul a’ mhoir-aobhneis do’nt-saoghal gu’n d’thug Criosd airson an duine na bha an lagh ag iarraidh. Thug e nadur naomh. Tha creutairean bochda a’ saoilsinn gu’m bheil iad a’ toileachadh Dhe le bhi ‘gleidheadh ‘aitheantan. Ach, anam bhochd, cha riarach ni Dia ach nadur naomh. Ged a bhiodh do bheatha cho naomh ‘s a bha riamh air an talamh mur toir thu nadur naomh tha thu ‘nad ‘pheacach ann an suil an lagha. Nis cha’n e a mhain gu’n d’thug Criosd sin do’n lagh naomh ach thug se e fein mar urras gu’m biodh iadsan air an deanamh naomh mar a ta e fein naomh. Deirear ri Criosd an ceudghin am measg moran bhraithrean. ‘Se am pátran air am bheil Dia ag amharc. ‘Sann air an urras a tha Dia ag amharc anns na h-uile deiligeadh a th’ aige ri peacach. Ach ‘sann mar am Breitheamh mor a bha e ‘deiligeadh ri Criosd air an son agus ‘sann mar sin a tha e ag radh nach d’ thug e fainear eucaert ann an Jacob agus nach fhac e cealg ann an Israel. Bha e ‘g amharc air anns a’ phátran ris an robh e gu bhi air a chumadh. Oh, ‘s iad a bhios ‘nan creutairean iongantach. Dealraidh iad mar shoilleir-eachd nan speur agus mar na reultan fad saoghal nan saoghal. Co is comasach air gabhail a stigh an ni a tha an t-Abstol ag radh, cha’n ‘eil e soilleir fathast ciod a bhios sinn ach tha fhios againn ‘nuair a dh’ fhoillsichear esan gu’m bi sinn cosmhuil ris oir chi sinn e mar a tha e.” “Ach ma tha ar soisgeulne folaichte ‘sann dhoibhsan a tha caillte a tha e folaichte anns an do dhall dia an t-saoghail so inntinn na dream nach ‘eil ‘nan creidich air eagal gu’n dealraicheadh orra solus soisgeil ghlorrmoir Chriosd nach is e iomhaigh Dhe.” Chunnaic iad puingean ach cha’n fhac iad gloir Chriosd ris am bi a chlann air an cumadh. Dhall dia an t-saoghail an inntinn.
A ris ghabh e staid nam peacach. Agus cha’n iongantach ged a chitheadh e air an talamh ‘na thobar broin gidheadh bha millseachd aige. B’e gloir an Athar e ach ghabh e aite nam peacach agus nach deadh-sgeul sin? Ciod iad sin truaighean na beatha so? Toradh mallachd Dhe. Cha’n’eil trioblaid anns an t-saoghal nach e a th’ ann toradh mallachd Dhe air peacadh agus cha bhiodh comhfhurtachd anns an t-saoghal mur bhiodh gu’n do ghabh Criosd an staid. Cha bhiodh uiread ri solus na greine. Ach ghabh Criosd an staid agus cha robh boinne anns a’ chüp nach b’ eigin da ‘ol. Is uamhasach na briathran sin, “tha an talamh mallaichte air do shon.” Nis ghabh am Fear-saoraidh sin air fein: ghabh e air na trioblaidean sin ann am foirfeachd agus mar a dh’ fheudas sinn fhaicinn fhathast tha e ‘gan tionndadh gu bhi nam plásdaibh leighis do’n anam a reir nam briathar sin,
“Bheir mise an treas trian tre’n teine agus glanaidh mi iad mar a ghlanar an t-airgiod agus dearbhaidh mi iad mar a dhearbhbar an t-òr: gairmidh iad air m’ainm-sa agus eisdidh mise rin: their mi is iad mo shluagh, agus their iadsan, is e an Tighearn mo Dhia.” Ciod e a tha deanamh sin ach gu’n d’ thug am Fear-saoraiddh am puinnson asda agus gu’n do thionndaidh e iad gu bhi ‘nam plàsdaibh leighis do dh’ anamaibh?
A ris thuit an Eaglais ann am fiachan uamhasach agus cha b’ aithne do cheartas maitheanas. Nis ghabh Criosd na fiachan sin agus cha robh osna a rinn e ann a bhi ‘paigheadh nam fiach nach robh ceartas a’ faicinn an oirdheirceis o’n robh sin a’ sruthadh agus bha ceartas a’ faotainn ‘ua fhulangasaibh ionmhasan a bha ‘foillseachadh ‘fhuath do pheacadh ni bu mò na ged a bhiodh an duine a’ fulang ann an ifrinn tre’n t-siorruidheachd.
Thainig an duine gu bhi fo bhinn an damnaiddh. Dh’ fhàg cionta a’ pheacadh e fuidh sin. Tha thu ann an sin gle shocraich agus math dh’ fheudta gu bheil binn an damnaiddh a mach ort ann an gloir. “An la a dh’ itheas tu gu cinnteach basaichidh tu.” Tha peacadh a’ toilltinn bàis air bonn ceartais. Tha ann an smuain dhiomhain olc nach aithne do dh’ aon ach Dia. Tha ann an dol air falbh a’ chridhe o Dhia olc nach aithne do dh’ aon ach Dia. Tha an dol air falbh sin gu cuspair air bith eile a’ foillseachadh tarcuis air Dia agus tha sin a’ toilltinn damnadh siorruidh. Agus cha bu chomasach do chreutair so a ghiulan gidheadh feumaidh e a ghiulan. Nis bha am Fear-saoraiddh comasach air a ghiulan agus ghabh e a’ bhinn sin air fein. Ach cha bu chomasach Dia air fulang agus ged bu chomasach cha fhreagrach gloir na morachd ach gu’m biodh peanas air a dheanamh anns an nadur a pheacaich. Agus airson sin ghabh e nadur na daonnachd ann fein agus sin ann an aonachd ri’ Dhiadhachd, air chor ‘s gu’n robh an t-Athair ag amharc air mar Dhia a’ fulang ann ar nadur. Bheil sin ‘na dheadh sgeul dhuitsa? Ma tha binn an damnaiddh air a thogail dhiot fhuair thu e ‘na dheadh sgeul. Cha chomasach sinne air a ghabhail stigh ciod a dh’ fhuilingeadh anam ann an cuig mionaidean ann an ifrinn. Ach ciod ann am bliadhna? Agus ciod tre’n t-siorruidheachd? Buanaich thusa anns a’ pheacadh agus ‘se so a tha air thoiseach ort. Nis cha mhaitheadh ceartas smuain pheacadh do Chriosd. B’ aithne dha ciod e a bha gach aon pheacadh a’ toilltinn agus ‘se sin an cùp a thug an t-Athair dha ri’ òl: agus gu’n d’ òl se e ‘se sin deadh sgeul. Bha tearnadh an anama o dhamnadadh siorruidh ‘na ni mor; ach bha ni bu mho na sin ann an Criosd. Bha an ni sin a chaill an duine air a chosnadadh air ais ann an Criosd. Chaill e iomhaigh Dhe; chaill e Dia fein: agus ‘se an t-anam a dheanamh sona a bha ann an suil Chriosda. B’ aithne dha nach deanadh ni an t-anam sona ach Dia; agus ‘se sin pairt de’n aoibhneas a chuireadh roimh gu’m biodh anaman air an toirt air ais a dh’ ionnsuidh Dhia. Bha sin ‘na mhilleachd aige air a’ chrann-cheusaiddh gu’m biodh anaman air an toirt air ais a dh’
ionnsuidh Dhia, mar a chi sinn e ag radh, “Feuch mise agus a’ chlann a thug an Tighearn dhomh ‘nar comharaibh agus ‘nar n-iongantasaibh ann an Israel.” “Is sibhse iadsan a dh’ fhan maille riumsa ann am dheuchainnibh agus tha mise ag orduchadh dhuibh rioghachd mar a dh’ orduich m’ Athair dhomhsa, chum gu’n ith agus gu’n òl sibh air mo bhord-sa ann am rioghachd.” Ciod e sin? Direach a bhi ‘sealbhachadh toradh a bhàis—’se sin am bord aig an suidh cuspairean a ghaol tre’n t-siorruidheachd. Agus cha’n e sin a mhain a tha ann an Criosd; tha mar an ceudna cosd airson a chuid fein a thoirt tre’n t-saoghal. Cha’n’eil cosd aig pobull Dhe airson aon bhuaireadh annta fein no airson cur an aghaidh aon smuain dhiomhain. Ach thubhairt e fein ri’ eaglais, “is leor mo ghras air do shon.”
A ris ‘se toradh eile bàs Criosd gu’m biodh coir aige air an ni a choisinn e a thoirt d’a eaglais. Agus oh! nach ‘eil ann an sin tobar aig a phobull gu buaidh a thoirt air peacadh—buaidh air an t-saoghal—buaidh air a’ bhàs—buaidh air ifrinn? Agus oh! nach ‘eil ni’s leor ann an Dia airson sin uile? agus ‘se sin deadh sgeul.
A ris, tha taigsean saor an t-soisgeil ‘nan deadh sgeul ach “dhall dia an t-saoghal so inntinn na dream nach ‘eil ‘nan creidich air eagal gu’n dealraicheadh orra solus soisgeil ghlormhoir, Criosd.” Tha cuid a bha o’n oige ag eisdeachd an t-soisgeil ach cha’n fhac iad riamh ann an taigsean an t-soisgeil na dhùisg ‘nan anamaibh iarritus a bhi ‘faotainn coir ann. Cha’n fhaca: agus c’airson? Dhall dia an t-saoghal an inntinn air eagal gu’n dealraicheadh orra solus soisgeil ghlormhoir Criosd. Bha anns an run shiorruidh ma ta gu’m faigheadh an saoghal taigse shaor do Criosd agus a’ bheatha shiorruidh annsan. Agus tha iad ann d’am bheil sin ‘na dheadh sgeul. Tha e fein ag radh gu’m feum soisgeul na rioghachd bhi air a shearmonachadh do na h-uile chinnich. “Imichibh air feadh an t-saoghal uile agus searmonaichibh an soisgeul do gach duil. Ge b’e ‘chreideas agus a bhaistear tearnar e agus ge b’e nach creid ditear e.” Nis ciod e an soisgeul? Direach, Criosd air a thaigseadh do na h-uile creutair agus ge b’e a chreideas ann tearnar e. Agus tha e fein ag radh,—”Thigibh am ‘ionnsuidh-sa sibhse uile a ta ri saothair agus fo throm uallach agus bheir mise suaimhneas dhuibh.” Nis tha an taigse so do na h-uile creutair agus ‘se sin an t-aon dorus dochais do’n pheacach? Nuair a sheallas mise feadh a’ Bhiobull cha’n fhaic mi ni air thoiseach orm ach an ‘loch-theine’ no Criosd—an dara cuid. ‘Se Criosd an t-aon dorus dochais agus ‘se guth Dhe ris an t-saoghal, “‘se so mo Mhac gradhach-sa anns am bheil mo mhor-thlachd, eisdibh ris.” ‘Se an t-aon dorus dochais a chaidh fhosgladh do’n t-saoghal—Criosd ann an nadur na daonnachd a’ deanamh reite airson peacaoidh. Ciod air bith rathad eile air an seall sin cha’n fhaic sinn ni ach an loch theine. Feudaidh thusa a bhi ‘g urnuigh ach am faic thu dorus trocair ‘nad’ urnuigh? Cha’n fhaic.
‘Se Criosd an cladhan tre’n do shruth an ni sin a mach a bha anns a’ Mhorachd o shiorruidheachd, bha comh-fhulangas anns a’
Mhorachd o shiorruidheachd agus mar a bha sin ann an Dia bhean staid anaman ris agus fhuair e cùrsa reidh ann an Criosd a dh’ ionnsuidh anaman. Oh, an iongantach ged a theirear ris an t-soisgeul, “deadh sgeul?” Agus cha’n e sin a mhain ach ‘sann ann an Criosd tha uile bheannachdan a chumhnaint. Anam bhochd, cha’n eil drap do mhaithneas ann an Dia dhuit a mach a Criosd. ‘Se tobar uile bheannachdan a’ chumhnaint—tobar a’ mhaithneas —tobar na naomhachd—tobar gloir shiorruidh. Agus cha’n e sin a mhain ach is ann annsan a tha buadhan Dhe a’ faotainn cladhan neochaochluideich a dh’ ionnsuidh an anama, annsan tha gaol Dhe a’ faotainn slighe neo-chaochluideich air chor ‘s gu’m bheil e air a radh gu’m bheil e a’ “gabhail fois ‘na ghradh.” Oh! nach iongantach sin nach dean eadhon peacadh caochladh air a ghradh ann an Criosd dhuit? C’airson? ‘Tha e’foiseachadh air obair Chriosd agus ‘se sin tobar an aoibhneis. Thusa a tha mach a Criosd cionnus is urr ainn thu smuaineachadh gu’m bheil gaol Chriosd neochaochluideach dhuitsa? Thusa a tha gun Chriosd ni ceartas Dhe greim ort airson na h uile peacaidh dhe’n robh thu ciontach riamh. “Bi reidh ri d’ eascaraid gu luath am feadh a bhios tu maille ris san t-slighe air eagal gu’n toir an t-eascaraid thairis thu do’n Bhreitheamh agus gu’n toir am Breitheamh thu do’n mhaor agus gu’n tilgear am priosan thu. A ta mi ag radh riut gu firneach nach teid thu mach as a sin gus an ioc thu an fheoirlinn dheireannach.” Co an t-eascaraid? Direach an lagh naomh. Co e am ‘Breitheamh? Direach am Breitheamh mor. Agus ma bheir an lagh naomh thusa thairis do’n Breitheamh theid thu do’n phriosan agus cha teid thu as, agus ma tha thusa glic bi reidh ri d’ eascaraid gu luath am feadh tha thu maille ris ‘san t-slighe. Na cuir dail ann. Anam bhochd, tha iad an diugh ann an ifrinn a bha direach a’ cur dail ann agus cha teid iad as gus an ioc iad an fheoirlinn dheireannach. Is uamhasach an ni a dhol a dh’ ionnsuidh caithir a’ bhreitheanas gun Fhear-tagraidh Is teine dian-loisgeach ar Dia-ne. “Ach dhall dia an t-saoghail so inntinn na dream nach ‘eil ‘nan creidich air eagal gu’n dealraich-eadh orra solus soisgeil ghloirmhoir Chriosd.”
Marbhrann
DO’N T-URRAMACH DOMHNULL DOMHNULLACH, SHIELDAG,
‘NA COMHNAIDH.
GUM bheil dorchadas air a Ghaeltaichd,
Ann ‘s na laithaibh so th’air teachd orne,
Gum beil an fhirinn air tighinn cho ial,
‘S cha mhor tha dileas dhi mar bu chor.
Am meag na h-iarmid a thog an fhiannais,
‘S an latha niallach sam beil sinn beo;
Bha ‘n t-Urra Domhnullach bha ‘n Shieldag,
‘Se n diugh n’ shinneadh sa chill fo’n fhod.
Am measg na fughalaich a ruith an cursa,
Bi t’ ainm dhuinn cubhraidh is ùr gach lò ;
‘S mar sheanair cluitach cha ‘d rinn thu lubaidh
O lagh a chumnant bh’ art mar bhoid.
Ach fhuair thu ungadh thug sealladh suil dhut,
Air glòir na duthcha sam beil do choir ;
‘S dh’ fhag sud thu eudmhoran agaidh chleirean,
‘Sa ‘n am ‘san ‘d gheill iad do Rainy mòr.
‘Se meud do dhilseachd ‘s do ghradh do’n Fhirinn,
A dh’fhag cho dileas thu anns gach càs ;
Nuair bha na miltean do shluagh na rioghachd,
A tuiteam direach fo lagh a Phàp.
Cha deanadh innleachdan dhaoin’ os ialal,
Le ‘n reachdan milteach do chur sa sàs,
‘S bha luchd do mhir run cho cruaidh a stri riut,
‘S gu’n deachaidh ‘n (“stipend”) thoir bhuat gun dail.
Rinn luchd an fhoirneart do chur air fogradh,
O d’ aite comhnaidh ‘sa ‘n robh thu tamh,
‘S cha ghabhainn Storas an righ ge mor è
‘Sa bhi na cota airson uine gheàrr.
Ach se Iehobhah am Breitheamh Gloirmhor
Bheir breth na corach a mach gun dail ;
‘S gur fiosrach dhomhsa nach deach thu seachad
Bho’n ni a bhoidich gu la do bhais.
Nuair thainig dearbhabh air sluagh na h-Alba,
Gun d’ thuit na foirmealaich chum an làr,
Is riamh na dheigh sin cha d’ rinn iad eiridh,
Ach ceum air cheum a dol fad’ o’n n-aithn’ :
An aidmheal reub iad is sgaoil o’ cheile,
Is beachd na Fein-Thoilleach chuir na h-ait :
Sud obair Rhaini ‘s na lean do’n treud e
‘S gur truagh mar dheirich ‘n uair gheill iad dha.
Ach ‘s mor a bhearna ‘s a bhuille chraiteach
A rinn do bhas anns gach ceann mu cuairt.
Mar theachdair gradhach co lìonas t-aite ?
Gur tearc nar lath’ iad a thig riut suas.
‘S cha b’ann air fion-dhearcan blion an fhasaich,
A bha thu ‘g-arach gach la do shluagh ;
Ach air an t shlanachd tha gabhail tamh ann
A pearsa an t-Slanuighear ‘s aillidh snuadh.
‘S nuair gheidhadh tu mhinachadh dhuinn na Firinn,
Cha b’ann neo-bhrioghal a bhiodh do sgeul,
Mo chliu na Ti sin thug suas an iobairt
Tre ‘n d’ rainig sith air a shliochd gu leir,
Bha air an diteadh fo’n lagh sa phriosan
‘S bha ‘m beatha dhith orra mar an ceudn’,
Ach thog E ris iad o’n staid ro ial
Is rinn E fireanachadh Dha fein.
Nach sona an aireamh chaidh troimh Ghleann Baca,
A steach do’n aròs ‘s am bheil a Ghloir,
Cha’n fhaigh gu bràth ann fear-casaid bhraithrean
Is uisge Mharah cha bhith ri òl.
Cha chluinn thu aon ann a bristeadh aithteana,
Mar bu ghnathach leo bhi san fheoil ;
Ach bi na miltean ann bho gach cearna,
A cuir Crùn an Tearnaidh air Righ nan Slogh.
Ach fhuair thu sabhailte bho gach namhaid,
‘S chuir thu ‘n fasach so as do dheigh,
Oir cha b’aite dhut e gu tâmh ann,
O’n fhuair thu earlais air Rioghachd Dhe.
Se thuir an Slanuighear thaobh a chairdean,
“A chaoidh cha’n fhag mise sibh ‘s cha treig,
Gun toir mi n-aird sibh gu bhi nam lathair
A steach do’n aite anns a bi Mì fein.”
A thaobh do thàlantan ‘s meud do ghràsan
Cha’n fhaigh mi ‘n dràsda cuir ann an dhuan,
Cha neil mi mhain ach a togail pairt dhiubh,
Oir ‘s ni ro ard leam a bhi ga luaidh ;
Le inntinn nadurraich tha cho saraicht’,
Na h-eallach bais air mo mhuin gach uair,
‘S mar faigh mi fuasgladh a nuas o’n airde
Se ‘s dual dhomh bas mar a târ mi uaith’.
A reir na Firinn bi t-ainm air chuimhne,
‘S cha teid air di-chuimhn’ e fad gach lo,
Mar neach bha dian ann a togail fiannuis
Bho bhratach Chriosd mar an fionan beo,
Bho dh’ fhuair thu dioghluim fad ioma bliadhna
Chuir sult na diadhachd air cainnt do bheoil ;
‘S dh’ fhag sud thu gniomhach gach la san fhion-lios,
‘S o’n rinn thu triall thainig nèul dùbh oirnn’.
‘S E ‘n Ti ro-ghrasmhor chuir pailm na d’ lamhaibh
Mar chomharr’ àireadh gun d’ tug thu buaidh,
‘S thug dhut a chlarsach chum seinn gu brath leath’
Air cliu is lanachd Ard Righ na Sluagh.
A dh’ uallich Slanuighear chum do thearnadh ;
‘S a ghairm tre ghras thu mar aon da Shluagh,
‘S a thog a n-aird thu a dh’ ionnsuidh Parras,
Far ‘m beil do bhraithrean bha’n so air chuairt.