“The Lord brought His people out of Egypt in one night, but He took forty years to drive Egypt out of them.”
At a fellowship meeting a certain man (to whom Sandy Gair gave credit for being a thoroughly good and pious man) concluded some remarks that he had been making substantially thus: “Although I speak thus of the marks of a saving work in the soul, I am myself as empty of such a work as the green hill over opposite me.” Sandy Gair spoke immediately after this man, and, as if in answer to his friend’s despondent conclusion, began by saying, “If Benjamin had been asked whether he had Joseph’s silver cup, he would have given his oath that he hadn’t, and yet he had it for all that.”
His subject on one occasion led him to speak of those who had all their religion at second hand, and not as something that they had a personal experience of. He compared them, he said, to a schoolboy who, either because he would not, or because he could not, work out the sums given his class in arithmetic,
adopted the ignoble method of copying off his more industrious and intelligent neighbour’s copy. The boy who stole from his neighbour’s copy ventured to present himself to his teacher, professing to have so many sums correctly worked out. The teacher, somewhat suspicious of him, asked him to go through the process of working out his sums again. This the boy could not do, and so was put down for a blockhead. “So,” said Sandy Gair, “will the Lord discover the hollowness of the profession of such religionists as simply copy others.”
(To be continued.)
Notes and Comments.
Bible Reading in the Trenches.—In the October issue of the Quarterly Record of the National Bible Society of Scotland there is an affecting incident recorded of the death of two soldiers while reading their New Testament. “Corporal K—,” the account goes on to say, “had been wounded in the leg. He was in the open, and no one could get near him, but he and a comrade managed to drag themselves to a place which they considered safer. K— applied the first-aid dressing, and then took out his Testament and began to read it. They lay there a long time, and then they were both killed by a shell. When they were found, the Testament was still open where K— had been reading it.” We have been often told at home that the men on service have no time to read Bibles, but it has always been a mystery to us how men face to face with death could find time to listen to comic songs from music hall artistes. There is something supremely incongruous between the seriousness that ought to characterise men who may soon be face to face with the Judge of all the earth, and the frivolity and vanity of the songs sung by men and women whose whole life has been a round of frivolity and gaiety. Surely it is a more becoming exercise for our brave and gallant soldiers to snatch a few minutes from their arduous and terrible duties to read the Book of God.
Wages Put into a Bag with Holes.—Many who have not had the War brought home to their own firesides are beginning to realise something of its meaning from another standpoint, viz., the extraordinary expenditure of money. There can be little doubt that the British people had reached the stage when God’s cause was not thought worthy of help. Money was lavishly expended in eating and drinking, and the goddess of fashion in dress swallowed up millions of pounds. God’s house was being neglected, and the cause of truth was not a concern with multitudes in the land. We were like the people to whom the loud call of Haggai came: “Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put
into a bag with holes.” We hear a great deal of talk in these days about “silver bullets.” Perhaps before the War is over talk will give place to a realisation—deep and painful—what these “silver bullets” mean.
Sabbath Work in the Munition Factories.—There is abundant evidence that Sabbath work in the munition factories is beginning to tell on the health of many of the workers, and it would be well for them to take this as a warning, as the authorities certainly ought to do. The Times, which cannot be charged with puritanic notions of Sabbath-keeping, has the following comments on the matter:—
“There seems to be no room for doubt that the constant strain to which many War workers are being subjected is telling upon their physical strength. This has been especially noted in those cases where a week-end rest has had to be given up, and where long hours of working—as much as twelve hours a day—are in force. Some of the workers have broken down under the pressure, and some have been incapacitated for longer or shorter periods. Nor has the scheme of voluntary work over the week-end proved a great success. It was explained that the voluntary workers, however eager, do not understand the machines, are not accustomed to the work, and are strangers to the atmosphere of the shops. It seems clear that the week-end rest is, after all, the most economical solution of the problem. The men return to work on Monday stronger and better, and they work harder in consequence, while the wastage through breakdown and illness is reduced.”
Acknowledgment of Donations.
MR. ANGUS CLUNAS, General Treasurer, 35 Ardconnel Terrace, Inverness, acknowledges, with thanks, the following donations up to 21st October:—
SUSTENTATION FUND.
“A Friend,” Laide, £5, per Rev. N. Cameron; Miss Macpherson, Kippen, Stirlingshire, 5/; “A Lady Friend,” Tomatin, 5/; A. Grewar, Eskadale, Beauly, 5/; J. Macdonald, Kinlochewe, 20/.
MISSION TO FORCES FUND.
D. Gillies, Kirkintilloch, 2/6; Stornoway Congregation, per Rev. N. M’Intyre, £5 10/; “A Friend,” Kishorn, 5/; H. Mackay, Lochside, Over-scaig, 5/; Mrs. Sangster, Kingussie, 20/; “A Kentish Friend,” 10/; D. Murchison, The Store, Rannoch Station, 20/; “Two Friends” (Glasgow P.O.), 5/; “A. M. M.” 5/; A. Macrae, East End, Lochcarron, 20/; A. M’K., Lochinver, 5/; “F. W.” 20/; “Anon,” 5/; Miss Gillies, Lochgilp-head, 5/; J. Cameron Macintosh, Midmorile, Tomatin, 10/; “Lady Friend,” Tomatin, 10/; F. MacLennan, Stewart Street, Dalmuir, Glasgow, 10/; Mal. Fraser, The Mound, 10/; War Office, per Mr. W. Grant, £31 14/10; Miss Macpherson, Kippen, Stirlingshire, 5/; “Two Friends,” Glasgow, 4/; “Friends,” Glasgow, per Capt. M’Donald, 5/; “F.P.,” Maryhill, per Capt. Macdonald, 2/6; “Loans of Fearn,” 10/; Mrs. Murchison, Inverness, 10/; “M. M.” (Conor Bridge P.O.), 20/; “A Friend” (Laig P.O.), 5/; “Friends,” Balblair, Resolis, 40/; “C. L.” Whiteinch, 10/; M. M. Crawford, Ardfern,
Argyle, 2/; “Friend,” London, 20/; W. Mackay, Inchape, Rogart, 5/; Miss C. Macleod, Liverpool, 3/; J. Leitch, Tullichavan, Dumbartonshire, 5/; M. M’Nair, Dingwall, 10/; D. Young, Airlie Gardens, Hyndland, Glasgow, 5/; Mrs. Cattanach, Kinvara House, Kingussie, 5/; Miss Mary M’Lennan (of Garve), Kingussie, 5/; “A Free Presbyterian,” Helmsdale, 5/. Per Mr. K. Macrae, postman, Lochcarron—K. Macrae, postman, Lochcarron, 10/; J. Macrae, Ardineaskan, 5/; D. Macrae, Ardineaskan, 5/; Mrs. D. Macrae, Ardineaskan, 2/6; Rod. Mackenzie, Ardineaskan, 2/; D. Mackay, Ardineaskan, 2/6; Rod. Mathieson, Ardineaskan, 2/6. Mrs. D. Matheson, North Strome, 4/; M. Mackenzie, Inver, Lochinver, 10/; “Friend,” Tain, 5/; A. M., Tain, 2/6; A. Mackenzie, Drumchork, Aultbea, 5/; “Lady Friend,” Inverness, 3/; “Friends of Truth,” 40/; Miss Jessie Mackay, Ardineaskan, 2/6; Mrs. M’Donald, Isleornsay, Skye, 5/; J. M’Innes, Broadford, 10/6; “A London Friend,” 2/6; Miss Jessie Mackenzie, Carnoch, 20/; “Anon,” Applecross, 40/; C. Mackay, Lamlash, Arran, 5/; Miss M. M’Askill, Blanefield, Stirlingshire, 5/; “A Friend,” New York, per J. M., 10/; “Two Friends,” 5/; Miss Urquhart, Dingwall, 20/; B. M. (Gairloch P.O.), 6/; Miss M. Maclean (Kyle P.O.), 5/; D. Connell, Sort Street, Stirling, 10/; D. Mackenzie, Achranann, Daviot, 5/; “A Friend” (Inverness P.O.), 20/; A. Mackenzie, Shandon, 4/; “Lady Friend,” Inverness, 2/6; K. Mackenzie, Lochdrome, Garve, 5/; “Anon” (Dumfries P.O.), 2/; “A Friend,” Greenock, 2/6; Mrs. Sayers, Blackridge, West Lothian, 10/; M. M’Askill, Glendale, per Rev. A. Macrae, 20/; Captain Gillanders, Fernabeg, Applecross, 5/; “Lady Friend,” Daviot, 20/; “Anon,” Port-Glasgow, 2/; “Wellwisher,” Aberdeen, 3/; J. Macdonald, Kinlochewe, 10/; Edward Mackinnon, Datrachney Beg, Carrbridge, 7/; “Lady Friend,” Teanassie, Beauly, 20/; Mrs. White, Glenburn, Prestwick, 10/; Kilmuir Congregation, Skye, per Mr. A. Mackay, 20/; “Two Lady Friends,” Lochcarron, 10/; War Office, per Mr. W. Grant, £23 16/6; Donald M’Arthur, per Mrs. J. Mackay, Achmore, 2/; John M’Arthur, 1/; Angus M’Arthur, 1/; Mrs. N. M’Innes, 6d.; Miss May Mackenzie, 1/; Frank M’Lennan, 1/; John Mackay, 1/; Mrs. Mackay, 6d.; Henry Mackay, 10d.; Mrs. Alick Mackay, 1/; Neil Mackay, 1/; Kenneth Macdonald, 9d.; Miss Christy M’Iver, per Mrs. John M’Iver, 1/; Miss Bella M’Iver, 2/; John M’Iver, 2/; Mrs. J. M’Iver, 1/; John M’Iver, 1/; D. Maclellan, Strathvaich, per Mr. Urquhart, 5/; James Angus, Strath-na-Shallaig, Dundonnell, 5/; “A Friend,” Insch, 10/.
Per Rev. D. M. Macdonald—Mrs. Shupe, Detroit, U.S.A., 20/6; and Miss Mackay, Toronto, 4/1.
Per Rev. N. Cameron—”Friend,” Kyle, 20/; “Friend,” Lochbroom, 20/; “Friend,” Stockton-on-Tees, 50/; Mr. and Mrs. A. M’L., Glasgow, 20/; Mrs. C., Glasgow, 20/; A. M., Glasgow, 5/; “Friends,” Ibrox, 40/; W. M., Springburn, 10/; A. M., Tighnabruaich, 20/; A. D., A. L., Mrs. M’L., and Mrs. L., Glasgow, 40/.
Per Rev. J. S. Sinclair—”Two Girl Friends,” 10/; for Deputy to France; “Friend,” Glasgow, 5/; J. Shaw, Edinburgh, 10/; Mrs. M’Bean, Newtonmore, 10/; “Magazine,” 20/; D. Macleod, Kinlochbervie, 10/; B. M., 10/; A. Macleod, B.Sc., London, 20/; Mrs. Gunn, Badentarbert, Achiltibuie, 1/6; “Friend in the North,” 40/; and “Friends,” Scourie, 16/; per Rev. E. Macqueen. Per Rev. J. R. Mackay—”Lady Friend,” Inverness, 5/; “Friend,” Gairloch, 10/; “Friend,” Erradale, 7/; “Friend,” Port Henderson, 2/; “Another Friend,” Gairloch, 10/.
4/ per Mrs. Gunn, Morness, Rogart, for Books to Soldiers and Sailors.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Mrs. M’Bean, Newtonmore, 5/; per Rev. J. S. Sinclair; Mrs. Moffat, Glenelg, 2/6; “Liverpool,” 20/; per Rev. N. Cameron; Strath Congregation, Skye, 10/; per Mr. J. M’Innes; Miss M. M’Askill, Carbeth Guthrie, Blanefield, Stirlingshire, 5/; J. Macdonald, Kinlochewe, 10/; A. R. Finlayson, Lochalsh, 20/6 (5 dollars), for Mr. Radasi’s Mission, per Rev. D. M. Macdonald; “Friend,” 10/; for Mr. Radasi’s Mission.
Mr. John Morrison, Congregational Treasurer, Finsbay, South Harris, acknowledges with thanks the following donations to the Building Fund of the Finsbay Church, per Mr. Angus Clunas, Inverness, £5 10s. from “Friends,” Johannesburg, South Africa; Rod. Maclean, Aultbea, £1; M. M., Dunmuillie, 10/; John Macdonald, Horsay, 10/. Per Rev. D. N. Macleod, Tarbert—N. S., Port-Glasgow, 3/; “Friends of Truth,” Glasgow, £5; J. C., 5/; J. M., Kilmarnock, 5/; Anonymous, 10/; “Friend,” 10/; Master, Officers, Crew, and Friends on R.M.S. “Clydesdale,” £10 17/. Rev. A. Macrae, Portree, £1.
Mr. W. Grant, 8 Wellington Square, Chelsea, London, S.W., acknowledges with thanks following donations for London Church Building Fund—”Friends,” Lochalsh, £2; “A Friend,” £1, per Miss M’Sween, Wetherby Gardens, Kensington; and A. Mackenzie, Callander, £1, per Rev. J. S. Sinclair.
Rev. Neil Cameron desires to acknowledge, with thanks, 5/ from “Friend,” Glasgow, in aid of St. Jude’s Sustentation Fund; 5/, per Mr. Clunas, from Miss M’Leod, Stratheay, in aid of Bibles to Soldiers and Sailors, and 5/ from Mrs. Gunn, Rogart.
Rev. J. S. Sinclair acknowledges, with thanks, £1 from “November,” for John Knox’s Sustentation Fund; and £1 from “Magazine,” for Mission to Forces Fund.
The Treasurer of the Dingwall Congregation begs to acknowledge, with thanks, the sum of 10/ for Manse Building Fund, received from “A Friend,” Rona, Raasay, per Mrs. M’Farlane.