BY THE REV. NEIL MACINTYRE, STORNOWAY.
DEAR MR. EDITOR,—I shall briefly give an account of my visit to the Naval Forces at Chatham and Portsmouth. At the request of the Convener of the Committee for Naval Forces. I left home on Monday, 21st May, with the purpose of beginning my labours at the naval ports on the third Sabbath of June, but owing to certain circumstances which I need not mention, I had to postpone my visit until the fourth Sabbath. My predecessor, Rev. D. M. Macdonald, very kindly agreed to remain for the third. I willingly complied with the Convener’s request, for I considered it both a duty and privilege to do anything in my power to help those young men who are so gallantly protecting us from our enemies.
I arrived in London on Friday night, 22nd June. It was to me an awe-inspiring sight to see for the first time the innumerable searchlights at work on the outskirts of London, penetrating to the core every speck of passing cloud in search of aircraft. Mr. Malcolm M’Ewan, missionary, whose company I enjoyed during my visit, met me at the station, and we drove to Mrs. Mackay’s, 19 Bryanston Street, where I was hospitably and comfortably accommodated during my stay in England. My thanks are due to Mrs. Mackay for her kindness, and I consider it a favour from the Lord that such comfortable lodgings are provided for the deputy.
Chatham.—I shall first give an account of my visits to Chatham. To this place I gave three Sabbaths. The congregations were perhaps at their best, numerically, many of the men being ashore, and in barracks. Since the Admiralty officially recognised our services, all Gaelic-speaking men in barracks are obliged to attend the morning service on parade. The evening
service, which is not compulsory for them to attend, was equally well attended. Many changes are to be seen here since my first visit two years ago. Few of the men, who made up the congregation then, are left, and, sad to think, many of them have gone, never to return. This thought made me sad, and ought at least to make me and others who profess to be ambassadors of Christ, to earnestly plead with and for those left, to be “reconciled to God.”
It was gratifying to see in the audience many faces I recognised. These hailed from Lewis, Skye and the mainland, and it would have afforded me the greatest pleasure, had these or, indeed, any of the Highland lads, spoken to me. As this report may fall into the hands of some of them, I would ask them to make themselves known to the deputy, who will give them a hearty welcome. It is encouraging to find some, among these brave fellows, who fear the Lord and, by their precept and example, are a source of great blessing. In this connection, I would mention P.O. John MacLeod, a native of Shawbost, Lewis, who takes a fatherly interest in the younger men. He and several others hold a prayer meeting every week night, when the officiating minister is absent.
Let me, in passing, advise the younger men. Though their general conduct, and attention to the Word preached, was all that could be desired, yet I noticed that the same solemnity and seriousness did not prevail which was characteristic of the young men who attended on my former visit. I would, therefore, with the best intention and friendliness, appeal to them to take seriously to heart God’s voice in these terrible judgments, and earnestly pray that they may be blessed to their eternal salvation.
It was my sad duty to visit the Naval Hospital (Gillingham), and I was exceedingly pleased to see the patients so well attended to. There are many sad proofs of the devastating effects of the war to be seen here. There are no places where the horrors of war are to be seen more, than in hospitals, except, perhaps, the fields of battle.
I met in this hospital one of the most remarkable cases in this terrible war. He was a young man from Lewis whose ship was torpedoed in the Atlantic. The crew left the sinking vessel in two small boats. In his boat there were twenty-three. After being tossed about on the ocean for sixteen days without food or water, they were picked up, but of the twenty-three there were but two living, he and the chief officer, the rest having either died in the boat, or losing their reason, having gone over the side. The poor officer died a few hours after being landed. The other boat was never heard of, so that this young man is the sole survivor of the crew. I am pleased to say that he is progressing favourably after his terrible experience.
My last Sabbath in Chatham was rather exciting and alarming owing to an air raid. They (the Germans) did not however get our length, but as your readers know, they have managed since to bomb the Barracks, and many precious lives have been lost.
Portsmouth.—I gave two Sabbaths to Portsmouth. The morning and afternoon services were held as usual in the spacious hall kindly granted by Miss Weston, to whom we are so much indebted, not only for providing a hall but also comfortable lodgings for the deputy. The evening service was held in the Barracks. Owing to an epidemic of measles in the Barracks among the sailors, no outsiders were allowed to enter. This, of course, interfered with our attendance, but I trust this restriction may soon be removed, for many of the men are most anxious to be present. I also held a prayer meeting on Saturday at Whale Island. The congregations at Portsmouth also were large, perhaps the best we have had, as many of the Royal Naval Reserve men were in training at Whale Island. It was encouraging to notice the serious attention paid to the Word preached, particularly by some of the sailors, and we have good reason to hope that the seed sown did not all fall by the wayside. I was glad to meet a number of my own congregation and also others, and I trust, with the Apostle Paul, I can say that “my heart’s desire and prayer to God is that they might be saved,” and be preserved amidst all the dangers and sufferings to which they are exposed for our sakes.
I paid two visits to the Naval Hospital at Haslar, where many brave and gallant fellows from all parts of the Empire are suffering, and I trust the Great Physician may soon restore those in whom I was more directly interested, as well as others, to health.
It was my sad and trying experience to witness one of the most serious and daring raids yet made on London by German aeroplanes. It is impossible to describe the scene, but it occurred to me that in some small measure it resembled the Great Day. Some were running to cellars for safety, others were crying, while others still, no doubt, were praying as death threatened them on every side. I thought, like Dr. Macdonald’s (Ferintosh) father, when in danger of being lost at sea in a storm, that I pitied those who did not begin to pray until then.
As I spent the greater part of the week in London, I was able to conduct the prayer meeting connected with our Mission there each week. I was glad to see such a good attendance at the weekly meetings. Many of the young women, I understand, arrange to have their evenings “off” fixed on the prayer meeting night, so that they may be present. Since my return, this Mission has suffered a sad blow in the death of its attached and sincere friend, Mr. Donald Sutherland. May the God of Zion build up the walls!
In conclusion, I may say that I enjoyed my visit very much. No doubt, one meets with many things which will grieve him, but from the officers and men, I received nothing but kindness and consideration. My desire is that they may have the blessing of Him who dwelt in the bush, and be safely brought through all the perils and dangers they may have to meet, and that this fearful struggle in which the nation is involved, and which has
inflicted so much sorrow and misery on so many homes in our Highlands and Islands, may be soon brought to a victorious end for our country and her Allies, to the advancement of God’s cause in the earth.
N. M’T.
Brief Account of Naval Mission for August and September.
BY THE REV. D. A. MACFARLANE, M.A., LAIRG.
DURING the above period I continued the work of the former deputy, Rev. N. MacIntyre, of Stornoway.
At each of the ports, Chatham and Portsmouth, there were over or about eighty men for the greater part of the time. During the last few weeks, numbers got home on Special (Harvest) Leave—a change welcome to those acquainted with Barrack life.
It is a cause of sincere gratitude that there are a number of praying men among them who take an abiding interest in the maintenance of services. The dangers to which they are continuously exposed are seen and unseen, known and also unknown. It is most desirable that hearty efforts should be made for their highest well-being, by prayer and dividing of the Word of Truth, that they may have for life and death the sure protection of our Lord, to whom is committed all power in heaven and in earth.
The hospitals at Haslar, Gillingham, and the Chatham “Welcome,” deserve visiting. Patients there are often sent or brought in without Bible or any book, and a Bible, Testament, or any booklet worthy of perusal is in such cases a needful gift. English copies of the Scriptures do not seem to be in any evidence in these wards. A common reply, on enquiry for an English copy of the Bible, was, “I never saw such a thing since I came.” Copies of the Scriptures are also acceptable for survivors from vessels blown-up or otherwise damaged.
It is with sincere sympathy for the relatives of these brave men, that the deaths, in the great Chatham raid, are here recorded, of four of the Gaelic-speaking sailors. The handles on such of the faces of the Tower clock as remained unsmashed pointed for many days to 11.12 (p.m. at time)—a silent and solemn warning that for us all, time will soon be at an end. “Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.”
A word of reference may be made to our London Mission. As is known, they have difficulties of many kinds to contend with, not the least being the suspense and real danger due to the recent frequent air raids. They are deserving of the sympathy, encouragement and active support of us, as a whole, who so far do not know what it is to hear overhead the sound of the hostile engines. Both they and our deputies have much cause of gratitude to God for protection and the strength of body and mind enjoyed, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.”
D. A. MACF.
The late Mrs. MacKinnon, Cathcart.
MRS. MACKINNON’S maiden name was Christina Macdougall. She was born in Rothesay, Bute, where she spent the days of her childhood and youth.
At the age of fourteen years, she was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. It was while hearing the Word of God preached on the shore at Rothesay that she felt it with power entering into her heart, like Lydia of old. Who the preacher was, or what his text was, we don’t know, but that the change wrought that day upon the heart of Christina Macdougall was genuine, her after life amply proved. Not long after this day, she became deeply exercised in her mind as to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. Being a very keen thinker naturally, she could not rest satisfied till each problem raised by Satan and unbelief was fully solved by the unerring Word of God. The battle she fought by faith at that time stood her in good stead during all her after life, as it was the means of enabling her to build her faith and hope upon the solid rock of divine truth. “Dods on the Incarnation” fell into her hands at that time, and was the means of helping her much. Other books which were very helpful to her were—President Edward’s “On the Affections,” and Dr. Kennedy’s (late of Dingwall), “Man’s Relation to God.” Till the end of her life on earth, she held the above authors in high esteem on account of the great help which she derived from them. The subjects of which they treated became so fixed in her mind that she had a delight in rehearsing them to others to their instruction and profit.
When she was twenty-seven years of age, her father removed from Rothesay to Glasgow. She made choice of the Rev. Mr. Gordon, M’Donald Free Church, as her minister. Mr. Gordon was one of the eminent ministers who held forth the whole counsel of God to lost men in Glasgow in those days. He was considered by the most discerning Christians as an Apollos in watering the souls of those who thirsted after righteousness. When Mr. Gordon died, she joined John Knox’s Church. She continued there under the ministry of Rev. R. Smith, until he retired. It was at John Knox’s that she met Mr. Hugh MacKinnon for the first time. He was after returning home from Australia, where he had resided during sixteen years. The favourable reports he received of the piety and prudence of Christina Macdougall moved him to form an acquaintance with her. The result was that they became united in the holy bond of marriage. Not long after he became an elder in that congregation.
On the retiral of Mr. Smith from the ministry of John Knox’s, the Kirk Session decided to give a call to a young man whose opinions did not satisfy Hugh MacKinnon and several of the members. At a congregational meeting, held for the purpose of electing a minister to fill the vacancy, a motion was submitted to
the effect that this young man should be elected. Mr. Hugh MacKinnon moved an amendment. In speaking in support of the amendment he got confused, as he was not accustomed to speak in public, with the result that the objections to the young man’s views were not clearly set by him before the people. No one getting up to his aid, Mrs. MacKinnon asked if she would be allowed to speak. The request was granted. She then spoke to her husband’s amendment with an ability and clearness that gained the approbation of a large number of the congregation. The amendment, however, was lost. She told a friend afterwards that she had an apprehension that day that a severe trial awaited her, and that she spent the whole afternoon pleading with the Lord for light, wisdom, and guidance. This will help to explain why she took this step, as no one could be stricter in upholding proper discipline than she was.
Her father went to America after she got married, and Mr. M’Kinnon and she went across to see him, and resided there for four years. They then resolved to return home on account of the danger to which their children would be exposed as regards their irreligious surroundings in America. They felt that they could not bring up their family in the fear and admonition of the Lord there. So at a great loss to themselves so far as worldly prosperity was concerned, they returned to Glasgow. They set up business in Pollokshields, where they resided during twenty-five years.
They worshipped in Milton Free Church under the ministry of the Rev. John Geddes, where they remained till 1893. When the Free Presbyterian Church was formed that year to maintain the existence of the Free Church with her doctrines and principles, they left the Milton Church and joined that body. “They took this step with great clearness and conviction,” a daughter wrote us. Mrs. M’Kinnon spoke of the many blessings they received after joining the F.P. Church. “Mr. MacKinnon, on his death-bed, spoke to his daughters, and impressed upon them the responsibility of signing a call to a minister, and that as long as that minister preached as he did when elected minister of St. Jude’s, they were duty bound to support him.”
Mrs. M’Kinnon’s last illness continued only during twelve days. She enjoyed much of the Lord’s presence, and calmness of mind on her death-bed. The promise: “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,” was fully made good to her. An expression she repeatedly used in her prayers was: “O Lord, keep us continually humble, knocking at the door of mercy, for none are ever found wanting there;” and, “Open our eyes that we may behold Thy providence, so that we may never lack a cause of being thankful to Thee.” When asked the question: “What are you thinking about, mother?” she answered, “About the Lord Jesus.” A daughter asked her, what would she have read to her? She answered: “Oh, you know, Tina, it is all the Word of God.”
She then repeated the goth Psalm. Seeing her tossing in distress, her daughter said to her: “Mother, dear, I do wish you could get a little rest.” She answered: “I don’t think I’ll get any more rest until you lay me in my last resting-place. Then I shall be satisfied when I will awake in His likeness.” Then she repeated the third chapter of John’s gospel down to the words: “Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again.” She repeated these words twice with great emphasis. Before the end came, she said—”Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” She peacefully passed away to be with Jesus on the morning of the 20th day of February, 1917. Her remains were laid to rest in Rothesay Cemetery, there to await a glorious resurrection at the last day.
We desire to offer our sincere condolence to her bereaved family in their sorrow. N. C.
The late Malcolm Maclean, Deacon, St. Jude’s, Glasgow.
MAALCOLM MACLEAN was born in Borrraig in the parish of Duirinish, Isle of Skye, in the year 1861. His father was an elder in the Duirinish congregation of the Free Church. He was considered, by all who knew him, to be a man of integrity of conscience in all his dealings toward God and men. Malcolm’s mother was also a very careful and quiet woman. He had thus the great advantage of having both the example and exercises of true piety set before him from his infancy.
When Malcolm was an infant, he contracted an illness through impure vaccination, which affected his health till the day of his death. This affliction caused that he was a great sufferer all his days from bronchial asthma, especially during the winter months and early spring. No man could bear this trying disease with more patience and resignation to the Lord’s holy will than he did.
It appears that he was in his early life much exercised about his condition as a sinner in the sight of God. He told a friend that, on one occasion in Skye, a sermon which he heard caused him to feel as if the mountains were on fire to devour him for his sins against God. We had the fullest proof from our observation that the word of God came to Malcolm not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. But he was of a very retiring disposition, and spoke very sparingly about himself, so that very little can be said as to his experiences. All who had the privilege of knowing him were fully satisfied that he was a just and an upright man, fearing God and eschewing all appearances of evil. The genuineness and sincerity of his faith could not be doubted. He was possessed of a high sense of honour and amiability of character not often met in our day. The Free Presbyterian Church lost in him a faithful office-bearer.
and a man who never wavered in his attachment to her distinctive principles to the last.
Several years since he was advised by his doctor to leave Glasgow, as the fogs of winter would be too much for him, so he and his wife went to live at their home in Skye. He became considerably stronger after he was a while in his native air. In the month of May, 1916, he was ordered by the agents of the Government to come to Glasgow to take up the place of a fit man for service at the front. He contracted a severe cold about the end of March, 1917, which ended in his death on the 11th day of April. His remains were buried at Dunvegan on the 14th day of April, there to rest united to Christ till the resurrection.
We desire to express sincere sympathy towards his widow, and all the members of the family.
N. C.
The late Allan Macaskill, Glendale, Skye.
IN common with many congregations of our Church, Glendale has suffered severe breaches in the removal by death of several of their office-bearers. We regret to have to record the death of another of their number, Allan Macaskill.
Allan was born seventy-four years ago, and died at Fasach, Glendale, last April. The parish of Duirinish, which includes Glendale, had educational advantages which few parishes in the Highlands enjoyed at that time. Allan took full advantage of this privilege, and became a tolerably good scholar in both English and Gaelic. So proficient did he become in this respect, that he was appointed to take charge of a parish school on the mainland. This was before the Education Act of 1872 was passed. Owing to family circumstances he had to give up teaching and return home. After being at home for some time, he went to the east coast fishing, where he had a most trying experience. The fishing boat on which he was engaged was wrecked, but, fortunately, when the boat went down, the nets floated, and Allan got hold of a buoy, to which he clung for hours. He was unconscious when picked up. Several of the crew were drowned, and though Allan was restored to normal health, yet his hearing was ever after affected. This trying ordeal made no lasting spiritual impression on him, and he was for many years after quite careless regarding eternal realities.
He was about fifty years of age when awakened to a sense of his lost condition as a sinner. When thus convinced he, when others would retire, would take to the hills to pour out his plaints before God. Whoever or whatever were the means to bring home conviction to his conscience, the late Rev. John MacRae, who was then the Free Church minister at Duirinish, was the instrument in the hand of the Spirit to bring the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ to shine into his soul. To Mr. MacRae he was ever after much attached, so that when
the testing time of separating from the Free Church under the Declaratory Act came, Allan found it difficult to leave behind him his beloved minister, yet he did not allow his attachment to any man to come between him and his duty to the truth of God and principle. He therefore cast in his lot with the Free Presbyterian Church, and never regretted having done so.
He was one of the first elders ordained in the congregation after its formation, and the duties of that high office he faithfully performed to the end. As a public speaker we cannot claim for him much ability, and Allan himself would be the last to make such a claim. His faithfulness to the duties of his office, his attendance on the public means of grace on Sabbath and week days, and more especially his strong attachment to the Lord’s people, were perhaps his outstanding characteristics. He was of a very quick disposition, which often was a cause of grief and sorrow to himself, but there was no malice, for immediately after a show of temper, he would be as free and loving as ever. His place is empty, and his presence, both in the congregation and at communions throughout the island, will be sadly missed.
To his sorrowing widow and to the Glendale congregation, who mourn his loss, we tender our sincere sympathy, and pray that the God of Zion may build up the walls of His Jerusalem. As one who had the privilege of being associated with him in congregational work for nine years, I feel that I have lost a friend to whom I was much attached. The Lord is taking home His own from the evils and troubles of this world, while we are left in a barren land. May the Lord raise up trees of righteousness of His own planting!
N. M.I.
Slighe na Slainte.
“An ti a chreideas anns a’ mhac, tha a bheatha mhaireannach aige. ach an ti nach ‘eil a’ creidsinn anns a’ mhac, cha’n fhaic e beatha; ach a ta fearg Dhe a gabhail comhnuidh air.”—EOIN iii. 36.
CARAID.—A Chomhastaraiche, àm faod mi a cheisd shimplidh so a chuir ort:—am bheil thu creidsinn ann am Mac Dhe?
FEAR TURUIS.—Gu cinnteach tha; nach ‘eil gach neach anns an riochd Chriosdail so a’ creidsinn ann? Dh’ fheudadh tu a cheisd sin a chuir air na cinnich agus na Daoine-dubh, ach air chinnte cha’n fheud thu a cuir ormsa.
CARAID.—Seadh ma ta, na gabh oilbheum; ach eisd rium le spiorad ciùin agus samhach. Ma tha thu creidsinn ann am Mac Dhé, an sin tha a bheatha mhaireannach agad;1 agus an ti aig am bheil a bheatha so, is creutair nuadh e.2 Tha chorpa na theampuil don Spiorad Naomh.3 ’S fear-comhpairet e do nàdur
1 Eoin iii. 15, 16, agus vi. 47.
2 2 Cor. v. 17.
3 1 Cor. vi. 19.
na Diadhachd.1 Tha e aig sith ri Dia tre chreidimh ann am fuil phriseil Iosa.2 Chaidh na seann nithe seachad rinneadh na h-uile nithe nuadh.3 No, ma se ‘s nach ‘eil na nithe sin aige na’n lánachd, tha brisfàire na cuis na chridhe: do bhrigh ‘s gu’n d’ fhuair e an solus sin a dheairraicheas (mar shlighe nam firean) ni ‘s mò agus ni ‘s mò gu ruig an là iomlan. Cha duine cloiche e, ach duine beo, le chridhe nuadh agus spiorad ceart.4
FEAR TURUIS.—Ma tà, cha ‘n ‘eil e comasach dhòmhsa ni tuilleadh a ràdh ach so:—Ma se so a bhi creidsinn, cha chreideach mise; agus co ‘tha na chreideach? C’ aite am faigh thu iad? Cha ‘n aithne dhomhsa.
CARAID.—Tha Crìosd ag ràdh gur treud bheag a threudsan: agus gur slighe ainhleathan a shlighesan.5 Agus tha seirbhiseich Shatan na ‘n cuideachd lionmhor, agus tha ‘n t’ slighe acasan na slighe leathan; ach tha ‘n t’ slighe ainhleathan a treòrachadh gu Neamh, agus an t’ slighe leathan gu Ifrinn; thoir maitheanas dhomh a thaobh na ceisd shimplidh, Gu de ‘n t’ slighe air am bheil thusa siubhal?
FEAR TURUIS.—Ma ta, ‘s ceisd sin a tha tighinn teann gu leòr orm, ach tha e ro chosmhuil gur fior charaid dhomh thu. Ma tha creideamh a comh-sheasadh ‘san ni a tha thu ag ràdh, cha chreideach mise; agus mur creideach mi, tha fhios agam gur an air an t-slighe leathan a ‘s fheudar dhomh bhi. Gun teagamh, tha moran ni ‘s miosa na mise, a chionn cha’ n’ fhear mionnar no poitear mi. Tha mi dol do ‘n eaglais gu riaghailteach, agus tha mi cuir romham, nuair a bhithis mi ullamh air a shon, dol a dhionnsuidh bord an Tighearna. Tha mi leughadh mo Bhiobuli air là’ na sàbaid, agus air làithean na seachduin, nuair a tha mi eusian; ach cha ‘n ‘eil sonas air bith agam ann a m’ aidmheil, no tlachd ann ‘n seirbheis Dhè. Agus a thaobh a bhi aig sith ri Dia, shaoil mi nach burrainn fios a bhi aig duine mu thimchioll sin sa bheatha so, agus le sin bu mhò m’ eagal ro’ Dhia na mo ghràdh dhà; gu firinneach, ma tha creideamh a reir do theagaig, tha fhios agam gu ‘n robh mi ga’ mhealladh fhein.6
CARAID.—Tha thu fosgladh do chridhe dhomh, agus gu firinneach tha do chor a cuir mulad orm; ‘chionn nuair a tha e air a’ ràdh, “an ti a chreideas anns a’ mhac, tha a’ bheatha mhair-eannach aige”; tha e air a’ ràdh gu soilleir, “An ti nach eil a creidsinn anns a’ mhac, cha ‘n fhaic e beatha; ach a ta fèarg Dhè a’ gabhail còmhnuidh air.”7
FEAR TURUIS.—’S focal eagalach sin gu dearbh, agus tha mi air chrith nuair a smuainticheas mi mu SHIORRUIDHEACHD. Tha mo choguis gu tric a teagasg dhomh, nach eil gach ni gu ceart. Oh! innis dhomh ciod a ni mi chum gu teàrnar mi.8
CARAID.—”Creid anns an Tighearn Iosa Crìosd, agus teàrnar
1 2 Peter i. 4. 2 Rom. v. 1.—viii. 1. 3 2 Cor. v. 17.
4 Ezek. xxxvi. 26.—Rom. vii. 22.
5 Math. vii. 14.
6 Lucas xii. 39.
7 Eoin iii. 36.
8 Gniomh xvi. 30.
thu,”1 agus bi beo gu siorruidh; oir thubhaint e, “an ti a thig a m’ionnsuidh, cha tlig mi air chor sam bith a mach e.”2 Agus ch’ cuimhnich nuair a thàinig a bhean bhochd thruagh sin a dh’ ionnsuidh ’n Tighearn Iosa, agus a bha ’m Pharaiseach a gearan do bhrigh ’s gu’n do ghabh an Ti-uile-bheannaichte agus thròcaireach rìthe; cuimhnich an co-shamladh a labhair e:— “bha aig fear-fìacha àraidh dithis do fhèichneinibh; bha aige air aon fhear cuig ceud pèghinn, agus air an fhear eile leth-cheud. Agus do bhrigh nach robh aca ni leis an diotadh iad, mhaith e gu saor dhoibh, àròn.”3 Mur so a teagasg, gu’m be cliù Dhe, a thaobh dhàoine, am Fear-fìacha Trocaireach; agus a thaobh feartan bàs Iosa, a bhàsich am firean airson an neo-fhirean, gu m bheil saor-mhaitheanas Dhè air a thairgse gu saor; agus co air bith, an ti is gràineile, ’struaghe, ’s smò air a thrèigsinn, ’s na struidhear os ceann nan uile, a theicheas ann an cumhachd ’n Spioraid, ga ionnsuidh, gu’n gabh e ris; seadh, gu’m bi gàir-deachas an làthair aingle Dhè, nuair a thig iad so ga ionnsuidh. Oir tha Dia e fhein, mar tha cosmhalachd an struidhear a teagasg, ri gairdeachas a thaobh a ni so.4 Gheibh an neach a’ suairiche Trocair an sin, agus gu cinnteach tha na daoine a’s fearr ann an ain-fhiach mar an ceudna, agus tha Feum aca air trocair. Creid uime sin ann am Mac Dhè, agus bi thu beo gu siorruidh.
FEAR TURUIS.—Ach, nach feum mi moille chuir sa gnothach so gus am bi mi ni ’s fhearr, mun d’ thig mi da ionnsuidh?
CARAID.—Cha ’n ’fhead; thig a nis; s gniomh gràis an t’ saorsa so, cha’n ann o oibrìbh a tha i, chum nach deanadh neach air bith uail.5 “Is e tuarasdal a’ pheacaidh am bàs; ach is e saor-thiodhlac Dhè a’ bheatha mhaireannach, tre Iosa Crìosd ar Tighearna.”6 IS TUARASDAL am bàs; ach ’STIODHLAC beatha.
FEAR TURUIS.—Ach nach eil gnothuch air bith aig a chreidimheach ri deadh oibre?
CARAID.—Tha gnothuch aig a chreidimheach riu; ach ’se ni air do shon-sa maitheanas, agus sin air sgàth Chrìosd. ’S an do’n ti nach dean obair, ach a ta creidinn anus an ti a dh’ fhireanaicheas an duine mi-dhiadhaidh a mheasar a chreidimh mar fhireantachd.7 Ach nuair a tha Dia a gabhail ris mar so, an sin, tre chumbachd an Spioraid naomh, a dh’ oibrich ’na chridhe an creidimh beannichte so, tha e deanamh oibre naomh, agus tha “gràdh, aoibhneas, sith, fad-fhulangas, caomhachd, agus macantas” a fàs;8 a dheich thar fhiheadh, a thri fichead, agus a cheud uiread.9 Tha thlachd ann an deadh oibre: bu mhian leis a bhi saibhir annta; ach cha’n iad sin aobhar a shaorsa, ach toradh a shaorsa; cha ’n ’eil e deanamh oibre math, a chum ’s gum faidh e maith-eanas; ach air dha maith-eanas fhaotain, tha e ga’n deanamh. Cha’n’eil e ri obair air son beatha, ach ’o bheatha; agus mar sin,
1 Gniomh xvi. 31. 2 Eoin vi. 37. 3 Luc. vii. 36, gu crioch a chaibideil.
4 Luc. xv. 20.
5 Eph. ii. 8, 9.
6 Rom. vi. 23.
7 Rom. iv. 5, 6.
8 Gal. v. 22.
9 Math. xiii. 23.
an ait droighne fásaiddh an giuthas, agus an ait drise fásaiddh am miorial. Ann an “ainsiribh aisig nan uile nithe,” gheibh an scriobtuir so a choimhliionadh deireannach.1 Agus tha e air a choimhliionadh ann an cuid, nuair a tha neach air a shaoradh o chumhachd an dorchadais, agus atharraichte chum rioghachd mic a ghràidh-san.2
FEAR TURVIS.—Ma ta, tha so uile na sgeul ro nuadh dhomhsa: a’ch air chor-eiginn, air leam, co fir ‘s co ceart, ‘s nach urrain dhomh àicheadh, ni-h-eadh, air leam gu’m bheil mi gabhail fadal gu bhi ga chreidsinn.
CARAID.—Tha do bhriathra ga’m lionadh le gairdeachas: agus nuair a choinnichis sinn a ris, tha mi ‘n dòchas gu’m faigh mi thu aig cosan an Ti sin is e a BHEATHA MHAIREANNACH do na h-uile a tha gabhail eòlas air.