Nadur an Duine ‘na Staid Cheithir Fillte

CEANN II.

TRUAIGHE STAID NADUIR AN DUINE.

(Continued from page 317).

Brosnuchadh 3. Thoir fa’near na comharan uamhasach air farg Dhé; agus foghnadh iad gu d’ dhusgadh gu teicheadh a mach as an staid so. Thoir fa’near, 1. Mar a thuit i air daoiné. Eadhon anns an t-saoghal so, bha moran air an eur suas mar chomharan air dioghaltas Dhé, chum gu gabhadh muinntir eile eagal. Sguab farg air falbh mor-chuideachd, a thuit le cheile le laimh Dhia ann an corruich. Thoir fa’near “mar, nach do chaomhain an Tighearn an seann saoghal a’ toirt a steach na díle air an t-saoghal aingidh, agus a’ tionndadh caithriche Shodoin agus Ghomorah gu luathre, gu ‘n do dhit e le leir-sgrios iad, ‘g an deanamh ‘nam ball-sampuill dhoibh-san a bhiodh mi-dhiadhaidh an deigh sin! 2 Pead. ii. 5, 6. Butha e fathast ní’s uamhaiche bhi smuaineachadh air a’ ghul, a’ chaoidh, agus air a’ ghiosgan fhiacal sin tha meag na dream a ta ‘n ifrinn a’ togail suas an súilean, ach nach urrainn boinne uisge fhaotainn a dh’ fhuarachadh an teanga. Creid na nithe sin, agus gabh rabhadh leo; air eagal gu’n tig leir-sgrios ort mar rabhadh do mhunntir eile. 2. Thoir fa’near mar a thuit farg air na h-ainglibh a thuit, aig am bheil an staid gu h-iomlan gun dochas! B’ iadsan a thug a’ cheud oidheirp air garadh an lagha naoimh a bhriseadh; agus chuir Dia suas iad mar chomharan air ‘thearg an aghaidh a’ pheacaidh. Dh’ fhag iad aon uair an aite-comhnuidh féin, agus cha d’ fhuiling e riadh dhoibh amharc a stigh a ris air toll an doruis; ach tha “iad air an coimhead ann an geimhlibh siorruidh, fuidh dorchadas fa chomhair breitheanais an là mhoir! Iud. 6. “San aite mu dheireadh, Faic mar a bhui Dia ann an corruich r’a Mhac féin, a sheas ann an aite pheacach taghta! Rom. viii. 32. “An ti nach do chaomhain a Mhac féin!” . Dh’ fheudta bhi an duil gu’m biodh trocair-chaomhnaidh air a taisbeanadh an so, nam biodh i idir ann. Nam faigheadh neach ‘sam bith an trocair so, is cinnteach gu’m faigheadh a Mhac féin i; ach cha do chaomhain se e. Bha tlaichd an Athar air a dheanamh na dhuine dhoilghiosan. Esan, a’s e gliocas Dhé, thoisich e air a bhi fuidh uamh-chrith, ullamh gu failneachadh air falbh le h-uamhunn mòr! Thug cudthrom na feirge so air braona mora fola shileadh. Le lian-neart an teine so, bha ‘chridhe mar cheir air leaghadh am meadhon a chuim! Faic an so cho geur-cheart ‘sa tha Dia an aghaidh peacaiddh. Bha ghrian air a deanamh dorchá leis an t-sealladh uamhasach so! bha na creagan air an sgoltadh; na h-uighean air am fosgladh. Bha’m bàs, mar gu b’ ann, le mor-iongantas, a’ leigeadh le ‘phriosanaich dol air falbh. Ciod e dìle, fras do theine agus pronnuse, air Sodomitich, fuaim uamhasach an t-saoghail a’ leaghadh as, steidh nan neamh agus na talmhainn a’ tuiteam sios a dh’ aon uair, aingle air an tilgeadh sios o na neamha do shlochd gun iochdar! Ciod iad sin uile, deiream, ann an coimeas ri so, Dia a fulang, ag osnaich! a’ bàsachadh air crann-ceusaidh! Rinn naomhaechd neo-chriochnach so, a thoirt air peacadh taisbeanadh ‘na dhath féin, eadhon graineil ann an tomhas neo-chriochnach! Agus an eath daoiné am beatha gu socraich, ‘nuair a tha iad buailteach do’n fheirg so! Sam àite mu dheireadh, Thoir fa’near, co e ‘n Dia ris am bheil do ghnothuech, cò’n Ti d’am bheil thu buailteach d’a fheirg. Is Dia neo-chriochnach ann an eolas agus ann an gliocas e; air chor as nach urrainn aon do d’ pheacaiddh, ciod air bith co diomhair as a ta iad, a bhi air am folach uaithe. Gheibh e gu cinnteach a mach gach uile mheadhon leis am bi fèarg air a cur an gniomh, chum dioladh a cheartais. Tha e do chumhaechd neo-chriochnach, agus uime sin is urrainn dha na ‘s aill leis a dheanamh an aghaidh a’ pheacaich. Cia trom as eigin do bhulean na feirge bhi, a ta air an leagail le laimh uile chumhaechdaich. Is urrainn cumhaechd neo-chriochnach am peacadh a dheanamh ‘na phriosanach, eadhon an uair a ta e sa’ bhoile as mò an aghaidh neimh. Is urrainn an cumhaechd sin gach earrann air leth tlo’n duslach a thabhairt ris o’n uaigh, an eur ris r’ a cheile, an t-anam agus an chorpa a ris a cheangal ri cheile, an euir nan seasamh an láthair eathir a bhreitheanais, an greasadh air falbh do’n t-slochd, agus an cumail suas le aon laimh, tre shiorruidheachd, ‘nuair a tha iad air an sgiursadh leis an laimh eile! Tha e neo-chrochnaichte an ceartas, agus is eigin da air an aobhar sin peanas a chur an gnìomh: Bhiodh e an aghaidh a nàduir, eur na feirge so an gnìomh taitneach dha: oir ged nach ‘eil tlachd aig an Tighearna ann bàs a’ pheacaich, mar is e sgrios a chreutair féin e; gidheadh tha e gabhail tlachd ‘na chur an gnìomh, do bhrigh gur e cur an gnìomh a’ cheartais e: “Frasaidh e air na h-aingidh ribeachan, teine agus pronnuse, agus doinionn uamhasach!” Thoir fa’near an t-aobhar. “Oir is ionmhuinn leis an Tighearna cheart ceartas,” Salm xi. 6, 7. “Bheir mi air mo dhian fheirg luidhe orra agus bheir mi dhomh féin fois!” Esec. v. 13. “Ni mise mar an ceudna gaire ri’r sgrios-sa!” Gnath. i. 26. Fadheoidh, Tha, e beò gu siorruidh, a ghabhail diolaidh air son na connspaid. Chi sinn air an aobhar sin, gur eagalach an ni tuiteam an lamhaibh an Dé bheò!

Dùisg uime sin, O pheacaich òg! dùisg o shean pheacaich! a ta fathast anns an staid san robh thu air do bhreith. Cha’n ann o Dhia a tha’n tearuinnteachd a ta thusa gabhail, is e codal a’ bhàis a ta ann. Eirich a mach as, mu’n duin an slochd a bheul ort. Is fior, gu’m feud sibh uech-eididh iarruinn a chur umaibh, bhrur n-eudan a dheanamh ‘na umha, agus bhrur chridheachan mar an adamant: co as urrainn a leasachadh? Ach brisidh Dia an aghaidh umha sin, agus bheir e air a’ chridhe adamaint sin, mu dheireadh, dol ‘na mhile bloighdibh. Feudaidh sibh, ma’s aill leibh, strì a dheanamh gus na nithe sin a chur as bhrur cinn, a chum gu’m feud sibh fathast codal ann an craicinn slan, ged tha sibh ann an staid feirge; feudaidh sibh ruith air falbh gur n-obair leis ‘na saighdibh saithte ‘nur coguisibh, gu an oibreachadh air falbh; no gur leapaichean gu’n codal air falbh; no gu cuideachd, gu sugradh, agus gu’n cur air falbh le gaire: Ach bithidh aiseirigh eagalach aig agartas coguis a ta mar so sair a mìchadh. Agus tha’n là teachd, anns am bi saighde na feirge saithte cho teann ann ad anam, as mach bi thu comasach air an spionadh a mach tre linnibh na sorruidheachd, mur gabh thu radhadh ann an àm!

Ach ma tha neach sam bith ag iarraidh teicheadh o’n fheirg a ta ri teachd, agus a chum na crìche sin ag iarraidh eolas fhaotainn air ciod an t-slighe ghabhas iad; thaiginn dhoibh na comhairlean teare so, agus tha mi ag earlachadh agus a’ guidhe orra, mar tha gràdh aca d’ an anama féin, gabhail riu.

1. Rachaibh a leth-taobh gu aite uaigneach àraidh, agus an sin smuainichibh air bhur truaighe. Creidibh e, agus suidhichibh bhur smuainte air. Cuireadh gach aon a’ cheist ris féin, Cionnus is urrainn dhomh mo bheatha chaitheadh anns an staid so? Cionnus is urrainn dhomh bàsachadh innte? Cionnus a dh’ eireas mi ris, agus a sheasas mi an lathair caithir-breitheanais Dhé innte?

2. Smuainich gu curamach air peacadh do naduir, do chridhe, agus do bheatha. Sruthaidh beachd caoinmheil mu fheirg o mhoth achadh domhain air peacadh. Cha’n ‘eil e doilich dhoibhsan a ta ‘gam faicinn féin ro-pheacach, iad féin fhaicinn ‘nan oighreachan feirge.

3. Dean dicoill gu Dia fhireanachadh anns a’ chùis so. Cha dean a bhi gearan air Dia mu thimchioll an ni so, agus a bhi beueach mar tharbh fiadhaich ann an lion, ach do dhaingneachadh ni ‘s mò innte. Tha irioslachadh anama an lathair an Tighearna, feumail a chum teichidh: cha reic Dia saorsa, ach bheir a gu saor i dhoibhsan a chi iad féin gu h-uile neo-airidh air a dheadh-ghean.

San àite mu dheireadh, Tionndaidhibh bhur suilean, O phriosanaiche an dochas gus an Tighearn Iosa Criost! agus gabhaidh ris, mar tha e ‘ga thairgse féin anns an t-soisgeul. “Cha’n ‘eil slainte ann an neach air bith eile,” Gniomh. iv. 12. “Tha Dia ‘na theine dian-loisgeach,” Eabh. xii. 29. Tha sibh ‘nur cloinn feirge mur seas an t-eadar-Mheadhonair a steach eadar esan agus sibhse, tha sibh caillte gu brath! Eabh. ii. 3. ‘Nam b’ aill leibh a’ bhi tearuinte, thigibh fuidh a sgail. Cha’n urrainn aon bhoinne do’n fheirg sin tuiteam an sin, oir “tha e saoradh o’n fheirg a ta ri teachd.”
1 Tes. i. 10. Gabh ris anns a’ choimcheangal, anns am bheil e ‘ga thairgse féin duit; agus mar sin ni thu, mar a’ bhantraill, do bheatha shaoradh, leis an Fhear a thug buaidh, a phosadh. Cuiridh fluilsan teine na feirge sin as a ta lasadh a t’ aghaidh. Ann an trusgan geal fhireantachd san bithidh tusa tearuinte; oir cha’n urrainn doinionn na feirge dol troimh.

II. Bheir mi focal no dha do na naoimh.

Air tús, Cuimhnichibh “Anns an àm sin, (san robh sibh ‘nur staid nadurra) gu’n robh sibh as eugmhais Chriosd, as eugmhais dochais; agus gun Dia anns a t-saoghal.”

Cuimhnichibh air an staid san robh sibh roimhe, agus gabhaibh ath-shealladh do thruaighe na staid sin. Tha cuig cuimhneachan a dh’ fheudas mi uaithe sin, a thoirt do uile cho-chruinneachadh nan naomh, nach ‘eil ni ‘s mò ‘nan cloinn na feirge, ach ‘nan oighreachan air Dia, agus ‘nan comh-oighreachan maille ri Criosd, ged tha iad fathast fuidh aois. (1.) Cuimhnichibh anns an là san do ghlae an Tighearna sibhse air laimh, nach robh sibh ann an cor ni b’ fhearr na muinntir eile. O ciod a ghluais e gu sibhse ghabhail, ‘nuair chaidh e seachad air bhuir coimhearnsnaich! Thuair e sibhse ‘nur cloinn feirge eadhon mar chach, ach cha d’ flàg e mar sin sibh. Thainig e do’n phriosan chumanta, far an robh sibh ‘nur luidhe ‘nur geimhlíbh, eadhon mar chach; agus o mheasg co’-chruinneachadh do luchd droch-bheart, spion e sibhse mach, dh’aithe e gu’m biodh bhuir geimhlíchean air an toirt dhibh, chuir e maitheanas ‘nur lamhaibh, agus thug e sibh gu saorsa ghlormhoir chloinne Dhe: ‘nuair a dh’ flàg e muinntir eile ann an cuibhrichean an diabhuil!

(2.) A ghluasad gu gradh e thabbhairt duibh, anns an la san do noehd se e féin air thùs, chum bhuir saoradh. Bha sibh ‘nur cloinn feirge, eadhon mar chach; iomehuidh air son ifrinn, agus gu h-uile neo-iomehuidh air son neimh: Gidheadh, thug an Righ d’a luch sibh! thug Mac an Righ a ghradh dhuibh, do chiontaich fuidh bhinn ditidh, agus ghabh e steach sibh ann an ceangal posaidh ris féin, air an là sam feudadh sibh a bhi air bhuir tabbhairt amach chum a chrochaidh! “Seadh, Athair, do bhrigh ‘gu’m b’ ann mar sin a bha do dheadh thoilsa!” Mata xi. 26.

(3.) Cuimhnichibh gu’n robh sibh na b’ iomehuidh a bhi air ‘ur gràineachadh no bhi air ‘ur gràdhachadh anns an là sin. Biodh iongantas oirbh, ‘nuair a chunnaic e sibh ‘nur fuil, nach ‘d amhaire e oirbh le grain, agus nach deachaidh e seachad oirbh! Biodh iongantas oirbh gu’m biodh a leithid sin do àm, gu brath ‘na àm graidh! Esec. xvi. 8.

(4.) Cuimhnichibh gu bheil sibh air ‘ur sgeadachadh le
iteagan coingheill. Is i a sgeimh-san a ta air a cur oirbh, rann 14. B’esan a thug dhibh bhrur n-eudach-priosain, agus a sgeud-aich sibh le trusgain fireantachd, le culaidhibh slainte! Truasg-ain leis a’ bheil sibh air bhrur n-eudachadh mar na lilighean nach ‘eil a saoithreachadh, na a’ sniòmh. Thug e na cuibhrichean o bhrur gairdeinibh, an eord o bhrur muineil; chuire e sibh ‘na leithid do dheise as gu feudadh sibh a bhi iomchuidh air luchairt neimh, eadhon a dh’ itheadh aig bord an Righ.

(5). Cuimhnichibh bhrur lochdan an diugh; mar rinn buidealair Pharaoh, a dhi-chuimhnich Ioseph. Cuimhnichibh mar a dhi-chuimhnich sibhse, agus eia co neo-chaoimhneil ‘sa bhuin sibh ris-san, a chuimhnich oirbhse ‘nur staid iosal. An e so bhrur caoimhneas do dhur caraid? Ann an là bhrur fuasglaidh, neach as e bhrur Tighnearna.

San dara àite, biodh truas agaibh ri cloinn na feirge, an saoghail ‘na luidhe san ole. An urrainn sibh a bhi neo-churamach mu’n staidsan, sibhse bha aon uair anns a’ chor cheudna? Fhuair sibh gu tìr gun amharus, ach tha bhrur companaich fathast ann an cunnart a bhi air an sgrìos; agus nach dean sibh na h-uile comhnadh riu ehum an saoradh? Mar a ta iadsan, bha sibhse uair eigin; feudaidh so truacantachd a tharruing, agus a thoirt oirbh gach uile mheadhon a ghanathachadh ehum an leigh-eas. Faic. Tit. ii. 1, 2, 3.

San treas àite, Biodh iongantas oirbh ris a’ ghradh sin gun choimeas, a thug a mach sibh á staid na feirge! Bha gradh Chriosd ‘na ghradh gniomhach; ghradhaiche e t’anam o shloichd na truaillidheachd! Cha b’ obair fhurasda beatha pheacaich dhìte a cheannach; ach thug e bheatha féin air son do bheatha-sa. Thug e ‘fhuil luachmhor a mhuchadh lasair na feirge sin, a loisgeadh suas thu. Gheibh daoine an sealladh a’s fearr do na reulta o iochdar sluichd dhomhain: o shlochd so na truaighe gus an robh thu air do thilgeadh leis a’ cheud Adhamh, feudaidh tu an sealladh as fearr faotainn do Ghrian na fireantachd, ‘na lan-mheud. Is esan an dara Adhamh, a thug a mach thu as an t-slochd uamhuinn, agus a clàber làthaich. Cia leathan a bhi
sgiort a’ ghraidd sin, a chomhdaich aireamh co mor do pheacanna. Feuch fhad, a ruigheadh “o shiorruidheadh gu siorruidheadh,” Salm cii. 17. A dhoimhne, a’ dol co ional as gu d’ shaoradh “o’n t-slochd a’s iochdaraiche,” Salm lxxxvi. 13. Airde, ann ad thogail suas “gu suidhe ann an ionadaibh neamhaidh!” Eph. ii. 6.

Ri leantuinn.

Church Notes.—January—Last Sabbath, Inverness. February—First Sabbath, Dingwall. South African Mission—The following are the dates of the Communions:—Last Sabbath of March, June, September and December. Note.—Notice of any additions to, or alterations of, the above dates of Communions should be sent to the Editor.

Wick Manse Purchase Fund Appeal.—This congregation, until now, has had as a manse a rented house. It was recently considered desirable that steps should be taken to purchase a Manse, and it was decided to buy the house presently rented. The members and adherents of the congregation are willing to do their utmost financially to this end, but feel that the assistance of friends throughout the Church is necessary in order that the sum of about £400, yet required, for purchasing and renovating might be raised. The congregation have already a fund of about £300. Donations will be gratefully received and acknowledged by Rev. Robert R. Sinclair, F.P. Manse, Wick, Caithness, or by Mr. D. Campbell, 33 Dempster Street, Wick.

The Northern Presbytery of The Free Presbyterian Church, met at Lairg, on 18th October, 1932, cordially endorsed this appeal.—(Signed) Ewen MacQueen, Moderator; D. J. Matheson, Clerk.

Collection for December.—The Collection for this month is for the General Church Building Fund. Congregational Treasurers whose buildings are not clear of debt, and who wish to participate in the allocation from the General Building Fund, are requested to state the amount of their debt to Mr. John Grant, 4 Millburn Road, Inverness.

Student Received.—At last meeting of Southern Presbytery, held at Glasgow on 25th October, Mr. Wallace B. Nicholson was received as a student of the Church.

Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee Appeal for a Female Teacher for South Africa.—The Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee had reluctantly to give up the idea of sending a Male Teacher to take charge of their schools in South Africa. This decision had to be taken on account of financial conditions laid down in the Native Development Act passed by the Rhodesian Government. These conditions were unknown to the Committee until the Rev. John Tallach arrived in this country. The Committee would now appeal for a Free Presbyterian Female Teacher who has her certificates in ordinary teaching and Domestic Science. This is a great opportunity for one who has a mind to help in advancing the kingdom of Christ among the native people of Africa. As this matter is pressing, application should be sent in as soon as possible to the Convener, Rev. Neil Macintyre, 4 Warrender Park Crescent, Edinburgh.—Neil Macintyre, Convener.

Special Meeting of Synod.—A pro re nata meeting of Synod was held at Inverness on Wednesday, 2nd November, at which it was decided that the Western Presbytery be asked to place the call from St. Jude’s congregation in the hands of Rev. R. Mackenzie. As we go to press, the Southern Presbytery meets and will (D.V.) fix the date and make the other necessary arrangements for the induction.

Memor of Rev. Neil Cameron.—As intimated in our last issue, parcels of this book have been sent to ministers, missionaries and others of our Church. In the event of any being overlooked who would be willing to assist in the distribution of the book, they may have parcels sent to them on applying to the Editor. We may say that the book will make a very acceptable gift to send to our young people abroad. The price is 3s. 10d. post free, to be had from the Editor.