The busy spider deftly spins
Its silken thread, and confident
To fix it, floats it to the breezes.
It gains a site, then firmly pins
The quiv’ring, slender filament,
And weaves itself such web as pleases.
Thus hopefully, embark, should we,
Into life’s toil in trust with God,
For Him who bids us pray, and working,
So we, by faith, shall stronger be,
With ready feet, all gospel-shod,
And never e’en a thought of shirking.
O, falter not in lone distress
Dear son of toil, but cast anew
Your floating thread of hope’s endeavor.
The breathings of His righteousness,
Will bear it to an anchor true,
And God acclaim you then the victor.
The soul that lies at anchor may
Have, oftentimes, disquietude,
But these disorders tend to deepen
The soul’s reliance, day to day,
And build the heart in rectitude;
Such striving doth the task but sweeten.
This world with treasures manifold,
And pleasures that allure, becomes
Distasteful, at one glimpse of Jesus.
He takes our sins and gives the gold
Of truth, His mansions as our homes,
And grants His peace to make us joyous.
Donald Clark. Valencia, U.S.A.
Some Short Obituaries: Rogart.
DAVID was praying: “Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” This has been true in the experience of the Church of God at various periods of her history in the world, namely, that the godly were taken away; their places were left empty, and none to witness for the truth, and against evil. It is our own experience to a large extent as congregations, and as a Church. The late John Maclennan, Elder, Rogart, passed away some time ago, to his everlasting rest we believe. We are not able to trace how the Lord began to reveal to him that he was a lost, ruined sinner, and that there was but one name given among men by which he could be saved. That he was led by this path-way until, in some measure, he could say that the name Jesus was sweet to his soul, he gave ample evidence by a humble dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. He was twice elected to the office of the Eldership. The last time he said: “If I can be of any use to the cause of Christ I am willing to be ordained.” He was left for some years doing what he could for the cause of Christ, and when the time came in which he must leave this world, he was not without the hope of experiencing the fulfilment of the prayer: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world” (John xvii. 24).
To his widow and family, left to mourn his loss, we tender our sympathy, and pray that they all may be persuaded to flee to the only refuge to shelter them for an endless eternity.
Mrs. Murray, Muie, who also ended her course in Rogart some time ago, was a true witness for the Lord Jesus Christ in the parish. Her humility was real, and her soul often thirsted for the living water. When she listened to the gospel on the Lord’s Day it was evident that her need as a poor sinner sent her to God’s house. To her family, who mourn her loss, we would lovingly plead to make choice of the God of their parents, and to know him as their God and Saviour.
Mrs. MacMaster was a sister to Mrs. Murray, and her end came more recently. Mrs. MacMaster passed through a deep law work before she got her feet on the Rock, and a new song in her mouth. She could understand experimental preaching, and the preacher would have no doubt but there were some in the audience who were with him in every step he traced by which the Master led the flock. For some time before her end came, she was longing to be away, and to be with Christ. She was not, however, without fears, and, thus, she was kept unspotted until she came to the river, and passed over to join the great company who have already received the crown and praise their Redeemer forever. We mourn her and others from our midst, but they have fulness of joy. She was tenderly nursed by her niece, Mrs. Macleod, Achillic, Rogart, during her last illness, and to her and the other relations whom she loved, and for whom she prayed, we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
There were others who passed away from our midst who witnessed publicly for Christ: some for a few years, and others for a longer period. They have gone to receive their reward, and may we get grace in a day when the witnesses are few to be faithful to the truth even unto death.—F. M.
A’ Choinneamh-cheist ann an Geàrr-loch.
(AN 9MH LA DE OCTOBER, 1936).*
Thug Coinncach Mac A’ Phearsoin seachad facal na ceiste bho Phil. i. 29: “Oir thiodhlaiceadh dhuibhse airson Chriosd, chan e ‘mhain creidsinn ann, ach mar an ceudna fulang air a shon.” Bha comharraidhean air an iarradh orra-san tha creidsinn is a’ fulang eadardhcalichte riù-san tha ‘g aideachadh so, ‘s tha tur-aineolach air an nì sin.
Dh’fhosgail an t-Urr. F. Macleòid a’ cheist. Leugh e o’n 15 rann de’n chaibdeil. Tha Pòl, thubhairt e, a sgridhbadh a dh’ionnsuidh na h-eaglais’ ann am Philipi, a thàinig gu bhi ‘creidsinn an t-soisgeil, is a treigsinn na h-uile nì ‘s a robh iad
*Chan ‘eil an so ach, ‘s a chumantas, aithris aithghearr air na thubhairt na bràithrean, is cha mhòr gu’n chuinnear cuid dhuibh idir.
a dèanamh bun uair-éigin. Bha e soilleir gu leòir do muinntir Philipi nach robh na daoiné so a thàinig gu bhi dèanamh fianuis air taobh Chriosd ‘s an t-saoghal mar bha iad roimhe. Canaidh an saoghal—Ge b’e air bith gu de seòrsa creidimh a th’ aca, nach ‘eil e gu deifir, gu’n coinnich iad uile ann an nèamh. Chan ‘eil an saoghal ag amharc ach air an taobh a mach. ‘S e bha ‘n so nì a thòisich a stigh. Mar a tha e soilleir ‘thaobh Lidia agus fear-coimhead a’ phriosain. Thòisich e ann an dearbhadh orra bhi ‘an dorchadas, agus an toirt a dh’ionnsuidh an t-soluis. Bha ‘n creutair mar so gun ghuth gu bheil a leithid do nì ri creidimh ann. B’e Dia, an Spiorad Naomh a’ tighinn tre ‘n fhocal,—ann an searmonachadh lagh’ is soisgeil,—a thàinig do bhuaodhan ‘n anam. Tha cuid a ‘faighinn dùsgaidhean uamhasach, mar fhear-coimhd a’ phriosain, ach tha na-h-uile a’ faghail a mach gu ‘n do pheacaich iad an aghaidh Dhé. Fhaic thusa, gu de mar a dhuisgeas e ‘n spiorad bha marbh. ‘S e ‘cheist a nis, eamar is urrainn e bhi air a shaoradh o bhi eailte? Thàinig iad so gu bhi creidsinn ann an Criosd. Chan ‘eil rathad gu dol as ach aon rathad. Dh’aithnich iad so brigh an t-soisgeil ‘na sgeula mhór aoibhneach dhaibh. An là thàinig creidimh,—(chan ann o dhuine tha creidimh, ‘s e tiodhlaic Dhé e,)—blà Criosd fa chomhair an anam ‘s an t-soisgeul. Tha iad a nis a dùnadh a stigh ris airson saorsa is fireantachd, is tha comhraidhean air ‘fhaicinn orra. Mur b’e ‘n t-saorsa sin, cha robh rathad eile air am faodadh iad ‘bhi air an eur saor. Thiodhlaiceadh dhuibhse ‘creidsinn is fulang, dh’fheumadh an sgeula so ‘bhi air an eur an ceil leò.
‘S e guidhe sluagh Dhé an so an diugh, gu’m biodh na h-uile air an tèarnadh. Mar an ceudna, tha iad a’ fulang air a shon. Fhaic, tha creidimh air a dhèanamh aithnichte an sin, mar tha iomradh againn an Heb. xi., le bhi leantuin Dhé ‘s na fulangasan ris robh aca ri coinneachadh. Tha na fulangasan an diugh a’ tighinn fo ‘n dearbh thaobhan o’m b’ abhaist dhaibh. Tha comhraidhean air an iarradh orra-san a fhuair seilbh air a chreidimh so ‘nan eridheachan, agus a fhuair ‘bhi fulang air a shon, eadardhealaichte riù-san aig a’ bheil creidimh nach e ‘n
creidimh so, agus do bhrigh sin nach fhulaing dhaibh fulang airson Chriosd.
Iain Macamhlaidh.—Tha iad so a’ fulang airson cliù Chriosd, C’ait’ bheil a chliu? ‘S an fhirinn. Ann an dearbhadh peacaidh air anam, tha Dia ‘toirt dhachaidh erioch a’ chruthachaidh, e’arson a fhuair e bith. ‘Fhad ‘s a bha Adhamh a’ eumail ri spioradalachd an lagha, ‘n a’ umhlachd, bha e ‘glòrachadh Dhé. ‘S e suim an lagha gu’n gradhaich thu an Tighearn do Dhia le t-uile chridhe, agus le t-uile anam, is le t-uile neart, is le t-uile inntinn, agus do choimhearsnach mar thu fhéin. Gu de cho beag ‘s tha sin a’ cur dragh air a chreutair ged tha sinn ‘s an t-solus as mò, gus am fosglair a shùilean gu bhi faicinn binn a’ dhìtidh. ‘Bheil doigh ‘s an cur e stigh tagair airson ‘bhi ‘ga fhìreanachadh fhéin? ‘S e so a nis sùidheachadh a’ chreutair nach ‘eil fhios aige air gu de rathad air an cur e a smuaintean. Fhaic, tra théid cor caillte ‘toirt dhachaidh air, théid e gu ‘bhi air a’ dhoigh ‘s an t-sean chumhnant, gu’n coisinn e fabhoir tre na h-urnuighean is aoradh aige fhéin. Bha Pòl fo fheirg is fo mhallaichd is a meas gu robh e ‘toirt barrachd air neach d’a shinnsearan, leis cho diadhaidh ‘s a bha e. Tra thàinig àm Dhé a dh’fheuchainn dha spioradalachd an lagha, thuit na dochas an aige mar thuit tìr Bhàbeil,—ma thuit e—chan’eil fhios agamsa. Chunnaic e cho beag ‘s a bha de eolas air a ghloir, air a ghràdh a bhùineadh do Dhia. Chunnaic e spiorad a’ naimhdeas ann fhéin. Tha ‘shuidheachadh a nis mar chogadh da rioghachd ‘n ‘aghaidh a chéile. Chan ann an cainnt tha rioghachd Dhé. Fhaic v. 29. Tha creidimh air a dhearbhadh, có leis? Le bhi fulang. Dh’ innis Criosd gu’m faigheadh iad oilbheum ann. Faicibh na h-Eabhruidhich is Daniel,—an fhurnais an sin air a teasachadh seachd uairean, a dhèanamh an nì cinn-teach. Tha so ri fhaicinn ‘s an urram a chuireas Dia orra tha dileas,—gur mò saoibhreas masladh ‘fhulang maille ri sluagh Dhé na sòlas a’ pheacaidh a mhealtuinn rè seal. Thoir an sgrìobtuir uath so ‘s chan ‘eil nì aca. Chan ‘eil sinn a’ tuigsinn na sochairean tha sinn a’ mealtuinn. Tha iad so a’ meas gach nì na ‘ehall airson gu’m bi ‘aobhar air a chumail suas. Chan
‘eil meadhon tèarnaidh eile ann. Seall thusa, cho beag ‘s a tha ‘s an t-saoighal an dlugh ‘tha ‘cur suim air meadhonan nan gràs. Tha mòran ‘s an aideachadh de naimhdeas. ‘S e luchd-aideachaidh gun ghràs feadhainn bu dorra ris a choinnich mi riabh.
D. Friseil, Strathpheofharain. Ann an v. 27, tha Pòl ag ràdh, Caithibh ‘ur beatha gu cubhaidh do shoiseul Chriosd. Tha sin a’ gabhail a stigh ‘bhi creidsinn agus a’ fulang. Tha sin a ris, ann an tomhas mór, air a bhonntachadh air bhi ceusadh na feòla maille r’a h-an-togradh ‘s a h-anamianaibh. Ma bhios neach gu coguiseach a ceusadh na feòla, chan fhad’ bhios e air fhaigil ‘san uaigneas. Tha cuid nach mór nach d’ rinn iad àr-a-mach an aghaidh Chriosd mu’n d’thàinig iad gus an fhollais, ach ‘s treise Dia ‘tha ‘chomhnuidh shuas na fuaim nan uisgean garbh. “Is sibhse m’fhianuisean, deir an Tighearn, eadhon m’ òglach a roghnuich mi; a chum gu’n aithnich agus gu’n creid sibh mi; agus gu’n tuig sibh gur mi esan:” Cha las e coinneil gu bhi ‘ga chur fo shoitheadh. ‘S éiginn dhaibh ‘bhi mar bhaile air sleibh nach gabh ‘fholaich. Tha suilean clann an dorchadais orra is tha iad a’ dèanamh gairdeachais tra chì iad aon de chloinn Dhé a’ tighinn geàrr. Bithidh Dia a’ dèanamh slat-smachdachaidh de ‘n aingidh gu bhi ‘smachdachadh a shluaigh fhéin. “Saor m’anam bochd, a Dhé.” Tha iad so a’ fulang airson Chriosd,—’s e so nì nach gabh ‘bhi air a dhèanamh aig aon àm, ‘s an déidh sin ‘bhi coiteas e. Feumaidh an cath eadar feòil is spiorad ‘bhi air a ‘chur gus am bi bàs air a shlùigeadh suas le buaidh, mar an cogadh eadar tigh Shauil is tigh Dhaibhidh. Bha tigh Dhaibhidh a sior-dhol as treise ‘s na h-uile bàtaidh bha e ‘cur. Roghnaicheadh clann Israeil eur as d’an naimhdean, ach tha iad so a foghlum nach tilg iad a mach an naimhdean ann an aon là. Tre iomadh buaireadh bi ‘n oighreachd aca-san.
Iain Mac’ill’fhinnein, Diabaig. Chunnaic iad maise Chriosd. Thàinig focal an Tighearn gu bhi ‘gan diteadh. Thàinig orra ‘bhi ‘gabhail r’an cliù,—sgrios iad iad fhéin. “Oir is ann le gràs a ta sibh air bhuir tèarnadh, tre chreidimh; agus sin chan ann uaibh féin; is e tiodhlae Dhé e.” Dh’aithnich iad so gu’m feumadh iad ‘bhi ‘ga leantuinm, mar tha e ‘g ràdh, “Tha mo chaoraich-sa ‘g eisdeachd ri m’ ghuth, agus is aithne dhomh iad,
agus leanaidh iad mi.” Tha iad a meas le Maois gu mò saoibhreas masladh Chriosd na ionmhas na h-Eiphit. Cha bhi mise ‘eur éis air na braithrean.
D. Mathanach, o’n Phlòc, (Missionary). Dh’fhoghlum iad so nach ‘eil credimh aca, nach robh aca ach peacadh is nithean gràineil. Dhearbh e orra ‘n eucomas. Tha iad a’ faicinn diomhanas sgrìobhta air gach nì, ‘s an là ‘s an d’fhuair iad’ bhi ‘ereidsinn ann an Criosd. ‘N uair ‘fhuair iad ‘bhi ‘socrachadh air, an sin thòisich iad ‘bhi fulang bho na nithean a tha stigh. ‘S iad naimhdean duine muinntir a thighe fhéin,—as-creidimh, féineilachd, truaillidheachd an nàduir ag éiridh suas,—a’ fulang do bhrìgh gu bheil Criosd mar an aon bhonn dochais. Bithidh e air aithneachadh orra ‘nan caithe-beatha ‘s an t-saoghal gu bheil glòir Dhé aca ‘s an amharc a nis. Tha iad ag iarraidh ‘bhi dileas, ach ‘g am faotainn fhéin fad o sin, ach ‘s e nàduir gràis gu’m bi iad dileas. Tha iad a’ fulang bho ‘n diabhl. Lean an namhaid eucorach le tòir gheur m’ anam bochd. Bithidh iad a’ fulang o’n t-saoghal. Faodaidh e ‘bhi gur e luehd-àideachaidh gun ghràs na naimhdean as mò tha aig Criosd ‘s an t-saoghal. Bithidh iad a’ fulang bho cheilg an eidheachan. Chan urrainn iad ‘bhi ‘g earbs’ asda fhéin. Dh’fhuilg cùid dhiubh bàs airson Chriosd. “S urrainn mi na h-uile nì a dhèanamh tre Chriosd a neartaicheas mi.” Mar as fhaide tha iad ‘s an t-saoghal, ‘s ann as mò tha feum aca air gràs ‘s a chleachdadh. Tha iad a faghail so a mach.
D. Macrath, Inbhirnis. ‘S e tiodhlac iongantach so. Bha e air a thiodhlacadh orra. Bha Criosd air a thoirt dhaibh ‘s a chumnant shiorruilh ma’s d’fhuair iad ‘bhi creidsinn ann. Tha Criosd dhaibh na h-uile is anns na h-uile. Fhuair iad dochas tre ghràs. Fhuair iad so a mach gu bheil suil an namhaid orra airson an ribeadh. Tha e ‘n toir orra. Tha iad ‘ga ghràdhachadh-‘s an a thug aon-ghin Mhic féin, chum as ge be neach a chreideas ann, nach sgriosar e, ach gu’m bi a’ bheatha shiorruidh aige. Cha dealaich iad o’ n chreidimh so a dh’aideòin saoghal is feòil.
Nadur an Duine ‘na Staid Cheithir Fillte.
AN T-AONADH DIOMHAIR EADAR CRIOSD AGUS CREIDMHICH.
(Air a leantuinn bho t.d., p. 312.)
Is mise an fhionain, sibhse na geugan.—Eoin xv. 5.
Tha sùil aige so ri bhi criathradh mìn-chlacha luachmhor o mheasg meall de dhuslach agus de ghainceamh; ged thuiteas a’ ghainmheach agus an dushlach air an talamh, ged bhios iad air an séideadh air falbh leis a’ ghaoith, agus air an saltairt fo chosaibh; gidheadh cha tuit urrad agus clach bheag air an talamh ‘s cho cuimseach a tha ‘n criathar, agus curam an fhir-chriathraidh. Chan ‘eil nì as luath a thuiteas air an talamh na clach; gidheadh ma tha luchd-aidmheil a’ chreidimh ‘nan clachaibh beò, air an togail air Criosd, an àrd-chlach-oisinn, ged tha iad ‘nan clachaibh beaga, cha tuit iad a dh’-ionnsuidh na talmhainn, eiod air bith an doiniomn a bhuaileas orra, Faic 1 Phead. ii. 4, 5, 6. Tha na h-uile siol maith a ta ann an eaglais Chriosd, de ‘n ghnè so: is clachan iad, a thaobh an daingeannachd; agus is clachan beò iad, a thaobh an beòthalachd. Ma bhios daoine ‘nan Criosd-aidhean daingean, bunaiteach, cha bhi iad mar mholl, air an luasgdh chuige agus uaithe leis a h-uile gaoith; air dhoibh urrad de ‘n bheòthalachd a bhi aca ‘s nach ‘eil a bheag ‘s am bith de ‘n chloich annta. Agus ma tha iad ‘nan Criosdaidhean beòthail, aig am bheil an spioraid ‘g am brosnuchadh, mar a rinn spiorad Phoil. “N uair a chunnaic e am baile làn iodhol-aoraidh,” Gniomh. xvii. 16. cha luigh iad cosmbuil ri clachan, gu bhi air an tionndadh thairis, a null agus a nall, gu bhi air an gearrardh agus air an snaigheadh, a reir miannan dhaoine, air dhoibh urrad de’n chloich a bhi annta, as nach fàg nì ‘s am bith de ‘n bheòthalachd aca.
Tha tigh ar Dé-ne ‘na thigh mór, anns am bheil chan e ‘mhàin soithichean òir, ach mar an ceudna talmhainn, 2 Tim. ii. 27. Tha iad araon ullamh air salachar a ghlacadh; agus uime sin, an uair tha Dia a’ tabhairt trioblaid air an eaglais, tha sùil aige riù araon. A thaobh nan soithichean òir, chan ‘eil iad air an
sgrios, ach air an glanadh le deuchainn theinntich ann an amhuinn na trioblaid, mar a ghlanas òr-ehearda an òr, Isa. i. 25. “Agus pillidh mi mò làmh ort, agus glanaidh mi nait do shalachar.” Ach thig milleadh air na soithichean creàdha, bithidh iad air am briseadh ‘nam bloighdibh, mar shoitheach eriadhadair, rann 28. “Agus bithidh claoichd no briseadh do luchd-eusaontais, agus pheacaich, maraon.” Tha sùil aig ris an lagh sin, a bhi airson briseadh shoithichean creàdha, ‘n uair a bha iad neo-ghlan; am feadh a bha soithichean fiodha, agus mar an ceudna soithichean òir a mhàin air an glanadh, Lebh. xv. 12.
‘S i ‘n naoitheamh sochair cumuail suas no taice. Ma tha thusa ann ad ghéig air do shuidheachadh ann an Criosd, giùlainidh an fhrèumh thu. Leigidh an creideach a thaice air Criosd, mar leigeas bean lag air turus, a taice air am fear gràdhach, Dan Shol. viii. 5. Taicidh se e féin ris mar a nì seann duine fann air a bhata, Isa. i. 10. Leagaidh se e féin air, mar a leagas neach eallach nach urrainn dha ghiùlan bhàrr a dhroma féin air neach eile a ta comasach air a giùlan, Salm xxii. 8. Tha iomadh eudthrom an crochadh ris na geugan a ta ann an Criosd an Fhior-fhionain agus ‘gan cumail sios, ach tha fios agaibh, ciod air bith eudthrom a ta ‘n crochadh ‘air gougaibh, gu ‘n giùlain an stoc an t-iomlan; giùlainidh e a’ gheug, agus an eudthrom a ta oirre mar an ceudna.
Ri leantuin.