By Rev. JOHN A. MACDONALD.
IN a recently-published book, whose author, in a few scanty remarks he makes about our dear Church, is none too friendly toward us, nevertheless has written regarding our position much more favourably than he ever intended. I refer to the part of the book with the paragraph title, “Free Church of Scotland First Called Free Presbyterian.” As I feel sure there are many people in our church who never heard of it, it is as follows:—
“It is interesting to note that prior to the Disruption in Scotland, and for some time after it, the Free Church of Scotland was known as ‘The Free Presbyterian Church.’ Dr. Thomas Brown, in his Annals of the Disruption (page 62) mentions Dr. Parker of Lesmahagow as saying: ‘The Disruption being now to all appearance inevitable, I deemed it my duty to summon a general meeting of the parishioners on a week-day evening,
that I might state what has been done, and the steps now behoved to be taken for the maintenance of a Free Presbyterian Church.’ Moreover, he informs us of the interest in the movement by the Rev. Murray McCheyne, in the following terms: ‘One of the earliest to respond to the appeal of Dr. Chalmers was Mr. McCheyne of Dundee.’ ‘We are proposing,’ he wrote on the 7th March, ‘to organise for the support of the Free Presbyterian Church.’ He calls for the aid of Mr. Makgill Crichton at a meeting to be held on the following Tuesday:—’All the accommodation of my humble dwelling, is, of course, at your service.’ The meeting was held, and the association formed. Mr. McCheyne was heard pleading fervently the cause of the Free Presbyterian Church. It was his last service, his work was done, he went home and lay down to die, and there were many in Scotland whose attachment to the cause of the Free Church was all the deeper from the fact that his latest public testimony was borne so earnestly on its behalf. We would also draw the attention of our readers to The Illustrated London News, May, 1843, which gives a picture of the first Free Presbyterian Church, erected (Dr. Candlish’s). We have in our possession a medallion commemorating the first Assembly on the 18th May, 1843. On one side is an emblem or picture of a particularly fine burning-bush, covered by a round scroll with ‘Nec Tamen Consumebatur,’ while underneath is the name of the maker, J. Taylor, and ‘Meeting of the 18th May, 1843.’ Right round the Medallion are the words, ‘In commemoration of the first Assembly of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.’ On the other side is a bust figure of Thomas Chalmers, D.D., LL.D., Moderator of the Assembly of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.’
Oh! what encouragement, comfort, and confirmation to all loyal Free Presbyterians of the present day must it be to know that the saintly Rev. R. M. McCheyne prayed for the future spiritual prosperity of a Church whose separate ecclesiastical identity he did not live to see, and, at least fifty years in advance of that Church assuming the exact historical designation Mr. McCheyne mentioned in his prayer. Our position as a church in doctrine, church government, and discipline, and, also as the true representative of the Scottish Reformed, and Disruption Church is thus clearly and definitely vindicated to the satisfaction of all unprejudiced persons.
In the strength of God, we are still humbly and faithfully adhering to that honoured position in present-day Scotland, notwithstanding the way we are discouraged by other churches that welcome our fugitives from discipline with open arms. Indeed, the present Free Church has a lot to answer for, in this particular connection. What now is our duty as a Church? Is it to fold our arms in self-complacent satisfaction? God forbid. It is our supreme duty as a Church, collectively and individually, to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that we might be honoured by God as His instrument in convincing and converting sinners, and in edifying and establishing true believers. May we act like the Apostle Paul:—’Not as though I had already attained; either were already perfect, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. iii. 12-14).
The Plant of Renown Received for a Fading Flower.
IN Anderson’s Ladies of the Covenant there is an interesting biographical sketch of Lilius Dunbar or to give her married name, Mrs. Campbell of Torrich. When very young she lost her mother but found in her cousin, Lady Duffas, one who tenderly cared for her and whom she devotedly loved. In the over-ruling providence of the Most High, Lady Duffas was soon removed by death. The blow fell on Lilius Dunbar with stunning effect but in her sorrow she was enabled to express herself in the following beautiful manner: “Truly, I think nothing less than deliverance out of soul troubles, and the love of Christ, could make me overcome the loss of her, who was my all in the world; my pleasure, honour, and riches were all in her; but how soon was all this laid in dust to me. Yet praises for ever be to Him who did it, so that we both were gainers. She hath passed from the valley of misery, and, as she herself said, at her death, hath gotten the palm-tree in her hand, and now she walks with the Lamb in white. As for my part, for brass I have gotten gold; for a fading flower I have gotten the noble Plant of Renown, who is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His person, Him who was dead and is alive, and lives for evermore, Him from whom death shall not be able to separate me, for He shall be with me when I shall go through the dark valley, so that I shall fear no evil.”