“No Night There” by the Rev. Murdoch Campbell, M.A.
I have been asked by the Editor to send him a short review of the above.
The readers of our magazine know that Mr Campbell is the author of many edifying and comforting books for “those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity”. What is sadly lacking from the pulpits of Scotland today — experimental, sweet communion with God; the love of Christ shed abroad in the heart; deep, painful, spiritual desertion; the chastisements of their Covenant-God upon His people: a humble, gracious longing for and looking forward to Heaven — is all to be found in “No Night There”. Mr Campbell writes, “There is in every renewed heart a longing for the perfect rest that remaineth for the people of God”. The book is bedecked with apt, refreshing anecdotes. Its contents depict the rare gift of a good theologian — profound doctrine expressed in good, simple language — “And the common people heard Him gladly”. Mark 12:37.
It is a pity that there are numerous misprints throughout the book, but readers will understand that this is not Mr Campbell’s fault. The price is only 45p, but “worth its weight in gold”.
As I have been recently reading, once more, John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”, I was interested and refreshed by Mr Campbell’s many quotations from that allegorical masterpiece. We need sanctifying grace to prepare us for the Place of which it is true, “No Night There”.
Angus Mackay, Tarbert.
The History of Joseph by George Lawson
This book is an edition of a work completed over one hundred and fifty years ago. Dr George Lawson succeeded John Brown of Haddington as Professor of Divinity in the Scottish Secession Church. Dr Lawson’s writings were voluminous and among them the most useful were the
expositions of parts of the Bible. George Lawson continued as minister of his congregation in Selkirk, and the volume under review was delivered in a series of discourses on the relevant part of the Book of Genesis. Dr Lawson’s discourses are attractively simple in their presentation while at times profound in content. The book contains the text as found in Genesis, each verse or group of verses, being followed by a summary of its content with a variety of lessons drawn from the Truth, these being of a most valuable practical nature. Spurgeon says on this point that ‘we have been delighted with his common sense’. There are thirty-six lectures on the life of Joseph, followed by a further seven on the blessings pronounced by Jacob on his twelve children.
Attractively presented the book should be found most acceptable to all who care for spiritual-mindedness.
Banner of Truth Trust; 556 pages; Price £1.50.
M. MacI.
A Pillow for the Night
This little booklet contains a selection of extracts from the Christian Treasury, which are slightly revised for this publication. The extracts are mainly short accounts of incidents in which the Hand of God was clearly seen in providence. There is in each chapter a lesson as to how we should live to Christ and adorn the Gospel of His grace. Among the incidents recorded are the following — the blasphemer and drunkard who was changed to be a man of prayer; the conversion of Rev. Hector M’Phail of Resolis; the Christian traveller on the Great Lakes who was a shining light for Christ; and the Prayerless Home.
As intimated on the back cover this small booklet should appeal in a special way to younger readers, but should also be helpful to an older generation.
Printed by Eccleslitho, Inverness, the booklet is obtainable from Christian Bookshops. Paperback; 80 pages; Price 30p.
M. MacI.