Most of these precious fragments from the lips of the late eminent servant of the Lord, Rev. Malcolm Gillies, Stornoway, have appeared in our Young People’s Magazine several years ago. Both at home and in Canada we met those who derived much comfort from these utterances of Mr Gillies. This constrained me to publish more of his sayings. Seldom do I enter the pulpit without recalling to my memory some of his original sayings.
At Inductions and Ordinations he laid special emphasis on the need that ministers have of confining themselves exclusively to the work to which they professed to be called, especially to the preaching of the everlasting gospel, and also the defence of it in its purity in the face of all opposition, if and when it is assailed by its adversaries. It is dangerous for ministers to entangle themselves too much with the affairs of this world, he maintained, as this is bound to bring leanness of soul to themselves, as well as to their hearers.
His fertile mind, together with his whole heart and affections, was ever focused upon the things that matter. He had an excellent grasp of the distinctive position of our beloved Church, and of the reasons why the Fathers of the Church made their God-honouring stand in 1893, thus separating from the Declaratory Act Free Church, with full purpose of heart never to return until every fragment of that God-dishonouring Act had been swept away. I am fully persuaded that the Rev. Malcolm Gillies would never agree for one moment that the godly Rev. Donald MacFarlane could easily have continued in the Declaratory Act Free Church one moment after he tabled his historic Protest, as some appear ready to maintain in our day. He used that Protest as a legal instrument for complete separation from a corrupt body. To be suggesting, on the basis of a mere supposition, that he meant this or that other thing, other than what he actually did; or that he blundered in any way, is both dishonouring to God, and to Mr MacFarlane.
When with Mr Gillies at a Communion in London on one occasion, he preached on the Thursday evening to a large congregation from the book of Jonah. His text was: “And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land” (Jonah 1:9). Jonah, he said, was commanded by God to proceed to Nineveh, and preach to a people who were then actually on the brink of a lost eternity. However, God had a purpose of mercy in His heart towards them, although Jonah feared otherwise. Like Moses of old, he felt himself insufficient for such a task, while at the same time the dictates of conscience suggested that he should obey the divine command. The fear of man caused him to disobey. He, in his plight, proceeded to Joppa, and found a vessel ready to sail for Tarshish. This pleased him very well. I can visualise him, continued Mr Gillies, enquiring for the Purser’s office, and probably asking for a single ticket to Tarshish. It also seems to me as if the Purser answered: ‘Sorry, Sir, but we only supply returns at the moment; moreover, I cannot promise you a very smooth passage.’ Still, poor Jonah paid the fare, vainly hoping all would be well. Mr Gillies then pointed out the danger of disobeying God when He says, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” God in His infinite love prepared a good strong vessel for Jonah, made and navigated by God Himself, which was to land him safely on the dry land.
Mr Gillies then told the story of two godly men who were comparing some of their spiritual experiences. One of them said, ‘I often compare myself to poor Jonah while in the belly of the whale, with the waves and billows going over his head.’ ‘Yes,’ answered the other, ‘and I am sorry for yourself and godly Jonah, but often I feel as if the whale were in the belly of my own poor heart and soul.’
Twice I heard Mr Gillies preach from the words in Psalm 84:6 — “Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.” Digging wells, he said, is an important duty which is laid upon us by God. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). Oh, be out as often as is possible with your little spade of prayer, digging wells in this vale of tears. Keep this in mind, however, that it is a valley full of very sharp thorns and scorching thistles; yet, notwithstanding, David got his wells full to overflowing on many occasions, as when he said: “My cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5). At another time David declared:
“But now, depart from me all ye
that work iniquity:
For why? the Lord hath heard my voice,
when I did mourn and cry.” (Psalm 6:8).
Daniel would continue three times a day digging wells in the face of such a severe restraint as this — “that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee O King, he shall be cast into the den of lions” (Daniel 6:7). Come what may, I will worship none but the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land, was Daniel’s determination. Yes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was Daniel’s God. It was not on the royal decree that the eye of Daniel was focused.