A Basket of Fragments by R. M. McCheyne. Christian Focus Publications — Paperback £2.45.
This particular Basket in the form of a book, contains fragments of some of McCheyne’s sermons taken down by a hearer. They could be grouped more or less as follows: There are 5 on the work of the ministry, and 1 on “the office of ruling elder”. These were preached by one who was, he says, “deeply persuaded that that church will flourish best that is ruled best”. (p119) There are 8 sermons on the Person and work of Christ, and 5 on experimental Christianity. Jesus is the Saviour of those who are His people but He is also offered to the lost, outside the fold. To the latter there are at least 6 awesome sermons addressed, ranging from Noah’s Ark to the “Mental Agonies of Hell”. There are 10 others on various doctrines and subjects making 37 in all, well worth reading. Rev. Alexander Moody-Stuart said of them that they are “powerful when read”, and with this we agree fully. It is this power we need in our day.
D.M.C.
Concordance of the Metrical Psalms. Free Presbyterian Publications. Price £4.
This limited reprint of the Concordance of the Metrical Psalms, which had become so rare as to be practically unobtainable, is to be welcomed. It is appropriate that our Publications Committee should bring out this reference book in view of our Church’s contendings for purity of worship and for the exclusive use of the Psalms for praise in the public worship of the sanctuary.
The book is likely to be of considerable help to ministers in the selection of suitable psalms to be sung, appropriate to the subject discoursed on. It may also bring into more frequent use certain of the psalms which have been comparatively neglected hitherto. The concordance will also be of use to individual Christians to aid them in finding a verse or portion of a verse in the metrical psalms which comes to their mind.
As this is a limited edition we would warn readers that once it is sold out it is not likely to be reprinted for many years to come.
D.B.M.