Question Day — Communion in the Parish of Barvas — 1878
The service having been begun in the customary way one of the brethren present was asked to give a suitable portion of Scripture as the basis of the Question. The Portion was in Hebrews Chapter 11: 4 – 26. “By faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter etc.”
Marks of the genuine believer were asked for, and some of the proofs that go with these, distinguished from a false faith, with which people make a profession of godliness.
After certain matters were spoken by way of “opening the Question” some of the brethren were called to speak.
ALEX MACIVER, LOCHS:
God spoke to this people. The commandment came with power, He persuaded them they were lost sinners, bondmen to sin and the devil. They were pricked in their hearts “with a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation that shall destroy His adversaries”. This is the state that they were in till the power of God made them able to close with Christ, He being offered to them.
A Note:
Some can say, “That was the place the Lord spoke to me. This was the instrument, and this was the word by which He set me free”, but there are others, and they were at one time able to tell about the Lord’s dealings with them, and now because of the power of corruption and unbelief, they will not allow themselves to relate the truth of the matter to the glory of God, but as face answers to face in their circumstances, agree with the feelings of the Lord’s people that they hear about, or read about, and they say “If I was ever born again it was in this way that I am hearing about”.
The graces of the Spirit are implanted in their souls, especially faith, hope and charity. These are to be in exercise in the soul, with their fruits breaking forth in the world . . .
D. GRANT, STORNOWAY, who said:
That “there are two kinds of faith in the world, the one is blind, and ignorant, but the other looks upon Christ as its object. This is a people that are “poor and afflicted”, but they shall put their trust in the name of the Lord. They are not poor in the same sense as the Laodiceans were, having need of nothing. This people need His assistance day and night. They cannot rise till the Lord lifts them up, but they have such a faith and love that makes them able to follow the Lord in a wilderness. Their faith will be tried, but they shall come out of great tribulation and their robes will be washed in the blood of the Lamb. Their reward is ahead of them — the Lord shall wipe every tear from their eyes.
NORMAN MATHESON, SHAWBOST, who said:
“Take care” said Mr Cook “true faith will not grow in the garden of nature”. When Christ said to His disciples “Whom do men say that I am?” (They replied) “They say that Thou art that one and this one” (so to speak) “But Whom do Ye say that I am”, Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ . . .” “Flesh and blood (said Jesus) hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father who is in Heaven.” The soul that has obtained this kind of faith will come each day to a throne of grace. This faith has two eyes, one to look at his own unworthiness, and the other to look to a Christ who is able to save unto the uttermost. They are dependent on the administration of the Spirit of all grace as long as they are in this wilderness . . .
ALEX MORRISON, STORNOWAY, who said:
Flesh and blood cannot give this faith. Only the Spirit of God can. We read that the devils believe and tremble. When the soul is convinced that he is lost he begins to pray. He may take comfort from it until his prayers are made a sin to him. Like the woman who had the issue of blood she spent all that she had, so do they. As long as she would have had one farthing to spend she would not come to Christ. Those who have a hypocritical faith are pleased if they would be saved from Hell, but the true believer would not have salvation, if he were not persuaded that God is glorified thereby. It is the glory of God he has more in his view, than his own salvation. In the South it is “love, love” they have. It is to be feared that that has come to the North. Justice in God’s estimation is as honourable as Love. The true Christian sees infinite worth in Christ, and that his salvation is of grace.
Temptations meet with the Christian from the world the flesh and the devil. The temptations of Satan spoil their liberty. The iron chariots of the Canaanites are too strong for them. The more they have of love, the more sin wounds them, but the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) is given to them. The Lord’s people know the power of the devil. At times when they take the sword, they are sensible of the paralysis in their hands, but as a mark on them: When His Cause is low and suffering, the more they love it. When Christ said to the disciples “Let us go again to Judea” some said “Master art thou going again to that place where the Jews desired to stone thee.” Godly Thomas then said “Let us also go with Him.” Not a stone will be thrown at beloved Christ, but we will then be with Him.
Their faith and their love are enlarged towards all the saints. Their love is not confined to the Island of Lewis, but it reaches to the ends of the earth, to America and New Zealand. When they are on their knees in secret, some others of “the household” are praying on their behalf. They are in a large room. The Apostle makes mention of the saints in his prayers, that they would be able to comprehend with all saints what is the length and breadth and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that passeth knowledge. Where there is saving faith it will be meditating on the love of God, the great love of God.
The Lord gives them what is equal to their troubles. O what would the Martyrs have done were it not for the help that the Lord was giving them. Faith will endure trial, like the gold, though it be hammered it will only shine the more. So the work of God will endure trial.
REV. JOHN MACLEAN, BACK:
The nature of the faith is a mystery. It is given only to the elect of God. He gave it to them when He called them effectually. The devils believe and tremble but faith had authority (power) in the souls of this people. The Spirit gives a felt knowledge to this people. Faith overcomes in them. Its fruits are to be seen upon them, for it is the fruits that determine that true faith is in exercise. The Question is not when you got the faith, but are you bearing the fruits of faith. By faith Moses having come to years, chose to suffer affliction with the people of God. This was the kind of faith that Moses obtained: “Let the daughter of Pharaoh look for another son, she will not keep me by her apron-strings longer.” He cast his lot with God’s people for He had a people in every age. “Where are you also going Ruth?” “I am casting my lot with the Lord’s people.” Therefore this is not a blind faith. The Papists believe the teaching of the priest. Their faith is as blind as they are themselves. But this people look to God and to his promises in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments believing the unchangeableness of His promises, for He cannot deny Himself.
Abraham’s faith was built upon the Rock, therefore the Lord said to him not to be afraid “I am thy shield and thine exceeding great reward.” Moses saw two things in Egypt, Israel oppressed, their life bitter through hard bondage, making up an exact number of bricks without straw. Israel was sighing because of bondage, and when they cried their cry came up to God because of their bondage, the Lord heard their groaning and the Lord remembered His covenant with Abraham etc.
Again Moses was reared in the Palace of Pharaoh. The young “prince” was instructed in all the wisdom of Egypt, but faith was saying at the same time “the reproach of Christ is greater riches than all the riches of Egypt.” The reward will be great. I know, Moses could say, what kind of house this is, the eating and drinking, the drunkenness and work of the devil that goes on day and night.
O the poor people — they will yet be crying and lamenting in Hell. I know they are forsaken, but the Lord’s people are happy for they are washed in the Blood that cleanseth from all sin, and united to Christ. These are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
Unbelief will say to you that your troubles will be numerous, and that you may be deceived at last. You will not. He said Himself “that in this world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.” Troubles are no new thing. It is through much tribulation that ye shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. It would be easy for the Lord to save His people without troubles but tribulations are to be to God’s glory and their own good. There is no one who is to live godly in this world who will not suffer persecution. O cast your lot with the people of God, who come in by Christ the door, obtain a right in the promises, an inheritance in Christ, and His eternal blessings. This is the faith Moses obtained.
The Son is inviting you Himself. Although you would be like a devil in the flesh, as terrible as Manasseh, as unjust as Saul of Tarsus, as defiled as the woman of Samaria, he will receive you if you come.
Much has been spoken about afflictions, but there is no other way to the Kingdom, Christ having gone before you on that way. The world said “He hath a devil. He is beside Himself. Why do you listen to Him?” Christ has consecrated the way of affliction for you (God’s people) and He will be with you on it. He will not leave you, He will not, He will not — “I will never forsake you.” So that you shall sing: “He set my feet on a rock, and established my goings. He put a new song in my mouth.”