Robert Findlater
Heard Mr Colquhoun preach from Hebrews 10:10: “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering up of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”.
I have this day done the most important thing that ever I have done, and which a person could do in this world. I went to the Lord’s table to declare that I choose God to be my only portion. By this most solemn act, I declared that there is none in heaven whom I have, neither is there any in all the earth whom I desire, besides God. I have announced Christ to be my Saviour and that there is none other name given under heaven among men by which I can be saved; and that it is alone by and through the righteousness of Christ I can be saved. I have announced before God, before angels, before men and devils that I will no more serve sin but be a servant of God.
I have declared that I am not mine own but that I have freely and voluntarily resigned myself to God. I have freely and voluntarily laid myself under a vow, that I will be the Lord’s henceforth and for ever. I have declared that I will leave and forsake every sin, every lust, every evil affection, and that I will have God as my portion, my hope, and my everlasting enjoyment. I have
1An extract from Findlater’s diary in October 1804; it is taken from his Memoir (Glasgow, 1840) written by his brother William. Robert Findlater (1786-1832) was at this time studying for the ministry in Edinburgh; yet, remarkably, he is recounting his experience of going to the Lord’s table for the first time, in Leith, in the congregation where John Colquhoun (author of Saving Faith, recently reprinted by Free Presbyterian Publications) ministered. Robert Findlater was to become minister of Lochtayside, where he was to experience the great blessing of revival. The concluding years of his ministry were in Inverness. Among his last words, spoken to a colleague, were: “Tell my people, tell them to make sure of an interest in Christ, that a deathbed is not the time”. William Findlater became minister of Durness, in the far north-west corner of Scotland.
done all this over the consecrated symbols of Christ’s broken body and shed blood. Accept, O Lord, this dedication of myself to Thee! Receive me to Thyself, and give me grace to live to Thee; for of myself I can do nothing.
Consider, O my soul, what thou hast done this day! Thou hast opened thy mouth to the Lord. Thou must not draw back. Let me remember that the vows of God are upon me. O let me consider and reflect seriously on the danger of apostasy if, after all my dedication, I turn away from God. Let me remember that God has no pleasure in any soul which draws back from Him. But God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us, and that His strength is perfected in our weakness. Let me remember it is not in my own strength I am to do all these things, that it is impossible for me to do anything of myself, for it is God that worketh both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
I have declared that Christ is my salvation; then let me trust in Him for salvation, for grace to subdue the corruptions of my own heart, for grace to withstand the temptations of the world and of the wicked one. Let me be jealous over myself with a holy jealousy. Let me have a tender conscience to discern evil. Let me have faith to apply to Christ, and let His Spirit work in me. Let me be humble and acquiesce in all the ways of God’s holy and wise providence. And let me endeavour to spend my time, my talents, my opportunities and my privileges, in subservience to the great end of my creation and to the preparation for the important work of the ministry, to which I am aspiring. Let me take care that I shall neither be seduced by the smiles nor the frowns of this world, but live conscientiously to God and to the concerns of my own immortal soul! O my soul, let me daily keep this in remembrance and let me endeavour to spend all my time to God.