Revivals in the Highlands, by Angus MacGillivray, published by Reformation Press, paperback, 65 pages, £4.90.
Today we may become rather depressed as we consider the low state of religion all around us. But a book like this, small though it is, should act as a tonic as it reminds us forcefully of the infinite power of God to bring sinners, even large numbers of sinners, to Himself. He has not changed, and He is able to work in our time as readily as in the past.
The author was born in 1805, in Strathnaver, Sutherland, where his father, Duncan MacGillivray, was a minister. He became parish minister of Lairg 12 years later. The son also became a minister, first in Strathy, on the north coast of Sutherland, and later, from 1841, in Fife till his death in 1873. During his ministry in the north, MacGillivray was able to gather information about the state of religion in Easter Ross and Sutherland.
This is the information he used to produce this book. Among the parishes he describes is Golspie, where John Sutherland became minister in 1731. “Though the work advanced quietly,” we read, “it advanced steadily, and the result was that in less than nine months from the beginning of it, 70 persons in that small country parish came to the minister with the question, ‘What must we do to be saved?’ And this was no mere temporary impression: the work went on for years. It extended to the neighbouring parish of Rogart and the result was a large number of solid, enlightened Christian people, in whose daily walk the image of Christ was seen.”
MacGillivray emphasises the godliness and the spiritual understanding of the outstanding men in the areas he describes. It was a common saying among them: “The awakened sinner says, If I were holy I would come to Christ; Christ says, Come to Me, a sinner as thou art, and I will make thee holy”. It was suggested to a man on his deathbed, that because he had not been converted till late in life, he should scrutinise carefully the foundation for his hope. “The old man started up in bed and said, ‘Don’t trouble me with your doubts. I know Him whom I trust. The grip which He took of me and which I took of Him, when I was hanging over hell, He will never let go and I will never let go through all eternity.’” The man was presumably not despising the duty of examining himself, but equally he dared not reject the clear evidence he had of having been brought to trust in the Saviour.
One could wish that more such information had been made available in this book (although some other books such as Records of Grace in Sutherland do contain further information). One could also wish that it had covered a much wider area of the Highlands. But its re-issue is very welcome. May it stir up many to pray earnestly for powerful awakenings to be granted once more to the areas described, which are now largely so barren spiritually – and to many other areas throughout the world! The power of God to do so is obvious in this book.
Both titles may be obtained from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.
Why Read Church History?, by J Philip Arthur, published by the Banner of Truth Trust, booklet, 23 pages, £1.50.
The author has had a “lifelong passion for history”, and is rightly anxious that others should recognise the profit to be gained from reading church history. He points out that “the Bible teaches a doctrine of history”; he warns against being overly critical of the great men of the past, although they did have their weaknesses. He tells us that “the most compelling reason to pick up a Christian biography is to marvel at what God has done”. He mentions various books that should be helpful and provides a list of further reading.
The reviewer thoroughly agrees that Christian biographies and church history in general should have their place in our reading. Otherwise we will lack the examples of godly living that biographies bring, and will have little or no sense of the great works of God in the past and, by way of contrast, of how weak the Church is today. This should stimulate prayer.
Free Presbyterians, in particular, should become familiar with their heritage. A brief list of relevant books would include biographies of the early ministers of the Church, including Memoir & Remains of Rev Donald Macfarlane, besides History of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland and Thomas M’Crie’s The Story of the Scottish Church (which shows the ups and downs of its history), all published by Free Presbyterian Publications.