Thomas Halyburton
To some, at another time, Halyburton said, “Enemies in this place will be insulting over me; I am not afraid of that, but that which fills me with fears is the misimprovement of the gospel in St Andrews; St Andrews has sinned against as clear gospel light as ever shone in the isle of Britain. I remember when I was at the college, O how much of God was there in the preached gospel! I had my part in the misimprovement of it.
Afterwards, to his children he said, “My children, I have nothing to say to you, but be ye seekers of God, ‘fulfil ye my joy’ (Phil 2:2). Ah that I was so long in beginning to seek God! And yet I was touched with convictions that God was seeking me, ere I arrived at the years of some of you.”
To his eldest child he said, “Ay Margaret, you seem sometimes to have convictions; beware of them; they are the most dangerous things that ever you meddled with, for if you seek not God, each of them is God’s messenger; and if you despise God’s messenger, He will be avenged on you. My dear, seek the Lord, and be your mother’s comfort.” . . .
“I have nothing to do with my life but yet to husband it, that I may lay it out for my God. What had I been, if the grace of God had not been revealed in the gospel! He has ‘brought life and immortality to light’ (2 Tim 1:10).” One said, “Keep your hold to the last; Satan is busy”. He answered, “I have had trial of it already. O sober, sober religion is necessary. I was often defrauding the Lord of His glory, but, blessed be His name, He made me restore it again with shame, and to cry, ‘Not I, but the grace of God which was with me’ (1 Cor 15:10). I was always afraid in public on that account.”
He caused them to read one of Mr [Samuel] Rutherford’s letters, and afterwards said, “That is a book I would recommend to you all; there is more practical religion in that letter [to Mr John Mein] than in a book of large size”. . . .
Afterwards someone was showing the difficulty we would have, while in the body, with indwelling corruption; he answered, “I often find it, but the Lord has relieved me; I found, this same night, even after the Lord gave me relief, I found indwelling sin showing a great deal of strength”. One said, “You know, while you are in the body, that will not be quite taken away; a perfect separation from it we are not to expect here”. He added, “This ‘we
1This is an extract, lightly edited, from “an account of some of his last words on his deathbed” in 1712, taken from Faith and Experience, volume 4 of the James Begg Society edition of Halyburton’s Works. This article is a continuation of the report of what he said on his deathbed, on September 18, as printed last month.
know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him’ (1 Jn 3:2). This has been made a comforting word to me this last night.”
After a little interruption, he said, “In the day when I was in my distress, and brought to the foot of Mount Sinai, the mount that was not to be touched (Heb 12:18) . . . and when I came to the blackness and darkness, and heard the crashing of thunder etc, I was standing trembling, wishing I had never been. While I was waiting for my sentence, He brought me ‘unto mount Sion . . . and to the blood of sprinkling . . .’ (Heb 12:22-24). That view gave my mind rest.”
To the apothecary he said, “The Lord is upholding me. The Lord show you mercy; study religion in the beginning of your years; remember, if you come to be handled as I am, without it you can have no comfort. I give you this as a solemn warning: If you come to be hardened by the frequent view of persons in my circumstances, you may come to be hardened for ever, and your conscience never feel anything again.”
To three ministers in the place he said, “My dear brethren, ye are all there that are in the town, except my dear colleague, and I have sent for him. Dear brethren, it is not from any confidence in myself, but out of a sincere love to you, and from what I myself have felt, that for your encouragement I presume to say, When the Lord helped me to diligence in studying and meditating, I found Him then remarkably shining upon me, and testifying His approbation of a sincere mind. There is nothing to be had ‘with a slack hand’ (Prov 10:4).”
Then to one of them lately entered into the ministry he said, “Your entry into the ministry is like to fall in an evil day; there is one thing for your encouragement: you have a call. The times will make hard work to you in this place, but that which makes your work the harder is this people’s being hardened under a long course of pure gospel ordinances. However, be faithful, and God will strengthen His own work. I will not say you will get things brought to what you would have, but I’ll tell you, I have one thought, and I abide by it: if ministers ply their work, (they cannot, it is true, bring persons to the Lord), but they may make their [the people’s] consciences, whether they will or not, speak for the Lord.”
Then, continuing his discourse to the ministers, he said, “Now, brethren, give diligence: for the Lord’s sake, ply your work, Hold fast what ye have, (Rev 2:25). I must have a word to my brethren: it is on my heart, I am young, but I am near the end of my life, and that makes me old. It becomes me to take advice from you.
“However, it is only to exhort to diligence in the common salvation. I repent I did not do more, but I have peace in it that, what I did, I did in sincerity; He accepts of the mite. It was the delight of my heart to preach the
gospel, and it makes me sometimes neglect a frail body. I ever thought if I could contribute to the saving of a soul, it would be a star, a crown and a glorious crown. I know this was the thing I aimed at; I desired to decrease, that the Bridegroom might increase, and to be nothing that He might be all; and I rejoice in His greatness.”
When one said that such great attainments might be comforting to him now, he replied, “I lay no stress on them; the thing I rejoice in is that His grace enabled me to this. Well, brethren, this is encouragement to you to try and go farther. Alas, I have gone no length, but I would fain have gone farther; ‘The hand of the diligent maketh rich’ (Prov 10:4). Much study, much prayer, temptations also, and distinct deliverance from temptations, are useful helps. I was fond enough of books, but I must say in the course of my ministry, what the Lord let me see of my evil heart and what was necessary against it, was more useful to me than all my books.”
One said, “That was to believe, and therefore to speak”. He replied, “The Lord help me to honour Him; I desire no more but to honour Him here and hereafter. O that I had the tongues of men and angels to praise Him! I hope, I hope, in a little, to get a will to answer duty, and skill and ability to answer will. O to be helped so, and to fear always!” One said, “Blessed is he that feareth always, and even under manifestations and discoveries of God: he that stands, let him take heed lest he fall (1 Cor 10:12). He said, “Sobriety, sobriety would fall in a little, if He withdraw; but do not stumble. Sirs, though I should be shaken, the foundations stand sure.”
When advised to lie quiet a little, he said, “On what should a man bestow his last breath but in commending the Lord Jesus Christ, God clothed in our nature, dying for our sins? ‘It pleased the Lord to bruise Him…’ (Is 53:10).” One said, “The Lord hath said, ‘I will have mercy, and not sacrifice (Mt 9:13), and pressed him to be tender of his body. He answered, “O but my heart is full!” And then, desiring a minister to pray, he said, “Pray that God may have pity on a weak thing that is not able to bear much in the conflict”.
After prayer, when the ministers were leaving, he said, “Well, my brethren, remember me. I desire to be thankful for what I have. I do not desire to need you long.”
Thereafter, to a minister’s wife he said, “I recommend to you the fear of the Lord; I know you have a husband to direct you; I know you are the seed of the righteous; but neither of these will avail. Make it your business to grow in practical acquaintance with Him and encourage yourself in the Lord; I fear the time is coming that it shall be said, Blessed are the breasts that gave no suck, and the womb that never bare (Lk 23:29). I fear heavy trials are hastening on.”
FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND – CONGREGATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS – 2018
| CONGREGATION | MINISTER
(Interim Moderator) | SUSTENTATION
FUND | | HOME
MISSION
FUND | | COLLEGE &
LIBRARY
FUND | | BOOKROOM
FUND | | GENERAL
BUILDING
FUND | | OUTREACH
FUND | | JEWISH &
FOREIGN
MISSION
FUND | | OVERSEAS
FUND | | TOTAL | |
|—————————————–|———————————-|———————-|———-|————————-|———-|——————————|———-|——————|———-|—————————–|———-|——————|———-|—————————————-|———-|——————|————|———–|–|
| | | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | | |
| NORTHERN PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Aberdeen | Rev D W B Somerset | 13,522.50 | 18.75 | 1,097.50 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 352.70 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 18.75 | 15,066.45 | |
| Creich, Donoch, etc | Rev W A Weale | 4,225.00 | 65.00 | 142.50 | 61.00 | 50.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 337.50 | 143.50 | 143.50 | 143.50 | 143.50 | 5,084.50 | | |
| David, Tomatin & Stratherrick | Rev D W B Somerset | 3,200.00 | 241.25 | 389.50 | 217.50 | 217.50 | 147.50 | 147.50 | 147.50 | 147.50 | 147.50 | 537.00 | 163.00 | 163.00 | 163.00 | 163.00 | 5,113.25 | | |
| Dingwall & Beauty | Rev K D Macleod | 22,607.00 | 874.50 | 1,349.50 | 480.75 | 327.00 | 616.25 | 616.25 | 616.25 | 616.25 | 616.25 | 1,255.00 | 413.25 | 413.25 | 413.25 | 413.25 | 27,923.50 | | |
| Halkirk, Strathy, Thurso & Wick | Rev W A Weale | 12,750.00 | 720.00 | 1,000.00 | 135.00 | 125.00 | 125.00 | 125.00 | 125.00 | 125.00 | 125.00 | 500.00 | 155.00 | 155.00 | 155.00 | 155.00 | 15,507.50 | | |
| Inverness | Rev K D Macleod | 25,431.50 | 1,559.75 | 2,775.00 | 696.25 | 645.00 | 655.00 | 655.00 | 655.00 | 655.00 | 655.00 | 4,820.50 | 671.25 | 671.25 | 671.25 | 671.25 | 37,044.25 | | |
| Kinlochbervie & Scourie | Rev W A Weale | 2,710.00 | 150.00 | 285.00 | 110.00 | 110.00 | 97.50 | 97.50 | 97.50 | 97.50 | 97.50 | 820.00 | 115.00 | 115.00 | 115.00 | 115.00 | 4,411.25 | | |
| | | 84,446.00 | 3,629.25 | 7,039.00 | 1,719.25 | 1,507.00 | 1,697.50 | 1,697.50 | 1,697.50 | 1,697.50 | 1,697.50 | 8,422.95 | 1,675.75 | 1,675.75 | 1,675.75 | 1,675.75 | 110,140.70 | | |
| SOUTHERN PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Barnoldswick | Rev J Macleod | 11,959.83 | 295.75 | 735.25 | 942.50 | 138.75 | 175.00 | 175.00 | 175.00 | 175.00 | 175.00 | 565.00 | 263.75 | 263.75 | 263.75 | 263.75 | 15,075.83 | | |
| Chesley | Rev R Macleod | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 162.46 | – | – | – | – | 162.46 | | |
| Dundee, Perth & Stirling | Rev R Macleod | 3,425.00 | 242.50 | 483.75 | 137.50 | 136.25 | 246.25 | 246.25 | 246.25 | 246.25 | 246.25 | 273.75 | 26.25 | 26.25 | 26.25 | 26.25 | 4,971.25 | | |
| Edinburgh | Rev D Campbell | 22,790.00 | 514.00 | 2,047.00 | 209.00 | 323.00 | 2,122.00 | 2,122.00 | 2,122.00 | 2,122.00 | 2,122.00 | 2,807.00 | 647.00 | 647.00 | 647.00 | 647.00 | 31,459.00 | | |
| Fort William & Oban | Rev R Macleod | 280.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 20.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 380.00 | | |
| Glasgow | Rev R Macleod | 34,259.00 | 2,076.96 | 4,501.50 | 1,659.16 | 1,387.95 | 1,161.93 | 1,161.93 | 1,161.93 | 1,161.93 | 1,161.93 | 5,948.14 | 2,134.32 | 2,134.32 | 2,134.32 | 2,134.32 | 53,128.96 | | |
| Greenock (Preaching Station) | Rev R Macleod | 1,703.75 | 57.50 | 113.75 | 40.00 | 50.00 | 85.00 | 85.00 | 85.00 | 85.00 | 85.00 | 481.25 | 41.25 | 41.25 | 41.25 | 41.25 | 2,572.50 | | |
| Larne | Rev R Macleod | 465.00 | – | 1,040.00 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 10.00 | 145.00 | 145.00 | 145.00 | 145.00 | 1,650.00 | | |
| London & Broadstairs | Rev J Macleod | 22,177.00 | 95.00 | 382.00 | – | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 212.20 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 22,926.20 | | |
| Santa Fe, Texas | Rev D Campbell | – | – | 8,982.00 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 9,011.75 | – | – | – | – | 17,993.75 | | |
| | | 97,059.58 | 3,301.71 | 18,305.25 | 2,998.16 | 2,065.95 | 3,820.18 | 3,820.18 | 3,820.18 | 3,820.18 | 3,820.18 | 19,491.55 | 3,287.57 | 3,287.57 | 3,287.57 | 3,287.57 | 150,329.95 | | |
| OUTER ISLES PRESBYTERY | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Achmore | Rev J R Tallach | 3,668.50 | 495.00 | 365.00 | 267.50 | 259.25 | 242.50 | 242.50 | 242.50 | 242.50 | 242.50 | 922.50 | 235.00 | 235.00 | 235.00 | 235.00 | 6,455.25 | | |
| Ness | Rev A W MacColl | 7,318.75 | 25.00 | 30.00 | 10.00 | 20.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 32.50 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 7,486.25 | | |
| North Harris | Rev J B Jardine | 9,027.50 | 108.25 | 177.00 | 78.25 | 93.75 | 78.25 | 78.25 | 78.25 | 78.25 | 78.25 | 157.50 | 92.50 | 92.50 | 92.50 | 92.50 | 9,813.00 | | |
| North Uist | Rev J R Tallach | 11,990.50 | 591.00 | 722.25 | 287.00 | 359.50 | 359.50 | 359.50 | 359.50 | 359.50 | 359.50 | 1,040.00 | 700.00 | 700.00 | 700.00 | 700.00 | 15,970.25 | | |
| North Tolsta | Rev J B Jardine | 7,067.50 | 217.50 | 387.50 | 160.00 | 180.00 | 180.00 | 180.00 | 180.00 | 180.00 | 180.00 | 352.50 | 175.50 | 175.50 | 175.50 | 175.50 | 8,737.50 | | |
| South Harris | Rev K M Watkins | 7,980.75 | 230.00 | 451.00 | 257.00 | 262.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 | 250.00 | 480.75 | 249.00 | 249.00 | 249.00 | 249.00 | 10,160.50 | | |
| Stornoway | Rev J R Tallach | 21,833.00 | 1,171.25 | 1,681.50 | 912.50 | 909.50 | 1,091.00 | 1,091.00 | 1,091.00 | 1,091.00 | 1,091.00 | 2,603.75 | 1,217.50 | 1,217.50 | 1,217.50 | 1,217.50 | 31,440.00 | | |
| Uig | Rev A W MacColl | 2,365.00 | 65.00 | 100.00 | 55.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 137.00 | 38.00 | 38.00 | 38.00 | 38.00 | 2,860.00 | | |
| | | 71,291.50 | 2,903.00 | 3,914.25 | 2,027.25 | 2,129.00 | 2,181.75 | 2,181.75 | 2,181.75 | 2,181.75 | 2,181.75 | 5,726.50 | 2,769.50 | 2,769.50 | 2,769.50 | 2,769.50 | 92,942.75 | | |
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~These sums were contributed to the local Australia & New Zealand Sustentation Funds. They do not appear in any of the totals here.