All the books reviewed here may be obtained from the Free Presbyterian Bookroom.
To All Ends of the Earth, Sermons Preached Throughout the World by Rev William MacLean
published by Westminster Standard, hardback, 186 pages, £30.00.
Mr MacLean was born in 1907 and became minister of the Free Presbyterian congregation in Ness, on the Isle of Lewis, in 1948. He spent 11 fruitful years in Gisborne, New Zealand, from 1962, before moving to Grafton, Australia, and finally returning to Ness in 1976. He died in 1985. He was committed to the “old paths” of Scottish Presbyterian doctrine and life, which he strongly believed were being preserved in his own denomination, though he had been brought up in the Free Church.
His preaching was much appreciated, and it is good to have these examples of his pulpit work preserved in this permanent form. As is obvious from the sub-title, these sermons were preached in a number of countries. A majority come from New Zealand, but others from Australia, Scotland and Zimbabwe. They all proclaim the same gospel, and it is clear that those who listened to Mr MacLean’s preaching attentively and regularly would have gained a good grasp of the fundamental doctrines of Scripture.
Also noticeable in these sermons is the preacher’s concern that his hearers would know whether or not they were among the followers of Christ, and so on their way to heaven, or were still in the kingdom of darkness and so on their way to a lost eternity. He says of God’s children: “They labour for that bread which endureth unto everlasting life in seeking to make their calling and election sure. Not all who have this life in their souls have an assurance of their interest in Christ. Assurance says, as one of the old divines put it, ‘I believe my sins are pardoned through Christ’. Faith says, ‘I believe in Christ for the pardon of my sins’.”
Towards the end of this sermon, on John 6:27: “Labour not for the meat which perisheth . . .”, the preacher quoted John Owen as follows: “Consider the infinite condescension and love of Christ in His invitations and calls to you to come to Him for life, deliverance, mercy, grace, peace and eternal salvation. This I shall only say, that in the declaration and preaching of them, Jesus Christ yet stands before sinners, calling, inviting, encouraging them to come unto Him. That which is now proposed for consideration is the readiness of Christ to receive every sinner, be he who and what he will, that shall come unto Him. And of this we have the highest evidences that divine wisdom and grace can give to us.” To call sinners to come to Christ, on the basis of His finished work, was very close to Mr MacLean’s heart.
As well as the 12 sermons by Mr MacLean, the book includes the sermon preached by Rev James MacLeod at Mr MacLean’s induction to Gisborne.
He Led Me, Autobiography, Diaries and Meditations of Alex Maclennan edited by Norman Campbell and Robert Dickie
published by Reformation Press, paperback, 237 pages, £10.50.
Alex Maclennan lived from 1889 to 1972. After a period as a seaman, he settled down in Muir of Ord, in Ross-shire, and was appointed a lay missionary in 1936 by the Free Presbyterian Synod.
He was a spiritually-minded man and an able speaker who could hold the attention of his hearers. After his death, Rev Alexander McPherson described him as “an outstanding Christian” and Rev Malcolm MacSween called him “a burning and a shining light”.
The book begins with a 27-page “introductory sketch” of Alex Maclennan’s life. This is followed with an 11-page autobiographical account of his earlier experiences, particularly of his spiritual experiences. He recalls, “I was lodging once with an atheist who did his best to convert me to his view. At last he said: ‘I can make nothing of you. They gave you bad milk to begin with.’ This shows how useful it is for our young people to be well grounded in the Psalms of David and the Catechisms.” The “bad milk” was, of course, the kind of teaching that children receive in a godly home such as Alex was blessed with while he was growing up. It was possibly after his conversation with the atheist that he experienced these four steps in his experience: “I believed the record God gave concerning His Son Jesus Christ. I came to see the spirituality of the law of God. . . . I began to pray. . . . I began to associate with the people of God. . . .”
The bulk of the book comprises extracts from Alex Maclennan’s diary for the years 1957-60 and 1966-70. Many of the entries refer to services that he himself conducted and to services, particularly at communion seasons, taken by others. Various snippets are given from what was said then and sometimes other comments are made. For instance, he notes that on 17 January 1957 he “spoke at the prayer meeting in Dingwall from Romans 5:1. I remarked that faith always has two companions: hope and love. Marks of those who are justified: they will condemn themselves; they will be daily seeking sanctification; aiming at holiness, purity and perfection; they will desire to grow in grace and conformity to the image of Christ.”
He notes on 9 September 1966: “I am 77 today. ‘Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day’ (Acts 26:22).” The following Sabbath he “spoke in Beauly on the parable of the steward in Luke 16. We waste what we are entrusted with: our time, and money, and influence, the Bible, and the privileges of the gospel ministry. On another day we will be called to account for all of these.”
On 22 August 1967 he heard Rev D A Macfarlane preach from Hebrews 13:10 and recalled him saying, “We can only wade on the fringes of this ocean. There is a mine here of diamonds and riches with which to fill the pockets of your soul.”
The book comes to a close with the notes of a few addresses given by Alex Maclennan. Those especially who knew this worthy man will be glad to see these gleanings, especially from his diaries, in print. The book is warmly recommended to others also.
Problems Confronting the Church Today by John J Murray
published by the Scottish Reformation Society, paperback, 71 pages, £5.00.
This book was written with the conviction that “the urgent call to the Church today is: ‘Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works’ (Rev 2:5)”. The following chapter headings give a good indication of the Church problems considered in the book: “The toleration of false doctrine and the lack of discipline”, “Widespread ignorance”, “Rampant antinomianism and disregard for the Lord’s Day”, “Sensuality in worship, and absence of the Holy Spirit”, “The lack of militancy and of spiritual warfare in the Church”, “The lack of Church order and government”, “The low state of the ministry”, “The neglect of Church history and forgetfulness of God’s mercies in the past”. In each case, the author also points to the scriptural remedy.
The encouraging words of John Owen are quoted in the book, “I believe truly that when God has accomplished some end upon us and has stained the glory of all flesh, He will renew the power and glory of religion among us again, even in this nation”. To consider the themes of this book and Owen’s hopeful statement should prompt us to pray, even in our degenerate age, for the Lord to arise and have mercy on His Church.