Robert Murray McCheyne—A man whose memoirs reveal a heart for Christ

Out of all of McCheyne’s entries, these impacted me the most.

Nov. 12—“Reading H. Martyn’s Memoirs. Would I imitate him, giving up father, mother, country, house, health, life, all—for Christ. And yet, what hinders/ Lord, purify me and give me strength to dedicate myself, my all to Thee!”

It seems a common trend among the “giants” to drink of the springs of those “who have walked before them”. The reason is obvious: Encouragement to finish the race. Encouragement to finish the right way.

Dec. 18—“My heart must break off from all these things. What right have I to steal and abuse my Master’s time? Redeem it. He is crying to me.”

Nothing grieves my heart more than “wasted time”. Conversely, nothing strengthens the Christian more than the joy of a clear conscience (Acts 23:1).

Aug. 18—“Heard of the death of James Somerville by fever, induced by cholera. O God, Thy ways and thoughts are not as ours! I saw him last on Friday, 27^th of July, at the College gate; shook hands, and little thought I was to see him no more on earth.”

Somber reminder to preach and speak “as a dying man to dying men” (Richard Baxter). Our days are numbered (Psa. 139:16). So live like today is your last!

Dec. 11—“Mind quite unfitted for devotion. Prayerless prayer.”

How many times this is a description of my devotional life! The frailties of man distract us from sweet communion with God. How often the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41).

Dec. 31—“God has in this past year introduced me to the preparation of the ministry—I bless Him for that. He has helped me to give up much of my shame to name His name, and be on His side, especially before particular friends,--I bless Him for that. He has taken away friends that might have been a snare, must have been a stumbling block,--I bless Him for that. He has introduced me to one Christian friend, and sealed more and more my amity with another,--I bless Him for that.”

As I get older, the blessing of true friendships is progressively sweeter. As I grow closer to God, the more I desire friends who tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. Furthermore, the spiritual indifference of certain friends limits my time with them. They claim Christ, but do not walk with Him. My rebuke is disregarded because they quickly show their receipt of spiritual fire insurance, in the form of a confession or a “sinner’s prayer”. They are deceived and need to come “face to face” with the God who is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29).

Feb.16—“Walk to Corstorphine Hill. Exquisite clear view,--blue water, and brown fields, and green firs. Many thoughts on the follies of my youth. How man, O Lord, may they be? Summed up in one—ungodliness!”

The lost joy of “taking a walk”. There is something to be said about being in God’s creation, reflecting and meditating on His power, beauty and glory (Psa. 19:1)

Aug. 13—“Clear conviction of sin is the only true origin of dependence on another’s righteousness, and therefore (strange to say!) of the Christian’s peace of mind and cheerfulness.”

My father-in-law highlighted this entry. He is now with McCheyne in Heaven. Two men who had a consistent conviction of sin and who trusted completely in the righteousness of Jesus Christ to save them from their sins.

Nov. 9—“Heard of Edward Irving’s death. I look back upon him with awe, as on the saints and martyrs of old. A holy man in spite of all his delusions and errors. He is now with his God and Saviour, whom he wronged so much, yet, I am persuaded, loved so sincerely. How should we lean for wisdom, not on ourselves, but on the God of all grace!”

I discussed this quote in a previous blog post. http://cpletter.blogspot.com/2011/12/robert-murray-mccheynea-man-who-was.html

May 21—“Preparation for the Sabbath. My Birthday. I have lived twenty three years. Blessed be my Rock. Though I am a child in knowledge of my Bible and of Thee, yet use me for what a child can do, or a child can suffer. How few sufferings I have had in the year that is past, except in my own body. Give me strength for a suffering and for a dying hour!”

McCheyne wrote this at 23. Was he is unusually morbid? No, he was unusually single-minded.