Skip to main content

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, 27th 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.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

C.S. Lewis—A man who smoked and drank alcohol

One of the most engaging seminars on C.S. Lewis was done by Dr. Knox Chamblin (who died earlier this year) at Reformed Theological Seminary. This series explored primarily Lewis’ life, his works and his theology. In one of the earlier seminars, Dr. Chamblin shared this historic interaction between the well-known fundamentalist Dr. Bob Jones Jr. and C.S. Lewis. Asked afterwards for an assessment regarding the Oxford Don, Dr. Jones stated, “That man smokes a pipe….and that man drinks liquor….but I do believe he is a Christian!” This quote leads us into the central thesis of this blog post, “What is the Christian’s position regarding alcohol and tobacco?” I admit grappling with this issue is nothing new in the blogosphere or in pockets of evangelicalism.  Furthermore, I will gladly confess that this blog post will not bring anything original to this provocative topic. Being a Christian is not about abstaining from alcohol or tobacco. I used to judge the individua
26 comments
Read more

George Whitefield—A man who (knowingly) married an unattractive woman

Throughout the next few weeks, this blog will examine certain “snapshots” of George Whitefield, which I hope will bring a deeper appreciation for this servant and a greater love for the God whom he gave his life to. Here is a quote from Whitefield: “I married one who was a widow, of about 36 years of age….neither rich in fortune nor beautiful as to her person , but, I believe a true child of God, and would not, I think, attempt to hinder me in his work for the world.” (p.113) If the words of Whitefield come as a shock to you, then the events leading up to the marriage will absolutely astonish you. Whitefield himself never thought of himself as a lifetime bachelor. He assumed that God had someone special for him. Yet he would have never imagined that his friendship with the great Howell Harris would lead him to his wife. Who is Howell Harris? History describes him as fearless, dynamic, tireless and “a man’s man”. From his conversion, this school teacher began to preach the
3 comments
Read more

C.S. Lewis—A man who believed in Purgatory

Is this true? Did C.S. Lewis believe in the concept of Purgatory? See for yourself.  Below are Lewis’ words: “Of course, I pray for the dead (i.e. the dead in Purgatory). The action is so spontaneous, so all but inevitable, that only the most compulsive theological case against it would deter me. And I hardly know how the rest of my prayers would survive if those for the dead were forbidden. At our age the majority of those we love best are dead. What sort of intercourse with God could I have if what I love best with unmentionable to Him?” (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on prayer). “How do I know all her (Joy, Lewis’ deceased wife) anguish is past? I have never believed before—I thought it immensely improbable—that the most faithful of souls could leap straight into perfection and peace the moment death has rattled in the throat.” Again, referring to Joy (his deceased wife), “I know there are not only tears to be dried but stains to be scoured.” And finally.... “Th
17 comments
Read more