Listening to the Giants

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 h...

As I get older, my tastes are becoming more refined. I prefer clothes of good quality and clothes that fit well. Though I drink all types of coffee, I am becoming more of a “snob” about it as the years roll on. Even poetry (which in the past seemed about as fun as “watching paint dry”) now has an inherent beauty that I never noticed before. Robert Murray McCheyne was a literary and poetic genius. His biographer paints a promising picture of the young poet: “He might have risen to high eminence in the circles of taste and literature, but denied himself all such hopes, that he might win souls. With such peculiar talents as he possessed, his ministry might have, in any circumstances, attracted many; but these attractions were all made subsidiary to the single desire of awakening the dead in trespasses and sins.” The poem below is actually a hymn. In my opinion, it is McCheyne’s greatest hymn. As you read, please meditate on the obvious theme of “The Righteousness of God”. ...