M'Cheyne on the New Year

It's a great day at home, enjoying the baby grands and giving the much-deserving Gracie a break from the action. It's wonderful having them here, I must say.

Our dear pastor (who can be heard on http://sermonaudio.com/aashepard) always has outstanding books for me to read, and here are a few quotes from my current reading in Memoir and Remains of M'Cheyne. (I find that the word "remains" in that context makes me smile.) The section from which I quote is from a time of revival in Scotland.

"On the Sabbath he preached to his flock in the afternoon. He chose 2 Chronicles v. 13,14, as his subject; and in the close, his hearers remember well how affectionately and solemnly he said, 'Dearly beloved and longed for, I now begin another year of my ministry among you; and I am resolved, if God give me health and strength, that I will not let a man, woman, or child among you alone, until you have at least heard the testimony of God concerning His Son, either to your condemnation or salvation. And I will pray, as I have done before, that if the Lord will indeed give us a great outpouring of His Spirit, He will do it in such a way that it will be evident to the weakest child among you that it is the Lord's work, and not man's. I think I may say to you, as Rutherford said to his people, 'Your heaven would be two heavens to me.' And if the Lord be pleased to give me a crown from among you, I do here promise in His sight that I will cast it at His feet, saying, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain! Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.' "

And some days later, he adds in his journal, "Evening.--Mr. Miller preached delightfully on 'The love of Christ constraineth us.' His account of the Protestants of France was very interesting: the work of God at Nismes, where it is said that they are no more fishing with line, but dragging with the nets."

I am praying for such times to come to us, and speedily; there are not enough places in the earth where the people confess: O LORD, our LORD, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!