References to M'Cheyne in Annals of the Disruption
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Page created and maintained by David Haslam. Last updated 2001-11-08
The following extracts were kindly supplied to me by Mrs Jane Newble.
These few references are taken from 'Annals of the Disruption' by the Rev. Thomas Brown, D.D., F.R.S.E. Edinburgh.—Edinburgh, MacNiven & Wallace, 1893 (new edition). Since making this transcript, I myself have acquired a copy of the same edition.
[From Chapter 8—Making ready]
"One of the earliest to respond to the appeal of Dr. Chalmers was Mr. M'Cheyne, of Dundee. "We are proposing," he wrote on the 7th of March, "to organise for the support of a Free Presbyterian Church." He asked the aid of Mr. Makgill Crichton at a meeting to be held on the following Tuesday. "All the accommodation of my humble dwelling is, of course, at your service." The meeting was held, and the association formed. Mr. M'Cheyne was heard "pleading fervently the cause of the Free Presbyterian Church." It was his last service—his work was done, he went home and lay down to die; and there were many in Scotland whose attachment to the cause of the Free Church was all the deeper from the fact that his latest public testimony was borne so earnestly on its behalf. (p.83)
[From Chapter 43—The Disruption in Glenisla]
Fuller information soon began to reach the glen, and among other things, they had a
visit from Mr. M'Cheyne. Several years before, some of the people had gone to Dundee and
urged him to come to preach in Glenisla—a request which he was obliged to decline,
knowing that the parish minister would be hostile. In the beginning of 1843, however, he
unexpectedly made his appearance; and when he came into the parish, he said that he felt
as if he stood on consecrated ground—it was the place where Mr. Martin had laboured.
Application was made to the parish minister for the use of the church on a week-day, that
Mr. M'Cheyne might preach to the people. As Mr. Watt stood at the manse door, however, he
said, "Well, I'll be very candid with you; he shall never preach in my pulpit."
Again the church was asked for, as a great favour, with the assurance that no discussion
would take place, and that only a sermon would be preached. He replied, "Mr. M'Cheyne
had plenty of work to do in Dundee, without raising divisions in quiet parishes."
This refusal was felt to be a great disappointment, after M'Cheyne had come so far, in
such cold and stormy weather, on the 10th of January, 1843. He had, however, to be told,
that "we could not get the church for him, and, at the same time, we stated that we
were exceedingly sorry at these divisions, as we feared they might do much hurt. He said
in reply, 'These are the best things that have happened in our day,' and that he believed
they would do much good. He let us know that there was nothing to be looked for but a
breaking up of Church and State; and, he added, 'the next time I come to Glenisla, I will
preach in the open air, and we will see who will join our new church.' While we were thus
talking a man came into the room, and he said to him in a very solemn manner: 'Well, what
do you think of yourself?' The man said: 'I think I am a stony-ground hearer;' and oh! can
we ever forget with what a solemn look and manner he addressed him, and warned him of his
danger/ The neighbouring church at Lintrathen was then got, where Mr. M'Cheyne preached to
a crowded congregation from the words: 'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God.' This was among the last journeys of Mr. M'Cheyne. He died soon after, and
we never saw him more. Some among us had got their eyes opened to see what was impending
over the Church, and were alarmed at what might be the result; but felt inclined to cast
in our lot with those whom we believed to be faithful ministers, whatever the consequences
might be." (p. 584,585)
(On p. 582 this is explained to be a narrative by Mr. M'Kenzie of Alrick, an elder of
the church, which was somewhat condensed by Thomas Brown)
[From Chapter 61—Results of the Disruption—Spiritual Fruit]
Before the Disruption, when they were prohibited by the Court of Session from preaching in Strathbogie, the sainted Robert M'Cheyne, one of the interdicted, gave this reply: "I can say with Paul that I have preached the Gospel from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum, and no power on earth shall keep me from preaching it in the dead parishes of Scotland." (footnote: Life of Duchess of Gordon, p. 230) (p. 748)
[From above Chapter]
The congregation [Larbert] was as large as had been the average attendance in the parish church, and with scarcely an individual exception, contained all within the bounds of the parish who had at any time given evidence of true graciousness of mind. This was true less or more, we believe, of the general constituency of the Free Church throughout all the parishes of Scotland at the time; but in Larbert it was very specially noticeable - a thing which, indeed, throughout the whole of John Bonar's ministry made itself manifest. While gathering the godly around him, he had the effect somehow of making others stand apart and separate themselves—a state of things, we remember, heightened greatly at the time when Mr. M'Cheyne was his assistant, and arising, we do not doubt, from subtile and fundamental resemblance between the two men. [footnote: Disr.Mss. lxiv. p.8] (p. 749,50)