January 15th 1884

Letter to Mr. Daniel Louttit, Lybster. Dear Mr. Louttit - Being confined to the house for several weeks through cough, weakness &c., but no pain, though much tossing during the night, often scared with dreams, and little sound sleep, I find my mind leads me back to former times. Among others I am led to the first times I came to the prayer meeting in the parochial school, Wick, where you, your brother, George Dunoon, Peter Taylor, and others assembled. It was my first appearance at a public meeting. I was then quite willing to sit next the door, being afraid to come near you, or to be seen amongst you. It is now over forty years since then. How have they been spent? I cannot say with the apostle that I am writing with many tears, but surely confusion of face belongeth unto me considering what I profess to be. Where is the corresponding fruit? Have I walked worthy of God, adorning His doctrine in all things? When we measure and compare ourselves among ourselves, the standard is so low amongst those who assume to be examples to the flock, we may pass on. But if we take the holy standard of the Rule, where are we? If they walk not according to the Rule, there is no light in them. You and I have gone far to hear sermons. Might it not be well for us to examine how we stand the test of the first recorded sermon by Him who came to reveal the blessed will of the Father? And you might let me know the result. "If I had not come and spoken to them they had not had sin, but now they have no cloke for their sin." You might also read what may be called the Mediator's last sermon to the seven churches of Asia. What blessed calls to return and repent! May we be of the blessed number who abhor themselves and repent in dust and ashes! "He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself to him." "We beseech you, also, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee."
Pretty well today. At family worship read the fifth chapter of Hebrews. How wonderful are the seventh, eighth and ninth verses. I heard the Rev. John McRae, late of Lewis and Knockbain, preach from the ninth verse. "And being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." He said, "To an enquiring mind this text would suggest a question, Wherein did the imperfection consist? He was perfect God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with the Father. he was perfect man, having a true body and a reasonable soul. Let us then enquire wherein the imperfection consisted. It was in the office of Mediator. In it He was made perfect through suffering, that 'He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.' He thus became the author of eternal salvation. Salvation to us would be an unmeaning term had we not known its opposite. Shall I mention it? It is eternal damnation." Mr. McRae then opened up salvation in a most glorious manner, and damnation in a most awful aspect, enough to terrify the hardest heart. He then said, I think "I hear some poor soul say, What interest have I in this salvation or in its Author? Well, if ever the foundation stone of true religion was laid in your soul, you have been convinced in a day of power that you have no claim upon Him for this salvation. The Holy Ghost has revealed to you God in His purity, holiness, and justice, and set your sin in order in your sight before the glory of the holy, sin-hating Jehovah. Under such a revelation the creature is ready to cry, 'Undone ! Thou art just in whatsoever Thou art pleased to bring upon me because I have sinned against Thee.' He is not desirous to be sent to hell, but he agrees with the justice of the sentence. But if the Holy Ghost is taking a saving deal with your soul He does not leave you here, but reveals this God to you, not as another God, but in another aspect, even in Him who is the author of eternal salvation, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, thus reconciling you to himself by Jesus Christ, not imputing your trepasses unto you. 'For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.'"
Letter to a member of the family. My dear ___ I know that you would be glad to hear that I am rather better than when you left. I am getting more rest during the night, and am up all day. I know you have some concern about your salvation, and that you had some consolation. Perhaps I have been too silent to you, but knowing that the Holy Spirit ordinarily works through and by the Word, I was sure that He could guide you into all truth, and that possibly I might only spoil instead of aid. You may have followed the devices of your own heart instead of waiting and following His blessed counsel as revealed in the Holy Word; therefore it would be a blessed thing to see our sin and folly in departing from the Holy One. "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth," he may be an old minister, an elder, or a prodigal. Job abhorred himself, and repented in dust and ashes. Peter wept bitterly, and was much honoured afterwards in the vineyard. The father ran to embrace the returning son. See that you do not stay nor linger long, prepare hastily to keep His precepts. "I commend you to God and to the word of His grace." The Lord will not cast off forever. Though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. Be much in prayer, and searching the Scriptures, for He hath said, "Seek and ye shall find." Try and find a sound minister. The more broken-hearted he is the better. Wait on the Lord, and do not cease to hope for deliverance. You may rely on the Intercessor for transgressors, and the love that provided Him. I was just now looking at the fiftieth of Isaiah. You may read it. It would give me much pleasure to hear from you on this all-important subject. - Your loving father, in "light affliction," WM. SINCLAIR.