We can learn from all the saints when we want to
understand and know more of the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of the
love of Christ which passes all our knowledge.
A saint I want particularly to mention is the Scottish preacher Robert
Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843).
Already during his own lifetime MacCheyne was known for
his godly walk. The writings of M’Cheyne and his biography by his close friend
Andrew Bonar has encourage many Christians over the years. Not only in the Anglo-Saxon
world. His writings were translated in a couple of languages.
David P. Beaty, pastor of River Oaks Community Church,
Clem-mons, North Carolina, wrote a moving study of the life of M’Cheyne and the
lessons that can be learned from it. M’Cheyne felt the weight of souls, who
knew the reality of the coming wrath but above all he knew the realty of the
all-surpassing fellowship with Christ.
In a powerful and urgent manner he preached Christ.
Lovingly he spoke about him in personal conversations. Here is an example for
every preacher and pastor today. Reading Christian biography is a means not
only for pastors but for all believers to be guided in a closer walk with God.
This is certainly true of books written about the life of M’Cheyne.
The biography of M’Cheyne by David P. Beaty is well
written. It reveals afresh the source of M’Cheyne’s blessings: a holy, prayerful
dependence on the Savior. I can heartily recommend this new bio-graphy of M’Cheyne.
Not only for person who never read a biography of M’Cheyne before but also for
them that know already quite a lot about him. Reading anew about M’Cheyne will stimulate
to pursue God in our age.
David P. Beaty, An All-Surpassing Fellowship:
Learning from Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s Communion with God, Reformation
Heritage Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2014; ISBN 9781601783158;
pb. 164 pp., price $15,--