Philip Vickers Fithian Book

This biography of Robert Murray M'Cheyne (a pastor who lived in the early 1800's) was written by his friend Andrew Bonar. It is a beautiful biography of a life that started out hard and was gradually transformed into an incredible example of Christ like humility and love.

The first few chapters started slow. But when the book picks up, almost every page has something to learn or think about. A few of my favorite quotes:

When writing to a student about studying the Bible, "Never see the face of man till you have seen His face, who is our life, our all."

"If thou meanest to enlarge thy religion [life of faith], do it rather by enlarging thine ordinary devotions than thy extraordinary." The biographer goes on to say that this advice describes very accurately the plan of spiritual life on which M'Cheyne acted... "the real secret of his soul's prosperity lay in the daily enlargement of his heart in fellowship with his God."

"During his years in Dundee, he often rode out in an afternoon to the ruined church of Invergowrie, to enjoy and hour's perfect solitude; for he felt meditation and prayer to be the very sinews of his work."

And scattered throughout this book are little gems like "May God make the Word fire." "He wished to be always in the presence of God." "Lord, wean me from my sins, my cares, and from this passing world. May Christ be all in all to me."

I especially loved the section about his trip with his eventual biographer to Palestine. It was so well written I felt I was right there, in the burning heat of the day and the frigidness of night.

He made the Bible his life, often entertaining himself by making poems and memory games so he could remember things, like the different duties assigned to the Priests in the Old Testament.

A few of the "to-do" sections I marked to try to incorporate in my own life I learned from his personal reformation reflections:
1. "I ought to have a stated day of confession, with fasting--say, once a month."
2. "I ought to have a number of scriptures marked, to bring sin to remembrance."
3. "I must never think a sin too small to need immediate application to the blood of Christ."
4. "I ought to have a number of Scriptures ready, which lead my blind soul directly to Christ, such as Isaiah 45, Romans 3."

This book is a definite keep, take notes on, and re-read at least once a year. It is very encouraging while at the same time being very convicting, while always keeping the focus on Christ.