Appendix II: Reminiscences of Mr. Milne, by One of His Elders
I became a member of Mr. Milne’s congregation before the Disruption, and left Old St. Leonard’s, which had been the hallowed scene of many precious services, and of the revival under the late Mr. W. C. Burns, along with Mr. Milne, and the great body of the congregation, in 1843. I have known him from that time down to the present, and during a great portion of that time I knew him intimately, and had the privilege of being admitted to his confidence.
I wish now to state a few brief impressions regarding him.
fis Spirit and Aim. No one who was privileged to sit under Mr. Milne’s ministry, or meet him in private, could fail to be struck with his holy zeal and earnestness, The unhappy contrast, which so often is felt to exist between the spirit exhibited in the pulpit, and that exemplified in the private intercourse of life, did not apply to him. On the contrary, his spiritual life was so distinctly marked and vigorous, that it was impossible to be in his society, for however short a time, without being impressed with the conviction that you were holding communion with a holy man of God, whose walk was ‘a walk in the Spirit.’ This rendered his visits very precious, however brief, whether to those in health or in sickness. The writer has often felt stimulated and rebuked by a short visit, amounting to scarce more than a salutation, because of the spiritual savour which accompanied the few warm words he spoke. His Visits.
He greatly excelled in congregational visitation, and spent a large portion of time in this work. He knew all his people, old and young alike, thoroughly. When any were absent from church, he made it his business to inquire about them. As a general rule, every Sabbath evening was spent in visiting those unable to go to church from sickness; and if it proved to be from indisposition, however trifling, he almost invariably made it the occasion of a call. He seemed to attach great importance to this, as if it were with him a maxim, that where God in His providence was working in any special manner, it was his duty, as a worker together with Him, to be following hard after, to seize the opportunity of sowing precious seed in soil already prepared for it. No time was allowed to elapse between the knowledge of sickness and his calls. The iron was struck when the impression could best be made; the mould of the word was applied when the soul was most impressible. Many, in consequence, were brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus in this way, and God’s people found such visits very helpful. On one occasion, one of the members of his congregation was confined to bed by one of those short illnesses which operate as a withdrawal from the bustle of the world, so needful to save the soul from the crust
oi worldliness. Mr. Milne made a brief visit. Before leaving,
he quoted, without note or comment, that word, 1 Tim. iv. 6, only changing the ‘ she’ into ‘he:’ ‘ He that liveth in pleasure, is dead while he liveth.’ The word was felt to come with the power of the Spirit to the heart, being truly a word in season.
His mode of Confirming Young Christians.
He regarded it as a fundamental principle, that, in order to proper growth in the spiritual life, there must be work for Christ. He invariably, therefore, sought out some occupation for converts, according to their capacity. The Sabbath school, tract-distributing, visitation of the poor, or similar work, was
found for them; and he carefully kept his eye on them, giving
them all needful counsel and encouragement. Many in this way were trained up to become useful and confirmed Christians, and could testify, if necessary, to the benefits they thus received. The writer was early enlisted in this way, by Mr. Milne, as a Sabbath-school teacher; and he believes that, under God, this was the chief means of preventing him making shipwreck of faith amid the temptations incident to an anxious and harassing profession. The study required for the Sabbath school, from week to week, kept his mind in close and living contact with the word of God, and with God in Christ, the treasure hid in this field; and he cannot but thank God that he ever was invited by His departed servant to engage in this good work. His experience, however, is only, he is persuaded, that of many others.
fits Work in the Sabbath School.
He took a special interest in this department of Christian work. Before going to India, when his health was good, he almost daily visited the Sabbath school, often addressing the children, and frequently going from class to class, cheering the teachers and scholars alike, by his evident interest in their work, and by the seasonable words which fell from him.
His Session.
As he delighted in pastoral visitation, so he succeeded in getting his elders to perform a large amount of congregational visitation. They visited their districts before each quarterly communion, and, as far as circumstances permitted, conducted a religious service in each house by reading the Scriptures and engaging in prayer. They reported the result of their visitations quarterly; and at the meetings for this purpose it was very interesting to hear the reports, showing the variety that exists in human experience, and the value of watching for souls as they that must give account.1. When a difference of opinion arose on any point, he discouraged the idea of putting it to the vote, but got the session to allow it to stand over for consideration to another meeting, at which unanimity was generally secured,
His Pulpit Work.
This was characterized by great warmth and earnestness. A predominant desire was the conversion of souls, especially in the early part of his ministry. The Lord seemed to lay this on his heart more than the edification of believers. As might be expected, his mode of handling divine truth was not ina cold or didactic manner, but in a warm and experimental way. He had a remarkable richness and variety of thought and expression, both in his sermons and prayers, and not seldom rose in both to the point of genuine eloquence. He had read
1 The Session agreed to the following heads of inquiry, to be put to the elders individually, at a special meeting to be held for the purpose previous to each quarterly communion : —
1st, Have you endeavoured to visit and converse with all under your charge as an elder since last communion?
2d. How are your visits generally conducted?
3d. Are there any in your district under suspension, and if so, what means have you employed for their recovery?
4th. Have you had occasion to know of any good being done in the way of awakening, conversion, or special upbuilding of God’s people?
Sie extensively; and having a good memory, he was never at a loss for an illustration. Some of these were of the most homely kind; but what would have looked vulgar or undignified as coming from some ministers, seemed appropriate after passing through his mental alchemy. On one sacramental season, when speaking of the Church’s desire for communion with Christ, he quoted the lines of a well-known ballad: ‘ His very foot has music in’t As he comes up the stair.’ y
His mind was cast in a decidedly poetical mould, and this was very apparent in all his services, not excepting his prayers, ’ in which his soul oft-times was carried away in soaring, rapturous flights, like the chariots of Ammi-nadib. He quoted freely from the sacred poets, both in his sermons and his prayers. The following lines amongst others were often quoted:
* And a heart at leisure from itself
To soothe and sympathize.’
‘ Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling,’
He used often to remark that ‘ Each man had his own stroke of work y that ‘A congregation was not unlike an hospital, and therefore the members should deal kindly and gently towards each other.’ Like other ministers, he had his favourite passages of Scripture. Wenotea few of his at random. The commendation of the Syrophenician, ‘O woman, great is thy faith!? The saying of the dying thief, ‘We indeed justly.’ That prayer, “O the Hope of Israel, why shouldst Thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?’ The promise, ‘I will make them, and the places round about my hill a blessing,’ etc,
flis Knowledge of Human Nature. He had a good insight into character, and combined the
‘It was exguisite; but he was horrified when reminded that he had been quoting ‘ There’s nae luck about the house.’
wisdom of the serpent with the harmlessness of the dove. He instinctively knew the men on whom he could rely. He knew how to bear with the infirmities of those who were weak; and this he would do over a period of years, and at last conquer by love. In this respect he often acted towards the wayward as John Newton dealt with Scott the commentator, and at last had his reward. One of his members and office-bearers was of a rather prosaic turn of mind, and craved, above everything, a didactic, exegetical exposition of Scripture. He often complained to Mr. Milne that he failed in this respect, and these complaints were listened to without the slightest irritation, and so far from leading to estrangement, laid the foundation of lasting friendship. So far from discouraging the statement of his diffictilties, he encouraged it, knowing that, whether well or ill-founded, they were honest. Let one example serve for all. On one occasion the person referred to said to Mr. Milne, ‘ When you select a text from the prophets you often divide it into heads, and proceed to expound it without explaining the context. I can’t listen with any profit to such a discourse. I must see that the foundation is properly laid before the superstructure is laid.’ Mr. Milne gently answered, ‘ But, my friend, there should be that bond of confidence between a minister and his people that they will trust him that he has studied the context, and that he gives them the result in his sermon.’ The reply was, ‘I beg your pardon, but I cannot subscribe to this doctrine. A minister is the ambassador of Christ. He should show his credentials, which he can only do when he clearly opens up his Master’s commission; and woe then to the man that refuses to listen to his message!’ Mr. Milne tapped him on the shoulder, and, with the utmost frankness and kindness, said, ‘ You are quite right, friend; you are quite right.’
His Removal.
His removal has caused a great blank in Perth. He was the centre of all evangelistic movements there, and a bond of se reunion among all Christians, smoothing away difficulties, and bringing them together. His loss is universally deplored, and many and deep are the regrets that we shall see his face no more.
Ts
MRS. MILNE’S MEMOIR.
We should gladly have given the whole of the interesting record of the first Mrs. Milne’s deathbed, but we can only find room for the closing pages : —
A few days before, she had said to her friend, Miss Sandeman, ‘I feel willing to go for myself now, but how shall I bid them all farewell, and how will they stand it?’ Miss S. advised her not to burden herself with such thoughts, but to trust that the Lord, who had done so much for her already, would care for her to the last. This comforted her; and her joyful smile, always when taking leave of us, showed how her confidence was not misplaced. Once John said to her, ‘We shall miss you very much, but you shall not miss us.” She calmly replied, ‘No; I don’t think it? He said, ‘I just hope not to be long after you.’ She replied sweetly, ‘ Well, you know I cannot now be anxious that you should be very long left.’ The thought of leaving her baby never seemed to disturb her. Once, when she heard him crying, she looked up, and said sweetly, ‘ My little lamb bleating;’ adding, with a smile, ‘but I doubt I’ll not be his dam” On one occasion, when speaking of unbelief, it was remarked, What a dreadful sin it is! She replied, ‘Yes, we see that when it is past, such presumption for a worm to doubt the Creator, Towards evening she said to her husband, ‘ You will return thanks to the people for their prayers, for I feel I have been much indebted to them.’ At one time John said, ‘ You feel quite easy.’ She said, ‘ Yes, very easy; but it is not always so easy, it is just in keeping with all the rest of His dealings tome.’ She delighted to recount her mercies, and said, ‘It was kindness to let me come home, when I had such a wish for it.’ A little later in the evening she asked to have read to her a passage out of Welwood’s Glimpse of Glory, and was able to listen with enjoyment to many pages of it. When asked if she was not tired, she said, ‘Oh no; if mamma is not tired, I think it is very cheering.’ Some time after she asked for it again, and seemed to enjoy it much. She said, ‘It is just my supper.’ When told next day was Sabbath, she said, ‘It is long since I had a comfortable Sabbath here.’ Then, alluding to the near approach of the communion, she added, ‘ By the time your communion comes, I’ll be drinking the new wine of the kingdom.’ At another time, when the Sabbath was spoken of, she said, with great animation, ‘ Oh, I wish we could all spend it on high!’ and again, she said, ‘I dare say you will often be envying me.’ The same night she said, ‘I am the best off to-night, for we are all very wearied; but this will be my last bad night” After lying quiet, she said, ‘I’ll be going home, after all, to-night, and I am not sorry to go home.’ We repeated many passages, to which she smiled assent, and often finished them herself. With an emphasis we can never forget, she said, ‘I will trust, and not be afraid, for the Lord Fehovah is my strength and my song. Also, ‘To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.’ She began to repeat, ‘ He gives the conquest to the weak;” and when we said, ‘O death, where is thy sting!’ she took it up, and added, ‘Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory ;? and again, when we repeated, ‘I am my Beloved’s, and His desire is towards me,’ she said, over again, ‘Is towards me.’ After dozing a minute or two, she started up, and said, ‘Who is to go with me?’ We said, ‘Jesus is with you, dear,’ which quite satisfied her, and she quietly lay down again. She often said, ‘I am ashamed of my unbelief;’ and when reminded of the verse, ‘That thou mayest be ashamed, and never open thy mouth any more, etc., she said, ‘I must just take this sin and lay it where all my others are.’ She had before this sent a message to one of her
1 a OS ae ca cer on particular friends, when I said, ‘I would deliver it.’ She said, “Oh yes, and you will tell her what I have been feeling; but don’t make too much of it, as if there had been anything wonderful about me.’ I said, ‘Hs dealings have been wonderful to you.’ ‘Oh yes,’ she replied; ‘you can’t make too much of fits dealings to me.’ After this she said, ‘I feel getting very weak, and in a few minutes I think I shall not be able to speak; you’ll explain it to John when he comes in? [Her husband had left the room to rest for a little.] In a little while she added, ‘I think I’ll soon be going now, and I am not able to speak, only J am with T, hee, as Miss Sandeman always says.’ Adding, as she turned round, with sweet consideration, ‘ Tell that to Mary.’ In a minute or two she again said to me, ‘ Come, dear, I think I am just entering, say, “When thou passest through the waters,” and perhaps I’ll. be over before you have finished.’ At another time she said, ‘Do you think I am in the dark valley? for, if I am, there is not a dark spot in it at all And again she said, ‘Remember, if you love me, you are not to mourn for me.’ Once, when much exhausted, John said to her, ‘ Jesus will soon come and carry you safe home.’ ‘Oh!’ she said, ‘if I was once fairly off earth, I know I would not be long.’ At another time her husband came into the room as we were giving her a little restorative; she turned to him and said, ‘I was feeling a little nervous as if I would cry.’ John, fearing she was troubled in mind, said to her, ‘ But Jesus will keep you.” ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘it is only bodily; I have nothing now to do with preparation for the journey; my clothes are all ready,’ alluding to the casement of salvation with which she was adorned. A little after twelve o’clock at night John said, ‘The Sabbath is begun now,’ When she replied, with emphasis, Ah, endless Sabbath!’ During the night she had a season of quiet triumph, which seemed to inspire her with new strength. She exclaimed, ‘ Oh, I cannot tell you what I feel! I am not able to speak to tell you what God is tome. Oh, Jove Him, ¢rust Him, serve Him !? Then, raising her hand, she continued, ‘ He is just bearing me up on
To
eagle’s wings.’ One of us was inclined to lose composure, and was reminded any sound might disturb her; upon which she smiled brightly, and said, ‘Oh, nothing can disturb me just now; I feel the everlasting arms are behind me’ With an emphasis we can never forget, she repeated —
‘Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my heart, my LIFE, my all.’
Some one said to her, ‘ You would not change with any one just now, Robina?’ ‘Oh, no !? was her joyful reply; ‘I would not change with all the kings of Europe. It’s worth being born just to die, that I might see this; and it’s grand.’ After this she said, ‘I feel quite revived and strengthened with this.’ John said, ‘ Grace is sustaining even your body; grace is keeping you from dying.’ With a sweet smile she replied, ‘It is all the same, if I enjoy heaven upon earth.’ After this she was quiet for some time, but was still able to hear and often to repeat some favourite texts. Once she repeated that one, ‘I knew that thou wouldst deal very treacherously, and be called a transgressor from the womb;’ adding, ‘I like chaz’ Another that was often on her lips was that, ‘Into Thy hands I commit my spirit, for Thou hast regarded me, O Lord God of truth’ On Sabbath morning she had a season of intense suffering. Her bodily agony from suffocation was dreadful to witness; and, at the same time, her great enemy, knowing that his time was short, was seeking to wound her sorely with his fiery darts. ‘Oh!’ she cried, ‘this is a sore disappointment.’ We repeated, ‘Underneath -are the everlasting arms.’ She said, ‘Oh, I trust they are; but I don’t feel them. Oh, pray for light; pray that He would come quickly for me.’ While we were praying, she cried out in anguish, ‘ It is an empty cry; it will never reach.’ She was reminded how God’s own Son had been left to cry, ‘My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?’ but her bitter reply was, ‘ But He was God.’ This suffering continued some time, and her mind seemed quite settled for some time after, from the severe agony through which she had passed. Afterwards she said, ‘Oh, I am really ashamed of all this; I did not understand it.’ She spoke of it as a dreadful conflict, an awful time, and said, ‘I thought everything was to be annihilated; it would have been relief to have felt sure even that there was a hell. I felt as if time and eternity, heaven and hell, were all melting into nothing. It was an awful struggle, and I got quite confused. Oh! I am very much ashamed.’ John said to her, ‘ Jesus is not ashamed of you.’ ‘Well,’ she said, ‘I hope not; but Iam very much ashamed of myself.” She wandered a good deal after this, and seemed much confused at the remembrance of the past conflict, but with sweet lucid intervals. John said to her, ‘ You love Jesus.’ ‘Oh, yes!’ she said; ‘1 love Him very much,’ He again said, ‘He is precious to you.” ‘Oh!’ she quickly replied, ‘ He is very precious.’ She was very anxious to have her mind cleared up in reference to what had perplexed her; but when we said, ‘Never mind; just wait a little, and you will understand all about it in heaven,’ she sweetly replied, “Oh, very well; I can wait if I will know about it in heaven.’ Once she laid her hand on her head, and said, ‘Oh, I have done very wrong.’ We repeated, ‘ He that is washed, needeth not save to wash his feet,’ which seemed quite to soothe her. Shortly after, in full consciousness, she said, ‘Wondrous views I have got;’ and again she said, ‘Oh, I am ashamed of my presumption.’ Then, bending her hand, she said, ‘My soul was just bent over with presumption.” She was much exhausted, but said, ‘I don’t think I can get any more sleep; but I will soon be where I’ll not need to rest day nor night.’ Often there was much sweetness even in her wanderings, as on one occasion she insisted on having us all before her, that she might show us a treasure; and then, with a smile, said, ‘Some of them have been much troubled to-day with unbelief, and I want to give them a sight of Christ.’ At another time she said, ‘I was nearly across, and I saw one who had got on wonderfully well.’ When asked who it was, she replied, ‘I
think it was Mrs. Milne.’ Another time she fancied she had been at Bethany, telling us it was just across the hill. John remarked to her, ‘ Jesus loved Martha, and Mary, and Lazarus, though Martha had some idols.’ ‘Oh!’ she said ‘ everybody has something — husband, or bairns, or something.’ John said, ‘You have been taught to say, “What have I to do with idols?” and in heaven there will be no idols;’ to which her peaceful smile was a sufficient reply. Shortly after, she said to John, ‘ Did you think I would get deliverance in that dreadful struggle?’ He replied, ‘ Yes; I was sure of it.’ ‘ Where from?’ she quickly inquired. ‘From the Lord, was his reply. ‘Oh, yes!’ she said, quite satisfied; ‘I was afraid of any presumptuous trust.’ After this she was not able to speak much, but could repeat verses, word by word, after John. Amongst others: ‘ Fear not, for I have redeemed thee.’ ‘This God is our God; He will be our guide even unto death.’ After some pause, she very slowly, and word by word, said, ‘ If-He — had not — given — Himself — for — me, — I — am — sure — I — never — would — have — given — myself — to — Him;’ and these were nearly her last conscious words. After she was speechless, she took up her handkerchief, looked stedfastly on it, as if she saw some beauty she was unable to describe, and constantly turned round her face, lighted up with heavenly joy, as if to invite those round her to share in her peace. John stooped down, and repeated, ‘The robe of righteousness, clean linen, which is the righteousness of the saints;’ to which she sweetly smiled assent. Often she looked round, recognising each with her well-known smile; then would lift her eyes upward, and smile again, as John remarked, ‘It was now the little child putting her hand on the cockatrice den.’ She never spoke again; and, at twelve o’clock noon, she entered into that rest for which she had so longed, and for which, through grace, she was made so meet.
LN;