None Other Name: Daily Devotional Readings from 19th Century Scottish Ministers, Leen J. van Valen, ed. (Stornoway: Reformation Press, 2020), 394 pages.
In 1843 the large majority of evangelical Christians in the Church of Scotland ended their ties to the establishment with the civil government. Historically this is known as the Disruption and is the event that gave rise to the name “Free Church of Scotland.” Special care was taken to articulate the fact that this was not the formation of a new church or denomination, nor was it the formation of a new doctrine or confession. Rather, because of the Scriptural teaching enshrined in its Confession of Faith and constitution, the evangelicals saw it necessary to depart from the usurpation of Christ’s authority by the civil government. Many principles were at play, not least of which was the right understanding of the authority belonging to the church and the authority belonging to the state. In the ten years leading up to the Disruption, there were many pamphlets and sermons published and circulated addressing the principles violated by the abuses of the civil magistrate.
While it is true that there was particular focus upon the doctrines of government, civil and ecclesiastical, we ought never forget that the overwhelming emphasis of the men who came out was that of Christ and him crucified. Like their forefathers before them in the covenanting struggle of the seventeenth century, and in the reforming struggle of the sixteenth, the fathers of the Free Church of Scotland were preeminently preachers of the gospel. The record of their writings and printed sermons as well as their biographies unambiguously displayed that the essence of the Free Church was Jesus Christ and him crucified.
While we hope that the many works of men like M’Cheyne, Bannerman, and the Bonar brothers have wide circulation, we also realize that not everyone has time or energy to commit to an in-depth reading of all of their works. We are grateful to note that there is a helpful resource now available to keep before us the earnest focus of our forefathers. None Other Name: Daily Devotional Readings from the 19th Century Scottish Ministers, by Leen J. van Valen brings together a curated selection of some of the finest examples of this focus. It does so in a unique way. The words “daily devotional” likely awaken different thoughts in different people. For many it brings forth ideas of sentimental niceties that are clothed in pious, but insubstantial language. Yet other devotionals are full of rich and edifying material, savoring of the fragrance of Christ. This volume is quite clearly the latter.
As every daily devotional, the book is laid out according to days of the calendar. The book itself is unique in its approach. Each month’s readings are from a particular Free Church minister from the 1800’s. For instance, all of January’s readings are from Robert Murray M’Cheyne, while all of February’s are from Alexander Moody Stuart.
This book delightfully collects readings from a number of well-known and lesser-known Free Church ministers. Dedicating each month to a particular minister, the readings are taken from a variety of sources but, most commonly, sermons. This provides a particular tone to the work. It is not devotional in the sentimental sense often linked to the term. It is full and robust of orthodox truth heralded and applied searchingly to the conscience, both to convict and to comfort. Moreover, the particular truths filling this volume are those most intimately associated with the person and work of Christ.
In order of months of the year, we have selections from M’Cheyne, Alexander Moody Stuart, Horatius Bonar, James Buchanan, Andrew Bonar, Hugh Martin, Rabbi Duncan, Chalmers, John Kennedy, Charles Mackintosh, Jonathan Ranken Anderson, and Robert Candlish. Many of these names are familiar, though some may be shadows to us, while others still may be largely unknown.
Each of these men had their strengths and weaknesses. By the grace of God, one clear strength shared by each of them was their exceptionally clear and faithful, searching and pastoral witness to the person and work of Christ. This collection highlights that emphasis very well. As the preface notes, “It is an outstanding characteristic of this material that these men assigned a preeminent place to the person and the work of Jesus Christ. Each with his own individual way of expression, they sought to put Christ at the centre of their ministry. When we consider the works in this light, the title of this book expresses its rich content: None other name.”
Each month begins with a very brief introduction to the particular minister from whose writings the selections are taken. This allows sufficient familiarity to have our basic questions answered. Additionally, each introduction identifies the main source material for the readings. While this does not provide all the details of each individual selection, it gives the main source, allowing for the reader to take up the larger work at another. Also, should the reader wish to learn more of the given minister, a biography or two are identified in the introduction to assist for further reading.
The work contains one selection per day of the year. Each of these average about one page in length. Beginning with a passage from Scripture (King James Version), usually related to the source material of the selection, a self-contained portion for the day’s reading is presented to us. Most of the daily readings can be read in about one minute, certainly, for the average reader no more than two minutes. Thus, they are very brief. However, they are very full and evocative of pious thoughts and desires for Christ. It is beyond the scope of this recommendation to give many quotations. However, consider the following three excerpts as illustrative of the whole work. The first is taken from one well-known to us, Robert Murray M’Cheyne. The second is taken from one likely less known to many, Hugh Martin. The third is taken from one likely unknown to many, Charles Calder Mackintosh. Yet all hold forth the truth of Christ with great love for souls and help to all who will read.
From the reading for January 6 on Matthew 27:45 by Robert Murray M’Cheyne:
On the cross the wounds of Christ were the greatest outlets of his glory that ever were. The divine glory shone more out of his wounds than out of all his life before. The veil was then rent in twain, and the full heart of God allowed to stream through. It was a human body that writhed, pale and racked, upon the accursed tree…But oh, there was divine glory streaming through all! Every wound was a mouth to speak of the grace and love of God! Divine holiness shone through. What infinite hatred of sin was there when he thus offered himself a sacrifice without spot unto God…Divine love; every drop of blood that fell came as a messenger of love from his heart to tell the love of the fountain…
From the reading of June 5 on Matthew 12:41 by Hugh Martin:
My reader, when Jesus counsels you to repent and flee from the wrath to come, the exhortation comes from one—if we may reverently use, as we may with intense truth use, the saying—comes from one who knows what he is speaking of. Yes, he knoweth that wrath. The tears he sheds over lost souls are prompted, in part, by personal knowledge of the wrath whereinto they are plunging themselves.
From the reading of October 3 on 2 Peter 3:18 by Charles Calder Mackintosh:
Oh, believer, are you humbled because of your little growth in grace? Are you ashamed of the unsteadfastness of your walk with God? Would you live to God? Then aim increasingly at living by the faith of his Son. Then employ increasingly the blessed Spirit of all grace to show you the things that are Christ’s—the glory of his person, the preciousness of his blood, and the riches of his love.
The work has several possible uses. The obvious one is to read on a daily basis as a devotional. This is its primary purpose. It can be done with profit personally, however, these selections are brief enough that they may be read with the family as well, not as a replacement to family worship, but as a source of edifying thought. Additionally, it may be a kind gift to give to a Christian of any denominational affiliation as a beneficial source of daily meditation.
Related to this, the work would make an excellent introduction to the Free Church for those unfamiliar with her. While it will not be a comprehensive survey of its principles, sufferings, and constitution (there are other works for these purposes), it may prove to be one of the best introductions available. This is particularly true for our brethren who are currently opposed or apathetic toward considering historical or principial matters. In many ways it captures the very essence of what is most fundamental to the identity of the Free Church: the searching and comforting heralding of Christ. One can hope that reading these selections would lead people to consider more fully the wider witness and principles of our church. However, even if such does not occur, the work would still prove beneficial.
For others who have read the works of these men, there is no need of an introduction to them. However, the work would still be beneficial. We cannot always be reading the sermons of Chalmers or Moody Stuart. We cannot always be taking in the insightful and pastoral care of Rabbi Duncan and Andrew Bonar. However, this doesn’t mean we need to leave them entirely behind for large seasons of time. By reading this work, we will keep before us what makes us love these men most: their faithful witness to Christ. Read others and read much but consider adding this to your routine. As you do, you will find a constant reminder of the main focus of the Free Church then and now: Christ Jesus and him crucified.
