Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843): a study of an early nineteenth century Scottish Evangelical
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Date
1957Author
Yeaworth, David Victor
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Abstract
The shortness of McCheyne's life gave rise to the opportunity
to go into it more thoroughly than might have been
expedient had he lived fifty years longer, as many of hie
friends did. Because of an abundance of information regarding
his youth, it was felt to be advisable in CHAPTER I to
lay a solid foundation by showing his normal boyhood, full
of childish humor and pranks, giving special attention to the
moulding factors of home, school and church. CHAPTER II
depicts his conversion, being the watershed or his experience,
and goes on to describe his spiritual development and theological
preparation. CHAPTER III attends to his personal
devotional life, being the driving force of his ministry.
CHAPTERS IV and V relate to his work as a pastor and preacher,
leading, to CHAPTERS VI and VII which describe his activity in
missionary endeavor and in the Awakening or 1839-43. CHAPTER
VIII is devoted to his participation in the controversial and
ecclesiastical affairs which faced the Church' prior to the
Disruption.
In short, the purpose of this thesis is to portray McCheyne
as a typical Evangelical minister--not merely a "saint" but a
ran. whoso spark was an intense spirituality, and yet whose
human involvements were sane and well balanced. An attempt
was made to place him in history, showing the surrounding
influences of his friends and teachers, and some of the prevailing
customs and habits of the Church's work and worship.
In this regard, more than a passing allusion to those personalities and customs (e.g. Chalmers and "fencing the tables")
was felt to be vital in a comprehensive presentation of
McCheyne. At the same time, the language and expressions
used by McCheyne, being typical of Evangelicalism, were not
felt to be in need of explanation.