But it must not be supposed that the abundance of Mr. McDonald’s labors
as a preacher prevented him from giving attention to study. Far from
it. His intellect was too strong and too vigorous to rest. His pen was
ever busy. He was profoundly read in philosophy. He was deeply versed in
ancient and ecclesiastical history. He excelled in Biblical exegesis. No
superficial thinker was he. The pen of no one but a master could produce
his treatises on “The Millennium,” “Baptism,” and “The Plan of
Salvation.” He greatly admired the Hebrew and Greek languages. The
Psalms of David, Isaiah’s Prophecies, and Solomon’s Songs were his
delight. He was a graceful writer of English verse, an excellent singer,
and played well on the flute. He published several collections of his
poems and hymns. In the later years of his life one of his hymns was
always sung at every service, set to some wild strain of his native
Scotland, such as “The Campbells are coming,” or “The Banks and Braes o’
Bonny Doon.”
To say that Mr. McDonald was faultless, would be to say that he was more
than human. To say that, as a great moral reformer, he had no enemies,
would be to say that he was a toady and a time-server. He was a brave
man. He had strong self-reliance, and still stronger faith in God. He
attacked vices with giant blows. Woe to the opponent who crossed his
pathway! He had rare conversational powers. His spirits were always
good. He knew the circumstances of every family in his widely-scattered
flock, and remembered the names of all the children. He had no certain
dwelling-place, no certain stipend, and bestowed all he got on works of
charity. He was rather below medium height, stout, and powerfully built.
He was hale and vigorous-looking to the last. His dress, appearance, and
manners always bespoke the cultured Christian gentleman. He was never
married.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account