Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

or, Mac Ian’s Fatal Mistake

HOW often we find the sad consequences of delay recorded in history, and how many cases could be cited to illustrate the fact that procrastination is one of man’s worst enemies.

We might fill a volume in recording instances where many lives have been thrown away because somebody was behind time. But I think we could not find any incident more striking than that which brought about the “massacre of Glencoe.”

Glencoe is one of the wildest and most dreary valleys in all the west of Scotland; mists hang continually over its grey and barren rocks, and the uplifted voice of the tempest and the weird cry of the wild bird are the only sounds that break the stillness.

This wild district was inhabited by a proud and brave clan, named the Macdonalds, of Glencoe. In the reign of William and Mary the chief of this clan was an old man named Mac Ian: he was a rugged Highlander, with a spirit almost as untameable as the storms which so often raged about his home.

Mac Ian, like most of the Highland chiefs, sympathised with James II., who had been dethroned because of his adherence to Popery.

The Earl of Breadalbane had been appointed Governor of Scotland, and on him fell the work of bringing about a peaceful settlement with these Highland chiefs; but he was hated by them, and many difficulties arose between him and them until it seemed almost impossible that his purpose could be carried out.

While things were in this state, the English Government issued a proclamation calling upon all rebel chiefs to take an oath of allegiance to King William before the first January, 1692, and declaring that all who failed to do so would be looked upon as traitors and treated accordingly.

All the chiefs took care to take the oath before the time appointed, but Mac Ian, who, in the pride of his heart, imagined that it would be a fine thing to be the last to submit. Accordingly, he put off doing so until the 31st of December, when he presented himself at Fort William. To his dismay he was told he must go to Inverary, as only a magistrate could receive the oath, and there was none nearer. Then, for the first time, the awful folly of his vanity dawned upon him, for Inverary was six days journey from Fort William, and between the two places lay rugged mountains, snow clad and almost impassable. In his desparation the poor old man set out for Inverary, and reached that place on the 6th of January.

The day of grace was passed — he was behind time, and when the Governor of Scotland heard that he had not submitted at the appointed time, he determined on the destruction of the whole clan.

Treachery and infamy marked the carrying out of this order, it is true; but it never could have happened had not Mac Ian put off his submission until it was too late.

Early on the morning of February 13th the work of slaughter began. Many of the Macdonalds were slain in their beds, and their chief paid the penalty of his folly by being one of the first to fall.

Let not this sad story from Glencoe’s dreary valley of weeping be lost upon us. Let us not forget that procrastination brought about all the desolation and death that was witnessed there on that fatal 13th of February and, while we think of all this, let us remember that the loss of a soul is an infinitely greater loss than merely that of life, for the one is for eternity and the other only for time; and yet we know that many have lost their souls and heaven for ever because they madly put off the question until it was too late.

Hear me out, for these things deeply concern you. God has sent forth a proclamation concerning His beloved Son. He has exalted Him to the highest place in heaven, and just as the Highland chiefs could only have peace by bowing to King William, so now, sinners can only have peace with God by bowing to the Lord Jesus Christ. For all who do bow there is forgivensss and eternal heaven, but for all who refuse there is nothing but the devouring fire of everlasting judgment. It is now the day of grace, and in long suffering mercy God is lingering over a rebellious world, and you may own Jesus as Lord and Saviour to-day; but remember, IT MAY BE TOO LATE TO-MORROW. A man once told me that he would never bow to Jesus, but he will, in spite of his foolish pride of heart which made him speak thus; for God has so decreed.

Breadalbane, who had to bring about the subjection of the chiefs, was hated by them all, and this, no doubt, kept Mac Ian from submitting sooner. But there is no reason why you should not submit to Jesus, for He is all love, and has proved His love by dying for us, while we were enemies of God.

I would beseech you not to let this love of Jesus — so wonderfully proved at Calvary — be in vain as far as you are concerned; but bow your knee to Him, trust Him as your Saviour, and confess that He alone has a right to you. Then, washed from your sins by His precious blood, you will be ready for the glory of God, and you will have no fear of being too late for the blessing and heaven.

How fearful will be the awakening of those whose love for the world has kept them away from Christ until the day of grace is passed! Alas! there will be many of this class. When the door of mercy is closed, they will stand outside with sorrow-charged hearts, begging for admittance; but there will be no mercy then! In righteousness that awful word “depart” will sound from within, blasting all their false hopes and sealing their eternal doom. Oh! look about you! See the danger of delay. Flee now to Christ.
“All things are ready, Come!
   To-morrow may not be;
 O sinner, come, the Saviour waits
   This hour to welcome thee!”