He Exhorts His Fellow Sinners

A portion of a letter by James Haldane to his ten year-old daughter, Elizabeth. He and his friend, John Campbell, were away preaching in the northern part of Scotland. He told her about a man that had been converted on a previous trip they had made to the north, who had lost both his hands "by the going off of a gun." This convert was most thankful for the goodness of God in sparing his life that he might come to know Christ. The letter was written June 22, 1805.

He was brought to a knowledge of the truth, by a sermon of Mr. Campbell's, the last time we were north. We did not find him at home, but just as we were setting off, after dinner, he came running to see us, and appears to be very happy in waiting for the coming of Jesus. He occasionally exhorts his fellow-sinners, and sometimes holds out his arms, and calls their attention to the goodness of God, in not allowing him to die when he was ignorant of Christ.

The Lives of Robert and James Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, first published in 1852, reprinted by The Banner of Truth, 1990, p. 349.

I Love All Good Men of All Descriptions

A portion of a letter written by Charles Simeon of Cambridge, to James Haldane of Scotland. The two were close friends though of different denominations. Simeon was an Anglican and Haldane a Baptist. They had differences between them but appreciated one another and sometimes ministered together in the gospel. Ministers in the Established Church, whether Anglican in England or Presbyterian in Scotland, were not generally favorable to itinerant or lay preachers, as were the dissenters. Simeon was not of that mind and expressed his opinion in this letter, written April 13, 1798.

With respect to your excursion, I am far from having entertained the opinion you suppose. I must acknowledge that I think immortal souls of such value, that I should rejoice if all the Lord’s people were prophets. With respect to regularity, propriety, etc., the most godly men in all ages have differed in their judgment; and I find it so difficult precisely to draw the line in any case of my own, that I do not presume to judge for others. Some think they may eat meat, and others not; I neither judge nor despise, but leave all to their own Master. We certainly must not do MORAL evil, that good may come. But if mercy and sacrifice stand in opposition to each other, we may choose mercy; and if David and his men be fainting with hunger, they may eat the forbidden bread. I love all good men of all descriptions, and rejoice in the good they do, whether they do it in my way or not. I think for myself and act for myself, and leave others to do the same.

The Lives of Robert and James Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, first published in 1852, reprinted by The Banner of Truth, 1990, p. 197.

The More We Understand the Gospel

A selection from a letter by James A. Haldane to his friend, Colonel Anderson. He wrote an encouraging word about the blessings of the gospel. The letter was written September 1, 1849.

The more we understand the Gospel, the more clearly do we see its adaptation to our circumstances, at once excluding boasting, and enabling us to joy in God through Jesus Christ, by whom we have also received the atonement. We are exalted in Christ’s righteousness…

Considered in ourselves, we are alienated from the life of God, through the darkness and ignorance that is in us; but in Christ we are washed, and sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. We were at first created in the image of God, but by the disobedience of our first father we lost that image; but it is restored in Christ, and His appearance for us at the right hand of God gives us the assurance of the enjoyment of every spiritual and heavenly blessing.

May you continue to enjoy much of the consolation that is in Christ, and continue to be eminently useful in the important sphere in which the Lord has placed you...

The Lives of Robert and James Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, first published in 1852, reprinted by The Banner of Truth, 1990, pp. 680-81.

The Infidel's Error is in the Heart

A selection from a letter by James A. Haldane to Captain Patrick Gardner, a friend in his days as a sailor. Prior to his conversion, Haldane himself was in command of the ship, Melville Castle. In those days he undertook a careful study of the Bible and was convinced that it was God’s Word. He later became a preacher of the gospel and a successful author to the surprise of all who had known him. In this portion of the letter, he speaks of the strength of the evidences which confirm the Christian faith. The letter was written June 29, 1801.

The more I read [the Bible] the more worthy it appeared of God; and after examining the evidences with which Christianity is supported, I became fully persuaded of its truth. There is no man who considers the evidences with the smallest impartiality but must come to the same conviction. Even Rousseau admits the strength of the evidence, but he says he remains in suspense, because there are many doctrines which he thinks unworthy of God. In other words, he will not submit his pride of understanding to a book which himself allows is supported by the strongest evidence as coming from God. This suspense is now over [Rousseau died in 1778], and neither he nor any other man shall be able to complain they have been hardly dealt with. The Infidel, whether by profession or practice, shall be convinced they meet with no more than they deserve. The error lies in their heart, not in their understanding; they choose the darkness; they determine to live in sin, and they persuade themselves while here, being blinded by passion, they shall escape punishment.

The Lives of Robert and James Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, first published in 1852, reprinted by The Banner of Truth, 1990, pp. 71-72.

The Proofs of Our Having Been Christians

A selection from a letter by James A. Haldane to his aunt, upon hearing of the sudden death of her husband. In writing to comfort her, he commented on the necessity of godly living so as to be prepared for that day when we shall all stand before the Lord. The letter was written August 14, 1804:

I should wish constantly to connect every word I speak and every action I perform with the judgment-seat of Jesus, for according to our words and actions we shall stand or fall. The holiness of our lives, our deadness to the world, and all that is in it, our constant pressing forward to win Christ, and to be found in Him; esteeming everything else but loss and dung; sacrificing to this great object every inclination of our corrupt nature, and every consideration which would for a moment divert our attention from Christ, these and these alone will in the great day of God be the proofs of our having been Christians. If we be risen with Christ, let us seek the things that are above. Yes, we shall infallibly do so, for in that case we must have the spirit of Christ, and where the spirit of Christ dwells there will be conformity to him, whose whole heart and affections were constantly fixed on his heavenly Father.

The Lives of Robert and James Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, first published in 1852, reprinted by The Banner of Truth, 1990, p. 345.

Which Church to Join

A portion of a letter by Rev. James Haldane to his son who had recently moved to London. He encouraged him to find the best church and to join it. The letter was written in 1822.

I should wish you to be connected with that Church in which most of the religion of Jesus was exemplified, where the deepest impressions of the value of your soul, and the importance of eternity, the riches of the love of God, the freeness of His salvation, and the glory and beauty of holiness should be maintained in your heart, where you would have fewest temptations to conformity to this present evil world, and where the doctrine you heard was most scriptural and impressive.

The Lives of Robert and James Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, first published in 1852, reprinted by The Banner of Truth, 1990, p. 379.

Live for Eternity

A selection from a letter by James A. Haldane to his ten year old daughter, Elizabeth, written while he was away on a preaching trip, June 22, 1805:

Several young people are under much concern about eternal things. May the Lord, my love, manifest His glory to you, as he does not to the world…I am sorry to hear you have been unwell, but hope you are better, and that the Lord will make the illness useful to you. Our life is but a vapour. Let us live for eternity.

The Lives of Robert and James Haldane, by Alexander Haldane, first published in 1852, reprinted by The Banner of Truth, 1990, pp. 349-50.