The Rev. Lachlan Mackenzie (1754-1819)

In my last post, I wrote about the sermons of the Rev. George Hill (DD) and how he was an amiable man who preached calm, reassuring sermons. I suspect that George Hill was an unconverted, moderate minister. His sermons contained references to the gospel of Christ, but the Gospel was never preached nor were his hearers ever urged to make their calling and election sure.

I have now read two sermons by the Rev. Lachlan Mackenzie that were collected in a book entitled, Sermons Preached at Lochcarron (1849). Mr Mackenzie’s ministry was contemporary to that of the Rev. George Hill. The difference between the sermons of George Hill and those of Mr Mackenzie is great. I understand that Mr Mackenzie was an Evangelical minister in a largely moderate presbytery. He was well aware that there were many unconverted ministers in Scotland who preached moral sermons and minimised the necessity of the new birth. He once compared the number of ministers in Scotland in his day to the number of locusts that God had sent to Egypt during the plagues of Exodus. He was not sure which of the two groups was the more destructive.

Mr Mackenzie was in earnest. He understood from the Scripture that we humans became, by means of the fall into sin though Adam, enemies of God and subject to sin and death. He believed God’s testimony regarding His son, Jesus Christ. He urged people not to be content with all the outward appearance of Christianity in Scotland. He did not want them to be content that they were neither gross malefactors nor religious enthusiasts. He called his hearers to a right understanding of their sin, their danger of hell, and how these miseries might be escaped through faith in Jesus Christ. He called people to seek the new birth from God; to call out for mercy while it might be found. He showed his hearers that the Son of God had come to die for his people, and those for whom Jesus died and rose again are revealed as they are brought to faith in Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit.

In short, Mr Mackenzie did not preach calming sermons. He did not mention the gospel in passing. His aim was to preach the Gospel and apply it to the heart, mind and conscience of his hearers. This was his main aim in the two sermons that I have read so far. I do not expect this aim to change as I continue through his book of sermons.