Hew Morrison Collection > Reminiscences of the life and labours of Dugald Buchanan, formerly teacher and evangelist at Rannock, Perthshire

86 REMIXISCEXCES OF DUGALD BUCHANAN.
himself, can such a power of sin be in any person who
is converted ? He was, he says, in greater trouble of
mind now, than at his first awakening. He wrote a
friend, to whom he unfolded his case. From the
reply he received he saw his error, and that his temp-
tation was sent because of the following reasons : —
Restraining prayer before God — to reprove his sloth and
security, and to teach him the danger of unwatchful-
ness. '' T saw that Satan allures me to the ways of
sill and folly, and then turns accuser. The only way
to overcome temptation is to resist the very beginnings
of sin in the heart. ' Resist the devil and he will
fiee from you.' "
From Nov. 1743 till March 1744, these troubles
remained. But about the beginning of March 1744,
the Lord began to restore his peace as a river. " But
I see," he says, " that no sooner one trouble goes, than
another comes in its room, and a greater."
August 1745. "The Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper being about to be dispensed in a neighbouring
congregation, I went there, and got a soul-refreshing
view of Christ at his own table, both in a way of cor-
rection and comfort, — these Scriptures being presented
to my view. Ezek. vi. 9 ; Amos ii. 13. At even-
ing I went to secret prayer ; and if ever I was sincere
in anything, it was in dedicating myself to the service
of God. Yea, I was made to believe that he accepted
me in the beloved ; therefore, I concluded that my
mountain stood strong, and that I should never be
moved. But little did I think, what storm was
coming, and what a journey I had to go before I was
to get another meal — no less than two whole years."