理.馬金多

Charles Henry Mackintosh 1820-1896

C. H. Mackintosh, 1820-96 早年蒙恩的生命  

  理。馬金多(CharlesH。Mackintosh),或被人簡稱為“C.H.M。”,于182010月出生在愛爾蘭威克洛郡的格倫馬魯爾兵營(Glenmalure Barracks of County Wicklow)。 父親是一位陸軍上尉。母親則是愛爾蘭著名世家韋爾頓女士(LadyWeldon)的女儿。在18歲那年,馬金多藉著姐姐的來信(當她悔改歸主后),經歷了屬靈的蘇醒;并藉著閱讀達秘(JNDarby)的作品,“圣靈的運作”(Operations of the Spirit),獲得心靈的平安。 

 

 馬金多重生得救,主要是藉著姐姐多次的來信(及達秘的作品)。這點對姐妹而言,是何等大的啟發和鼓勵。雖然按圣經的教導,姐妹不能在召會中公開講道或教導,但她們仍可在私下為主作見證,勸勉人信主,勉勵及造就圣徒。主也能使用這私下的事奉來成就大事。深愿姐妹們(弟兄也不例外)緊記這點,“私下的事奉,可比講台上的講道更具影響力”。也許你在私下所幫助的那人,就是“第二位馬金多”,一位將被神所重用的仆人!所以讓我們不要輕忽每一個私下事奉主的机會。  

投入教育的事工  

 年輕的馬金多喜歡閱讀,博覽群書,是位年少有為的青年。早在24歲那年(即1844年),他已在威斯泊特(Westport)開辦了一所學校,熱心地投入教育的工作。雖然他忙于教育工作,但他仍讓基督和他的圣工在生命中高居首位。在1853年,由于害怕他的學校和教育事工成為他生命中的主要興趣,所以馬金多為主坦然放棄這一切,全時間地事奉主。  

 馬金多的榜樣值得我們學習。世上有許多事(例如職業,嗜好,消遣等),以圣經的角度來看是合法的(lawfulorlegitimate),沒有圣經的禁止,例如從事教育的事工。可是一旦這些合法的事在我們的生命中占居首位,取代了主耶穌基督,控制了我們的生命時,我們必須立刻調整,甚至在情況需要時离棄它。這正是保羅所說的:“凡事我都可行,但不都有益處。凡事我都可行,但無論那一件,我總不受他的轄制”(林前6:12

從事寫作的事奉  

 与此同時,馬金多忙于書寫摩西五經的注解。經過多年的勞苦,他終于出版了六冊的“馬金多摩西五經注解”(NotesonthePentateuch)(從創世記至民數記各一冊,申命記則兩冊)。此著作充滿福音的精髓,強調“人在罪中的全面墮落,神在基督里的完美救贖”。這部卓越的著作已全被香港的基督徒閱覽室(現今改名為“福音書局”)翻譯成中文,并同樣以六冊出版,是所有信徒應讀之物。  此外,馬金多也寫了許多屬靈作品,例如“圣經:它的足夠性和优越性”;“基督的職事:過去,現在与將來”;“大衛的生平”;“禱告和禱告聚會”;“大使命:路24:44-49”;“基督徒的祭司職分”;“主的再來”及其他許多的文章。

 以上這些文章的題目足證他寫作的題目范圍甚廣。這些文章被收集在長達908頁的“馬金多文庫”(TheMackintoshTreasury)中。馬金多的作品,激起了許多信徒對圣經的興趣,幫助了許多圣徒更深入明白神的話語。甚至舉世聞名的美國大布道家慕迪(DLMoody)也宣稱:“(在幫助了解神的話語方面)是馬金多給我最大的影響。” 

 馬金多深知文字事工的重要,并設立了一本基督徒期刊(定期刊物),名為“新舊的東西”(ThingsNewandOld)。他作了這期刊的主編長達21年。此期刊把許多當代的屬靈作品和信仰精華借文字留給后人。現今的基督徒和召會也該效法馬金多的心志和榜樣,按主所賜的能力,投入寫作的事奉,設立基督徒的期刊,來把神賜于我們的話語傳給下一代,“交托那忠心能教導別人的人”(提后2:2)。  

公開講道的事奉 

 馬金多到了都柏林(Dublin)后,便開始公開講道的事奉。他放膽辯護神的福音,并極力宣揚神的真理,神也大大使用他的講道來造就許多圣徒。在1859-1860年, 當复興浪濤沖遍愛爾蘭時,他非常活躍与積極地參于。他是一位信心的偉人。他為神放棄前途光明的事業,全時間地事奉主,沒有固定的收入;但他經常見證說,神雖多次試驗他,卻從不讓他在生活需要上有所缺乏。 

多結果子的晚年

  在馬金多臨終前的最后4年,他住在切爾滕納姆(Cheltenham)。當他因著年邁而無法在講台上傳道時,他仍繼續寫作。他的著作在屬靈上,影響深遠。他不斷收到世界各地的信徒所寄來的信件,表明他們從他的作品,特別是摩西五經的注解中,獲益良多。  

  他于1843年寫了第一份單張,命名為“神的平安”。在1896年,在臨終前的几個月,他寫了最后一份單張,題目為“平安的神”。這點充分表明他屬靈的成長經歷,從認識神所賜的平安,進深到認識賜平安的神本身。所以讓我們也學習不但追求和認識神賜于我們的各樣恩賜,更力求深入認識那賜于我們各樣恩賜的神!  

在主怀中的安息 

  馬金多于1896112日安睡主怀,享年76歲。4天以后,他被葬于切爾滕納姆墳場(CheltenhamCemetery),在他愛妻墓旁。在葬禮上,沃爾斯頓醫生(DrWolston)以亞伯拉罕的埋葬(取自創25:8-10)作為葬禮的信息。結束前,會眾高唱 達秘(JNDarby)所著的詩歌: 

哦,何等光明有福的一幕, 當罪不再冒犯侵襲;

從我們現今所漫行的地上, 他的身影逐漸离去。


C. H. Mackintosh (1820-96)

INTRODUCTION

It is interesting and curious that just as Mr. F. E. Raven appears to be the least known of those used in an outstanding way in the recovery of the truth,

  • and is without doubt the most misunderstood, unfairly represented and unjustly maligned of any of the teachers amongst those known as brethren,

  • so Mr. C. H. Mackintosh – who despite the attacks on FER, remained in fellowship with him to the end – is one of their best known teachers,

    • whose ministry is greatly appreciated by brethren of all persuasions – and beyond.

Other pages relating to C. H. Mackintosh:
History: The First 50 Years: A History
Ministry: C. H. Mackintosh

G. A. R.

BACKGROUND

In October, 1820, Charles Henry Mackintosh was born in Glenmalure Barracks, County Wicklow, Ireland.

  • His father – a Captain in the Highlanders' Regiment – had served in Ireland during the Rebellion.

  • His mother was a daughter of Lady Weldon, whose family had been long settled in Ireland.

HIS  CONVERSION

When he was eighteen young Charles was awakened spiritually through letters from his sister after her own conversion.

  • He obtained peace with God through reading JND's 'Operations of the Spirit', and learning that it is Christ's work for us, not his work in us, that gives peace.

HIS  SERVICE

Around 1874, he wrote, "I had not the honour of being among the first of those who planted their feet on the blessed ground occupied by Brethren.

  • "I left the Establishment about the year 1839, and took my place at the table in Dublin, where dear Mr. Bellett was ministering with great acceptance.

  • "As a young man I, of course, walked in retirement, having no thought of coming forward in public ministry of any kind.

    • "Indeed, I may say that nothing but the most solemn sense of responsibility could ever have induced me to stand up in public.

  • "I never could, nor can I now, understand the excessive forwardness of some young men, who seem ever ready to thrust themselves before the assembly of God's people,

    • even in the presence of gray heads and gifted vessels. To me this sort of thing has ever been supremely offensive".

He opened a school at Westport in 1844, and enthusiastically threw himself into his educational work.

  • Despite this interest he was committed to Christ as the centre of his life and making Christ's work his chief concern.

  • By 1853, he gave up his school fearing that it was displacing the work of the Lord as his chief interest, to which he then, with God's support, devoted his life.


When Mr. Mackintosh came under attack for the use of the expression "heavenly humanity" in regard to the Lord, JND said in a letter of July 1962,

  • "I have no doubt CHM has expressed himself unguardedly in his expressions, but the accusing him of denying the true humanity of Christ is simple unrighteousness.

 

  • "The poor church people glutton on what attacks brethren. I am sorry for it, but how can we help it?

 

  • "That is all the feeling I have about it. It is a very bad sign for them."

    • Note: Paul might well have been likewise accused for saying "the second man, out of heaven", 1 Corinthians 15: 47.

HIS  MINISTRY

For some twenty-one years, Mr. Mackintosh edited a periodical, 'Things New and Old', in which many of his own writings appeared.

  • With his usual clarity and forcefulnness, he stated his reasons for beginning such a work as follows:

THINGS  NEW  AND  OLD

In presenting to the reader the first number of our periodical, we feel called upon to state our reasons for entering upon such a service, and also the objects which we hope by the grace of God, to effect.

We do not deem any apology necessary for adding another to the numerous publications already extant, having for their object the circulation of pure truth. We want them all, and thousands more, if we could get them.

  • We cannot have to many agencies for the furtherance of that which is good, and the suppression of that which is evil.

1.     For, first of all, it is a lamentable fact that the enemy of souls has wrought, far more diligently, at the printing press, than the servants of the living God.

o        Numerous as are the books, the pamphlets, the tracts, and the periodicals in which the words of eternal truth shine, for the instruction and comfort of souls,

o        yet are they outnumbered, to an appalling amount, by the publications of an infidel, an immoral, and irreligious tendency.

2.     We believe that the art of printing was designed, by a gracious Providence, as a powerful engine for the diffusion of scriptural knowledge;

o        but we cannot shut our eyes to the startling fact that the enemy is making diligent use of that very art, for the purpose of corrupting, in all directions, the springs of thought and feeling.

o        He is publishing, in the cheapest and most atrractive form, gross evil, soul-destroyong error, and perverted truth.

o        And, we may safely say, if positive error has slain its thousands, perverted truth has slain its tens of thousands.

3.     Now, we are fully assured that, notwithstanding all the enemy's efforts, the Lord is gathering out His own – that He is accomplishing His purpose, and hasting His everlasting kingdom.

o        But should this be a reason for slackness, coldness, and indiference, on the part of the servants of Christ? The very reverse; yea, the assurance thereof is the basis of "stedfast" and "unmovable" service.

o        It is because we know, on divine authority, that "our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord", that therfore we work.

o        It would be sad, indeed, if what our God has graciously given as a soul-stirring encouragement to work should be used as a plea for inactivity, if the assurance of reaching God's end were to be a reason for neglecting God's means.

o        This would be a grievous use to make of the goodness and faithfulness of God.

4.     But, further, we undertake this service because we feel bound to serve and testify, while the time for service and testimony lasts.

o        The day is rapidly approaching, in the which we shall not be called upon to render such fruits.

o        When we get into the Master's presence, we shall admire and worship; but now, in "the little while", in the night of His absence, it is our holy and happy privilege to be "always abounding in the work of the Lord", 1 Corinthians 15: 58.

o        We are responsible to let the light shine forth, in every possible way – to circulate the truth of God, by all means, by word of mouth, by 'paper and ink', in public and private, "in the morning and in the evening", "in season and out of season"; we should "sow beside all waters".

o        In a word, whether we consider the importance of divine truth, the value of immortal souls, or the fearful progress of error and evil, we are imperatively called upon to be up and doing, in the name of the Lord, under the guidance of His word, and by the grace of His Spirit.

CHM expresses – better than I can – my own exercises
in the opening and continuation of My Brethren.     GAR


There is no record of CHM's oral ministry but his 'Notes on the Pentateuch' – originally published in six volumes – still remain popular. His 'Miscellaneous Writings' also appeared originally in six volumes.

Andrew Miller, 1810-83The preface to each volume of the 'Notes' was written by his friend Andrew Miller – author of 'Short Papers on Church History'.

See the original last chapter of
Miller's 'Church History' in
History: The Last Chapter

and 'The Brethren – Their Origin, Progress and Testimony' – who is said to have encouraged their writing and to have largely financed their publication.

AM said of CHM's expositions that, "Man's complete ruin in sin, and God's perfect remedy in Christ, are fully, clearly, and often strikingly presented".

  • Mr. Mackintosh wrote in a clear forceful style, and the story is told that Mr. J. N. Darby once said to him, 'You write to be understood, I only think on paper'.

His first tract in 1843 was on 'The Peace of God'. His last article – written in 1896, just a few months before deparing to be with Christ – was entitled 'The God of Peace'.

HIS  STAND

Despite appeals and pressures from many quarters – and from the Continent especially – Mr. Mackintosh remained in fellowship with Mr. F. E. Raven to the end.

HIS  LAST  DAYS

He resided at Cheltenham for the last four years of his life.

  • When, through bodily weakness, he was no longer able to minister publicly he – as JBS also did – continued to write.

On April 3, 1896, just seven months before the Lord took him, CHM wrote from Cheltenham:

  • "Though hardly equal to the effort of stooping over the desk, I feel I must send you a loving line to acknowl-edge the receipt of your kind letter of the 21st ult.

  • "I have been an invalid for over a year, confined to these two rooms. I am still very poorly and in the doctor's hands, suffering from bronchitis, oppression, suffocation and great debility, in every department of the constitution.

  • "But all is divinely right. The gracious Lord has been with me and given me to realize, in a very marked way, the preciousness and power of all I have been speaking and writing about for fifty-three years. Blessed be His Name.

  • "I know you will lovingly excuse a very meagre scrap as I am not able for much writing …"

He fell asleep peacefully on November 2, 1896.

On November 6, 1896 – in his own last days, just six months before being taken by Christ – Mr. J. B. Stoney said of CHM, "He is now where love is satisfied".

 

HIS  BURIAL

The Lord took CHM on November 2, 1896. Four days later a large company from many places gathered for his burial at Cheltenham Cemetery.

  • He was buried by the side of his beloved wife, in what is known as 'the Plymouth Brethren plot', where many brethren of both 'exclusive' and 'open' peruasions are buried.

 

  • W. T. P. WolstonDr. Walter T. P. Wolston, of Edinburgh, spoke on the burial of Abraham, Genesis 25: 8-10 and Hebrews 8: 10. WTPW also spoke at the burial of JND in 1882, and at the burial of FER in 1903.

  • Then, before dispersing, the brethren sang:

O bright and blessèd scenes,
Where sin can never come;
Whose sight our longing spirit weans
From earth, where yet we roam.

J. N. Darby
No. 64 in the 1973 Hymn Book.


返回主頁