He records another case: "_January 4, 1837_--Sent for to Mrs. S----. Very ill; asthmatic. Spoke on '_No condemnation to them that are in Christ_.' She said, 'But am I in Christ?' seemingly very anxious. Said she had often been so, and had let it go by. 5th--Still living; spoke to her of Christ, and of full salvation. (Myself confined in the house till the 16th.)--Much worse. Not anxious to hear, yet far from rest. Dark, uneasy eye. Asked me, 'What is it to believe?' Spoke to her on '_God, who made light shine out of darkness._' She seemed to take up nothing. Lord, help! 17th--Still worse; wearing away. No smile; no sign of inward peace. Spoke of '_Remember me._' Went over the whole gospel in the form of personal address. She drowsy. 18th--Quieter. '_My Lord and my God_.' She spoke at intervals. More cheerful; anxious that I should not go without prayer. Has much knowledge; complete command of the Bible. 19th--Spoke on '_Convincing of sin and righteousness._' Rather more heart to hear. 20th--Psalm 51. Her look and her words were lightsome. 23d--Faintish and restless; no sign of peace. '_I am the way_,' and Psalm 25. 24th--Still silent and little sign of anything. 26th--Psalm 40, '_The fearful pit._' Very plain. Could not get anything out of her. February 1--Died at twelve noon; no visible mark of light, or comfort, or hope. The day shall declare it."
One other case: "_February 5, 1839._--Called suddenly in the evening. Found him near death. Careless family. Many round him. Spoke of the freeness and sufficiency of Jesus. '_Come unto me_,' etc., and '_The wrath of God revealed from heaven_.' Told him he was going where he would see Christ! asked him if He would be his Saviour? He seemed to answer; his father said, 'He is saying, Yes.' But it was the throe of death. One or two indescribable gasps, and he died! I sat silent, and let God preach. 7th--Spoke of the '_Widow of Nain_,' and '_Behold I stand at the door._'"
Attendance at funerals was often to him a season of much exercise. Should it not be to all ministers a time for solemn inquiry? Was I faithful with this soul? Could this soul have learned salvation from me every time I saw him? And did I pray as fervently as I spoke? And if we have tender pity for souls, we will sometimes feel as Mr. M'Cheyne records: "_September 24._--Buried A.M. Felt bitterly the word, 'If any man draw back.' etc. Never had more bitter feelings at any funeral."
All who make any pretension to the office of shepherds visit their flocks;[9] yet there is a wide difference in the kind of visits which shepherds give. One does it formally, to discharge his duty and to quiet conscience; another makes it his delight. And of those who make it their delight, one goes forth on the regular plan of addressing all in somewhat of the same style; while another speaks freely, according as the wounds of his sheep come to view. On all occasions, this difficult and trying work must be gone about with a full heart, if it is to be gone about successfully at all. There is little in it to excite, for there is not the presence of numbers, and the few you see at a time are in their calmest, every-day mood. Hence there is need of being full of grace, and need of feeling as though God did visit every hearer by your means. Our object is not to get duty done, but to get souls saved. II Cor. 13:7. Mr. M'Cheyne used to go forth in this spirit, and often after visiting from house to house for several hours, he would return to some room in the place in the evening, and preach to the gathered families. "_September 26, 1838._--Good visiting-day. Twelve families; many of them go nowhere. It is a great thing to be well furnished by meditation and prayer before setting out; it makes you a far more full and faithful witness. Preached in A.F.'s house on Job, '_I know that my Redeemer liveth._' Very sweet and precious to myself."
[9] Baxter (_Reformed Pastor_) says, "I dare prognosticate from knowledge of the nature of true grace, that all godly ministers will make conscience of this duty, and address themselves to it, unless they be, by some extraordinary accident, disabled."