Afraid of a Shadow
From a Discourse by a Young Scotchman, Delivered at Torquay.
[excerpted from Christianity Today (Philadelphia: Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing), 8.9 (January 1938): 185.]

[Note: A retired chaplain in one of our NAPARC denominations writes to correct the byline above, noting that
"a 'Scotchman', strictly speaking, is someone who drinks (or manufactures, or sells, etc.,) the distilled liquor known a 'Scotch', most often a product of  Scotland.  A 'Scotsman' is someone who was born in Scotland, or at the very least, claims Scotland as his country." Our correspondent is correct, of course, and we will simply note that the byline is accurately reproduced as printed.]

"I was sitting in my study one Saturday evening when a message came to me that one of the godliest among the shepherds who tended their flock upon the slopes of our highland hills was dying, and wanted to see the minister. Without loss of time I crossed the wide heath to his comfortable little home. When I entered the low room, I found the old shepherd propped up with pillows, and breathing with such difficulty, that it was apparent that he was near his end. 'Jean,' he said, 'gie the minister a stool, and leave us for a bit; for I wad see the minister alone.

"As soon as the door had closed, he turned the most pathetic pair of grey eyes upon me I had ever looked into, and said in a voice shaken with emotion, 'Minister, I'm dying, and--and--I'm afraid.'

"I began at once to repeat the strongest promises with which God's Word furnishes us; but in the midst of them he stopped me.

" 'I ken them a',' he said, mournfully. 'I ken them a'; but somehow they dinna gie me comfort.

" 'Do you not believe them?'

" 'Wi a' my heart,' he replied, earnestly.

" 'Where then is there any room for fear with such a saving faith?'

" 'For a' that, minister, I'm afraid, I'm afraid.'

"I took up the well-worn Bible which lay on his bed.

" 'You remember the twenty-third Psalm?' I began.

" 'Remember it,' he said, vehemently. 'I kenned it afore ye were born; ye need na' read it; I've conned it a thousand times on the hillside.'

" 'But there is one verse you have not taken in.'

"I slowly repeated the verse, 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.'

" 'You have been a shepherd all your life, and you have watched the heavy shadows pass over the valleys and over the hills, hiding for a little while all the light of the sun. Did those shadows ever frighten you?'

" 'Frighten me?' he said quickly. 'Na, na! Dave Donaldson has Covenanter's bluid in his veins; neither shadow nor substance could weel frighten him.'

" 'But did these shadows never make you believe you would not see the sun again?'

" 'Na, na; I cudna be sic a simpleton as that.'

" 'Nevertheless, that is just what you are doing now.' He looked at me ith incredulous eyes.

" 'Yes,' I continued, 'the shadow of death is over you, and it hides for a little the Sun of Righteousness, Who shines all the same behind; but it's only a shadow that will pass, and when it has passed, the everlasting hills in their unclouded glory will be before you.'

"The old shepherd covered his face with his trembling hands, and for a few moments maintained an unbroken silence; then said: 'Aweel, aweel! I have conned that verse a thousand times amang the heather, and I never understood it so afore--afraid of a shadow! afraid of a shadow!' Then turning upon me a face now bright with an almost supernatural brightness, he exclaimed, lifting his hands, reverently to heaven, 'Aye, aye, I see it a' now! Death is only a shadow--a shadow with Christ behind it--a shadow that will pass--na, na, I'm afraid nae mair.' "

[excerpted from Christianity Today (Philadelphia: Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing), 8.9 (January 1938): 185.]