The Use of the Law in Conversion

The following is taken from "Reminiscences" by James Robinson on the life of Robert Flockhart and dated December 1857. Mr. Robinson had been requested by Dr. Guthrie to contribute some record of Mr. Flockhart's last years of his life and kindly responded.

One of the first remarks Robert Flockhard made to Mr. Robinson when they first met was when they were speaking of how difficult it is to awaken reflection and produce conviction in the minds of the ungodly, when he (Flockhart) stated he had almost always found the most alarming subjects the most useful, and he added, " You never saw a woman sewing without a needle? She would come but poor speed if she only sewed with the thread. So, I think, when we're dealing with sinners, we must put in the needle of the law first; for the fact is, they're sleeping sound, and they need to be wakened up with something sharp. But when we've got the needle of the law fairly in; we may draw as long a thread as you like of Gospel consolation after it."

(From "Autobiography of Robert Flockhart - The Street Preacher" published by Baker Book House, 1977)

posted by john d.