The Synod desire to record their deep sense of the great loss sustained by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in the removal by death of the Rev. Donald Macdonald, minister of Shieldaig, Ross-shire, which took place on 20th August, 1901.
Mr. Macdonald was born in Langash, in the parish of North Uist. In early life he became the subject of deep spiritual impressions, especially about the age of eighteen years, when his whole soul was aroused to the realisation of his awful condition as a guilty sinner before God. That eminent servant of Christ, the Rev. Alexander Macintyre, was God’s messenger to him, as well as to many others at that time in North Uist and Benbecula. The deep insight given to Mr. Macdonald at that time into man’s total depravity by nature, and the awfulness of being under the curse of the moral law and on the way to perdition, remained with him to the end. But deep as he felt his lost condition both by nature and practice to be, and the utter uselessness of all efforts put forth by fallen man to meet the requirements of the holy law of God, equally deep was his insight into the way of salvation through Christ crucified. His whole soul, from the time in which he was made willing in the day of the power of the Holy Ghost to look to Christ by faith, was almost constantly absorbed in contemplating the love of God—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—as that love is manifested in the scheme of redemption. This continued till the termination of his life. This was his daily, yea hourly, song in the house of his pilgrimage. From the dawn of this light of life upon his soul in early youth till his old age it continued to be the sum and substance of his message to his fellow-sinners. He felt that much was forgiven him, therefore he loved much. In this his first love, while his soul was on fire with the love of Christ, and with a sense of his deep obligation to Him who saved him from the wrath to come, he resolved to study with a view to the ministry of the Gospel. This resolution was often sorely tried before the end of his college studies was reached; but being sustained by the grace of God, and urgently pressed by godly friends both in Edinburgh and Glasgow to proceed with his studies, he persevered until the end. While passing through his college course he taught a school during the vacation each year. He also kept religious meetings among the people, which were blessed for the comforting of the Lord’s people, and left lasting convictions in the consciences of some of the careless. He was an ordinary good student, and got smoothly through all his examinations. Not long after he finished his divinity course he was by the Free Church Presbytery of Skye licensed to preach the Gospel. While a probationer he preached for some time in the islands of Mull and Eigg. In the year 1872 the congregation of Shieldaig gave him a call, which he accepted, believing it to be from the Lord. When he came there, there was neither church to preach in nor manse to dwell in, consequently he had to live for some time in a rented house in the village of Shieldaig and to preach both in summer and winter on the hillside. After several years a substantial house and church were erected.
In the year 1893, along with the Rev. D. Macfarlane, he separated from the party who, in the name of the Free Church, had departed from the doctrines and principles of the Confession of Faith. His congregation, with few exceptions, followed him. That same year he was thrust out of his manse and church, had to go to live in a house which one of his own people kindly put at his disposal, and had, in his old age, to go again to the hillside to preach to his attached people. The proprietor, Mr. Murray, as well as his lady, showed him the greatest kindness and consideration, for which not only Mr. Macdonald but the whole Church felt very thankful to them. Up to this date he was not much known throughout the Church, but now, throwing his whole energy into the work which lay before a few faithful ministers, he soon became well known both in the north and south. He was greatly beloved and much admired by all our congregations. Indeed the year 1893 was like life to the dead to the Lord’s people amongst us, and Mr. Macdonald, as was observed by many who knew and admired him before, got a new baptism of the Holy Spirit. He was not only refreshed in his soul, but he also got more bodily strength and power of enduring fatigue than he ever had before. His preaching against sin became more vigorous, and his views got more enlarged about the glory of Christ as the Head and King of His own Church, and as the King of kings and Lord of lords. To him indeed to live was Christ and to die was gain.
Through the kindness of friends he soon collected money sufficient to build a church—his kind friend, Mr. Murray, granted him a site for a church and manse—and by a private arrangement between him and the Synod of our Church, the manse was built at the same time. He lived again comfortably, having a commodious church and comfortable manse, among his beloved people till his work on earth was finished. In the year 1900 he visited most of our congregations in the north in his usual active and cheerful manner, to the great comfort and delight of our people. After he returned home, about the end of July, his bodily health began to decline, and though he endeavoured to appear in his own pulpit as often as his weak condition allowed, he never recuperated enough to go much from home. During this period he enjoyed much of the presence of the Lord, a favour which continued to be vouchsafed to him till his end came. His end, according to the report of one of our ministers who was privileged to be present, was indeed the end of the righteous. Thus died the beloved servant of Jesus Christ in perfect peace—”Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.” His remains were interred at Applecross, where they await a glorious resurrection on the last day. To that place as many of his beloved congregation as could get boat accommodation followed his remains. A great many friends came long distances in order to be present to pay their last tribute of respect to his mortal remains. As many as found it possible of the ministers of our Church were present. All felt that a great man had fallen in Israel.
The Synod desire to express their deep sympathy with his faithful congregation, and their hope that the truths which their beloved pastor declared so faithfully among them may bring forth fruit in their souls, to the glory of God and their eternal good. With Mr. Macdonald’s widow the Synod deeply sympathise, and commend her to God and to the word of His grace. It is felt by us all that a most devoted servant of Christ and of His Church, a most true friend but not a flatterer, a man that faithfully preached law and Gospel, and a man upon whom the Spirit of grace and supplication rested to an unusual degree, has passed away from our midst. May the Lord enable us all to emulate him who now enherits the promise: “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.”
It was agreed to send a copy of the above to Mrs. MacDonald.
Rev. J. R. Mackay asked the Synod for the grant of £10 to buy books in connection with his work as a tutor, which would form the nucleus of a college library. This was agreed to.
Rev. George Mackay made reference to the case of Mr. Morrison, student at present studying at Gordon’s College, Aberdeen. It was agreed to grant him £10.
Rev. J. R. Mackay moved that Mr. Donald Graham, missionary Lochinver, be accepted by the Synod as a student of divinity. After a somewhat lengthy discussion the Synod came to the following finding:—The Synod has pleasure in allowing Mr. Graham to go to Inverness for the winter, but it comes under no obligation to say what is his status, and, while not seeking to discourage him, it would point out that the general practice of the Church in such cases has been that one is not licensed until he receive a call for a congregation.
Rev. Mr. MacIntyre called the attention of the Synod to the mission station at Claddach. It was agreed to ask Mr. Alex. Ross to supply this place. The Synod agreed to meet at Inverness, on Tuesday after the first Sabbath in July, at 12 noon. The proceedings concluded with the singing of Psalm cxxii. and the benediction.