MRS. J. C. GUNN, REAY.
The subject of this notice, who lived at Brubster, in the parish of Reay, Caithness, passed away on Sabbath, 16th July, at the age of 77 years. The deceased was a very worthy woman who clearly manifested in her life and conversation that her desire was towards the Lord and the remembrance of His name. She had great delight in attending the means of grace, and spared no pains in going to these means. It was her usual practice, until shortly before her death, though she was much over the allotted span of life, to walk from Brubster to the church in Halkirk, a distance of between seven and eight miles, on Sabbath days, and that when there was no regular preaching—only a prayer meeting held. She was very reticent as to her personal experience. The most she would often say was, “Though I am nothing, I love to hear the Glorious One (Christ) lifted up and exalted in the gospel.” It was evidently a low view of herself, and a high esteem of the Redeemer that made her thus speak. Her adherence to the Free Presbyterian Church was unwavering—her steadfastness and loyalty in this respect continuing unabated to the end. Her last days were the days of the Communion in Halkirk. She was fully conscious of what was going on, and her mind was with the Lord’s people in every step of their exercises. On the Sabbath, about the very time the Communion table was being served on earth, she passed away, as we fully believe, to sit at the Communion table above. May the Lord be an upmaking portion to her daughters whom she has left behind. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”
JAMES HENDRY, LINGLAND, NEAR LYBSTER, CAITHNESS.
The subject of this brief notice passed away on the 9th August, at the age of 71 years. He was one who walked in the fear of the Lord. Being of a humble, shy, retiring disposition, he shrank from taking any public part in matters connected with the Church. But his exemplary character and life were a sermon to those with whom he came in contact. He was an attached lover of the old paths. His removal from the district in which he lived leaves a great blank. Few realise the loss sustained by a community when “the salt of the earth” are taken away. We extend our deepest sympathy to his surviving relatives.
REV. ROBERT MACDOUGALL, RESOLIS.
It is with sincere regret that we notice the death of the Rev. Robert Macdougall, parish minister of Resolis, Ross-shire, which took place during the past month. Mr. Macdougall was one of the very few ministers in the Established Church who adhered steadfastly to the old paths in doctrine and worship, and his removal is a real loss to the denomination and to the cause of truth in general. He was a native of Inverness-shire. His grandfather, Donald Macdougall, was one of the most godly men of his day in this county. Mr. Macdougall’s father, who was a teacher at the time of the Disruption of 1843, was a great friend and admirer of the eminent Joseph Mackay, one of the worthies of the north, who, though he had no sympathy with the “Moderates,” disapproved of the Disruption. Mr. Mackay, we understand, died in his house. This association, in providence, no doubt contributed to Mr. Macdougall’s seeking a sphere of labour outside the Free Church. Mr. Macdougall, we learn, was an eloquent preacher and diligent in his pastoral duties. He did not take a prominent part in ecclesiastical discussions, but his voice was sometimes heard in the General Assembly on the right side of the question at issue. He had a good pen and wrote various sketches of Ross-shire and Covenanting worthies. We extend our deepest sympathy to his surviving relatives in their great bereavement. J. S. S.