IT is with profound sorrow that we record this month, the death of Mr. Duncan Crawford, Ardbeg, Oban, who passed away on Wednesday morning the 7th February. Mr. Crawford, who was sixty years of age, was held in the highest esteem as an elder in the Free Presbyterian congregation at Oban, and was well known and respected throughout the Church as one who took a leading part in its counsels. A man of gifts and grace beyond many, he combined intellectual ability of a high order with a Christian prudence and modesty that commanded the respect and admiration of all who were acquainted with him. Eminently honourable and useful in all the relations of life, the removal of such a man is an outstanding loss, not only to his own family and relatives, but also to the Church and the world—a large breach among the pillars of society that will leave a painful gap for many a day. A fuller sketch of the life of this estimable elder of our Church will (God willing) appear in a future issue. Meantime we express deepest sympathy with his widow, family, friends, and the Oban congregation in the great bereavement that has been sustained. We also subjoin an account of remarks made by the Rev. Walter Scott in the course of a sermon in the Oban Free Presbyterian Church on the Sabbath forenoon after Mr. Crawford’s lamented decease. Mr. Scott’s text was from Rev. xiv. 13: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.” He pointed out that the text was intended as a message of comfort and encouragement on the removal from the Church militant of such as had earnestly contended for the faith, at a time especially when the faithful witnesses were few, comparatively, and weak, as contrasted with the anti-Christian apostacy or mystical Babylon. As significant of the great odds against which their testimony was directed, it is stated in the context that “all the world wondered after the Beast.” Hence the comment prefatory to the text (verse 12), “Here is the patience of the saints.” At the close, referring to the departed, the preacher said they felt the application of the text to their own sorrow that day. Such a life (now, alas, terminated) left its impressions. His piety, for example, was no mere “form of godliness.” As seen in his teaching, his prayers, his intercourse, there was a devoutness and depth indicating a deep spring within, sustained by much secret exercise. It was a piety that saturated his life, as well in business as otherwise. Actuated by high principle, what he did in the world or in the Church was thorough. It was as done to the Lord, and therefore done with his might. This much no one would gainsay. And was it not due to the Word of God dwelling in him, and dwelling in him richly? His reverence for the Bible as the Word of God—his absolute faith in it as a divine revelation, unerring and infallible—were, with him, matters deeply experimental, as indeed spiritually discerned. To him those holy writings were the “lively oracles”—the hidden spring within—which, to others, made his soul as “a well-watered garden.” His principles were equally definite. These were not sectarian. They were the principles formulated in the Westminster Standards, comprising the Confession of Faith and other symbolic documents, bearing to have been nationally received and owned in 1647, each as “a part of the covenanted uniformity of religion betwixt the Churches of Christ in Scotland, England, and Ireland.” His principles, as publicly avowed, he maintained consistently throughout a chequered career. They were no longer the principles of the majority. Few, comparatively, stand by them to-day. This had made no difference to him. Nor did such attitude lessen the genuine regard which he commanded from the community at large. What honour the public could put upon him they rendered as to a prince and a great man among them—”a man perfect and upright in his generation, one that feared God and eschewed evil.” If in his declared principles he made a high profession, his practice—as would be allowed, adorned it. It spoke well for the old theology. Quiet and unobtrusive, he was yet known by his fruits. One who ruled his own house well, he was no less scrupulous abroad. In willing service for others he was unwearied. Conscientious in all duty, he was wont to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, whilst keeping himself “unspotted from the world” to the last, so that it was felt that grace had ennobled him. God’s honour in the sanctifying of the Sabbath he regarded sacredly. In this, as in his devotion to the public ordinances of the sanctuary, and to the advancement of the cause of truth, he has truly left us an example that we should walk in his steps. Nor was he without having his steadfastness tried. As an office-bearer and one prominent in public duty, he came through testing times, notably in 1893 and subsequently. These greatly exercised him. But time and again he found grace to put his hand to the plough, and having done so he never looked back. Now he has finished his course, and so he felt before he lay down. Although he had a period of suffering at the last, and others hoped for his recovery, he himself realised that the end had come. He was graciously prepared for it. Not only was he without fear of death; he welcomed death; he had light at eventide. He was coming “through great tribulation,” but with unclouded mind. He was dying, but it was evidently “the death of the righteous.” God’s testimonies were proving the rejoicing of his heart. He testified that he was going to the Lord. “A poor sinner,” he described himself in response to a remark at his bedside, but “a saved sinner”; and so he was enabled to add, “not poor—rich, very rich!” Such was the joyful hope that animated him as life ebbed away. His end, as they believed, was that of the blessed who die in the Lord—their souls at death being made perfect in holiness, and immediately passing into glory. “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”