AS one after another of the Lord’s faithful witnesses are being removed to their everlasting rest, the few that are left behind feel more and more lonely in the localities in which they reside. This feeling exists to-day in Lairg as well as in many other places. The number of godly men, who lived in that parish when we first became acquainted with it twenty-one years ago, made it a bright spot in the north Highlands. One after another was removed, so that the few left behind are lonely indeed. The subject of the following notice was taken home to be with Christ in the year 1913. We much regret that this notice has been delayed so long, not from lack of will to place something on record about him, but because other matters over which we had no control prevented us.
Murdo Murray was born in the parish of Lairg, Sutherland, in the year 1827. His father was a very exemplary man in all his outward conduct, while his mother was considered by the Lord’s people to be one of the Lord’s hidden ones. We have not been able to ascertain anything as to the early years of Murdo, but we may conclude that he lived like the rest of the youth of the place. After he grew up to manhood he was teacher in the Free Church school at Lairg during sixteen years. So far as can be ascertained, it was during this period of his life that the Lord visited him with His salvation. He was very reticent about himself, but he made known to a friend that it was under the ministry of that eminent servant of Christ, Rev. Alexander Macleod, Rogart, he felt the constraining power of the Word of God. He spoke, in particular, about one day he heard him on the love of Christ. His text that day was taken from the Song of Solomon. Many poor sinners will praise God for ever for the message sent by Mr. Macleod to them, and made effectual by the Holy Spirit to their souls. This servant of Christ was the instrument used to turn many to righteousness, and will therefore shine as a bright star in heaven for ever. Mr. Murray, after leaving Lairg, went to the State of Kansas, North America, where he resided during twelve years. The most of these years he was occupied as school teacher.
We became acquainted with him in the year 1892. At that time he was an elder in Mains Street Gaelic Congregation of the Free Church, Glasgow. His occupation then was collector of accounts with Singer’s Company, Kilbowie. This was a year of great anxiety and much grief to many in the Free Church. Her creed and principles were thrown overboard by an irresponsible majority of ministers and elders by the passing of the infamous Declaratory Act. This caused deep searchings of heart to Mr. Murray, and much grief for the affliction of Joseph. He was truly one of them to whom the reproach of the solemn assembly was a burden. We found him at that critical time a man that could be relied upon. He was one of the men who felt that they were bound by obligations, of the most sacred nature, to adhere to the Word of God and the Confession of Faith. His uprightness and integrity made it impossible for him to surrender or compromise the creed and principles of a Church which he had bound himself in the most solemn manner to maintain. From this position no man could prevail on him to resile. So he was one of the first three elders in Glasgow who made up their minds to separate from the so-called Free Church, in order to maintain the original Free Church in her integrity. He was not a man of the spire-cock kind, who turn round as the wind may chance to blow, and, consequently, he continued to maintain the position then taken right on till the end. He did this, not because he was a lover of contention or divisions, but from a real conviction that, should he act otherwise, he would be a traitor to the Lord Jesus Christ and the precious souls of his fellow-sinners. He was one of those who held God’s truth dearer to him than life, and was fully convinced in his own mind that the doctrines that were brought into question and abandoned by carnally-minded ministers and elders were the very marrow of the gospel. Therefore, he would not for the sake of peace or fellowship with men barter away conscience and truth. He repeatedly made known his mind to us at that critical and perilous time, and upon several occasions since made known to us his unaltered convictions.
He continued in Glasgow for many years, after the separation of 1893, acting as an elder and congregational treasurer in St. Jude’s congregation. His humble and consistent walk and conversation endeared him, not only to his fellow-officebearers, but also to all the people. At last the time arrived when he had to leave Glasgow, on account of his aged brother, John, who lived at Gruids, Lairg, who was an ornament to the Christian profession and needed his assistance. So his connection with St. Jude’s congregation had to be given up outwardly; but he continued to the end to hold it and all its interests very near his heart, and came south once in order to be present at a communion season. During the remainder of his life he acted as an elder and clerk of Kirk-Session in our Sutherland congregation.
He was painfully conscious of the corruption and depravity of his own heart. This kept him always humble and dependent on sovereign grace for every thing pertaining to salvation. It made the gospel of Christ—where God’s free grace towards sinners is set forth—of paramount value to him. That God is just in justifying the ungodly who believe in Jesus, and that Jesus Christ is able to save them to the uttermost who come to God by him, was good news to Murdo Murray. He was not a stranger to the comforts which the Holy Spirit conveys through the word of the truth of the gospel. The word that proceeded from the Lord’s mouth was better to him than ten thousands of silver or gold, and sweeter to his taste than honey from the comb.
His love to the Lord’s people was a very pronounced trait of his character. The ministers who proved faithful to God’s Word and cause had his whole heart’s love. In private conversation he took great delight in hearing or rehearsing some of the pregnant sayings of the ministers and men of the past. This made his company very entertaining to such as had a relish for truth and experience. He was a most affable and cheerful man, and being a man of prudence, he always kept the dark side to the Lord and the bright to the careless world. He absolutely hated every thing that approached ostentation or feigned appearances in religious worship or conduct. He was quite the opposite of these vices in his public appearances and conduct before men. He was a keen discerning character, but, being a judicious man, he did not proclaim his opinion of his fellow-men on house tops. When he did make known his mind as to any one, after events generally proved his discerning capacity.
During the last few months of his life, he was for the most part confined to his bed. He suffered a great deal of pain in his body, but was most tenderly nursed by his worthy partner who had been a helpmeet for him in all trials. Satan assailed him with sore temptations, but he came out of the trial victorious through faith in the veracity and stability of God’s Word. We saw him during this trial and we felt that we never heard the Word of God more convincing than out of his mouth. In the midst of the storm and floods the sure foundation of God’s Word upheld his faith and hope at the very time that he was without comforts inwardly in his soul. His faith in the merit of the blood of Christ and in its efficacy to cleanse from all sin remained unclouded, and all his hope for eternity centred in God’s mercy through the great atonement made to divine justice by the Son of God on Calvary’s cross. He often repeated the words—”To whom shall we go but unto thee; for thou hast the words of eternal life.” During the last fortnight he had perfect peace in his mind, for Satan, unbelief and all his spiritual adversaries had to withdraw for ever at the lifting of the Lord’s reconciled countenance on his soul. When nearing the end he desired that the twenty-fifth psalm should be read, laying special emphasis on the last two verses:—”Let integrity and truth preserve me; for I wait on thee. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.” So Murdo Murray passed away to be with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, never to lose sight again of the object of his love, Jesus Christ. This took place on the 22nd day of September, 1913, at the age of 86 years.
We desire to express our deep sympathy with his widow who has been left behind in a howling wilderness, and would commend her to the Judge of the widows.
N. C.
Corrections.—In the January number, on page 338, “Moatites” should have been “Moabites,” and on page 349, “ready sinners” should have been “needy sinners.”