OF the beautiful crop of godly men and women who formed the Free Presbyterian Church in Lewis 22 years ago, most of them have been called away, one by one, by death to their eternal rest; so that few of the original number remain. While we should feel thankful for those raised up to take their place, it is evident that the rate of the in-coming crop does not keep pace with the out-going, and though purity of doctrine and worship is indispensable for the upkeep of Christ’s cause in the world, still it is God himself who gives the increase. We have much reason to lament the many breaches made on the walls of Zion in our midst, and the last made in the removal of John MacKenzie, missionary, Bayble, Lewis, who departed this life on 14th July, will be much felt. John MacKenzie (or as he was familiarly called Ian na Loch), was of a very retiring and quiet disposition, sometimes painfully so, so that few knew his mind and early experience. He was born at Cromore, Lochs, 73 years ago. His mother died when he was three years old, and his father a few years after. He was thus left at an early age an orphan, but even then the Spirit was striving with him, for when he was chastised, or rebuked, he would go to pray the Lord to help him and to plead that he was only an orphan. He used to relate how ashamed he felt once he was found by a woman praying in private. When, or through whom, the great change came, we are unable to say, but that such a change did take place, no one who knew him ever doubted. He was a member in full communion in the Free Church long before the witness of 1893. With the testimony raised that year he readily identified himself, and maintained it faithfully and consistently until the end. “He finished his course, keeping the faith.”
His first call to serve the Church as a missionary was to North Uist. He was much exercised in mind over this matter and wished for some weeks delay to lay the case before the Lord. His sense of unfitness for such solemn services caused him such hesitancy and misgivings, that it took the utmost persuasion to secure his consent. Indeed, his most intimate friends were surprised that he did consent. At this station he laboured for some time before he ventured to offer any comments on the Scriptures publicly. When, however, he did lecture, it soon became evident that his abilities were of no mean order. When asked why he remained so long silent he replied, “I like to hear the men pray, and Uist is so rich with praying men.” From Uist he was called to Breasclete, Lewis, where he laboured until laid aside through illness which proved fatal.
Though not a powerful speaker, his remarks, speaking to the “Question” on Fridays, were always solemn, to the point, and greatly appreciated by the people, among whom he held a very high place. He suffered a good deal from pain and weakness during his trouble, but the Lord was liberal to his soul. On the morning of the day on which he died, he said to his wife, “You will be pleased to know that I am leaving you to-day.” This is somewhat similar to what Christ said to His disciples: “If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” Shortly before he died, he wished those attending him to take him over to the edge of the bed, so that they would not have the same trouble in handling his body when life departed. While he lay in this position, he was heard to repeat several times:—
“For but a moment lasts his wrath;
Life in his favour lies;
Weeping may for a night endure;
At morn doth joy arise.”
The end of the righteous is peace.
The widow and the family have our sincere sympathy, and may they have grace to follow the Christian counsels and example left them by a loving husband and father! N. M’I.