THE death, on 6th April, 1919, of Mrs. Catherine MacKenzie, Inver, South Erradale, Gairloch, has caused a felt blank in the parish. In 1843 she was born of respectable parents at Inverasdale, Loch Ewe. Her father, Mr. Roderick MacKenzie, boat builder, subsequently removed to Port Henderson, Gairloch, and there plied his trade, which is still carried on by two of his sons.
In her twenty-third year she was married to Mr. John MacKenzie, Inver. His demise took place on 1st September, 1888. She was thus left a widow, with a young family. In after years death deprived her of the two youngest members of the family, but the Lord Himself was her stay and comfort in these seasons of her sorrow. With many prayers, she lovingly instilled into the minds of her children the Word of God. The children were reared in a warm spiritual atmosphere, and a bright Christian example was set before them. It is to be earnestly hoped that the life and death of such an excellent mother will result in everlasting salvation to the surviving and sorrowing members of the family.
Rev. Duncan Matheson was inducted as minister of Gairloch Free Church on 24th July, 1844. He was the human instrument in leading the deceased to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. A few years thereafter she became a communicant. To the Rev. Duncan Matheson she was more attached than to any other gospel minister. In those days Gairloch was famed for its religious gatherings. It had a number of outstanding Christian men and women, and Rev. Dr. John Kennedy, Dingwall; Rev. Alex. MacColl, Lochalsh; and Rev. Dr. G. Aird, Creich, and others, were wont to assist at the Communions. A large number of “the Men” flocked to the place, and thousands of people from west and east, in those palmy days, gathered to hear the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ from the lips of ministers whom they truly loved.
The rapid and serious declensions in doctrine, worship, and discipline in the late Free Church caused the deceased much sorrow of heart. In connection with that Church, Jeremiah xvii. 3, was laid upon her spirit: “Oh, my mountain in the field, I will give thy substance and all thy treasures to the spoil, and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy borders.”
In 1893 she heartily cast in her lot with those who formed the Free Presbyterian Church. It was a new spiritual life in the history of her soul. She highly valued the testimony raised by the Rev. D. Macfarlane, Dingwall, and the late Rev. D. Macdonald, Shieldaig. In her presence some expressed regret that the ministers in the late Free Church, who took such a prominent part in vigorously denouncing the Declaratory Act of 1892, and in advocating very strong measures against it, did not separate themselves from that Church, and that, in consequence, the testimony raised by the Free Presbyterian Church was left mostly in the hands of young men. Her reply was: “And the young men of the princes of the provinces went out first” (1 Kings xx. 17). The Gairloch Free Presbyterian congregation, under the ministry of the Rev. John R. Mackay, for years worshipped in the open air in the “Leabaidh.” These were very happy days in the “Leabaidh.” They were high days in Israel. The congregation was in its first love, and the dew of heaven was upon the souls of believers assembled there. Their experience was that it was good for them to be there.
Mrs. Catherine MacKenzie was an attractive and loving Christian. She fed, spiritually, upon “the finest of the wheat.” Her gentle, calm manner was maintained throughout her earthly career. Her conversations, coupled with godly fear, were seasoned with salt. A large number of Christians testify that it was refreshing and profitable to be in her company. She was a great strength in the congregation, and a most sympathetic hearer. The Word of God was her diligent love study; the throne of grace, her delight; and God was the strength of her heart. She had a most humble opinion of herself, but exalted views of Jehovah and of the Scriptures of Truth. She was not ignorant of the deceitfulness of the natural heart, the wiles of Satan, and the temptations of life. She had the sentence of death in herself, that she should not trust in herself, but in God, who quickeneth the dead. Of her it is true that she went up from the wilderness leaning upon Christ as the Beloved of her soul.
For several months before her death she was convinced that the end of her earthly pilgrimage was nigh at hand. For a month she was confined to bed, and during that period she was most wonderfully sustained by her Heavenly Father. A holy, calm, and sweet repose rested upon her spirit, as one who had long walked with God. She was more like one going to the marriage feast than to death. Assuredly, she went to the eternal marriage supper of the Lamb in the heavenly Jerusalem. On Sabbath morning, 6th April, in presence of all the members of her devoted and respectable family, she calmly slept in Jesus. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” A mother in Israel has fallen. The loss to the parish and congregation is a great one, and the minister of the congregation has lost a loyal-hearted, spiritual friend. The funeral, largely attended, took place on 9th April to Gairloch churchyard.
The deceased is survived by a family of two sons and two daughters, and three brothers and one sister. To the sorrowing family and other relatives we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
D. M’K.