IN the high, heather-clad, rocky island of Harris the Lord Jesus Christ has seen of the travail of His soul as in other parts of His creation. The heavenly angelic hosts have many times rejoiced over penitent sinners there since the glad tidings first came to it. The Holy Spirit has quickened, justified, sanctified, and glorified some of Adam’s fallen race there who in their day were pre-eminent in gifts, graces, usefulness, and everything which constitutes and honours true manhood and godliness.
A good number of them were associated with the Free Presbyterian congregation at its formation in 1893 until their death, and it is some of these, more prominent than others, who departed this life between 1910 and 1924, that the writer would here briefly mention.
The aged and saintly Mrs Mackay (Granny Urgha)
The aged and saintly Mrs Mackay (Granny Urgha) was in many respects the noblest and the best proportioned type of a Christian the writer ever saw. The end, which came rather suddenly, found her expectant and, indeed, willing to depart to be with Christ. She had a short while before sent a special message to the Lord’s people requesting them to earnestly pray that she would be fully prepared for death, and peremptorily forbidding them to pray that she would be left another moment in the world. She had her wish, for she soon thereafter passed peacefully away as if about to fall asleep.
Peter McUsbic, elder, Kyle Scalpay
Peter McUsbic, elder, Kyle Scalpay, was a man of sterling worth, who adorned his profession in all things. He was of a very quiet and peaceable disposition.
William Morrison, Drimshader
William Morrison, Drimshader, was a stalwart defender of the faith who would yield to no one in what he considered his duty to God’s Word and to his conscience. There was no mincing matters with him in these momentous issues. His quiet and dutiful wife was like-minded with him.
Ann Macdonald, Grosebay
Ann Macdonald, Grosebay, was a woman of judgment and foresight, prudent and careful in word and deed, and a genuine lover of the Lord, His Word, house, and people. Her affectionate and God-fearing sister, Mrs Maclean, Meavaig, was a very kind woman; also her sister-in-law, Mrs Macdonald, Grosebay, who was always ready to give the most cordial welcome and show the most unstinted hospitality, and to whom man’s chief end to glorify God and enjoy Him for ever was ever a present reality.
Mrs Fraser, Collam
Mrs Fraser, Collam, whose heart yearned for the salvation of sinners, and to whom the least sign of the Spirit’s breathing in a coming reviving was cause of unbounded joy filled with the greatest expectations and hope.
Mrs Mackinnon, Tarbert
Mrs Mackinnon, Tarbert, who reached a great age and lying in bed, thought her humble apartment was filled with the joyous, celestial praises of angels and redeemed.
Mrs Donald Macleod, West Tarbert
Mrs Donald Macleod, West Tarbert, the daughter of a godly mother, who sought to walk in her mother’s footsteps.
The exemplary and pious sisters, Mrs Mackinnons, the Post Office, Stockinish.
The exemplary and pious sisters, Mrs Mackinnons, the Post Office, Stockinish.
The veteran Donald Mackinnon, elder, Stockinish
The veteran Donald Mackinnon, elder, Stockinish, a firm and faithful upholder of God’s rights and claims. a reprover of sin, and a wise counsellor, who in humble, willing resignation to God’s will beautifully exemplified the Scripture—”Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
The cheerful and always pleasant Mrs Mackay, Geocrab
The cheerful and always pleasant Mrs Mackay, Geocrab.
The beloved Donald Morrison, elder, Beckravig
The beloved Donald Morrison, elder, Beckravig, who was in every way an eminent Christian, wise, just, charitable, and lowly, loving truth and hating all dissembling, loving his brethren and treating them with due respect and boundless hospitality. He left to future generations, as witnesses and memorials of his love to hear the Gospel preached, the boulders and rock-ledges on which he used to sit and rest on his way to and from God’s house, when heart and flesh were fainting and failing.
Angus Macleod, deacon, Ardvee
Angus Macleod, deacon, Ardvee, a thoroughly honest man, whose love and friendship were true and lasting. He knew not the fickleness of character which can be a friend to-day and a foe to-morrow, or that deep guile which in order to deal a more deadly blow will clothe itself in the garb of love and innocence. His soul, life, and means were devoted to the Lord and at His disposal. The Lord’s cause and people, as well as his fellow-men in general, had no better friend. His brother, John, pre-eminent in prayer, was a most amiable and very humble Christian. He used to walk several miles to the public means of grace in such a weak bodily condition that those who knew were quite surprised and puzzled at how he could do it. He now rests from his labours.
Malcolm Macdonald, Sruth
Malcolm Macdonald, Sruth, was a most sincere man and grave. In his own estimation he was less than the least of all saints.
Ewen Morrison, deacon, Northton
Ewen Morrison, deacon, Northton, was a person whose very appearance would give one the impression that he was a kind and hospitable man, and so indeed he was. The Lord’s people, and especially the messengers of the Cross, were welcome to his home. He was a peace-loving man, whose heart went forth to all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.
Malcolm Mackinnon, Northton
Malcolm Mackinnon, Northton, was in love to the Lord’s people and His ambassadors, and in readiness to receive them and show them profuse hospitality second to none. It was always a pleasure to meet him, and profitable to be in his company. The Lord gave him more than the ordinary measure of the Spirit of grace and supplications which he faithfully used to good purpose in pleading in public and private for all men, but especially for his neighbours, who had a very warm place in his heart, and whose eternal concerns were his as much as their’s. One feels justified in saying of him that he followed the Lord fully, and the hope must survive that his earnest prayers will yet be answered.
John Maclean, Northton
John Maclean, Northton, although he never became a communicant, and was always weak and trembling, yet in his life he gave every indication that he was one of the Lord’s people. He was a very lovable man, and we believe he is now where his fears and doubts made him believe many a day he would never be.
D. N. M.