SEEING that no notice of this excellent woman has appeared in the Magazine hitherto, we hope that it may not be out of place to offer the following few facts furnished by a friend for the use of readers. There are several remarkable providences in the sojourn of our late friend. She was brought up in a home in which Jacob’s mighty God was feared. Her mother, it seems, diligently impressed upon her child’s mind the importance of a saving interest in Christ. What a blessing from the Most High for one to have parents who fear the Lord! Upon some children the loving and tender advices and admonitions are lost, but it was not so with Mrs MacSween.
She experienced the strivings of the Spirit at a very early period. She prayed and searched the Scriptures and waited upon the Lord in public. These everyone ought to do; for the great Head of the Church commands us to search the Scriptures, remember the Sabbath, reverence the sanctuary. Salvation doth appertain unto the Lord alone. No man can receive anything except it be given him from heaven. In those days Mr Donald Stewart, of the Stewarts of Ensay, went about preaching the everlasting Gospel. A man of means and grace, he spent much of his time furthering the kingdom of God’s dear Son. The Lord owned his services and blessed his ministrations to many. Of the number savingly benefited was Mrs MacSween. At one of his meetings, to use her own words, her “stony heart was melted by these precious words: ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope. This is the Lord, we have waited for Him. In Him the fatherless findeth mercy.'”
Mrs MacSween’s husband was one like-minded with herself; for his example and teaching were most helpful to those who came in contact with him. He determined like Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” His example encouraged our late friend; so that, for the twenty-five years she remained after his decease, her course was unchanged. We may reasonably conclude that past favours would tend to make more steadfast. For several weeks before her death the words of the Lord: “Be ye also ready,” were often on her lips. These solemn words were, evidently, greatly affecting her as she was nearing her journey’s end. On the morning of the 23rd July 1928 she thought of getting up as usual, but then she hesitated and desired those of the family present to come in for family worship. While they were singing the third verse of the first Psalm, their mother passed peacefully away, to be for ever with the Lord.
We extend our sympathy to the surviving four sons and daughter. May the Lord enable them to appreciate more and more God’s goodness in giving them such parents. May they see, more and more, the glory of Him who is altogether lovely.—D. R. M.