MALCOLM MACCEWAN was born at Silvercraig, Lochgilphead, on the 11th day of April, 1865. He was privileged like Timothy to know the Holy Scriptures from childhood. The change, however, that is necessary to salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit. When yet a young man the Spirit of truth convinced him of his lost and ruined condition by nature and practice, and of his great need of being reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. It was when following his occupation as a fisherman on the Ayrshire coast, his brother informs us, that he was brought to the knowledge of the truth. We may conclude that it would be a fishing season he never forgot, as it was in the case of the disciples when Jesus shewed Himself to them at the sea of Tiberias. The Rev. William Fraser was then minister of Lochgilphead Free Church, and under his ministry Malcolm Maccewan sat. He was ordained an elder in the congregation when he was only twenty-four years of age.
In the year 1893, on account of the passing of the Declaratory Act by the Free Church, the Free Presbyterian Church was formed by those who loved the truth as contained in the Word of God. It was evident to Malcolm Maccewan, as it was to a large number of the Lord’s people in the then Free Church, that the path of duty was to join those who left all to maintain the Gospel pure in our land. A congregation was formed in Lochgilphead, and he did his utmost to support the cause of truth in his native parish. He continued steadfast to the end of his days on earth to the Free Presbyterian Church. One could not but admire how faithful he proved in the midst of much unfaithfulness. It was his firm conviction that we would be guilty of a great sin as a Church if we departed in the least from the position held by us since 1893.
He loved the house of God, and when engaged at the fishing he would hold a prayer meeting on the Sabbath if there were no services in the place to which his calling brought him. In this way he was known to quite a number of our congregations on the west coast of Scotland. It was his delight, however, to listen to the Word preached from the lips of those whom he knew to be the true servants of Christ. He was appointed a missionary by the authority of the Synod over twenty years ago. For a number of years he laboured in Stratherrick, and used to speak afterwards about the happy years of Gospel fellowship he had with the people there. During the War years his services for a time were extended as far as our mission in London. In 1922 he was appointed missionary at Tain, where he continued to labour, except for a short period at Dornoch, until he finished his course in this world. During the time he was at Tain he was expected to supply Fearn every third Sabbath. He carried on this arrangement for a time; but latterly his services were confined to Tain. The Northern Presbytery arranged that Mr. Macewan would supply Dornoch and Rogart during the time the minister was in Canada. That was his last year on earth, and he seemed to have more than usual liberty in preaching the Gospel. He returned to Tain at the end of April, 1930, and continued to preach every Sabbath, although he was, especially during the summer months far from well. We did not think, however, that there was anything serious about his trouble until the doctor ordered him to the Inverness Northern Infirmary.
He was visited while in the infirmary by Mr. Matheson, Laing, and another minister to whom he said that he would desire to live longer that he might preach the Gospel yet to sinners. He was praying for this; but it was not the Lord’s will in his case. He was sent home and was tenderly nursed by his devoted wife until the end came on the 16th day of December, 1930. The last Sabbath he had on earth, he seemed very happy and asked that the 45th psalm be sung at worship, from the words: “Behold, the daughter of the King all glorious is within,” to the end of the psalm. Thus passed away Malcolm Macewan to appear spotless among those who have been washed from their sins through the blood of the Lamb and who sing the new song before the throne.
We wish to express our deepest sympathy with the widow and their daughter of tender years, and, also, with the other relations. May the promise be made good in their case—”He relieveth the fatherless and widow.” The funeral was largely attended, and the remains were laid to rest in Tain Cemetery, there to lie until the Lord shall descend from heaven at the last day.—F. M.