THE subject of this notice lived to within seven years of an entire century. Her pious parents were driven out of Strathnaver in Sutherland, during the evictions. They took up their abode in Harpsdale, Halkirk, and faced adverse circumstances courageously. The little they possessed of material things had the blessing of the Lord with it. Their children came under the power of the truth and proved it by their fruits. Born before the Disruption of 1843, “May,” (the name by which she was familiarly known) had the privilege of hearing some of the eminent servants of Christ in the North at that period. While she was yet very young, it became apparent that she was brought to a knowledge of herself as being without God and without hope in the world. This was followed by a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ as her only hope. With this good hope as an anchor within the vail, she was enabled to take up her Cross and follow Him through good report and evil.
Strong physically, and strong in faith, she overcame many difficulties in getting to the gatherings of the Lord’s people. In her thirst for the gospel she was known to walk 25 miles in the early hours of Sabbath morning to Strathy and return after the service of the day. Her experiences there and at sacramental gatherings elsewhere were often recalled in old age. Sabbath and the weekly prayer meeting always found her in the courts of God’s house. To-day a slight bodily ache or a shower of rain will furnish an excuse for stay-at-homes or once-a-day hearers. Such have much to answer for.
Discernment in spiritual matters in this age of apostacy is sadly lacking. Many are so doped by Modernism as to call light darkness, and darkness light. It was otherwise with May Sutherland to whom the grace of discernment was given in rich measure. In July of 1893, she asked for a membership disjunction certificate from the pre-Union Free Church because of its departure from the doctrines and practice of Holy Scripture. She whole-heartedly supported the distinctive testimony then raised by the Free Presbyterian Church. The latter years of her life were spent in the village of Halkirk. The writer found her, on one occasion, deeply engrossed in the works of Willison of Dundee. She spoke of the difference between mere head knowledge and true experimental knowledge, adding: “I got a mark to-day that I am the Lord’s.” On another occasion she told of a period in her early years when her mind was so distracted that she forgot to attend to some errands on which she had been sent, and she was bemoaning that her memory was gone for time, and that she had nothing for eternity. “Then the Blessed One spoke to me,” she added, saying: “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” I am now 90 years of age and I must confess that He has been as good as His word in fulfilling that truth to me.”
Sometime before the end came, a friend expressed to her the hope that she would be spared yet a while. “Oh,” she replied, “do not pray for that: do not wish that for me. I desire to get home.” To her eternal home she passed on the 19th May of last year. With her relatives and those who mourn her departure we sympathise, and pray the Lord to fill the places vacated by such.—W. G.