IT was with feelings of deep regret that I read the sad news conveyed by your letter of the passing away of one who was a conspicuous figure in the religious life of Gairloch in the person of the worthy Mr. Osgood Mackenzie. Osgood Mackenzie represented a type of Christian character which appears to be fast becoming extinct in the religious life of the Highland community. All who had the pleasure and privilege of his friendship will unhesitatingly concede that his life, walk and conversation entitled him to a not inconspicuous place among those who have long since earned for themselves the familiar title of the “Men,” “not because,” as the renowned Dr. Kennedy of Dingwall so aptly and wittily observed, “they were not women, but because they were not ministers.”
Mr. Osgood Mackenzie was for many years a familiar and much-sought-after personality at our Highland Communions; his edifying spiritual companionship and conversation making him cordially welcome in the homes and hearts of all who loved the ways of Zion, and by such he will be missed and mourned.
While the denuding of the glens and hillsides of the Highlands and Islands of their virile and noble race is lamented by men of the world and Christians alike, the gradual disappearing from the religious life of Scotland generally and of the Highlands and Islands particularly of the outstanding type of Christian men and women represented by the late Mr. Osgood Mackenzie may well be bemoaned by all who have the cause, kingdom and truth of Christ at heart. Those were the graciously virtuous men and women the simple and godly peasantry—who moulded the Christian character of our nation, and made Presbyterian Scotland revered and admired throughout the world as producing, in proportion to its size, a spiritual and morally-elevating influence on the civilization of the world that will bear favourable comparison with that of any nation under the sun.
The last time I had the unfeigned pleasure of being under the hospitable roof of Mr. Osgood Mackenzie his cordial handshake, his kindly welcome and the gracious dignity of his venerable personality left on my mind an impression that time will not easily wear away. One felt in his presence the fragrant influence of one who gave undoubted evidence of having been with Jesus and who, in no ordinary manner, had learned of Him. His transparent rectitude, his unquestionable sincerity, his undeviating loyalty to truth, his humility, meekness and gentleness albeit uncompromising firmness when and where the interests of eternal truth seemed at stake, proclaimed him conspicuously a legibly-written epistle of Jesus Christ, so that even the casual observer was constrained to take notice of him as of one who followed closely in the steps of Him who came not only to work out salvation for His people, but Who also left them an infallible example that they should follow in His steps.
I would like to take this opportunity of extending to his wife and family a sincere expression of my deep sympathy with them in the passing of a loving and dutiful husband and father. May his God be the widow’s stay and comfort in her lonely musings, and may his mantle fall upon and adorn for the rest of their days the life and walk of his sons. Gairloch congregation particularly, the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland as a whole, and the Cause of Christ generally have lost in the passing of Mr. Osgood Mackenzie one who prayed fervently, earnestly, faithfully and importunately for their increasing and continued spiritual prosperity. He has passed, I sincerely believe, from the Church militant in a sin-stricken world, to the glorious inheritance of the saints in light. “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.” (Isaiah lvii, 1).—A Friend.
Pride cannot sit so high but Justice will sit above her.—John Owen.
Martyrdom came into the world early; the first man that died, died for religion.—William Jenkyn.