THE subject of this notice was born in Glendale seventy-seven years ago, and finished his course on 29th November, 1935. I regret that I am not in a position to say when, or by what means, the saving change came about, but that he had undergone that change no one who knew him could doubt. I find in the Kirk-Session records that he became a member in full communion in 1905, and was ordained a deacon in 1911 and an elder in 1921. From his boyhood he had an exemplary character and manifested a regard for the things of God which is not to be found with the average young man. A striking testimony of this was given to the writer of this sketch some years ago by a woman who had been serving in a place where John Mackinnon had been a herd-boy. They were a good distance from the public means of grace, and on Sabbath days he would come in to the place where she and another servant girl were and read the Bible for them. It is not customary for a young man in a state of nature to do this, and it may be that even at this time he was in a state of grace.
He was very reticent as regards speaking about his own experiences, but I remember him telling concerning the first time he came forward to the Lord’s Table. He said he believed it was his duty to have come forward several years before he took that step, but was prevented. When the Lord’s time came and he was constrained to make a public profession the Kirk-session received him, but when the communion Sabbath came he could not get a single passage of truth to support him in going forward. He waited to the last table and in much darkness went forward. When he sat at the table Psalm. ix. 9, 10, came with such power and light that he could say that it was good for him to be there.
Several years ago he began to lose the use of his legs, but such was his delight in the courts of God’s house that with the aid of two sticks he would walk the three miles that separated his home from the church although it took him over two hours to do so. When that effort had eventually to be given up, Mr. William Mackinnon, the “Glen Stores,” used to send his car for him, free of charge, as long as he was able to walk to the road. For this labour of love to the servant of Christ we would pray that Mr. Mackinnon would not be without his reward.
In his affliction his patience and resignation to the will of the Most High were remarkable indeed. To one who expressed sympathy with him at the beginning of his affliction he replied: “I have the best affliction that a man ever had. I have no pain, I can sit and read the Bible, take my food and sleep at night. God would be just in dealing otherwise with me, in sending an affliction that would cause my body to be racked with pain, or He could have taken away my eyesight so that I could not read.” During the many years which his affliction continued no one ever heard a murmur from him in connection with his lot. He felt very much when his affliction became so acute that he could not go to the public means of grace but he would say that he had private opportunities, which, if blessed to him, would be as profitable as any opportunities he ever had in public.
Occasionally meetings were held in his house and some can look back to these meetings as times of refreshing indeed. He was refreshed by the prayers of his brethren, and his brethren were refreshed by his prayers. He did not possess any gift for public speaking but his prayers, which were never long, showed a peculiar nearness to the Most High, and their very simplicity manifested a realisation of the fact that he was in the presence of God.
He was a man of strong convictions and no amount of argument would make him change his ground until he himself was convinced that it was his duty to do so. Thus he was a man who could be relied on at all times, but especially in times of trouble. His concern for the cause of Christ was very evident, and I do not remember ever being in his company alone, but he would ask how was the cause doing. If any encouraging news was given him his face lit up with joy, but, if otherwise, the pain was equally evident, manifesting that the prosperity of Christ’s cause was among his greatest joys.
The end came rather suddenly. After returning from the pro-re-nata meeting of Synod at Inverness I was told that he was seriously ill, and I visited him on the Saturday evening. He was semi-conscious but knew me, though able to say very little. On Monday I visited him again and found that he was so far improved that in taking worship with him, I ventured to request him to ask a blessing on the reading of God’s Word, which he did by repeating the first four verses of Psalm lxxi. (Gaelic metrical version) and then asking forgiveness of sins, and a blessing on the Word. When parting with him he said that this was the end and indicated that he was reconciled to the will of God. Later on in the week his condition became worse and he passed away quietly on the Friday night. His last audible words were: “Come, come Lord Jesus.” He who began in him the good work brought it to perfection. “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.”
His remains were laid to rest on the following Monday in the local cemetery, close to the dust of many others whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, there to rest until the last trumpet shall sound, “and the dead shall be raised incorruptible.” The large number who attended his funeral manifested the respect in which he was held. The congregation of Glendale have lost a respected and faithful elder, and the cause of Christ in general a pleader at a Throne of Grace. May the Lord raise others instead of those whom He is taking away.
We would here express our sincere sympathy with his sorrowing widow and grand-daughter, who devotedly attended to him to the last, and also to the other members of the family.—John Colquhoun.