EMPTY is the place vacated by the Lord’s dear ones here on earth. This emptiness confronts us in many congregations to-day. Limited magazine space necessitates brevity in recording the departure of two of these.
Miss Andrina Campbell, Duncan Street, Thurso passed away on 21st August last in her 80th year. She was predeceased by her like-minded sister, Jessie, who died on 8th March, 1940, aged 76. They came from Reay to Thurso in 1880—members of a highly respected family. A time came in their lives when their hearts, like Lydia’s, were opened to the truth and their home became a centre of christian hospitality.
They saw many changes in Thurso and sorrowfully observed grievous departures in doctrine and practice from the Word of God. This made them more active as witnesses for Christ. They were not swayed by the opinions of men but had as their standard “thus saith the Lord.”
The distinctive testimony for truth raised in Scotland in 1893 was whole heartedly embraced by them and others in the far north. Meetings were held in the local school until the purchase of the church building now in use. By word and deed they sought the furtherance of the cause of Christ. Truly they could individually say with the Psalmist:—
“The habitation of thy house
Lord, I have loved well.
Yea, in that place I do delight
Where doth thine honour dwell.”
They were not ignorant of Satan’s devices and they were kept humbly dependent at a throne of grace for their every need.
The communion season in August found Andrina nearing the day of her departure from this world. Though weakly and confined to bed she followed events with a lively interest and was happy in the fellowship of the friends gathered to the Mount of Ordinance. Later she spoke of the napkin left in the grave by the risen Saviour and quoted His words, “I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Her body suffered considerably in its coming down, but her soul left that behind to be, we believe, “with Christ which is ‘far better.’ “
To sorrowing relatives and others—specially to the niece who tenderly nursed both prayerful sympathy is extended. W. G.