THE Free Presbyterian Church has of recent years lost, by death, a great number whose memories we cherish and whose lives bore sweet testimony of their “having been with Jesus and learned of Him.” While we record our deep sense of loss, we rejoice that death cannot separate them from the everlasting love of God and that now, no more in part, they are seeing Him whom they followed through good and through evil report ever giving witness to that grace which is “sufficient for every time of need,” until the day broke and the shadows fled away. Of that number we recall, in memory, the Misses Morton, both of whom were called away by death this year, within an interval of a few months, having reached some ten years beyond the “allotted span.” They sprang of godly parents, Their father was an elder in the congregation of the saintly Rev. J. R. Anderson and when he passed to his eternal rest his loss was deeply felt by his devoted daughters. News of his decease was sent to his sister, some of whose letters have appeared in the Magazine. This godly lady visited the house of mourning. Her knock on the door was answered by Miss Isabella who burst into tears on seeing her aunt. The old lady tenderly took her hand: “Why do you weep, my dear,” she said. “Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and His wife hath made herself ready.”
After Rev. J. R. Anderson’s decease his elders continued to hold services in John Knox’s Tabernacle reading to the congregation sermons by their beloved pastor. It was while worshipping with this little band that the Misses Morton were effectually called by the power of the Holy Ghost, It was evident they were both deeply taught of the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the deep depravity of their own hearts. Conscious of their utter inability ever to save themselves Christ was made precious to their souls in a day of mercy. Being brought nigh by His precious blood they enjoyed in some measure fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ and their walk and conversation revealed that their Teacher was that good Spirit who led the Apostle to the experience—”For the love of Christ constraineth us: because we thus judge that if one died for all, then were all dead and that He died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto Him which died for them and rose again” (II. Cor. v. 14-15). When, in 1893, Revs. D. Macfarlane and D. Macdonald separated from the Free Church and turned their backs for ever upon the heretics and time-serving ecclesiastics who dominated that body, the worshippers in Knox’s Tabernacle saw in the Free Presbyterian Church, the witness for God’s Word retained and the doctrines they loved so well, conserved. A movement was made to join and Rev. N. Cameron preached the first sermon from the words: “Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitary in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old” (Micah. vii. 14)—a sermon peculiarly appropriate to the occasion. Rev. J. S. Sinclair was settled over them as their pastor to lead them to the green pastures of Bashan and Gilead. To him the Misses Morton were warmly attached and always spoke with appreciation of his ministrations.
Miss Barbara was a school teacher in the Ayrshire town of Stevenston for many years, and taught with assiduity the doctrines contained in the Shorter Catechism. To the end of her days her anxiety was marked regarding the lack of proper Biblical instruction in schools. She paid periodic visits in her latter days to this scene of her life labours, being recognised as a former teacher, and recognising former pupils, to whom she bore a warm regard for their soul’s sake. She laboured as an ardent messenger, her zeal not decreasing with advancing years, and often she would say: “Oh! the solemnity of death and not to know God.” We cannot forget how earnest she was in her advice to the young. It was in the words of Sir Henry Havelock. “Flee in your troubles to Jesus Christ; no man ever had so true a friend or kind a master. View Him not at a distance, but as a prop, a stay and a comforter, and He will requite your confidence with blessings illimitable.”
Miss Isabella had a beautiful, reserved and unassuming disposition, faithful and firm as occasion arose, in things material and spiritual. She was never known to have been “out in the world,” but she felt and knew the ravages of sin among her fellows. She viewed all things, as far as possible, in the light of eternity, and every passing person, be it message boy or university student, was to her a soul in need of a divine Redeemer. Her interest in the spiritual welfare of the young of St. Judes was particularly marked. To see any young person even listening attentively was to her a token for good and many a prayer rose on their behalf—”Love hapeth all things” (I. Cor. xiii. 7).
The Misses Morton built around them a home, which sheltered many friends of the Lord’s cause, over forty years. There was a welcome for all, and there are many throughout the Church who will treasure the memory of the hours spent in that old sitting room, at the cosy hearth for there the name of the Lord Jesus was continually being uplifted in praise and prayer.
“And in old age when others fade
They fruit still forth shall bring
They shall be far and full of sap
And age be flourishing.”—Metrical Ps. xci. 14.—D. MacL.