THE subject of this obituary notice was one of the oldest and most respected of our members. She had been professing since early girlhood in the Free Church. Born at Lickisto, 80 years ago, she early made choice of Christ, and was beyond many in zeal for the Cause of God. She told the writer that it was in the secret reading of the Bible she enjoyed more of her Maker’s presence than anywhere else. This did not make her lax about the public means, for she travelled great distances on foot to hear the Word of God proclaimed at Tarbert and at Strond. She was also well known at Uist and in Lewis, where she attended communions. She was one of the women who helped to build Stockinish Meeting-house for Mr. Donald Stewart, the Evangelist. They carried sand from the shore.
In those days, labour was given free for the Cause of Christ. There was little money, but more contentedness and thankfulness than now. Being wholly dependent on the land for their livelihood, people had to go as far as the Sound of Harris for seaweed in the spring. At that busy season she took with her some of the divines to read in the boat, so that she would not be occupied by the things of time only. She told the writer she would prefer to be working than to be talking about the work. What she wanted to talk about was spiritual things. She often felt bored by people who had no interest in religion, but would wax eloquent about tweeds and coupons. She believed in putting the Cause before everything else. For instance, when her family were infants, she used to leave them on the care of God and go to church. When she came back they were safe.
Sixteen miles in a day on foot was common-place in her life, and even as long as she could she was to be seen in Kintail and Finsbay and Geocrab. On one occasion she went to Strond, and then to Northton for a meeting, and back to Geocrab the same night. There were no roads as at present, only tracks through the moor and mountainside. Having the talent of a very musical voice, she often beguiled the time by singing the spiritual songs of Peter Grant, Dr. Macdonald, Ferintosh, and others of that kind as well as psalms. She had no patience with those who never open their mouths in the praise of God. On one occasion some one was remarking on the wind not very reverently, she thought, so she immediately asked who created the wind. The most common-place events in nature did not escape her notice. She always remarked on God’s work around her.
Being one of the old class of Christians she saw God in everything. She liked to watch the day closing and the evening coming before lighting the lamps. Although she was unable to read or speak English, and couldn’t appreciate an English service, still one couldn’t say she was ignorant or uncultured. She had an innate dignity, and did not want to owe any man anything. If she got a present she was sure to send a present in return. When she was young she served in the Manse at Manish, when the Reverend Mr. Davidson was there. She had a very high regard for him. We happened to read the chapter about the Crucifixion in one of the gospels, referring to the inscription on the Cross in Latin and Greek and Hebrew. When worship was finished, she said she learnt to count in Latin. This seemed to be incredible, till she explained that one of the daughters of the Manse was an accomplished linguist and had taught her. She counted correctly from unum to decem, which was very surprising in one who always lamented that she could not understand English, and wished there was more Gaelic in the Magazine. Before 1872 there were no schools nor schoolmasters except the Gaelic schoolmasters and the Free Church Schools, so that there was a high percentage of illiteracy. The local doctor and minister and schoolmaster, if he existed, were often the only ones who could write a letter, so that their standard of education was far above that of the rest in the parish, and they were respected more so than to-day when almost everyone can read and write. Life was hard in those days when there were no roads or vehicles. The boll of meal had to be carried from Tarbert. Mrs. Maclellan was one of those who collected for the box for the ministers at Communions, when they had to be out in the open-air. It is still in use. May the Lord comfort and guide those she has left behind. “So man lieth down and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.”—D. McA.
The late Mrs. Ewen Morison, Glen, South Harris.
Two of our oldest members have been taken away almost simultaneously, which provides food for thought to the most careless among us. It is a sign of the Lord’s anger when He takes away His own from the evil to come. As long as Lot was in Sodom, the fire and brimstone could not come down, but whenever he was safely outside the city, the judgment came. There were two men who kept up the Cause at Northton, the husband of Mrs. Morison, and Malcolm Mackinnon. The latter was more gifted, but neither of them could read the Word of God.
The late Mr. Murdo Martin used to read for them. Malcolm was one day speaking to the Question about attendance on the public means of grace. He said he met some villagers on the road. They asked him where he was going. He replied that he was on his way to the prayer-meeting. They remarked that they didn’t know there was a prayer-meeting. He was illustrating the indifference of many.
Mrs. Morison lived for 95 years. She had an excellent memory, and could entertain her visitors with many an anecdote and reminiscence. When Rev. E. Radasi called on her, he was surprised to hear her conversing fluently in English. It seems that she washed the saints’ feet, and entertained strangers, as well as bringing up children. The venerable Ewen Mackenzie was a frequent visitor at her home on his peregrinations. It was an honour for any house to have such a guest. He was revered as being no ordinary Christian. Roderick Ferguson, Tarbert, who is still spared to the church on earth, said he never met a more godly man. He lived alone at Northton in fellowship and communion with the Most High. Several attempts were made to print an account of his life, but these were not successful as the events narrated were almost incredible.
Although he was such an outstanding man he never took up much time in public prayer. His private devotions would be longer. Mrs. Morison became dull of hearing latterly, but retained her memory till the end of her earthly journey.
She died peacefully. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. Yea, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours and their works do follow them.” If the Lord takes away all His saints, and none are raised up from among the young, the time will come when there shall be none to commemorate the death of Christ and His dying love. In that case a communion cannot be held, and Satan can then rejoice that the field is his. The heathen song and dance will replace the solemn assembly.
—D. McA.