WHILE the separation by death makes it painful to lose the friendship and fellowship of such as were greatly beloved and highly esteemed, yet it is truly comforting when there is good cause to believe they have gone to be with Christ, who loved them and gave Himself for them.
The subject of this notice was born in Coast, Inverasdale, Ross-shire, over 79 years ago, and was privileged to have had the example and instruction of godly parents. He was the second son of a family of five, and while the family were yet young the parents removed to Strath, Gairloch, where they spent the remainder of their life.
As a young boy, Alexander was very anxious to accompany his parents to Communions, and when not allowed to go he would manifest how very keenly he felt being kept at home by the many tears he shed.
When a young man he came to reside in Glasgow, where he was employed with the Railway Company. His high sense of duty, his ability to overcome difficulties, and the uprightness of his character made a strong impression upon those with whom he came in contact.
On coming to Glasgow, he worshipped in the St. Jude’s congregation, where many a young man and young woman, under the faithful ministry of the late Rev. Neil Cameron, had been given, through divine teaching, to mourn over their sins, and to behold by faith the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. In 1904 he appeared before the Kirk Session of St. Jude’s congregation seeking admission to the Lord’s Table for the first time. The Session, being highly pleased with his religious knowledge and experience, granted him the privilege of being a member in full communion. Mr. Mackay showed by his example on Sabbath and on week-days that his was not a mere profession. His great regard for the Lord’s Day, his constant attendance at the means of grace, his faithfulness to the cause of Christ, made it evident that his aim was to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever. He adhered whole-heartedly to the Free Presbyterian testimony, for being a man of discernment, he was seeing clearly the marked departures there were in other churches from the principles and the doctrines of the true Church of God on earth.
Over twenty years ago, he was elected and ordained an elder, and he sought, by grace, to fulfil conscientiously and faithfully the duties of his office until the end of his days. Some time ago influences were at work to dissuade him from following “the old paths,” but he unswervingly adhered to his ordination vows, owning and acknowledging, among other things, that the government and discipline of the Church are founded upon the Holy Scriptures and agreeable thereto. He knew very well—if there be any regard to discipline at all—that no one can defy the authority of the Supreme Court of the Church without either having to separate from the Church or having to undergo the discipline such defiance involves.
It is to be lamented that in many of the churches in our land, ministers, office-bearers and members go contrary to the doctrines of God’s Word and to Church government without any attempt being made to exercise the authority with which the Church Courts have been invested. Our late friend knew that such glaring inconsistency is most displeasing to the Lord to whom churches and individuals are accountable, and he sought prayerfully to keep strictly to the teaching of God’s Word, which will judge us all in the last day.
For three weeks before he passed away, he was confined to his bed. His mind was quite clear and he was able to have family worship up to the day before his death. On that day he wished to have the 24th Psalm read and the last four verses sung. He seemed thereafter to have had his mind entirely away from the things of time. By his removal on the 18th day of last January, the Kirk Session and congregation of St. Jude’s lost a true friend and a faithful counsellor who had their best interests at heart.
To his two daughters, who nursed him lovingly and tenderly, we extend our heartfelt sympathy. We commend them to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build them up and to give them an inheritance among all them who are sanctified.—D. J. M.