The late Alex. James Cameron-Mackintosh, Elder, Tomatin.
There are people, acquaintance with whom one feels to have begun too late. Hardly has one begun to appreciate their qualities, than death intervenes. That is the case with the writer and the subject of this obituary. Alex. Cameron-Mackintosh was a man of strong character, upright and of a vigorous, bright nature. Above all, he was a gracious discerning man whose delight it was to serve the Saviour in every way he could.
He was born at Mid-Morile, Tomatin, in 1901 to godfearing parents who gave to him and the other twelve members of their family the best start that children can have in this world. Their children were instructed in the Word of God, given every opportunity to hear that Word preached, firmly and lovingly disciplined, and shown a Christian example. One result was that when Alex. left home to serve his apprenticeship at engineering in Glasgow he attached himself to the St. Jude’s congregation, and found no cause to regret the many times he listened to Rev. Neil Cameron preach. His time served, when normally Alex. might have expected to continue working as a journeyman engineer, the post-war depression gave him no opportunity. So he joined the Glasgow Police and served in the Marine Division for several years. But again Providence checked his career, for he became seriously ill with a stomach ulcer. He almost lost his life, recovery was slow, and the strict fitness regulations of the period brought his police service to an end. As Glasgow seemed to hold no future for him, he returned to his native Strathdearn and began farming. His renewed connection with the congregation of his youth continued thereafter until his death.
It is not known when he underwent a saving change, but in 1948 he was received into full membership of the Church. Earlier that year, his beloved wife died, committing to his and the Lord’s care their only boy, then seven years old. In May, 1953, Alex. was ordained an elder of the Straths joint-congregation and applied himself diligently to the duties of the office. He was appointed Clerk of Session almost at once, and showed himself conscientious and businesslike in all his handling of church matters, winning the full respect of all with whom he came in contact. At communion times in Tomatin his hospitable home, where his widowed sister, Mrs MacDonald, kept house, was a well-known centre of warm Gospel fellowship. When Robert Watt at length became unable to continue his work as a missionary at Tomatin, Alex. Cameron-Mackintosh took up the task of conducting the public worship. He continued to do this most acceptably until he became ill in October, 1968. His familiarity with God’s Word was very evident when he prayed. Many petitions were taken directly from its sacred pages, and others were almost invariably supported by appropriate portions of the Truth.
His illness lasted almost a year. It was a period marked by sickness, discomfort and weakness. When the Lord on the 17th September last year, took him away to that place where no inhabitant says he is sick, it was immeasurable gain to him, but a severe loss to his family and congregation. A large number of mourners from far and near accompanied the remains to the ancient burying ground of Dalarossie close by the swift waters of the Findhorn, beside which most of his life had been spent. But it was not the only river with which he had close contact. Being one who trusted in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is, he was as a tree planted by the waters which spreads out her roots by the river of life. The pure river of water of life proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb, will eternally support and gladden all who like Alex. Cameron-Mackintosh live and die in the faith of Jesus Christ. Desiring for them the same great blessing, we extend our sympathy to his son, and to Mrs MacDonald and the other members of his family.
A. McP.