Mrs L. Harley, Edinburgh
Mrs Harley was a native of Edinburgh and for many years a member of the Edinburgh congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Though of a gentle disposition and physically fragile, she possessed a powerful intellect and strong personality. This along with a good education enabled her to state her views fearlessly and with conviction. Mrs Harley, irrespective of the consequences to herself adhered to the word of God as the standard, by which her whole life was regulated. She was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, which was to her the power of God unto salvation. She loved the whole Bible and in it found life for her soul. Of her it could be said that the power of God was made perfect in her weakness. Like Ruth she could say to the household of faith, “Thy people are my people and thy God my God.” As one who had been delivered out of spiritual darkness, through the Gospel, she endeavoured to send that Gospel to others less fortunate than herself.
She and her husband read extensively about Roman Catholicism and were able to assess its dangers. Their assessment was not based on prejudice or ignorance but on a genuine knowledge of the subject. Grieved at the fact that in Europe alone millions were still under its cruel rule they did their best to assist efforts by various societies to rescue souls from papal oppression. Their generous contributions towards the support of Protestants in Spain was an example of the Harley’s concern for the Lord’s people whose lot was cast where the See of Rome continued to dominate the spiritual aspiration of a benighted nation.
Mrs Harley loved the means of Grace and as one of Zion’s daughters found its gates most pleasant. Her place in the Church was seldom empty and her presence was inspiring as one became aware of her prayerful response to the Gospel message. After her departure from Edinburgh her friends at Gilmore Place greatly missed her and we know that she missed the Christian fellowship she once enjoyed there. From Edinburgh she went south to Bath where she lived with her friends, Mr and Mrs Hugh MacDougall. After spending some time there she decided to return to Scotland and took up residence in a nursing home in Inverness, not the Church’s Home.
After her husband’s death, Mrs Harley was lonely but not despondent and her health continued to be tolerably good. After leaving Edinburgh she had an accident which caused her considerable pain but she made a sufficiently good recovery to enable her to live in comfort. Latterly she had lapses of memory and required constant care and nursing. This she found in the nursing home in Inverness, where she was affectionately cared for by the Matron and her staff. Their genuine interest in Mrs Harley’s welfare made a very favourable impression on the writer who desires to record his sincere thanks to the said Matron and staff.
Our friend’s interest in the Edinburgh congregation continued unabated to the end and in her Will she left part of her estate to the congregation. Her end was peace and we are sure her soul has joined the Lord’s redeemed ones. “Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He brings them to their desired haven.” Ps. 107:30. All Mrs Harley’s friends have pleasant memories of her. On behalf of the Edinburgh congregation we record our deep appreciation of her tangible and prayerful interest in its welfare. All who befriended Mrs Harley in her widowhood will receive their reward.
Mrs Janet MacLeod, Edinburgh
Mrs MacLeod, a native of the Isle of Skye was born in the parish of Durinish over eighty years ago. She was connected with the Free Presbyterian Church from her infancy. Her parents, Mr and Mrs Donald Campbell were loyal supporters of the Church since 1893 until they died at a good old age. Janet their daughter exemplified the same loyalty after she left home to work in Edinburgh where she eventually married John MacLeod who had a similar Church background. Mr and Mrs MacLeod carried their Christian upbringing into their own married life and brought up their family to know the scriptures from their youth.
Mr MacLeod who predeceased his wife by many years was a highly respected Elder in the Edinburgh congregation. To his wife his pious life was both congenial and encouraging. She herself was denied the strength to make a public profession of her faith in Christ until within a year of her death. During her long connection as an adherent with the congregation she projected the image of one who cherished the faith once delivered to the saints. For this reason on occasions, she found herself differing with others as she was not prepared to compromise when her loyalties were at stake.
Left a widow with a family of five daughters and one son she derived much strength from her religious background. This she readily confessed while facing her duties in her home and congregation with commendable resignation to the will of Him whose tender care more than compensated for her grievous loss. One cannot recall an instance in which Mrs MacLeod was heard complaining of her lot. Her task was formidable, left alone with a young family to bring up at a time when their father’s affection and counsel were most needed. It is true that her family, who were devoted to their mother made her burden easier by their dutiful co-operation with her, while endeavouring to bring them up in the Christian way. She also worked hard to prepare them for suitable employment. This, along with their own diligence, prepared them for good posts in their choice of work. Mrs MacLeod lived to see some of her daughters brought to a saving knowledge of Christ. Today two of them, Mary and Margaret and her two grand-daughters are members in full communion with the Church. It is their privilege to inherit a precious heritage and we believe they cherish this above all else.
We shall always remember the day Mrs MacLeod appeared before the Kirk Session for membership. Her gracious composure, her sanctified native dignity, the clear assurance of her faith in Christ, humbly acknowledged, with her quiet yet confident request that she be permitted to sit at the Lord’s Table, made a lasting impression on those of us whose privilege it was to grant, in the Lord’s name, this inestimable privilege. Mrs MacLeod was on the following Sabbath to remember, for the first and last time on earth, the Lord’s death. Seeing her coming to the table, with characteristic composure, one could describe her thus, “I hold the daughter of the King.” She had publicly testified what her friends believed she had for many years, namely “a saving interest in Christ.” Though that day was near the eve of her departure to be with Christ, Mrs MacLeod had to pass through yet another furnace of affliction. Her daughter Chrissie shared the pleasure of the whole family at seeing their mother sitting at the Lord’s Table. Chrissie was the eldest daughter and was most dutiful. While still young she shared more than any the burden of bringing up the family and her devotion to her mother continued unabated to the end. This devotion was reciprocated in the mother’s growing dependance on this daughter with whom for many years she had shared her joys and sorrows. The bond between them was further strengthened by their mutual interest in Christ as their Saviour. Chrissie MacLeod gave conclusive evidence that to her also Christ was made precious. The fellowship between mother and daughters at 12 Northfield Avenue was like that in the house at Bethany, graced with the presence of the Lord, but as happened at Bethany, death visited Northfield Avenue and removed Chrissie to the home where “they die no more.” One can imagine how shattering this blow was to Mrs MacLeod in her old age. This was her third bereavement since her marriage. As already stated, her husband died while the family were still young. Then her daughter Morag’s husband, Mr Whitelaw, died leaving a young son and daughter. In her grievous loss, the young widow found in her mother one who could with maternal compassion enter into her mournful circumstances. Mrs Whitelaw wisely followed her mother’s example by choosing the church of her fathers for her children, who now show their appreciation by their devotion to its testimony.
The Lord knew that Mrs MacLeod had enough of the trials of this life and He called her home a few weeks after the departure of Chrissie. “They were lovely in their lives and in their death they were not divided.” In expressing our sympathy with the son, daughters and their families, we commend them to God and the word of His grace. By this grace their friends were saved.
D.C.
Oh, that I were where I shall sin no more.
Samuel Rutherford