On the evening of Tuesday, 13th January 1976 the Northern Presbytery inducted Rev. D. B. MacLeod to the charge of the Dingwall & Beauly congregation, left vacant by the retirement of Rev. D. A. MacFarlane in August 1973, thus ending a vacancy that had lasted less than two and a half years. The evening was misty but dry which brought a large attendance of our people from the West and North and from the congregations around Dingwall which completely filled the Church to overflowing. The meeting was opened by the Moderator, Rev. J. Nicolson at 7 p.m. and the preliminary steps were taken, the part of the minute calling the meeting read, the Edict returned duly served and the proclamation was made thrice at the main door of the church. The Moderator then preached the sermon, taking as his text the words in Genesis, chapter 24, verse 58: “Wilt thou go with this man?”, an appropriate and vigorous exposition of the main work of Christ’s ambassadors in carrying the Gospel message with its blessings to sinners and pressing upon them the gracious invitation of Christ, which was listened to throughout with close attention. The clerk then read the narrative and the minister elect answered the stated questions put to him by the Moderator satisfactorily and signed the Formula. Prayer was offered by the Moderator who thereafter solemnly inducted Mr MacLeod to the Dingwall & Beauly congregation with the authority of the Presbytery and in the name of the Divine Head of the Church. The right hand of fellowship was given to the newly inducted minister. Rev. R. R. Sinclair addressed the minister in helpful and suitable terms on the personal character, duties, etc. of a minister of Christ, including at the same time the minister’s wife and her responsibilities; Rev. Alex. MacPherson then addressed the people of the congregation, offering them practical advice, appropriate to the occasion. The clerk then read message from their former pastor, Rev. D. A. MacFarlane in which he wished him the blessing of the Glorified Head of the Church upon his labours in preaching and pastoral work and times of refreshing for both minister and people. This part of the public service was brought to a close with the Benediction pronounced by the Moderator and the people were dismissed. As they were leaving the church the minister just inducted stood at the door and shook them by the hand as they passed out. Rev. D. B. MacLeod then returned and took his place on the court and his name was entered on the Roll of Members as minister of the Dingwall & Beauly congregation.
In the crowded church it was encouraging to notice so many of our ministers present, representative of all the Presbyteries of our Church, Revs. J. A. MacDonald, Fort William; A. Murray, Applecross; Duncan MacLean, Tolsta; J. W. Ross, Lochcarron; Fraser Tallach, Broadford; and Ian Tallach, Perth, and these ministers were at an early stage in the proceedings associated with the Presbytery. In the history of the Dingwall & Beauly congregation, the induction makes Mr MacLeod the third minister to be settled over the congregation and he succeeds the lengthy ministries of the late Rev. D. MacFarlane who came in 1903 from Raasay and Rev. D. A. MacFarlane, still happily spared among us at Inverness who entered upon the charge in 1930. A hopeful and confident spirit prevailed among the people who had gathered to witness the filling up of the vacancy of one of our old established charges and our church people will follow with their prayers the labours of Rev. D. B. MacLeod in his new congregation at Dingwall and Beauly. May the Great Head of the Church furnish his servant with all the gifts, grace and strength necessary for his work in the widely scattered parish and make Mr MacLeod a blessing to His Church and Cause in the day of reproach and blasphemy in which we live.
A.F.M.