The late Mr John MacInnes, elder, North Harris
John MacInnes was born on the 1st of April 1902 in Kyles-Scalpay, Harris, sixth in a family of four sons and five daughters. From his youth he was taught by his parents in the Scriptures and brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Of a bright and lively disposition as a boy, he was also mannerly and circumspect, but as yet in those days he remained ignorant of Christ as his Lord and Saviour.
When he was still a young lad, John was for some time in hospital suffering from disease in his right leg. In order to save his life, his doctors regarded it as necessary to amputate his leg, but young John would not consent. Although he had not the saving grace of God in his heart then, he yet believed that his leg would heal and that he would recover his health. Some time after his discharge from hospital, his leg did begin to heal, he regained his strength and was never again afflicted with that disease.
As a young lad, he joined first the Royal Navy and then the Merchant Navy. Although still without God and without hope in the world, the Spirit of the Lord was striving with him. He had at times conviction of sin but he often silenced the dictates of conscience, continuing in the ways of the world. While in a foreign port at one time, he went ashore for the evening but he found he could not enjoy the company and the ways of the world, owing to his being under deep conviction of his sin and misery. On his way back to his ship, he was tried with a sore and terrible temptation. In later relating to his painful experience under this temptation he would say with an air of solemnity and thankfulness, “Oh, how God supported me and kept me!” During the remainder of his voyage he was learning by bitter experience that “the law is holy and the commandment holy and just and good”, that he was a lost sinner on the way to eternity, and that no flesh shall be justified by the deeds of the law in the sight of God. Under the painful lash of an awakened, condemning conscience, he had no rest either day or night.
After returning to the United Kingdom, he journeyed as soon as possible home to Harris. He was searching for peace with God but not finding peace, seeking Christ without finding Him. John’s heart was sighing, “Oh, that I knew where I might find Him.” At that time a godly young man asked him to accompany him to a communion in Lewis but John courteously declined the invitation, because he felt so utterly unworthy of the company of the people of God. Not long after this, he came by the grace of God to experience consciously the liberty of the Gospel. While praying and thinking seriously as he stood on the hillside not far from his home, the Word of God came into his soul with calm power and sweetness, and by faith he saw Christ in the Gospel as his own personal Saviour.
On Sabbath 16th September 1933, he came forward to the Lord’s Table and from that day until the end of his sojourn here, he was a shining witness for his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was ordained to the eldership in the North Harris Congregation on 14th November 1945. He was excellently suited to that office because of his intelligence and great gifts and talents sanctified by the grace of God. He was widely read and an attractive and perfect Gaelic speaker, also possessing a very good command of English. He excelled in humility and meekness but in the Cause of the Lord he was graciously bold and firm.
As ministers and elders took notice of his talents and gracious deportment, the Outer Isles Presbytery appointed him as a lay preacher. He laboured in Breasleate for three years and in Uig, Lewis, for six years, but he spent most of his time labouring in the service of his Master in his own native Isle of Harris. He would say that he had no special call from the Lord to preach the Gospel but that he was trying to help the Cause of Christ. Being deeply conscious of his spiritual poverty, and much exercised in prayer for the presence and unction of the Holy Spirit, his Discourses were edifying to those who loved the Lord, while at the same time he solemnly warned unconverted sinners to flee from the wrath to come.
John was of a bright disposition, an amiable and loving man blessed with a sanctified sense of humour, but he knew experimentally the depths of soul exercise as expressed in Psalm 130 — “Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord.” The Lord’s people were fond of his company and often refreshed by his savoury conversation and occasional hearty laugh. He likewise proved judicious and helpful in the Kirk Session and Presbytery. He wasn’t a man who paraded his admiration for and faithfulness to the witness raised and the noble stand made on the side of truth in Scotland in 1893, but he did admire and love that honourable witness.
Owing to ill health, John was confined to his home for the last six years of his life. He endured his afflictions patiently, with calm resignation to the will of God. His doctor often remarked on what a fine, intelligent Christian Mr MacInnes was. Shortly before he passed away, I reminded him of the very happy times we had spent together in the Cause of the Lord. “Ah, yes,” he said, “but there are happier days ahead of us.” He meant Heaven, being with Christ. Taught by the Holy Spirit of the depravity of his own heart, he would say with feeling in his native tongue, “Se plaigh a th’ anns an inntinn fhèdmhor.” (“The carnal mind is a plague.”). The Name of Jesus was fragrant to John MacInnes; he savingly understood the divine, infinite virtue of the meritorious righteousness of Christ.
On Monday morning, the 28th day of February 1977, while on the way by ambulance to the Lewis Hospital, John MacInnes departed this life at the age of 74 years to be forever with the Lord. “Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:30).
We extend our sympathy to his sorrowing widow, brother and sisters, and pray that they be blessed by the Lord.
A. McK.