TWO UIG ELDERS
The late Murdo MacLeod, Islivig and Donald Matheson, Aird, were both highly respected Elders in our beloved Church for many years, in this, the Parish of their nativity. God had many people in Uig from generation to generation. We rejoice that they are still there and shall be “while sun and moon endure”, we believe. When we visited old friends there last summer, many recollections of our young days there occupied our thoughts, together with our association and fellowship with these men, and many more, too numerous to mention. Both men were highly intelligent, real patriarchs, who had the historical events of that area at their fingertips. It would be a sad matter if their names, their zeal for the witness raised in 1893, along with all they accomplished for its furtherance should not be remembered any more.
Murdo MacLeod, Islivig
As far as I can ascertain, Murdo was brought to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour while yet a young man. In prayer, he often quoted what the Holy Spirit recorded of Abijah, “Because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel” (1st Kings 14:13), thus pleading that it might please the Lord to make us all Abijahs, in whose heart good would be found toward the Lord God of Israel.
He became Sub-postmaster at Islivig after the 2nd World War, in which he served. For this responsible post he was adequately fitted having had a good education. He was also a most conscientious person, active and trustworthy in all things. He was among the faithful men, women and children (about three hundred) who, in 1929, bluntly refused to unite with the Arminian United Free Church, come what may. They dreaded Arminianism. Murdo often spoke to me of the memorable day in which the congregation made their firm stand in defence of the gospel. He referred to it some times like this, “All we longed for in saying farewell forever to the Balnakiel Parish Church, the Manse, the glebes, and the money, was that ourselves, our children and our children’s children should have the gospel in its purity declared to us.”
He dearly loved the courts of God’s House, and seldom missed any of the Kirk Session or Deacon’s Court Meetings, although he had to walk six or seven miles to attend. When he would arrive, he often greeted us with the words of the Psalmist; “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in tents of wickedness”. Ps. 84:10. Oh, to be like him.
Giving him a lift home one evening, he suggested my stopping at a beautiful green patch of ground in the long Valtos Glen, known locally as “Aite nan orduighean”, (The Communion Place). “Here”, he went on, “under the blue canopy of heaven, in brilliant sunshine, while the sheep and the cattle quietly grazed on the hilly slopes, the death of our blessed Saviour was often remembered, Godly Angus of the hills often sat at the Lord’s table here. Our first Communion too under the auspices of the Free Presbyterian Church was in this quiet spot. “That Sabbath was a high day.””
At Murdo’s end of the congregation most services were held in a school; but he longed and prayed for a place of our own in which to worship God. But with having other commitments this seemed impossible; however, Murdo continued to solicit this favour of the Lord. Truly the Lord hearkened and heard, and before very long granted his petition. Murdo’s sister in law (Mrs MacAulay) erected a new house a few yards from his home, to which she and her sister hoped to retire, but God in his providence overruled, thus giving her a mind to purchase a house in Stornoway where she made her home near many friends. She, being a sincere friend of the cause, sold us the house for a mere pittance. With the help of our young men, Murdo had it soon converted into an attractive place of worship.
In God’s holy providence, my friend had his rich share of the sorrows of this world. He was twice widowed. His only daughter died while yet in her early twenties, but Murdo “kissed the rod and Him that ordered it”. He would always say, “He doeth all things well.”
During a vacancy, he conducted services himself, although he much preferred listening to others. He was a keen admirer of the late John MacInnes who was Missionary at both Mangersta and Breanish. He derived much good for his soul from his preaching. He was always happy when he had Ministers and students staying with him. Oh: what a hospitable home he had. His sister kept home for him. Murdo, Lydia-like, considered it a great honour to have God’s people under his roof. Both his sons, and their families are faithful adherents in the Stornoway congregation.
It is my earnest desire and prayer to God, that the mantle of such a God-fearing father may fall on them.
On the 26th day of December, 1964, Murdo said farewell to the worship of God in time, for the place where the inhabitant will never say, “I am sick”, at the age of seventy-five years. Then are they glad, because at rest and quiet now they be. So to the haven he them brings, which they desire to see.
Donald Matheson, Aird
My friend always lived an exemplary life. In a way, this was not to be wondered at, being the only son of Godly parents. I had the honour of knowing his mother, who was indeed a true mother in Israel. She with her husband helped to uphold, “the posts of the land”, in 1929, which step they never regretted taking. Wise people! Donald was a firm believer in the pure doctrine of God’s word, that no one could reach heaven on the basis of mere sobriety. A truth he always quoted was, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. He made his home in Glasgow where he brought up his children. He made a public profession in the Free Church, and became an Elder with the late Rev. Peter Chisholm of whom he always spoke highly. After a few years he returned to his native Island which proved most beneficial, in more ways than one to our Uig congregation. He immediately cast in his lot with the Free Presbyterian Church, and was not ashamed to display the Banner of Truth.
Shortly after the writer accepted a call to Uig, he was made an Elder, and John MacIver, and Murdo Morrison, Deacons. Donald MacKay was already a Deacon in Balnakille.
Donald was a very intelligent man, and excellent at figures. This enabled him to get a good grasp of Church Law and procedure. No one need tell him what a protest in the Supreme Court of the Church meant. He was a born organiser. For this talent there was much need, and ample scope to develop it, the congregation being practically destitute of a place of worship. The present one being in a state of urgent repairs. The Manse debt had to be paid monthly. Donald, along with the other Office-bearers really put their backs into it, so to speak. To make a long story short, the day the debt was paid (£300) we had £2 over. Donald suggested that the Moderator engage in prayer to thank the Lord for his loving kindness. The Moderator did so. He then moved that this small sum be placed in the Bank in the name of the Congregation, “as a nest egg” for a new Church at Miavaig. He said that the truth was coming very much before his mind, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house his hands shall also finish it”. (Zechariah 4:9).? This suggestion seemed a colossal one, as we had only emerged from a heavy debt, but the men had faith and immediately agreed. When Malcolm Smith, Elder, seconded the motion, Donald was appointed treasurer for this fund. Himself and the Moderator worked hand in hand, and before long Donald had hundreds of pounds in the account which began with £2. Within two or three years I received a letter from my dear friend requesting my coming to Uig to open their New Church.
In the Session he was a most useful member, far seeing, firm and yet sympathetic, one who would not break the “bruised reed”. It was really in the Presbytery, when it was ministerially weak, that I noticed particularly his ability, his wisdom and faithfulness. One could always look to Donald for a wise suggestion. I never had a better friend. When death in God’s providence, closed my manse door, he immediately offered me accommodation, where I stayed for a time.
At the age of over 72 years, on the 15th day of September, 1961, he was called to be forever with the Lord. We still miss him. In conclusion, I am pleased to state that his widow, who was like minded with himself, is still spared in Uig, living with a married daughter. His only son is the Congregational treasurer there, and his other daughter is married in the Stornoway Congregation.
Oh, may they all be given grace to seek the Lord more and more, and follow the God of their father, that they may be His in the day when He will make up his jewels.