by Rev. J. A. MacDonald, Fort William
TWO REAL CHRISTIAN LADIES
Mrs Jessie Fraser and Mrs Morag MacGillivray were both members in full communion in this congregation for many years. To them the house of God was a real Bethel and the word preached there proved “a savour of life unto life,” to their souls. I can truly say of them what the late godly Rev. Malcolm Gillies, Stornoway, used to say of many in our church then, that is, “they could draw water out of a dry well.” Many a day the writer found them a real blessing in this respect. Both, in their own quiet way, did much to uphold the “pillars” of the land (Ps. 75 v. 3). Oh how appropriate of them is this truth: “They in the Lord that firmly trust shall be like Sion hill, Which at no time can be removed, but standeth ever still.” (Ps. 125 v. 1).
The former was born in the town of Oban about eighty years ago. He father was an elder there, who conducted worship in the Church on many occasions. She had sweet and vivid recollections of the godly in Oban. She often spoke of the crowds staying at Communion seasons with them. Nevertheless, our friend lived for many years after that in a state of nature; but the loving eye of Jehovah was focussed upon her until He, as the Good Shepherd, brought her into the fold. That she was truly converted was now obvious to all who knew her in the past. In brief, she now loved the things she so little esteemed before.
While under conviction of sin her experience was like that of the Church in the song: “By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth; I sought him but I found Him not.” However the day of her deliverance was near. She came to church one Sabbath morning with a deep, deep sense of her need of Christ. The preacher’s text was: “There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.” (Deut. 33:26). As she herself used to say so often of that day: “That was the day of my betrothal to Christ.” She was a most cheerful Christian, who kept the bright side to the world in the face of her subsequent trials when assailed by Satan.
A truth on which she often chewed her cud, so to speak, was what God said to Jeremiah in his declining years: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love . . .” For days on her deathbed she was as if in a coma, thus taking no notice of anything. When we, however, and other friends read or quoted the Scriptures to her she would then open her eyes, while her lips moved with delight in the truth. God was with her.
To her three daughters, her sister, her niece and family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy, and would pray that the God of Mrs Fraser would be their God for ever and ever.
The latter (Mrs MacGillivray) was a native of Skye, but spent most of her early life in Glasgow, where she trained as a nurse — a profession she loved, and admired. She came to Fort William in 1952, where she held the post of matron for several years. Her nursing abilities were of a high standard, and were much appreciated by patients and staff.
We believe that she came to know the Saviour when as yet quite young. A truth we often heard from her was, “I love them that love me and those that seek me early shall find me.” Being spiritually minded, she often spoke of some of the godly ministers we had in our beloved church; particularly the late Rev. Neil MacIntyre, and the late Rev. Neil Cameron; their earnest zeal for souls, the way they carried the dignity of their office, both on Sabbath and weekday, their ability to defend the truth when assailed by the malignant adversary, and their kindness to those in distress or want at all times. Indeed, there were many of those excellent qualities in Mrs MacGillivray herself.
The profanation of the Lord’s day was a sore grief to her. In obedience to the Divine command: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy . . .” my friend never allowed any of her guests to leave or arrive on that day. Like her friend Mrs Fraser, she was an out and out Free Presbyterian.
The faithful stand made in 1893, they treasured, “more than their necessary food.” No compromising on their part. Her attendance on the means of grace was admirable, while on her deathbed in hospital she was most composed as she leaned, we believe, on the arm of Him whom her soul loved. The writer said to her, “You remember what the Church said in the Song of Solomon: ‘His left hand is under my head and his right hand doth embrace me’.” “Oh yes,” she replied, “and I would be a poor soul without that now.” Oh how sweet the truth. “Dear in God’s sight is His saints death, Thy servant Lord am I, Thy servant sure, Thy handmaid’s son; My bands Thou didst untie.” (Ps. 116: 15, 16).
To her lonely husband, her dauther and son-in-law, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and may they all be His in the day when He will make up His jewels.