Opening of New Church at Laide
The history of the Free Presbyterian Congregation, Laide, goes back to 1893 when a group of pious people separated from the old Free Church because of the passing of the infamous Declaratory Act that year. Six godly men took the lead, and were followed by a considerable number of people. A number of families, alas, became divided because of disagreement about the need to separate. In some of these it was the women who took the lead while the men followed later. This separation from the Free Church left the group without a place of worship.
Prior to 1893 there was a cave on the sea coast of Laide which was used by the local Churches for meetings, and it was in this cave that our people worshiped in the beginning. There is one person still living who was one of the last three to be baptised in the cave in 1895 by Rev. J. R. MacKay, Gairloch. The cave is still intact but is reduced in size due to being used for many years as a shelter for sheep. The stone dyke, built in the front of the cave to give a shelter from the northerly winds sweeping across Gruinard Bay, still stands.
In 1900 the men of the congregation built a meeting house. The chosen site, formerly used for storing crofting materials, was donated by one of the men of the congregation. Those who had a horse and cart gave freely of their transport and time for carrying building materials from Aultbea Pier to the site, and those who were able contributed money for the new building.
Over the many years since its completion it has proved to be a happy meeting place where not only families met together on Sabbath and weekday, but where the Lord met with His people to feed their souls, and where he met with others to bring them to a saving interest in Christ.
Communion seasons were held every year in the month of September, and people gathered from the neighbouring communities: Gairloch, Shieldaig, Diabeg, Scoraig and Ullapool, to mention a few. Many came by boat, and hundreds gathered in the hollow by the shore, where the communion services were held in the open air until the nineteen thirties. Some of our people recall hot Septembers, when old men at the services would be shielding their heads from the burning sun with handkerchiefs; or occasional chilly Septembers when they had to be well wrapped up. Others remember the blessedness of those gospel times, the heavenliness of the psalm singing, the sweet fellowship of the Lord’s people and the great kindness shown by the Laide people to the visitors among them. It was also a time of fruitfulness, when many came to receive the privilege of baptism and to publicly profess faith in Christ by sitting at the Lord’s table for the first time. Records show that the Kirk Session was conscientious and thorough in its examination of applicants for these privileges.
From its inception the Laide congregation was classed as a Mission Station with its own elders and Kirk Session, and served by a number of noted missionaries over the years. Later, while continuing to be a Mission Station, it came under the oversight of Gairloch Kirk Session. Mr Sandy Maclean, Gairloch, was the last Missionary of Laide, and when his service drew to an end because of declining health, the Congregation felt it ought to seek for a settled pastor. Steps were therefore taken in that direction and in 1973 the Synod granted that the Laide congregation be raised to the status of a sanctioned charge with the right to call a minister. In 1980 the present writer felt led to accept a call from the Congregation to be its pastor.
In 1983 the Deacon’s Court decided to renovate the old meeting house, and at the same time to enlarge it was inadequate for Communion seasons and had insufficient parking space attached to it. As it was not possible to obtain adjacent land for this purpose, it was decided that the only practical thing to do was to build a new church on another site — a very big undertaking for our comparatively small congregation. A site was therefore eventually obtained, beside the manse and a few hundred yards south of the meeting house. Plans were prepared, local authority permissions were obtained, a grant and loan were given by the Finance Committee of the Church, and donations were given by many kind friends. Building work then began and was brought to completion under the able skills of MacRae Brothers and their employees.
On 27th March this year the new building was opened for public worship. That extremely stormy Friday evening, friends came from many parts, from far as well as near, to be with us on this memorable occasion. The church (which comfortably accommodates 220 people) held 350 with the help of extra seats in the aisles and other places. Rev. Lachlan Macleod, Greenock, preached a most appropriate sermon from Genesis 28: 19. “And he called the name of that place Bethel . . .” Glasgow elders, Mr A Gilles and Mr W. Fraser were the precentors. Thereafter Rev. Angus MaKay, Inverness, and Rev. Angus MaKay, formerly of Tarbert, addressed the congregation, expressing their pleasure in being present at the opening of such a beautiful place of worship, and wishing the blessing of the Lord in it, so that it would be a Bethel indeed.
After the service tea was provided by the ladies of the congregation, the spread of good things having been contributed to also by kind friends in the community. It was very encouraging to hear that the collection that evening amounted to £2349.
We may add that on the Sabbath of our communion in April nearly 200 gathered for the morning service and over 200 for the evening service, so that our new church was in full use.
As a congregation we have great cause for much gratitude to God for His kindness to us in providing this new place of worship; and for the kindness shown by friends throughout the church and by others not belonging to the church. When we think of our forefathers, in the beginnings of our church, having to suffer much discomfort when seeking to worship God according to the Scriptures, and prior to our beginnings as a church, the godly in Scotland having to flee to the hills from their persecutors, we are reminded that we must be heartily thankful to the Lord that in His kind providence we can gather for worship in much comfort and without interference. How we ought to be praising Him as the Psalmist did: “Thou art good, and doest good.” Ps. 119: 68. — D. A. R.
Mission News
As I write, Miss Marion Graham is in Scotland for one month. Her bronzed colouring bears testimony to the exceptionally hot summer weather they have had in Zimbabwe. It has been another season of scant rain and poor crops, which is very sad for the people dependent on the fields for food.
Mission teachers from overseas are now included in the Unified Teachers’ list; hence Miss Graham’s short visit home, while the John Tallach Secondary School is closed for the usual Easter holiday, and the Education Department considers the question of furloughs.
The eight blind or partially-sighted pupils are hard at work. One boy, Paris, was seventh in Form 2 for the whole year’s work. Richard is the only pupil totally blind from birth. Miss MacLennan says it is touching to see how careful the others are, although they themselves have such limited sight, that he does not bump into anything.
Margaret Maturure, confined during the day to a wheelchair, is back again at Ingwenya. She was at school in Bulawayo for two years, but she did not secure sufficient O-levels to enter University. While she was in Bulawayo Mr William Campbell and later Mr James Taylor took Margaret to church each Sabbath morning. We trust that the Saviour, who had compassion on the multitude, will bless the Word to the children who pass through our schools in their hundreds and who hear the Gospel faithfully preached, Sabbath and weekday. The Rev. D. B. MacLeod preached on many occasions, and on one memorable morning preached on, “And Enoch walked with God.”
Margaret MacAskill arrived at Mbuma Mission on 31st March, at dusk, to find the little cottage lovingly prepared for her, ablaze with light. “It is lovely to be back” Margaret writes in a circular letter, “and everyone has given me a warm welcome. A few days ago in Ward One a little girl came forward and thrust a live hen into my arms, an expression of kindness from one of the women. Duty started the following day after my arrival, with the Baby Clinic, and on Thursday I was able to get my hand in doing some dental extractions, which much to the amusement of some, I really enjoy. “There was a good attendance at the services on the following Sabbath. The singing seemed to be particularly hearty and harmonious.”
The Rev. P. Mzamo, minister at Mbuma, was probably supplying Bulawayo congregation now sadly bereft of their pastor. When having worship at the Bulawayo Manse after the passing of the Rev. A. Mpofu, the Rev. D. B. MacLeod spoke briefly on “Daniel, a man greatly beloved”. He was indeed a loving and warm-hearted pastor, and is greatly missed.
Mrs Alfred Mpofu has moved to Zenka, 100 miles north-west of Bulawayo where their family home has been, and she will D.V. continue to teach there.
Their girls are grown up and their only son, Melusi (Shepherd) is attending Harare University.
Miss Jantein van Saane hopes to leave for Zimbabwe on May 14, and to remain until November, D.V. This will enable Miss Jessie Coote to have her “leave”.
We heard with sadness of the death of Masibanda, the mother of the Rev. Ndebele, in her 91st year. Before going to hospital, where she passed away, she was lovingly cared for by the Rev. and Mrs Ndebele at Ingwenya.
We look forward with pleasure to hearing or reading of some of the Rev. D. B. MacLeod’s experiences while in Zimbabwe. It was an added pleasure for all that his daughter, Joanna, was able to join her father in Zimbabwe for five weeks. — J. N.
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Southern: At Glasgow on 16th June at 6 p.m.
Skype: At Portree on 30th June at 11 a.m.
Northern: At Dingwall on 16th June at 2 p.m.
Western: At Laide on 16th June at 11 a.m.
Outer Isles: At Stornoway on 16th June at 12 noon.
The Rev. D. B. MacLeod’s Return
We are thankful to record that the Rev. D. B. MacLeod returned home safely on 30th April after having, in the Lord’s kind providence fulfilled his duties as a deputy in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Kenya. He now resumes his editorial duties.
The Rev. Dr. James R. Tallach’s Visit to Australia and New Zealand
The Rev. James R. Tallach’s four month sojourn in Australia and New Zealand will be completed this month and he is due to return home on 26th June D.V. We trust his labours are being blessed and pray that he also will be safely brought back to his own family and congregation.