The late Miss Barrie Campbell, Thurso
Barrie Campbell was born on 15th October, 1894, in the town of Thurso, Caithness; and died on 23rd September 1985, in an Old People’s Home, run by the District council in Thurso; and was well cared for during two or three years, till near the end of her ninetieth year. In the kindness of the Lord her mental and physical health were maintained in good measure nearly to the end of her days.
She was only five years old when her mother died at the age of thirty. Her father married again. He bought an excellent house in Thurso for his two sisters, Jessie and Andrewina Campbell. These two women were known as professing believers in the Lord Jesus Christ: and Barrie and a sister called Catherine were given to them to take special care of them.
On leaving school, Barrie went to Glasgow to train as a Nurse in the Victoria Infirmary and also in Rotten Row Maternity Hospital in the centre of the city. Her sister Catherine was engaged as a business secretary in Glasgow also.
Barrie attended the Church of Scotland in Glasgow and her sister attended a Church near our former St. Jude’s, where the late Rev. Neil Cameron was minister. Catherine in seeing crowds, real crowds, of people walking to St. Jude’s on Sabbath to the services was influenced to attend Mr Cameron’s faithful ministry in the Gospel of Christ; and was converted and became thereafter a member in full communion. She endeavoured to persuade Barrie to come with her to St. Jude’s and reluctantly Barrie consented. Barrie told later on in her life that she was not brought to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus in Glasgow: although she was deeply impressed under Mr Cameron’s preaching at times.
Barrie and her sister returned at intervals to the home in Thurso to see their Aunties when they became frail, about the year 1936. Later on Barrie stayed permanently with them at the home, 3 Duncan Street. She nursed one Auntie till she died in 1940 and the other until she passed away in 1942. She did this with much affection and regular nursing care. It should be recorded that she regularly exercised her nursing profession throughout the town of Thurso and it seemed concentrated on maternity work for which she was in constant demand. Her own attractive and friendly personality contributed to this.
It was in the middle of her life — a life of acceptable conduct — that she, while attending the services held in the Free Presbyterian Church in a school in the town, became seriously interested in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus and by time saw her way clear to become a member in full communion in the Church. She had been, before this, quite a period of time under the late Rev William Grant’s ministry frequently; as he was often coming from Halkirk to take meetings in Thurso; and engaged “supply” from other places to hold services on Sabbath in the town.
Her Christian conduct was practical and helpful as a member of the Thurso Congregation after they purchased a church building in the town. In observing things needing to be done even by tradesmen in the Church building, Barrie would make this known to the minister. She became the Congregational Treasurer and was efficient in handling the finances regularly.
As to her home, Barrie had an open door to all her Christian friends, to ministers who came to hold services; and gave a warm welcome to people who came at communion seasons to attend the services. Unknown to herself she became well known for works of faith and labour of love, and was loved and respected throughout the community. She had by the grace of God a composed, friendly and active Christian personality.
Paul in Romans chapter 16, verses 1 and 2; refers to “Phebe our sister … a servant of the Church . . . and a succourer of many.” There have been many Phebe’s in the Church of Christ down through the ages and Barrie was one of them, in the opinion of many discerning Christians.
R. R. S.