THE venerable subject of this note was born at Shellibost, on the west side of Harris, more than a century ago. He died on the 30th April last at the great age of 102 years. While yet very young—at a time when children are usually more concerned about toys and amusement than anything else—Donald Macleod came under soul concern. These are his own words: “I was only between ten and twelve years of age when one day it was intimated that Finlay Munro was to preach a sermon in the open field. I went among the rest, barefooted and bareheaded. He preached from John xvii., and if my memory does not fail me the text was, “Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am,” and before he was done with the sermon my heart got warm with love to the Person whom he was praising. Some of the people were angry because he was speaking about dry ministers that would not do good to the poor sheep of Christ, but I was not, for I loved the man and the message he carried to us. After that I used to be on my knees between the potato-shaws seeking that the Lord would send the gospel to Harris, that my heart might be warmed under it, as it was that day.”
Donald used to say that many were brought to the knowledge of the truth at that time under that great soldier of the cross, Finlay Munro. Hated by the world and carnal ministers—of whom there were then not a few in the Highlands and Islands, and who, like the dog in the manger, would not do good, nor would, if they could, allow others to do it—Finlay went about bombarding the strongholds of Satan. Donald used to say, “The Island of Pappa was a spot where the word of God in the mouth of Finlay took great effect at that time. There would be some eighteen families in that island, and the heads of all these families appeared to have undergone a saving change. Some of them lived beside me till the day of their death, and in walk and conversation they showed that the work begun then was of the Lord.”
At the time of the clearances, Donald had to leave his Bethel, where he first knew the Lord, and he took up house at a place called Kendebeg. From thence he used to walk to Strond on Sabbath to hear that eminent laymen and poet (Iain Gobha) John Morrison, who used to keep meetings, for although there was a minister in the island at that time, what he had only suited dead creatures like himself. The distance between Strond and where Donald resided is over twenty miles; this shows how his soul thirsted for the word of God and the fellowship of the saints. Of John Morrison’s preaching he was wont to say, “He was not so simple and plain as Finlay Munro, and the same convincing power was not following the word under him, but it was because the people did not understand him. He was too profound for them.” Shortly after this there was a godly layman, Neil Stewart, sent to North Harris as a catechist, who for some months stayed with Donald, while a house was being erected for himself. This Donald considered as an answer to prayer, and as he would say, “My heart was glad.” Under this messenger of the cross it seems that many were moved by the Spirit of the Lord to flee from the wrath to come. Donald always liked to speak of those days, and his countenance would shine as he told how the people were melted under the word of God. Donald was among those who came out at the Disruption in 1843, and was an elder in the Free Church for over thirty years. He was always against the movement for Disestablishment. Although he could not be said to possess great gifts or mental powers, yet he grasped the standing of the Church in a way which showed that he thought for himself, and used to say that Voluntaryism tended to idolatry. At the time the Declaratory Act was passed, he was among those who opposed it and came out. He had to stand alone in his family on this matter, and was alone also in the township in which he lived, but he showed that he cared more for the cause of Christ than he did for the goodwill of family or neighbour. Ardhasaig, the place where he lived at this time, is about three miles from the village of Tarbert.
For a short time he was able to attend the means of grace on the Sabbath. The services were conducted by a layman for whom he had a great regard, and in his latter years, though he was much disabled through weakness, and would have to be helped to get home, he very often attempted to attend the services. Since the writer came to the parish he endeavoured twice to come to the Sacrament. On the first occasion he had the company of Norman Munro, the worthy missionary, who died some months ago at Staffin, Skye. It was truly a sight to see the two holy men together on earth who were so soon we believe to be together in that place where the inhabitant shall never say “I am sick,” and where they now rest from their labours and their works do follow them. The one showed that he loved the other. On Saturday, after the service was over, Donald sought the company of Norman, and showed that he was not tired of hearing about Christ by saying, “Won’t you read for us?” “Where will I read?” Norman replied. “Read about the birth of Christ,” said Donald. So Norman took the Bible and read the first chapter of the Gospel according to Luke. After he was done Donald said again, “Won’t you say something on it?” Norman, who was tired, replied, “Is it not better what the Holy Spirit has said about it?” “Oh, that is true,” the other said. On the Monday of that communion they both parted to meet in the house of many mansions, where they need no candle, neither light of the sun, but the Lord God giveth them light, and the days of their mourning are ended.
After Donald went home from the communion some went to see him, and he began to tell them that he got a new memory while at the Sacrament. “My young days came back again, and I felt so happy.” One said to him, “You are like William Murray, who used to say ‘When I was at Dr. Kennedy’s sacrament I got new prayers, and was astonished at the words I was getting, and so warm they were, but when I returned home to my own little sooty bothy the old ropes of prayers came back again.'” On hearing this Donald raised his hands and praised the Lord that a child of His had felt as He did. “See,” he said, “that you will always have Christ and what He did on the table (meaning by that to be always preaching Christ and what He did) before the poor sinners of Harris.” He said to us more than once, “The Lord enabled me to know and love the doctrines of the Reformation in my infancy, and I have been seeking by grace to follow them hitherto, and I hope the grave will close over me without denying these doctrines.” The Lord gave him his wish. About a year before his death we went to see him, and on knocking at the door who responded but the old man. “Well, how are you to-day, Donald?” “Oh,” he said, “I don’t know; I am not very well.” “Why, what is the matter with you?” “My mind is so dark; I am afraid I have nothing that will stand at last; the Word of God is silent to me.” “I am sure Christ has often been kind to you in His Word, and He saith to those who are His people that He will never leave them nor forsake them.” Then he broke out saying, “It is you that might say it; Christ has often been kind to me indeed. O what a wonder, God coming in my nature, God manifest in the flesh; God was manifested in my nature, suffered in my nature, died in my nature, rose again in my nature, entered Heaven in my nature, and is teaching me to-day in Harris. Oh, is it not wonderful indeed?” Thus the Lord cheered the soul of one who was soon to swim in redeeming love to all eternity by giving him to think of Jesus. The man was at this time about 100 years of age, but when the Lord would draw aside the curtain and show him a little of the glory of Emmanuel his youth was renewed like the eagle’s. His favourite subject was the love of God to perishing sinners as revealed in the gift of His Son.
About three months before he died we went to see him. A short time after entering he handed the Bible, which he always kept at his side, and said, “Read a chapter; I like the 16th of John.” “You will ask a blessing on the word yourself then.” He at once turned on his knees and began “Oh give us to know more of Christ; we are not satisfied with the amount of knowledge we have of Him. Give us to know Him that we may love Him; we mourn how little we love Him. Prepare us to be with Thyself.” In his prayer he appeared like a man longing to get away, the love of Christ constraining him. We little thought then, although the man was very feeble being 102 years of age, that that was the last time we would get a sight of the most humble Christian we ever met. He accompanied us to the door. Thus we parted never to meet again till we shall stand at the Great White Throne.
His last illness was not long. About a fortnight before he died he told his daughter that he was not to be long, and, like Joseph, gave charge concerning his bones. The day before he died a brother elder went to see him, but he was not able to speak much, only said that he knew that this was coming. About three o’clock in the morning on Thursday, 30th April, his ransomed soul left the earthly house of this tabernacle for the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, to be forever with the Lord. We might say with the prophet, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof.” Truly, this has been a year in which the Lord has gathered in many of His jewels. May He pour His Spirit on the young of the Highlands and Islands that from among the children some would arise to take the place of the fathers! E. M’Q.