This Christian woman, who was latterly a member of the Free Presbyterian congregation at Dingwall, died a few weeks ago.
Jane Urquhart was born at Culboa, in the parish of Resolis, on the 24th March, 1824. She had undergone a saving change at a comparatively early age. At the age of about 20 years she went to service to the parish of Avoch, in the Black Isle, and it was while there she was converted. Speaking afterwards to intimate friends on the important subject, she used to say, “If I have ever passed through the new birth, I have no doubt as to the time and place in which that change took place.” The means of her conversion were of a private nature. The Holy Spirit, without the instrumentality of human agency, makes the reading of God’s Word an effectual means of convincing and converting some, while the preaching of the Word is more largely blessed for that end. But the good work begun in private was fostered and developed in the public means of grace under the ministry of eminent servants of Christ. The young convert had at that time the privilege of attending the powerful and edifying ministry of the late Rev. John Macrae (Macrath Mor), of Knockbain. Though it was evident that she had before this time tasted that the Lord was gracious, yet she confessed that it was through that prince of preachers she drank in more largely the consolations of the gospel. Hence her love and attachment to Mr. Macrae were great. She derived much spiritual benefit through him; and to the end of her life she loved to speak of him in terms of affection, admiration, esteem, and grateful remembrance. She used to say, “Oh, what a spiritual nurse he was!”
In course of time Jane Urquhart returned to her native parish, where she married. Her husband—whose surname was also Urquhart—was a genuine Christian too. Mrs. Urquhart was now a considerable distance from her first nursing father, Mr. Macrae, but it was not necessary that she should travel all the way to Knockbain to hear the gospel, for the gospel was preached nearer her home. In her native parish, where she now settled down in her new relation in life, she had the privilege of sitting under the ministry of another excellent ambassador of Christ—the late Rev. Mr. Sage, of Resolis, for whom she cherished great regard, and by whose calm and solid evangelical ministrations she was edified, and grew as was evident “in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” At that time it was not difficult for the Lord’s people to find in Ross-shire and in other parts of the Highlands a pastor to feed their hungry souls with the bread of life—”the Living Bread that came down from heaven.” Times have sadly changed since, and men have changed with them! Because of the change made in the creed and constitution of the Free Church by the passing into law of the Declaratory Act of 1892, Mrs. Urquhart along with her husband joined the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and associated themselves with our congregation at Dingwall, being the nearest congregation of that denomination. In her old age she came to Dingwall on Communion occasions, and at other times as often as she could. She was present at our last Communion in August, and sat at the Lord’s table for the last time on earth.
Mrs. Urquhart was a meek and humble Christian. She was of a quiet and reserved disposition, but her consistent Christian walk and conversation spoke more loudly of her genuine piety than her modesty would allow her to express in words.
She passed away to her eternal rest at the ripe age of 80 years, and is survived by her husband, four sons, and three daughters, with whom we sincerely sympathise in their bereavement.
Many of the mothers, as well as the fathers, in Israel have been removed by death from our midst during the past few years, and it is our earnest prayer that the Lord would in mercy to His own poor cause raise up many of the young to fill the gap that has been made in our Church!
D. M’F.