SCHOOL HOUSE, RAASAY, AND INVERNESS.
FROM personal knowledge of the subject of the following sketch, the writer thinks a tribute to her memory should appear in the Magazine of our Church. When he was evicted from his manse in Raasay, and lived at Broadford for five or six years, he had to go by boat to Raasay every Saturday, as a rule, to preach to his congregation there on Sabbath, and lodged in the School House till Monday morning, when he returned to his temporary residence at Broadford. Thus, lodging in her house over Sabbath for a period of five or six years—till a manse was built in the island—he can, from personal knowledge, speak of the late Mrs. Macfarlane as a truly godly person, who loved the Lord, His Word, and people. When speaking of Scripture, she spoke as one who understood the Word of God, and derived comfort from it. She heartily approved of the stand that was made in 1893 in defence of God’s truth, and had no respect for those who in the time of trial proved unfaithful.
The subject of this notice was born at South Knapdale, Argyllshire, in 1851, and died at Inverness on the 24th April, 1910. Her father, Alexander M’Coll, was a cousin of the late Rev. Alexander M’Coll, of Lochalsh. Her mother, Ellen Scott, a native of Edinburgh, feared God above many. Mrs. Macfarlane was awakened to concern about her soul at the age of about twenty years. She used to trace her spiritual history in that respect to the prayerful instructions of her godly mother; and she ever desired to bless God for her Gospel privileges—up to her marriage—under the ministry of the late Rev. William Fraser at Lochgilphead, an eminent minister of Christ. The Scripture she quoted as bringing hope to her troubled soul was—”He hath made with me an everlasting covenant,” &c. (2 Sam. xxiii. 5).
After her marriage in 1882 to Mr. Alexander Macfarlane, Public School Teacher, Raasay, she resided in Raasay till Mr. Macfarlane retired last year, and removed with his family to Inverness, where she died at the date already mentioned. Ten years after her marriage she had an attack of influenza, from the effects of which she never quite recovered. Deprived by poor health of the privileges of the public means of grace, she was thrown upon those that are more private. Among books she loved the Bible first. She also prized Rutherford’s Letters and Newton’s Biography and Cardiphonia, &c.
The presence and power of indwelling sin became increasingly grievous to her towards the end of her pilgrimage. She enjoyed great immunity from bodily illness during the eight months she lived at Inverness. Her last illness extended over a fortnight. Believing it was the end, she gave her last charges to each member of her family, just a week before her death. Her last words were—”The Lord of us hath mindful been, and He will bless us still.” For many a year she feared (1) that her dust might be left in Raasay; (2) that she should be called upon to see any of her family die; and (3) that her own dying agonies should be severe. But her dust was not left in Raasay, her husband and children survived her, and from the nature of her trouble, she was not conscious of any pain. She herself protested that she suffered no pain. She died in peace, and, we believe, entered the rest that remains to the people of God.
Her husband, a son, and two daughters are left behind to mourn the loss, which was gain to her. The son is a Divinity student, studying for the ministry in our Church. The writer was informed that his mother solemnly charged him before God, shortly before her death, to give himself to the ministry of the Gospel. We would extend our sympathy to Mr. Macfarlane and his motherless children in their bereavement. The kindness of Mrs. Macfarlane and her husband to the writer during his time at Raasay is more than he can express in words.
D. M’F.