WE have much pleasure in reporting this month the induction of the Rev. Donald Macleod (previously ordained with a view to missionary work in Canada) to the pastorate of the Free Presbyterian Congregation of Harris. The Western Presbytery met in the church at Tarbert there on Thursday the 3rd day of August, with a view to this purpose. Rev. Murdo Morrison, Glendale, Skye, presided, and preached on the occasion. After public worship was ended, he put the usual questions to the Rev. Donald Macleod, who answered the same satisfactorily and signed the Formula. Mr. Morrison engaged in prayer, after which, in the name of the Presbytery, and by the authority of the Head of the Church, he inducted Mr. Macleod to the pastoral charge of the congregation. Mr. Morrison extended to him the right hand of fellowship, as did the other members of Presbytery present. Rev. D. Graham, Shieldaig, Lochcarron, then delivered suitable addresses to the newly-induced pastor and to the congregation respectively as to their several duties to one another. There was a large attendance of people, many coming from the south end of Harris, a distance of about fourteen miles. The call was signed by 1,100 persons, members and adherents included.
The charge is a wide and extensive one, involving somewhat arduous labour, but we earnestly hope that the Lord will vouchsafe abundant strength of body and soul to Mr. Macleod for the accomplishment of his work. The Harris people are to be congratulated on obtaining a settled pastor after so long a vacancy, and we hopefully anticipate that they will help their new minister as far as possible by prayer and effort to overtake the tasks that lie before him. May the Lord grant them a united blessing! “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it; except the Lord the city keep, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm cxxvii. 1).