WE much regret that, owing to several obstacles in the way, we have not been able to write until now the notice of this worthy elder, promised in the March issue of the Magazine.
John Maclean was born in the parish of Duirinish, Skye. He lived carelessly in the ways of the godless world till he was close upon forty years of age. The Lord visited him then with a sore rod: three of his children were removed by death within the space of two months. This made a deep and lasting impression on his mind. He took to the constant reading of the Word of God and to private prayer. So diligent was he in searching the Scriptures that his friends and wife were afraid that he would impair his eyesight. The seriousness which took hold of his mind then never left him. Being a very reticent man we could gather nothing of the experiences he had passed through at that time. But no one who heard his prayers, or his speaking to the question, could come away without realising that he knew much of the awful corruption of human nature, and of the streams that flow from it in thoughts, words, and actions. Indeed, we felt often refreshed by his exercises, especially in prayer.
In 1893 he, along with a considerable number of the Free Church people of Greenock, hailed the separation from the rationalistic party in that Church with great delight. That separation was to many of the godly in Scotland an answer to their prayers for many years, both in private and in public. It was very painful for such as feared God to be connected with a Church which promoted to the highest positions men whose work was to destroy, so far as they could, the integrity of the Bible and the Confession of Faith. He continued to the last a firm upholder of the Free Presbyterian Church, not only by his influence but also by giving to support the cause, so far as his means could afford it. He was several times asked to become an elder in the Free Church before 1893, but he always refused to take office in it. There was an election of elders in 1894, and he accepted office unhesitatingly. This office he adorned till he passed away.
He worked as a surfaceman on the railway. Many years ago he was asked to go out with his squad of men on the Sabbath day, but he refused, telling his master that he did not consider it either a work of necessity or mercy, and consequently could not incur the guilt of breaking the fourth commandment. He was told then that his services would be no longer required, but that would not make him sin against God and his conscience. But instead of paying him off, as he fully expected, he was sent for again, asked to go to his work, and was never asked again to work on the Lord’s day. Not only that, but his pay was continued while he was able to go out, even although he could not work. The hand of the Lord should be acknowledged in this. No man ever lost on being faithful to God and his conscience; and further, the Lord makes the consciences of other men, however careless they may be, to admire integrity towards God and men. We have met with a few such noble examples in our day, always at the long run, with good results.
About four years ago he had a severe attack of influenza. He never got strong again. His memory became very deficient about all worldly matters, but when he engaged in prayer no one could know that there was any such weakness. He could quote Scripture as correctly as ever, and all his petitions were correctly expressed and in good order.
His love to the Lord’s people was one of his strongest features as a Christian. It was very evident to all that they were his people, and that he delighted much in their company. He made extraordinary efforts to be present at the worship of God in public, showing thereby how much his heart was in the house of God. His presence is sadly missed by all in that congregation. But being a man of prayer, he will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. The Free Presbyterian Church is much poorer by his demise, and the world at large will not know till the last day their indebtedness to such godly persons. We feel much that we have lost a true friend in him, in whom we could trust with all confidence.
We desire to express our sympathy with the Greenock congregation at their loss, and deepest sympathy with his widow and son. May the Lord give them grace to follow his godly and consistent example.
He died at the age of seventy-five years, on the 13th day of last February, and was buried in the Greenock Cemetery, where a large number of the Lord’s people await the blast of the last trumpet.
“So man lieth down, and riseth not; till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.”
N. C.