IT is with regret that another obituary notice, which we feel justified in putting on record, has to be inserted in these pages. It is in certain respects a sorrowful task devolving from time to time on ministers throughout the Church, to have to put on record the removal by death of such as were of considerable help and use in their congregations. It is the hand of the Most High, and to it we, as a Church, must bow, and it we must acknowledge. The subject of this notice is Mr. William F. Porteous, whose death happened with startling suddenness on the 31st July last at Strathpeffer. He had just gone there a few weeks prior to his death for the benefit of his health. This he was in the habit of doing every summer for many years past, and he usually felt the better of the change and of the drinking of the Strathpeffer waters. But for the most part of this year he was, through a serious relapse and consequent physical weakness, confined to his bed. He had therefore grown so weak that the effect of travelling from his home proved too much for his broken frame.
Mr. Porteous was a native of the south and was born in Glasgow. His parents were in very good circumstances and possessed of considerable means. He was deprived of his mother, who, we understand, was a worthy woman, when he was but six years old. And young though he then was, he never failed to retain vivid recollections of her. The loss of his mother was, no doubt, a great loss to him, and a loss which affected more or less his modes and habits of life as he grew up. But notwithstanding that he wanted his mother at this tender age, his upbringing was carefully attended to by his father. In this way he possessed the privileges which, sad to relate, are very much despised and abused in this generation, of having a good deal of Bible truth and Bible knowledge instilled into his mind. He realised in after years—though he did not at that time—how great a benefit and blessing it was to have had those early instructions.
His early ambitions were directed towards seafaring life, and while yet a mere youth he was sent, in accordance with his own wishes, to training at sea. He sailed round the world several times, and spent many years in the East Indies and other parts of the world. It was the climate of the tropics that affected his general health at first, for soon he was laid up with an attack of the raging fevers which are so common to the tropics. He had repeated attacks of fever, until at last, on account of the dregs and seeds which they had left and sown in his bodily constitution, his health became permanently injured. Hence the bodily weaknesses and sufferings under which he laboured, and which were particularly intensified in the closing years of his life. He was latterly deprived to a large extent of the use of his voice. In the midst of all this physical suffering and uneasiness he exhibited a beautiful and exemplary spirit. He was never heard to murmur or complain against his afflictions as coming from the hand of God. He was conscious that it was a cross and trial laid on him by the Most High, and he bore his sufferings all through with fortitude, with Christian resignation, and in a noble spirit to the end. He was courteous and social in manner, cheerful in disposition, buoyant but chastened in spirit, and his nature remained unsoured throughout.
After he retired from the sea and ended his somewhat varied yet none the less interesting life, he came to live in Skye. There were other factors in the situation and other circumstances in his case which influenced him in deciding to come to reside in Skye. These, however, are not necessary to be enumerated here. His greatest desire at this time, we may be sure, was the recovery of his health. But his recuperating powers were not such as permitted him realising this recovery. It is thirty-two years ago since he came to take up his permanent abode in Skye. He came to love Skye and Skye people, and being free of all assumed superiority, he made himself as one of them. A usual phrase of his was—”What a fine race the Skye men are!”
But during all this time he was still ignorant of the God of salvation. He lived till now, in common with others, as one who had no hope, and without God in the world—under the sentence of condemnation. But when God’s time came that he should be called by His grace, the change in his whole life and conduct was very marked. It was while attending on the ministry of the late Rev. Mr. Ross, Bracadale—a pious man and a savoury preacher of the Gospel—that this gracious change was effected in his soul. The truth which the Holy Spirit applied to him with power was—”Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Deeds rather than words proclaimed his Christianity. He was not one who was readily disposed to speak about his inward experiences to others. He felt and thought of divine themes deeply and solemnly, and therefore did not talk lightly concerning them. He was most just and fair in his personal dealings, whatsoever form these dealings assumed. Gentleness, meekness, sincerity, and straightforwardness were also marked features of his character. He was respected and esteemed by all with whom he came in contact; and those traits of character one could easily discern in him when a little time in his company.
Mr. Porteous remained in communion with the Free Church until that Church, as represented by the Rainyite party, legislated in favour of drastic changes in fundamental principles and doctrine. This legislation, as is well known, took the form of a Declaratory Act, and it was carried into effect in 1893 in the usual high-handed fashion which was characteristic of that party within her pale. This gave the signal to Mr. Porteous to adopt that course of independent action whereby he unhesitatingly associated himself with those who formed the Free Presbyterian Church. When he saw that the principles of the Free Church and the truths of God were being compromised by this legislative action, no line of argument, however plausible, could prevail to dissuade him from obeying the voice and dictates of conscience. Fearlessly would he assert his convictions and maintain his position with a lucidity and precision that made impression—with a force and reasonableness that proved irresistible. This, indeed, was characteristic of the man. He was whole-heartedly devoted to the Free Presbyterian cause, and its prosperity rejoiced his heart. The things which promoted the cause of truth and the glory of God were dearest to him.
When the Communion season came round at Vatten, he felt like a renewed man. He looked forward to it with great delight and with glowing heart. His house was open to all the people of God who came from far and near. All who came to his house came to it with a consciousness that they were welcome. The welcome which he extended made them feel quite at home. They knew his hospitality and kindness. The gathering of God’s people in his house was most refreshing and enlivening to him. He valued this all the more that he himself was physically unable to be present at the services. He delighted to be in their company and to enjoy their fellowship. As he could not understand the Gaelic language he felt himself at a disadvantage, and often did he feel keen regret that he could not understand that language. He supported the hands of such as denounced the prevailing sins of the times. On one occasion a gentleman called to see him on the Sabbath day. He, with his usual courtesy, told him “he would be pleased to see him any other day but not on the Sabbath day.” In his younger days when he visited London he went to hear the late Mr. Spurgeon preach. He cherished the greatest regard for that renowned preacher of the metropolis, and told us more than once that he had the pleasure of knowing him personally.
The death of this amiable man, it is needless to say, has caused a great breach in the congregation of Duirinish as a whole, and no one outside of his own family circle feels this blank more than the writer. He was very useful to the congregation in his own quiet and private sphere. He was a Treasurer of the Vatten portion of the congregation, and as such he was remarkable for his devotion to accuracy and exactness. In this respect he cannot be replaced. Such men as are useful and helpful in their own way and in their own place among us, are being rapidly removed from the scenes of time to the scenes of eternity. But the Word says: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not” (Job xiv. 1, 2).
To his bereaved widow and family we tender our sincere sympathy and condolence. M. M.