THE subject of this notice was a godly woman of ripe age, who was much esteemed in the district. She took a deep, intelligent interest in the Free Presbyterian cause from the beginning, and maintained the same to the end. She was much exercised in the life of godliness, and her piety was something that could not be hid, but manifested itself in her bearing and conversation wherever she was.
We learn that Mary was about twenty-six years of age when she was brought to the knowledge of the truth. Her principal ministers at that period whose memories she warmly recollected, were the Rev. John Kennedy, D.D., Dingwall, and his brother Donald, Rev. John Macrae (Macrath Mor), and Rev. A. M’Coll, Lochalsh. She was diligent in her attendance at the means of grace, and in those early days often walked as far as to Helmsdale—over forty miles—to be present at sacramental services. She was gifted with a great memory, and could tell notes from those worthy ministers she had then heard. As the years passed, she felt more and more dissatisfied with the then Free Church, but she believed that she would get deliverance, from the manner in which this portion of truth spoke to her (Psalm 93, 3-5)—
“The floods, O Lord, have lifted up, they lifted up their voice; The floods have lifted up their waves, and made a mighty noise. But yet the Lord, that is on high, is more of might by far Than noise of many waters is, or great sea-billows are. Thy testimonies ev’ry one in faithfulness excel; And holiness for ever, Lord, thine house becometh well.”
This was some time before the Revs. D. Macfarlane and D. Macdonald “came out,” but when they raised a testimony for the truth in 1893, she got then the fulfilment of the promise, and was one of the first to express her adherence to them. As already indicated, she was a warm supporter of the Free Presbyterian Church, and desired the upbuilding of Zion. She was often heard saying as regards her own personal case, “I have nothing; but my sufficiency is in His finished work.”
During her last illness she exhibited the character of one who was ripening for heaven. Her treasure was there, and her desire was “to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better.” Shortly before she was taken away, she told some friends that she would not be long now, and added, “My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land” (Song ii. 10-12). She felt as one in a strange country. Grace in her soul longed for its home. We extend our deepest sympathy to her two surviving sisters and other relatives. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”