MALCOLM MACCULLOCH, ARDRISHAIG.
WE regret to record this month the death of Mr. Malcolm MacCulloch, lock-keeper, Ardrishaig, which took place suddenly on the 28th November. Mr. MacCulloch, who was seventy-nine years of age, was for many years an elder in the Free Church, Lochgilphead, but, in 1895, he declared his full sympathy with those who had taken up a separate position owing to the passing of the Declaratory Act (1892), and ever since the Free Presbyterian services were started in Lochgilphead, he was the leading figure there. A man of deep piety, intelligent grasp of questions ecclesiastical and spiritual, keen insight into men and things, and all round sterling worth, he was a tower of strength to the congregation. The loss is a very great one indeed, and will not easily be made up. May the Lord fill the breach! We would fain have particulars for a more extended sketch of one who was a father in the Church, and a man highly respected by the whole community in which he lived. Meantime we express our deepest sympathy with the Lochgilphead congregation and with his widow and son in their great bereavement.
DONALD DEWAR, LOCHGILPHEAD.
WE cannot omit to notice that a fortnight after Mr. MacCulloch’s death, another who was an office-bearer in the same congregation passed away after some months’ illness. Mr. Donald Dewar died on the 13th December. He took a sincere and lively interest in the Free Presbyterian cause from the beginning, and did all in his power to help the Lochgilphead congregation. His death is also a loss to the cause of truth. May the Lord grant to this widow and family His own consolations, for He has promised to be a husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless!
ANGUS MACDOUGALL, OBAN.
WE further briefly record with very deep regret the death of Mr. Angus Macdougall, elder, Oban, who passed away on the 30th November. Mr. Macdougall, who was upwards of 80 years of age, had been in failing health for some time back, but his last illness was very short. He was out at the services the Sabbath before he died. It is not our intention to enlarge meantime on Mr. Macdougall’s character and life, as we expect to have a fuller sketch by one of our ministers in a future issue. Suffice it to say at present that, as the oldest member of the Oban Session, he performed his duties with great conscientiousness and care, taking a very active part to the last in the work of the congregation. He was a man “greatly beloved” for the excellence of his Christian character—an Israelite indeed in whom there was no guile. We express our deepest sympathy with his family in their great bereavement, and also with the Rev. Alexander Mackay and the Oban congregation in the outstanding loss that has been sustained. “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men” (Psalm xii. 1).
MRS. GUNN, GOLSPIE.
WE regret to notice the death, on the 31st October, of Mrs. Gunn, East End, Golspie (widow of Donald Gunn), at the ripe age of 90 years. The deceased, who was a sister of the late worthy Betsy Murray of Helmsdale, was a conscientious adherent of the Free Presbyterian Church since its distinctive beginning in 1893. As long as she was able, she was a regular attendant at sacramental gatherings from Helmsdale to Bonar. “Being possessed of a retentive memory (says a writer in the local press) and of a reminiscent turn of mind, she used to relate in a highly-interesting manner, religious anecdotes of bygone days and people, Her reminiscences were always eagerly looked forward to by those she came in contact with; and now that the voice that gave utterance to these historic happenings and sayings has for ever been silenced on earth, and the link with the past severed, those who knew her, mourn with a sincere mourning for one whom they loved and highly respected.” While in bed, she was constantly reading till the last few months. Her favourite books were the Bible, MacCheyne, Boston, and the Free Presbyterian Magazine. The death of her daughter four months ago greatly affected her. Two hours before Mrs. Gunn passed away, she exclaimed, “Buy the truth, and sell it not,” an excellent death-bed message for the present day. We extend our sincerest sympathy to all her surviving relatives.