THE subject of this brief notice was a daughter of Mr. William Sinclair, one of the most outstanding of the later Caithness “Men.” Mrs. MacHardy gave evidence in her daily life that she profited by her godly upbringing in a home where both her parents were followers of Christ, and by her consistent Christian life she showed that her religion was not merely a bare profession but a reality. Most of her married life was spent at Lybster, and the cheery and bright welcome of her husband, with her own unostentatious kindness, made their house to be a place recalling pleasant memories for all those who were privileged to enjoy their hospitality. Mrs. MacHardy, though of a quiet and retiring disposition, had commendable determination in her character when the cause of truth demanded it. Hence, along with others, when the pre-Union Free Church was playing false to the integrity of God’s Word in the Dods’ case she left the Free Church, and to these the formation of the Free Presbyterian Church at a later date was regarded as a notable deliverance. On the death of her husband she came to Wick with a young family. As a mother, she had in rare combination the qualities of firmness, gentleness, and love. She set a fine example to her children, and ere God called her away, they had reached womanhood and manhood, and their unfeigned and deep sorrow showed, if any signs were necessary, what an intense hold she had taken in her children’s hearts. An outstanding feature of her character was its sterling integrity which, combined with a sincere desire to walk in the ways of God’s commandments, gave a calm and chastened dignity to her life. Her death a few months ago has made a decided blank in the congregation and the community.
D. B.