MANY of the servants of Christ have been discouraged with the apparent unsuccessfulness of their ministry. On one occasion the late Rev. George Macleod of Ullapool, preaching in Coigach, remarked that he feared he spent his labour in vain. One of his elders afterwards reproved him gently for such an utterance, and added that it might be, when he was no more, the fruit would appear.
Among those, who believed the word preached by that faithful ambassador of Christ, were two of whom brief sketches have already been contributed to this Magazine. The prudent and gentle Flora Mackenzie (Florie Bhain) was another. A few
nights previous to her death, she wished the fortieth chapter of Isaiah to be read. Thereafter she acknowledged, in inarticulate sentences—being extremely weak—that about sixty years ago in the Free Church of Ullapool, she was brought from darkness to light as the late Mr. Macleod preached from Isaiah xl. 31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” By the inward enlightening work of the Holy Spirit she saw the Bible in a new light and affirmed repeatedly that she beheld also the works of creation declaring the glory of God so magnificently. Evidently old things passed away and all things became new to her. She ran her race with patience, trusting in the God of Jacob. On April the sixteenth, she, who had been with Jesus in her life, was not separated in death, but departed to be with Him where He is and to behold His glory. She shall be found as one of the gems in Mr. Macleod’s crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming. “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm cxxvi. 6).
KENNETH MACIVER, SCORRAIG.
The Scorraig house is well and widely known for the generous hospitality which it extends. The kindly and genial presence of Mr. Kenneth Maciver, who died there on the 3rd instant at the age of 93 years, will be sadly missed by his many friends. As he was of a reticent disposition, the writer is not in a position to give details of his conversion. But that he adorned that profession in his life no one who formed his acquaintance could doubt. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his sorrowing widow and family.
“Arise, O God, plead thine own cause.”
A. S.