THREE WORTHY WOMEN OF BREASCLETE, LEWIS.
WE regret to have to record that within the past three years the messenger of death has taken from Breasclete, Lewis, three notable women. The three were indeed mothers in Israel. The breach made on the walls of Zion in the district is truly great.
WIDOW CATHERINE MACAULAY departed three years ago at the ripe age of 96 years, 76 of which were spent under the power and influence of divine grace. It is understood that at about the age of twenty Catherine passed “from death to life.” She was of a cheerful disposition naturally, very kind and amiable. It was pleasing and edifying to visit the old lady, who was, for several years prior to her demise, unable to attend the public means of grace. Visitors were invariably certain to find her, when able to sit up in bed or at the fireside, poring over the Bible, the Shorter Catechism, or some author such as Boston. It was interesting to note how she was at home commenting on the doctrines of the utter Ruin of man through the Fall, Redemption through Christ, and Sanctification through the Spirit. It was vain to say to her that any flesh could be justified in His sight by the deeds of the law.
The witness of 1893 came to her as a very welcome relief, from the grief she felt on account of the manifest declensions of the day, and she readily identified herself as in complete sympathy with the movement. The frailties peculiar to her age prevented her taking an active part beyond a year or two in the public services. But the Communion seasons were to her great times, as many of “the salt of the earth” gathered on those occasions, and were privileged to spend much time in her company. Those visitors can well remember how Catherine was quickened and revived at these seasons, and the affectionate Christian welcome extended to them by her.
Her unmarried daughter, Mary, came early under the good influence of the home training and Christian discipline, with the result that, while in her teens, she used to walk long distances to church. It is evident she came to the knowledge of the truth by the time she was twenty. She spent with her mother a most consistent and strong Christian life. It was an occasion of thankfulness to the mother to see the daughter proving a true and faithful friend to the Free Presbyterian Church, and that she would brook no compromise. Mary feared no man or woman, and her influence for good in Breasclete was very marked. Her chart was the truth—the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. She fully realised that to obtain the crown, she must run her race to the end, and so all attempts to make her resile from her position and testimony, to amalgamate with the neighbouring Church, were futile. Latterly she was in delicate health and suffered much pain at times, which she bore with fortitude, patience, and resignation. Occasionally her spiritual comforts were low, but her hopes were centred upon Him “who loved the church and gave Himself for it,” so that she was never left nor forsaken. It was vouchsafed to her to depart at the appointed time to enter into the joy of her Lord, about a year ago, when she was 68 years old.
In the neighbourhood of this mother and daughter was Mrs. ANN MACLEAN, a widow of mature years. This woman was a pious, humble person, who delighted in following and waiting upon the means of grace while strength of body permitted. She, however, had to be resigned to long confinement to the house and often to bed for several years before her death. The removal of Widow MacAulay from beside her was like cutting off a limb. On one occasion, when confined, she made up in her mind that the missionary expected to arrive and preach in church that day would speak from the 53rd chapter of Isaiah, and she envied much those able to go to church. On being told by a member of her family the text was in Revelations, she immediately became dull and downcast, and, upon her own confession, was tempted to believe that in her hopes for eternity she would as certainly be disappointed at death as she was that day in her expectations of the missionary. The missionary, however, visited the bedridden woman in the evening, and read where the book opened—the 53rd of Isaiah—and, after a few remarks, engaged in prayer. When parting she said, with signs of relief on her face, “I am right yet; what I expected to be heard in church to-day, has only come to my bedside, and I have got much more than I expected in spite of the adversary.” At the death of Mary, she felt quite disconsolate, not having one now in her neighbourhood to confide in, but it was allowed them to be close in death as they were in life, for Mrs. Maclean departed exactly a week after to inherit the kingdom prepared for her from the foundation of the world. While we sympathise with the bereaved relatives of those three precious women, we feel more the loss sustained by the cause of Christ in the township in the removal of three wrestlers at the throne of grace. Let us ask that others be raised up in their stead, and that Breasclete become again the beautiful green spot it once was.
A. M’K.
KENNETH BEATON, FORT-WILLIAM.
WE regret to record this month the death of Mr. Kenneth Beaton, who resided for a number of years at Oban, but latterly at Fort-William with his son-in-law, Captain Macintyre. The deceased, who had reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years, was a native of the island of Coll. There, when a young man of twenty-seven, he was awakened to deep soul-concern under the preaching of the late Rev. Alexander Fraser, a worthy minister of Christ. This concern eventually issued in gospel liberty by means of the divine blessing upon a sermon preached by the late highly-esteemed Rev. John Macqueen, of Strontian and Daviot. Mr. Beaton in after life exemplified the power of the Gospel. He was a solid, judicious Christian, and during his stay in Oban, where he was a loyal and devoted member of the Free Presbyterian Church, his exercises at prayer and fellowship meetings were much valued. His presence was a real source of strength to the congregation. In private, his conversation was interesting and instructive—marked by a calm wisdom. He was wont to recall the days of old, and the worthies he had seen and known in his early years, and we have heard him make special mention of one eminent Christian, Donald Fowler, whom he remembered in his native island of Coll. During the last few years Mr. Beaton was in failing health, and was quietly waiting for the appointed hour of his departure, but in the kindness of Divine Providence, for some time previous to his end he was in better health than ordinary, and was markedly so during the week in which he died. The end came suddenly, and without pain he fell asleep in the Lord on the 5th day of September. We extend our deepest sympathy to his widow and family. “The memory of the just is blessed.”
DUNCAN CAMERON, MENSTRIE, STIRLING.
IN a spot, secluded from the ordinary places where Free Presbyterians are found, there lived for a number of years past one who had a keen and lively interest in the cause of truth. This was Mr. Duncan Cameron, retired sheep manager, who passed away to his rest on Sabbath the 10th August, at the age of ninety-two years. Mr. Cameron was a native of Argyllshire, but spent many years in Skye. He remembered well the very day of the Disruption of 1843. He frequently recalled that, on the evening of that day, he attended a service in the church at Snizort, Skye, where the eminent Rev. Roderick Macleod long ministered, and that, on coming out of the church, he (Mr. Cameron) was in the company of a few men older than himself, among whom was the godly, half-witted man, Angus o’ the Hills. Ever since that period, he took a deep interest in the affairs of Church and State, and cordially welcomed the testimony raised for sound principle and doctrine by the Free Presbyterians in 1893. He was a Free Churchman of the true-blue stamp, who wanted no compromise with error in doctrine or innovation in worship. As to his personal experience of divine truth he was rather reticent, and seemed intensely impressed with the thought that he was “less than the least” of any who were interested in divine things. His meditations were much in the Psalms, the 116th being a special favourite. He had a deep regard for the Lord’s Day, and desired it to be devoted to spiritual purposes. On the subject of prayer, he once remarked, “I have plenty of words, but what is needed is the spirit of grace and supplication.” His removal has made a blank. We express our deepest sympathy with his family, and especially with the daughter who so carefully attended to him in his old age, in the great bereavement they have sustained.
MRS. YOUNG, EDINBURGH.
It is now about five months ago since Mrs. Young, a worthy member of our Edinburgh congregation, passed away. Though she had not reached the age of thirty-eight she was long in delicate health, which was borne with Christian patience and submission. Her chief interest was in the things of the kingdom of God, and she was much exercised as to her own spiritual standing before the Most High. Though tried at times with fears as to her interest in Christ, anyone who knew her intimately could not but feel that she belonged to the number of “the poor in spirit,” whose is “the kingdom of heaven.” She was given to hospitality, and friends at Communion seasons found a welcome in her home. Much sympathy has been felt with her husband and other relatives in the great loss they have sustained. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”
MRS. AULD OF TOLLCROSS, GLASGOW.
In our issue of February, 1912, we noticed with regret the death of Mr. John Auld, Tollcross, near Glasgow, who passed away at the age of eighty-three on the 14th January of that year. Now we have to record with similar sorrow the removal of his worthy partner in life, who died at Kilwinning on 14th August. Mrs. Auld, who was several years over the allotted span, was a woman of manifest and decided piety. Quiet, humble, unassuming in spirit and manner, she yet made it clear in her life and conversation that to her to live was Christ. We can never forget the sincere, earnest, Christian manner in which on one occasion she addressed her husband during his last illness, using the language of the Shorter Catechism when his mind seemed tossed and perplexed, and saying, “O John, remember that faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is freely offered to us in the Gospel.”
During her own last sickness, which was short, she experienced seasons of darkness and light, but still her faith was observed to wind itself around the Word of God as the sure rock of anchorage for eternity, and to rest with persevering confidence in the divine promise, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” She died at Kilwinning in the house of her son-in law and daughter (Mr. and Mrs. A. Sinclair), but her remains were laid to rest beside those of her husband in the Churchyard at Tollcross. During her time at Kilwinning it may be stated that she attended, when able, the services of the Original Secession Church, ministered to by the Rev. Thomas Matthew, who was very kind and attentive in his visits during the closing weeks of her life. May the Lord in his infinite mercy raise up others in the room of the fathers and mothers in Israel who are being called to their everlasting rest!
WE briefly notice this month, with sorrow, the recent removal by death of Mr. John M’Coll, Congregational Treasurer, Oban, Miss Margaret Urquhart, Dingwall, and Mr. Murdo Murray, elder, Lairg, esteemed and valued members of their respective congregations. Fuller notices will (D.V.) appear in a future issue.