IT is with much regret that we notice this month the death of Mr. John Swanson, who passed away to his eternal rest on the 29th day of May at the age of 58 years. “The righteous is taken away from the evil to come.” The Lord appears to be angry with us as a generation, when He is removing one by one of His own people, and raising up very few to fill their places. What great need that the Lord would raise up others to bear faithful witness for Him in our midst!
John Swanson was born in Weydale on the last day of December, 1856. His parents were both God-fearing, and were respected by all who knew them. John often made reference to their careful observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest, and to their religious instructions—the precious privilege the family had of being taught in the Word of God during the days of their youth. He was known to be serious concerning his soul and eternity when he was a young lad, always absenting himself from the company of others who sought to lead him aside into wicked vices. The writer could not find out what were the means the Lord used in his conversion.
He was naturally possessed of a meek and quiet disposition. He always tried to live at peace with all men, so far as that was possible. Even those who could not see eye to eye with him in spiritual matters, would have to confess that they seldom knew a man who was more consistent in his life and conversation. “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even His enemies to be at peace with Him.”
When John was about ten years of age the family left Weydale to settle in Howe where they took two leases of a farm, extending to 28 years. Both his parents, and a brother and sister, died there, but the farming work did not appear to prosper with John so well after their decease. On that account, he gave it up, and worked during the remaining part of his life as a general labourer. He and his sister Annie took a house and a feu in Halkirk, where they lived together for over seventeen years, sharing the ups and downs of life. He confessed to us that his coming to Halkirk proved one of the greatest blessings in his life, as he had an opportunity, which he did not formerly possess, of attending the means of grace, and becoming acquainted with some of the Lord’s people.
Very few laymen were so well versed in Church matters, and he took particular notice of how the Free Church, to which he adhered, drifted from its moorings by the tide of Rationalism or Higher Criticism. Consequently, he absented himself from attending any place of worship for a few years. But when he heard of the testimony made by the Free Presbyterian Church in 1892 for the truth and the purity of worship, he wondered at first if it was his duty to join us. He thought he would go to hear one of our ministers preach, which he did. The minister’s text was “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Some remarks that were made in the course of the sermon were the means of making him see his way more clearly to join our Church. It is remarkable that the last sermon he heard in life was by the same minister, his text being, “For He must reign, until he has put all enemies under His feet.”
His sister, who knew him better than anyone else, told us that she never expected that John would be able to take a public part in the service of the Church, owing to his natural shyness of disposition. But he was able by grace to gather courage and become a public witness for Christ and His cause. He was elected as an elder in the Halkirk congregation about ten years ago. He felt the burden and responsibilities of his duties as an elder more than many in the office. His concern as to how things would prosper when he took the lead on the Lord’s Day and week-days (the minister being away at Helmsdale almost every third Lord’s Day) was to John a matter of prayer. None rejoiced more than he to see the cause of Christ advancing, and none more grieved at anything that might retard its progress.
His last days of activity were spent at the means of grace. He left his ordinary weekly work, which, we understand, was not easy for him, to attend the Communion services at Wick at the end of April. He complained of being tired when he came home from the Communion on Monday evening, but he was able to visit a few of his friends in the village and conduct worship. The following day he took ill with pain in his head and vomiting. At first his trouble was not considered serious, but it proved to be apoplexy of the brain. He was able to converse with us until he had the third attack, which brought on a heavy sleep that lasted from Sabbath night till Saturday morning, when he passed quietly away. It was a pleasure to call to see him on his death-bed. His talk was about little else than the Word of God. While bidding good-bye to him one evening, we said, “I hope you will get a good rest to-night, John.” He answered, “There remaineth a rest for the people of God.” On another occasion, he remarked, “I have that promise, ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee,’ but still, He said, ‘I will not leave thee altogether unpunished.'” The day before he lost his power of speech completely, he expressed the hope to his sister that there was as much means left, as would enable him to say, “I owe no man anything.” His sister told him that he might not concern himself about that, and that for her part, she was not afraid that the Lord would not provide for her for the future. He was faithfully nursed by a friend of his, Mr. Donald Macadie, the state of his sister’s health making it impossible for her to nurse him day and night. We hope his friend’s labours and devotion will be rewarded by the Lord, who said, “Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily, I say unto you, he shall in nowise lose his reward.”
His remains were laid in the Thurso cemetery beside those of his deceased brother to await the morning of the resurrection. We miss John Swanson for his useful labours in connection with the congregation and the cause of Christ. We miss him also for his pleasant countenance, cheerful disposition, and profitable company. He will be missed by all who knew him. We extend our deepest sympathy to his bereaved brother and sister in their sorrow. They have the comfort that they need not sorrow as those who have no hope. “By whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.”
N. M.