READERS of the Magazine will have noticed the many breaches by death made in the walls of Sion recently in Lewis. Once again it is our sorrowful and painful duty to record another.
Allan Macdonald, elder, Lurebost, Lochs, who was missionary for Achmore and Lurebost, was called home from his labours to the rest that remains for the people of God, after an illness of fourteen days, on Sabbath morning the 30th of April. Allan was a native of Lurebost, and was born on 28th December, 1838. He thus died in his 78th year. In early life he served his time at boat-building with his father and uncle, and worked with success at his trade until he retired about twenty years ago. He often expressed himself that he was never of much use except to build a boat, and to go trudging after the means of grace. Having retired from his trade, and being supported by a family of dutiful sons, he was at liberty to attend the means of grace, and of this privilege he took full advantage.
As to his first experiences, he was evidently at the early age of seventeen years brought under deep conviction of sin through the ministrations of late Rev. John MacRae (Big MacRae). We were told by one who saw him at Back on a Communion Sabbath about this time that through his soul anguish, he was so agitated that he made two deep holes in the ground (the congregation were worshipping in the open field) with his heels. How long he remained under the terrors of Sinai, we are unable to say, but that he was brought to Mount Zion and to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of Abel was manifest to all. The deliverance he had was so indelibly stamped upon him, that ever after, he could seldom hear “the unsearchable riches of Christ” declared without manifesting emotion and tears, and the same was true of him when addressing the people or praying. He made a public profession at the age of twenty-three years. To show the great attachment he had for the late Rev. John MacRae it might be stated, that after Big MacRae left Lochs and went to Carloway, Allan often walked there on Sabbath to hear him, a distance of about 40 miles, double journey.
He was a ready and pointed speaker. Possessed of a very fertile mind and considerable wit, his illustrations were always apt and effective. The following two might be quoted as instances—Speaking of the amount of false profession that was abroad, he said, “People to-day must be decorated with gold in some form or other. If not round their necks, they must show it on their breast, in their ears or on their hands, failing this on their umbrellas and walking-sticks. Wait, however, until the goldsmith applies his test and you will find the apparently glittering gold vanishing into go per cent. of that which is spurious and worthless.” On another occasion, speaking of the many forms in which “self” would appear, he said, “I was once lodging with an old woman on an island, and one day she took ‘a rooster,’ and as she thought, wrung its neck, and began plucking it. When about through with her task, she was called away to some other duty. On her return the dead plucked bird she had left on the table was not there, but on going out found the gentleman crowing as lustily as ever on the highest part of the barn.” He was a regular attendant at communions, and always was an expected and welcomed guest, and his presence will be greatly missed on these occasions. He several times visited Skye and the mainland at communion seasons, when he made many friends. Of these times he had a pleasant recollection, and he spoke of them until the end.
During the past two years, however, owing to the failing health of his good wife, he was obliged to remain more at home, but nothing was allowed to interfere with his missionary work, notwithstanding he had to walk long distances. It might be stated that his services, which were given voluntarily, were much appreciated by the Achmore people, and through their kindness he was often met by a conveyance, especially on stormy days. They and the Lurebost people, with the cause of Christ in general, have lost a true friend, and they have reason to mourn his removal. “Though dead, he yet speaketh.” He was an early riser, especially on Sabbath, and always read on Sabbath morning the account of the Resurrection of Christ. Ministers and friends, visiting the island, will have a pleasant recollection of Allan’s entertaining company and power of repartee. However much some of his neighbours might differ from him in Church matters, they never doubted but he was worthy of their highest esteem as a genuine, faithful, and upright, consistent Christian, and they cordially welcomed him at their sick beds. If, however, the question of denominations cropped up, Allan was always ready to defend himself as a Free Presbyterian.
Death evidently did not come to him “as a thief in the night,” for six months before his death he told some friends that he was soon to be taken away. When his trouble came he enjoyed much of the Lord’s presence, and sang almost continually. He sang fifteen psalms in succession a day or two before his death. Some friend remarked that this was too much for him in his weak state. “What,” he said, “getting tired of the eternal element I shall have? Oh, no.” His funeral was the largest seen in the parish for a long time.
To his sorrowing widow and dutiful family, we offer our sincere sympathy in their sore bereavement, and pray that the prayers of the departed may yet be answered on their behalf, and that they may receive grace to follow in his footsteps. May the breaches made in Sion be healed! There is need for the showers to fall again on the mown fields.
N. M.