MAALCOLM MACLEAN was born in Borrraig in the parish of Duirinish, Isle of Skye, in the year 1861. His father was an elder in the Duirinish congregation of the Free Church. He was considered, by all who knew him, to be a man of integrity of conscience in all his dealings toward God and men. Malcolm’s mother was also a very careful and quiet woman. He had thus the great advantage of having both the example and exercises of true piety set before him from his infancy.
When Malcolm was an infant, he contracted an illness through impure vaccination, which affected his health till the day of his death. This affliction caused that he was a great sufferer all his days from bronchial asthma, especially during the winter months and early spring. No man could bear this trying disease with more patience and resignation to the Lord’s holy will than he did.
It appears that he was in his early life much exercised about his condition as a sinner in the sight of God. He told a friend that, on one occasion in Skye, a sermon which he heard caused him to feel as if the mountains were on fire to devour him for his sins against God. We had the fullest proof from our observation that the word of God came to Malcolm not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. But he was of a very retiring disposition, and spoke very sparingly about himself, so that very little can be said as to his experiences. All who had the privilege of knowing him were fully satisfied that he was a just and an upright man, fearing God and eschewing all appearances of evil. The genuineness and sincerity of his faith could not be doubted. He was possessed of a high sense of honour and amiability of character not often met in our day. The Free Presbyterian Church lost in him a faithful office-bearer.
and a man who never wavered in his attachment to her distinctive principles to the last.
Several years since he was advised by his doctor to leave Glasgow, as the fogs of winter would be too much for him, so he and his wife went to live at their home in Skye. He became considerably stronger after he was a while in his native air. In the month of May, 1916, he was ordered by the agents of the Government to come to Glasgow to take up the place of a fit man for service at the front. He contracted a severe cold about the end of March, 1917, which ended in his death on the 11th day of April. His remains were buried at Dunvegan on the 14th day of April, there to rest united to Christ till the resurrection.
We desire to express sincere sympathy towards his widow, and all the members of the family.
N. C.