THE Free Presbyterian Church has in these days to mourn very sincerely the loss of eminent servants of God who loved the ways of Zion, and now “are not,” for the Lord has taken them. In quite rapid succession she has had removed from her midst men who were pillars in God’s house on earth. We read not long ago with sorrow, and yet with gratitude, of such well-known elders as Mr. John MacLean and Mr. Donald Kelly, both of Glasgow, and now we hear of the passing away of Mr. John Macdougall, Horisary, North Uist; Mr. John Maclachlan, Kames; and Mr. M’Neil Mackinnon, Portree. Along with these last three so recently removed, there passed away on the 27th of March, to his eternal rest, Mr. John Mackay, missionary at Fearn, and an elder in our Church. His home was some distance from the place of meeting, being at Balnabruach, Portmahomack. Reference to his death was already made in a past issue of the Magazine, but we now endeavour to give a more extended sketch of this servant of Christ. It may be that older members of the F.P. Church who knew him more intimately, and for a much longer period than the writer, may be able to contribute a personal sketch of him, as they knew him.
In giving the following details concerning this worthy servant of the Redeemer, we shall avail ourselves of an account of his life which was got for us by a friend. The account is as follows:—”The late John Mackay was the son of William Mackay, fisherman, Hilton, Fearn, and his wife, Catherine Mackay. He was born at Hilton on the 20th of May, 1837. His mother was a woman of noted piety. As her son grew up, it was her great sorrow that he could not be persuaded to attend either to the cultivation of his mind or to the interests of his soul. As she mourned over his condition, a godly neighbour of hers said: “Let him alone; that will come all right yet.” The words of this woman proved true, for, before he had reached his twentieth year, he was plucked as a brand from the burning. I heard several years ago an account of the way in which he was arrested by the Spirit of God. As he entered into his house in his usual manner, his eye lighted on the Bible, which he suddenly took up. His eyes fell upon the words, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire” (Matt. vii. 19). It is said that thus he was convinced of his lost condition. It was said at the time I heard it that this account was not certain, and that because he was not able to read until after his conversion. However, these words have always been associated in my mind with John Mackay. I am sorry I can say nothing more on this point.
“While still very young, he was married to a godly woman in
the neighbourhood of Portmahomack in Tarbat. Some time after he went to Canada, where he plied his trade as blacksmith at the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He used to tell many stories of his experiences among the native workmen there. He did not remain more than three years in Canada, for he did not find it as congenial as his native land, and Mrs. Mackay also had more love for Gospel privileges than for the prospects of the New World. Some time after his return from America, his beloved wife was removed by death.
“Mr. Mackay was well-known among those who took an active interest in the things of Christ’s cause, as he himself took a decided part in Church affairs. As many errors crept in, he was among the foremost in opposing them. From his early years he was recognised as a man of God, and as a faithful upholder of truth in doctrine and of purity in worship.”
We may add to our friend’s account at this stage that, as an instance of his being generally known in the North, he was in the habit of attending the Creich Communion for well over forty years. In a list of the men who addressed the Fellowship Meeting in August, 1891, at Creich, his name appears among the twenty-three. The portion of Scripture on which remarks were based was Zeph. iii. 12, and the names of Angus Morrison, Lewis; Hector Macpherson, Skye (probably late of Broadford); and names of men from Assynt, Strathy and various districts appear in it.
To continue—”When a banner was raised for the truth in 1893, he associated himself wholeheartedly with the Free Presbyterian Church. He was appointed one of its missionaries, and as such he acted in different places. In 1904 he was sent as missionary to Fearn, and in that same year married again. He laboured acceptably for sixteen years in that district, and was well-known throughout the North. For more than a year before his death he was not able to attend to public duties with regularity, as his health had begun to give way. But, until the last, he was wonderfully preserved.
“When visiting us at Communion seasons, he used to sing his favourite song, ‘I have a never-failing bank’ (by Rev. Lachlan Mackenzie, Lochcarron). We have had great privileges in the society of these godly men who are fast passing away, and we shall certainly be condemned unless we are found followers of them ‘who through faith and patience inherit the promises.'”
So much for the record kindly supplied us for our sketch of his life. His sorrowing widow, who survives to mourn his loss, and with whom we sincerely sympathise, told us, in a letter received at the time of his passing-away, that he was going about as usual on Friday (26th March) until the afternoon, when he became unwell with a pain in his side, and vomiting. Despite all that could be done by medical help and otherwise, he sank, until at five o’clock on the following evening he passed away
without a moan. We take the liberty of using the following remarks made concerning him in a letter received from his widow, as we heartily agree with them: “He was a great wrestler at the throne of grace for the F.P. Church in particular, and for the ministers who stood steadfast. His great delight was in reading his Bible. Every day was to him like a Sabbath—always in such a spiritual frame of mind—so contented in whatever state he was in. Our sad loss is his great gain.”
John Mackay, Tarbat, was evidently a man who feared God, and eschewed evil. He was a man of understanding who knew well the imperfection that causes the believer much sorrow and bitterness of soul while in the tabernacle of this body. He had treasure in the earthen vessel, and gloried in receiving, of God’s free grace, of the riches that are in Christ Jesus. He was of an imaginative turn of mind, and of a lively and genial disposition. As far as we are aware, his last communion was that at Creich last August. He was then in a remarkable frame of mind, especially at the Fellowship Meeting. Some of the brethren thought that they might not see, or hear, him again. Since then no fewer than three well-known members of our Church were called away—himself, Mr. Daniel Mackay, Saval, and Mrs. Johnstone, Helmsdale. Daniel Mackay belonged, as was noted already, to our congregation at Lairg. Mrs. Johnstone, who was a worthy member of our church at Helmsdale, was a woman of acute understanding, whether in matters of doctrine, in Church matters and disputes, or in the spiritual life of the true Christian and the devices of the enemy of the Church, and the enmity of the carnal mind. She was a woman of eminent piety. Though endeavouring to attend a few communions during last summer, she was seriously unwell. This was noticeable on her appearance. She passed to her rest about two months after Creich Communion.
We were told of John Mackay himself that he desired, the Lord willing, to be present at a few communions once again during the present summer, and he intended to bid goodbye to friends. He evidently felt that the time was rapidly approaching when he should be gathered to his fathers. His presence will be much missed at Communion seasons, and by all who knew him in the Lord. He will no more complain of dross being among the gold. The archers have done shooting at him. He was for many years, and is now for ever, in the fullest sense, a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well, whose branches run over the wall.
May the Lord bring us to value the Gospel with its blessings, and help us, by His grace, to fight a good fight, and to keep the faith, like these sterling witnesses!
D. A. M’F.
WE regret to notice briefly the death, on 11th July, of Mr. John Macdonald, elder, St. Jude’s, Glasgow. Much sympathy is felt for his widow, child and friends. His remains were buried at Tomatin.