JAMES MACMILLAN was born at Relick, in the parish of Kirkhill, Inverness-shire, in the year 1843. He had the great advantage of being brought up in a home where the example of real piety was continually before him. I understand that his mother was always where any in her neighbourhood were in trouble, to help and comfort the needy. His grandfather, Duncan Macmillan, farmer, Ardmachdounie, was notable for his sincere godliness. There is a story related that he, when attending to his duties as a farmer, used to retire to a private place to pray at the root of a certain tree in a wood on the farm, not far from his house. The marks of his knees and elbows there continued long after he was called to his everlasting rest. One day the proprietor of that estate came with his forester to this wood to give instructions about trees which he wished to be cut down. When they came to this particular tree, and saw the marks in the ground at its root, he asked, “what were these marks?” The forester explained to him the cause, and when he heard it he gave orders that that tree should never be cut down. I am afraid that there are very few farmers in this evil age who will leave the marks of their knees in the ground of their farms as evidence of their piety. It would be a more precious and lasting monument to their memory than any costly stone set up at their graves by their relatives.
James Macmillan became serious about the everlasting concerns of his immortal soul when he was a young man. How this most important event took place, we are not able to say. That he was a God-fearing man, we have no doubt. An old lady who heard him pray at worship forty years ago, at the time of his father’s death, could never forget that prayer, and she still remembers it and speaks of it. He made the impression on his own family that he was seeking preparation for eternity every day he lived.
In 1893 he felt no doubt as to his duty when a stand was made for God’s Word and the doctrines and principles of the Free Church of Scotland, so he immediately joined those who separated from the new Church then formed. He was elected twice to the office of the Deaconship in St. Jude’s. The first time he refused to accept office, giving as his reason that he felt himself so unsuitable for the duties involved that he could not accept. The last time, he was on his death-bed when the election took place, and consequently he was not spoken to about it.
The writer visited him often on his death-bed, and, seeing that the end was drawing nigh, he asked him about his hope in prospect of eternity. He answered: “You see, Sir, the awful consequences of the fall of the human race in Adam were such that men became, so far as they were concerned, as lost as the evil spirits; but God, of His great mercy and love, sent His own Son to save lost men. He, the eternal Son of God, became man, and by His obedience, sufferings and death, wrought out a perfect righteousness for His own people. In that perfect righteousness I have placed all my hope for eternity, and I rest by faith upon Him and His finished work.” This was a good confession of faith, and a sure hope in prospect of death and judgment and eternity. He passed away, in the seventy-sixth year of his age, to enjoy eternal rest, on the 2nd day of last April, and was buried by loving friends in Glasgow.
To his widow and each member of his family we desire to extend our sincere sympathy. N. C.