IN a recent issue of the Free Presbyterian Magazine a brief reference was made to the removal of the above-named servant of the Lord by death. We now give a more extended sketch of Mr. Mackay, not that we knew him so intimately as other members of the Church did, but we willingly offer our tribute of regard for our late friend, and sincerely mourn his loss to the Church on earth.
It was not altogether easy to ascertain much regarding him beyond the several general facts of his life, especially concerning his spiritual experiences. Yet this itself, where grace finds a home and reigns, is a very high commendation. A certain writer put on record that people are blessed whose annals are vacant. If rightly applied this is a good sign of the true Christian, that his annals are vacant regarding any outstanding events which can be chronicled. Yet his life may be a useful and rich one for all that, and the remembrance of such an one beneficial to those who came in contact with him to the end of their days.
Hugh Mackay was born of respectable parents at Droman, in the parish of Kinlochbervie, in the year 1842, and at his death, on the 6th day of January of this year reached the age of 79 years and some months. He lost his parents when young, and was brought up by friends. In days when education was not so easily got as at present he had the opportunity of attending school, and at the age of 17 years became an under-shepherd. He was given a place as a shepherd at the age of 20, and, for the main part, followed that occupation until well on in life, until he reached the threshold of old age. He left Kinlochbervie when 34, spent twenty years at a place called Polly, not far from Ben Armine, and from there came to Skelbo, in the parish of Dornoch. After some changes, he finally got a house about a mile from our church at Evelix, where he spent the remainder of his days. It was quite unusual for him to be so near a church, for when living near Ben Armine he had to walk some eleven miles to the Free Church at Rogart. We may here remark that he and his wife, who is still spared, were very sorely afflicted with family bereavements. He left one child buried in his native parish, and lost two daughters when living at Skelbo, and other two abroad—one in Canada and the other in the United States.
It is believed that it was about the time of the death of the first daughter who died at Skelbo that he was brought especially under concern for the welfare of his soul. He was brought up under the preaching of the Gospel like many of the rest of us, and yet had no understanding in the way of salvation. In his early days there was a Rev. Mr. Corbett in his native parish who was highly regarded by those who feared the Lord. He was not without the strivings of the Holy Spirit in those days. On one occasion he was so much impressed with the words in Psalm lxviii. verse 18, “Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive : Thou hast received gifts for men ; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them,” that he went to Mr. Corbett to get them explained ; but it was later on that there was the change whereby he himself consciously felt peace, and which soon made itself evident to the world. From that time forward he became more and more known as a God-fearing and praying man. He was called upon both by Mr. David Ross and by Mr. Angus Murray, Dornoch, to engage in public prayer before becoming a member in full communion.
He was elected an elder in 1913, and sought by grace to fulfil conscientiously the duties of that office as long as he was able. He had a very low estimate of himself and his endeavours. On being asked to speak first at a Fellowship meeting, he remarked that surely the cause was very low when it was he who was called upon to speak first. He was a most sincere man, a solid Christian, and, above all, a man of prayer. It was latterly his complaint that he could not get to a place where he might feel alone. Although often left alone, he was not always feeling able to pour out his heart without restraint.
In the year before his death he had an attack of influenza with complications, and never completely got over it. He recovered to the extent of attending the public services for a time, but by the autumn of last year became completely confined to the house. At the Dornoch Communion in November of last year he was visited by Rev. E. Macqueen and the several elders and some others present, and was much gladdened by their visits. We saw him afterwards on more than one occasion. He was much comforted by hearing read the first and second chapters of the Epistle to the Ephesians and by Psalms xliii. and cxvi., particularly by the words at verse 7, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul ; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.” He was generally conscious to the last, and there is reason to believe by what he said that he did not expect to be called away until the Friday, when the end did actually come. He entered into his eternal rest on the 6th day of January, leaving a blank in the home and in the congregation in Dornoch. We desire that the Most High may raise up men and women like-minded to Hugh Mackay, who lived a life of faith upon the Son of God, who loved him and gave Himself for him. “Blessed are the poor in spirit ; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
With his widow and the surviving members of his family we sincerely sympathise in their bereavement. We need daily like precious faith with him that unto us to live may be Christ, and then to die will be gain.
D. A. MACF.