ANOTHER breach has been made in our congregation by the removal of these worthy Christians by death. All natural ties are broken at death, but the spiritual ties last for ever. The relation between Mr Urquhart and his wife came to an end at death, but the relation between them as members of the mystical body of Christ lasts for ever in Heaven. Therefore, instead of giving a separate sketch of each, we shall give a combined sketch of both.
Mr Murdo Urquhart was a native of the parish of Ferintosh, Black Isle. As a boy, he was well educated in the parish school there, and afterwards held a post as clerk in an office connected with the Railway Station, Inverness. During his time in that town he worshipped in the Free North Church, and sat under the ministry of the late godly Dr Mackay. Mrs Urquhart, before she married, worshipped in that church also. After they married they came to live in Dingwall, Mr Urquhart carrying on a business in the town. In the course of years he retired from business, and applied himself to advance the cause of Christ in Dingwall. We cannot say how early they came under the saving influence of the gospel, but that they had undergone a saving change was evident by the fruit they bore in their holy life, and perhaps we may conclude from the way they spoke of Dr Mackay that he was the instrument of their conversion. Mr Urquhart was an elder in the Dingwall congregation. He was repeatedly appointed a representative elder to the Synod and Northern Presbytery. He also acted as Treasurer and Clerk of Session. In these capacities he discharged his duties willingly and faithfully.
Mr Urquhart was a very modest and humble man—esteeming others better than himself. He never put himself forward to take the lead in public worship. He always tried to get another to preside at the meeting in the absence of the minister, but if he failed in this he would preside himself. He was an amiable Christian, and won the respect of his neighbours, even those who differed from him in religion. The cause of his death was cancer, a trouble from which he suffered many years before it was known. During his last illness he often expressed a desire to live longer, and expected that he would live for some years yet. But the end came, and death was gain to him. His wife died about three months before him. She suffered much in her last illness, especially in her mind, fearing that she was not born again. But at last she was relieved from that fear. The last words she uttered were—”Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people” (Ps. cvi. 4).
The removal of Mr and Mrs Urquhart leaves a blank in our congregation, and their hospitable home, which used to be crowded on Communion occasions, is now occupied by another. It is remarkable, however, that at the last Communion the large number of people who came to the mount of ordinances found plenty of room in other houses. May the Lord raise up others for His cause in room of those taken away! We extend our sympathy to the relatives of the departed in their bereavement.
D. MACF.