THIS attractive Christian woman had a sunny countenance. She had a most interesting personality, and was possessed of remarkable vitality. She was one of a family of seven, one of whom lived to be 84. Mrs Morrison was a widow for about 17 years. She was born at Strath, Gairloch, about 28th August 1817, although many of the old residents are confident she was born four years earlier. Her parents were Thomas Macpherson and Isabella Macpherson. No regular Register of Births was kept in Gairloch at that time.
Mrs Morrison died at 37 Lonmore, on Sabbath, 3rd October 1920, in the house of her nephew, Mr Alexander Ross, with whom she resided some years before her death. Her body was interred in Gairloch Church-Yard. She was held in great esteem, and her death has ended a useful and attractive life, and has caused a felt blank in the Gairloch Free Presbyterian congregation, where her bright and cheerful countenance often cheered the preacher. She had the distinction of living in the reign of six Sovereigns—1, George III. (1760-1820); 2, George IV. (1820-1830); 3, William IV. (1830-1837); 4, Victoria (1837-1901); 5, Edward VII. (1901-1910); 6, George V. (1910-). Her chief delight was to live under King Jesus, and at His expense. When a young girl she often, in company with other girls from Gairloch, travelled on foot from Gairloch to Forfar and back, a distance of about 300 miles. There they engaged in harvest work, cutting oats, etc., with the sickle. It was a common occurrence for some of the girls to faint from exhaustion on the long journey, but Mrs Morrison never felt any weakness. Throughout her life, up to within a short time of her death, she was full of life and activity. Her eyesight was excellent. She read, knitted, washed, and ironed. She had no difficulty in threading the needle. Her only drawback was deafness. She was only once in a train, about fifty-two years before her death, when she journeyed from Dingwall to Nairn to visit a brother.
Mrs Morrison interested herself in visiting the sick, which took her along rough, narrow tracks, and entailed upon her climbing several dykes and walls. She was, in fact, a voluntary lady missionary. That work and labour of love had to be curtailed within six months of her death, for she at last felt that she was not so able to get over the dykes that divided the several crofts. Nevertheless, she continued to visit some of her neighbours; and she was often seen, even on very cold days, walking along the road, knitting. She had a cheerful word for all her friends. It was a tonic to see and meet her.
She was reared in a spiritual atmosphere, and she remembered, when young, that they got no breakfast on Sabbath morning till they correctly repeated, with proofs, several questions of the Shorter Catechism.
About 1843 she heard, at Lochcarron, Rev. John Macalister, Nigg, preach from the words:—”Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” She, with very much delight, often spoke of that text and sermon. She frequently heard, with much relish, Rev. Dr John Macdonald, Ferintosh; Rev. John Kennedy, Redcastle; Rev. John Macrae, Knockbain (Big Macrae); and Rev. George Macleod, Ullapool. She remembered to the last these ministers and their sermons.
Mrs Morrison had no difficulty in cheerfully casting in her lot with the Free Presbyterian congregation of Gairloch when it was formed; and, when occasion arose, she was ready to give valid proof for her being associated with that body. She did not become a member in full communion till within some years of her death. She greatly loved the Songs of Zion. She possessed a musical voice. When she visited homes she would ask them to sing the Psalms and read the Scriptures. Her own soul and the souls of others were refreshed by these exercises. She at times remarked that her only complaint was a hard heart and deafness. She was able to walk to and from Church on Sabbath, a distance of about a mile each way, till within a year or so of her end. After that she attended church occasionally. The last communion she attended was at the end of June 1920. She came to the Manse after the close of the Communion service on Sabbath to await the evening service. Mrs Duncan Mackenzie, of the Manse, inquired as to her health. Her significant reply was—”Tha mi cho slan ris a’ bhreac, agus cho lag ris a’ chulag.” (“I am as healthy as a trout, and as weak as a fly.”)
She was present at the Fellowship Meeting on Friday at the second last Communion she attended. Mr Roderick Maclean, elder, Laide, now Bealy, when asked to speak, left the “Elders’ Desk,” and stood beside Mrs Morrison. She was afterwards asked if she had heard the speakers. “I did not,” she said, “hear a single word, but what that blessed man who stood beside me said.”
She was, before being taken to the eternal home, confined to bed for ten days. She said she loved all God’s people, but that the Word of God was her chief delight. That Word cheered and nourished her. Her cheerful manner, her native wit, and her voluntary lay missionary work, enriched the whole district. The want is now keenly felt.
During her ten days of illness she did not suffer much pain of body. Her end was peace, and, in the 103rd year of her life, she calmly entered into the joy of the Lord. Many who ought to know say she was 107. On 3rd October 1920 she was lulled to sleep by Jesus to await the blessed and glorious resurrection of the just. “Forever with the Lord.” She is greatly missed by very many; but it is a very great comfort that she is at home with her gracious Redeemer, and with the saints redeemed from earth. “Redemption, Lord, to Israel from all his troubles send.” We express our sympathy to all the sorrowing relatives.
D. McK.