NEIL MACDONALD was born in the parish of Ulva, Mull, Argyllshire, in the year 1841. As a boy and young man he was free from the outward folly too often manifested at that age. He was, however, without God and without hope in the world till he reached the age of eighteen years.
A Gaelic schoolmaster came to the district to teach, and to hold religious services. His name was Mr Murdo Fraser. He was a native of Ullapool, Ross-shire. The labours of this godly man were blessed by the Lord, so that many were turned from darkness to light, and from Satan unto God. Among these was Neil Macdonald. No one could doubt ever after the reality of the change of state and nature which he underwent at that time. He became an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile. It is written—”By their deeds ye shall know them,” and Neil Macdonald’s words and actions placed beyond the region of doubt that he was one of the Lamb’s true and faithful followers to the last day of his life on earth. He married a young woman, who proved a true helpmeet to him, and came to reside in Tobermory, in Mull. Having chosen a seafaring life, this place was more suitable for a home, as he could oftener visit his wife and family. In the year 1882 he was elected to the office of the eldership by the Free Church congregation of that town. He accepted the office, and continued to hold it there till the year 1893. In that year the Free Church departed so completely from her former Creed and Constitution that two of her ministers, and a large number of godly office-bearers, students, and people, were constrained for truth and conscience sake to separate from this pseudo Free Church in order to maintain in its integrity the original Creed and Constitution of the Free Church of Scotland. Captain Macdonald cast in his lot with them, and began to attend the services held in St Jude’s, Glasgow.
In the year 1894, he removed his family to Glasgow. It was then that the writer became acquainted with him. The first time they met it became evident to him that Captain Macdonald was a single-eyed, true, and faithful Christian. Time and further intercourse convinced the writer that his first impression was right.
During the long period of his being master mariner, he never left a port on the Lord’s Day. He strictly kept this good rule when he sailed his own ship, and after he became captain of a coasting steamboat he faithfully adhered to it. His employers were so fully convinced that Sabbath work was not necessary in order to do their work proficiently that they gave him full permission to work the boat in his own way. Captain Macdonald told the writer more than once that he firmly believed, after a long experience at sea, that there was no necessity for Sabbath work. He disdained the futile pretence of men who endeavour to place such profanation under the category of works of necessity or mercy. He was not a bigot as to real works of necessity and mercy, for he never scrupled to do such on the Lord’s Day. But he always considered conscientiously whether they were so before he did them. Thus he steered a Scriptural course between the Pharisees of old and the Libertines of this rebellious generation, who claim necessity for the most wanton and flagrant violations of the Lord’s holy day. The late godly Mr Malcolm MacCulloch, Ardrishaig, told the writer that he was sure he had passed more than a thousand Captains through the sea-lock there, but that he did not meet one in that large number like Captain Macdonald.
He was elected and admitted an elder in St Jude’s in the year 1907. This office he adorned with true humility, godly sincerity, and unfeigned fidelity to the Free Presbyterian Church and to all the duties of his office. He endeared himself to all his brethren in the Kirk-Session by his becoming conduct, both as a Christian and gentleman. The whole congregation held him as worthy of esteem and respect. He was employed as a missionary among the Highlanders of Clydebank during a considerable number of years, before his bodily health gave way, with real appreciation and success. The interest he manifested toward each individual in the Mission, both as to their spiritual and temporal concerns caused each one to trust in him as a true friend. This was not a superficial interest, but a heart concern for their good for time and eternity. That they believed it to be so was proved by the sorrow they showed when they realised that his labour of love among them had come to an end. He was indefatigable in visiting the sick, and many felt both cheered and comforted by his sympathy and comforting words. He fed daily upon the Word of God himself, and did his utmost to commend it to others. This was very conspicuously true in all his dealings with the sick. During the last years of his life his time was wholly his own.
This enabled him to visit regularly the Infirmaries in Glasgow, especially the Western. He always carried New Testaments and separate books of the Bible in English and Gaelic, which he distributed among the patients. The National Bible Society gave him these at cost price, and sometimes free. In this way he became well known to a large number of people throughout Scotland, especially Highlanders. The Superintendent and the nurses of the Western Infirmary respected him very highly, both as a thorough gentleman and for his work’s sake. He was very fond of children, and he was often seen with such articles under his arm going to their aid as would divert their minds from home and pains.
When he came to Glasgow in 1894 he gave up a seafaring life. His family then consisted of two sons and two daughters. His worthy wife and the two daughters were removed by death. Being a man of tender feelings, these heavy strokes, one after another, made a very deep and lasting impression upon his affectionate mind. No one heard even the least complaint against the Lord’s holy, just, and all-wise providence from his lips. On each occasion the words of the Psalmist might be applied to him—”I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.” Notwithstanding, it was easily observed that a very deep and lasting solemnity rested on his mind, and that his thoughts were now set almost continually upon the things which are not seen and are eternal. This did not cause gloominess or even sadness, but he became more definitely a stranger and pilgrim, who looked for a better country, and for a city which has foundations whose Builder and Maker is God. He saw more and more the instability of all terrestrial objects, and the folly of building one’s hope upon such shifting sand.
He was now left with his two sons, who manifested a sincere filial spirit towards their lonely father. This was truly reciprocated by Captain Macdonald, for his fatherly affection rested upon his sons more now than ever. Some time after the two sons got married—one of them remained with his father; the other set up a house of his own. During the last two years and six months of his life he was unable to do much for himself. It looked as if he had a slight shock, which affected considerably his memory and his speech. During this time his son’s wife nursed him with tenderness and wholeheartedness that were to be admired, and that should be taken as an example by others in like circumstances. The Lord was taking down very gently the earthly tabernacle of His dear servant, and at the same time strengthening his soul with the strong consolations that are in Christ Jesus.
Captain Macdonald’s chief care was that he would not say or do anything that would bring the cause of Christ into reproach. He was exceedingly careful and vigilant about this pit into which so many have fallen in this sinful and adulterous generation. He was not, however, afraid to expose the hypocrisy of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness; for his righteous soul abhorred such tactics. Some may have disliked him for this; but he was not the man to barter conscience and truth for any man’s smile or frown. This made him a consistent elder of the Free Presbyterian Church till the day of his death. He was not one of those who hold that truth and its eternal principles are like the moon—changing from day to day—but held that they were as stable as the Lord’s throne.
The writer often saw his face beaming with joy when the conversation would be on the love of God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—toward guilty and God-hating sinners. His love to Christ, His Word, the means of grace, the Lord’s day and house, and the Lord’s people was very easily seen. When the names of some of the Lord’s people were mentioned, he would say—”My dearly beloved.” He was truly possessed of the same spirit that moved worthy Ruth to say—”Thy God shall be my God, and thy people my people.” It was evident that this love became stronger each day towards the end.
He was truly a man given much to prayer. It was very striking that when, on account of failing memory, he could not get his ideas into words, he was able to pray quite orderly, and had no such difficulty in finding proper words to express his thoughts. Towards the end he enjoyed so much freedom at the family altar that he forgot that any were present but himself. At such times he pleaded with the Lord to take him away to be with Himself. The expression of his face revealed the joy that exceeds language, and that is full of glory. The Lord’s time came at last. On the eleventh day of May 1923, he departed to be for ever with Christ, whom he loved so sincerely and served so faithfully during sixty-four years in the world. He was eighty-two years of age when he was taken home to his everlasting rest.
The writer, the whole Session of St Jude’s, and all the congregation mourn for their loss, which was truly his great and everlasting gain.
His remains were laid to rest in the Western Cemetery, Glasgow, to await the sounding of the great trumpet on the day of final judgment. He was sown in corruption then, but he will be raised in glory.
We offer again our sincere sympathy to his two sons and to their wives, and, also, to all who mourn after him. N. C.