THE Island of Skye is being depleted of its goodly cedars. The people of God are called to their eternal rest, and few, as far as can be seen, are rising up to take their places in our congregations. It is not difficult to see a very dim light in a dark night. We can see on all hands the devil’s kingdom advancing, and developing in ways that were not known in previous generations. Many of the Lord’s people have been removed from this congregation since we came to it.
Mr Magnus Mackenzie, Harlosh, Dunvegan, died in June 1922. He was a very precious man, well-versed in the Word of God, and could with extraordinary accuracy quote the Word and apply it in a very appropriate manner, as occasion and circumstances required. He was very conversant with the writings of the Covenants of Scotland. He did not require a magic lantern to remind him of the invaluable work done in his native land by the godly Covenants. He was fearless and courageous in rebuking sin, and in witnessing against the awful declensions in Church and State. He used to speak on the Friday of the Communion, “the Men’s Day,” in a manner entirely his own, being original in his mode of expressing his inmost experience. We remember him saying that none of the “minister’s” congregation would ever see heaven, but, on the contrary, that they would be in hell for ever. What he meant was that people who would only attend public ordinances when ministers were present to preach to them were not true followers and worshippers of God, but idolaters, and most certainly idolaters shall never see heaven. From childhood, Magnus Mackenzie was brought up under the faithful ministry of the late Rev. Alexander MacColl. Magnus used to speak about Mr MacColl in a very tender, affectionate manner, as an obedient child would speak about a loving father.
We said to him once, trying him to find out what he would say—”Well, Magnus, if all the ministers of our Church will leave, what can the people do?” Magnus replied in a tone that we shall not forget—”If that takes place,” he said, “the people wont leave, and the Lord Jesus will raise up other ministers for His truth and cause in the Church.”
We saw him a few days before the end came, and we found Magnus bitterly complaining of sin in the heart. We conducted worship with him, and asked him to ask the blessing, and he, although very weak, rose on his elbow in bed, and began to plead to the Lord to cleanse us in His blood, and to prepare us for the will of God, and then added—”Oh! make him (the writer) faithful unto death for Thy cause and truth,” and then lay back on his bed. We parted that day, never to meet again on this side of the grave. Our congregation at Vatten greatly missed the removal of Magnus Mackenzie from their midst.
J. MACL.