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Home » Publications » Free Presbyterian Magazine » 1928 » August 1928 » The Tinsmith of Abriachan

The Tinsmith of Abriachan

EWEN MACKENZIE was a man who laboured much in the Lord on the Mainland and also in Harris some years ago. The following incident regarding him was related by Mr Alex. Fraser, Ballachulish, and the writer thought it worthy of insertion in the Magazine. Ewen was on one occasion reading the Word of God in his own house, in Glen-Urquhart, when he felt directed to go to read a portion of the Word of Truth in the first house he came to in Abriachan. After walking a few miles, he came to the hut of a tinsmith or tinker, who was busy at the door of his hut. “Do you object to my reading and praying here?” said Ewen. “No,” said the man, who listened, but did not stop his work. Ewen felt his work there was finished, and returned home. After a few years, Ewen, now a colporteur, went with his pony and trap to sell books in Ross-shire. He was a stranger there. Night fell, and his pony got tired. Coming to a large house, brightly lit, Ewen rang the bell, to have the door opened by his own sister, who was cook there. She got permission to give himself and his pony hospitality as they required. “This is Communion week here,” she said, after supper, “and to-morrow is Men’s Day.” “I’m glad of that,” Ewen replied. “I’ll attend the services if spared.” Ewen heard a number of speakers on that day of self-examination, but there was, to his mind, one choice speaker. He sought this speaker at the close of the day, as he wished to meet him. Looking for a few seconds into the man’s face, Ewen asked him—”Were you living in Abriachan some years ago?” “Wasn’t I?” said the tinsmith, as they went away together, to speak of Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. They are both gone long ago to the Father’s house, but the memory of the just is blessed.—C. MacF.

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