The Late Mr Charles MacLean, Elder, Cawdor Road, Inverness.
THIS worthy man was the eldest son of the late Mr Lachlan Maclean, Cawdor Road, Inverness. He was born at Duntelchaig, in the parish of Dores, not quite seventy-six years ago. When we knew him first he was at Dalvour, parish of Daviot, about thirty-five years ago. He was then a changed man, but the instrument used by the Lord to work this change in him I cannot definitely state; but I always found that two men for whom he had unbounded regard were the saintly Rev. Donald Macdonald, late of Shieldaig, and the other, a worthy layman, of the name of William Macdonald, who finished his course at Elphin, Sutherlandshire. As a mason contractor, it was his lot to go to Coulin to build a lodge for Lord Lovelace, and while there he always attended the ministry of Mr Macdonald at Shieldaig and Torridon. In after years, when relating his experiences while listening to the Rev. Mr Macdonald, his face would beam, and one could clearly see that remembering those services he was anew refreshed as the Holy Spirit called to his mind what the Lord had spoken to him through His own messenger. At this special time, when he arrived home, he began to praise Mr Macdonald to his father, and declared that there was not a preacher in the Highlands like him, to which the father replied that he was like a young calf getting his first milk, and that there were some ministers in the Highlands much ahead of him. To this Mr Maclean replied that he agreed that if Mr Macdonald had no liberty—his gifts were not very great—but when he had liberty there was no minister like him for feeding starving souls. This the father would readily admit when he became more acquainted with Mr Macdonald’s preaching. To show Mr Maclean’s appreciation of Mr Macdonald, he called his youngest son after him.
As was stated, he also had great regard for William Macdonald, who was Missionary at Elphin. While building the shooting-lodge at Druimaraonidh he made every effort to hear William on the Sabbath at Elphin. There he also met the worthy Marion Mackenzie, otherwise called Merran Mhor. Mr Maclean was also at Portree before the passing of the notorious Declaratory Act, and used to hold meetings with Mr Neil MacKinnon. When the stand had to be made in 1893, he had no hesitation in joining those who, as the Apostle Peter said, left all and followed Christ. Until his dying day he never regretted taking that stand. As long as he was in Daviot he was mainly responsible for seeing the services conducted there. It was while he was still there that the writer knew him first, and if a Paul could approvingly and lovingly write of Gaius mine host, we can certainly state that he was one of the kindest we ever visited. I may say that I shall never forget the pleasantness of his hospitality. About his wife, I may say she was like-minded with him in her kindness, and one who was of a meek and quiet spirit.
To know Mr Maclean in reality one would require to know him in his own house, for although he was a clear speaker on the Friday and a man of an able mind, yet it was at the family altar he excelled. We often felt that when he was engaged at the family altar we had reason to be ashamed for our dryness compared to him.
For the last few years of his life he became very mellow, and a discourse on the sufferings of Christ would make him break down. He was a most affectionate father, and to the writer he confided on more than one occasion his concern for his children’s eternal salvation, and that, although one had the hope that it was well with one’s self, yet what would become of those whom they were leaving behind? He was a steadfast friend, a true Christian, whose loss our congregation has deep reason to mourn. His remains were laid to rest beside those of his father in Dunlichity Burying-ground, where much of the dust of the Lord’s people lies to answer the call of the trumpet of the Great Day. We may say that the dust of his wife was also laid there as recently as the 12th day of June, about nine months after that of her husband.
To their sorrowing family and relatives and friends we tender our heartfelt sympathy, and pray that the Holy Spirit may work in them as He worked in them who are now through faith and patience inheriting the promises.—E. MACQ.