WE regret to record the death of Mrs Peter Anderson, 24 Robertson Avenue, Edinburgh, which took place on 20th August, at the age of 56 years. She was well known to most of the ministers and missionaries of our Church, and to many of the Lord’s people, for under her hospitable roof they were often entertained. I may say without fear of contradiction that Mrs Anderson’s gentle, pleasant, and genuine hospitality could not be surpassed. She was born at Clashmore, Stoer. Her parents were God-fearing and highly esteemed. Her father, who was bedridden for seven years, died when she was only twelve. While suffering on his bed he wrote his father to be praying for him. The father replied that he was praying for him before he was born. Her mother, who was an eminently pious woman, came to live in Inverness, where she died.
Mrs Anderson and her husband came to Edinburgh, where their home became a well-known resort of the Lord’s people, especially at Communion seasons. Her sister, Miss Lena Mackenzie, who was practically an invalid for twenty years, and who died in February 1928, resided with them. Lena, as she was familiarly called, was one who feared the Lord. Her attachment to God’s people, to His Word and cause, and particularly her staunch adherence to the testimony raised by the Free Presbyterian Church in 1893, could not be excelled. As she was unable at times to walk, Mr and Mrs Anderson provided her with an invalid chair, in which she was wheeled to church every Sabbath. The sisterly and brotherly kindness with which she was attended during the whole of her trouble was the admiration of all.
Seven years ago Mrs Anderson was received as a member in full Communion, and her walk and conversation to the end proved that she was one “who delighted in the law of God after the inward man.” A few years ago a virulent internal trouble attacked her, which necessitated several operations, but which proved unsuccessful in removing the trouble. After one of these operations we called to see her. In course of conversation she said: “Do you know what I was thinking when being carried down to the operating theatre? If I am to die in this operation and get to heaven, I will be the most wonderful person there, and the glory will be His forever.”
She was confined to bed for many months suffering excruciating pain, but no one ever heard a murmur from her lips. We seldom or ever saw one who was more submissive to the Lord’s will. She could not bear to hear a word which in the slightest reflected on the goodness of the Lord to her. To give one instance. When we visited her on one occasion she began to weep. We asked for the cause. She replied: “A certain lady called to see me, and when she entered the room said: ‘What a shame, Mrs Anderson, that you should be suffering like that.’ ‘I told her,’ she said, ‘not to speak to me in such a dishonouring way about the kind and gracious Lord. If He had given me what I deserved I would be in hell.’ ” She was no stranger to the temptations of Satan, and had her seasons of depression and fears, but in her darkest hours she clung to God’s promise, and particularly to these words: ‘None perish that trust in Him.’ Her aunt, Mrs Mackenzie, who attended her most tenderly during her last illness, thought of returning home to Stoer in July. ‘Don’t leave,’ she said, ‘for all will be over with me before the end of August.’ ‘Will you not be sorry leaving your husband and children behind?’ she was asked. ‘I was often,’ she said, ‘much concerned about my girls, but now I am loosed from them and everything in the world, and I am willing to leave the children in the Lord’s care, and desire to be with Christ which is far better.’
She was much interested to the very last in all that pertained to the welfare of the Free Presbyterian Church, which she loved so well, and was much grieved to hear of any causing trouble within her pale. Her removal has left a blank which will be felt, not only by the congregation, but by all who had the privilege of knowing her. May the Lord in His mercy raise up the children in place of the parents. To her bereaved husband and two daughters we tender our sincere sympathies in their great loss, and may the “Brother born for adversity” be their strength and consolation.—N. M.