OUR little loyal congregation in Fearn is much the poorer by the removal from their midst of Donald Ross, one who greatly valued the privileges connected with God’s house, and one who was highly esteemed and respected by all who had intimate acquaintance with him as a man that feared the Lord and eschewed evil.
Donald lived for about 67 years in this world, and, for a number of these years he was, like others, ignorant of his true state and ignorant of the Lord Jesus as his only Saviour. He had, however, the great privilege of being brought up by God-fearing parents, whose example and training could not fail to make an impression upon him. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
We are not able to state at what age he underwent a saving change, but we are informed that the late Rev. Alex. Macrae was instrumental in bringing him to a knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Redeemer. For the late Mr Macgillivray, Fearn, Donald had the greatest regard, and he often referred, when speaking to “the question,” to what he had heard many years before from his late pastor.
He was admitted as a member in full Communion by the Kirk-Session of Tain congregation in 1914, and seven years later he was ordained as an elder of the joint congregation of Tain and Fearn.
Though he could neither read nor write, Donald had a very retentive memory, and a thorough grasp of the doctrines of salvation. On “the men’s day” at Communion seasons he spoke with conviction and much earnestness. That the things pertaining to Christ’s cause in the world were very near his heart none could gainsay. He was able to attend the Communion services in Tain last July though far from well. On the Monday he bade farewell with some of his friends there, remarking that it was not likely they would ever meet again in this world. So it happened. He gradually grew weaker, and was confined to his bed for some weeks before the end came. The writer called on him a few hours before he passed away, and, on asking him how things fared with him, he answered with difficulty by quoting that Scripture:—”They shall hunger no more neither thirst any more.” He knew death was near, but we believe for him death had no sting. On the 5th day of September 1929 he was called away to that rest which remains to the people of God.
To his sorrowing widow and family, to his brother and sisters, and to the Fearn congregation, we extend our sincere sympathy.—D. J. M.