(formerly of Raasay).
IN the passing away of Mr. Alexander Macfarlane, Oban, formerly schoolmaster at Raasay, the Free Presbyterian Church lost one of its outstanding office-bearers. Though he did not leave home much he was well known to many in our Church through his residence at various places—Raasay, Inverness, Rogart, Lairg and Oban. In all these places he left a fragrant memory. Comely in appearance he was also adorned with a beautiful Christian character. He lived a most exemplary life and was an epistle known and read of all men. Naturally of a retiring and reticent disposition nevertheless he never hesitated to come to the front battle line when the interests of the cause of truth demanded it. He was a member of the first Presbytery of our Church and his name appears as one of the signatories of the Deed of Separation. He was the last survivor of those who were members of that Presbytery—the others being Rev. Donald Macdonald, Shieldaig, and Rev. Donald Macfarlane, Raasay.
Alexander Macfarlane was born at Laxay, in the parish of Lochs, Lewis, on the 26th day of July, 1842. He was baptised by the Rev. Robert Finlayson, of whom he had many interesting stories to tell as told him, no doubt, by his father as well as by others. His parents were God-fearing—his father being the lay-missionary in that district previous to the Disruption. We are of the impression that Donald Macfarlane was a missionary in Jura before going for a few years to the parish of Lochs, and returned to Jura where the subject of this sketch was for the main part brought up. He was the youngest of three of a family—his elder brother, who was a teacher, dying in the Little Lochbroom district, where he lies buried.
As a young man Alexander went to Edinburgh to study at the Moray House Training College, and became a teacher for a period at Portree, then at Braes, and finally at Raasay, where he laboured for over forty years.
When residing in Portree, the subject of our sketch had the high privilege of hearing repeatedly the Rev. Roderick Macleod, of Snizort, and the Rev. Alexander MacColl, of Duirinish, latterly of Lochalsh. It may be remarked that the friendship between Mr. MacColl and himself was a mutual one and enjoyed by him to the end of Mr. MacColl’s life. He was heard to say that he seldom, if ever, sat under one of these older ministers who had such an influence upon one. The time passed so rapidly when he was preaching that one wondered why he finished so soon. One text of Mr. MacColl’s which he referred to was I. Cor., ii. 9. Mr. MacColl took it up and applied it to the state of matters in the Free Church. Mr. Macfarlane took great interest in the steps which led eventually to the passing of the Declaratory Act, whereby the Free Church lost its identity through change in her Constitution, although, extracts of letters from an eminently godly school-master in Jura, of the name of Mr. Dugald Taylor, need not be given, yet they show that they were for years on the alert as to the movements taking place. Mr. Taylor was indeed in favour of agitating for a separation if Professor Robertson Smith was not faithfully dealt with. In 1893, however, the separation came. The Free Presbyterian Church carried on as formerly, in the good providence of God. He suffered for his convictions and actions, but that was no matter of regret to him. Indeed, in due course, the Lord caused exceeding kindness in providence to pass before him. We may add, as one might expect, that the Bible-lesson and Shorter Catechism received no second place in the school work. Probably many generations of pupils received their school instruction in the Word under him, and may it be that many of them may remember what was taught them for their spiritual and eternal benefit.
He had many useful and instructive stories to tell and edifying remarks to relate concerning Rev. John Macrae (Macraith Mòr), Rev. Francis Macbean, Fort Augustus, and Rev. Malcolm Macritchie, of Knapdale (afterwards of Strathy and Knock, Lewis), among others.
He was not without his trials from within and without, but being of an exceptionally reticent nature, one might not hear anything of them, or, if at all, mainly when he felt relief had been granted. He did not conceal the blessing and joy granted him on the Sabbath day of an Oban Communion season some years ago. That joy continued generally until the close. By the way he spoke of Psalm ciii, especially the first five or six verses, and Ps. lxxiii., from verse 23 onwards, he was evidently standing in a large room. There were other portions marked in his Bible which he re-marked, before loss of memory and failure of strength came on, were made precious to his soul. He continually remembered in his prayers the Church at home and abroad. When memory failed in other things, he would be enlivened by reference being made to the “Strong One, the Chosen One raised out of the people.” The earthly house of this tabernacle was rapidly coming down for some time before the end. On the last Sabbath of the first month of 1930, he entered into the city where “the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick—the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.”
Those who had the privilege of knowing Mr. Macfarlane in his home will not readily forget the warm way he welcomed his friends. His cheerful, bright smile shed a ray of light in the home and his fund of stories about well-known ministers and “men” were of the most interesting kind. He had a trained and orderly mind, and it was well stored with gleanings from a wide field of reading of select Christian authors, and from a wide circle of the Lord’s people with whom he came into contact. He was a lover of good men and delighted in the company of the Lord’s people. As a speaker at the “Question” Meeting, and on other occasions, he was listened to with rapt attention. The winsome way in which the truth was presented and the beautiful orderliness of the discourse with the unction which accompanied the delivery, arrested the attention of the hearers. In the passing away of Alexander Macfarlane the Free Presbyterian Church is the poorer, and the cause of Christ has lost one who prayed unfeignedly for the extension of that Kingdom which is without end.
We extend to his two daughters and his son, Rev. D. A. Macfarlane, Dingwall (to whom we are indebted for the biographical details of this sketch), our sincerest sympathy in the removal of a beloved and loving father.
Jesus is Alpha, and there is no letter before Alpha; Jesus is the Way, and there is no way to the Way; and if there be a door, Christ Himself is the Door—and the Door is open.
—Adolph Saphir.
I forgot when I began to study to-day to crave help from God, and the chariot wheels dragged accordingly.—Philip Henry.