Kenneth MacLeod was born in Auchintraad, Kishorn, in the year 1861. He was the only son in the family. It is said that his grandmother was a God-fearing woman; also he himself said that he had good hopes of his mother being among those saved by grace. We are unable to give an account as to how the saving change came about in the case of the subject of this notice. But it was evident to those who knew him that a change had come, whereby he was enabled to know the Redeemer who saves His people from their sins. He was very conscious of the evil of sin, and could speak of the manner in which sin dwells in the heart of man in a state of nature and of the great need of the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit before there can be newness of spiritual life. He used often to refer to the subject in his prayers and addresses.
It is likely that the conflict between the powers of Light and Darkness was carried on in his soul in the days of his youth. It is noteworthy in this connection that many of the Lord’s people, who were to witness for Him in their day and generation were called by the Good Shepherd in the days of their youth. Thus we find Kenneth at the age of eighteen years, like another who forsook the glory of this world, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God.
The late Malcolm Kennedy used at that time to preside at the prayer meetings. He took notice of Kenneth and had such confidence in his character that he entrusted him with the key of the mission-house. He also engaged him to lead the praise and attend to various other duties connected with the proper management of the house of worship. He took great delight in all this work, performing it in a hearty manner. He was of a very retiring and shy disposition. The first time he was called upon to pray in the meeting house, he asked to be excused. Malcolm Kennedy, who presided, understood the situation and repeated to him the last verse of Psalm xxvii. in Gaelic metre—”Wait on the Lord, and be thou strong, and He shall strength afford unto thine heart, yea, do thou wait, I say upon the Lord.” On hearing this Scripture he obeyed, and for the first time engaged in prayer in the meeting. Many a time from that date he found the strength and encouragement given in that precious portion of truth very helpful to his drooping soul. He received a good measure of the precious grace of patience. When a young man he left his native parish for Glasgow, to serve his time as a shipwright apprentice. On serving his time there, he followed his trade at sea. In this way he travelled much, sailing from British ports to the West Indies. He made it a matter of conscience in his engagements, that he would not undertake work on the Sabbath day except cases of necessity and mercy. His Discharge Certificates from the first to the last testify both to the strength of his character and to his ability. In 1907 he returned home to settle in Kishorn. The following year he was ordained an Elder in the congregation by the late Rev. Donald Graham. Shortly afterwards he was appointed by the Western Presbytery to act as Missionary in the Lochcarron part of the congregation. He was very faithful, and willing in performing the duty laid upon him in connection with supplying Lochcarron, Kishorn, and Ardincaskan. In this service he continued to the end, which came rather unexpectedly.
About the middle of the month of May he caught a cold that developed into pneumonia, and proved fatal. On Friday, 6th June, 1930, he finished his course in this world. The following Tuesday he was laid to rest in Kishorn Cemetery to await the resurrection of the Great Day, when all who are sleeping in the dust of the earth and in the depths of the seas shall hear the voice of their Creator and Lawgiver, and shall come forth, some to everlasting joy, and some to everlasting shame.
He was a true Free Presbyterian, and though his words were few, his conduct was consistent. No consideration would move him from the stand he took. From the first day we met him to the last, his adherence and loyalty to the cause of maintaining a testimony to the Truth appeared to be growing. His departure has caused another breach on the walls of Zion here, and it becomes us to pray to the Repairer of the breaches, that He would build the walls, because the help of man is vain. We believe that our loss is his gain.
To his widow, sons, and daughters, at home and abroad, we extend our sincere sympathy in their loss and pray that they may be led to follow the example of him, who showed them how to go on pilgrimage in this world.—D. McL.