WE have occasion again and again to mourn the removal by death of aged Christians from our midst. The trees of righteousness are being cut down and there is much need that importunate prayer would ascend to the God of Israel for the filling of the breaches. William Mackay was an elder in our Helmsdale congregation. He was born at Hilton, Ross-shire, in 1854. He married and came to Helmsdale when about 25 years of age, and resided there for the remainder of his life. His occupation was that of a fisherman. In his early days he was deeply impressed by the piety of a godly schoolmaster in Fearn. He heard this man (Mr. Munro) engage in prayer, and it made a lasting impression on his mind. The influence of a teacher, for good or evil, is great. Those children are highly privileged who have an example of vital godliness before them in their school days. The genuineness of the great change wrought in William Mackay by the Holy Spirit was quite evident—”By their fruits ye shall know them.” Although of a gentle disposition he would fearlessly reprove sin. He loathed sin in himself and in others. Several instances of this might be mentioned in connection with Sabbath desecration. Worldly-wise men with whom he worked had to acknowledge that it fared better with him in abstaining from unnecessary Sabbath work, than it did with those who acted otherwise.
Sabbath visiting was growing in practice. Some visitors came to his house on the Lord’s day. He allowed them to come in but got the Bible and the Pilgrim’s Progress and read to them. They had no appetite for this but desired worldly conversation. It put an end to their Sabbath visitations to his house. About 50 years ago, a serious outbreak of deadly fever caused alarm in Helmsdale and other places. Many died, and in some households three or four bodies awaited burial at the same time. None could be found to handle them. William was asked if he would do it. He had his wife and young family to consider but made it a matter of prayer. The promise came: “No plague shall mar thy dwelling, come, no ill shall thee befall.” Fear vanished and he did all that was necessary. He and his household escaped the fever. His family consisted of five sons and two daughters. One son died in early life. His worthy wife predeceased him by a year, and the separation was keenly felt. To the writer he remarked, a few months before his death: “Many precious promises were given to me, but I am now as needy as ever.”
The end was approaching, and he knew it. On Saturday, 19th September last, though weak, he was able to sit up. He asked his son to read Matthew 6th chapter, and quoted from Psalm 90. Three times he engaged in prayer. Members of the family gathered around. He was heard repeating the 102nd Psalm: “Thou shalt arise and mercy have upon thy Sion yet.” His last words were “Whom have I in the heavens high but Thee, O Lord, alone and on the earth whom I desire besides Thee there is none.” On Sabbath he was unconscious, and on Monday, 21st September he passed away, to be, we believe, “with Christ which is far better.” No more will his voice be heard leading the singing, or engaging in prayer in the congregation where he loved to be. He seemed to have had a special interest in our Mission to the Jews, for he invariably enquired about it. His bereaved family both at home, and in Canada, have the sympathy of many, whose prayer is that the mantle of their parents may fall on them. “Help, Lord, because the godly man doth daily fade away, and from among the sons of men the faithful do decay.”—W. G.