IT is with the sincerest regret we record the death of the Rev. John Maclachlan, who died at Bayhead on the 3rd August. The news of his death came as a shock to many in the Church as they had not heard he had been ill. Mr. Maclachlan may
not have been so gifted as some of his brethren, but he lived a fine Christian life, characterised by loyalty to his Master and devotion to His cause. He was of a most unselfish disposition and never grudged doing a good turn for his fellows. During his life he was a most loyal supporter of the Free Presbyterian Church.
We extend our sympathy to his brother, Mr. Duncan Maclachlan, procurator-fiscal, Loechmaddy, who took up his duties there only a few days before his beloved brother’s death, and also to other relatives who mourn his loss, and the congregation of North Uist, who have lost a devoted and diligent pastor. We hope to have a longer notice in a future issue.
The late Dugald MacCallum, Elder, Kames.
THIS worthy man was born in Millhouse, parish of Kilfinnan, about 79 years ago, where he lived all his days. He was one in a family of eleven. His father was a God-fearing man, and the family were brought up under the influence of a pious example, and from their earliest infancy were instructed in the elements of Christianity. As is too often evident, however, religious training of itself will not produce any saving change in a sinner. How often this is seen in families brought up under the same roof and enjoying the same religious influences. As time goes on some of them become more and more deeply impressed by spiritual things, while their brothers and sisters grow more and more indifferent.
At what time Dugald came under the saving power of the truth we cannot now ascertain, but that he had been born again was evident, and became more and more evident as he drew nearer to eternity. He had evidently been seriously inclined before there was a congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church formed in Kames, and immediately on the formation of that congregation he joined the ranks, and from then till his death he never looked back, although in time to come circumstances arose which severely tried him.
As long as he was associated with the congregation—over 30 years—he acted as beadle, a difficult task, and in this case made specially so by the venom and malice which characterised the attitude of some towards the Free Presbyterian cause in Kames.
Dugald was a rare combination of patience, meekness, firmness and sincerity. His smile of welcome at the door of the Church was something to be seen to be appreciated. Christianity, welcoming stranger as well as friend to the House of God, beamed from his very countenance. One felt that here was a man whose delight it was to be a doorkeeper in the house of his God rather than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. He was ordained to the eldership in 1921, and from then to his death his chief interest was the prosperity of the cause of Christ.
Dugald was, more or less, laid aside by illness for about a year before he died. But during his long trying illness his bed was made soft by a spirit of gracious submission. The chief trouble that Dugald complained of was not the pains and discomfort of his body, although these were undoubtedly great, but the desperate evil and unbelief of his heart. Tears used to stream down his cheeks as he spoke of the rebellion of his thoughts and will against the Most High. Doubtless these tears were put into God’s bottle and for mourning he now has joy.
During his illness he was tenderly nursed by his sister, Mrs. Hill, and his only daughter, to both of whom we wish to extend our sincere sympathy. I take this opportunity of recording my own sense of loss at the removal of Dugald MacCallum, which took place on the 9th December, 1932. J. A. T.