CAPTAIN MACINTYRE, as already announced in the Magazine, passed away on the 26th March, 1933, at the age of 75 years. Duncan Macintyre was born at Lochyside across the river from the battlefield of Inverlochy where Montrose defeated the Covenanting troops under Argyle in 1645. He grew up a moral, well-behaved young man but unconcerned about his soul’s salvation until he was about 27 years of age. He was gifted with a melodious voice and had a great love for music. These talents took him often into light, vain company, where his gifts as a singer made him a great favourite.
After serving as a lock-keeper on the Caledonian Canal he went to sea in one of the steamers of Messrs. MacBrayne under the command of the late godly Captain Donald MacCallum. It was shortly after becoming a sailor that the great change began in Duncan’s life. The occasion was at a catechising held by the Rev. Murdo Mackenzie, then minister of the Free Church, Kilmallie, and afterwards minister of the Free North Church, Inverness. The work of conviction then begun was searching and for months he was so troubled in his mind that Captain MacCallum used to tell that he would rise during the night when Duncan was on watch in case he might forget his duties as a sailor: so deep was his concern. He would, at times, hear Duncan praying for mercy and our information is that it was while he was on his knees praying that deliverance came. He used to speak of the happiness he felt in this deliverance and of the happy days he had in the means of grace. Mr. Mackenzie was succeeded at Kilmallie by the Rev. D. Macfarlane and Duncan had a great love in his heart to him and when the separation took place in 1893 Duncan Macintyre cast in his lot with the Free Presbyterians and remained with them until the day of his death.
Duncan Macintyre, being a man possessing more than average gifts, rose to be captain in MacBrayne’s service and it was while occupying this position that his faithfulness to his profession was tested. On two particular occasions he was
asked to sail on the Sabbath. The first occasion was while he was acting as assistant captain on the Outer Isles Mail-boat. He found that the steamer on which he was, left port on Sabbath evening on her voyage to Oban. He appealed to the Captain in charge not to do so until the Sabbath was past as he did not think it was a work of necessity to sail. The Captain refused and Duncan made up his mind to leave the boat on its arrival at Oban. This, of course, meant his dismissal. When he reached Oban, however, a telegram was awaiting him granting him his holidays and he was not asked to return to this boat. On another occasion when sailing between Oban and Fort William he was asked to take excursionists on Saturday morning to Ballachulish and bring them back at night after the arrival of the train which would mean that he would be sailing on Sabbath morning. There was no time to correspond with the Company. When Saturday morning came there was such a gale blowing that no boat could weather it and the excursion had to be postponed. Those who have never been placed in such positions can scarcely realise what it means for men who have a conscience which demands the giving up of their jobs rather than wound it. We must say we feel keenly for employees who find themselves face to face with such situations. Now-a-days Sabbath labour, where the plea of necessity cannot be pleaded, meets men in all departments of labour and our heartfelt sympathies go out to those who serve masters who care no more for the claims of conscience than do the benighted pagans.
Duncan was elected to the eldership and for many years after his retirement he kept the meetings at Fort William. The Church owes a debt of gratitude to such men as he who kept the door open for years without even a word of thanks and whose only reward is a few kindly words penned concerning them in such obituaries as these when they are beyond, and have no need of our thanks. It was while making arrangements for the Communion which was to be held in Fort William after the lapse of many years that he was stricken down by a paralytic stroke. The ministers assisting at the Communion
called to see him. He could not speak but he gave signs that he knew them. On the Sabbath while the Communion services were being conducted he passed to his rest. He was looking forward with interest to these services but, as in the case of Moses, the Lord saw meet that he should not see the Communion at Fort William but enter on everlasting communion in heaven.
Duncan Macintyre was a man greatly respected and loved by all who knew him. He had a homely, approachable disposition; of a calm, imperturbable nature he was not easily moved by excitement or passion; nor was he swayed hither and thither by every passing gust of wind that blew across our Church’s path. He was an appreciated speaker at the Question Meetings and after his retiral he was able to go further afield than his native place so that he was well-known to many in our Church.
His loss at Fort William, especially, is keenly felt and mourned and in his passing our Church has lost one who pleaded for her welfare at a throne of grace. We extend our sympathy to his widow and family and other relatives. May the prayers offered up on behalf of his sons and daughters be answered in the Lord’s own time.