IN the passing away of Mr. John Mcleod, elder and retired missionary, Strond, Harris, on the 15th January last at the good age of nearly 79 years, a notable figure in the religious life of Harris entered his rest. Mr. Mcleod was born at Strond, Harris, on the 18th April, 1855; he was the second eldest son of Allan Mcleod, who was for the last 12 years of his life a missionary at Strond. It is recorded of Allan that the Holy Spirit was savingly working in him from his early years; he would rebuke other children, at the early age of 7 years, if he heard them saying anything wicked and would immediately leave their company and return home to tell his parents. No doubt the subject of our sketch was brought up under the sound and godly training of his father, yet for the early years of his life he was unconcerned. However, shortly after the death of his father a change was noticeable in John, it becoming clearer as time went on. Regarding the dealings of the Holy Spirit with him at this stage, we are unable to give an account but that the “good work” had begun was evident to all. At the age of 28 years he made a public profession of his faith and hope in Christ, the Kirk Session examining him, being greatly impressed by the clearness of his evidences. For the remaining 51 years of his useful life, he adorned his profession with Christian consistency. When the
Free Church passed the Declaratory Act John found it impossible to remain under it. As soon as the Free Presbyterian Church was formed John found great relief. When the position was explained by Rev. J. R. McKay, he being the first F.P. minister to visit Harris, John, with another friend, set off next day to get the signatures of the people to follow the good old path. As soon as the congregation was formed John was elected a deacon, and, shortly afterwards, an elder. In 1914 he was appointed missionary to the station at Finsbay, and although he resided at Strond, he regularly attended to his duties; there being no means of conveyance at that time, and very bad footpaths, he never spared himself in the good work, but the effects of the long tramps and being often wet, were the means of breaking down his health. After serving a long number of years, he had to resign through ill health, but after a little rest his health improved and he got into harness again and was appointed missionary at Strond station, on the retiral of Mr. Alex. Ross, where he faithfully exhorted young and old to cleave to God’s Word and to its doctrine, always condemning modern views, Sabbath breaking, &c. When speaking to “the question” on Fridays of the Communion it was a pleasure to listen to him and God’s heritage was greatly refreshed as he detailed his own experience of the dealings of the Spirit. He had great love for all our ministers and all the Lord’s people. He resigned as missionary, through ill-health, again in 1932, but though unable to be present in body in the house of God he was present in spirit. On his death-bed when semi-conscious he would speak as if in God’s house, extolling Christ, and warning his fellow-sinners. He was an able and noted preceptor. He never married and lived with his sister, Peggy, who devotedly attended him in health and sickness. We tender our heartfelt sympathy to her and his brother, Mr. Angus Mcleod, our worthy deacon at Strond. He is buried in Rodel Churchyard where the bodies of many of the heroes of the faith are resting, till the Resurrection.—Murdo Martin.