FORTY years ago, “trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord,” beautified our beloved land to a comparatively greater extent than they do to-day. Where numerous then, they are now few but the few are outstanding (even as isolated trees are in a barren country) because of their fewness.
Two such “trees of righteousness” were removed from our midst recently by the death of Mr. Adam Black, Gerston, and Mr. Robert Sutherland, Scots Calder—both office-bearers in Halkirk Congregation for the past fourteen years. The Scripture says that such “are to be had in remembrance,” and we believe it is our duty to record some brief facts regarding them.
At the advanced age of 85, this worthy man passed away on 28th October last. His father came from Dumfries-shire to Caithness about a century ago. His mother was the seed of the righteous being descended from the pious “Jean Armadale.” Adam was born at Strathy. A day came, in the sovereign mercy of God, when he was awakened to a sense of his soul’s need. He realised that he sinned in the first Adam and fell with him. The want of original righteousness, the corruption of his whole nature, together with actual transgression became an intolerable burden to him. All attempts to improve “that depraved nature failed, and his one and only hope was in the last Adam” who was made a quickening spirit.
His knowledge of sheep, he was a sheep farmer, was profitably applied when speaking of the Good Shepherd and in giving marks of His sheep. Adam had seasons of deep conflict, but deliverance followed, and the psalm was fulfilled:—
“He out of darkness did them bring,
and from death’s shade them take;
Those bonds, wherewith they had been bound,
asunder quite he brake.”
He was a reader of good literature, and being confined to the house in his latter years, this was a comfort to him. He was very decided in his convictions, and appreciated a clear and definite testimony for truth. He would have no compromise with error and he witnessed accordingly. His latter days were marked by mellowness and a praying spirit. A week before the winter Communion he spoke of the approaching solemn season, and added: “I will not see it,” but with emphasis declared:—”All my hope is in the finished work of Christ.” The end came that week. His wife, family and relatives were by his beside. He asked the writer to have the 32nd Psalm sung:—
“O blessed is the man to whom
is freely pardoned;
All the transgression he hath done
whose sin is covered.”
Thus he departed this life, leaving an empty place in home and congregation. With the bereaved widow and family we sympathise and pray that the Lord will be the “widow’s stay and a father to the fatherless.”—William Grant.