AT the comparatively early age of 60 years Robert Sutherland departed this life on 5th February last. He was born at Clatequoy, Halkirk, but his parents came from Dunbeath, where his father conducted a service for some years. About 10 years previous to his death Robert retired from farming. This was largely due to failing eyesight. Latterly his sight was entirely gone, but his memory did not fail, and well it was for him then, that he had memorised much of the Word of God. He could quote Scripture appropriately and accurately in his exercises, and was able to lead in singing. He was received into membership in Halkirk Congregation as a young man. A godly uncle, Joseph Munro to name, appears to have profitably impressed Robert’s mind early in life. “A companion of wise men shall be wise,” and of this wise counsellor he many times spoke with warm remembrance and deep affection. The school in which the children of God are taught is that of the Holy Spirit and there they grow in grace and in the knowledge of their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He loved the gates of Sion but for the last year of his life he was more or less confined to his home. The coming down of the earthly tabernacle was accompanied with considerable pain, but a sustaining hand was underneath. This he indicated when to a question asked, he replied, “I have this, ‘When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.'” On one occasion during his illness he gave the writer a message for his worthy friend, Adam Black, saying: “Tell Adam, we have the same faith, and we are on the same Rock.” This is “the Rock against which the gates of hell shall not prevail and those whose feet are set on it have a new song to the glory of God.”
About a month before the end, he expressed to friends visiting him his anxiety about the present difficulties in the Church, and, the words being quoted in Ezekiel, xxi. 27—”I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more, until He come whose right it is: and I will give it to Him.” He replied: “By whom shall Jacob arise when he is small?” To this the answer was given (I. Cor. i. 27-28): “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound things that are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh should glory in His presence.” In that he heartily acquiesced.
Scotsalder, where he resided, is a darker place by his removal. To others there and in the congregation, we would address the words of the prophet Haggai: “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lies waste? Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord of Hosts; consider your ways.”
With his widow, in her prolonged illness we express our deep sympathy, in her loss and also with the sorrowing relatives.—William Grant.