THIS worthy office-bearer and missionary was born at Strath, Gairloch, in September, 1857. He did not, however, reside there for the whole of his pilgrimage; he spent a number of years in Yoker and in other places in the South. Osgood lost his mother when he was but a few days old, which resulted in his being nursed in the house of his maternal grandfather. He, however, returned to his father’s house later.
It is as one of the “little flock” that the subject of our notice is better remembered, and it is as such we purpose jotting a few sentences to the memory of his life and character. From what he himself used to tell, the Spirit of the Lord was evidently striving with him from his youth; but he continued for many a day kicking against the “pricks.” One of his early recollections of having been impressed by the Word of God was an occasion in Leabaidh-na-bà-bàine. It was a communion Sabbath and a large congregation was assembled in the open air. Rev. Alexander Urquhart, Hope Street Free Church, Glasgow, one of the assisting ministers, was addressing the communicants at the table. His subject was based more or less on the goodly portion of the Lord’s people. Young Osgood’s heart, it seems, was so moved by the address that he began to pray secretly, at that moment, that the Lord would make him one of these. As if the good man knew what was passing through Osgood’s heart at the time, he suddenly turned to him and addressed him thus—”Young man you are wishing to-day to be one of the Lord’s people, but you will be one of them one day; the Holy Spirit is passing you to-day but He will yet return and make you one of them.” The words of David were evidently fulfilled here: “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him.” The vows made that day were, however, soon broken, as he would say himself: “I walked many a day foolishly after that.” He, however, never had the same liberty after that to walk carelessly. The Spirit of the Lord with cheeks of conscience, and even terrors, was teaching him till at last he was completely cut off from the world. He could say then with Ruth: “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” He was ever afterwards a living witness to this truth. He was associated with the Clydebank Gaelic Mission for a number of years. He was there in 1893 when the Free Presbyterian Church was formed and none was more enthusiastic than he on the side of truth. The step which he took then, with the rest who attended that Mission, he never regretted. He was not a member in full communion at that time but none doubted his piety and he was frequently called upon to pray at the services held there.
Some forty years ago he with his wife and young family removed from Yoker, where their home then was, to Strath, Gairloch. There Osgood resided for the rest of his life. It was a few years after he settled in Gairloch that he made a public profession. The time when he resolved to profess publicly that the gospel came to him not in word only but in power was a time of self-examination and fervent prayer. He had always a reverent esteem for the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper and how he was to partake of it was a trying question, with so much in himself to discourage him. The Lord, however, came to deliver him and broke the bands wherewith he had been bound. It was somewhere by the roadside between Gairloch and Ullapool. He was on his way to the communion at Ullapool, and he went off the road to pour out his heart before the Lord, and the Lord revealed Himself to him in a portion of scripture. This encouraged him to go to the Lord’s Table the first opportunity. He who was tossed hither and thither now rejoiced at the Word of God as one that found great spoil and went on his way rejoicing. The profession he made then was adorned by him all his days. In process of time he was ordained an elder in the congregation. Shortly after John Macdonald, the aged and much respected missionary of Melvaig and Inverasdale retired, Osgood was prevailed upon to succeed him, an appointment which he faithfully filled till a short time before his death.
From the time his heart was fixed to follow the Lord he endeavoured to keep a good conscience. He was never divided between his conscience and his worldly interests—the way of truth was clear to him. One instance may be mentioned. It was when he resided in Yoker. He had charge of a large number of dairy cows. It was the custom before he took over the appointment, to have all foods prepared for the cows on Sabbath as on other days. Osgood, however, saw clearly that this was neither the work of necessity nor of mercy, and he immediately made preparations to have the food-stuffs prepared on Saturday. After some time had elapsed those over him objected to the cows getting sour food (as they called it) on Sabbath, and Osgood was spoken to. He, however, defended the Lord’s day when assailed, and resolved not to do violence to his conscience though he would endanger his temporal interests. The outcome was that the books were examined and it was discovered that more milk was produced since Osgood took charge of the cows than during the corresponding time before that. This silenced his opponents and he was allowed to carry on as before. It is difficult for those who are guided by flesh and blood to overcome such temptations, but Osgood was not one of those: “If thou faintest in the day of adversity, thy strength is small”: Prov. xxiv. 10.
Besides being a keen observer of the Lord’s gracious dealings with his soul, which he would freely discuss with those whom he took to be of the flock, he was as observant in following the Lord’s kindnesses to him in providence. There is nothing so small but providence extends to it, such as the falling of a sparrow, and the numbering of the hairs of our head. The Lord directs and orders the steps of His people. Osgood used to relate an incident which greatly affected him and manifested the Lord’s care for him. He was on the eve of leaving for a communion in a neighbouring congregation when a man came to him and offered him work for six months, but at the same time the Lord spoke to him by His Word, and to the man’s surprise he refused to accept his kind offer, and left for the communion. The following day after his return from that place he was engaged by the proprietor of Carn-dearg House, an engagement which lasted for a quarter of a century. He hadn’t the least anticipation when he left for the communion of getting this work: “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.” He met with adverse providences too; sickness and death entered the family circle but he bore all these with Christian patience.
He was respected by all as a man and as a consistent Christian. Grown-ups speak of their attachment to him since they were children, when they were first impressed by his venerable personality and kindly words. The first proprietor of Carn-dearg held him in such esteem that when he sold the house after fifteen years, he made it a condition that the new proprietor would give Osgood work as long as he wanted it. Besides his faithfulness as a servant his frankness to his master may have accounted for this. He could relate many instances in which he had to remind him of the abiding obligation of the law of God.
He was a prominent figure among the “Men” on the Question day, his words were most edifying to the Lord’s people. He could delineate the Christian’s experience very suitably. In exposition those who could discern and had the privilege of hearing him were highly pleased with him. In prayer one could feel that he fully realised the majesty of heaven. One of the last times he prayed in the meeting house at Strath it was felt he had more than ordinary of the Spirit of grace and supplications. After the meeting was over, one who passed hence herself since then said: “Osgood will not be long with us,” so heavenly was he in his prayer. Latterly he gleaned a good deal in the gospels. His subject for meditation was the sufferings of Christ. One could feel that he had a new draught from the Fountain of Living Waters every time one would meet him.
His health showed dangerous symptoms for a number of years before the end came, but he was able to go about and even attend communions in distant places till about two months before his death. The end came on 16th February, 1935. It was the prayer meeting night and when the people were gathered for prayer Osgood joined the “general assembly and church of the first born” and what was mortal remained to rest in the grave till the resurrection. He was in his 78th year. A son and daughter predeceased him and he had every confidence that they were with Jesus. His removal caused a great blank in the Gairloch congregation. May his mantle fall on others. There remain his widow and one son to mourn his loss, another son having died in July last. “The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ do rest in their graves till the resurrection.”—A. Beaton.