IT is now over a year (May, 1937) since our friend George Munro died. He was born in Farr, 78 years ago. At that time there were several there who feared the Lord. It was a pleasure to hear him tell about some of them; how they were a terror to law-breakers especially Sabbath-breakers. From his youth to manhood he lived like our ruined race, according to the course of this world. It was not the will of the Lord that he should be left in that state for He gave him to remember his Creator and to know that we must give an account to God. The writer cannot say what time or at what place he passed from death to life. But he had the mark of being of this number in that he loved the brethren with an unfeigned love. He became a member of the Church in full communion several years ago. He had for a long time, as a neighbour, a man of God, the late John Maekay, Missionary, Swordly. George desired much to be in his company. He wished to learn and did learn from him. His religion was not like Jonah’s gourd which came up in a night and perished in a night; it was more like, as it is written, first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. It is not in the way that our ruined carnal reason thinks that the Lord finds His people. “Thou tears of sorrow giv’st to them instead of bread to eat,” etc. (Ps. lxxx. 5—metrical version). He had one son, a bright, loving young lad that his parents and others looked to for comfort. This was not the will of the Most High: for he died in the flower of his youth after a short illness. This gave his father much grief; and although through much sorrow, we believe, all worked for his good.
He was a beautiful singer and until his memory gave way he was frequently called on to sing at Communion occasions. After his memory failed it was not known on him for a good part of the time when reading the Bible and praying. He loved the old paths. He ruled his house well having his children in subjection with all gravity. There was a good custom in the Highlands which is very much done away with now, viz: the repetition of the questions of the Shorter Catechism every Sabbath night. George himself had all the questions correct, and, as far as he could prevent it, he would not allow others to repeat them but just as they were in the Catechism. We believe his latter end was peace, he is much missed by the remnant that is there, both in the meeting house and at his home. George has left a very fragrant memory behind him. It was a pleasure to meet him in his home. One could soon discover that his mind was set on the things which are above. We sympathise with his widow, two daughters, and other relations in their sorrow.—Murdo Mackay.
Nadur an Duine ‘na Staid Cheithir Fillte.
AN STAID SHIORRUIDH: NO, STAID SONAIS,
NO TRUAIGHTE IOMLAN.
Mu Bhàs.
(Air a leantuin bho t.d., p. 30.)
“Oir a ta fhios agam gu ‘n toir thu mi gu bàs, agus a chum an
tighe a dh’ òrduicheadh do gach uile bheò.”—Iob xxx. 23.
Air tìs, Tha beatha an duine ‘na nì diomhain agus falamh am feadh a mhaires i: tha i dol as, agus feuch! chan ‘eil i, Iob vii. 16. “Is diomhanas mo làithean.” Ma bhios amharus agaibh mu chlaon bhreth a bhi ann an Iob mu ‘n nì so, éisdibh eiod an t-iomradh a tha Solamh ‘na shoirbheachadh a’ toirt air làithibh a bheatha, Ecles. vii. 15. “Chunnaic mi na h-uile nithe ann an làithibh mo dhìomhanais; is e sin, mo làithibh diomhain.” Tha Maois a bha ‘na dhuine gniomhach a’ coimeas ar làithean ri codal, Salm xc. 5. “Mar chodal tha iad,” nì nach toirear fainear gus am bi e air a chrìochnachadh. Tha ‘n coimeas deas; chan ‘eil ach àireamh ro bheag do dhaoine aig am bheil mothachadh ceart mu bheatha, gus am bheil am bàs ‘gan dugadh; an sin tòisichidh sinn air aithneachadh gu ‘n robh sinn beò. “Chaith sinn bliadhna cha mar sgeul a dh’ innseadh neach,” rann 9. ‘N uair a tha neach ag innseadh sgeula faoine, feudaidh e drùthadh gu beag; ach ‘n uair a ta e air a chrìochnachadh, tha e air a dhì-chuimhneachadh: agus mar sin tha duine air a dhì-chuimhneachadh, ‘n uair a ta sgeulachd na beatha air a crìochnachadh. Tha e mar bhruadar, no mar aisling na h-oidhche, anns nach ‘eil tairbhe ‘sam bith; ‘n uair a tha neach a’ dùsgadh, tha ‘n t-iomlan air dol as. Iob xx. 8. “Mar aisling grad- shiubhlaidh e, agus chan fhaighhear e; agus teichidh e mar shealladh na h-oidhche.” Chan ‘eil ann ach samhladh diomhain no dealbh, Salm xxxix. 6. “Gu deimhin tha gach duine a’ siubhal ann an samhladh diomhain.” Chan ‘eil duine ‘s an t-saoghal so, ach mar dhealbh, a bhiodh ag imeachd; chan ‘eil a bheatha ach ‘na dealbh beatha, a chionn gu bheil urrad de bhàs innte.
Ma dh’ amhairceas sinn air ar beatha, ‘n cuairtibh fa leth, chi sinn gur meall diomhanais i: “Is diomhanas leanabaideachd agus òige,” Ecles. xi. 10. Tha sinn a’ teachd a dh’ionnsuidh an t-saoghail, na’s anmhuinne na na h-uile creutair: ‘S urrainn eòin agus beathaichean eile, nì éiginn a dhèanamh air an son féin, ach tha leanabh neo-chomasach air e féin a chòmhnadh. Tha ar leanabaideachd air a caitheadh ann an subhachas faoin agus suarach, ni a bhios ‘na cuis mhagaidh d’ar smuaintibh an déidh làimh. Tha ‘n òige ‘na lus a sheargas gu luath, ‘na blàth a thuiteas gu h-ealamh air falbh; is aimsir i anns am bheil sinn bras, amaideach, agus air bheag smuaineachaidh, ‘gar toileachadh féin le ionad diomhanas, agus mar gu b’ ann a’ snàmh tre thuilte dhiubh: ach, mu ‘m bheil sinn air ar faicill, tha i seachad, agus tha sinn ann am meadhon aois, air ar cuairteachadh le neòil do chùrama, tre ‘n éiginn duinn smàgairt; agus air dhùinn sinn féin fhaotainn air ar cuairteachadh le dealgan droighneach nan cruaidh-chàs, tre ‘n éiginn duinn ar rathan a dhèanamh, a choimhionadh nan dealbhan agus nan innleachdan a bha sinn a’ dealbh ‘nar smuaintibh roimhe sin. Agus mar is mò a ghabhas sinn de shòlas ann an comhfhurtachd saoghailta ‘sam bith gus an ruig sinn, ‘s ann is mò a mhothaicheas sinn do shearbhalaichd ann an dealachadh ris. An sin tha sean aois a’ teachd, le h-anmhuinneachda féin ‘na co-chuideachd, eadhon “saothair agus doilgheas,” Salm xc. 10. agus cuiridh i ‘nar suidhe sinn aig an dorus a’s faigse do’n uaigh. An aon fhocal, “Is fheòil gach uile fheòil,” Isa. xl. 6. Tha gach ceum, ‘s a’ bheatha, ‘na dhìomhanas. Tha gach duine, d’a fheabhas, (am meadhon aois, ‘n uair a ta teas na h-òige air a caitheadh, agus nach d’ rug trioblaidean na sean aois fathast air,) gu deimhin ‘na dhìomhanas, Salm xxxix. 5. Tha’m bàs a’ toirt air falbh cuid ann am blàth na leanabaideachd, cuid eile ann am blàth na h-òige, agus cuid eile ‘n uair a ta iad a’ teachd gu’n toradh; is tearc iad a ta air am fàgail ‘nan seasamh, gus am bi iad, cosmhuil ri arbhar abuich, a’ fàgail an talaimh: tha gach uile a’ bàsachadh aig aon àm no àm eile.
‘S an dara àite, Tha beatha an duine ‘na nì goirid: chan e mhàin gur diomhanas i, ach is diomhanas gearr-shaoghalaich i. Thoir fainear, air tòis, Mar tha beatha an duine air a meas ‘s an Sgriobtuir. Bha i aon uair air a meas le ceudaibh de bhlidhnachan: ach cha d’ ràinig aon duine riamh air mìle, ged nach ‘eil eadhon sin dad an coimeas ri sìorruidheadh. A nis, tha ceudan air an toirt a nuas gu ficheadan; tri fichead ‘s a deich, no ceithir fichead is e sin am feadh is mò, Salm xc. 10. Ach is tearc iad a ta ruigheadh am feadh sin féin do bheatha. ‘S ainmig a tha ‘m bàs a’ fantuinn air falbh gus am bi daoine cromadh sios, le aois, a choinneachadh na h-uaighe. Gidheadh, mar gu ‘m biodh bliadhnachan ‘na fhocal tuilleadh is mór air son ni cho beag ‘s a ta beatha an duine air an talamh; tha sinn a’ faicinn gu bheil i air a h-àireamh le miosan, Iob xiv. 5. “Tha àireamh a mhios agadsa.” Tha ar réis, cosmhuil ris a’ ghealaich, a’ ruith ann an ùine bhig; tha sinn do ghnàth a’ fàs no a’ lùghdachadh, gus an téid sinn as an t-sealladh. Ach tha i gu tric air a h-àireamh le làithean, agus iad sin ach tearc, Iob xiv. 1. “Tha’n duine a rugadh o mhnaoi gearr-shaoghalaich.” Ni h-eadh, chan ‘eil i ach mar aon là ann am meas an Sgriobtuir; agus sin mar là fir-tuarasdail, a bheir gu h-àithghearr fainear ‘n uair a tha ‘n là a’ crìochnachadh, agus a sguireas d’a obair, rann 6. “Gus an coimhlion e mar fhear-tuarasdail a là.” Seadh tha na Sgriobtuir ‘ga toirt a nuas gu aimsir ro-ghoirid, agus a’ gairm dhith mionaid, 2 Cor. iv. 17. “Chan ‘eil ar n-amhghar eutrom (ged mhaireas i uile làithean ar beatha) ach ré tiota.” Ach ann an àite eile tha i air a toirt a nuas gu ceum na ‘s isle, is na ‘s isle gus an urrainn neach a toirt, Salm xxxix. 5. “Tha m’ aois mar neo-ni ad fhianuis.” A réir so, tha Solamh ag innseadh dhùinn, Ecles. iii. 2. “Tha àm gu bhi air breith, agus àm gu bàs fhaotainn.” Ach chan ‘eil iomradh air àm gu bhi beò: Mar gu’m biodh ar beatha mar leum o’n bhroinn gus an uaigh. ‘S an dara àite, Thoir fainear na h-iomaidh cosmhalachda leis am bheil na Sgriobtuir a’ taisbeanadh cho goirid ‘s a tha beatha an duine; Eisd ri Heseciah, Isa. xxxviii. 12. “Tha m’ aois air dealachadh rium, agus dh’ atharraicheadh i air falbh mar phàilliun buachaill; ghearradh as mo bheatha, mar gu ‘m b’ ann, leis an fhligheadair.” Tha bothan a’ bhuaichill gu h-ealamh air atharrachadh, oir cha ‘n fheud an treud a bhi fada ‘g ionaltradh an aon àite: ‘S ann mar sin a tha beatha an duine air an talamh so, gu h-ealamh a’ dol as! Is deilbh e, tha gun sgrùdadh ag oibreachadh: cha ‘n ‘eil e diomhain urrad as aon mhionaid: Ann an ùine ghoirid tha e air oibreachadh, agus an sin tha e air a ghearradh air falbh, Tha na h-uile anail a tharruingeas e, ‘na snàthainn ‘s an deilbh so; ‘n uair tha ‘n anail mu dheireadh air a tarruing, tha ‘n deilbh air a figheadh a mach tha’n deò dol as! agus an sin tha e air a ghearradh as, cha tarruing e anail tuilleadh! Tha’n duine mar fhear, agus mar bhlàth an fheòir, Isa. xl. 6. “Is feur gach uile fheòil, (eadhon an fheòil, as làidire agus as neartmhoire,) agus tha a h-oidheirceas uile mar bhlàth na machrach.” Tha ‘m feur a’ fàs suas ‘s a’ mhaduinn, ach ‘s an fheasgar, air dha bhi air a ghearradh sios leis na buanaichean tha e air seargadh: Mar sin tha ‘n duine ag imeachd sios agus suas ‘s a’ mhaduinn, agus mu fheasgar tha e luidhe ‘na chorp marbh, air dha bhi air a bhualadh sios le buille chàs, le aon no aon eile do innealaibh a’ bhàis. Chan ‘eil ann ach blàth air a chuid as fheàrr, ach nì maoth agus lag, nì nach mair ach goirid, ciod ‘s am bith ionad ‘sam fàs e; ach thoir fainear, nach ‘eil an duine air a choimeas ri blàth an lios, ach ri blàth na machrach, a dh’fheudas each na h-uile beathaich a shaltairt fuidhe aig àm sam bith. Mar so tha ar beatha buailteach do mhìle cunnart na h-uile là, is aon ‘sam bith dhiubh gu leòir gu ar gearradh as! Ach ged dh’fheudamaid dol as uatha-san uile, gidheadh mu dheireadh seargaidh am feur, caithidh am blàth so dheth féin! Tha e air a ghiùlan air falbh, mar tha’n neul air a chaitheadh, is mar théid e as, Iob vii. 9. Tha e sealltuinn mór, mar neul na maidne, a tha gealltuinn nithe mór, agus a’ meudachadh dòchais an treabhaiche; ach tha ghrian ag éirigh, agus tha ‘n neul air sgaoileadh: Tha ‘m bàs a’ teachd, agus tha’n duine dol as an t-sealladh! Tha ‘n t-abstol Seumas a’ cuir na ceiste, “Ciod i bhur beatha?” Caib. iv. 14. Cluinnibh a fhreagradh féin, “Is deatach i a chithear rè ùine bhig agus an déigh sin a théid as an t-sealladh.” Tha i anmhunn; neo-chinnteach, agus cha mhair i. Tha i mar dheatach a tha dol o ‘n t-simileir, mar gu ‘n dorchaicheadh e aghaidh nan speur; ach tha e gu h-ealamh air a sgaoileadh, agus chan fhaicear na’s mò e: Mar so tha beatha an duine a’ dol, agus e’ càit’ am bheil i? Is gaoth i, Iob vii. 7. “O cuimhnich gur gaoth mo bheatha.” Chan ‘eil ann ach osag a tha dol seachad, séideag ghoirid, osag gaoithe a shiùbhas, agus nach pill a rìs, Salm lxxviii. 39. Tha ar n-anail ‘nar cuinneanaibh mar gu’m biodh i do ghnàth air sgiathaibh gu dol air falbh: do ghnàth a’ dol ‘s a’ teachd, mar fhear-turuis, gus an siubhail i air falbh gu tur gun philleadh gus nach bi na nèamhan ann na’s mò!
‘S an àite mu dheireadh, Is nì luath beatha an duine; chan e mhàin gu bheil i siùbhlach, ach tha i mar an ceudna ‘na diomhanas a tha ‘g itealaich. Nach d’ thug sibh fainear cia luath a tha sgàile a’ ruith air aghaidh na talmhainn, an là neulach agus gaothach, gu h-obann a’ dorchachadh nan àiteachan a bha roimhe air an dèanamh maiseach le gathan na gréine, ach gu h-obann a’ dol as an t-sealladh? ‘S ann mar sin a tha beatha an duine air thalamh; oir “teichidh e mar sgàile, agus chan fhan e,” Iob. xiv. 2. Tha spàl figheadair ‘na nì siùbhlach ‘na gluasad; tha i ann am mionaid air a tilgeadh o aon taobh de ‘n deilbh gus an taobh eile: Gidheadh, “Tha ar làithean na’s luaithe na spàl figheadair!” Iob vii. 6. Cia aithghearr a tha duine air fhuadach tre ‘n aimsir so a tha làthair gu sìorruidheadh! Faic mar a tha Iob a’ nochdadh cho siubhlach ‘s a tha beatha, Caib. ix. 25. “Bha mo làithean na bu luaithe na gille-rùithe: theich iad air falbh, chan fhaic iad maith,” rann 26. “Ghabh iad seachad mar na longaibh luatha, mar an iolaire a’ dol air iteig a chum cobhartaich.” Tha e coimeas a làithean ri gille-rùithe, gille-coise; fear-rùithe, a ruitheas siùbhlach a ghiùlan naidheachd, agus nach dèan moille. Ach ged bhiodh an gille-rùithe cosmhuil ri Ahimaas, a chaidh seachad air Cusi; bhiodh ar làithean-ne na bu luaithe na esan, oir tha iad a’ teicheadh air falbh, cosmhuil ri duine a tha teicheadh air son a bheatha, roimh an nàmhaid a tha ‘ga ruagadh; ruithidh e le ‘uile neart, gidheadh tha ar làithean-ne a’ ruith cho luath ris-san. Ach chan e sin an t-iomlan; Chan urrainn da-san a tha eadhon a’ ruith air son a bheatha, ruith a ghnàth; is éiginn da, air uairibh, seasamh, luidhe sios, no ruith a stigh a dh’ àit’ éiginn, mar a rinn Sisera do bhùth Iael, a ghabhail fois dha féin: Ach chan ‘eil stad air ar n-aimsir-ne. Uime sin tha i air a coimeas ri longaibh, a sheòlas a là agus a dh’ oidhehe, gun stad, gus am bi iad aig an cala; agus ri longaibh luatha, longa greadhnach, anns an ruig daoine gu h-ealamh gus a’ chala as miannach leò; no, cosmhuil ri soithiche toil-inntinn, a sheòlas na’s luaithe na soithichean luchdaichte. Gidheadh air fàilneachadh de ‘n ghaoith, tha a triall a’ fàs mall: Ach tha ar n-aimsir-ne a’ ruith le triall chabhagach. Air an aobhar sin tha i air a coimeas ris an iolair ag itealaich; chan ann ri itealaich ghnàthaichte, oir cha leòir sin a nochdadh luaithead ar làithean-ne; ach ‘n uair a tha i ‘g itealaich air a cobhartach, a tha ‘na luathas ro dhian. Agus mar so, eadhon mar so, tha ar làithean ag itealaich air falbh.
Air dhuinn mar so labhairt mu bhàs, dèanamaid cleachdadh dheth, ann a bhi toirt fainear diomhanas an t-saoghail; ann an giùlan le toil-inntinn Criosduidh agus foighidinn, leis na h-uile thrioblaidean agus cruaidh-chàs ann; ann a bhi claoidh ar n-anamianna; ann a bhi leantuinn ris an Tighearna le rùn cridhe, air gach uile chunnart; agus ann a bhi ag ullachadh air son dlùthachadh a’ bhàis.
Ri leantuinn.