THE Synod would put on record their sense of the great loss sustained by the Free Presbyterian Church and the cause of Christ at home and abroad through the sudden and unexpected removal of the late Rev. Donald Macleod, Shieldaig.
Mr. Macleod was born in Uig, Lewis, in 1884, and would have been 53 years old had he lived a few days longer. He was noted from his earliest days for his respect for the things of God, and for his desire for the company of God’s people.
Mr. Macleod went as young man to England, and it was there he was awakened to see his personal need of the Lord Jesus Christ as a Saviour and to find in Him One able to save to the uttermost. He proved the genuineness of this experience being a reality to the end of his life. Soon after he had undergone a saving change, he went to Canada and was closely associated with our Winnipeg congregation there from its beginning, being ordained an elder there in 1913. Thereafter he studied for the ministry of our Church, and having returned to this country in 1925, he, after completing the usual course of study, was licensed as a preacher of the gospel and ordained minister over our Shieldaig and Lochearron Congregation.
The cause of Christ is much the poorer by Mr. Macleod’s premature death, and his congregation now mourns the loss of a
faithful and affectionate pastor. The prominent features of his character were gentleness, humility, love for the cause and people of God, along with love for his fellow-sinners. He did not seek a prominent place for himself but was always ready to take the lowest place, thus manifesting a fine Christian spirit and temper.
Mr. Macleod was always ready to help his brethren and to do what he could to advance the Kingdom of Christ in the world. He was an example to the flock over which he was placed and earnestly sought their highest welfare.
The Synod would express their profound sympathy with his bereaved widow and family in their heavy loss and commend them to the tender mercy and grace of Him who is the Husband of the widow and the Father of the fatherless.