THE first Free Presbyterian Magazine was issued in May, 1896. During these 43 years its pages recorded the removal from our midst as a Church of many who were “the salt of the earth.” Thus an effort was made to keep the righteous in remembrance and to tell what the Lord did for them, to the encouragement of others travelling Zionwards. Many departed, however, whose names never appeared in print, but they were in the Lamb’s Book of Life and gave clear evidences of this in time.
Among recent departures we now record that of Mr. James Adamson, Dalvina, Helmsdale, on 27th July last. He was within two years of the allotted span and had but recently retired from his employment as a Postman. Although he was not a robust man physically, there was a gracious robustness in his Christianity which was felt in the community. He was a grandson of the late eminent Gordon Ross, teacher and catechist in Helmsdale. He was privileged to have God-fearing parents, and was no doubt the subject of many prayers. Alas! that so many children of today have ungodly parents who, by their conduct and teaching, are leading them downwards to the place of woe. A day came on James Adamson, while he was yet a young man, when a mere natural religion failed to satisfy him and he was experimentally destitute, crying with hunger of heart and conscience. He felt his guilt and ignorance—he had nothing:
For thirst and hunger in them faints their soul, when
straits them press,
They cry unto the Lord, and He them frees from their
distress.
A supernatural religion—the Holy Spirit’s work in the new birth, the atoning blood, the meritorious obedience of Christ as the sinner’s substitute, now became a glorious reality to him. Loving activity followed as a fruit. The cause of Christ was dear to him. He spoke out of the fulness of his heart in conducting meetings in our Helmsdale Church for many years. The activity of his pen was seen in the savioury and witnessing articles appearing every week in the Northern Times, signed, “Layman.”
The Synod in 1937 appointed him a home Missionary. We hoped that years of active service by word and pen lay before him. It was ordained otherwise, for after three days illness (heart trouble), James closed his eyes in death, and thus a lively, loving and faithful witness for Christ ended his journey. The fragrance of his conversation, tender regard for truth and righteousness in Church and State, made his company a privilege.
The congregation mourns his loss, and a voice says:
“Who will rise up for me against those that do wickedly?”
Who will stand up for me ‘gainst those that work
iniquity?”
To his widow, a devoted helpmate, who during the past two years has been in delicate health, we extend our sincere sympathy also to his two daughters and son, and to his sister and brother. The writer knew the father’s anxiety for his children. They heard and saw what few are privileged to do in this evil day. It will required of each one of them, for “God requireth that which is past.” Grace is not hereditary, but the command is, “Seek and ye shall find,” “Knock and it shall be opened unto you.”—W. G.