Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

Reformed in Doctrine, Worship, and Practice

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” Psalm 60:4

  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • 中文
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • What We Contend For
    • What We Believe
    • How We Worship
    • How We Are Organised
    • Important Documents
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • BKonline Course
    • Scripture and Catechism Exercises 2025-26
  • Publications
    • Free Presbyterian Magazine
    • Young People’s Magazine
    • Gaelic Supplement – An Earrann Ghàidhlig
    • Synod Reports
    • Religion and Morals Committee Reports
    • Tracts
  • Audio
    • Sermons
    • Theological Conferences
    • Youth Conferences
    • Psalmody
  • Congregations
    • Places of Worship
    • Current Ministers
    • Galleries of FP Churches
  • International
    • Zimbabwe Mission
    • Other International Congregations
    • Translation Work
    • Metrical Psalms in Various Languages
    • Chinese website (中文)
    • Spanish (español) website
  • History
    • History of the FP Church
    • Congregational Histories
    • Deceased Ministers and Probationers
    • Obituaries and Synod Tributes
    • Moderators of Synod etc.
    • Timeline of Scottish Church History
  • Spiritual Help
    • How to Find Spiritual Help
    • How may a sinner be saved?
    • How may someone know if they are truly saved?
    • Spiritual Mindedness
  • Bookshop
Home » Publications » Free Presbyterian Magazine » 1939 » June 1939 » The late Mr. John Macdonald, Elder, Paible, Kyles, North Uist

The late Mr. John Macdonald, Elder, Paible, Kyles, North Uist

THIS worthy man was an elder in the Bayhead Congregation for many years. He was totally blind, and had to be guided by friends to the place of worship. It was a very touching sight to see him plodding along with his hoary head, faithfully attended by a young friend. Like all the older generation of Christians, he was uncompromising in his attachment to the Free Presbyterian position ecclesiastically, and left an example of loyalty and zeal to all who knew him. When the congregation happened to be temporarily without a missionary, he was wont to make a point of being out then as the cause required it. He was not one of those so called Free Presbyterians who run to other denominations whenever the missionary or minister is absent. It was the truth he followed, not men, however eminent they might be. He preferred to listen to his brethren than to be engaged himself publicly. If in mixed company he usually remained silent, but would check fearlessly anything unseemly. He will be a swift witness against sinners yet. At the end he was almost wholly given to secret prayer, pouring out his heart to God. When I last saw him at the Uist communion in July, I could not help gazing on his person, as the image of Heaven seemed to be visibly stamped on him. That was his last communion on earth. He reached the venerable age of 86 years. The last words that he faintly uttered were, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” He was of a remarkably patient, contented disposition, notwithstanding all the crosses and trials that came his way. He was never heard to complain of any adverse providence, of which he had many. Of the worst weather he would remark that we deserved nothing better. He lost two sons in the war; one developed mental trouble, and another died of ‘flu and complications of a very distressing type. His wife also was afflicted with a broken leg, so that his cup of tribulation was pretty full if any man’s was. His own eye-sight failed eight years ago. All this he accepted without a murmur. As to the first religious impressions he received, he is said to have been saved from drowning while at the fishing on one occasion during his youth. This may have had a salutary effect on him, and been blessed to him. One means of his awakening to a sense of eternal verities was a dream he had in which he saw Heaven and Hell. Ever since then he began to seek earnestly for the salvation of his soul by attending to prayer and all other means of grace. While dreams are not reliable as a foundation for eternity, and one requires more assurance than that presented to the senses during sleep, yet we are not to exclude dreams as being possibly used by God to awaken sinners, along with other more usual means. We may conclude by saying that John Macdonald did not want to be spoken about. He did not put himself among the Lord’s people, but left himself in the hands of God to do as He saw fit. He would invariably show exceeding thankfulness for any small kindness. We express our sympathy with his son and friends.—D. MacA.

Upcoming Events (DV)

Jul 23
23 Jul - 27 Jul

Communions: Cameron, Struan

Jul 30
30 Jul - 3 Aug

Communion: Dingwall

Aug 6
6 Aug - 10 Aug

Communions: New Canaan, Somakantana

Aug 27
27 Aug - 31 Aug

Communion: Stornoway, Zenka

Sep 10
10 Sep - 14 Sep

Communions: Halkirk, Munaka, Portree

View Calendar

Latest Articles

  • Youth Conference in Australia
  • June 2026 Magazines online
  • Valuing the Gospel Ministry
  • UK Youth Conference 2026
  • Asia Pacific Youth Conference Lectures

Recently Added Audio

  • Jesus and His resurrection 21 Jun 2026
  • Jesus and His death 21 Jun 2026
  • “Many believed” 14 Jun 2026
  • Christ as a surety for strangers 14 Jun 2026
  • A vain cry in a time of trouble 7 Jun 2026
  • Redemption through the precious blood of Christ 7 Jun 2026
  • Waiting for the Lord 13 Jun 2026
  • Coming to yourself 12 Jun 2026
  • Throwing away an inheritance 11 Jun 2026
  • He will come to the feast 10 Jun 2026

View All Sermons

Download Latest Issues:
The Free Presbyterian Magazine
Young People’s Magazine

Free Presbyterian Places of Worship

Browse the Church Bookshop

Back to top

Website Contact

Rev Caleb J Hembd
caleb.hembd@gmail.com

Moderator of Synod

Rev K D Macleod BSc
11 Auldcastle Road
Inverness, IV2 3PZ
United Kingdom
E-mail: kdmacleod@gmail.com

Clerk of Synod

Rev Keith M Watkins
Free Presbyterian Manse, Ferry Road, Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, HS5 3UA, UK.
kmwatkins@fpchurch.org.uk

General Treasurer

Mr William Campbell
133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow,
G3 6LE, UK.
william.campbell@fpcoffice.org

Copyright © 2026 Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland · Log in · Subscribe via RSS · Privacy Notice