THE removal by death of those who watch unto prayer is a cause of sorrow to the exercised among the Lord’s people. As they observe the unfaithfulness of the majority of spiritual teachers to-day, with the concomitant evil of the decay of vital godliness among the people, and the tokens of God’s wrath against the nations on the one hand, and how rapidly the Lord is removing His own witnesses from the earth on the other, they often recall the words of the prophet Isaiah who, in similar circumstances, was constrained to say: “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.”
The subject of this notice was born at Badluarach, Little Loch Broom, on 26th July, 1872. He was the third child of a family of three sons and four daughters born to John Mackenzie and his wife, Elizabeth MacRae. He enjoyed the inestimable privilege of being brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and in seeing godliness exemplified in the home. George Mackenzie grew up a big, strong lad and left home to face the battle of life at an early age. Having served as a farm hand at various places, in the year 1900 he set up business with his brother as general dealers, at Laggan, midway in the Great Glen of Scotland. While there he set out for Inverness, on one occasion, with some sheep, very early in the morning. When crossing Laggan Bridge, it being still dark, he saw what appeared to be a horse approach him, rushing straight towards him. When it was almost upon him, in fear, he cried to God to protect him. Instantly the horse vanished. This vision made a deep impression upon his mind. He began to realise that he was too deeply engrossed in the world, and neglecting the one thing needful—his soul’s salvation. “What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” The world will crush under its great hoofs of brass the soul of such as give themselves up to it, and, with its wealth and pleasures, will, when the individual comes to die, vanish like smoke, leaving the soul to sink into everlasting woe.
The impression thus made was deepened by the death which took place soon afterwards, of a young lad who worked and dwelt with him, and to whom he was greatly attached. In the year 1904, he removed to Inverness, where he set up a butcher’s business, and lived in the congenial company of his sister, Mrs. Mackenzie, her husband, and her husband’s brother. It was during this period that the preaching of the gospel by Rev. J. R. Mackay was made effectual for his salvation. Men do not “light a candle to put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house,” and the new-found joy he manifested at family worship made it evident to those with him that he had passed from darkness to light. About this time when one day walking along Ballifearay Road on the way home, the scripture: “Thou shalt see thy children’s children and peace upon Israel,” was given him, a promise which he saw duly fulfilled, and which he recollected when, one day, his grand-children with their mother, met him almost at the spot where he had received the promise.
In due time he made a public profession. In 1909 he married a daughter of the late worthy John MacIver, Scorraig. In 1912 he was ordained a deacon and ten years later an elder. On several occasions he was appointed representative elder for the Kirk-Session to the Presbytery and Synod. From 1926 onwards, with his brother elders, he conducted the Sabbath services and prayer-meetings during the minister’s absence, and frequently acted as Sabbath supply in the adjoining mission stations. He had many trials but these he wisely kept to himself, concealing them as far as possible behind a pleasant smile and a kind word. The death of two of his sisters by septic pneumonia within one day of each other, in December, 1933, was a sore stroke, but he bowed submissively under it as coming from a loving Father’s hand. He visited and had worship with his sisters, one of whom was then seriously ill. She signified her appreciation of the worship and he went home somewhat relieved. On awakening during the night the words in Ps. xvii. came to him: “Then are they glad because at rest and quiet now they be.” This made him fear the worst. Observing his sadness of countenance in the morning, his wife enquired the cause of it. He mentioned the above scripture and his foreboding. Immediately afterwards a telegram was handed in announcing the death of one of the sisters. Soon afterwards another telegram arrived informing him of the illness of the other sister. She died on the following day. Their remains were buried together in the same grave.
The last two years of his life were saddened by the strife raised by the minister of the congregation through his mis-representations and denunciation of such as disagreed with his conduct in matters then before the Church Courts. Naturally ready to overlook a fault, George, as he was familiarly called, gentle and peace-loving, and ever ready, perhaps at times unduly along with his brother elders, strove hard at the beginning of the troubles, at four private conferences with the minister to promote an atmosphere conducive to a satisfactory settlement of the matters in dispute between him (the minister) and the Presbytery. Having heard the minister’s presentation of his case, the elders counselled moderation and appealed to him to follow the paths of sober statement, of reasonableness and peace, but in vain.
Convinced at last that the minister was determined to follow his own way, which, if yielded to would result in the overthrow of discipline, George recognised that duty left him no alternative but to oppose such a course. Many an inward tear he shed as he contemplated how far wounded pride was likely to drive the minister.
In prayer George Mackenzie’s feeling confessions of sin showed him to be no stranger to the depravity of human nature and the deceitfulness of the heart, and his petitions for mercy revealed his acquaintance with the gracious Saviour who “raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that He may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” As a speaker at the Fellowship meetings he transparently handled his own experience and was very acceptable. On the last occasion he was present at Beauly Fellowship meeting, speaking on Ephesians ii. 10, he said, “This verse was at first mere words to this people (they who are ‘created in Christ Jesus unto good works’), but when the Holy Spirit came to convince them of sin, they found themselves on such a precipice that they could not think of any way by which they could escape falling over. They came to know that they had been reading and hearing of this danger often before; but what prevented them seeing a way of escape? . . . They used to say, ‘If I got this or that I would be quite content’; and perhaps they got something of what they wanted, but now they find no satisfaction in these things. They were busy destroying themselves then, but when they got a saving sight of Christ it was most wonderful, and the wonder appeared greater and greater to them as they went on to know the Lord. This sends them often to Him when in trouble. When one thinks of the love that moved in eternity for sinners full of enmity, isn’t it wonderful that believers would ever go so far away as they do, after tasting of that love? They will be ashamed of themselves and of their dishonouring Him. Whatever their troubles, it is inwardly they feel sorest. These people are ever afraid—they ‘fear always’—and will be going back to the act of justification. They will be careful of their words and actions before God. If we have not the spirit of Christ we are none of His.”
He died on his sixty-fourth birthday. “The day of a man’s death is better than the day of his birth.” He was buried in Tomnahurich Cemetery in the presence of a large concourse of friends. Many sympathise with his widow and two sons and two daughters, and with his surviving brother and sisters.—F. B.