Act, chp. 8. v. 26-40.
Strange and wondrous was the meeting, that took place on Gaza’s plain,
Betwixt a sinner broken-hearted returning to his home again,
And a faithful gospel preacher, who at God’s express command,
Left his fruitful field of labour to go to what was desert land.
Behold, from far-off Ethiopia came this man of dusky hue,
From the court of Queen Candace, a man of wealth and honour too.
These things became as broken cisterns; Israel’s God had touched his heart,
In them he found no satisfaction, restless, he sought a better part.
Thus he came to distant Salem, where stood the house of Israel’s God,
To worship God, the Lord Jehovah, and to hearken to his Word.
But ‘twould seem no Scribe, or Pharisee, a word of peace to the seeker gave,
They desired not the knowledge of Jesus, who doth sinners save.
‘Tis true the Law gives no deliverance, it locks the fetters, it cannot free,
Salvation only comes to sinners, from the Crucified on the tree.
At length the Ethiop departed, returning to his native land.
Within, his heart was sad and broken: God’s holy Word was in his hand.
Could it be that all was futile, had God despised the seeking soul?
And looking on the broken-hearted, refused to heal and make him whole.
Nay! God regards the broken-hearted, their grief to Him is all well-known,
But the time and mode of healing must be left with God alone.
The time had come in Jehovah’s purpose, when he to Jesus should be led,
And so to Philip as he journeyed, the Holy Spirit spake and said,
Go thou near, and join this chariot: for this very end was Philip sent,
That the Saviour and His fulness, he to the eunuch should present.
As Philip to the eunuch hastened, he heard him read the sacred page
From the book of good Esaias, blest of God in many an age.
O, sweet, thrice blessed portion, Isaiah chapter fifty-three,
That telleth of the pangs and glory of Him who hung upon the tree.
“Understand ‘st thou what thou readest?” was the preacher’s earnest cry.
“How can I, except one should guide me” came the eunuch’s swift reply.
Vain is the greatest human wisdom: the things of God cannot be known,
Till by the Spirit’s gracious teaching they to the soul are clearly shown.
“Come, and take thy place beside me, do thou here with me abide.
The sacred oracles do thou teach me, in Wisdom’s way do thou me guide.”
Philip at this invitation, in the chariot took his place
This seeking sinner to enlighten in the precious word of grace.
As the sacred book lay open, this portion meets the preacher’s eye,
Which describes the painful travail, of one who dwelt in Heaven high,
And, yet, became a Man of Sorrows; ungodly men laughed Him to scorn.
All the world had to give Him was a cross and a crown of thorn,
As a sheep led to the slaughter, in the judgment-hall He stands.
Like a lamb before the shearer, dumb, He suffered at their hands.
Humbled, He received not justice, His life from earth was taken away,
By the wicked hands of sinners, more cruel than the beast of prey.
Beginning at this self-same Scripture, Philip preached of Christ the Lord.
Not the Christ of modern teaching, but Christ the Wisdom and Power of God.
And it is the self-same Jesus, this troubled world needs today,
To release sin’s willing bondslaves, and destroy foul Satan’s sway.
As the eunuch humbly listened, God the Spirit stirred his heart,
And embracing Christ the Saviour, at last he found the better part.
‘Twas no faith of creature fancy, but the gift of God the Lord.
Saving faith that comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
“See, here is water, and what doth hinder? my faith in God I would profess,
I desire the seal of baptism, Christ’s precious name I would confess.”
“Nought doth hinder,” said the preacher, “if thou believest with thine heart,
With the water I’ll baptise thee, I will gladly do my part.”
“I believe,” the eunuch answered, “that Jesus is the Son of God,
The Christ, God’s one Anointed, as recorded in His Word.”
Hast thou believed, dear fellow sinner, God’s record given of His Son,
That in Him there is life eternal, to give to each believing one.
At the water-side they halted, the gospel precept to adorn,
As the Saviour gave commandment on His bright ascension morn:
Go ye forth, and preach the gospel; teach the fallen human host,
In the Name, do ye baptise them, of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Soon the sacred rite was ended, Philip’s mission now was o’er.
Caught up by the Holy Spirit, him, the eunuch saw no more.
The eunuch went his way rejoicing, in his heart he knew the joyful sound,
Rich beyond all comprehension, the Priceless Pearl he had found.
Those beloved on earth must leave us, they cannot linger at our side,
But, if we trust in precious Jesus, He with us will aye abide.
Time rolls on since the eunuch parted, with the preacher on Gaza’s plain.
But there was another meeting, and they shall never part again.
Sweet, and joyous was the meeting, that took place in Heaven’s land,
Between the Eunuch and the preacher, as before Christ’s throne they stand.
Robed in pure and spotless linen, the garment of the saints above,
Now they sing with kindred spirits, the praises of redeeming love.
For our good, these things are written, that we, the Saviour too may know,
Who can fill our hearts with gladness in this world of sin and woe.
Who can keep our feet from falling, our eyes from tears of sorrow free;
Blessed Jesus, do thou teach us, guide, and keep us close to thee;
That when our days on earth are over, we may with joy before thee stand:
And with our voices swell the praises of the ransomed heavenly band.
Loudly thro’ the courts of Heaven sound the voices of His own,
Honour, and power, and glory, and blessing, be to the Lamb upon the throne.—A. V. D.
The late Mr. William Macangus, Elder, Fearn.
THE Apostle Paul writing to the Ephesian believers reminds them of what their spiritual state was when they were ignorant of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ:—”And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.” At the time they were in this awful state, the salvation by which they were saved had not come to them—”For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” What was so applicable to the state of the Ephesians is true of all the children of God, altho’ their individual experience in passing from a state of death to a state of life differs as to the dealings of the Holy Spirit with them.
We are not able to say when the late William Macangus was brought to know that he was a lost sinner under the sentence of death on account of sin, but that he was brought as a poor lost sinner to find peace in the Lord Jesus Christ was very evident to those who knew him. It has been said of him that as a young man, he sought the company of those who feared the Lord. During a long life of public witnessing on the side of the truth as revealed in the Word of God, he gave ample proof that he was taught by the Holy Spirit. His love to the Word of God was very manifest, and indicated to others the treasures he had found in it. He was very bold in defence of the truth, and to expose what is not the truth but the deception of Satan. To the testimony raised in 1893, he adhered faithful to the end of his course in the world. He knew from his own experience the value of that testimony, and in face of much opposition he remained as firm as a rock in maintaining it. When he was told of some who went back from their former profession and that he should follow them his reply was: “It was not men I followed at the beginning of this movement, but the Word of God.” He used to say of those who were kept faithful: “They will get their portion of trials and persecution, and that is promised to them, but the Lord will be with them to deliver them out of them all.”
He was elected and ordained an elder of the Tain and Fearn congregation in the year 1921. The late Mr. A. Leitch and Mr. D. Ross were ordained at the same time, and, now, the three of them, we believe, are together on Mount Sion above where they serve perfectly the Lord whom they loved and followed in a generation which proved, if ever a generation did, that they knew not the way of the Lord. Mr. Macangus had to take the burden of the services in Fearn for many years. The salvation of poor sinners was what he desired, and for this he prayed, believing that the Holy Spirit alone can make the Word effectual unto salvation.
He had his own share of the afflictions of the righteous. Mrs. Macangus died comparatively young, and he was thus left lonely with the care of a young family. The Lord, however, was with him, and he was enabled to cast his burdens upon Him. During the War he experienced another sore trial in the death of a son who served in the Navy. Along with these sore bereavements there was added another, the death of a young daughter. These dealings of the Lord with him were working for his good. The effect of them was to send him to the Lord for comfort, and what he received for himself he willingly communicated to others in their need.
During the recent troubles through which our church passed, he was much exercised in his mind. The Lord’s people at such times are sent to the Word of God and to a throne of grace to plead with the Lord for deliverance. It was to these means of grace that William Macangus frequently resorted, and to these he directed others that they might be kept in the right way. He expressed more than once that the Free Presbyterian Church would be delivered from the power of those who opposed her, because she had the Word of God as her guide in opposing the works of darkness, and in calling upon all her children to walk in the ways of God’s truth.
Those who desecrated God’s holy day he fearlessly rebuked. An instance of this may be given:—One of the local farmers began selling milk on the Lord’s Day. William knew from his Bible that this was the work of Satan, and meeting the man with the milkcarts on the Sabbath morning, he told him that no good would result from such evil work. He publicly told the people of the evil practice which had begun in the parish, and warned them not to have a hand in buying the milk sold on the Lord’s Holy Day. It is true that most of the religious people in our day will not deny themselves even a little of their weekly comforts for the possession of the inestimable blessing of a Sabbath kept holy to the Lord. The words of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, are very plain to those taught by the Holy Spirit, namely: “If ye love me keep my commandments.” Mr. Macangus knew by the teaching of the Holy Spirit that those who desecrate God’s holy day are the enemies of the truth, and if they continue in their evil work, that they will be cast into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels; therefore, it may be said of him in the words of Scripture: “knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.”
He was present a year ago at the communion in Tain. The portion of truth given out by him for the Fellowship Meeting on Friday was, I. Thessalonians, v. 5, 6.—“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night nor of the darkness, therefore, let us not sleep as do others: but let us watch and be sober.” He was called upon to pray at the concluding part of the service. He rose at once, and said that he wished first to read to the people portions of God’s Word, which he believed applied in a peculiar manner to the cause of Christ in our midst at this time. He then read part of the 46th psalm, and said a few words as to the deliverance which the Lord would grant to His people. This was followed by earnest pleadings with the Lord in prayer.
During the following week, he complained of not feeling in his usual health. It had evidently been for some time impressed on his mind that he was soon to put off the tabernacle of this body. In several ways he gave indications of this to members of his family who were at home. He seemed wholly absorbed in the matters which concerned his hope for eternity. As to the things of this world, he said one day, “I have no interest in any of these things now.” His time was invariably occupied reading his Bible, and in secret pleading with the Lord at a throne of grace.
He gradually became weaker, but was able to speak to his family and those who were privileged to visit him until a short time before the end. It was very difficult for some of us to believe that he was soon to be taken from us. The Lord, however, whose works are perfect, prepared him for higher service, and took him, we believe, to be with Himself which is far better. He passed away on the 23rd day of August last year. Mr. Macangus was a man greatly beloved and respected by those who feared the Lord. His sterling honesty, his steadfastness in the cause of truth and his unfeigned love to His Lord and Master and to his brethren and sisters in the common faith drew them and bound them to him.
To his sorrowing family we extend our sincere sympathy. May they get of the fulness which is in Christ Jesus for poor needy sinners—a goodly portion which will not fade away, and is all of grace.—F. M.
The late Miss Ann Macintosh, Strath, Gairloch.
THE congregation of Gairloch suffered heavy losses in recent years by the removal of a number of outstanding Christians to be for ever with the Lord. When the ranks of the church militant are thinned by the removal of those worthies, there is need that the Captain of the Hosts of the Lord would compel others to step into the ranks to fight the good fight of faith, as those who went before them did; those would be blessed conscripts.
Ann Macintosh was one of three saintly sisters and the last to be called home. Her sister, Mrs. Macintosh, Apronhill, whom we never met, died in 1928. She is still fondly remembered for her piety and outstanding faithfulness. The other sister, Kate, peaceably entered the everlasting kingdom in October, 1933. Kate once told a friend that she had an extraordinary measure of the Lords presence on one occasion, and that if it had continued she would have been quite unfit for her daily work. The portion of Scripture that the Lord opened to her, and opened her heart with on that occasion was: “We have thought of thy loving kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.” Kate is now where she has an “eternal weight of glory,” though when in the body she could scarcely stand an extra measure of the Lord’s presence; though through a glass darkly. They all died “old and full of days.” It is not known when the three made a public profession but as far as can be ascertained it was far back in the day of the old Free Church. The days of their pilgrimage were long and having kept their garments clean they gave full proof of the grace that was in them. They all separated from the Free Church in 1893, having been convinced that the constitution of that church was changed immediately the Declaratory Act became law in it. One of their outstanding features was their faithfulness to the position of the Free Presbyterian Church and this feature was tempered with personal godliness which none could deny. “They were of a solid understanding in religion, and of prudence much more than ordinary, and were great haters of hypocrisy, and faithful to Christ in an unfaithful world.” Their brother Duncan was congregational treasurer for twenty-six years. He was a member in full communion for a number of years. His end came suddenly in July, 1919. There is a biographical sketch of him in Volume XXVI. of the Magazine.
There were few more worthy of being remembered in the pages of our church magazine than Ann Macintosh. She was, however, of a very reserved nature and there is nothing known of her personal experiences. She lived an exemplary life from her youth. She was, indeed, “a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth fruit in his season.” To pursue the simile, the righteous is not like a tree in the desert, but like a tree in an inhabited country where its benefits are enjoyed and its beauty admired by the beholders. Such a tree was this worthy woman; an example to the godly and a dread to the wicked.
She was an ardent supporter of the Free Presbyterian Church at the beginning and continued so to the end. The passage of Scripture which made an impression on her at the formation of our Church, and which she quoted in disapproval of those who followed the Declaratory Act Church was: “Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty” (Judges, v. 23).
She was always an example in her constant attendance on the public means of grace. She sought after the sincere milk of the Word that she might grow thereby. When nearing her end, one thing that would impress one was that, even when apparently unconscious to all else, she was fully there if the Bible was being read, and would very quickly show it by her countenance.
On 13th July, 1938, this last of those sisters was gathered to her fathers, full of days, leaving a memory that is savoury to her relatives, friends and acquaintances. Her age was 80. What a blank is being made by the removal of so many aged saints who bore the stamp of heaven!—A. B.
The late Mrs. Gunn, Edinburgh.
THE death of Mrs. Gunn, which took place on the first day of May, has caused a wide breach in the Edinburgh congregation. She was of a most kind and pleasant disposition and her removal is greatly lamented by all who knew her.
Mrs. Gunn was born at Watten in 1860, her maiden name being Henrietta Olson. Early in life she came to reside in the parish of Olrig and at the age of 22 she married Mr. James Gunn. Shortly after her marriage she became concerned about her state as a lost sinner. How long she was left under conviction we cannot say, but she was enabled to close in with Christ in these words: “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean,” and through the merits of His own blood Jesus did cleanse away her sins. She had the great privilege of sitting under the preaching of the late Mr. Auld, Olrig, of whom she retained very pleasant memories, and found him most helpful in her early Christian life. She would, in her own inimitable way, often quote many of his pithy sayings.
When the Free Presbyterian Church was formed in 1893, she, along with her husband, who was like-minded, cast in her lot with that body which stood in defence of God’s Word. It must have been a severe wrench for Mrs. Gunn to separate from her beloved minister, whose teaching she found so nourishing to her soul, yet, however highly she esteemed Mr. Auld, the testimony in defence of God’s truth was more in her estimation than her regard for any man.
After associating herself with the Free Presbyterian Church she and her husband with their young family were in the habit of walking from Gillock to Halkirk to the services on Sabbath, a distance of several miles. In this connection she used to tell how she was rebuked by her husband one Sabbath morning. She tried to excuse him for not going to church as he was too tired. He replied: “I work six days a week for my daily bread and ought I not go one day to God’s house to seek bread for my soul.” I never, she said, advised him again on that matter.
Her husband died in 1910, and in 1924 she removed to Edinburgh, where she became a regular attender at our services on week days and Sabbath. We can truly say that her pleasant smile and earnest attention to the word spoken were often an encouragement to us and we miss her presence more than words can express.
In January she contracted ‘flu, and though she somewhat recovered it left its own baneful effects. In April she had a relapse and gradually sank until she was called away to be with Him who went to prepare a place for them that love Him. During her last fortnight in life she would at times relapse into semi-consciousness when she would audibly pray as was her habit at family worship, unconscious of any one being present. On one occasion two friends called and while conducting the worship sang Ps. xc. 11, 14. When they stopped she said, go on, and sing the next verse, “But judgment unto righteousness shall yet return again,” then added, “Oh! to be of the right-hearted.” When the words “Eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him,” were quoted in her hearing she remarked, “Oh! what an eye-opener we will get then.” When in a semi-conscious state she was heard to say: “Paul thanked God and took courage.” Shortly before her end she asked that part of Psalm 1. be sung: “let all my saints together be unto me gathered, those that by sacrifice with me a covenant have made.” The last words heard from her were “And now, O Lord, what wait I for; my hope is fixed on Thee.” Ps. xxxix. 7. Then added: “Put out the light.” Thus Mrs. Gunn finished her course in this vale of tears and with her anchor fixed within the vail she entered into the presence of the King there to abide.
It was her great pleasure to be in the company of, and attending to, the Lord’s people, and strangers who came to our Communions found an open door and hospitable reception from Mrs. Gunn. She left two sons and five daughters to mourn her loss and with them we wish to express our sincerest sympathy in their sad and sore bereavement. No family could be more attached and dutiful to their mother and she was most affectionately nursed and cared for by them to the end. May their mother’s God be their portion.—N. M.