By Rev. JAMES MACLEOD, Greenock.
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: of whom I am chief.”—I. Tim., i., 15.
OUR people are passing through a momentous period in the history of the human race. The Lord’s people know who is in power. Christ is in power. He will have glory, and honour out of it all. He came to destroy the works of the devil. Our
young men, who are faced with the most gigantic military power that ever waged war on helpless nations, women, and children, need not fear, nor doubt but the cause with which they are associated will in the end triumph. You will see and hear many things that may cause you to stagger, and wonder what will be the outcome of it all. You must bear in mind that true and vital religion is unknown to the graceless religious world!
Czarist Russia was full of godless, graceless religion. The benighted Russians were as religious as Hindoos, Roman Catholics, or Mohammedans. That is to say they had no knowledge of the gospel of love, mercy, and peace. The Russian Church would not allow their people to read the Word of God. The Czarist Government kept the people illiterate. In 1914 ninety-eight per cent. of the Russian people were unable to read their own language. When the Revolution came in 1917 they were an easy prey to the vile doctrines of the crafty Communists. We have read, and heard much about the godless in Russia in recent years from questionable quarters. Prior to the advent of the revolution the miserable Russians were in gross darkness: since the revolution the Russians have been simply led into the cult of Atheism! Communism is the modern name for Atheism. The Russians are Communists.
The Germans were differently placed. They had the Word of God. They had the gospel. They were educated. They had able theologians, pious pastors. Freedom to “search the Scriptures,” and worship God according to His Word. Every boy and girl in Germany had free access to the Bible. Luther, and the Reformers were household names among them. Family worship, piety, and real godliness were as well known in Germany once as in the city of Edinburgh. What happened in Germany, and happened also in many other nations? While religion was popular, educated, but unconverted young men presumptuously became pastors in the Reformed Church. They soon showed that they had no heart sympathy with Reformation attainments, and with the Bible in particular. The unconverted young theologians began to attack the Word of God from Genesis to
Revelation. Their Theological Schools took up the daring attitude of teaching that the Word of God was not correct nor unerring in its account of Creation, the origin of man, the fall of Adam, sin, corruption, death, hell, devils, law, and gospel. This modern school rejected the Bible and taught the Germans the endless errors they professed to find in the Word of God. The German theologians were not content to poison the minds of their own people they spread their destructive criticism, and rationalistic theories to Holland, Great Britain, U.S.A., Canada; and to the Missionaries in the Foreign Fields. British, Continental, and American scholars and theologians drank this “new wine” of Germany without a qualm. They sent their sons, and even daughters to be educated at the feet of Germanic theological biologists! The German educators were delighted to be so well favoured, and capable to instruct the youth of Scotland, England, America, Holland, and Denmark in their modern cult! The youth came back flushed with the knowledge that the Bible was not a trustworthy document to be accepted by men of culture! The Germans told them that the Bible was not an Inspired Book at all because their own biologists demonstrated that fact to the entire satisfaction of their own people! The Protestant and Reformed Churches suffered more from German Rationalists than from Roman Catholics, or Atheists! We are now reaping the seed sown. May God raise a Samson, who will put fire to the corn of the Phillistines. This destructive criticism of the Word of God sucked the sap out of the religious life of the German people. In 1914 many Protestant pulpits in Germany were without a Bible. It is fully one hundred years since the educated graceless German theologians used all their abilities in rejecting the authority of the Bible. In July 1914 the Synod of the German Protestant Church was to meet in Königsberg to determine whether they should hold the doctrines of the Virgin birth of our Lord or not. As the War began in August 1914 we never heard what was the conclusion arrived at by this pagan Synod! There was a minority group of genuine believers who opposed the infidels. An English gentleman in 1913 travelled
extensively in Germany, and on his return to London warned the British people what to expect in the event of war with the German nation! He told of the Bibleless pulpits of the German Churches. It was from this irreligious rubbish-heap that Hitler (a Roman Catholic), rose: who commanded the pagan army of Germany to slaughter the Protestants of Holland. Hitler’s Jesuitical designs were, and are, to destroy the British Empire. France has been conquered by the Jesuits. Hitler, and his associates made use of all the lowest dregs in Europe so that miserable France succumbed to the intrigues of the Jesuits!
The vast majority of the Protestant people of all nations have not realised yet that the Romanists of Continental Europe, and Romanists elsewhere are in league to crush for ever Protestantism throughout the whole world. Some argue thus: “What about the rape of Poland: how can you reconcile the above statement to the slaughter of the Polish Roman Catholics?” It was Roman Catholic Spaniards that Franco, Mussolini, and Hitler murdered. The generally accepted number of Roman Catholic Spaniards killed, and murdered is put as high as over two millions. The Poles, and Spaniards were in the path of the Jesuits. For that reason they had to be sacrificed. The Jesuitical-minded Pope blessed the Franco victory! Southern Ireland must be spared because the power of Protestants is nil in that priest-ridden country. The Pope rules Ireland through his Cardinals. The province of Ulster is a curse to the Pope and his Irish Princes—the Cardinals. The Eire Government must take its orders from the Vatican. When Hitlerism is defeated the Irish papists must show how tolerant, and sympathetic they are towards the Imperial connection! Mr. Bond (of the Protestant Truth Society), recently reported that Hitler and Mussolini at their last meeting discussed the relationship of the Vatican with the Reich. Hitler (according to this report) agreed on all points provided a certain Cardinal was made to apologise, and recalled from Germany. A few days after this meeting of the two Dictators the poor old Cardinal was summoned to Rome. The “Men of Vichy” France are all devout sons of the Roman
Catholic Church. It will be the wisdom of our Statesmen, Generals, and Admirals to keep a very close watch on the “Men of Vichy.” Irish Americans (R.C.) are opposed to Britain. Mr. Joseph Kennedy is openly, and sneeringly opposed to Britain. Patriotic Roman Catholics in the British Empire are in an invidious position. May the Lord open their eyes to understand that the Italian Bishop (the Pope) is the son of perdition and the malicious enemy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The present battle is against Christ, and His people. Let our brave young men encourage themselves in the Lord. The gates of hell cannot prevail against the “Rock”—Christ. Let all our people take comfort from the knowledge that the leaders of the Roman Catholic Church are against Great Britain. The fair speeches of Cardinal Hinsley, London, is just a blind. We know what solemn engagements he entered upon before he received the Cardinal’s hat. He speaks in London, not in Rome! He condemns Hitlerism, but keeps discreetly silent on Mussolini-ism. Let Protestants be aware of the wolf in sheep’s clothing. The Cardinal is a sworn enemy to Reformation attainments. He hates Protestantism as the devil hates the gospel. If Hitler was to win the Cardinal of London would change his voice and fair speeches as the Cardinal of Paris did when Hitler’s hordes were within the gates of the city.
It is God-provoking to open Theatres, Music Halls, Cinemas, Dance Halls on the Lord’s Day. The best, quietest, and most upright of our people are heart-broken over this trend of events in our national life. The Socialists, Communists, Atheists, and Libertines have no respect for the Fourth Commandment. The Capitalists are wanting higher dividends on the millions of money sunk in Theatres, Cinemas, and Music Halls. The labouring masses are made the scapegoat for the vested interest money lenders. We pray, and hope that these dens of evil will be closed on week days as well as Sabbath days before the end of this present conflict. Our seriously minded young men may mentally question the rightness of our cause in the light of such irreligious conduct on the part of responsible officials.
Judas betrayed his Master but that did not in the least derogate from the righteousness of His cause. The actions of wicked men engaged in a “righteous cause” will never change the fact but the cause itself is right. Cyrus knew not the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, yet he was used to advance a “righteous cause.” God may use graceless men, as instruments to advance His own purposes. Millions of men may be engaged in a “righteous cause,” who are otherwise as blind as bats as far as the gospel and the cause of Christ in the world is concerned. They may have a thorough grasp of the political issues involved although spiritually blind as to the real cause of the conflict. We have not, and in fact repudiate the idea of, our own share of the present catastrophe. The Protestant Churches have departed from the truth of God. The Bible is not their court of appeal. The Modernists have played havoc with the gospel, the Bible, and the Sacraments. The Modernists are really Infidels (un-believers), who profess religion for the sake of dishonest living. One of our soldiers was telling me recently that during a parade service the Clergyman changed his garments seven times, putting some off, and putting other strips and rags on in their place. The poor deluded madman! This soldier vowed there and then that never again would he sit even for half an hour watching an acrobatic clergyman on church parade! There are thousands of these fanatics in the Protestant Churches. Free Presbyterian young men can always excuse themselves for not attending the religious services of such buffoons. You are in conscience bound not to blaspheme the Great Name of God by attending irreligious pagan services. Your Commanding Officer dare not coerce you to do so. If at any time your Commanding Officer insists upon you attending religious services which are conducted contrary to the practice of your own Church, write your minister, who is in duty bound to take up the matter in the proper quarter, so that your conscience will be relieved from bowing before false gods. They cannot, and must not compel any Free Presbyterian to attend their idolatrous worship.
You may be often pained at the ungodly conversation of the
wicked. Foul speech issues from vulgar minds. Joseph in the midst of corruption behaved himself as a Christian should at all times do. He got no sympathy from his superior officer nor respect from the viciously minded authorities of his day. Daniel was cast into the den of lions. One advantage Daniel had (which God-fearing young men need not expect under present circumstances), was that the poor lions would neither curse, swear, nor use foul filthy language! The growlings of the lions would be sweet music in the ears of some in comparison to the foul speech of wicked men. One may be falsely, and maliciously accused by the enemies of truth, and righteousness, and suffer for the sake of the gospel much tongue persecution, and slanderous accusations. The lying gosipper never needs to advertise for helpers. The devil has ready-made agents at every street corner. The wisest course to take is to leave dangerous accusers and falsifiers of facts in the hands of the Lord. He knows how, and when to deal with such. All liars (as well as others) must appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. Joseph, Daniel, and others appealed to a throne of grace. Their Saviour was their Judge. It will be most difficult to find quiet corners to pray, and read your Bible. Prayer is really a heart exercise, and one is at liberty to pray at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances. It may be impossible to have set times to read your Bibles. Whenever the opportunity offers itself the Bible must be read to sustain the spiritual life of the soul. The essential duty of reading the Bible is, by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, the way to know Christ. To die serving a good cause is no warrant for heaven. The only warrant for heaven is to be born again. We can never be born again if we reject Christ in the free offer of the gospel. Paul says, Christ came to save sinners of whom I am chief. We may feel ourselves “very bad,” and sinful. So we are, yet what could Christ do with “good sinners?” Christ came to save the “chief of sinners.” He is the Saviour of the lost. He is present in the gospel to save poor ruined sinners. Christ will never refuse to save the “chief of sinners.” Many of you may not see the end of this present conflict. Ar
you ready to die, are you prepared to die? Christ alone can answer that solemn question for you dear young men. We know you will prove yourselves second to none in defending the honour of your country as in the past. We have a righteous moral confidence in your courage, and bravery to meet the foe on sea, land, and in the air. You stand in defence of your mothers, sisters, and younger brothers, and the foe must trample your bodies in the dust before he can touch those dearest, and nearest to you in this world. What is all that without Christ. Your chief concern must be the salvation of your souls. Christ alone can heal, and save your precious souls. His blood can both reconcile, and purge away sin. His righteousness can alone cover you. His grace can fortify you against the hour of danger, and His almighty power can shield you in the midst of danger. Christ is King of kings, Lord of lords. Permit me to advise you—do not play cards, nor gamble, nor drink, nor frequent dance halls. Shun theatres, and never go to see dangerous suggestive pictures of the immoral type! The devil is awfully busy, generous, plausible, considerate, and baits his hooks with many kinds of amusements so as to entangle you in his hellish meshes. The director of the play sits behind the curtains. Satan hides himself behind human agents. Christ is your only Friend, Helper, Redeemer, and Protector.
May the Lord lead, guide, and keep you all from all evil. Follow Christ.
The Glory of the Coming of the Lord.*
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord :
He is tramping out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored ;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword :
His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps :
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps ;
*This poem was composed in connection with the American Civil War.
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps.
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel, writ in burnished rows of steel :
” As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall
deal ;
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with His heel.
Since God is marching on.”
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat ;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His Judgment Seat ;
Oh, be swift, my soul to answer Him : : be jubilant, my feet.
Our God is marching on.
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me :
And He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
—JULIA WARD HOWE.
The late John MacEwan, Lochgilphead.
IT is over a year since the subject of this notice entered into his rest, but his memory remains fragrant still. John MacEwan was not so well known in the northern parts of our church as his brother Malcolm, who died some years ago at Tain. Those of us who did know John mourn his loss deeply. His removal has left a blank in Lochgilphead and in our hearts which will not be easily filled.
His parents resided at Silvercraig, a small village three miles from Lochgilphead. Here, in 1861, John was born, one of several children in the family. Family worship was regularly observed in the household. What an inestimable blessing to any soul when the seeds of piety are early sown by parents who concern themselves with the spiritual and eternal good of their children ! How wicked and cruel where no such concern exists, and children are brought up in practical paganism, as is the case in many homes in Scotland to-day !
In John’s young days it was the regular habit to attend church each Sabbath Day. The three miles between Silvercraig and Lochgillhead were not made an excuse for staying at home. How he delighted to let his mind go back to days when the roads to church were literally black with people all intent on worshipping God. The present-day decline in church attendance, and the inroads of Sabbath desecration were subjects he often talked about, and always with deep sadness.
As far as is now known it was while he followed his calling as a fisherman on the Ayrshire coast that the great change took place which translated him from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. He was quite a young man at that time. From then on, like all others who have become strangers and pilgrims on this earth, John had his bright days and his cloudy days, but he was enabled to hold on to the end and to keep his garments clean. He often feared himself that things were not right with him spiritually, but that was a fear which few who knew him entertained about him. He bore the marks of Christ, they were there for all to see—in his character, walk and conversation. This was graciously made clear to himself on his death-bed when he was enabled to say, “My beloved is mine and I am his.” His last words were, “I will never leave Thee nor forsake Thee—No! No! No!” That was an answer to his own oft repeated prayer, “Leave me not, O Lord, at the end of my journey.”
He took a deep and intelligent interest in those questions which agitated the Churches in Scotland in his young days. When the Free Presbyterian Church took the place vacated by the Declaratory Act Church in 1893 John had no hesitation in casting in his lot with it, and his loyalty was never in question to the end of his days. The things which the Free Presbyterian Church stands for were dear to his soul.
He was ordained an elder in 1922, and rendered much useful service to this congregation in Argyllshire. As an office-bearer he was wise and discreet and when occasion demanded as firm
as a rock. He acted as missionary in Lochgilphead for several years before his death.
John’s prayers in public were most impressive. They were the utterances of one who was familiar with trading in other waters than those of Lochfyne. Gaelic was his mother-tongue, but when asked, he prayed in English, although not so much at home in it. But somehow language was forgotten when John prayed. There was a spiritual unction in his petitions—a straightforward honesty—which never failed to arrest the attention of sympathetic listeners. Humble and reverent in his approach to the Mercy Seat he yet spoke to God as to a friend, face to face.
On December the 16th, 1939 (after an illness of some weeks), Mr. MacEwan entered into the haven whence there is no return.
Our prayer is that the sons may seek their father’s God and come to know Him. To the widow and all relatives we extend our sympathy. May the Lord sanctify bereavement.—J.A.T.
— Letter to a Youth.
By SAMUEL RUTHERFORD.
LOVING Friend—I received your letter. I entreat you now, in the morning of your life, to seek the Lord and His face. Beware of the follies of dangerous youth, a perilous time for your soul. Love not the world. Keep faith and truth with all men in your covenants and bargains. Walk with God, for He seeth you. Do nothing but that which ye may and would do if your eye-strings were breaking, and your breath growing cold. Ye heard the truth of God from me, my dear heart, follow it and forsake it not. Prize Christ and Salvation above all the world. To live after the guise and course of the rest of the world will not bring you to heaven; without faith in Christ and repentance, ye cannot see God. Take pains for Salvation; press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling. If ye watch not against evils night and day,
which beset you, ye will come behind. Beware of lying, swearing, uncleanness, and the rest of the works of the flesh; because “for these things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience.” How sweet soever they may seem for the present yet the end of these courses is the eternal wrath of God, and utter darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Grace be with you.—Your loving pastor. S. R.
Nadur an Duine ‘na Staid Cheithir Fillte.
San àite mu dheireadh, Bithidh comunn aca ris an Tighearna féin ann an nèamh; comh-chomunn glórmhor ri Dia, agus Criosd, ni a’s e iomláineachd sonais! Is roghnaiche leam labhairt mu chomh-chomunn ri Dia, agus ris an duine Criosd, le chéile; a chionn mar a tha sinn a’ tarruing ar gràsan o ‘n Uan, mar sin tarruingidh sinn ar glòir uaithe mar an ceudna; air do ‘n duine Criosd a bhi, (ma dh’ fheudas mi chainnt sin a ghnàthachadh), mar an Tì o ‘m bheil glòir na diadhachd ann an nèamh, a’ dealrachadh a mach agus o ‘m bheil i a’ sruthadh do na naoimh uile. Tha so air a theagasg dhuiinn leis na sgriobtuir sin, a ta ‘g ainmeachadh gu bheil sonas nèimh ann a bhi maille ri Criosd, Luc. xxiii. 43. “Bithidh tu maille riumsa an diugh ann am Phàras.” Eoin xvii. 24. “Athair, is àill leam an drcam a thug thu dhomh, gu ‘m bi iad maille rium, (agus as comharrachtae chum an ni so dhearbhadh a tha na briathra a leanas,) chum ‘s gu faic iad mo ghloir.” I Tes. iv. 17. “Mar sin bithidh sinn gu sìorruidh maille ris an Tighearna.” Eadhon an Tighearn Iosa Criosd, a choinnicheas sinn anns an athar! Is coslach gur e so mar an ceudna is ciall do na Sgriobtuir sin, anns am bheil iomradh air a thoirt araon air Dia agus an t-Uan, an Slànuighear a mharbhadh, a thaobh sonais nan naomh ann an nèamh, Taisb. vii. 17. “Oir beathaichidh an t-Uan a tha am meadhon na righ-chaithreach iad, agus treòraichidh e iad gu tobraichibh de uisge na beatha: agus tiormaichidh Dia gach deur o ‘n sùilbh.” Caib. xxi. 3. “Feuch, tha pàilliun Dhé maille ri’ daoinibh! Agus
ni esan còmhnuidh maille riu.” Eadhon, mar ann am páilliun, mar sin tha ‘m focal a’ ciallachadh; ‘se sin ann am feòil Chriosd, coimeas Eòin i. 14. ri Taisb. xxi. rann 22. “Is e ‘n Tighearna Dia uile-chumlachdach, agus an t-Uan a ‘s teampull di.” Is anns an nè so tha àrd-shonas nan naomh a’ co-sheasamh ann an nèamh! ni, as eugmha is nach b’ urrainn doibh gu bràth a bhi sona, ged bhitheadh iad air an eur ‘nan suidhe anns an ionad ghhlòr mhor sin, agus air am beannachadh le comunn nan aingeal ‘san àit sin! Bithidh na ghabhas mi orm a ràdh uime, air a chur sìos ‘sna tri nithibh so.
Air tìs, Bithidh aig na naoimh ann an nèamh làthaireachd ghhlòr mhor Dhé, agus an Uain; Dia féin maille riu, Taisb. xxi. 3. Agus bithidh iad gu siorruidh maille ris an Tighearna. Tha Dia a làthair ‘sna h-uile àite, a thaobh a bith; tha a làthaireachd ghràsmhor àraidh aig a’ mhuiintir naomha ‘nan staid chath air an talamh: ach ann an nèamh bithidh a làthaireachd ghhlòr mhor aca. Ann an sin tha iad air an toirt dlùth do righ-chaithir an Righ mhòir agus seasaidh iad ‘na làthair, far an nochd e dhoibh a ghhlàir do-bhreanuichte. Ann an sin bithidh aca páilliun Dhé, air am bheil an neul, sgàile na glèire a gabhail còmhnuidh, nàdur uile-ghhlòr mhor an duine ann an Chriosd, anns am bheil lànaechd na diadhaechd a’ gabhail còmhnuidh, cha’n ann fuidh sgàile, mar ann an làithiùch irosalachaidh, ach a’ dealradh tre ‘n fheòil bheannaichte sin, (chum gu faiceadh na naoimh uile a ghhlòir,) agus a’ dèanamh a’ chuirp sin na ‘s ro-ghhlòr mhoire na mìle grian; air chor as nach bi feum aig a’ chaithir air a’ ghréim no air a’ ghealaich; ach, “Shoillsich glòir Dhé i, agus is e an t-Uan a ‘s solus di,” (na is coinneal di,) Taisb. xxi. 23 Is e sin, gur e an t-Uan an nì soillseach, no an corp soillseach, a bheir solus do ‘n chaithir: mar tha a’ ghrian agus a’ ghealaich a nis a’ tabhairt soluis do ‘n t-saoghal, no mar a shoillsicheas coinneal seòmar dorcha: agus is e an solus a ta teachd o ‘n t-soillse ghhlòr mhor sin, do ‘n chaithir, glòir Dhé. Las a choinneal sin air uairibh glé dhorchà, bha i air a folach fo shoitheach, ann an làithibh irosalachaidh; ach an dràsd agus a rìs, gu ‘n do chuir i mach cuid d’ a dealradh
soluis, a dhall sùilean an luchd-amhaire; acha tha i nis air a cur gu h-àrd, ann an caithir ar Dé, far am bheil i dealrachadh, agus far an dealraich i gu saoghal nan saoghal, ann an iomlaineachd glòire. Bha i air a cur a thaobh, aon uair mar a’ chlach a dhiultadh leis an luchd-togalach: ach a nis tha i, agus bithidh i gu bràth, ‘na solus no na soillse do ‘n chaithir sin; agus sin, “cosmhuil ri cloich ro luachmhor, mar chloich iaspis, soilleir mar chriostal,” rann 11.
Có d’ an urrainn sonas nan naomh a smuaineachadh, ann an seòmar-làthaireachd an Righ mhóir, far an suidh e air a chaithir-rìoghail, a’ toirt air a ghloir taisbeanadh gu ro-shoilleir anns an duine Criosd! Tha làthaireachd ghrasmhor a’ dèanamh atharrachadh mór anns na naoimh ‘san t-saoghal so: Is éiginn d’ a làthaireachd ghloirmhor ann an nèamh an gràsan a thoirt gu iomlaineachd, agus an comasan àrdachadh. Tha fiorsrachadh aig na naoimh, gu ‘n dèan làthaireachd Dhé a nis ‘na ghràs, gnè do ifrinn ‘na nèamh bheag dhoigh: Cia mór air an aobhar sin is éiginn do ghloir nèimh a bhi, le a làthaireachd an sin ann an gròir! Ma ni coinneal, ann an cùllegin de thomhas, maise chur air bothan no air prìosan; cionnus a chuireas dearsadh na gréine maise air lùchairt no air Phàras! Rinne làthaireachd ghrasmhor Dhé fàsach soilleir do. Mhaois, gleann sgàile a’ bhàis soilleir do Dhaibhidh, àmhuinn soilleir do ‘n trùir chloinne; ciod a’ mhaise thar tomhas a dh’ éireas an sin o Ghrein na Fireantachd, a dhealruicheas na soilleireachd meadhon là air sràid na caithreach a ta air a leagadh le h-òr fìor-ghlan! Cuiridh làthaireachd ghloirmhor so Dhé ann an nèamh, glòir air na naoimh iad féin. Cha’n ‘eil maise ‘sam bith anns an lios thatneach, ‘nuair a luidheas dorchas na h-oidheche air; ach cuiridh dealradh na gréine maise air na beanntaibh a’s dubhe: Mar sin bithidh iadsan a ta nis mar bhuidealan anns an deathaich, ‘nuair a chuirear iad ann an làthaireachd glòrmhor Dhé, glòrmhor araon ann an anam agus an corp
(Ri leantuininn.)
The late Kenneth Macpherson, Porthenderson, Gairloch.
IN commemorating the worthies of the Highlands of Scotland who raised the banner in favour of the stand for truth, made by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the name of Kenneth Macpherson must not be passed over in silence. It was during the early hours of 26th February, 1940, that his Master indicated that He was not willing that His aged servant should dwell so far from Him any longer—so He took him. The silver cord was loosed and the golden bowl broken.
Kenneth was reared in a godly atmosphere. A mere atmosphere, however, will not instil godliness. The power from above is necessary to awaken a dead soul. This power, that of God the Holy Spirit, exercised itself in the soul of this disciple of Jesus. None, with any spiritual discernment, could listen to his edifying prayers without knowing the strength of his convictions of sin, and his intimacy with the dark abysses of his own soul. While he thus poured out his soul in confession, he soared high on the other hand in praise of the Great Physician. One could see that he beheld His glory: “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” There is nothing definitely known of the means used by the Great Shepherd to lead him into the fold, but in the fold he was, and in the fold he continued. The change of state definitely took place when he was a young man. It was, however, some years after the Free Presbyterian Church was formed that he made a public profession, though looked upon by the godly as a changed man while the Free Church was still intact, and had been called upon to pray in public before the separation took place.
He had a life companion, John Mackenzie the carpenter, who predeceased him by eight years. They both, “Standfast” and “Valiant for Truth”—continued a support to the cause of Christ and to one another, each esteeming the other better than himself, until the last enemy that shall be destroyed separated them. Kenneth would say of John, in love: “The one who is
head over us,” meaning the section of the congregation where they resided. John on the other hand would say of Kenneth in the same spirit: “The one who is keeping me right.” Both were a rare pattern of piety and meekness. When the separation of 1893 actually took place Kenneth was at the fishing, his life work, and when he came back the congregation in Gairloch was rent in twain; he had no doubt whatever then as to the right party, and no doubt he and John, like others, anticipated the separation. After Kenneth came home, John, however, wanted to test his stability. The way he took was to say to his friend one day: “Well Kenneth, who knows but we made a mistake after all to have left the Free Church.” The quick answer was: “Whatever you did, I know I made no mistake.” John felt then that Kenneth was firm in the position he took up, and this position Kenneth held, without wavering till he closed his eyes in death.
In 1909 he was ordained an elder. He conducted himself in the sacred office as becometh the gospel. He was of a courteous and cheerful nature and had a winning way that made him welcome everywhere. The young of the place can testify that they loved and respected him. He generally went by the designation “Kenneth,” as if he was the only one of that name in the place, and every one knew who was meant. At the same time there was a gravity about him that made the guilty afraid. He often presided at meetings but would not say very much. His manner was to make remarks on the chapter while reading it, and any remarks he would make were made in a gentle weighty manner. He was a very sweet singer and his musical voice continued with him till the end. After hearing him sing, the late Rev. Neil Cameron, Glasgow, once remarked that he felt ashamed to get up to preach; such was the heavenliness that accompanied his singing. Owing to defective eyesight, as a result of old age, he, latterly, would seldom undertake to sing unless he knew the Psalm by memory pretty well, and even then he was afraid of losing the connection when repeating the line. The last time he presented in the church was shortly
before his end, and many will remember his attitude till their dying day, as he stood up without a book, for the last time, and repeated the line in Gaelic. Many remarked that there was a sort of majesty about him, and that his features were shining.
He was unmarried, and was the last surviving member of the family, except his younger brother Duncan, a retired minister of the Church of Scotland. After his two sisters, who lived with him, had died, Kenneth left his own home and went to reside with Mrs. Duncan Mackenzie who lived near by. While he lived there he was tenderly cared for till the end came. He was not much more than three weeks confined to the house and much less confined to bed. He always made it his duty to go to the public means, though very incapable through bodily weakness and defective eyesight as the end was approaching. He suffered a good deal towards the end but his bodily discomforts could not mar his tranquillity; his mind was on his Saviour and continued in prayer. One of his last prayers was largely taken up with petitions on behalf of the local lads who were serving in His Majesty’s Forces. He was a ripe sheaf ready for the garner, being in his eighty-seventh year. “Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.”—A.B.