WE regret that owing to the lack of particulars we did not manage to write the obituary of our late worthy missionary in Braes till now. Mr. Nicolson was born in Braes in 1859 and when a young lad came to Portree as an apprentice joiner. He worked at his trade in Baasay and afterwards went to Clydebank where he lived for many years until he retired and came to Braes as a missionary.
He was ordained an elder in St. Jude’s Congregation, Glasgow, under the late Rev. Mr. Cameron, of revered memory, whom he greatly esteemed. In Clydebank he looked after the interests of our Congregation there and had the satisfaction of seeing a new Church built in which our people could worship comfortably. After returning to Skye he was elected an elder in the Portree charge and served in the double capacity of elder and missionary until he departed to be with Christ.
The death of a brother by drowning seems to have made a serious impression on him in early manhood and by the teaching of the Holy Spirit he realized that it is not by works we can be saved but through faith in Christ who is the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe. He knew that in himself he was lost and ruined by sin so that his trust was in Him who gave Himself as a ransom for the sins of many. To his fellow-sinners he commended the wonderful Saviour who had delivered his own soul from death.
Mr. Nicolson had severe trials in the death of his three sons two of whom were married and the third a medical student at Glasgow University, unmarried. The afflictions of the Lord’s people are sanctified to them and the cutting asunder of earthly ties closes them in more and more to their glorious Head. This would, no doubt, be our friend’s experience.
Like the ant, to whom the sluggard is advised to go by God’s Word for instruction he was always active in body and mind. This resulted in his having a well stored mind which helped him to enforce Gospel doctrines and precepts by illustrations and notes which were instructive and edifying to his hearers. He was diligent and most attentive to his duties as a missionary and elder exercising tact and wisdom in his dealings with those under his charge.
In the good providence of the Lord he was kept in good health until his eighty-first year. He began to feel that he could not take his food as usual but continued his labours until he could do so no longer through bodily weakness. He gradually became weaker and knew the end was near. His trust was in his Saviour and on His finished work his soul rested for eternity. Before he passed away to be with Christ he mentioned the psalm to be sung at his funeral service.
We commend his widow and the surviving members of his family to the God of all grace and may they be enabled by faith to follow in the footsteps of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
D. M. M.