THIS worthy Christian who passed away to Eternity on the 24th day of November, 1942, at the age of 73, was a native of Strathy Point, Sutherlandshire and a son of the late Mr. William Mackay. His mother was especially noted for godliness and he was indeed brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. His brother Donald who was a student of the Church, died in the prime of life; and the late Prof. J. R. Mackay, D.D., one time minister in Inverness, was another brother.
“Murdo,” as he was ordinarily called by most of his friends, was a great sinner in his own estimation and was deeply taught by the Holy Spirit concerning the evils of the heart of unbelief which departs from the living God; but the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ was the rock of his salvation. The true people of God, and even worldlings, recognised that here was a man of God who was in the world but not of it. This was abundantly evident from his life and conversation. One could not be long in his company without hearing from his lips some reference to the Scriptures, a complaint regarding “the old man with his affections and lusts,” or an observation upon man’s need of seeking the mercy of the Lord. Mr. Mackay knew what it was to be cast down in his soul through manifold temptations; yet none could appear brighter than he, in the fellowship of those who loved the Saviour and His Word, speaking of the Truth and relating anecdotes of godly men and women of the past. He was a man much given to prayer, kindly in his manner to all and “given to hospitality” in his own house.
For upwards of forty years he was an elder in Strathy and Farr Congregation and for a long period acted as the Church’s missionary to the Congregation until the end of his sojourn on earth. He carried much of the burden of the affairs of the Congregation with an undivided heart and a willing mind as helped by divine grace and strength; and especially preached to the people under his care the Word of Truth of the Gospel, warning sinners in Zion, exalting Christ Jesus, and speaking comfortably to poor and needy believers. We know that he grieved much over the spiritual desolation prevailing everywhere, but precious souls in his own district without God and without Christ, especially caused him many a groan. On inviting a Christian friend, one time, to visit Strathy, the friend observed that most of the Lord’s people whom he had known were not away to heaven, and that there was not the former attraction to travel there. But Murdo in his own friendly and solemn manner replied, “Come see the place where the Lord lay.”
When the earthly house of this tabernacle began to weaken, he persisted in going to the house of God, by which he evidenced the mind of the sweet Psalmist of Israel—”The habitation of thy house, Lord, I have loved well.” But latterly he was confined to his bed, being patient and pleasant while tenderly nursed till he passed from the “Valley of through the gates of death, into the joy of his Lord and Saviour. Truly the “ways of Zion do mourn” as another witness is removed from the Church on earth, and to the people of Strathy his death occasioned much real sorrow. May his widow, Mrs. Mackay, and his two sisters, Miss Charlotte Mackay, Thurso, and Mrs. Mackay, Balligill, Strathy, be consoled by the God of all comfort.
R. R. S.