EFFIE MACLEOD was born at North Arnish, Raasay, eighty-four years ago. She was the fourth of a family of seven. Her father, Charles Macleod, was an Elder in the Raasay congregation and was living when the late Rev. Donald Macfarlane was minister of the congregation. He followed Mr. Macfarlane when the latter separated from the “Declaratory Act” Free Church in 1893 and during the remainder of his life continued faithful to the testimony then raised. Effie had therefore the privilege of being brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. The impression this upbringing made on her never left her. It seems she was brought to know Christ when she was quite young although she did not become a member in full communion until July, 1914. She evidently could not mention any particular portion of God’s Word more than another as instrumental in conveying the light and liberty of the glorious gospel into her soul. But that she was a partaker of this heavenly gift no one, who knew her, would doubt. The whole Word of God was precious to her and in it her soul found delight. She quoted Isaiah, chapter 41, verse 10: so often that one felt her soul had specially benefited by it. That the Word of God richly dwelt in Effie was evident by her life generally but particularly by her almost constant habit of singing Psalms while alone. She had a very sweet voice which she dedicated to the praise of her glorious Saviour. In her young days when out herding the cattle or whatever other duty she happened to be engaged in she could be heard singing Psalms and also in her old age she did not neglect to tune her harp to the praise of her Lord. After she removed to Inverarnish, a friend from Skye went to see her but did not know which house in the Terrace she occupied. While searching for her house he heard the singing of Psalms. There was Effie in a happy frame of mind pouring out her heart in praise to “Him who loved her and gave Himself for her.”
Being of a very affectionate disposition, young people loved to be in her company. Her aim was not to alienate the young but rather win their hearts that she might recommend Christ to them. That she was loved and highly esteemed by neighbours as well as relatives agrees with the scene at her death bed. There people realised they were bereaved of a true friend. May those, who had the privilege of hearing her counsel and seeing her example, find grace to following her as she followed the Lamb.
She suffered much from an ailment which made her a semi-invalid from her youth. Her right arm used to swell intermittently to an abnormal
size, during which time her temperature rose to fever point. In spite of several efforts made to release her of this malady no antidote was procured. She was advised by a Glasgow Professor to have her hand amputated but to this she would not consent. She did not murmur under her affliction but rather praised the Lord for it. She told a friend once that her arm complaint often covered much of what she was passing through in her mind. She also praised the Lord it was not of the use of her feet she was deprived. Then she could not walk long distances to communions as she often did. Although Effie was latterly under the good care of her nephews and nieces, amply provided for, she, like many, in her younger days was in humble circumstances. Nevertheless the Lord wonderfully provided for her needs so that she could travel long distances to communions. Of course she did not leave home for any other purpose. On one occasion she made up her mind to go to a communion in Skye and walked to Clachan, a distance of approximately twelve miles. From there she took the boat to Portree that night and feeling very tired, she decided to spend the night with a friend there. In the morning the post handed a letter to her friend containing a sum of money, with a note enclosed in the following terms: “This is for the first you meet of the poor ones of the house-hold of faith. From one who is constrained to send it.” It so happened that Effie was really needing this timely help. On another occasion she had a desire to go to Dingwall communion but had not enough money to cover her expenses; neither did she know how to get it. One of her nephews was at home at the time and knew of his auntie’s circumstances. Although the will was there he could not provide what she needed. He did, however, what he could and his labour was not in vain. One evening he went out with his gun and, to his great delight, killed an otter. For the skin of the otter, he got as much money as would decently cover his auntie’s travelling expenses and without hesitation handed the money to her. This opened the way for Effie to go to the communion which she greatly enjoyed. In these and like incidents she saw the bountiful hand of her Heavenly Father.
Effie had her seasons of mourning and rejoicing: rejoicing when the Bridegroom was with her and mourning when she felt more conscious of His absence than of His presence. Her demeanour often indicated the state of her mind. When enjoying the presence of the Lord in the gospel she joined in the praise with a particularly melodious voice and even her step was abnormally light. But when cast down her face looked sad and her step heavy. When she happened to be in the presence of the ungodly she maintained a dignified silence. Indeed she had a natural dignity which was beautified by a gracious disposition. One could not but be impressed by the dignity of her carriage as she rose to greet the visitor. You had the feeling you were in the presence of the King’s daughter. On one occasion at Applecross communion, she was extremely tempted. The late Mr. Cameron was officiating and in course of his sermon one day he said, “You are here from the island of Raasay and the day is coming when you will be singing on Zion hills above.” Whether there were others present from Raasay to take this remark to themselves or not it broke Effie’s temptation so that her doubts and fears vanished for a season. Her love to Mr. Cameron was profound and his annual visits, during communion seasons, to the island were truly a pleasure to her as
well as to others like minded. She greatly appreciated Mr. Cameron’s interest in the Raasay congregation as the following note may show.
On a Monday of a communion season in Plockton, after the service Mr. Cameron intimated that the Raasay friends present might not be in a hurry leaving as Duncan Mackay’s boat was leaving that evening for the fishing grounds and the men were willing to land the Raasay people on their way. Effie was so overjoyed at the fact that Mr. Cameron took this much interest in the Raasay people that in the presence of a few select friends she danced.
Her love for the late Rev. Donald Macfarlane was deeply rooted. He was her minister for years during which time an intimate friendship was forged. On this account she loved him but her special love for him was due to his stand for the truth when others proved unfaithful. Of the stand made by Mr. Macfarlane and Mr. Macdonald, Shieldaig, she often spoke and it grieved her very much when she heard the least reflection cast on that stand in defence of the truth. She often referred to Mr. Macfarlane’s farewell sermon preached in Torran meeting-house from Acts 20, 32. That day Mr. Macfarlane exhorted the congregation to be faithful to the testimony raised in 1893. Mr. Macfarlane’s departure from Raasay was a great grief to Effie and she gave expression to her feelings in a song she composed at the time. Her prayerful desire was that the Lord would bless and enlarge the coasts of the church.
Effie was a praying woman, whose petitions on behalf of Christ’s kingdom, we believe were heard on high and will in God’s own time be answered. The Raasay congregation lost a real friend and her death was the more grievous because it was so soon after the death of Mrs. Tallach who died a few months before. An obituary notice of the latter would have appeared if she had not herself expressed on several occasions, a desire that no obituary should appear of her in the magazine. Of the loss, caused by the death of these two worthy women the writer is very sensible. We, in Raasay, have been the losers by their removal. The end of both came very suddenly although they were well advanced in years we did not expect to be deprived of their cherished company so suddenly.
Effie died in September, 1943, after taking a severe stroke from which she never regained consciousness although she lingered on for days. And Mrs. Tallach although an invalid for years was only in bed for two days before she died. To the friends of these pious women we extend our sincere sympathy. May the Lord raise up witnesses for Himself in place of those taken away.