It is with much regret that we have to record the death of Mr. Alexander Ross, Braes, Ullapool, who departed this life on 18th April, 1946, at the ripe age of 94 years. At the early age of sixteen years he was awakened to a deep sense of his lost condition as a sinner. The passage of God’s Word by which he was brought to realise his lost ruined state was Matt. iii. 10: “And now the axe is laid to the root of the trees,” etc. We cannot say how long he was kept in bondage but he used to tell that the state of his soul for eternity brought him to such a weak state of body that often he had to support himself when outside by the wall. But the time of his deliverance came. We are not in a position to give the portion of Scripture by which he was set at liberty but Mr. Ross proved during his long life that he was “set free with the glorious liberty that is Christ Jesus.” He kept a straight course and manifested that he was standing on the rock against which the gates of hell could not prevail.
At the age of seventeen years he made known to his father, who was an eminently godly man and one of the elders of the late Rev. George MacLeod’s Session, that he desired to come forward as a member in full communion. His wise father advised him to delay. He, however, appeared and was heartily received both by minister and elders. During his long life he proved himself a faithful witness on behalf of Christ’s cause and truth to the last. He often related the pleasant and profitable times he used to enjoy at the Creich communions to which he regularly went where he met many of the eminently godly men and women.
In 1890 he was appointed a Colporteur under the Religious Tract Society and travelled much in that capacity through Lewis and Harris when he made the acquaintance of many of God’s people. In 1893, when the infamous Declaratory Act was passed, he had no hesitation in casting in his lot with Revs. D. Macfarlane and Macdonald when they refused to submit to that Act. The claims of God’s law and his conscience had more authority with Sandy Ross than all the plausible arguments of the enemies of truth. He was enabled by the grace of God to cast himself and his family upon the Lord who promised that “they that truly seek Him shall not lack any good” (Ps. xxxiv. 10).
The Free Presbyterian fathers saw that here was a man who was worthy of all confidence and endowed with a large measure of natural ability seasoned with grace so they appointed him as missionary to North Uist where he was highly respected and appreciated especially by the Lord’s people. He also had severe troubles in that congregation from some who finally proved they were chaff driven by the wind. After labouring in North Uist for about nine years he was appointed missionary at Stronde, Harris, under the West Coast Mission but being dissatisfied with the rules and regulations of that mission he finally resigned and became a missionary under the jurisdiction of the Free Presbyterian Church. In 1907 his beloved wife, who was a God-fearing woman, was called away to her everlasting rest, while he was left with a young infant. This was a sore trial to him but the Lord was to him according to His promise: “Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress.” In 1924, owing to the frailties of old age, he retired and came to reside at his old home in Braes, Ullapool, where he was of much help to his minister and kirk-session. Latterly, he became stone deaf, but continued to attend the public means of worship, and would say: “I would like to set an example to others.” It was an inspiration to the speaker in the pulpit to see his smiling face in the lateran.
During his last day his eyesight failed so that he could not read God’s Word nor other sound books of which he was very fond. He was particularly well read in Puritan Theology and could entertain visitors with precious notes from these authors. But the time of his departure had come, and on 18th April, 1946, Alexander Ross heard the joyful summons, “Come up higher.” So ended the life of this faithful witness. The Free Presbyterian Church has reason to mourn the removal of this godly man. May the Lord raise up witnesses to fill the vacant places made on the walls of Sion. We desire to extend our sincere sympathies with his sons and daughter who are left to mourn their loss. May the God of their father be their God.—N. M.