OUR Helmsdale congregation suffered a felt loss, when death removed from their midst on 14th October, 1946, at the advanced age of 83, Mr. Jas. Innes, a much respected elder. He had already reached the allotted span, when, in 1934, he first made a public profession of his hope and confidence being placed in Christ alone. That a conflict began in his soul a considerable time prior to that could not be said. He was more ready to hear than be heard, and was of a gentle, unassuming disposition. In 1940 he was elected and ordained to the office of elder. He was gifted as a
precentor and was given the spirit of prayer. His occupation was that of the early Galilean followers of the Saviour, a fisherman.
Several years ago he was bereaved of his partner in life, whose whole-hearted attachment to the distinctive testimony of our Church he shared and in this acted characteristically of those who in earlier days in Helmsdale formed one of the first F.P. Congregations in Scotland.
His efforts in old age and failing health to be regularly in the House of God was an encouragement to others, and rebuke to many. He did not despise the day of small things, but mourned the deplorable attitude of the present generation to the claims of God. A day before he passed away, he spoke feelingly on this matter to the writer, with special mention of Helmsdale and neighbouring places. He added with regard to his own soul in prospect of eternity, “I am nothing but Christ is all my life.”
He left two daughters and three sons, bereaved of a praying father, also grandchildren to whom he was devoted. May his pleadings in the past on their behalf be yet answered, to their souls’ salvation, and seen in a loyal discerning adherence to the cause of Christ in these days of sad apostasy.
We sympathetically remember each of them at home and in Canada in their loss.
“Instead of those thy fathers dear,
The children thou mayst take,
And in all places of the earth,
Them noble princes make.”
—W. G.