MRS. Campbell was the daughter of William Macleod, one of our late Elders in North Tolsta. Her mother was also a member of our Church and they both belonged to that excellent band of Christian men and women, who originally formed the Free Presbyterian Congregation of North Tolsta. Mrs. Campbell had therefore the privilege of being brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The character of her piety, however, depended more than on what man could give. That the Holy Spirit was the Author of the change wrought in her was too evident to be doubted. She came under the power of the truth when quite young, and made a public profession soon after her marriage. Before doing so, she did not confer with flesh and blood but went to the Session without even the knowledge of her own husband and that worthy man acknowledged afterwards that seeing her rising for the first time to the Lord’s Table was the means of awakening himself to a realization of his own need of that good part which his wife had now chosen. Not long after that, he made a public profession himself and they both adorned their profession with a quiet and meek spirit. The late Norman Mackay, Elder, St. Jude’s, Glasgow, said on one occasion that Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell were the brightest couple he ever met. Mrs. Campbell had her own share of the trials and troubles of this life and she was no stranger to the temptations of the evil one.
She had an illness, which was followed by nine years of bondage. To this period she used to refer as the “black-out” in her life. She was very much cast down at the time but was wonderfully sustained through it all. She could say, “Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him.” She was not able to attend the public means of grace herself at the time but never kept her husband from doing so although often severely tempted to do so, and during the years of her activity not one night passed but she made him rise to pray during the night. While passing through temptation she had need of the whole armour of God to stand against the wiles of the devil for she indeed wrestled against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Deliverance came quite unexpectedly. “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and break their bands in sunder.” The Lord restored to her the joy of His salvation and she seemed to have retained a sense of that joy until she finished her course here. Her body regained sufficient strength to take her to the House of God and she anew dedicated herself to the Lord and His service. For the few years she had strength to do so, she attended all the communions on the island and reached as far as Finsbay, Harris. Although the distance from North Tolsta to Finsbay is not long, one who saw Mrs. Campbell in her depressed state of mind would deem it a miracle to see her so far away and strong enough to go farther. One who had not seen her in darkness would not think that she had been so cast down, as she was a cheerful type of Christian. The Lord’s people were her people and it was truly refreshing to meet her in her own house or elsewhere. Her conversation, always profitable, was almost invariably of a spiritual nature. Her joy at communion seasons was enhanced by the presence of the Lord’s people although it did not consist in that alone for she looked to a higher source for the cause of her joy. She had the secret of the Lord and prayed much. Only matured Christians could understand the exercise of her soul and one felt more inclined to listen than to speak in her presence. Towards the end she rejoiced in the prospect of going home to be with Him, whom she loved above all others.
She passed away about two years ago at the age of seventy years to possess that joy, which is unspeakable and full of glory. To her son and his wife, who most affectionately nursed her to the end, as well as to her other relatives we offer our sympathy and pray that they also through faith and patience may inherit the promises. Her husband died last January.—D.C.