THE removal by death of Kenneth Macdonald was a great loss to the Free Presbyterian cause in Harris and elsewhere, for the activities of our friend were not confined to the Outer Isles. He was known even as far south as London, and I am sure his interest in the Cause of Christ went far beyond London. As one who had gone to France in the 1914-18 war, his outlook was not confined to the United Kingdom. He was a widow’s son, and her main support, but did not make any excuses in order to escape military service, having considered it to be his duty to accept his country’s call to arms in defence of liberty.
He told the writer that he never regretted having done so. His life was miraculously saved when a shell came down and buried him to the neck with earth. He was thought to be dead, but later was found to be alive. He himself narrated his experience when speaking to the Question. His father was a godly man and his mother was also a member in full communion, so it is likely he would have had a religious education, but he himself said his experiences in the war had only hardened him instead of being blessed to him. Nevertheless it was evident that a saving change came over him. We cannot say of any of the Lord’s people that they are perfect until they die and go to Heaven. It is then they are made perfect in holiness and do immediately pass into glory.
When he became a member there were a goodly number of the Lord’s people, men and women, in South Harris. There were plenty of able men that could be asked to speak to the Question on a Friday at the Communion. Towards the end of his life he often remarked that owing to so many witnesses having been taken away to eternity, he was now called upon to speak to the Question earlier than he would otherwise have been. He will be missed as a speaker to the Question, and also as a precentor, unless the Lord arises to fill the breaches of Zion. He was one of the best of precentors, as he sang “with the Spirit and also with the understanding.” Some sing with the Spirit, and that is the main thing, but it is also useful to keep in harmony and not cause discord.
Not only did he know the tunes of the Scottish Psalter, he “could teach others also.” He had it in mind to begin a psalmody class at Northton for the young, but his death intervened. There are many of the young who never sing in Church, but when the vain songs of the world are being sung they will put plenty of energy into it. It is lost energy, for the service of the world will not profit at last. The songs of Zion will never come to an end, whereas the songs and mirth of the world will end in eternal weeping. As Sabbath School teacher, he took a great interest in the young, knowing that the future of the Church lay with them. He faithfully instilled the Shorter Catechism into them, his own son having to learn his task as well as the rest. As regards hospitality, he considered it a privilege to entertain the Lord’s people.
Before his health broke down he had a youthful appearance. He and Peter Macleod were like David and Jonathan in their attachment to each other. “They were lovely and pleasant in their lives and in their death they were not divided”; they were both pillars in the Church of their fathers, as their forebears had been. We believe they are now in the Church above, where the Lord will wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Kenneth was active in all duties pertaining to his Master’s Cause in the world. He was a good friend of the National Bible Society until they changed their constitution, and every other cause that he considered he should support. His loyalty to the Free Presbyterian Church was never doubted. “He being dead yet speaketh,” like Abel. He set his face against youth clubs and all such traps of Satan to catch souls.
Having been ordained an elder along with Mr. Peter Macleod, he fulfilled all his duties as an office-bearer, and was faithful to his vows to contend for the faith, and to assert, maintain and defend the whole doctrine of the Word of God, and the subordinate standards of the Reformed Church of Scotland. He was transferred to Lewis, where he served as a missionary at Achmore and Breasclete. That he was esteemed in these places was shown by the number of friends who travelled in inclement weather to pay their last tribute to the dead. He was buried at Rodel cemetery, near the grave of John Morrison, the Harris blacksmith, and many others of the saints, there to rest till the last trumpet will sound. We would express our deepest sympathy with his widow and son.—D. J. Macaskill.