IN the October issue of the Magazine, there was a notice of the death of the above, and also of the decease of Mr. Charles Sutherland. Both in the east and in the west, the pillars are being taken away by the Lord. This is cause for mourning, although we hope with regard to them that the days of their mourning are ended for ever. Mr. Macuish had a very godly mother. She was well known at Communion seasons in Lewis. She left a good example for all her family to follow. There were not many such mothers in Israel as she was. The upkeep of the Cause of Christ was her chief concern. The subject of this obituary said to the writer on one occasion, when welcoming him to the house, that he never saw a frown on his father’s or his mother’s face to the Lord’s people. He did not have a smooth passage through this world, but it is to be hoped all was for his good.
He married twice and lost both wives as well as some of his children in tragic circumstances, and the shocks which he had sustained shattered his nervous system. Being very industrious and intelligent, he learnt his trade as a baker in Stornoway, and set up a good business at Kintulavaig, but could not carry on owing to his afflictions. However, he recognised the Lord’s hand, and if he had promised himself a paradise down here, he found there was no such for him beneath the stars. His one ambition now was to be a missionary of the Cross as long as he lived. He had been out in Canada and was known to our Church people there. He served at Stoer and Raasay and at Uist for short periods, but most of his labours were in his native island. It could not be said of him that he was lazy or negligent of the House of God. In rain and wind, he would be seen walking miles. He thought nothing of walking to Leverburgh after preaching at Sheilabost and at Finbay. He would rebuke sinners very sternly and for this he was well hated. When the prisoners of war came back from Germany there was a lot of dancing going on against which he testified and was much grieved at the carelessness of the young. An invitation to a dance was once pinned on his gate. As a precentor, he was lively and edifying. In prayer he was interesting and vehement. He had a loud, clear voice and on Fridays at Communion seasons he was listened to by all. He hated flattery and double dealing. Anything he had to say to a person, he would say to the person’s face and not behind one’s back. Every person gave him credit for honesty and truthfulness. He was not perfect, but we hope he is perfect now.
Towards the end of his life, he did not feel well, but conscientiously went to Northton, as there was no one else to open the House of God there. He advised his family, and said he had good hope for himself. The prophecy of Isaiah was precious to him. We believe that he has now gone to his rest, and is enjoying the inheritance of the saints in light. “Then are they glad because at rest and quiet now they be. So to the haven He them brings that they desired to see.” At the comparatively early age of 66, he was taken away from the vineyard down below. It is cause for alarm when so many of those who were useful are taken away from the evil to come. May the Lord repair the breaches on the walls of Zion. It could be said of the deceased that he was a loyal Free Presbyterian, and he did what he could to uphold the Cause of Christ when it was weak in the land. We would express our deepest sympathy with those whom he left behind to mourn his loss.—D. I. Macaskill.