THE subject of this obituary was born in Sandwick, a village in the parish of Stornoway, where she spent her whole life. She was the daughter of Donald Maclean, a native of Skye and a man who feared the Lord greatly. His wife died a comparatively young woman, and Catherine made it her duty to stay with her father, before and after she married. Her regard for her father made this a pleasant duty to her. She married at the age of twenty-one years a Kenneth Morrison, a young man of twenty-two years of age, and they were happily married for many years.
Mrs. Morrison began to follow the means of grace when she was a young woman, and on one occasion she was as far afield as Portree, Skye, at a Communion. In those days transport facilities were not as advanced as they are to-day, so that one is inclined to think that only a desire for the bread of life would induce her to cross the Minch in order to attend a Communion season. In her own native island, she attended the Communion seasons in the different parishes as domestic and other circumstances permitted, but she had a special regard for Ness, as it was there she first entertained a hope that she had passed from death to life.
She was not one who talked much of her religion, but she loved to exchange Christian experiences with those in whom she had confidence that they were the Lord’s people. The writer recalls when he and the late Mr. Neil Nicolson called on her. She was then near the end of her pilgrimage, but wonderfully active in both body and mind. In listening to those two believers in conversation, one was impressed by their mutual dread of sin. Their hope was in the one sacrifice, even Christ. That was their only hope, and it was immovable although they seemed more sensible of its weakness than of its strength.
Mrs. Morrison was of a very modest disposition, and through grace her knowledge of herself made her little in her own estimation. She was, however, faithful to her principles and a loyal member of the Church for many years.
It is worthy of note that while she could read neither Gaelic nor English, she practically remembered the whole Bible, and would correct any mistake when she heard the word read. It would seem that she had a most retentive memory, and this compensated for the lack of the art of reading. She was a most intelligent woman, but her opportunity to acquire education in her youth was hampered by the fact that she was obliged to keep house for her father. Besides, the means of acquiring education was not what it is to-day. Her name may well be recorded among the honourable, of whom there were not a few in the Free Presbyterian Church.
The whole Bible was precious to her, but there were certain passages which were more so than others. Among the latter were the 118th Psalm, particularly the sixth verse, the 119th Psalm, and the 12th chapter of Hebrews. These portions of God’s Word she loved to hear read to her, because her soul was, in a peculiar manner, fed by them.
For some considerable time after she entertained a good hope for eternity, she had not the strength to make a public profession of her faith in Christ, but when the time came she was given the needed strength to own her Lord publicly.
Mrs. Morrison adorned her profession by a life truly worthy of the Gospel. In walk and conversation she was exemplary. Although she lived to the good old age of 86 years, the end came somewhat suddenly. She and her daughter Mrs. Mackenzie, who tenderly nursed her in her old age, were preparing to go to the North Uist Communion, when she had a seizure, and after a few days she passed away to join the redeemed of the Lord in heaven.
To her daughter, who dutifully looked after her, and to the rest of the family, we extend our sympathy. May they, like her, be enabled to make choice of the good part that shall not be taken from them.—D. C.
Christ and Satan divide the world. Christ will bear no equal, and Satan no superior, and therefore thou canst not hold in with both.—Gurnall.