MRS. MACDONALD, “Englewood,” Stornoway (better known to her friends as Deenie Bain), was born in the town of Stornoway on 28th October, 1860, and died in the same town on 7th January, 1950, thus attaining to the good old age of ninety years. Nevertheless, of her mother in particular, she could say like Jacob, “The days of the years of my life have not attained unto the days of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.”
Mrs. Macdonald’s father, Kenneth Bain, was a well-known building contractor in the town. Her mother, Catherine Morrison, was a most pious woman: she and Mrs. Dannie Maciver, Laxdale (grandmother of the Rev. D. J. MacAskill, North Uist), were often together and devoted much of their time ministering to the temporal and spiritual needs of the poor of the flock. For this they earned for themselves the title of “deaconesses” from Mrs. Macdonald, with whom her mother lived during the latter part of her life and whom she affectionately nursed to the end.
The Bain family, of which Mrs. Macdonald was the only daughter, were well-known in the town of Stornoway. Of her four brothers, three predeceased her, and the only surviving member of the family is Mr. John Bain, Chicago, U.S.A. Mrs. Macdonald was married in 1896 to Mr. Murdo Macdonald, Cooper, and—to use the words of one who knew her well—she was happy and contented in her married life.
We are not able to say when a saving change took place in the life of Mrs. Macdonald, but none of the Lord’s people would doubt that such a change did take place. It must surely have been when she was a comparatively young woman, as she often spoke of visits to communions in the neighbouring parishes. Of special interest was her account of her first visit to a communion in Ness. Not knowing the way very well, she and her companion decided to follow a man with horse and cart who happened to be going there. When they arrived, after walking a distance of over 30 miles, they were introduced to friends there by the driver of the cart who referred to them as those who were in quest of the gospel.
From an experience she once related to the present writer, it would appear that, for some considerable time after she enjoyed the liberty of the gospel, she seemed to be more sensible of the love of Christ than of the fears and doubts to which, in common with more matured Christians, she was subjected in the latter years of her pilgrimage. The experience referred to concerned an incident at a Fellowship meeting in North Tolsta. One of the “men,” when speaking, enlarged on the trial which the corruption of his nature was to the believer. On that way she had not yet been taken, and so was saying within herself, “What kind of a man is that?” But she had not long to wait, however, until she could well understand what the experienced Christian meant, and the exercises of that day proved afterwards to be useful to her when, as often she was, tossed and tempted by manifold temptations.
Mrs. Macdonald was apparently a member in the old Free Church and adorned her profession with a consistent life. She had a very affectionate regard for her late pastor, Rev. M. Gillies, because her soul was fed under his preaching; and, like many others, she felt keenly his unexpected death. On the last Sabbath Mr. Gillies preached, she was in Church, although it was a stormy day, and on the way home a friend said to her, “We are not sorry we went out to-day.” “Oh,” she said, “Cha chumadh an t-Arm Dearg mise stigh an diugh” (the Red Army could not keep me in to-day). That shows how much she enjoyed the services of the day, which will long be remembered by others also who were present. She got in that service, at least in a measure, what was her aim in life and constant portion in the beginning of her pilgrimage: namely, a sense of the Lord’s gracious presence. The impression made by the text and the sermon never left her mind; and, only a few days before she passed away, she asked her daughters to read to her the thirty-fifth chapter of Isaiah, the tenth verse of which was the text from which Mr. Gillies preached on the day referred to. On her death-bed, the words of the fortieth Psalm were constantly on her lips.
Mrs. Macdonald was of a cheerful disposition and very witty. She preferred to make her troubles known to the Lord alone, although she loved to exchange Christian experiences with the Lord’s people whom she knew. To hear her thus engaged was both edifying and pleasant. She did not like to hear the Lord’s people evil-spoken of, and when she heard anything adverse said concerning them she would quote from Psalm 147: “He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.” This did not mean that she connived at wrong-doing: she would not hesitate to express her mind when she deemed it her duty to do so, even although it would cause resentment. The writer recalls an occasion when the late Neil Nicholson and himself called on her. The conversation soon turned to the subject of “perseverance unto the end.” The older a believer grows the more convinced he becomes that it is by grace alone we can be saved. By the time the discussion had ended, these two aged Christians confessed that, despite their own spiritual barrenness, they could not go back to the world but their desire was to press forward to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. They were tired of themselves: they longed to be with Christ: and they are with Him now.
Mrs. Macdonald was a very industrious person, yet she made it her business to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,” believing the promise of the Master that “all these things will be added unto you.” So far as creature comforts were concerned, she lacked for nothing, and was given to hospitality. Those she particularly liked to receive into her home were the Lord’s people: to them she extended a warm welcome. By her attendance on the public means of grace, she set a noble example to others: she would be there when one wondered how she had the physical strength to come. Latterly, she did as little work as possible to conserve her strength in order that she might be able to attend the Prayer meeting and Sabbath services.
By the removal of Mrs. Macdonald, the cause of Christ generally, and the Stornoway congregation in particular, has lost a true friend. The departure, however, has been to a better country, even an heavenly. The end was marked by a hope which was founded on the Rock against which the gates of hell cannot prevail.
To her two daughters who dutifully nursed her, and to her brother overseas, we offer our sympathy. May her God be their God.—D. C.