THE above was one of our members in North Uist. The writer made enquiries as to when the good work began in her, but all that could be ascertained was that she feared the Lord from her youth. Her father was a noted Christian. So it is likely she would have been brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. This seems to have been blessed to her, unlike some who saw a good example in their homes, but who became apostates from all religion. It is said that one would not be long in her company when she would make known by her conversation that she was one who feared and obeyed the Lord. Not only was she very circumspect in her personal life, but she commanded her family to be good to the Lord’s people and the ministers.
Unlike many parents, she was concerned about the souls of her children. She would like them to get Christ as well as herself. Being a good singer, she taught them to sing the songs of Zion. As regards steadfastness and loyalty to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and all that it stands for, no one could find fault with her. Having obtained a ripe old age, she had seen better days in Uist than these in which we live.
Before 1893, the constitution of the Free Church was unimpaired, resting solidly on the Word of God and the Westminster Confession of Faith, as her subordinate standard. Thousands used to congregate at Craig Hastein, from as far south as Barra, and from Bernera and Harris. Now the crowds can only be gathered by a pipe-band from Barra, and the annual Highland Games, which are held on Hosta Machair.
Mrs. Macuish was one who “washed the saints’ feet.” She counted it a privilege to show hospitality to strangers. The writer was under her roof, and experienced the warm, Christian atmosphere of her home. The congregation at Sollas was quite large originally. Mrs. Macuish was the last of our female members there, so there is great need that the Lord would raise others to fill her place as a witness in the “cloudy and dark day.” The North Uist congregation was very large in 1893, when about 300 came out of Paible Free Church, to maintain intact the Reformed Church of Scotland as by law established in 1560. Many went to eternity. Some went to the New World as emigrants. Not many retraced their steps to Paible.—D. J. Macaskill.