THE late Hector Maclean died at the Swordale Institute, Bonarbridge, on the 16th of February, 1951, having reached the age of about eighty-three years. This worthy man went to his everlasting rest, while his body rests in the grave until the resurrection. His removal by death is a sore bereavement to his widow, who is a great sufferer for many years now, but is well cared for in the same Institute in which Hector died. Both went there some time ago from their house in Dingwall, when Mrs. Maclean became an invalid.
We are not able to obtain much information as to his spiritual experience when awakened by the Holy Spirit to concern about his soul. He belonged to the Waternish district of Skye, and in his early days went to the East Coast fishing, and served in steamers trading around the West Coast. He laboured in southern parts of the land on going to Glasgow and the parts around. He was known to be exceptionally strong, and was naturally of a fiery disposition. Companions, we are told, were generally afraid of him. On being awakened with regard to the salvation of his immortal soul, he underwent acute distress—so much so, we are informed, that his wife feared that he was deranged in mind. How his bands were untied we do not know, but he evidently got from the Lord the holy liberty of the gospel, and was so esteemed by men of discernment in St. Jude’s congregation that he was asked to engage in prayer at their Saturday evening prayer meeting before he became a member in full communion.
After various changes of abode, he came to reside in Dingwall. His first wife died previous to his coming here. After living alone for a considerable period, he married again—his wife being like-minded with him in the faith. It was an affliction to them both when her health gave way to such an extent that she required to be removed to Bonarbridge for care and nursing.
Our late friend was a most diligent visitor of the aged and frail, both of our denomination and others. Many invalid and aged persons looked forward to his visits. He began to engage in prayer in English with those who could not understand Gaelic, and this was much appreciated by them. He was really much loved of his brother elders and of the congregation. He was a most edifying speaker at fellowship meetings. He lived in the fear of the Lord all the day long. “To be nigh unto God,” says Owen, “and to be like Him are the same. To be always with Him, and perfectly like Him, according to the capacity of our nature, is to be eternally blessed. To live by faith in the contemplation of the glory of Christ is that initiation into both whereof we are capable in this world.” Such a statement would be cordially rejoiced in by Hector Maclean.
His widow has our sincere sympathy in the loss of such a godly partner. May many be raised up to love God’s name and cause as he did!
—D. A. Macf.