“AND many others ministered to him of their substance.” Unlike Queen Esther and Doreas, the names of these women who ministered to the Lord are not given, and the particular form of their ministrations is not mentioned, but we are told that there were “many” of them. Of those whose services pass unrecorded the number is still a large one, and the ministrations of the “many” often consists of no more than the doing of many small and apparently insignificant things for Christ. Yet the “cups of cold water” and the unknown helpers who met Paul at Appii Forum must not be permitted to pass unnoticed. Very often, the main contribution of these good people to the cause of Christ is found in what they are, rather than in what they give. Even when their gifts are on a lavish scale this is true. A personality made gracious by the Holy Spirit is a constant contribution to the cause of Christ. The influence of such a person is difficult to measure. It is like a perfume: difficult to catch and contain in words. We are definitely and pleasurably aware of its presence, and we register its absence by a sharp sense of loss, but we find it difficult to explain our reasons for these reactions. It is in this company of reserved, and hidden and helpful Christians we find the late Mrs. Brown, Oban.
The Church of Christ is deeper in debt to Christians of this order than is known. Though less striking and less noticeable than others, their services are nevertheless most positive. They are positive because they are constant in their bearing on some side of Christian living. In the presence of a quiet, humble, patient and gracious person like Mrs. Brown, the uprisings of fallen nature in fellow Christians were constantly rebuked and discouraged. The rash word, the censorious remark, the prideful assertion, the unbelieving complaint and the boastful look found rebuke and condemnation in the sweet restraint of her presence. The “ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” was carried by her, on a scale so large, that the little gods of fallen nature found themselves ousted and silenced.
Mrs. Brown’s parents were natives of Kishorn—Gillanders to name—and they removed to South Harris in pursuit of their labour in the Gospel. Her father was a West Coast missionary, and her mother was a Bible woman. The Lord largely used Christians of this stamp in a past age as leaders in Highland communities, and thus it will be seen that Mrs. Brown was brought up under the shadow of a virile and sturdy Christianity. After qualifying as a teacher, Mrs. Brown occupied various posts in the country. In 1911 she married Captain John Brown and came to reside in Oban.
In 1917 Mrs. Brown came before the Session with the intention of making a public profession, and spoke of the encouragement given to her by the words, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” We know that to the end this wonderful keeping was on her profession. At a later date she took over the duties of Sabbath School teacher in Oban, and it is gratifying to remember, that she was made recipient of a gift, in token of love and gratitude, by her former Sabbath School pupils.
On its arrival, old age brought among other changes, that of loss of memory to Mrs. Brown, and it was often distressing to notice her efforts to find the correct word in conversation. Yet she never complained. I remarked one day that there would be no loss of memory in Heaven. Her reply showed that this had been a question which had exercised her mind. “No, there will be loss of nothing in Heaven, for we shall see Him as He is and be like Him, perfect in every way, and the memory of His goodness great they largely shall express.” This was said with her face beaming with holy appreciation.
I suppose that from their position in the pulpit most ministers are witnesses to happenings, sometimes sorrowful and sometimes joyful in congregations, and at a Communion service two years ago it was our privilege to view what must have been a measure of that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory. At 80 years of age, Captain J. Brown came forward for membership, and he and Mrs. Brown went to the table together. One will not soon forget the radiance of Mrs. Brown’s tear-stained face as together they came away from the ordinance. We believe that in this experience of a new unity with her husband in his declining years, her cup was full and running over. For her, a long period of prayerful waiting came to an end that day.
When her condition became worse, kind friends in Kishorn took her there to nurse her. It soon became clear that she required more expert nursing, and she returned to Oban and entered the hospital there. She lingered only a few days after her return, and died in her 75th year. We may not speak of her removal as death, rather we think of it as a transplantation. A rose among thorns, now a rose among roses, and eternally before the Sun. A transplantation by the Father’s hand.
We desire in this public way, to extend our sympathy to all relatives, especially Mrs. Brown’s husband, who is now a very lonely old man. We recall for him that precious promise, once her staff, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”; and pray that the Lord’s loving companionship therein made sure to her, may be his increasing experience during the remainder of his days here.—J. T.