THE Southern Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland resolves to place on record its deep sense of the great loss which has been sustained through the death of Rev. Neil MacIntyre, Edinburgh.
In his early manhood Mr. MacIntyre was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. Shortly afterwards he began to study for the ministry and was a student at the time the infamous Declaratory Act was passed in the Free Church. He gave his wholehearted support to those who opposed that Act, and when the Free Presbyterian Church was formed in 1893 none was more pleased than he to cast in his lot with those who felt they owed it to God and to their fellow-men to separate from the Declaratory Act Free Church which had so grievously departed from the Word of God. Some who promised well at that time, and whom Mr. MacIntyre regarded as true friends, showed afterwards by separating from the Free Presbyterian Church that they had never grasped the real significance of the testimony which was raised by the Rev. Donald Macfarlane and the Rev. Donald Macdonald in 1893.
Mr. MacIntyre, however, proved all along that the Cause of Christ was more precious to him than having the friendship of mere men and he could not therefore follow them in the wrong step they had taken.
Before going to Edinburgh as the minister of our congregation there, Mr. MacIntyre had been in Stornoway for 15 years and in Glendale—his first charge—for nine years. During those years he experienced much hardship in fulfilling his duties as a minister of the Gospel, for travelling facilities were not then what they are now, and this hardship no doubt contributed to the indifferent state of health in which he was when he became the minister of our Edinburgh congregation, but, with the good hand of the Lord upon him, he was restored and continued afterwards to labour in Christ’s vineyard for 27 years.
As a preacher of the Everlasting Gospel, he declared the whole counsel of God without fear or favour. There was no attempt on his part of being eloquent, or of adopting excellency of speech, but he presented the truth in a plain, simple, deliberate manner. His sermons were well thought out, and, as he had the gift of spiritualising in no ordinary measure, some were able to remember what they heard from him and to meditate thereon to their comfort and edification. His preaching was doctrinal, practical and experimental, and the Lord’s people throughout our Church were refreshed and encouraged by his careful handling of the Word. He was a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. For a considerable time he was Clerk to the Western Presbytery, and also for some time Clerk to the Southern Presbytery. While in the Parish of Duirinish, Skye, Mr. MacIntyre served for a number of years on the School Board of that Parish, also on the Stornoway School Board. He served the Free Presbyterian Church in Canada, travelling as far west as Winnipeg, and his labours there were highly appreciated by those who loved the Gospel and the “good old ways” of the Lord. He was a man who never hesitated to bear public testimony in defence of God’s Word, whether in the pulpit, at public meetings, or travelling about in the world. He served his master, Christ.
After the death of that most eminent servant of Christ—the Rev. Neil Cameron—Mr. MacIntyre was appointed Convener of the Jewish and Foreign Mission Committee and gave it excellent service.
He was of a cheerful disposition, and though he was much disabled during the last two years of his life he endured his affliction most patiently and showed cheerful resignation to the will of God.
When it became known on the 12th September that he had passed away, at the ripe age of 86 years, there was much mourning throughout the Church, and particularly in those congregations where he had laboured for many years with much acceptance and where he was greatly beloved.
We extend to his widow and family our heartfelt sympathy in the great loss sustained by them in particular, and by our Church in general.