This Christian woman passed to her eternal rest on the 27th day of August, 1953, in the Royal Northern Infirmary, Inverness, after a prolonged illness, which was patiently borne. She was born in the year 1882 of respectable and industrious parents, in the township of Strath, Gairloch, where she spent practically the whole of her life. Miss Mackenzie was exemplary in her conduct from her youth. As a girl she used to carry her New Testament in her pinafore, and read it for herself in secret places. As far as we can gather she underwent a saving change early in life, long before she came forward to the Lord’s Table.
The way she came to have the assurance that she was one of Christ’s redeemed ones was in this way, as she herself told to a friend some years before she died. The late Rev. N. Cameron, Glasgow, delivered a sermon in the Church at Gairloch based on the words: “Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards” (Song iv. 8). She thoroughly enjoyed the preaching that day, and felt that her case was delineated as if the preacher knew it. She, however, would like to have a clearer evidence of her faith in Christ. The Lord condescended to grant the desire of her heart, and it was on the doorstep, as she was leaving the Church that day, when the words: “My beloved is mine, and I am His” (Song ii. 16) came with such extraordinary power that she felt that she had by faith embraced Christ and him crucified as her Saviour for ever, and that He laid hold of her in love and mercy. Her joy was great—it was the joy of heaven and “the love of her espousals” that filled her heart to overflowing that day. At what period of her life this happened we cannot say exactly, but we are led to understand she was comparatively young.
She was admitted as a member in full communion with the Church about 38 years ago, during the ministry of the late Rev. Duncan Mackenzie, who, it is said, gave her a very high place as a pious young woman as she was then.
Miss Mackenzie was since we knew her, a period of 20 years, subject to turns of depression due to the insatiable cruelty and malice of Satan. When her place would be seen vacant in the house of God one could then conclude she was being assaulted by the wiles and fiery darts of the Devil. Invariably one of her temptations was that it would not be to the benefit of the congregation for the like of her, a great sinner, to come among them, that even her presence would keep the Lord’s blessing away. She would sometimes come as far as the Church or Prayer-meeting Hall and then wonder should she really go in or turn home. When thus hesitating perhaps some friend would come along who would give her a word of encouragement and she would go in. But when the Devil was Bella’s accuser, Christ was her advocate to whose mediation and intercession her oft deliverance must alone be ascribed. She, however, had her happy seasons, and enjoyed the fellowship of her Saviour and of his people and her pleasant smile indicated the inward frame of her heart. She could be a source of strength and encouragement, and often was, to other weak ones when they needed it. “I remember well,” a lifelong friend of hers said, “her wise and encouraging advices and remarks, for she had a warm place in her heart for anyone who would show the least sign of being on Christ’s side.”
We believe that she is now beyond the reach of the adversary who filled her soul with disquieting and doubtful thoughts at times. But she could say: “When I am weak, then am I strong,” and this strength was due to the good foundation of the everlasting merits of her dear Saviour. She is now with him and like him.
“Then are they glad, because at rest
And quiet now they be:
So to the haven he them brings
Which they desir’d to see.”
—(Metrical Psalm cvii. 30.)
The congregation lost a true friend and an earnest wrestler at the Throne of Grace. The remaining members of her father’s family, two brothers and one sister, we commend to the grace of God.—A. B.