The subject of this obituary notice was looked on by everybody as an outstanding Christian. Not that he considered himself to be such, for he had a very poor opinion of himself, “esteeming others better than himself,” which was according to Scripture. Like Mary, he always wanted to be contemplating eternal truth: not that he was oblivious of the need to look after the secular side of the Cause of Christ, in which he showed greater interest than many.
Having the privilege of being brought up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” under the tuition of his godly father, who on the Sabbath made a practice of explaining God’s Word to the family, as they read in succession, he seems to have had his understanding opened very early in his life, and to have been given a relish for the truth which was unique. Talk about the world made him soon weary, and he longed to get some companion who would answer his questions about spiritual realities.
Having never left the family roof tree, he was not exposed to temptations from the godless world, and was kept from many snares which Satan has for youth: not that he was ignorant of the enemy’s devices, and especially the power of unbelief in his own heart. He was often harassed and cast down by the fiery darts of the devil, but the Word of God would come to raise him up again, so that he knew the joy of the Holy Ghost, as well as melancholy. He was not allowed, like Moab, to settle on his lees, but was poured from vessel to vessel.
When he was only 20, his health broke down, so that the world was embittered to him, and he saw more than many that one thing was needful, and that worldly ambitions and hopes were only froth and unsubstantial things. Being a victim of more than one complaint, he suffered severely, but this only reminded him of the Saviour’s sufferings. He was a friend in whom one could confide, and who could give wise counsel.
His father, who regretted that he did not follow Rev. Donald Macfarlane in 1893, warned his family to follow the Church that followed the Word of God. This advice Donald followed to the end, giving directions concerning the funeral service, that if the minister was away from home when he died that one of our men was to take the service and another to sing. His father was a noted precentor, so that the family were well versed in the tunes of the psalms. When the long expected and lamented death at length took place, it was Mr. Archibald Robertson, Tain, who happened to be in charge of the congregation and conducted the funeral service of one who had been a great saint.
The writer’s earliest picture of him who is now at his rest was of a young man leading an old blind man to the means of grace. He was eyes to the blind, and the blind man was his spiritual counsellor, whom he led by the hand, as he was totally blind. It is said of the latter that he never complained notwithstanding his many strokes from the rod.
All he would say was that he did not get what he deserved on account of sin. Yet two of his sons were killed in the Great War of 1914-18, then he lost a son at home, and his wife. There was a whole crop of godly elders at Uist as well as members who were worthy of the name, and John Macdonald, Kyles, was the last of that generation.
We believe that these two worthies, who were like David and Jonathan, are now where there is no blindness, nor any infirmities; and when they appear on the great day they will be swift witnesses against all in Uist who live and die without seeking Christ and Him crucified. What will dancing and concerts and money-making do for the soul of man, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? We would express our deepest sympathy with the family left to mourn at home and abroad. May they get grace to follow the example of a brother who loved the House of God on Sabbath and week-day, and, like Mary, who did what he could for the Cause of Christ.—
D. J. Macaskill.