While it is true that the Lord’s people are in this world only while the Holy Spirit is preparing them for a better country, even an heavenly one, those who knew and loved them in the Lord miss them when they are taken away and feel the world a different place without them. The Lord, however, has first claim on His own, being His by right not only of creation but also of redemption. It is now over four years since the subject of this obituary finished the race set before her, and those who knew her best should have no hesitation in saying that she ran it with patience, looking unto Jesus. She is missed, not only by her own nearest relatives but by her many friends, who, though not related to her by earthly ties, knew her in the Lord. Mrs. Mackay was born in the parish of Halkirk, Caithness, on 23rd March, 1885, and was a member of a highly respected family in that parish. She had a Christian upbringing, which as she herself often acknowledged, was a great asset to her when she had to face the world in pursuit of her business. She always held the view that the best preparation for this world itself was a thorough grounding in the glorious doctrines of the Bible, maintaining that in this way uprightness of character was unconsciously formed. By this she did not mean that man’s own works were enough to prepare him for eternity, but as one who had a clear understanding of the doctrine of God’s Word she insisted that all and sundry should conform to all moral and gospel precepts as these are revealed in the Bible.
Few knew better than Mrs. Mackay that Christian education, however salutary in its effect on those fortunate enough to receive it, must not take the place of the saving work of the Holy Spirit in the soul of man. For she had the most conclusive proof from her own experience that she was by nature a stranger to grace and to God. Until the Lord’s time came to call her from darkness to light Mrs. Mackay deemed it her main business to improve her position in the world, and, being endowed with capabilities not indiscriminately bestowed, her efforts in that direction were not in vain. Nevertheless, the time came when she realised that it will not profit a man though he gain the whole world and lose his soul. Being convinced of her sins, she discovered that she must know Christ as her Saviour or perish. Because she knew from deep experience that she could not be saved by her own good works, she loved and admired the doctrine of salvation by grace. Those who handled this doctrine best were her favourite authors. Consequently she had great regard for Thomas Boston’s works. His treatment of the four-fold state of the believer was particularly precious to her. The Shorter Catechism was also precious to her, and she not only had its words in her memory but its doctrines in her heart. Some will, as long as their memory lasts, remember with pleasure those Sabbath afternoons in her home when the whole household, round her fireside, each individual in turn repeated the answers to the Shorter Catechism. It was a pleasant and profitable exercise to those who desired to lay up the doctrines of God’s Word in their hearts.
When she came to enjoy the liberty of the gospel for the first time, the writer has been unable to find out, but it would seem to have been some time before she came to live in Edinburgh. When she was looking for a house there she expressed the wish to get one near Tolleross. Those of her friends who were not of the Church but interested in her temporal welfare, not knowing better, wondered why near Tolleross. Her reason was to be near the Free Presbyterian Church there. By this time Christ was precious to her soul, and she highly valued the public testimony of that Church. She had real heart attachment to the noble stand made in defence of the Truth by the late Rev. Donald Macfarlane and those associated with him in 1893, and she never wavered in her loyalty to the testimony then raised. When the late Rev. J. R. Mackay left the Free Presbyterian Church to join the Free Church she was sorely tried but Acts v. 38, decided for her what her duty was. Some time after she came to live in Edinburgh she was married to Mr. James Mackay, an Elder of the congregation, by whom she is still survived, and they lived happily together for many years, during which time they had an open door for the Lord’s people. Many who are now in heaven were entertained under their hospitable roof, especially during communion seasons, when many happy hours of gospel fellowship were enjoyed by those who loved the ways of Zion. Mrs. Mackay gave generously of her means towards the maintenance of the Cause of Christ. She was one whose position was clear to all for she never hesitated to give her mind especially when she considered the glory of God and His Word were at stake. We believe that others never doubted but she was a witness for Christ in this world. The ungodliness of her day and generation grieved her very much.
For years her health showed signs of deteriorating but she was able to carry on until not long before the end. Everything possible was done to prolong her life but her days were numbered, and on 26th October, 1950, she passed away to be with the Lord, whom her soul loved. Her removal was a loss to the Cause of Christ generally but particularly to the Free Presbyterian congregation of Edinburgh. Others who took a real interest in the congregation followed her since, and we think it proper to pay tribute to their memory here. Among them were Mr. Day and Mr. A. Maclean, both of whom were Treasurers in the congregation at one time. Mrs. Mackay would love her name to be associated with all those who did what they could to set up and maintain the Cause of Christ in the Free Presbyterian congregation of Edinburgh. We feel bound to record her high esteem and regard for the pious ministers and “men” whom she met in the Church. Among the ministers we would mention the late Revs. Donald Macfarlane and Neil Cameron, and among the men Captain MacLeod, whose apt illustrations and pithy statements she often repeated. While a lot more could be written of Mrs. Mackay, we must end our tribute to her memory with the foregoing. To her bereaved husband and son, as well as to other relatives, we offer our sincerest sympathy. To those who follow in her footsteps we say—Continue steadfast in the faith, and to those who are strangers to her God, we say—Seek the Lord while He may be found.—D. Campbell.