LILIES GATHERED FROM HALKIRK CONGREGATION.
In the Song of Solomon, chapter six, verse 2, we read, “My beloved is gone down into His garden to gather lilies.” The day of death is a gathering day to the redeemed children of God. They were graciously drawn to Christ in the day of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and when ripe He gathers them into His own bosom. He gathers when and where He pleaseth, for who can stay His sovereign hand? The garden of the Church in our land was beautiful and fragrant with many lilies, and their removal leaves the garden more desolate. Gathered from the Church below to the Church above, they had the savour of the Gospel in their walk, life, and conversation. They leave weeping dear ones behind but they join the wonderful company of “the general assembly and Church of the first-born that are written in heaven, the spirits of just men made perfect.”
All of Christ’s lilies are not planted in a place of equal prominence in the garden of the Church. Some grow in hidden corners, while others occupy conspicuous places in the world.
Recently the Lord gathered lilies from Halkirk congregation, and here we write briefly of the following who were esteemed as such.
THE LATE MISS ANNIE MACADIE, GERSTON.
Although of the seed of the righteous, she did not and could not inherit grace but was like all the fallen race of Adam, in a far off state until drawn to Christ by “the cords of a man, with bands of love.” Her early years were spent at Appat, Scotscalder, later at Brawlbins, and latterly at Gerston, Halkirk. She was a member in full communion for the last 28 years of her life. She was of a quiet, reserved disposition, and thus spoke little of her spiritual experience, but although her words were few her actions showed a genuine love to the cause of Christ. With the Psalmist she could say—”The habitation of thy house, Lord, I have loved well; Yea, in that place I do delight, where doth thine honour dwell.”
The Sabbath before her death she occupied her place in the house of God, and again at the weekly meeting. Her end came quickly and she passed away at the advanced age of 92 years, to be “with Christ, which is far better,” leaving two sisters and others to mourn their loss.
THE LATE MISS ELIZABETH MURRAY.
This gracious person was a cousin of the aforementioned, Miss MacAdie, and resided at Scotscalder. Her parents were witnesses for Christ in their day. The ancestors of the MacAdie and Murray families are mentioned in The Ministers and Men in the Far North.
It is a joy to see the seed of the righteous led to walk in the footsteps of godly parents, and a deep grief when it is otherwise.
Elizabeth (and her like-minded late sister, Christina) were received into Church membership about 30 years ago. The work begun in them was carried on and the fruit of it could not be hid. They removed to the village of Halkirk on the death of their brother in 1948. In March last Elizabeth was laid aside. On her sick-bed she quoted Psalm 1, 15, as given to her, “I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorify me,” which at first she took to mean restoration to health, but it soon appeared as meaning her final deliverance from this world.
To her sister, by whom she was lovingly nursed, she quoted from other Psalms and asked the writer to sing the closing verses of Psalm 143. Her departure came peacefully while we were singing Psalm 23, and so this lily was gathered on 13th April to the Church above at the age of 76, leaving a sister and brother to mourn their loss.
THE LATE MISS ELIZABETH CATHARINE SINCLAIR.
This lily, familiarly known as “Cathie,” grew for many years in Glasgow, where she resided for over 40 years. She was born in Wick. Her mother was the late eminent Mrs. Alick Sinclair. At an early age she was received into Church membership, and as a member of St. Jude’s congregation was much respected for her steadfastness and loyalty to principle. Her business ability was seen in her being for many years in charge of a Post Office in Glasgow. She retired to Halkirk, where she enjoyed the fellowship of like-minded relatives, but her time there was soon to end. Symptoms of failing health appeared, and while on a visit to the Mission House, Strathy, she, in the company of her two surviving sisters, became indisposed. It was thought she was recovering, but on the morning of 7th June last she told her dear ones that she was to depart, adding, “I have received the message in Psalm xvii. 5: But as for me, I thine own face in righteousness will see, And with thy likeness, when I wake, I satisfy’d shall be.” And before the day was over she too was gathered home.
These three followers of the Lamb were predeceased by the late Miss Annie Banks, Sinclair Street, who also was a warm-hearted member of the congregation. She was able to keep up an exemplary diligent attendance on the public means of grace almost to the day of her death.
The great day of Judgment will be a gathering day, terrible for the Christless, but glorious for the ransomed of the Lord.
To all who sorrow in each of these bereavements sincere sympathy is extended and may they be abundantly blessed with covenant blessings.—W. Grant.