THE following notes of Rev. John Munro, Halkirk, were taken from The Witness newspaper of 14th April, 1847, and are to be found in the Memorials of the late Rev. Christopher Munro, Strathy.
Mr. Munro was a native of Kiltearn, in Ross-shire, and was descended from ancestors who, in several successive generations, possessed the reputation of eminent piety. The conversion and piety of one of them are particularly described in the memoirs of the celebrated Thomas Hogg, minister of Kiltearn.
Mr. Munro became early the subject of permanent religious impressions; and having at length had his views directed to the ministry of the Gospel, became successively a missionary in Caithness on the Royal Bounty, minister of the Gaelic congregation in Edinburgh, and minister of the parish of Halkirk. At the Disruption, he changed neither his principles nor his flock; but in connection with the Free Church, whose cause he warmly espoused, continued to minister, with the merest fraction of an exception, to the very same congregation.
In the several situations which he thus occupied, his ministrations were highly acceptable to his hearers. They could not fail to recognise in them the instructions and exhortations of a man of God, who knew and felt the truth, and loved their souls. He evidently spoke from the heart, spoke what he believed, what his own soul was full of, and was daily feeding on with delight. This gave a fullness, richness, and heavenly unction to his exhibitions of the truth, which made his person and his ministry to be highly prized, especially by experienced Christians, both in his own congregation and elsewhere.
The effect this produced was greatly heightened by the power and charm which accompanied his presence and conversation in private. His Christian walk was eminently holy and heavenly. What was spiritual was his constant element; and, at the same time, his piety was of the most cheerful and engaging character. He was indeed a delightful companion, and never failed to enliven, in the most edifying and agreeable manner, the domestic and social circle. Happy himself in the enjoyment of the consolations of the Gospel, he seemed to diffuse joy and gladness wherever he went. At communion seasons his presence was much sought; and on these occasions he was himself most of all in his element. He was always particularly happy in his addresses at the communion tables, speaking with much fullness and feeling of his Saviour’s death and love.
He was pre-eminently a man of prayer. He prayed without ceasing; and in his prayers he had much of a public spirit, and evidence was not wanting of the intimacy to which he was admitted, and the interest he possessed at a Throne of Grace.
Another striking feature in the character of this eminent saint was his remarkable submission to the Divine will, accompanied with a filial trust in the Divine goodness. Neither when suffering pain—to severe attacks of which he was subject—nor when otherwise annoyed, was he found to complain. ‘I fear,’ said someone to him on the Sabbath morning of a communion, “this will not be a good day.” “Oh, yes,” he said, “it will be a good day. What the Lord gives will be good; many a good day He gave us, and He will give us a good Eternity.”
Notwithstanding his advanced age, his public ministrations were continued to the very end of his days. He usually preached three times every Sabbath; and he did this on the Wednesday of the National Fast—the last day he was in the pulpit. He was no less indefatigable in the discharge of all his other parochial duties; and as a result of his abundant and faithful labours, it is trusted that not a few have to acknowledge him, not only as their instructor but as their father in Christ Jesus.
On the 25th of March (1847), the day after the Fast, he came into Thurso to attend a meeting of Presbytery; and being suddenly taken ill, was brought to the house of Mr. Taylor, Free Church minister, where he remained till his death, which took place that day week. During his illness his mind was quite collected to the last; and the manner in which he endured his sufferings, and looked forward to death, was such as might be expected from the tenor of his life. On the evening of the day on which he was taken ill, he suffered much pain, yet his exclamation was: “He hath done all things well. He never did anything wrong, and He never shall.” “You have much pain,” it was said to him. He answered, “John Knox said that he need not regret the pain that would bring the battle to a close.” He then mentioned that before leaving home that morning he had read in course, in secret, the last chapter of Revelation, and that he had found much more than usual of a heavenly impression in the words, “Beloved, I come quickly.” During the days that followed he did not speak much; but what he said showed that his mind continued to be kept in a calm, resigned and heavenly frame.
Speaking on the text, “They shall mount up on wings as eagles,” he said, “I am not mounting up as I would wish, but I am mounting so as makes me wonder.” Being asked one morning how he was, he replied solemnly, “My flesh and heart doth faint and fail, but God doth fail me never.”
Again being asked if he felt comfortable, he answered, “Yes, I have a good hope through grace.” At one time he exclaimed, “In what state would I be had I never thought of Eternity till now; but here I am, lying as easy as if I had the promise that the thief on the Cross had.” It was said to him that it was believed he had that. He replied, “Well, well, if I have one promise, I have all.” To Sir George Sinclair, who called to see him two days before his death, he said, “Sir George, you know Daniel O’Connell. It has occurred to me that you should write to him and advise him to give up everything but the Bible.”
The night before he died it was said to him, “You appear to be very uneasy.” He replied, “The Lord’s will.” Reference was then made to the Saviour’s sufferings, when he exclaimed very distinctly, “He trod the winepress alone!” And then he said, “I shall soon be at my rest.” A few hours after, after breathing peacefully for some time, he calmly fell asleep in Jesus, on the morning of Thursday, the 1st April, 1847.
Thus died a venerable servant of Christ, in the 79th year of his age, and 41st of his ministry. His body was interred in the churchyard of Halkirk on the Monday following, amid an immense concourse of mourners. Those who knew him intimately believe this, and feel cause to exclaim with the prophet, “My Father, my Father; the chariots of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.”