The late worthy Dr. Kennedy of Dingwall said that death sometimes came in velvet shoes. It would appear as if this was the very way in which death came to the subject of this narrative. In his case as in the case of all who are saved by grace, it is a blessed change whatever way death may come; as the Apostle John tells us “I heard a voice from heaven, saying, unto me write, Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth, Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.”
Mr. Macleod was born in Waternish, in the island of Skye in the year 1886, he passed away on the 22nd May, 1956, being a few months over 70 years of age. His end came suddenly and unexpectedly. He made every preparation for leaving home the night before in order to attend the annual meeting of Synod at Inverness. The Lord thought otherwise, as the morning revealed, that he had been called not to meet with the Church below, but with the Church in glory.
He came under the power of the truth when a young man, under the preaching of Mr. A. Stewart, who was missionary for some time at Waternish. He had a great regard for Mr. Stewart, and made a point of calling to see him, when visiting his native Isle. About the last time he called on him, he found Mr. Stewart, much cast down, complaining like the man in Psalm 88: “My soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am as a man that hath no strength: Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more, and they are cut off from thy hand.” While Mr. Stewart was in this way lamenting over the low state of his own soul, Mr. Macleod replied: “You are in good company, the man who had these complaints is in heaven.”
Mr. Macleod spent the first part of his life at the fishing, then he removed to Glasgow working on the railway. He had the great privilege of attending St. Jude’s Church during several years of the latter part of Rev. N. Cameron’s ministry. He no doubt increased in grace and in the knowledge of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ under him. In this congregation he became a member in full communion, and later on was elected to the office of deacon. At a later date he was appointed treasurer. As he was still working at the railway, he was time and again hard pressed for time to attend to his work as treasurer. But in such straits, the Lord was his help. More than once owing to fog or some other cause, as they could not carry on with their work, they were allowed home, this giving him time to attend to his work as treasurer. Some time afterwards he was appointed beadle, this being a full-time job, he gave up his work on the railway, and had more time to attend to his financial duties.
It was in 1936 he came to Assynt as Missionary. He told the writer that he felt he was called by the Lord, and he obeyed the call; although this meant a smaller income, he often said that he was better off financially in Assynt than in Glasgow. He who blessed the few loaves and fishes is the same yesterday, to-day and forever.
He was ordained to the office of elder in the Assynt congregation in 1938, and discharged the duties of his office faithfully to the very last. A more loving, patient and tender fellow-labourer we do not expect to meet with in Baca’s Vale. We feel deeply the loss of one who had such a warm interest in and such a love to the Gates of Zion, who by his wisdom and experience was such a valuable help in the Church Courts.
So far as his practical godliness was concerned, his walk and conduct were a living epistle that could be seen and read of all men. He was a frequent wrestler at the Throne of Grace, pleading for the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ, and the destruction of the kingdom of Satan. In this respect his removal is not only a loss to the Church of which he was an office-bearer, but to the world at large. In this we would rejoice that he has departed to be with Christ which is far better, and that he is now singing the praises of Him who loved him and washed him in His own blood.
We would extend our deepest sympathy to his sorrowing widow, and would prayerfully commit her to the Lord whom her dear husband so faithfully followed, and pray that he would be her Lord.
—A. MacA.