This worthy Christian was born on 23rd May, 1881, and except for a period during the First World War, he lived all his life in Edinburgh. According to our information both his parents were God-fearing persons. His father was for some time connected with our Edinburgh congregation and is remembered by quite a few of our people. Mr. Harley, himself, prior to worshipping in the Free Presbyterian Church, was a member of the United Original Secession Church in Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. There are many years, however, since he joined the F.P. Church and all the time he never wavered in his loyalty to its testimony which he loved. He adorned his profession as a member of the Church with a meek spirit and a consistent life. His importunity in prayer was very impressive and one felt that he was asking in faith of a God whom he knew was willing to give and for whom nothing was too hard.
It would seem that Mr. Harley’s conversion took place when he was very young. At the age of six he read his Bible with interest, and the Word became more and more precious to him as the years advanced. As proof of the foregoing we insert the following extract from his diary: “Sabbath, 12th Jan., 1936. On this day I glorify God for the advantages of my youth. I recollect that while still very young the precious words of Jesus—’Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out’—were commended by a clergyman in my hearing, and I conceived them noteworthy at the time. Of late, the very same words of the Saviour have come prominently before my mind, and particularly on this Lord’s Day. Walking to church in the evening I could not escape their persistence; holding converse with my heart they conveyed the invitation of Christ to consider his majesty and grace and compassion. When the Saviour speaks let my soul be impressed with the surpassing dignity and grace of the calling of God; there dwells in Jesus a plenitude of blessing—an incorruptible treasure for immortal natures.”
During the 1914-18 War he suffered much for his conscientious scruples, particularly regarding the matter of Sabbath observance. When in France, on one occasion he was asked to break stones in a quarry on the Lord’s Day but he refused on the ground that it was not a work of necessity. For doing so he was court-martialled and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment with a recommendation to mercy as his objection was due to religious principles. He was put in prison but after two months was released. One does not wonder though the 1914-18 War proved so abortive of salutary results when men who endeavoured in weakness to defend the glory of God should be so harshly treated by the representatives of a nation fighting for religious and civil liberties. After that experience he was engaged in army service in England, and like others who served the Lord he suffered much on account of his stand for the Sabbath. After the war he returned to Edinburgh where he spent the rest of his life happily with his wife who was in every respect a helpmeet to him.
Mr. Hartley was of a quiet and unassuming disposition, courteous and pleasant to all people. If he had occasion to disagree with another, he was never rude but tolerant and respectful. Being a man of no ordinary intelligence, he acquired a considerable range of knowledge both in the spiritual and secular spheres. His concern for the moral and spiritual state of our nation, as well as the oppressed state of many people throughout the world, exercised his mind much in prayer for them. His departure in this respect is a great loss. His diary reflects a work of sanctification of which the Holy Spirit alone is the author. In August, 1936, we find him praising the Lord for revealing Himself to him in the Word of Truth and goes on to say: “I am satisfied that . . . God is all that the Scriptures represent Him to be. The Lord in heaven is . . . the same God who is revealed in the oracles of truth. The view of God which saints on earth delight in, who walk by faith . . . is the same in substance as the view of God which the glorified have in heaven although the redeemed before God’s throne partake of a greater degree of blessedness.” From entries in his diary it is evident that the theme in which he delighted was heavenly. Reference in it is made to the scene on the mount of transfiguration, and to the subject of angels how they worship God and minister to the saints. The intimate union between the saints on earth and their brethren in heaven was a subject which seemed to have exercised his mind deeply. The glory of Christ was dear to him and he endeavoured after that new obedience which characterised the saints. Before a communion season the following appeared in his diary: “I endeavoured to examine myself of my knowledge to discern the meaning of so exalted an ordinance . . . and mused on the sacred subject; a Scripture which came to my mind greatly encouraged me.” The passage was: “Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified.”
Mr. Harley was a man who felt the necessity of putting on Christ in order that holiness might be manifest in his life and this he endeavoured to do by seeking fellowship with Christ, for he believed that fellowship would purify the saints and promote a heavenly nature. He never held office in the church, not on account of any unwillingness on his part to help the Cause of Christ, but when he was approached a few years ago he felt he was too old and would therefore be unable conscientiously to perform the relative duties. We did not realise at the time that he was so near the end of his pilgrimage and felt sorry he decided it proper to continue out of office, but now we realise that he knew his days were about over. His end came suddenly on the second Sabbath of April, 1956, when he passed away in his sleep to waken on the other side to see, in his own words, “the loveliness of Jesus’ person.” His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh, where the dust of many of the Lord’s redeemed ones lie. To his grief-stricken widow in her great loss and loneliness we extend our sincere sympathy. “I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice and your joy no man taketh from you.”—D. C.
“And, behold. I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. xxii. 12).