Mrs. MacAskill was born in Kyle-Scalpay, Harris, in the year 1874. At a comparatively young age she married John MacAskill, son of the eminent Peter MacAskill, who was an elder of the Free Presbyterian Church in Harris.
Mrs. MacAskill remembered her Creator in the days of her youth. When the Holy Law of God was revealed to her soul she truly had the prayer of the publican, “God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.” Convinced of her sin and misery she was for a long period greatly cast down in her mind. When praying to God in secret places late at night and in the early hours of the morning her uncle, Donald MacCushig, who was then a deacon in the Church, tenderly watched her. It could be said of her that she was in some measure like John MacRao (MacRath Mòr) when, under soul concern, he was overheard praying among the hills, “Lord, although the people of Loehearron think that I have gone mad, Thou knowest that I am only seeking Thyself.” Mrs. MacAskill was seeking Christ in the secret places of Kyle-Scalpay when many others, not realising their danger, were sleeping peacefully on the brink of a lost eternity. When the Lord’s time came to bring her soul out of prison the truth in I John iii. 1, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not” was applied to her drooping soul by the power of the Holy Ghost. Her bonds were loosed and her soul rejoiced in God her Saviour. It was while milking the cow among the rocky hills of Harris that the glory and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ broke in upon her soul. For some time she enjoyed much of the “joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.” There were severe trials before her. The all-wise God who loved her with an everlasting love put a crook in her lot. Her husband died with fever. Three months afterwards she lost a dear son at the early age of twelve years. The godly mother was trying to be still and to know that the Lord was God. Shortly after this trying dispensation she got the sad news that another of her sons, who was then a young sailor, died and was buried at sea. In her sore bereavements she was sustained by the Good Shepherd of the sheep and by His grace she was enabled to meditate with the Psalmist, “Thy way is in the sea, and in the waters great thy path; Yet are thy footsteps hid, O Lord; none knowledge thereof hath.”
This dear, godly lady was one of the few in her generation who were adorned with the spirit of meekness which is in the sight of God of great price. She had an exceptionally warm heart for the Lord’s people and His Cause. If at all possible her place in the Public Means of Grace would not be empty. She used to walk, as long as she could, five miles to Tarbert for the Sabbath morning service, stay at Tarbert for the evening service and walk home other five miles, arriving home about 10 o’clock on Sabbath night. It was real godliness that she had. When confined to her home she fondly pondered over the sermons she had heard in her younger days.
She would often say when reading obituaries of the Lord’s people in the Magazine, “Ah, we ought to make sure that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” When drawing near the river which we must all cross, she delighted in spiritual conversation. Indeed, it was edifying and refreshing to be at her death-bed. During the night-watches she was often heard by her daughter Flora quoting the Psalms and other portions of the Word of God. Her affections were set on the things above as she drew near to her everlasting rest. While journeying through the wilderness of this world she lost her devoted husband and five sons, but now she is in the place where the inhabitant shall not say, “I am weary.” On the 10th October, 1955, at the age of 81 years, she passed away from this world, we believe, to be forever with the Lord. To her two daughters, Miss Flora MacAskill, who warmly nursed her godly mother to the end, and Mrs. Macleod, residing in Inverness, we extend our sympathy.—A. McK.