Having known the above for the long period of 24 years, we count it a privilege to write a few things about her in the pages of the Magazine, as it fell to us to write the obituary for her husband, the late Murdo Martin, in 1953. “The memory of the just is blessed.”
It was at communions in Lewis that we first got to know Mrs. Martin as a bright and happy christian. Having been asked to supply Harris for a month in 1934, it seemed to be an ordeal to one who was never there before, and knew no one, but the thought of meeting Mrs. Martin was a source of encouragement in the Lord. That was our first experience of her hospitable home, where many of the Lord’s people were entertained.
On every occasion since then we never got but a warm welcome. Her presence in the means of grace, where she loved to be since her early childhood, was always a tower of strength to the preacher. Her loyalty to the principles of the church could never be questioned. At the time of every Synod, when parting with her, she always expressed the hope that the peace of God would reign among the Fathers and Brethren.
On one occasion at Finsbay Communion, being thronged by the crowds of worshippers, she seemed to be uplifted highly in soul, and said, “These are great days.”
We are indebted to her son, Mr. Martin, Student, for an account of her early experiences in the Christian Faith.
Having been born in 1881, the daughter of Roderick Macleod, an eminent Christian, she was brought up in a religious atmosphere. For many years she was kept in bondage under the law, being convinced of her sin and misery, as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve, our first parents.
When 9 years had passed, she suddenly got a full release from the bondage of Mount Sinai, and experienced “the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
She had her own share of trials in the wilderness, losing her husband, and two grown up daughters, also a son in the last war, but she bore these severe dispensations of Providence with Christian meekness and patience, seeking “to be still and know that He is God.” Up to the last her heart was in the House of God, from which she was hardly ever absent. About a year before she passed away, she developed a heart condition, which weakened her considerably.
On her death-bed she said she knew the end was near, as these words were continually speaking to her, “For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.” She then counselled her family to wait on the Lord, and to be sure, whatever happened, to be always loyal to the Church. “I have been following the means of grace since I was a child, and never permitted worldly matters to affect my attendance, and I have no regrets tonight that since the age of thirteen, I was enabled to follow those who stood for God and truth,” she said.
When mothers in Israel are taken away to glory, may the Lord raise up others to take their place, and fill the breaches on the walls of Jerusalem!
She gave instructions that Psalm 122, and the Gospel according to John, chapter xvii, would be read at her funeral, expressing at the same time a desire that one of our ministers whom she named, would be present, her wish in this respect being granted. She passed peacefully away on 30th January, 1955.
“Then are they glad, because at rest and quiet now they be: So to the haven, He them brings, which they desire to see.” Ps. 107.
D. J. MacA.
Searmonan
Leis an Urr. Tearlach C. Mac an Tóisich, D.D.
(Air a leantuinn bho t.d. 214.)
II. Tha cúing Chriosd, uime sin, so-iomchuir agus tha uallach eutrom. A mháinn cuimhnich, a chúm gu’m bitheadh féin-fhiosrachadh fior agad air cho tlachdmhor ‘s a tha i, tha dá ni feumail—a tha gu dearbh air an gabhail a stigh ann a bhi gabhail cúing Chriosd oirne. ‘S e cheud aon, gu’m bi ar ‘n earbsa a bhi gabhail ruinn ann am fianuis Dhè, agus air son gach uile neart spioradail, air Criosd ‘n a aonar. Cho fad agus a tha sinn a leigeadh ar taic air fíreantachd agus neart a tha sinn a smuainteachadh a th’againn fein, agus a tha sinn neo-thoileach a bhi treigsinn gach bonn dóchais truagh dhe leithid sin, cha’n urrain sinn fior fhois a bhi againn. ‘N uair a tha choguis air a dúsgadh agus air a soillseachadh leis an fhirinn, cha’n eil ni againn dhe ar cuid fein is urrain comhfhurtachd agus neart a fhrithealadh dhuinn; agus cha dean Criosd E Fein aithnicht’ mar Fhear-tabhairt suaimhneis gus an toir sinn Dhá an t-áite a bhuineas Dhá, a taiceachadh gu h-uile ‘s gu h-iomlan Air-san air son fíreantachd agus neart. Agus, anns an dara áite, is eiginn gu’n toir sinn ar cridheachan do Chriosd, agus nach ann bho’n leth a muigh, ach gu’n toir sinn sinn fein suas gu neo-chealgach agus gun chumha air bith, a chúm gu’m bitheadh Ésan ga’r treorachadh. Cha’n fheum sinn a bhi seasamh eadar dá bharaíl; feumaidh sinn sguir a bhi’g iarruidh a bhi deanamh seirbhis do Dhia agus do Mhámon, an saoghal agus Criosd; feumaidh sinn sguir a bhi’g iarruidh oisean a chumail ann ar cridheachan air son iodhal air bith na sólas saoghalta, na ana-miann air choir-eigin. Faodaídh sinn ar cridheachan a thoirt do Chriosd, agus Ésan a ghabhail mar ar cuibhrionn; agus an sin tha ar Slánuighhear a gabhail os láimh ar deanamh sona, ar cridheachan a shásuchadh agus eigneachadh le a ghrádh. “Eisd, a nighean, agus amhairc, agus aom do chluas; agus dichuimhnich do shluagh fein, agus tigh t’athar. An sin gabhaidh an Rígh mór thlachd ann ad áille: a chionn gur esan do Thighearn, thoir-sa urram dhá.”
Uime sin, mo chárdean grádhach, ciod e ‘ur fein-fhiosrachadh? An e th’ann ‘ur diadhachd ach saothair ann an cuid na ann am mórán dhe cleachdaidhean, a thilgeadh-mid gu toileach dhínn na’m b’ urrain sinn? Am bheil ar seirbhis ‘n a seirbhis thráillean, na ‘n a seirbhis dhaoine saor na clann? Cha’n eil teagamh nach fhaod seorsa sólais a bhi air fhaotainn ann an diadhachd fein-fhíreanachaidh, ann an diadhachd aig a’ bheil a crioch mhór ann a bhi ciúnachadh na coguis agus a bhi biathadh agus a bhi sásuchadh na fein; ach cha’n e so cúing Chriosd agus cha’n e an sólas so an fhiar fhois. Agus a nis, ma tha sinn ag aideachadh gu’n do ghabh sinn oirne cúing Chriosd, agus fhios a bhi againn an taiceachadh iomlan Air-san agus an dlúth-cheangal iomlan Ris, a tha air a gabhail a stigh annta, ciod e ar fein-fhiosrachadh? Am bheil sinn a faotainn Chriosd ‘n a mhaighstir cruaidh, na’n robh fein-fhiosrachadh againn air fior fhois ‘n a sheirbhis? Am bheil barrachd gráidh againn do fhocal Chriosd na th’ againn do leabhar air bith eile, agus latha Chriosd seach latha air bith eile? Am bheil grádh againn do thigh Chriosd? Am bheil grádh againn dha Phearsa ged nach eil mar bu mhaith leinn? Agus mar is mothá tha sinn air ar deanamh comasach a bhi taiceachadh Air ‘n a aonar, agus sinn fein a thoirt thairis Dhá, gu bhi’g iarruidh mar ar crioch áraidh gu’m bitheadh E air árdachadh, mar is mothá tha sinn air ar cleachdadh ‘n a obair, agus mar is mothá tha sinn gu dúrachdach ag oibreachadh ann a bhi’g iarruidh gu’m bitheadh am peacadh air a cheusadh, an e ar fein-fhiosrachadh ni’s mothá gu’m bheil a chúing so-iomchuir agus uallach eutrom. ‘S e tha’n so ach fianuis gu’n do dhearbh sinn Fhocal, agus gu’n d’thuair sinn a mach ann am fein-fhiosrachadh gu’m bheil e fior. O chairdean grádhach, na’n smuaintichead-mid gu’m bitheadh gach ni a rinn sinn co-cheangailte ri ar diadhachd gu bhi sasachadh coguis, air a thoirt as an t-slighe, ciod a bhitheadh air fhágail? Am bitheadh fior bhith na diadhachd, an deigh gach cúis, air fhágail? na’m bitheadh e cha mhór uile air a dhol as an t-sealladh?
Ach cha bu mhaith leam a bhi air mo thogail cearr ann so. Tha neach a bhi ‘n a fhiar dheisciohuil co-shínnte ri fois air a briseadh ann an Criosd, ri fein-fhiosrachadh air tomhas gann a mháin de fhois ann an Criosd, gu sónraicht a thaobh an deisciobuil óg na an deisciobuil a tha gu mór air fheuchainn. Faodaidh neach a rádh, “Tha mi faicinn nithean ann an solus nuadh—cho diomhain ‘s a tha’n saoghal, cia cho mór ‘s a tha’n t-anam agus sláinte, cia cho sólaimte ‘s a tha siorruidheachd; tha mi faicinn gur e croich mhór na beatha Criosd fhaotainn agus a leanuinn; tha mi faicinn maise agus oirdheirceas anns an t-Slánuighear a tha ga dheanamh neo-chriochnach airidh air earbsa agus grádh pheacach; agus tha mi miannachadh E bhi agam mar mu Shagart, m’Fhear-teagaig, agus mo Rígh. Ach cha’n urrain mi rádh gu’n d’ránig mi air sith shuidhichte. An áite sin, tha trioblaid agam ann an dóigh úr. Tha mi tric fodh eagal nach deachaidh mo pheacaidhean a mhaithheadh.” Cha’n fheum thu súil a bhi agad ri síth a dh’fhágadh thu neo ‘r tháingeil air a bhi tighinn as úr gach latha gu fuil Criosd air son glanaidh. ‘S e bhitheadh an sin ach síth mhealta. Bhitheadh e gu maith dhuit mar a bitheadh tu gu bráth cho riaricht’ le do theachd agus do chreidimh gu’n cuireadh tu iad an áite Criosd. Faodaidh neach eile a rádh, “Tha mi gle aineolach air diomhaireachd rioghachd neamh, agus mall ann an cridhe gu bhi tuigsinn. Cha d’fhairich mi riámh m’aineolas mar a tha mi ga fhaireachadh a nis.” Ma tha so do-bhriogh agus gu’n d’tháinig thu’n cóir nithean móra Dhè, tha e gu maith. Is urrain Criosd solus a thoirt dhuit. Is urrain Criosd do ghiulain air adhart ann an eolas air Fein. “Ach bha dúil agam aon uair gu’n robh ‘m peacadh marbh annam, agus gu’m bitheadh mo chridhe a ghnath a sruthadh thairis le grádh do’n t-Slánuighear; ach a nis tha mi faotainn cumhachd a pheacaidh a truailleadh gach ní a ni mi.” Seadh, feumaidh tu fhoghhlum, fodh sheoladh Ceannard na Sláinte, a bhi cómhrag deagh cómhrag a chreidimh a tha dol air tús a bhi sealbhachadh na beatha mhaireannaich. “Ach tha eagal orm gu’m brath mi a’ Maighstir. Tha mi fosgailte do iomadh buaireadh; tha muinntir nec-airidh cómhlá rium do nach aithne an Tighearn.” Bitheadh barrachd eagail ort a bhi co-chúmtha ris an t-saoghal na bhitheadh agad roimh fhulungas aimseireil air bith. Ach tha Criosd ag úrnuigh air son a chuid Fein: is urrain Criosd do choimhead gun smal bho’n t-saoghal. Na faodaidh tu rádh, —cha’n eil an t-saorsa agam ann an úrnuigh a b’abhaist a bhi agam; tha Dia balbh rium.” Gidheadh lean air adhart. Iarr a ghnúis bheannaicht’. “Re tiota bhig, dhealaich mi ruit; ach le mór iochd cruinnichidh mi thu. Ann an corruich bhig, dh’fholuich mi mo ghnúis car tiota uat; ach le caoibhneas siorruidh ni mi trócair ort, deir an Tighearn d’fhear-saoraidh.” Na bi, uime sin, fodh mhí-mhisneach; ach lean air adhart gu aithne bhi agad air an Tighearna, agus cuimhnich na briathran mór sin, “Tha slighe an fhírean so dhíreach;—’s e sin, an deisciobuil iorasal a tha faireachadh ‘n a pheacach agus nach ur-rain ni air bith a dheanamh as eugmhais Chriosd,—”mar an solus deal-rach, a dhealraicheas ni’s motha agus ni’s motha gu ruig an latha iomlan.”
Ciod e na comainean fodh’m bheil Criosduidhean air an cur gu bhi moladh cúing Chriosd do mhuinntir eile le gluasad iorasal, torach, agus a reir an aideachaidh, agus le giúlain fhreagarach fodh dheuchain, le bhi labhairt gu maith mu Ainm-san—gu h-áraidh do’n an óige, agus le bhi feuchain ri muinntir eile a chosnadh Dhá sheirbhis. O molaibh an Slánuighear luachmhor, a cháirdean grádhach, Ged tha cuid againn a dh’fhaodas a bhi, agus a tha aobhar a bhi, fodh náire, ‘n uair a chuireas sinn sinn fein taobh ri taobh ri cuid de fhiúghalaich a Bhiobuil, na ri cuid dhiubh-san a tha air an toirt air adhart ann an Turas a Chriosduidh, gidheadh ‘s cinnteach gu’m miannaicheadh gach Criosduidh Amen a chur ris an fhianuis a tha aon dhe’n luchd-cuairt aig Bunain a toirt mu Chriosd ‘n uair a tha e aig amhainn a bháis: “Bha’n amhainn so ‘n a h-uamhas do mhóran, seadh bha bhi smuainteachadh oirre gu minic a cur eagal ormsa. Tha na h-uiseachan, da-ríreadh, searbh do’n t-slugadh, agus do’n luaimh fuar; gidheadh, tha bhi smuainteachadh air an ni tha mi dol dha ionnsuidh, agus a choimheadachd a tha feitheamh orm air an taobh thall, nan luidh mar cibheal bheo aig mo chridhe. Tha mi nis aig crioch mo thurais; tha mo láithean saothaireachail aig an crích. Tha mi nis a dol a dh’fhaicinn a Cheann ud a bha air a chrúnadh le droighean, agus a ghnúis sin air an do thilgeadh smugaid air mo shon-sa. Bha gaol agam a bhi cluinntinn mo Thighearna a bhi labhairt air; agus anns gach áite anns am faca mi lorg a choise air an talamh, an sin bu mhiann leam mo chos a chur mar an ceudna. Bha ainm dhomh-sa ni’s millse na h-uile ol-úngaidh. Bha ghuth dhomh ro-mhilis, agus mhianaich solus na gréine. B’abhaist dhomh fhocal a chruiinneachadh mar mo bhiadh agus mar fhion fodh chomhair m’fhannachaidh. Rinn E grèim orm agus chúm E mi bho m’aingidheachd; seadh neartaich E mo cheuman ‘n a shlighe.”
Ciod e’n dian dhúrachd agus grádh leis am bu chór dhuinn a bhi’g oidheirpeachadh a bhi teannachadh cuiridhean an t-Slánuighear air ar co-pheacaich a tha fathasd gun fhois, do-bhrigh gu’m bheil iad gun Chriosd;—orra-san a tha fodh ámhghair agus fodh bhuaireas; orra-san a tha beo air son an t-saoghail a tha láthair; orra-san a tha air an trom-luchdachadh le peacadh; air an aosmhor; ach gu h-áraidh air an óige. Ma tha e fior nach eil fois ach ann an Criosd, nach eil tearuinteachd bho thuiteam ann an ribidhean an t-saoghail agus míle buaireadh ach le bhi air ar faotainn ‘n a chró-san; ma tha feumalachd neach anns an t-saoghal so gu mór a tionndadh air coisrigeadh gu tráth do’n t-Slánuighear; mar do ghabh neach aithreachas riamh de thighinn gu Criosd ‘n a óige, ach gu’n do ghuil milltean, a bha air an toirt gu aithreachas aig deireadh am beatha, thairis air an óige ‘s an neart a bhi air a chall; os ceann na h-uile ni, ma tha beatha neo-chínnteach, agus ma tha latha bhreitheanais air am bheil Criosd a labhairt anns a chaibideil so gu cínnteach a tighinn, nach bu chór do chuireadh an t-Slánuighear dol fodha domhain anns gach cridhe ann an so? Nach bu chór dha dhol domhain ‘n a do chridhe-sa, m’fhear-eisdeachd óg grádhach a chúm ‘s nach e mháin gu’n toireadh tu smuaint dha anns an dol seachad, ach gu’n rúnaicheadh tu ann an neart grás uile-chumhachdach gu’n tigeadh tu gu bhi umhail dha, agus gu’n deanadh tu obair chínnteach, dhúrachdach, dhe bhi tighinn a chúm an t-Slánuighear, mar an ni sin air am bheil do shíth anns an am a tha láthair agus do shláinte shiorruidh a tionndadh. Gu’n deon-aicheadh an Tighearn e, air sgáth Criosd.