At the comparatively young age of forty-three years William Macdonald, Lochmaddy, North Uist, a humble believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, passed away at the County Hospital, Stornoway, on the 11th day of December at 4 o’clock in the morning, to be forever with the Lord. He was privileged by being brought up from his infancy in a God-fearing home. His parents showed in their life and conversation in the world that their religion was vital godliness of the operation of the Spirit of God which disposed them to be truly solicitous for the spiritual welfare of their children.
Although William had experiences of the common strivings of the Spirit since his young days he was not effectually called by the Holy Spirit until he was about thirty-five years of age. At that time he, when convinced that he would not be justified by the works of the law in the sight of God, was in great distress of soul. During those days of deep conviction of sin he sought help and guidance from his God-fearing sister who rejoiced to see such a definite spiritual change in her brother but much as she desired to comfort him his soul, now experiencing an awakened conscience by the Word of God, could find no solace in her loving, tender words. Christ as the Way of Salvation was not yet revealed to his troubled soul. After some time of deep distress of soul his deliverance came when by faith he saw that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Then he experimentally knew “times of refreshing from the Presence of the Lord.” There are some whose conversion is of such a nature that they can be at the Lord’s Table today and revelling in the vanities of the world tomorrow. William’s change was a saving change. He was naturally a keen musician and in his younger days he could skilfully play the bag-pipes. When awakened to see “vanity” written on the things of the world he got the set of bag-pipes which he had in his possession and burnt them to ashes. With Ephraim his language now was, “What have I to do any more with idols.”
Shortly afterwards he was taken with spinal trouble to Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, where he suffered patiently while he lay in plaster for months. While in hospital he was diligently seeking to make sure that his faith was of a saving nature. He prayerfully applied himself to the reading of “The Christian’s Great Interest” by William Guthrie and next to the Bible he found the contents of this book to be of the greatest comfort to his seeking soul, so that in the perusal of the revered William Guthrie’s works he concluded that he had saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. When in conversation he would often refer to “The Christian’s Great Interest.” He had not yet sat at the Lord’s Table when he was in Raigmore. A minister of the Free Presbyterian Church who visited him in hospital was afterwards in conversation with a friend and, having referred to William Macdonald, was asked if William was professing. The minister’s reply was, “Yes.” “He is on his back in Raigmore Hospital professing Christ.” Those who knew William there could testify to the veracity of the minister’s apt statement.
When he came home from Raigmore he came forward at the February communion to the Lord’s Table in the Free Presbyterian Congregation at Bayhead, North Uist. The session was delighted and greatly encouraged to see him coming forward to profess publicly the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He then seemed to have made a good recovery from his illness and the Lord’s people were encouraged to think that he might be spared for years of usefulness in the Lord’s Cause which is very weak in North Uist, but the Lord who is “Head over all things to the church” had thought otherwise for William was being rapidly sanctified for his everlasting rest. He came once more to the Lord’s Table at the following July communion and before the next dispensation of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper in Bayhead his soul was enjoying the eternal communion Sabbath in the Presence of the “Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne.” He spoke to the Question at the Fellowship Meeting only once when after giving marks which he knew experimentally he gave a tender, solemn warning to his fellow-sinners to ‘flee from the Wrath to come’ and to seek Christ.
Naturally of a bright disposition and blessed with a refined, sanctified sense of humour along with a thorough experimental understanding of God’s Word his conversation “always with grace, seasoned with salt” was real edifying entertainment for those of God’s people who knew him. He enjoyed a measure of health with his devoted wife and children for about two years after coming home from hospital. His old trouble having suddenly flared up, he was immediately taken to the County Hospital, Stornoway, where he most patiently suffered excruciating pain for a few days. The present writer was by his bedside the evening before he passed away. With drops of sweat upon his brow in his great sufferings William expressed a longing desire to be reconciled in his affliction to the Will of the Lord. Oh! How solemnly and lovingly he would speak about Christ! Before the clock struck five the following morning his soul was with his Saviour in Heaven: “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,” Rev. 7:17.
His remains are interred in the cemetery near Hogarry until the morning of the Resurrection. To his bereaved widow and children, also to his brothers and sisters who dearly loved him we extend our sympathy.
“Mark thou the perfect, and behold
the man of uprightness;
Because that surely of this man
the latter end is peace.” Psalm 37:37.
A.M. (Tarbert).