Mr. John Macaskill has been much missed in the Stornoway congregation since his lamented death on the 20th day of October, 1958. He loved the courts of the Lord’s House, and up to the time of his death, often in much weakness, his place was seldom empty.
Mr. Macaskill was born in Greenock on the 7th day of March, 1880. His father being a sea captain spent most of his time at sea until he retired. His mother, Mary Graham, was a pious woman, having been a member in full communion in the Free Church prior to 1893. Both parents were natives of Sandwick, Stornoway. While John was still a young lad the family returned to live in Stornoway. When the movement began to form a Free Presbyterian congregation in the town he was old enough to interest himself in the various meetings held and his memory retained to the end interesting details of the worthy men and women connected with the movement. When the actual separation took place and a congregation was formed his mother at once associated herself with it.
Although it was many years later before Mr. Macaskill himself came under the spiritual and saving power of the truth, yet he ever continued a faithful and intelligent follower of the church. He was brought up in a home where christian hospitality was extended to the Lord’s people, especially at Communion seasons. His contacts then with pious men and women taught him to respect godliness and to extend a welcome to those who professed it. Only the Great Day will declare the great blessing and benefit to be derived from early and friendly association with the Lord’s people. Impressions are often made then which under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, blossom out in later years into true piety. There is no doubt that this was the case with Mr. Macaskill.
Although he had always lived an upright life and regularly attended the means of grace, it was not until he was 68 years of age that he showed a definite and personal concern for his soul’s salvation. In the Providence of God the immediate occasion of this was an illness which overtook him at this time and was blessed to him in bringing the solemn realities of eternity more clearly and impressively before his mind. He recovered from his illness but these impressions remained, and after a time of earnest seeking, his soul entered into the liberty of the Gospel through these precious words, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” In the lamb slain in Egypt he was enabled to see the Lamb of God in the infinite value of His atoning sacrifice. Mr. Macaskill’s sense of the presence of the Lord at this time was so great that he could not speak. He had previously heard of a godly man who had, enjoyed so much of the Lord’s presence in his soul that he feared he could not stand more. In recalling this Mr. Macaskill said of himself, “I am so happy, no wonder this godly man said, ‘Hold back thine hand, it is enough, for I am but an earthen vessel.'”
It was in February, 1949, that he passed through these experiences. Thereafter he was much exercised as to his duty in making a public profession of his faith. In taking this solemn step in the following Autumn, he was much encouraged by, “And now, O Lord, what wait I for? My hope is fixed in thee. Free me from all my trespasses, the fools scorn make not me.” Ps. 39, 7.
As already noted Mr. Macaskill’s love for the courts of the Lord’s House was a marked feature of his christian character. For 11 years before he died he suffered much from heart trouble, but by the Lord’s blessing in medical treatment he was able, though often not without considerable difficulty to attend the public means of grace to the end. In this Mr. Macaskill set a consistent example which while it condemns the self indulgence of unfaithful and careless professors of religion, is a great encouragement to all who desire the coming of Christ’s kingdom in earth. His prayers in public showed a mind exercised in the truth, especially concerning the work, sufferings and love of the Redeemer. No doubt the whole Bible was beloved by him, but towards the end he showed special attachment to the precious truths revealed in the 8th chapter of Romans and the 22nd of Revelation. The contents of these chapters show how his mind was exercised in prospect of death and eternity: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ,” and “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”
The end came very suddenly and as far as could be seen peacefully, on Monday, the 20th day of October, 1958, while having afternoon tea in the company of his wife. Although coming so suddenly we believe that grace had prepared John Macaskill for this solemn event and that his soul, being absent from the body, entered into glory to be for ever present with the Lord.
Our sincere sympathy goes out to the widow and each member of the family in their great loss.—J. A. T.