Obituaries

Mr Murdo Campbell, Elder, Inverness

We very much regret this inordinate delay in recording something about this worthy man who finished his earthly course in Inverness in December 1959, for the “memory of the just is blessed,” and the memory of Murdo Campbell deserves to be held in the highest esteem. We hope, therefore, that the few remarks here noted will serve to recall his memory to those still among us who love the ways of Sion and mourn over the breaches that are thinning the ranks of the Lord’s people.

Descended from a long line of godly people, especially on his mother’s side, which goes back many generations, and in the past helped to make the district of Strathy and Strathy Point in Sutherland as the very garden of the Lord, Murdo Campbell in this respect was highly favoured in his home life. His mother, among the very salt of the earth, was remarkable for her godliness of life and although never enjoying robust health lived to a great age and died in 1922, passing all her days in the village of Lednaguillan, Strathy, where Murdo was born. His father, though he made no religious profession, was known as an upright and highly respectable man among his neighbours. To these a family of 6 sons and 4 daughters were born, none of whom now survive, the last being Mrs MacKay who died recently in Vancouver, Canada. The influence of a praying mother who made it her duty to carry her children in prayer to a throne of grace and wrestle with the Lord for their salvation is a blessing that often bears fruit in later years. Besides, Murdo also enjoyed the instruction given by the late Charlotte MacKay in the doctrines of the Bible to her Sabbath school class which Murdo attended, where he professed to have derived the greatest benefit. When the time came, however, for Murdo to leave home in search of work, he was still a stranger to the God of his fathers.

As far as we can ascertain, it was while in Edinburgh, where he went as a youth to find work, that the Lord began to dig and delve around him in his dealings with him in providence. He was stricken down with a severe heart affection, which nearly cost him his life, and which ever after left its mark upon him. In due time he recovered, although for a time his life was despaired of. During this illness when lying at the gates of death, the Lord, we believe, looked in mercy upon him; he felt as he said that “the hand of the Lord touched me for good.” He was never able thereafter to engage in heavy labour, and so great was the strain laid upon his health by this illness, that even the lightest work tired him easily. He was always naturally of an upright and steady disposition, but after his recovery a new seriousness of mind was observable in him and he began to associate with the Lord’s people, and to follow more closely the means of grace. On one of the infrequent occasions on which Murdo spoke at the fellowship meeting, at the time of the Daviot Communion, he recalled that the Lord spared him a severe and protracted period of conviction when he began to deal savingly with him. From this period of his life, at any rate, dates the beginning of better days, when he began to follow the footsteps of the flock, and in company of the Lord’s people to journey towards the heavenly Sion. He married a daughter of our late worthy elder at Inverness, James Campbell, and settled down in Edinburgh for the period of the first world war. Unfit for regular army service, he was sent to agricultural work on farms throughout the country, mainly around Tain and Inverness and here made the acquaintance of the Lord’s people in the north.

Years passed before he made public profession of his faith. His regular and devout bearing at public worship and the evident marks that now appeared in his general character of being in possession of the fear of the Lord, came under the observant eye of his minister, the late Rev. Neil MacIntyre. He had occasion to call at the manse on some worldly business, and Mr MacIntyre after this was over, raised the question of Murdo’s neglect in making common cause openly with Christ and his people and strongly impressed upon him his duty to profess Christ publicly by coming forward to the Lord’s Table, which Murdo did at the next communion in the congregation. Later Murdo confessed to a friend that he was 20 years in a state of grace before he made public profession and that he regretted it all his days and would warn Christians against delay in professing Christ publicly. He added that he agreed whole-heartedly with the late Rev. D. MacFarlane, Dingwall, who was once asked how soon after conversion should a person profess Christ and replied: “As soon as he gets sufficient strength in his legs to take him to the Lord’s Table.” From Edinburgh he moved with his wife to Inverness, but had only made ready the home at 15 Argyle Street where they were to live, when Mrs Campbell died. She was a godly woman, much afflicted with years of illness which at last, together with the anxieties of removal to Inverness, proved too much for her weakened state of health. Murdo tenderly and patiently cared for her till the last. He remarried in 1932, and his widow, who was a close friend of Murdo and his first wife, survives her husband.

Murdo was elected to the office of elder in the Inverness congregation in 1932, and carried out the duties of his office in the most zealous and faithful way. His attachment to the Free Presbyterian Church made the testimony of the church dear to him, and he followed with close and painful interest the continuing declensions of the once noble Free Church, which confirmed him in the conviction of the rightness of adhering to the witness which the late Revs. D. MacFarlane and D. MacDonald had made in 1893 against the departures in doctrine and practice in that church. When some of the ministers of the church whom he loved passed over to the Free Church, he felt this trial keenly, but had no inclination to follow them. When he was stationed near Inverness during the first world war, he frequently visited Rev. J. R. MacKay, at his manse in Inverness. He related to a very intimate friend that Mr MacKay stated to him that he had his plans fixed as soon as the war was over, to take the Free Presbyterian Church over to the Free Church in an incorporating union. He repeated this statement each time Murdo visited him, and at last Murdo mustered sufficient courage to ask “But, Mr MacKay are you sure that the Free Presbyterian Church would follow you into the Free Church?” Mr MacKay replied: “Yes, with maybe one or two insignificant exceptions, the overwhelming majority of Free Presbyterians will follow me into the Free Church; they would indeed follow me almost anywhere.” Murdo Campbell held the view that his failure to take the Free Presbyterian Church into the Free Church with him was the bitterest disappointment Mr MacKay experienced in his whole life.

In the early years of his life he was acquainted with, and became very fond of, the late John Banks, the godly wayfarer, whose feet Murdo often washed and in other respects attended to his wants hand and foot. John Banks told Murdo never to have anything to do with the Free Church that put Revs. Donald MacFarlane and Donald MacDonald out of their manses, until they repented. John Banks frequently emphasised to Murdo that the truth, which he got in answer to prayer for it was: “Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified, but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed”—Isaiah lxvi:5. These two incidents were related to me by one of Murdo’s most intimate friends whose authority is above question.

In his last illness he prayed that he might die as a child, weaned from the world and completely resigned to the Lord’s will, and this wish was granted. Seeing his wife distressed at his bedside, he said: “Do not mourn, we will soon be together again.” To one of his brother elders who asked him how it now fared with him, he said: “All is well.” He passed to his rest in his 77th year and has left a blank among us that the passing months serve to accentuate. To his widow, spared to mourn him, we extend our sincere sympathy.—A. F. M.

The Late Norman Mackinnon, Tarbert, Harris

The subject of this short obituary, Norman Mackinnon, was born at Tarbert, Harris, on the 15th day of June, 1885. As the Holy Spirit in His Inspired word has written the state, experience, life and conversation of the Lord’s dear people, elaborate obituaries by men are quite unnecessary. The Word of God says concerning them in Psalm 112:6, “Surely there is not any thing that ever shall him move: The righteous man’s memorial shall everlasting prove.”

Norman Mackinnon, from his youth, knew most, if not all, the worthy and discerning men and women in Harris who, in 1893, deemed it their duty to hold fast to Reformation Principles. Although to him this was an inestimable privilege, he realised that more was needed to bring his soul from death to life, from the power of Satan to God. He loved the doctrine of the New Birth—that man, if he is to escape the wrath and curse of God due to him for sin, must be born again. God’s time and means of bringing Mr Mackinnon to a saving knowledge of Christ we are unable to state. From his youth he was circumspect, and attentive on the Means of Grace.

During the First World War he served in the Royal Navy. At one time when an incident took place aboard his ship with which the sailors were not satisfied, Norman spoke rather strong and hasty. One of his shipmates rebuked him by taking hold of him by the shoulder and saying, “For any favour, don’t you become like the rest of us.”

He was a brilliant conversationalist both in Gaelic and English. To hear him relating what he had seen, read and heard regarding the worthies of better days was refreshing and edifying. His education which was above average level made him singularly useful in the courts of the church and as treasurer of the North Harris congregation. On the 24th November, 1924, he was ordained an elder in the North Harris congregation and he was appointed as Session Clerk the following day. Norman Mackinnon was an active elder of the church and knew well the terms of Church Law.

Mr Mackinnon was a splendid, trustworthy Factor at Tarbert, Harris, for many years until his health began to deteriorate when he retired. As an elder of the church and as Factor for Harris and Uig he was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

His last illness was prolonged and although he suffered no physical pain his strength and most retentive memory began to fail together. His friends felt for him as Dr. Kennedy affectionately said regarding the eminent Lachlan Mackenzie, “Those who loved him best did not wish him to stay with us any longer.” Norman Mackinnon quietly and peacefully passed away, we believe, to his everlasting rest on the 20th day of June, 1961, at the age of 76 years. His remains are interred in the Scarista Cemetery until the Resurrection of the Great Day.

We extend our sympathy to his widow, two sons and daughter and wish them that the God of their father be their Covenant God.

A. Mackay.

NOTE.—We would add to Mr Mackay’s obituary a word of appreciation of our late friend, Mr Mackinnon. We met him first at Synod meetings, he being a synod elder frequently during a period of Church trouble, controversy and strain over twenty years ago. At that time we came to value and respect his sound knowledge of Church Law and procedure and his spiritual understanding of the preciousness of Christ’s Cause of truth in the Free Presbyterian Church. He was faithful and courageous regarding what he deemed to be consistent with the Word of God. We visited him in his home at Tarbert a year or two ago, and although he was very frail, he was able to recall something of the fellowship we had together at Synod times many years ago. We used to enjoy his prayers at family worship on these synod occasions.—Editor.

The Late Mr Alexander Campbell, Ebost

The death of the righteous brings sorrow to the church militant but out loss is their everlasting gain.

On April 17, 1961, Mr Campbell passed, we believe, to his everlasting life. He was born at Skinidin, Durinish, Isle-of-Skye on July 27, 1867. His parents were god-fearing who reared their family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The father, William Campbell, by name, was well known in his generation as a pious man. The Spring before his death he and two of his sons, including the subject of this obituary, were one day sowing seed. When he finished he addressed his sons saying: “I have seen this seed sown but I shall not see the reaping of it.” This proved a true prediction for he passed away before the harvest time.

Grace does not run in the blood but it is a wonderful privilege to have god-fearing parents.

Alexander was one of a family of twelve, one of whom is still alive. Some died young. In 1896 he married Flora Campbell. This lady was like minded with himself. “Being heirs together of the Grace of life” their marriage was blessed with happiness. In 1921 they came to live at Ebost in the parish of Bracadale. Here they had the late esteemed Duncan Mackinnon as their missionary. It could be known from Alexander Campbell’s conversation how much they appreciated the preaching and wise counsel of their missionary. This marriage continued until 1942 when his wife died. Alexander survived his wife by near twenty years but the grief caused by her death and that of his oldest son, Peter, during war service, eleven months earlier broke his heart. It was noticed that he was not the same since.

There is little which can be recorded concerning when the spiritual change came. We believe the fruit of this change was obvious. He manifested in his life his love for the Truth, his interest in spreading the Gospel and his love to the Lord’s people. In his company one could notice that he spoke out of the abundance of his heart but he would not say much about himself. It is known, however, that he had strivings when still young. The Lord has His own ways and time for bringing His elect to know the only way of salvation through Jesus Christ. The faith of God’s true Israel will be tried and so it was with Alexander Campbell. He had his trials. He was not a stranger to the Wicked One and his temptations, neither was he ignorant of the corruptions of his own heart. Often we would find him in the Psalms of David. Here he found his own experience and here he found comfort, encouragement and strength. Like many who were of the same mind as himself he would often resort to the words:—

“Unless the Lord had been my help,
When I was sore opprest,
Almost my soul had in the house
of silence been at rest.”

Although he did not profess publicly till he was up in years yet in his own quiet way he was a praying man whose gracious humility and Christian simplicity could not pass unnoticed. It was a privilege to meet this aged Christian gentleman.

Alexander Campbell had a vivid memory and could tell precious anecdotes of his own time and also what he heard from his elders about past generations. He used to tell with accuracy how he lost confidence in the Free Church. As a young man he was a collector of the Sustentation Fund in the Free Church. On one occasion he happened to be present at Aberdeen and attended a lecture by Jacob Primer on the state of the churches in Scotland. Jacob Primer, a fearless soldier of Jesus Christ denounced the Free Church as well as the Established Church for their inconsistencies and departure from the faith. The impression this lecture made on the young man was profound. It seems that on his return to Skye he felt very concerned as to his duty. He knew well that it was at a great sacrifice to themselves, some of the people contributed towards the church funds. He, now, knew that the church was not what it once was, and it is no wonder though he felt righteous indignation at the thought of investing the money he collected in questionable projects as well as for the maintenance of those who held and taught heretical views. From this time he was seriously considering resigning as a collector. On the Sabbath after the Declaratory Act was passed, when on his way to church he overheard a conversation between the minister of the congregation and another collector who was his senior by many years. When the minister was asked what the consequences of this act would mean, he answered saying “It will not affect our generation, Alasdair”—referring to the man mentioned. Naturally those concerned thought about what would happen to the rising generation. On that same Sabbath the minister, while speaking from the pulpit compared the Declaratory Act to a nettle in a garden. This was his illustration and according to his way of thinking it would do you no harm as long as you did not touch it. After the service a godly man—Andrew Noble—approached the minister and made a comment as to the illustration the minister used. Andrew Noble’s reasoning that day was very sound for he said “When the nettle enters the garden it will soon overspread it.” These incidents decided for Alexander Campbell his path of duty. On the Monday following he handed in his Sustentation Fund book. In 1893 he immediately cast in his lot with the Free Presbyterian Church and with undiminished loyalty he adhered to that church to the end. His knowledge of Church History was clear and good. He read much and was abreast of the times as far as knowledge of current events were concerned. No doubt the fact that he spent a period of nine years in the United States of America gave him a broader view of human life but it did not cause his belief in the Word of God to waver.

Alexander Campbell lived to a good old age and on the whole his strength continued favourable until near the end and his faculties were unimpaired to the last. In his case, we believe, the Scripture was fulfilled. “Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like a shock of corn cometh in in his season.”

Mr Campbell had a large family of sons and daughters and he had the great joy of seeing some of them and also some of his grand-children brought to a saving knowledge of the only Redeemer.

We wish to extend our sympathy to them all; one of his sons is the minister of our Edinburgh congregation — the Rev. Donald Campbell, M.A.

Donald A. Maclean.