The Southern Presbytery resolve to place on their Records their deepest sense of the great loss sustained by them as a Court through the death on 8th January, 1963, of their beloved brother, the late Rev. James MacLeod, minister of the Greenock Congregation, and a member of this Court since his induction to Greenock in January, 1932.
The Presbytery would humbly give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, the sole King and Head of the Church for having carried His servant, Mr MacLeod, through life so honourably to the end.
As a minister of the Gospel, Mr MacLeod possessed in a remarkable degree the gift of ready utterance. The Bible was his only rule of faith and life. His discourses were chiefly characterised by a powerful conception of Calvinistic doctrines, and a true appreciation of Christian experience. He excelled in describing the dealings of the Holy Spirit with sinners in conviction and conversation, and in building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.
As one of the oldest ministers of our Church, his long experience was of great value to his brethren in the Presbytery. Since he was ordained in 1919, he asserted, maintained and defended the principles which the Church contends for. He loved the Free Presbyterian Church, devoting his life to its interests and to the advancement of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ among all nations. He never wavered in his attachment to the testimony raised on behalf of the Word of God in 1893 by the late Rev. Donald MacFarlane, and those who followed him.
Of a naturally ardent disposition, he was enabled by grace to denounce all sin in no uncertain terms. He likewise denounced all departures from the principles for which our godly forefathers contended in the First and Second Reformation in Scotland.
As a faithful witness for the truth, he was zealous for the former attainments reached by the Church of Scotland in her best days. It was his constant aim to adhere to these, and to have others do the same, as far as doctrine, worship, government and discipline of the Church were concerned. Sabbath desecration grieved him greatly. Mr MacLeod was very well read in Ecclesiastical History, and was constantly employed by tongue and pen in exposing the asphamous Papal hierarchy and other devices of Satan, such as Rationalism and Modernism. Faithfully warning men against sin and backsliding, he earnestly directed poor sinners to Christ as the only refuge. Of him it may truly be said: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the
word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me.” Ezekiel, 3:17.
His preaching was blessed to many souls. Now that he has gone to his rest, may we who mourn his loss to the Church militant be given grace to remember what the Lord says of His departed servants and people: “And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me, Write, blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation, 14, 13.
The Presbytery tender their sincere sympathy to his sorrowing widow, family and congregation in their sore loss.
Malcolm McSween, Clerk of Southern Presbytery.