The Synod of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland convened at Inverness, this twenty-third day of May, 1963, would place on record its sense of loss at the death of Rev. D. R. MacDonald, for many years an honoured member of this court.
Mr MacDonald was a native of Shieldaig, Ross-shire, in which place he also departed this life on the 7th March, 1963, at the age of 75 years. Prior to the outbreak of World War I he lived in Canada for a number of years and it was with the armed forces of this country that he served during that great conflict. After the usual studies in Arts and Divinity he was ordained and inducted at Tarbert, Harris on the 20th March, 1927. In this congregation he was to spend the whole of his ministry apart from the last twelve years when he had returned to Shieldaig.
As a Minister of the Church Mr MacDonald showed much tactfulness as perplexing situations did from time to time arise and it
was evident that he was much concerned at heart for the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among poor sinners in the world. He was respected not only in his own congregation but throughout the communities in which he served as a man of God. His hospitality to strangers was unfeigned.
In both Harris and Shieldaig Mr Macdonald was in his day acquainted with many of the excellent of the earth, although in his closing years he was left to mourn the spiritual desolation of parts which had been at one time as the garden of the Lord. As a preacher he had an original style and possessing a fund of useful anecdotes, he could command the attention of his hearers, alike in Gaelic and English. His attendance on Church Courts was punctual and for a period he acted as Clerk to the Outer Isles Presbytery.
As a Synod and a Church we have much reason to mourn his removal from our midst but it is our conviction and consolation that the day of his death was better for our friend than the day of his birth as his eye was set upon the Crucified but now risen and exalted Saviour.
To his sorrowing widow and congregation the Court would tender its heartfelt sympathy and pray that the Covenant God may be their help. “Mark thou the perfect, and behold the man of uprightness; because that surely of this man the latter end is peace.” Ps. 37: 37.