The late Miss Chrissie Mackenzie, Gairloch
It is a constant pleasure and encouragement to recall to mind the lives and example of those who in their day adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. Godly women have been called to undertake noble service under the Gospel dispensation so that the devotion of Mary Magdalene and her companions does, in crucial circumstances, altogether outshine that of the disciples and we may believe that such a situation is, in measure, repeated down through the generations. The life of Miss Mackenzie, certainly, leaves the impression of one who was greatly devoted to the interests of Christ and His kingdom. As she occupied a position of trust, as teacher for many years in the school of Badachro on the south side of Gairloch, she conscientiously made use of that position to inculcate the maxims of vital Christianity, and it cannot be doubted but that the pupils who passed through her hands remain indebted all their days to a teacher who so surely sought their spiritual as well as their temporal welfare.
Chrissie Mackenzie was born of eminently God-fearing parents, Mr and Mrs John Mackenzie (see F.P. Magazine vol. LII pp. 210-213) at Port Henderson, south-side of Gairloch on the 1st October, 1896. Despite the careful upbringing which she thus received, it was not, however, until late in her twenties that a true saving change was wrought in her soul. This great event she owed under the hand of God to the faithfulness to her soul of her godly father. While teaching in Fife at this time Miss Mackenzie had need of an operation which occasioned a period of convalescence at her own home. It was then that her father took her aside to remonstrate with her over the need of her soul and declared to her that had she died in hospital she would, as an unregenerate person, have surely gone to a lost eternity. He advised her to seek the Lord without delay, and this faithful dealing by a “next of kin” had the desired result and a deep impression was made on her mind out of which she endeavoured to seek unto the God of mercy. This can never be a vain work and deliverance came to Chrissie’s soul at the time of one of the prayer meetings while attending a Communion season at Plockton. The words that were then applied to give liberty to her distressed soul were those of 1 John i: 7, “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin,” and there ensued in Miss Mackenzie’s experience a period of much joy as she rejoiced in the God of her salvation.
This joy only continued for a time and she was to know the experience common to the Lord’s people of journeying through the wilderness where there are enemies from without and within and the victory must be by faith. At times she was cast down in spirit but, by virtue of renewed supplies of grace, she made her way steadily forward through life’s pathway to the desired haven. On the way, she had time and strength to think of others so that from her lips there issued from time to time a rebuke to sinners and also the commendation to them of Christ as the Saviour of such. Her godliness was, therefore, most practical, and this was further shown in her diligence in attending to the services of the sanctuary, her interest in and affection for the people of God and her wrestlings on behalf of the Redeemer’s kingdom at a throne of Grace. From June, 1926, she made a public profession of Christ her Saviour as a member in full communion in the Gairloch, and it was a witnessing for righteousness in Gairloch and in the surrounding congregations where she was frequently found at the times of Communion.
Her last illness was to continue for about two years when it became increasingly evident to her friends that this bright witness was not to be left much longer with the Church below. She was, however, able to attend the public worship till near the end, such was her manifest delight in the gates of Sion. Monday, the 27th of May, 1963, was to be the day of her final victory in Jesus when she passed to join the company of the “spirits of just men made perfect” in the heavenly Jerusalem. On the previous Sabbath she acknowledged the near presence of her Saviour as she did again two hours before her death. Her last months on earth were, like her previous life, a time of constant witness on the Lord’s side and she advised young and old to seek the Lord and encouraged the Lord’s people to continue steadfast in the faith. The breach left by her death will not easily be filled and the Church on earth may mourn the loss of one who was still some three years short of the “three-score years and ten.” May many like-minded be raised up in Gairloch to serve Him who is the same, yesterday, today and forever!
—A. M.