MISS ANNIE GORDON, STAFFIN
Annie Gordon, the subject of this obituary, was born in Garafad, Staffin, in the Island of Syke in March, 1896, and left this present evil world in April, 1969. She had followed the course of this world until God by His word and Spirit enlightened her and caused her to see the vanity of all things apart from a saving knowledge of Christ.
For some time during the First World War she worked in a munitions factory where her sensitive soul suffered much because of the walk and conversation of those who were her companions, not by choice, but of necessity. Who can say but her humble remonstrances might have born fruit in later years in some of those who derided her. Subsequent to her leaving this work she took up domestic service. In this sphere of labour Annie Gordon excelled being naturally disposed to serve others. Her opportunities for Godly example were well used in this respect. In this she reminds one of the Psalmist when he declared, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before Kings, and will not be ashamed.” Natural reticence was forgotten when the Saviour was ill-spoken of, she could truly say, “This is my beloved and this is my friend . . .” and could not bear to have His Name denigrated. She shewed Whose she was and Whom she served.
A humble suppliant at the Throne of Grace she petitioned her Father in Heaven for her own needs and those of others. A friend of many years wrote, “she was an exercised woman, reputed by one of our late ministers as being one of the most spiritually minded people he had come into contact with. Her own sternest critic, she was never but in the mildest terms critical of others, unless Christ and His cause was thereby to suffer. As a teenage girl she began work in Glasgow and came under the powerful and solemn preaching of the late eminent Rev. Neil Cameron. It was while listening to the profound preaching of this servant of Christ that Annie came to learn of the wretchedness of man in his unregenerate condition and of her own state by nature through the teaching of the Holy Spirit and by this self-same Spirit was brought to know of the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. We understand that the passage of Scripture which gave her relief and hope was the same as that used by the Lord to give a similar experience to her father in Christ.”
The years following the Second World War found Annie engaged in domestic service in the manse in Greenock where she endeared herself to the minister and his family and all who had occasion to visit there. The minister, the late Rev. James MacLeod, greatly appreciated the fellowship of this Godly domestic, as did Mrs. MacLeod who is still spared to cherish her memory. It is to their daughter Jessie Rusel that I am indebted for the information contained herein. Annie, however, had to leave their service and return to Staffin where she had to look after a brother in the family home. In her native village she saw a minister settled for the first time over the Free Presbyterian Congregation which caused her much rejoicing. In her declining years, as always, she was attentive on the Means of Grace. She continued her attendance until a short time prior to her death. Her last illness was brief and although her suffering was intense she did not complain. Shortly before her departure she whispered to a friend, “I am going, we will meet in Glory” and passed peacefully into the joy of her Lord. The respect in which she was held could be judged by the large concourse of men accompanying what was mortal of her to a local graveyard. Here she lies until “the dead in Christ rise.”
To her sister and brothers we would extend our sympathy and hope that their sister’s Saviour will yet become their Saviour.
“But as for me I thine own face
in righteousness will see;
And with thy likeness when I wake
I satisfied shall be.”
J. MacD., Staffin
A Christian’s profession is to be dead to the world and to be alive to God, to have his life hid with Christ in God, to satisfy himself in God. What! is this your profession? And yet if you have not everything you want, you murmur, and are discontented. In that you deny your profession.
Jeremiah Burroughs