Obituaries

The late Mr Neil MacIsaac, Elder, North Uist

This world changes for the church of God as it does for those wholly taken up with it. Year after year the Lord is gathering His own to the place He prepared for them. During the year that has passed so many of God’s dear people were taken from our midst, and we have become poorer by their departure. Our beloved friend, Mr Neil MacIsaac, was one of them. In the early hours of the 11th day of February, at the age of 75 years, he fell asleep in Jesus.

From a child Neil knew the Scriptures. His father was a man of true piety and integrity and brought up his family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. One of the ministers of the church told the writer that he knew no one who ruled his family better than the late John MacIsaac. The training Neil received in the home was evident in his boy-hood and youth to the extent at least, that he was restrained from many of the sins and errors of youth.

At the age of nineteen while serving with the Gordon Highlanders in France in World War I, he was the victim of gas poisoning and also suffered a severe leg injury. Owing to the serious nature of the wound only one course seemed possible, that being amputation. In the kindness of the Lord, however, after intensive medical care and undergoing no less than fifty operations his limb was saved. The effect of hardships endured so early in life left his health impaired all his days.

Despite the privileges and the good moral qualities Mr MacIsaac possessed, the Lord showed him that these could not save his soul. The Holy Spirit, whose glory it is to make the Word effectual to salvation began to teach him the stern realities of sin, death, judgement and his need of a Saviour. “The terror of the Lord” of which the Apostle solemnly speaks was experienced by our friend, and brought him to a very low state of mind. After a considerable time the Lord was pleased to reveal to him the way of escape from sin, wrath, death and hell, through a crucified Saviour. The portion of Scripture in which he found deliverance, peace and joy being Ps. 55:22 — “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

At the July Communion in 1939 the Lord’s people in the Uist congregation were greatly encouraged when Neil MacIsaac and also Macdair and William Macdonald made a public profession of their faith in Christ. Shortly after, Neil and his worthy brother Donald were ordained Deacons in the congregation. The latter passed away in 1954. His obituary, written by Rev. D. J. Macaskill, appears in vol. 59 of the F.P. magazine. Having used the office of deacon well, Mr Neil MacIsaac was unanimously elected to the eldership, and consented to accept office in July, 1942. From the time he came forth publicly as a witness for Christ, he earnestly endeavoured to do as much as he could to help the cause of Christ in every possible way.

In 1955 the Uist congregation was left without a pastor. The previous year two elders were removed by death, leaving only Neil MacIsaac and his aged brother elder William Macdonald. The weak state of the congregation weighed heavily on Neil’s mind.

For years, our friend prepared a lodging for those who came to supply the congregation and at Communion seasons ministers and others were provided for in his hospitable home. As long as he was able he conducted public worship in the Bayhead Church, and considering himself unable to speak in public, he read sermons to the people.

It was his humility, sincerity and consistent life and not his gift for speaking that endeared him to the hearts of all. The people realised that their worthy elder spared not himself to uphold the cause of the Saviour among them. For the last few years the least exertion caused severe chest pain and on occasions he had to rest in the porch of the Church before going to his seat. The diligence of this witness of Christ to be present at the Means of Grace is a sound rebuke to those who spend their Sabbaths in carnal ease. We believe our friend could say with David, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” Ps. 84:10. In the neighbourhood, community and congregation he commanded the respect of old and young.

In the courts of the Church his presence was greatly appreciated. He was the oldest member of the Kirk Session, but certainly not a Diotrephes among brethren. Neil MacIsaac had a most agreeable spirit and disposition. His removal has left a blank in the home and family circle, and in the Church of God on earth, and the writer is very conscious of having lost a real friend.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his brother and sisters, and would pray that they may know the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

A. MORRISON

The late Mr John Heikoop, Gisborne

Mr John Heikoop passed away in July 1967 at the age of 73. As long as he was able, his place was never empty in the House of God, often attending in weakness and frailty. Spiritually Mr Heikoop was a Mr Fearing, concerning whom John Bunyan writes that he appeared to have “a slough of despond in his mind, a slough that he carried everywhere with him”. It was accordingly a pleasant surprise when on the Saturday of the October communion in 1963, he appeared before the Kirk Session with tears streaming down his cheeks. He said that he had heard and understood the sermon that day as if it had been preached in Dutch. His knowledge of English was limited and as a rule he understood little of what he heard. He was in a happy frame of mind, but before the end of the day he was so tempted that he wanted to return his token. He was advised by one of the elders to keep it. Before the end of the action sermon on the Sabbath he got deliverance and came forward to the table. For the next few days his cup appeared to be overflowing. But soon a period of darkness followed. He was greatly tried as to his hope and would often confess that he had nothing. Dr Owen says that “a sense of the want of all is a great sign of something genuine in the soul”. One night while in hospital, verse 3 of Psalm 138 — “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul” was the means of giving him the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. It was at his home he died after a prolonged illness, where he was devotedly nursed by his wife and members of his family. Shortly before he passed away he opened his eyes and quoted the words “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy” — (Ps. 147:11). A faint smile appeared to light up his countenance, which lingered after his soul had joined, as we believe, “the spirits of just men made perfect”.

W.M.

The late Mrs John Vermeulen, Gisborne

Mrs Vermeulen passed away on the 31st January 1968 at the age of 66. She was admitted to membership at the April communion in 1963. Her life, walk and conversation revealed that her dwelling was in the secret place of the Most High. For long years she suffered from asthma and a heart condition. Before the October communion in 1967 she had to be removed to hospital, after being for some months confined to her home. A day or two before the communion the words “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people”, came to her. It seemed impossible that she would be at the communion, but on Friday she was informed by the Sister of the ward that she was to get home that day. To the surprise of all she was in the church on the Sabbath morning and sat at the Lord’s table for the last time in this world. It was her desire to attend the Auckland communion as she did on previous occasions. In her frail and feeble condition she travelled as far as Paeroa where she stayed with her daughter. Instead, however, of being at the Lord’s table in Auckland, the Lord, we believe, took her to the table above. She was conscious almost to the end. Having solemnly counselled her family, all of whom were present at her death bed, four sons and one daughter, she bade them and her like-minded husband farewell, and then peacefully passed away into the rest that remaineth to the people of God, mourned by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

W.M.

The late Mr Campbell MacPherson, Gisborne

Mr Campbell MacPherson the fourth son of the late Mr and Mrs Murdo MacPherson, Gisborne, passed away suddenly on 3rd January 1970 at the age of 44, leaving a widow and six children — five boys and a girl. Campbell always appeared to be the picture of health and on the day of his death was engaged in his usual activities on the farm. Shortly after arriving home he had a heart attack about 4 p.m. His wife immediately phoned for the doctor and while waiting for his arrival read to Campbell the 8th chapter of Romans. When she had finished reading he said to her “If this is death, I am happy to go”. He had a second attack in the ambulance on his way to the Cook Hospital and passed away to the grief and loss of the whole congregation, and of all who knew him.

Recently his widow, having chanced to pick up his “Farmer’s Diary” for 1964, came across the following entries: Sabbath 29th March (the communion Sabbath) “Was awake very early and was able to meditate and pray in peace. Morning prayer meeting very solemn and nice preparation for the day’s solemn duties. Was able to listen very well to the action sermon, and received great encouragement during the fencing of the Table, when marks were given to believers. Service ended about 2 p.m. Taught the children all the afternoon. Night service most beautiful. Very much solemnised after service and nearly indisposed, but was happy and had great peace before going to bed as I never had before. “O that men to the Lord would give praise for His goodness then, and for His works of wonder done unto the sons of men”.

Monday 30th. Attended prayer-meeting and morning service to end another communion season. Very sad it has ended, but thus it must be in this life. Was awake very early and was very happy in mind and was able to rejoice with trembling and could not but own that it was of Christ and none other, but O Most High preserve me from false peace and hope, and Thou shouldest have all the glory and honour both now and for ever.

The next entry is in connection with the October communion in 1964. October 23rd, Friday. Was exercised in mind all day. Got great encouragement from both services and especially from a text quoted from Daniel 12:13 “But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days”.

Saturday 24th. Was awake early and felt it greatly to be my duty to go forward, but could not see my way of myself. But during the service the text in Daniel gave me such strength that all my mountains of difficulties were removed and the crooked places made straight and plain, that it was all of Christ alone. Was accepted as a member after examination, but found it very difficult to believe it was true, and that it was from nothing that was found in me, but in the crucified Saviour who had paid all the price.

Sabbath 25th. The morning text was Galations 6:14. Was greatly tempted all the morning, but was afterwards encouraged and strengthened in a way that words cannot express, that it was Christ alone that did all for me. I was able to go forward to His Table. Had much joy and peace of mind all day, praying much to be kept from cruel pride and from the temptations of the subtle enemy of Truth.

Monday 26th. The text of the sermon was Zechariah 4:7. Zerubbabel means a stranger in Babylon. Very suitable for me. Found much encouragement and felt in truth that a great mountain had been removed for me in the past days. Need of much thankfulness.

At the communion in April 1967 Campbell gave out the Question — ‘For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Thess. 5:9). Campbell was a man of peace and of prayer and most conscientious in teaching the children the Scriptures and the Catechism. For an hour every Sabbath morning before church he made a point of instructing them. May the Lord be the widow’s stay and a Father to the fatherless.

W.M.