The Late Mrs Annie MacAskill, Strathy Point.
Many church friends in the north regretted the passing away last year at the age of eighty-two, of this worthy woman, Mrs Annie MacAskill, a sister of the late Mrs Gillies, Stornoway.
Her father Mr Alex. MacKay and her mother lived and died at Strathy Point. Her father was devoted to the Church and frequently attended the Communion in Wick as long as he was able. Her mother, Janet MacKay, was a warm-hearted and lively, god-fearing woman. They were well acquainted with the godly men and women in the north at the beginning of the church, and were well acquainted with Mr Murdo MacKay, the missionary for many years in Strathy, and with his sister Miss Charlotte MacKay, and Mr Hugh Munro and Mr Alex. MacDonald and others. Mrs MacAskill herself knew these outstanding witnesses for Christ.
Her husband, William, who was precentor in the Strathy Congregation, died in June, 1947, leaving her a widow with a family of eight, to whom she always set a Christian example although not a professing Christian at the time. For many years she was esteemed to be a woman who knew and loved the Lord Jesus Christ, His gospel and His people. Her kindness and hospitality in her home to the Lord’s people at communion seasons and other times was well-known and greatly appreciated. Others also received a warm welcome from her when they came to her house.
It was only when one entered into a conversation with her about the things of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus, that it was evident that she not only knew her Bible, as we would expect, but that her reading extended to a variety of the most edifying books of a Christian character.
As has been said of others, Mrs MacAskill’s place in the house of God was never empty, except for some very good reason. Many a Sabbath Day she walked from Strathy Point to the church at Strathy in all weathers. A little over a week before she died she was in church—a rebuke to many young persons, and others, who despise the tabernacles of God’s grace today. Truly, some are seen to walk upon the narrow way that leads to life eternal in its fullness in heaven; and others upon the broad way that leads to destruction in a lost eternity.
Mrs MacAskill ultimately became a member in full communion in September, 1963. This was something the Kirk Session were looking for, for years, and it gave them great satisfaction and encouragement to receive her: and see her witness publicly to her faith and love toward her Redeemer, at the Lord’s Table.
She suffered from a shock and in less than a week’s time passed from this world, where she was not without her trials, to enter the better country, even an heavenly, to be with Jesus, and to enjoy the rest that remaineth to the people of God.
May the Lord of grace and glory touch the hearts of each member of her family with His power and mercy, and bring them to be all followers of their Mother’s Saviour.
The writer and others extend to the bereaved family sincere sympathy; and in a special manner to her son Hugh, who lived with his Mother and showed the greatest affection and devotion to her, to the end.
R.R.S.