The late Mr William Bruce, elder, Wick.
The father of the subject of this obituary was also named William and was an elder in the Wick Congregation for twenty-five years. He died in 1949, aged eighty-one years. His son, of whom we now write was born at Thrumster, some miles south of Wick, on 28th November 1897, and died on the 16th of January 1975, aged seventy-seven years, at his home in Bower.
He served in the Army in the First World War. He was admitted as a member in the Wick congregation in October 1923. He was ordained a deacon in 1924, and afterwards in 1963 was ordained an elder. During this long period of over fifty years in office he proved himself a worthy deacon and elder.
He was engaged during his life in the farming industry and was known as a most competent man in his calling. His farm and home were situated in a quiet part of Caithness, in the Bower district about ten miles west of the town of Wick, to where he travelled regularly with his family to the public worship of God. Visitors to his home always received a warm welcome and he himself was manifestly a Christian head of a Christian home: the Word of God being given the place therein as the rule of faith and manners for the Lord’s people, in their private lives, as well as for their public walk and conversation in the Church and in the midst of the world: “For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God?” (1 Titus 3:5). William Bruce, by divine help, looked well to his conduct at home and from home and was highly respected in this regard.
He was earnest and lively while engaging in prayer. Friends who were accustomed to hear him in public, as on other occasions, will ever remember this. One conspicuous feature of his prayers was the use he made of quotations from Scripture to express his exercise, in for instance confession of sin or in pleading for the divine favour and blessing. An evidence of how his spiritual feelings could be moved and affected was seen when the Kirk-Session examined those applying for membership for the first time and who were accepted for admission to the Lord’s Table. Invariably, the tears were seen to fill his eyes. We read of Barnabas, that “when he saw the grace of God,” in sinners being brought to believe in Jesus, “he was glad.” There are tears of joy in the experience of Christians when they know of any being brought out of darkness and truly and in reality drawn to the suffering Saviour of the lost, to believe in Him under the influence of the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, and to find in Him, all their salvation.
Our late friend had a clear understanding of the precious and fundamental truths and doctrines of the Word of God: and was a discerning hearer of the preaching of the Gospel. He said on one occasion that he had no mind or place for traditions. In his spare time he read a good deal. Once he was heard to remark quite casually, that he had just finished reading all Bunyan’s Works.
The pilgrim, of whom we write began to be greatly missed in the congregation when he was confined to his home by a progressive physical ailment. When visited now and again he revealed a quiet and composed frame of mind. He remarked during a visit by his fellow elders, that the doctor asked him if he felt depressed. His reply was, “No!” He did not conceal that he had a good hope of a better Country, even an heavenly. And we believe he has gone to be with Jesus, his Redeemer and Lord.
The sincere sympathy of the Wick Congregation and other friends is extended to his sorrowing widow and son, and his sisters. The grace of the Lord Jesus is sufficient for them.
R.R.S.
The late Mrs Dolina MacLeod, Wick
Mrs MacLeod was born near Lochinver, Sutherland, on 6th November 1907, and died at the age of sixty seven years. She came to reside with her husband in Helmsdale about forty years ago. While in Helmsdale she became a member in the Congregation there under Rev. William Grant’s ministry, to whom she was greatly attached. Later she resided with her husband at Loth, near Helmsdale. After Mr MacLeod died, she came to reside with her daughter, Mrs Robert Chalmers, in Wick: and thereafter transferred her membership to Wick Congregation.
For quite a while Mrs Macleod had not enjoyed good health: but this did not hinder her regular attendance upon all the services in the house of God on Sabbath and weekdays. It was seldom she was heard to complain of her physical affliction, although once and again she had to enter hospital for short periods. She cast her burden on the Lord, from her heart, in secret prayer, and was undoubtedly graciously sustained.
But on the last occasion she had to be taken to hospital, she died unexpectedly on Wednesday evening, the 25th June 1975.
By her intimate Christian friends she was known as a gracious, humble person, living a life which becometh the gospel of Christ Jesus. She was indeed adorned with a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price. Yet she possessed a most friendly and attractive personality and was held in affectionate regard by her friends.
Her son-in-law and daughter and their children were greatly privileged by having her presence and Christian example in their home for those few recent years. And she was very contented in their home where she enjoyed every kindness and comfort. May they not forget what they saw and heard of her godly life.
The Lord’s people in the Wick congregation were saddened by her removal from their midst. But her latter end was peace. To her daughter and sons and son-in-law, and other members of the family we extend our sincere sympathy. May they seek their Mother’s Saviour and find that life which shall never end.
R.R.S.