Mrs Christine Morrison was a native of Broadford, Skye, and a daughter of Mr and Mrs MacInnes, Broadford. She was brought up to know the Scriptures from her youth and from childhood Christine knew Free Presbyterian ministers and elders, as her parents extended hospitality to Free Presbyterians from the beginning of the church in 1893. Mrs Morrison often spoke of those days when, particularly during communion seasons, her parents entertained the Lord’s people. Among those who often frequented the home were Rev. Donald MacFarlane and Rev. Neil Cameron and of the men, Neil MacKinnon, Portree and Donald (Donald Beag) MacLeod, Broadford, who seemed to have been among the favourites. However, these were only a few of the many whom Mrs MacInnes and her husband entertained. Our information regarding this aspect of Mrs Morrison’s life was not gleaned from herself alone. Many others would confirm the reports of communion seasons in Broadford, when the Lord’s people, men and women from far and near gathered on the mount of ordinance to commemorate the dying love of Christ. During the years that have elapsed great changes have taken place, some of which have brought barrenness in their wake. Nevertheless our friend’s association with the godly of those days left on her soul the imprint of vital godliness which the varied trials of the future failed to erase.
She met her husband Rev. Murdo Morrison, in her parents’ home and after their marriage they made their first home in Glendale, Skye, where Mr Morrison began his ministry in the Free Presbyterian Church and where he remained for a few years before moving to Lochinver. There he laboured among a large congregation for over twenty years, until he accepted a call to Raasay, his last charge before he retired through ill health.
During their married life Mr and Mrs Morrison had their own share of the joys and sorrows of this world. They had a talented family of sons and daughters but two of their sons died in early manhood. Naturally, those bereavements made a deep wound on the parents affections and though they had a good hope that their sons’ souls were saved they never fully recovered from their grief. Shortly after the death of the second son, Mr Morrison himself died, leaving his grief stricken widow to mourn his loss. Her sorrow was her daily companion and though she lived for many years after his departure she never failed to enter an annual memoriam of his death in “The Scotsman.”
Mrs Morrison with her strong personality seemed to strangers almost austere but those who knew her best discovered under that austere cover surprising benignity. Outspoken and perhaps rather intolerant of what she judged to be wrong, one had to respect her frankness. When among Free Presbyterians, she could be almost ruthless in her criticism of us, but in the presence of the Church’s enemies, she, bold as a lion, defended its principles. In discussion of doctrine, Mrs Morrison was at her best and displayed no ordinary knowledge of the word of God. While her criticism of some preaching could be severe, she held the ministry of the Gospel in high regard and could detect what savoured of humble dependence on the Holy Spirit. During her stay in Edinburgh, the writer found in Mrs Morrison a loyal friend, who entertained affection and sympathy for her friends in affliction. Because she loved the gates of Zion, like David, Psalm 27:4, her place in the house of God was seldom empty.
Mrs Morrison had her own favourites among the ministers and men of the church. Among those was the late Malcolm MacDougall who died in Dingwall a few years ago. This outstanding Christian understood Mrs Morrison well and was able better than most of her friends to guide her thoughts into the word of God and their conversations could be of an elevated nature. Both possessed of an independant disposition, they were not afraid to state their views and even on points of difference they allowed each other considerable latitude. Malcolm would say of Mrs Morrison, “She is mighty in the Scriptures and you need the whole armour in her presence but I find her edifying.” Of Malcolm, Mrs Morrison would say, “He is a rare Christian whose understanding of and love to the word of God exceed that of many.” With this estimate of Malcolm MacDougall the writer readily agrees. His association with this good man, he will always cherish.
As already stated Mrs Morrison had her share of this world’s sorrows and these were her daily companions. Many years after her sore bereavements, her tears were as copious as the day these began. The day their first son died and before they had received the sad news, Christ’s promise, “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise” came with power to both parents — to the one in Gaelic and to the other in English. This wonderful promise softened the impact of their sore bereavement and enabled them to submit to the will of God “Who gave and hath taken away.” Mr and Mrs Morrison’s interpretation of the above experience was that their son was among Christ’s redeemed ones.
Mrs Morrison’s end was peace and no doubt her soul departed to be with Christ while her body was laid to rest beside that of her husband in the Lochinver cemetery, where their sons are buried also. “Until the day break and the shadows flee away.” In recording our sincere sympathy with our late friend’s family and sister we commend them to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who alone can save to the uttermost all those who come to God by Him.
D.C.