Mr John Martin died unexpectedly during the night of 25th June, 1976, in his home at Wick. Some weeks before, he had attended the Synod in Glasgow as a representative elder, and had shortly before his death attended Dornoch Communion, giving assistance to the other elders there in his usual willing and active manner.
He was born at Bayhead, Harris, on 9th October, 1903, and died on 25th June, 1976. His father was a missionary in the United Free Church, in Harris. As a young man he trained to be a wireless operator, at Watt Memorial College, Greenock; and spent a number of years at sea, visiting countries throughout the world. From 1947 to 1966 he was a Radio Technician with the Air Ministry and retired while stationed in Wick, in 1966.
Mr Martin became a member in Wick Congregation in October, 1962, and in the following year — 1963 — was elected an Elder, along with others, and thereafter ordained.
He was most kind and hospitable; and was most willing to help and assist others in any way possible for him. Along with Mrs Martin he gave a warm welcome to friends into their home.
In due course he was appointed Congregational Treasurer and took a keen and active interest in the finances of the Church. During his time, certain Collections were taken by book and Mr Martin never failed to call at the homes of the people for their donations. His kindly and Christian personality gave him a place in their hearts: and we know that there is sorrow that his friendly visits will no longer be enjoyed. Any practical business which needed to be seen to in regard to the Congregation, Mr Martin attended to promptly. In his retirement he was kept active serving the Lord in one way or other.
His love to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, His gospel, His Kingdom, His believing people, was in no way ‘hid under a bushel’, but was like a shining candle set upon a candlestick, for all who came to know him, to see where John Martin stood in relation to the claims of his Saviour. He had a tender concern for sinners living without Christ in the world and saw with gracious vexation the state of the generation steeped in ungodliness and vanity.
He was highly intelligent and widely read and was evidently a student of the Holy Scriptures. By the grace of God and the gifts given to him, he was enabled to conduct services in the Sanctuary in Wick and elsewhere. His expositions of gospel truth were most acceptable to the people who heard him from time to time. This duty he always undertook most willingly to help and assist the minister. His removal from among us while apparently able for all his duties, was albeit according to the divine purpose. Yet, without hesitation it can be said: “What a loss to Wick and the Church!”
Tributes have been paid to this worthy man in different courts of the church wherein he was a member, as a representative of Wick Kirk Session. He had a competent and clear understanding of Church business and was a wise and interested office-bearer; sensible of his personal responsibility to the Head of the Church and to his Christian brethren with whom he worked so amicably. He was not afraid to express his personal convictions on any specific matter, if and when he conceived this to be called for. He of course adhered to the Word of God as inspired and infallible, as our supreme, divine standard of faith and practice. The Westminster Confession of Faith, in its entirety, was the confession of his faith.
It should cause us who ‘remain’ to be exercised as to why the Most High is removing from our midst as a Church, those who were apparently some little time before their death, able and zealous in their Master’s service. “Help Lord: because the godly man doth daily fade away.” But they have entered into the joy of their Lord. Let us by the Spirit be truly followers of them, and of their divine Master especially.
A large congregation attended the funeral service of Mr Martin, in the Wick Church, consisting not only of intimate friends from far and near, but many from different sections of the Wick community where he spent a goodly part of his life. The Wick congregation and those present with them on this sad occasion gave expression to their sincere sympathy for Mrs Martin and her family and relatives, in their great loss and sorrow.
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9).
R.R.S.