Mr Donald Morrison, Portree, Isle of Skye
DONALD MORRISON, Ashlea, Portree, affectionately known as Donnie, was born on 13th December, 1947. He was born from above in 1965, and professed his faith in the Divine Redeemer at the early age of nineteen years. As a consciously guilty, lost sinner, when he could see nothing but eternal condemnation as his condign portion, he had been brought by the Lord, graciously and in His holy sovereignty, to cherish the hope of the prodigal son. He was wont to say that he had the hope that he had received the kiss of reconciliation through the sacrificial death of the Christ of God.
Donnie’s love to the Saviour and to the souls of his fellow men, could not be hidden. Of a most attractive character, he soon became well known and endeared to many throughout the Church as well as in the Island. In his public prayers there was a spiritual saviour and sweet fragrance in the very way he used the name of Jesus. His exercises had a spiritual dimension, and it was very evident that he was taught by the Holy Spirit. Before he was stricken by the trouble to which he ultimately succumbed, he was a sweet and melodious precentor in the praise of God’s house.
Just how many Bibles, books and tracts Donnie gifted to all and sundry are not recorded, but they afforded telling proof of his concern for the souls of his fellow sinners. Of a happy disposition, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, he was a good companion. Although Donnie knew the holy liberty of the Gospel by the Son who made him free, he was no stranger to the experience of the Psalmist when he said:
My wounds do stink, and are corrupt;
my folly makes it so.
I troubled am and much bowed down;
all day I mourning go.
As some of us know, it is easier to serve than to suffer. Donnie was to learn this painfully. He endured with much courage and submission a long and protracted period of sickness. He was severely tried in body and mind but his greater trouble here was “the body of sin and death”.
Many were impressed by his witness locally and elsewhere. Our dear friend loved the Lord’s people everywhere but was most loyal to his own denomination. He had a good grip of what the fathers of the Church stood for. His admiration for them was not hero worship, as some might have thought, but an appreciation of the unspeakable debt of gratitude we owe to their courage and fidelity.
Donnie passed away to his everlasting rest on 24 June 1994. To his sorrowing mother and brothers we extend our sincere sympathy. Our prayer is that his God may be their God.
F. M.