Mr Donald William Macdonald, Deacon, Uig
AS we cast a glance over many of our congregations we are reminded of the words, “One generation passeth away and another generation cometh.” One of the generation that has almost completely passed away was Donald William Macdonald, 3 Ardfoil, a deacon in the Uig congregation. He had attained the advanced age of 95 years when he died in October, 1995.
Donald William Macdonald was born in Kneep, Uig, in February, 1900, and it was in his native parish that he was to spend the greater part of his earthly sojourn. His father, Murdo, was one of those who left the Balnakille congregation of the Church of Scotland to form the present Uig congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1930 and was one of the stalwarts of the movement. So our late friend had from his childhood the inestimable benefit of a godly example and scriptural teaching.
Donald William served in the Royal Navy during the latter part of the 1914-18 War and experienced the rigours of several voyages to Russia during which there was much loss of life. But neither godly example and teaching nor troubles in providence will bring any to see their spiritual needs, without the saving operation of God the Holy Spirit.
It would appear to have been the death of his first wife after only eight years of marriage which was used by the Lord to awaken Donald William to a sense of his need of mercy. We are not able to give any account of the Lord’s dealing with him, except to say that from this time onwards he gave heed to the preaching of the Word as he had not previously done, and joined himself to those whose feet took them to the means of grace on Sabbath and weekday, and at communion seasons.
In 1948 he married Miss Bella Morrison, a lady of known piety, who predeceased him by several years, after many years of unspotted profession.
A Mr Fearing all his days, Donald William was in his 78th year before he felt able to make a public profession. It was not a step which he took lightly, and in spite of all his doubts and fears he was kept to the end. In 1979 he was elected a deacon in the Uig congregation and while able to do so took an active interest in the concerns of that office.
For a number of years he was housebound, but though physically frail his mind was alert and active up till his final brief illness. He was an avid reader and kept himself up to date with all Church affairs. He had a particularly keen interest in the Church’s missionary work, notably in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Eastern Europe. In 1989 he was in no doubt where his duty lay and he adhered firmly to the distinctive testimony of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
He was left to mourn many of his fellow pilgrims who had gone before, notably Rev. J. A. Macdonald, Rev. D. J. Macaskill and his brother, Jackie; Norman Mackay, Ness, and the many other godly men and women who frequented communion seasons in Lewis during his lifetime.
It was as a praying man we knew him best. He prayed for the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland in its witness for the truth and he seemed to have a particular burden for its ministers. He remembered them in their Sabbath preparations and preaching, in their travels to communion seasons and in their travels abroad as Church deputies. He remembered their families. He prayed for the Uig congregation.
It is our fervent desire that the Lord will yet answer the prayers of His people in again visiting that once favoured parish of Uig with times of refreshing and revival.
Once again we extend our condolences to our late friend’s son and daughter in the hope that they will come to know their father’s God as their own God.
(Rev.) D. J. Macdonald