From the Synod Proceedings of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, 1996.  

Donald Campbell, Missionary

Bonar-Bridge

It is with a genuine sense of sorrow and loss that the Synod the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, met in Glasgow on Thursday 23^rd May 1996, records the passing away of Donald Macfarlane Campbell at the Ballifeary Home of Rest on 20 March 1996 at the advanced age of 93 years.

Donald Campbell was a quiet, meek and godly man, whose life and conversation adorned the gospel. He was born at Struan, Skye, in 1903, to Free Presbyterian parents who named him Donald Macfarlane Campbell after the Rev Donald Macfarlane, the founding minister of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. At a time when the old Free Church of Scotland and the United Free Church of Scotland were broadening their theology, Donald Campbell’s godly father wanted him to walk the narrow way which leads to everlasting life. He moved at a young age to Bonar Bridge congregation where, in 1937, he got the liberty of the gospel in the Bonar Church under a sermon preached by the Rev Donald John Matheson on “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). He became a member at the Dornoch communion in November 1937, and on 27 June 1940, he was ordained an elder in the Lairg and Bonar congregation. After Six years he was appointed as a missionary to Kinlochbervie, where he laboured for four years. He then went to Plockton as a missionary for 21 years and returned to Bonar in 1971, where he remained until 1989. He spent the last six years of his life in the Home of Rest in Inverness.

As an elder representing congregations in the Western and Northern Presbyteries, he made occasional contributions to Synod debate, notably to the British Summer Time debate, when Synod renewed its resolution on this matter. During his time in Plockton he gave himself voluntarily to the work of a colporteur, visiting most of the houses in the Lochalsh and Glenshiel area, selling books and Bibles. He therefore spoke to most of the people, some of whom were Roman Catholic.

Those who knew him best valued his spiritual conversation and his knowledge of Highland history. Among those of his acquaintance, he highly valued Sandy Murray, Badbea, Archie Robertson, Tain, and Charlotte and Murdo Mackay, Strathy, whom he reckoned outstanding in their day. His remarkable memory for dates was a help in giving skeleton outlines of local congregational histories, greatly appreciated because of our lack of access to the congregational records. This is all the more useful as different Highland congregations are approaching the centenary of erecting their church buildings.

His wife, Isabella, predeceased him in 1989, and then he moved to Ballifeary Home of Rest. These were days of gladness to his soul, where he had sweet fellowship with some like-minded Christians whom he held in the highest esteem. He was a good spiritual influence in Ballifeary.

A long chapter has closed. During this long period, he learned to come up through the wilderness leaning on the arm of his Beloved. He has left a good testimony behind him, an example to us all. We are told to be followers of them who through faith and patience are now inheriting the promises. It was by the grace of God that he was what was. May we get grace to follow in his steps.

Synod Tribute written by Rev DM Boyd and Mr Robert Ross.