KNOCK FREE CHURCH
Connecting and Serving our Communities through the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Missionaries from Knock Free Church
Rev. Donald Macleod
Donald Macleod was born and brought up at "Cnoc Dubh", 8 Upper Garrabost. His father came from Knock and his mother from Garrabost. At school he excelled in every subject. His friends at the time used to tell of how he would spend many hours in his room translating Milton's "Paradise Lost" into Greek! Even as a boy Donald was noted for his uprightness. He was an honest, amiable and affectionate character. He seems to have come to know Christ as his Saviour at an early age through a deep and searching experience.
In 1862 he began studying at Glasgow University from which he graduated as Master of Arts. After several years of study his health broke down and it seemed as if he did not have long to live, but he resumed his studies, and while at the Free Church College he was engaged as a theological tutor part of the time. He then took on some Home Missions work after he finished his studies. In April 1873 he was ordained by the Free Church Presbytery of Glasgow to the mission field at Burnshill, South Africa and he and his wife Mary arrived there the following year. She was a daughter of Rev. Murdo Macritchie, minister of Knock Free Church.
In 1862 he began studying at Glasgow University from which he graduated as Master of Arts. After several years of study his health broke down and it seemed as if he did not have long to live, but he resumed his studies, and while at the Free Church College he was engaged as a theological tutor part of the time. He then took on some Home Missions work after he finished his studies. In April 1873 he was ordained by the Free Church Presbytery of Glasgow to the mission field at Burnshill, South Africa and he and his wife Mary arrived there the following year. She was a daughter of Rev. Murdo Macritchie, minister of Knock Free Church.
He immediately threw himself into the work at Burnshill, preaching, teaching, supervising eight or nine schools, examining those who came for church membership, and building converts up in their faith.The study of the local Xhosa language was one of his main objectives and he brought his considerable linguistic skill to that task. As well as Gaelic and English, Donald Macleod was adept in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, French, German and Italian.
Gradually his weak health gave way under his heavy duties and for over a year he was unable to visit the out-stations under his supervision. Remaining at Burnhill his presence there was largely responsible for the prevention of inter-tribal war breaking out in the area. For a time he and his wife were the only Europeans in that region, with little in the way of supplies or companionship. But although peace was maintained his health steadily declined. He passed away on August 21st 1878, after less than four years in the work and only 38 years old. He was buried in Burnshill. The stone marking the grave has the following inscription: "Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Donald Macleod, MA. Missionary of the Free Church of Scotland at Burnshill, where he laboured faithfully and zealously for the advancement of Christ's kingdom from 16th August 1875 till he entered into rest on 21st August 1878, aged 38 years." There follows an inscription in Xhosa: "size ngokun galo sihlale sihleli sinda wonje ne-nkosi", which translated means "You, O great one, sleep quietly with God forever." Below that is "1 Cor. 15 v. 57", the verse which states "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
His widow arranged for the erection of a stone in the old Eye Cemetery at Aignish at the family lair inscribed with the following tribute to her late husband: "In memory of Rev. Donald Macleod of the Free Church of Scotland in South Africa. Born at Garrabost he entered into his rest at Burnshill, South Africa on 21st August 1878, aged 38 years. Endowed with many gifts and talents he used all in the service of God for the good of his fellow men. He was beloved and lamented by many thousands of Christians and heathen, among with whom he laboured faithfully in the Gospel. Erected by his widow, Mary J. Macritchie."
Gradually his weak health gave way under his heavy duties and for over a year he was unable to visit the out-stations under his supervision. Remaining at Burnhill his presence there was largely responsible for the prevention of inter-tribal war breaking out in the area. For a time he and his wife were the only Europeans in that region, with little in the way of supplies or companionship. But although peace was maintained his health steadily declined. He passed away on August 21st 1878, after less than four years in the work and only 38 years old. He was buried in Burnshill. The stone marking the grave has the following inscription: "Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Donald Macleod, MA. Missionary of the Free Church of Scotland at Burnshill, where he laboured faithfully and zealously for the advancement of Christ's kingdom from 16th August 1875 till he entered into rest on 21st August 1878, aged 38 years." There follows an inscription in Xhosa: "size ngokun galo sihlale sihleli sinda wonje ne-nkosi", which translated means "You, O great one, sleep quietly with God forever." Below that is "1 Cor. 15 v. 57", the verse which states "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
His widow arranged for the erection of a stone in the old Eye Cemetery at Aignish at the family lair inscribed with the following tribute to her late husband: "In memory of Rev. Donald Macleod of the Free Church of Scotland in South Africa. Born at Garrabost he entered into his rest at Burnshill, South Africa on 21st August 1878, aged 38 years. Endowed with many gifts and talents he used all in the service of God for the good of his fellow men. He was beloved and lamented by many thousands of Christians and heathen, among with whom he laboured faithfully in the Gospel. Erected by his widow, Mary J. Macritchie."
In 1968 Rev. Angus Alex Macdonald, himself a native of Lewis from Tong, directly across Broad Bay from Garrabost, arrived in Somerset East, South Africa, as a Free Church missionary, and after some time a new church building was erected there. It was decided to call it "The Donald Macleod Memorial Church" in memory of the man from Garrabost who had spent these few but highly productive years there as an early missionary.
Rev Donald Macleod Memorial Church
Therefore my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain - 1 Cor. 15 v. 58
