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This volume is issued
in response to numerous enquiries regarding manuscripts of
reminiscences which it was known the late Mr. Sage, minister of
Resolis in Ross-shire, had left, complete but unpublished. The
author's modest and retiring character had made him shrink, as is
seen in his own preface, from bringing his "Memorabilia" before the
public eye. Repeated requests for its perusal, and the knowledge
that the information here recorded was derived from original and
authentic sources, are the editor's apology for its present
appearance in print. What has weighed with him also is, that these
pages delineate Christian life and social manners, as they existed
in northern Scotland, during a period of which hitherto little has
been known except by tradition.
The graphic sketches
of prominent people, and of manners and customs prevailing in
various localities, are drawn from personal observation which the
author had the best opportunities of exercising. The many-sided
characters of persons of all ranks and professions are here vividly
portrayed; picturesque districts of country, hitherto comparatively
unvisited and unknown, are minutely described; changes, which have
altered the face of the Highlands, are pointed out and traced to
their original causes; the state of religion and morals, as
connected with the persons who mainly influenced the people for good
or evil, is brought under review; and all these are woven into a
connected narrative, held together by the continuous thread of the
author's autobiography.
While thus portraying
what passed around him, the author at the same time supplies
sufficient material to enable thoughtful readers to form a correct
estimate of his personal character and ministerial qualifications.
Warm-hearted and lovable; endowed with a well-furnished and
cultivated mind; keenly interested in the public events of his time;
and having great conversational powers, he was regarded by his
friends as a most fascinating and instructive companion. His
theological attainments were extensive, accurate, and profound. As a
preacher he displayed a personality peculiarly his own ; all classes
of hearers felt and acknowledged his originality in exposition and
illustration ; while the more distinguished and discerning
Christians agreed that he was worthy of a place in their regard
alongside of his many eminent contemporaries in the north. His taste
for literature continued with him through life, and many of his
leisure hours were devoted to study and research. During the
sittings of the first Disruption Assembly he passed much of the time
at home alone in prayer. Followed by his large and attached
congregation, he joined the Free Church of Scotland, in connection
with which he continued to labour with the same zeal, ability, and
success for which he had been always distinguished. For a few years,
however, before his death, owing to bodily infirmity, he was unable
to preach. On the 31st of March, 1869, in the 80th year of his age
and 53rd of his ministry, he "fell asleep," longing to be with
Christ, that lie might "see his face." He left a widow, who has
since passed away, and a large family of sons and daughters, to
mourn his loss.
The MSS., in their
original proportions, were too voluminous to be printed in full. The
work of the editor has been to eliminate repetitions and irrelevant
matter, and here and there to condense the narrative. He hopes that,
by the division into chapters, and the addition of notes derived
from various authorities, most of them acknowledged, and by a table
of contents, he has contributed what will facilitate the use of the
book for reference, and make it more interesting for general
reading.
DONALD FRASER SAGE.
FREE, MANSE OF KEISS,
CAITHNESS,
July 1889. |
