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Life of John Macdonald, D.D., 'the apostle of the North'.
Life of John Macdonald DD 'the apostle of the North' Author:Robert Macgregor Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER IV. Saonb fparrfogt.—fSorat £iand.—Sisils Si $UKH. the llth of May 1818, Mr Macdonald brought home to the manse of Urquhart, Janet, the eldest... more » daughter of Kenneth Mackenzie, of Millbank, to be a second mother to his three children, ard a faithful and loving wife to himself. Mrs Macdonald was a most exemplary woman; one whom all the minister's friends rejoiced to see him wed. His friend, Mr Findlater, of Ardeonaig, well expressed the general feeling when he wrote :— "I have to congratulate you in the most cordial manner on the happy prospect of being united to a lady of such accomplishments and such eminent piety." By his first marriage Mr Macdonald had three children, two sons and a daughter; and seven children by his second marriage. " It was said, but it must have been by one who was more anxious to speak smartly," Dr Kennedy tells us, " than to speak truly, that Mr Macdonald was never ' from home' but when he was ' at home.' None would have said so who had seen him at his own fireside. If he spent but a small portion of his time at home, it was only because he loved his Master better than his family, and the service of the Gospel better than the comforts of domestic life. There was no man who could make home more pleasant, and was more disposed to do so, and could more enjoy the happiness of the family circle. Retaining still a father's place, he could be at the same time a companion to his children, making his conversation an enjoyment to them, as well as an instruction. He brought all the' fresh interest of a student to bear upon the school-work of his boys. And yet, while interested for the time in his affairs of home, he could easily relinquish it, with all its cares and comforts, when called to preach the everlasting Gospel." While at home...« less