THE REV. HECTOR M‘PHAIL AND HIS FAITHFUL WIFE.

 THE REV. HECTOR M‘PHAIL AND HIS FAITHFUL WIFE. THE REV. HECTOR M‘PHAIL, of Resolis, was a minister for several years before his conversion. He had married a daughter of the godly Mr. Balfour, minister of Nigg. She had been one of Mr. Porteous’s hearers, and had profited greatly by his preaching. Feeling painfully the difference between her husband’s doctrine and that to which she had been accustomed, she told him, on a Sabbath morning soon after their marriage, that her soul was starving, and that, as all must give place to her care for its welfare, she had resolved to go on that day across to Kilmuir. He offered no opposition; he even accompanied her to the ferry. It was a sad journey the pious wife took that day to Kilmuir. Arriving at the manse before the hour for beginning the service in church, Mr. Porteous was not a little surprised to see her, and, on meeting her, asked very anxiously why she had come. She told him that as her soul was famished at Resolis, she was compelled to come for the bread of life to the place where she had been wont to receive it. Mr. Porteous retired to his study, and on rejoining her, said,—“If I am not greatly deceived you will not long have the same reason for leaving Resolis, for I expect that the Lord will soon give you, by the hand of your husband, the very finest of the wheat.” His expectation was not disappointed. After parting with his wife on that morning, the fact of her desertion of his ministry made a deep impression on Mr. M‘Phail’s mind. Conscience testified that she was right; a deep sense of his unfitness for the work of the ministry was produced, and a process of conviction then began that extended over several years. At last he resolved to demit his charge, and to declare his resolution of doing so publicly before his congregation. With this view he sent for Mr. Fraser, of Alness, to preach on a week-day in his church, and to intimate, after sermon, his resignation of his charge. Mr. Fraser came and preached, but with no intention of giving the required intimation. During the sermon delivered on that day Mr. M‘Phail’s bonds were loosed, and, before the service was over, he was in no mood to turn his back on the work of preaching Christ to sinners. Full of hope and gladness he escorted Mr. Fraser next day to the Alness Ferry, and, on his way back, he called at the house of one of his elders, who had spent many an hour wrestling with the Lord for his minister. “What news, to-day, Mr. M‘Phail?” the elder asked. “Good news, Hector M‘Phail is not to preach any more,” his minister replied, “but the Spirit of the Lord is to preach to you through him.’ “Oh! that is good news, indeed,” cried the elder in an ecstacy of joy. From that day till his death, Mr. M‘Phail was one of the most faithful, fervent, prayerful, and successful of ministers.Religious Anecdotes of Scotland

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