OBITUARY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 9

OBITUARY.

DR. S. R, MACPHAIL. By his tragically sudden death on Friday night, January 19, in John Street United l'Vco Church, Glasgow, where he was conducting a mission, the Rev. Dr. Simeon K. Macphail, of Liverpool, realised a wish, expressed by him on his retirement from the work of the mu'torale a little less than five years aj;', that ho might "die- in harness." lU' was shown into tho vestry before tho service, apparently in his usual health, and sat down to write a postcard. The minister of the congregation (tho Rev. J. V. Logan), entering shortly afterwards, found him dead in the chair, pen in hand. Sineo he resigned tho pastorate of Canning Street Church in I'JO7, Dr. Macphail's services had been in much demand as a preacher and evangelist, both in England and Scotland, so that, in. spito of the fact that he had entered on tlio seventy-third year of his age. ho led u crowded, strenuous, and useful life right on to the end. I'ho late Dr. Macphail "was a student contemporary of Principal Whyto, l'rineiparUnds, •ProfcssOT Liiidlaw, and Dr. Oswald Dyke?." His nnmo is mentioned in th-o "IJarly Letters of Marcus Dods." Writing in Docemlar, 18G0, lo Iho Kov. J. C. Macphail, Dr. Dods k\.vs:-"To11 mo r.lso of Simeon's laurels." The various letters written to S. R. Macphail are amongst (he most interesting and affectionate in the volume. Hero i-; ono charne-ti-rislic passage:—"What kind of views do you think you would havo if you wero four years I'iwnr.ed, four and a hah" from college, and no prospect of willed life? This however, you will never be. Jlacphails wero always prosperous; and may they continue to bo so, in the person of Simeon Ross of that ilk.