Cuimhneachadh air Iain D Caimbeul

A mhòr-chuid airson aonta

Sùil Eile airson an Daily Record

‘S iomadh sgaradh tha sinn air fhaicinn bho chionn ghoirid.

Alba, Brexit, Trump – tha an saoghal searbh sgìth de sgaraidhean. 

Ach tha dealbh beag agam air an fhòn-làimhe de dh’ àireamhan sgrìobhte air cùl cèise a bhios a’ toirt thugam toileachas agus dòchas. 

‘S iad na h-àireamhan den mhòr-chuid ann an dà choitheanal na h-Eaglaise Saoire san Rubha a bhòt an-uiridh airson a thighinn còmhla a-rithist as dèidh sgaradh a lean leth cheud bliadhna. 

Chan e an Fhìrinn ach fèin-fhìreantachd mhic an duine a dh’ adhbhraich an leòin domhain.

Chan e ach aon duine a shlànaich iad.

Nis, tha an sgìre agus an saoghal farsaing a’ caoidh an Urramaich Iain D Caimbeul.

Bha sinn an ìre mhath nar co-aoisean.  Mar dhuine òg bha mi teagmhach mu dheidhinn, gus an cuala mi e a’ searmonachadh air aon Shàbaid sneachdail na Nollaige.

Na toir breith an leasan a dh’ ionnsaich mise.  Bha e air leth sònraichte. 

Ann an dùthaich far a bheil barrachd eaglaisean falamh na tha ann de chreideamh bheòthail, bha Iain D mar shàr eisimpleir de dh’ aonachd Chrìostail. 

Tha an dearbhadh sin sgrìobhte  agam-sa air cùl cèise.

Sìth agus beannachd leat, Iain D.

Translation

We’ve seen plenty divisions in recent times. Scotland, Brexit, Trump - the world is tired sick of division.

But I have a little picture on my mobile phone, of figures written on the back of an envelope, that gives me joy and hope.

The numbers are the majority in two congregations of the Free Church in Point which voted to come together after a split that lasted 50 years.

It was not the Truth but the self-righteousness of men that caused the deep wounds.

It was one man who healed them.

Now, the district and the world is the mourning the Reverend Iain D Campbell.

We were about co-ages. As a young man I was doubtful about him, until I heard him preach one snowy Christmas Sunday.

Judge ye not was the lesson I learned. He was quite special.

In a land where there are more empty churches than there is living faith, Iain D epitomised Christian unity.

I have proof of that written on the back of an envelope.

Peace and blessings be with you, Iain D.