Memoir: James Buchanan-Dunlop: Called Home July 1, 1928
Thomas Holliday
Table of Contents
Preface
In sending out this memoir of the late James Buchanan-Dunlop, it is the earnest desire of the writer that God will graciously use it for the encouragement of others to pursue the path of faith in which our late beloved and esteemed brother walked so faithfully to the end.
May his example and self-sacrificing life of service and love stir us all up to a closer walk with the Lord till the day break and the shadows flee away.
T. Holliday.
Memoir
James Buchanan-Dunlop
Memoir
In the midst of a day of decline, when men are seeking to pursue a life of ease, and when "giving up" the truth is almost generally characteristic, it will be felt by all who love the Lord, to be useful in no common degree, to briefly trace the steps of one who but lately left us and who, during his long life, had but one desire—to wholly follow in the footsteps of his Master.
Birth
James Buchanan-Dunlop was the second son of the late Robert Buchanan-Dunlop of Drumhead, near Cardross, Dumbartonshire. He was born in Westbourne Place, London, England, on September 19th, 1840.
A Bright Sunrise—Early Life
He completed his education at Brighton College, England, and afterwards joined the Highland Borderers (Stirlingshire Militia) as Ensign.
Zeal and High Character Recognized
On July 14, 1858, his Colonel, Sir Alex. Maintland, recommended him for a Commission to Prince Albert, Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifle Brigade. In this application, he was very highly commended for his zeal, initiative, pleasing manners, pure character, amiability and high education. The Prince replied through his Secretary on September 3, 1858, expressing his pleasure in offering James Buchanan-Dunlop a Commission without purchase in the Rifle Brigade, and further marked his appreciation by granting him precedence over other officers. He passed his examination by the Council of Military Education at King's College and was Gazetted on October 25, 1858, being very highly complimented by Major-General Sir Charles York, K.C.B.
Service in India
After joining the Rifle Brigade as Ensign in the year 1858, he spent a short period at the Depot in Winchester. He was then sent to India on a sailing vessel via Cape Town. He loved music and on the voyage used to go up to the foretop to practice on his cornet. In India he served till early in 1864 and took part in the Umbeyla campaign against the Border Tribes. Upon obtaining his promotion to Lieutenant he was ordered to the Depot and returned to England.
Conversion
Soon after landing in England he went to visit some relatives in Scotland, and while staying at Boturich Castle, Dumbartonshire, was much impressed by a sermon preached by the Minister of the Presbyterian Church at Alexandria, near Loch Lomond. Later, this impression caused him to attend meetings held by the late Lord Radstock and during one meeting when this servant of the Lord was speaking on the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19) the word was used by God's Spirit to his conversion.
The Bible Class
In the year 1867 his brother (H. D. B. Dunlop) and he were sent to the gymnasium at Aldershot. Here, they attended Bible Classes held by a dear Christian (Mrs. Daniels) at the Soldiers' Home. James Buchanan-Dunlop took up the work amongst the soldiers with the same zeal that had marked him in his earliest days and soon became, as Mrs. Daniels said, her "right hand man.”
Progress
He progressed spiritually and was not behind physically or in material things, for he became a very proficient gymnast performing feats which others could not do. He was always active and strong, of good character, fond of sport and a splendid cricketer.
Without doubt, the Lord had His eye upon him in these early days and was preparing him for a pathway of special service for Himself. Right up to the end of his life he was a Soldier in every sense of the word and never sought an easy path for himself as we shall see later.
Desire After the Lord
Speaking to the writer about this part of his life he mentioned the deep desire he had after the Lord.
Yet he often wondered why he did not make the progress he so longed for. While meditating thus, a verse of scripture flashed across his mind:—"The soul of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat." (Prov. 13:4.)
Then a second scripture came prominently before him:"One thing have I desired, and that will I seek after." (Psa. 27.)
These scriptures made him more in earnest as he himself expressed it, "I saw that it was right to have a "Desire" but that in itself was not sufficient as Prov. 13:4 showed me, for the "sluggard" had that. Together with the "Desire" there must be the "Diligence" and the seeking after these things."
What a splendid thing it is for a young man with life before him and a wonderful career to turn from it all and put first things first as we are exhorted "Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God and his righteousness." (Matthew 6:33.)
In Canada
In the year 1868 he was ordered to join the 1st Battalion of the Rifle Brigade and proceed to Canada. Here he and the late Lord Adelbert Cecil who was an Officer in the same regiment still continued in the work of the Lord among the soldiers and others.
They were baptized together in the year 1868 in a little Baptist Church at Clarance, about twenty-five miles from Ottawa. Their evangelical work extended all around these parts—Clarance, Thurso, Lochaber Bay, Windover, Buckingham, Rockland, East and West Templeton and many other places.
They lived in a tent, sometimes slept in doorways of schools, by the road sides or in barns. They marched for miles around the country proclaiming the glad tidings and God blessed the word for many souls were saved—some of them are still living. Indeed it was my happy privilege recently, to meet an aged couple over ninety years old who had been blest by those meetings and they are still happy in the Lord.
Resigning Their Commissions
So much did the love of God take hold of his soul that he, along with Lord Adelbert Cecil and Lieutenant Turner, resigned their Commissions in order to carry on evangelical work in a wider field.
The following is an interesting report from the Toronto Globe which was published in the Rye Sussex Paper in Nov. 1868:—
"Lord Cecil and his colleagues, Messrs. Dunlop and Turner, who like him have relinquished their commissions in the Rifle Brigade for the purpose of being free to evangelize, occupy the Quebec Theatre on Sunday afternoons, and a large hall on two evenings in the week where crowds as large as can be packed assemble to hear them."
Not only did they have love for sinners but they also saw that the Lord desired them to break bread in remembrance of Him. This they did every first day of the week.
The Church As the Body of Christ
While thus carrying out the Lord's work they were travelling in a train to Ottawa and James Buchanan-Dunlop asked a fellow traveler if he knew of any real Christians in Ottawa and was informed of one called Captain Scott. They were not long in getting into touch with this Christian and had a talk over the word together. This was the means of him learning the wonderful truth of the Church being the body of Christ and of being gathered to His Name as the scripture says, "Where two or three are gathered unto My Name, there am I in the midst" and as thus gathered they maintained the truth of the One body. This was all new to these officers and they identified themselves with a company of Christians gathered in the Lord's name.
Like a New Conversion
This truly was like a new conversion to him, indeed it so took hold of him that he told me on one occasion he got a horse and sleigh and took a loaf and some wine to drive out to the place where he had been preaching to tell them of the One body of which every Christian was a member. So full of joy was he at this thought that on the way he did not notice where he was driving and was upset in the ditch. Upon arriving at his destination he spread the table and told those gathered of the truth that they were all members of the One body and invited them as members of that body, to come forward and break bread as the Lord had asked them to do. There were only a few responded.
Opposition
Immediately they commenced to preach and teach about the Church as the body of Christ, they experienced opposition from the so called churches around. Still they went on and their labors were blest of the Lord. The sphere of their labors extended around Perth, Smiths Falls, Rideau Ferry, Bathurst, Pike Falls, Napanee, Whitby and about the year 1882 he carried the gospel to the Indians in the North West, where God used his labors in blessing to souls. In or about 1883, he went to the British West Indies to tell of a Savior's love, and was greatly used of God.
Marriage
In July 1900 he was married to Miss Mary Joyce of Ottawa who proved a heal helpmeet to him in his journeys. We often hear of people "getting married and settling down," but there was no thought of "settling down" with this dear servant of the Lord. Only a week before he was called home we were speaking together of Psa. 84, where the Psalmist speaks in the first four verses of a "Dwelling Place"—God's House—a "Testing Place"—the Valley of Baca—a Hiding Place—God Himself as a sun and shield. As we were thus talking, he said—"I like that Psalm, and my wife and I called it our "Wedding" Psalm because the minister read it at the wedding service. Thus we see that the one thing of Psa. 27 which gripped his soul thirty-three years previous to this occasion, still held him and like the poor worthless bird, the sparrow, and wandering bird—the swallow, he had no home, only Jehovah's Altars.
After his marriage he and his wife spent a very considerable time amongst the Indians in the North West, also other parts of Canada, as well as the British West Indies. In this work they both had to endure many hardships, sleeping in a tent or in the room where the preaching was held. They used to walk for miles around the country.
Mrs. Buchanan-Dunlop's Departure
In the year 1927 (August 22nd) his dear wife and companion in the Lord's service, was called home. She had been suffering for some considerable time, but never gave in until compelled to. She passed away very peacefully with her hand in his, and her body was laid to rest in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa.
This was a very heavy blow to our brother, but it was wonderful how his heart was still set on the Lord. While staying with him for a short while after his wife's death, he told the writer of receiving a letter from his brother who desired that he should come and stay with him in England, but said he, "If I go there—they are all so kind and I'm afraid I'd settle down and I don't want to do that." Often times he had expressed a wish to die in harness.
At the end of 1927, and in spite of his advanced age—87 years—he packed his grips and went to visit the British West Indies. Here he had a very encouraging time and his visit was a blessing to many there.
Return to Canada
In the early spring of 1928 he returned to Canada, and visited many in Halifax, St. John, New Brunswick, and after reaching Ottawa, continued to have meetings there, also in Smiths Falls, Perth and other places. He came to Hamilton on May 24th. Here many enjoyed his ministry on a portion of the Song of Songs—the love of the Bridegroom to the Bride—which seemed to charm his own heart as well as those who heard him. From Hamilton he came to Toronto where he held several meetings, but was called away to Smiths Falls and later returned to Toronto again.
A Bright Sunset
It is indeed grand to be bright for the Lord in youth's full brim, but grander still to be bright in old age. This was blessedly true through grace of James Buchanan-Dunlop, our beloved and esteemed brother who was called home on July 1st, 1928. He desired to die carrying on in the Lord's service, and this desire was granted.
His Last Words
On Lord's Day morning, June 24th, 1928, our brother was present at the meeting. He gave thanks for the Bread and Wine, very touchingly dwelling much on the precious love of Christ. Afterwards he spoke of the offering which Noah offered and how it is recorded that "God smelled a sweet savor." This, he remarked, is how God can go on with us. It is because the precious fragrance of Christ, the precious burnt offering is ever present before God as a sweet savor. All that we have and are is on account of the Person and Work of Christ.
While thus speaking of the preciousness of Christ, he fell and was helped up, but continued speaking, finally finishing his exhortation sitting on a chair. Though thus stricken, it was most remark' able how the complete train of thought regarding the preciousness of Christ was maintained. After he had finished speaking, he asked that we sing that hymn—
"O Blessed Savior is Thy love,
So great! so full! so free!
Fain would we have our thoughts, our hearts,
Our lives engaged with Thee."
Our brother joined in the singing of the hymn with deep feeling. After the meeting, it was found that his left side was useless and he was taken to where he was staying and put to bed. He little realized that he was so sick, for he said to the writer, "I've had this before. Just let me lie awhile, I'll be all right and will be able to speak to the children this afternoon."
Later he said, "I feel God is saying to me-`Be still." You are thinking of the Psalmist who says "Be still and know that I am God." You are now to listen to God talking to you and let him love you." To this, he answered, Yes! Yes! Yes!
The doctor came and after examination, stated that our brother had had a stroke caused by the bursting of a blood vessel on the right side of his head, and he did not think he would recover.
His Last Message to the Children
Our brother was very fond of children and loved to tell them of Jesus, and when he realized that he could not do this, he said to the writer:—
"I wanted to speak to the children and tell them that they could not save themselves. I am thinking of that verse—‘I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine Own sake and will not remember thy sins.' (Isa. 43:25.) Tell them there is no other way and if they neglect this, there is nothing but judgment for them."
His Last Gospel Message for Adults
Continuing, he said, "For the evening meeting, I had before me—When I see the Blood, I will pass over you.' It is not sufficient to have the blood in the basin, it must be applied to themselves individually just as Israel had to put the Blood on the lintel and two side posts of the door. It is not sufficient to know all about the work of Christ in your head and give credence to the fact—that is like having the blood in the basin. Deliver this message for me."
Upon visiting him after the meeting, he was very happy in the Lord and asked if I had given the message to the children and adults. He mentioned that he had been praying for the word. Psa. 23 was read to him and he said, "That is lovely." He then asked for the Psalm which spoke of God being "A Sun and Shield." This was read to him—Psa. 84, verse 11, was on his mind—
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."
He then asked that the hymn—"Something more than gold," be sung. After the singing of this hymn he said, "I like that hymn, it is about Zacchaeus, and God used the story of Zacchaeus for my conversion."
In prayer together our brother prayed very touchingly for the word of the gospel and the saints who seemed to be much upon his heart. In his prayer too, he mentioned the boys in the Reformatory to whom the word had been spoken. In his prayer, he desired that God would bless the word to them and said, "May it please Thee to make some of them singers like the sons of Korah and perhaps porters to open the door and show saints the true center of gathering."
Blessed Be His Name
Monday, June 25th, he was very bright and spoke to the writer about the saints in Perth and Scotch Line and enquired whether there was to be a general meeting on July 2nd at which he was hoping to be present. When asked if anything could be done for him, he said, "Ask the brethren to pray to the Lord, if it is His will, to give me the strength in my arm and leg again." Evidently it was his desire to still go on serving the Lord.
Tuesday, June 26th, our brother was informed as to his condition. He spoke of Christ and His love and asked for those lines which were quoted—
"I have a friend whose faithful love,
Is more than all the world to me,
'Tis higher than the heights above;
'Tis deeper than the sounding sea.
So old, so new, so strong, so true,
Before the earth received its frame,
He loved me, blessed be His name."
Very touchingly our brother repeated the last line of the verse. He then asked for the paraphrase —"The hour of my departure's come." As this was not known, a promise was given to get it for him.
"the Hour of My Departure's Come"
Wednesday, June 27th, upon visiting him he was very bright, and the paraphrase he had asked for on the previous day was read to him:—
"The hour of my departure's come,
I hear the voice that calls me home.
At last, O Lord! Let trouble cease
And let Thy servant die in peace.
The race appointed I have run,
The combat's o'er, the prize is won,
And now my witness is on high,
And now my record's in the sky.
Not in mine innocence I trust,
I bow before Thee in the dust;
And through the Savior's blood alone,
I look for mercy at Thy throne.
I leave the world without a tear
Except for those I hold so dear:
To heal their sorrows, Lord descend,
And to the friendless prove a friend.
I come, I come at Thy command,
I give my spirit to Thy hand;
Stretch forth Thine everlasting arms,
And shield me in the last alarms.
The hour of my departure's come,
I hear the voice that calls me home.
Now, O my God, let trouble cease
Now let Thy servant die in peace."
He was very touched as the fourth verse was read as it seemed to truly express his feelings for his many dear friends in Canada, England and elsewhere and this is why the words are in italics.
After hearing this he said, "Thank you, thank you, that is beautiful—beautiful!"
Thursday, June 28th, our brother did not seem very well but enjoyed two verses of the hymn, "The sands of time are sinking." He asked for the hymn, "Oh, draw me Savior after Thee." After this was sung to him he asked for the lines "Blessed Be His Name," which were read to him.
Friday, June 29th, after reading some letters to him, he requested that in replying I should give the saints his love and thank them for their prayers.
Last Message to Christians
"Tell them," he said, "Ever to give Christ the place of preeminence." He was then asked if he would like anything read from the word of God? He replied, "Revelation, the last chapter." After this was read he spoke of the Lord's coming to take all His Own home—"till then—the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us. That is what is needed, grace—grace." Later, he again asked for "The hour of my departure's come," but he quoted the second line, "I hear the voice that calls me home." In the early morning he called quite loudly, "Lord Jesus come, and take Thy dear people home! Take Thy dear people home!"
Precious Blood! Precious Blood
Saturday, June 30th, he was very quiet all day and in a kind of a semiconscious condition.
Sunday, July 1st, about 2 a.m., after taking a little nourishment, he said, "Sing" and the words "The Lord's coming" were caught and after a hymn "'Tis the hope of His coming" was sung. The words "When I see the blood I will pass over you" were then quoted to him and he replied "Precious blood! Precious blood!" These were his last audible words. He then lapsed into unconsciousness and passed quietly home at 10:20 a.m.
Throughout his brief illness, it was beautiful to note the spirit of subjection and how he took everything from God's hand. Even in expressing appreciation for the kindness shown by many he said, "It is the kindness of God."
He is loved and mourned by all who knew him for he was indeed one of God's princes who walked as a servant upon the earth. (Eccl. 10:7.)
During his illness he had expressed a desire to be buried on the Scotch Line near Perth—the center of his early labors.
Before the precious remains were sent from Toronto there was a short meeting where several brethren spoke of our brother's long and faithful service of love. One aged brother mentioned that he was converted through James Buchanan-Dunlop in the Isle of Wight, England.
Interment
Tuesday, July 3rd, the precious remains of our brother were laid to rest in a little grave in the Cemetery on the Scotch Line next to one who fifty years or more before had walked ten miles through a snow storm to hear him preach the gospel and to whom God used the word spoken by our brother for his salvation.
There were a large number present. Montreal, Ottawa, Smiths Falls, Rideau Ferry and Toronto were represented.
Funeral Service
Psa. 116:15, Phil. 1:21.26 and Revelation 14:13 were read by the first speaker from Ottawa in the house. He referred to our brother's life—he had lived like Paul for "Christ" and sought to bring others to Him. The hope of the coming of the Lord was ever before him throughout his long life of service. The death of God's saints are precious in His sight, so it is with our brother—he is absent from the body and present with the Lord and his body waits that glorious resurrection morning when death will be swallowed up in victory. He now rests from his labors and his works do follow him and in that day he will receive his Master's "Well done."
The next speaker from Toronto read 2 Sam. 3:38.39 and Eccl. 10:7. "Today is a day of mourning—many amongst whom our brother has gone in and out and is known throughout Canada, England and other parts of the world will mourn this loss—it is indeed a day of mourning. There is a contrast between the death of our brother and the death of Abner. The king said, 'Died Abner as a fool dieth' (verse 33). Our brother did not die this way—to the very end he was a Soldier and so he died in full accoutrements. There is One who is touched with this scene today—we read that David the king followed the bier and this can be said of our true David, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever. What was He yesterday? He was a mourner—love made Him a mourner. Almost the first words which came from His lips were 'Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.' Look at Him with those sorrowing sisters at the graveside, 'Jesus wept'—the shortest and shall we not say the sweetest verse in all the Bible. 'Today' He is in the glory. Has He changed? No! for we read He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities today—His heart is tender for indeed 'There is a prince and great man fallen this day.' All he had in this world—career, rank, comfort and all that goes to make up a man's life here he had renounced for that which was Eternal and in these Eternal things he lived. Just a little more than a week before he died a neighbor enquired, 'Where does that old gentleman live?' In heaven!' was the prompt reply and this is true. The loss is threefold, with many of us it is a very personal loss. We have lost a true friend and a brother. It is a loss to those amongst whom he served and it is a loss to the church at large.
He was one of God's Princes rich toward God, a joint heir with Christ. A great man, yes, indeed, not as men count greatness, but great before God. The Preacher in Ecclesiastes says 'I have seen servants upon horses and princes walking as servants upon the earth.' Yes, we see around us many set-wants upon horses—they are having a time of ease and comfort here in this world,—but how blessed to mark the goodly steps of the princes who walk as servants on the earth. This is what characterized our brother to the very end and now his work is done, and his Master has called him home to rest on you eternal shore with the One he loved, and longed to see."
At the graveside a brother from Montreal spoke on 2 Tim. 4:7-8. He spoke on our brother's life of service and triumph, how that he with Paul could say "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." The Christian's life is one of victory with a sure and certain hope. A loving appeal was made to all those who knew not the Lord to start on the path of victory by accepting Christ as their own Savior. The reward—a Crown of Righteousness is a compensation to those who love His appearing. This is what our brother longed for to his last moments.
The brother from Toronto then spoke a few words on 2 Cor. 5:1. He remarked that in view of the dissolution of everything it was a grand thing to be able to say "We know." If the Lord doesn't come, all of us standing here may have to leave this tabernacle, but how blessed to know we have another house-a building not made with hands—eternal in the heavens, and we will be clothed upon with our house which is from above. Before leaving the graveside, we sang, "Forever with the Lord, Amen, so let it be."
The passing away of our brother removes from our midst one of the last of those who was person' ally associated with the late J. N. Darby, Translator of the Bible and Author of a large number of books. Quite a number of the letters from J. N. Darby in his "Collected Writings" were in answer to letters from our beloved brother.
From the foregoing, we may gather that the secret of a bright life is:—(1) Conversion, (2) A Right Desire, ( 3) Diligence of soul to seek after the Lord, (4) A Dwelling Place—God's House, (5)A Right Object—to see the beauty of the Lord, (6)Prayer—to enquire in His Temple.
The following lines were written by our late brother in the year 1923:—
"Lord carry me up to Thy home in the glory,
Where Thou hast purchased a mansion for me,
Where free from distraction, and trials, and
sorrows,
I'll rest in the joy of Thy presence with Thee.
Long has Thy Bride for Thy coming been waiting,
To take her, as promised, to rest in Thy home,
Come, then, Lord Jesus, we long for Thy presence,
Fully to know all Thy love for Thine Own.
O Lord, we grow sleepy and worldly and
lukewarm,
Speak to our hearts of Thy coming again,
Touch our cold hearts with Thy love as our
Bridegroom,
Hasten Thy coming to take us all home.
Here nations are striving, false doctrines,
deceiving,
Thy saints are divided and scattered from Thee,
Come! gather us Lord, to Thyself, in the glory,
And then come and reign, o'er creation set free."
With the calling home of this beloved and esteemed servant, the three Army Officers-Lord Adelbert Cecil, Lieutenant Christopher Turner, and Lieutenant James Buchanan Dunlop, who together resigned their commissions to do the work of evangelists, are now united in heaven.