Latest revision as of 10:23, 17 March 2025

James Rae (1872-1940) was an itinerant open brethren worker in North America.

Words in Season Tribute

With Christ - Phil. 1:23

"On June 9th, 1940, Mr. James Rae departed to be with Christ, at North Bay, Ont., in his 68th year. Born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and born again at the age of 15, in Portage la Prairie, Man., while Mr. John Smith of Cleveland, Ohio, was conducting meetings in the place. He was alone in his room reading Gal. 2:20, '"The Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me." The light from heaven dawned on his soul, and there and then he trusted Christ as his own Saviour. He ran to his mother with the words, "Mother, I am saved."

"What makes you say that, Jimmie?" was the reply. "Oh mother," said he, "The Son of God loved me-and gave Himself for me." Mr. Rae often said, that under the influence of such men as John Smith, Donald Munro, and others like them, he got a good start in his spiritual life. When going around from door to door with tracts and inviting the people to come to the meetings, a work sometimes very discouraging, he would often remark, "There is a word in the Scriptures that I have proved to be true for over fifty years, it is in Prov. 14:23; 'In all labor there is profit'." That was the tenor of Mr. James Rae's life; "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. (Rom. 12:11). Being very successful in the shoe business, he did not let that interfere with his service for the Lord, preaching the Gospel, and taking care of the church of God.

When a comparatively young man, Mr. Rae came west to Vancouver in 1898. There was no assembly of Christians here then, and so he immediately set out to find any who had come to the far west from assemblies in other parts. The result of this effort was the beginning of a Testimony to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ that has continued and greatly increased until the present. At that time Mr. Rae wrote to his young wife whom he had left in Manitoba till he was sure of his course, "I have found. a place to stay till the Lord comes."

In the earlier days, Mr. Rae preached the Gospel with Mr. John M'Fadyen, Mr. W. J. McClure, and others; and since retiring from business some years ago, he gave all his time to the service of the Lord, ministering the Word to the Lord's people, and preaching the Gospel in tents and in halls with W.H. Harris, R.W. McCracken, Hector Alves, and others. Just prior to his home-call, Mr. Rae had it laid on his heart to preach the Gospel to some of the family connections and others, at Chapleau, Ont. This was a new field for Gospel work, and so he, along with Mr. J.F. Pearson, rented a hall and began meetings there. Because of the nature of the country and some of the people who came, the effort proved to be a very strenuous one for our brethren, and the day after the meetings closed, Mr. Rae was stricken with a heart attack from which he never recovered.

On hearing of their father's serious illness, those of the family who were not with him, took an airplane from Vancouver for North Bay, Ont. As Mr. Rae got weaker, he longed to go home to be with the Lord, and said to those standing by his bedside, "Why do you try to detain me, I long to go home." Then a little later, "I cannot wait any longer, say good-bye to the children, and tell all that love the Lord, I will meet them in heaven." When told by his sister that the plane in which some of the family were coming, would soon be here, he said, "I cannot wait for the plane, my plane is waiting for me," and a few seconds later his soul took its departure to be with the Lord.

Mr. Rae suffered great pain during his last days upon earth, but desired to continue his daily reading of the Scriptures, and spoke of the things of God till the end. Just a short time before he was called home he quoted that verse in Jude 24, "Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."

Our departed brother will be greatly missed all over the West, in the many Assemblies where his voice was often heard. There were few gifted to do the work of a pastor, as he was, visiting the sick, and comforting the bereaved; he was also an earnest preacher of the Gospel, and a real soul winner.

Mrs. Rae, her two daughters, and Mr. W.H. Harris accompanied the body to Vancouver, where the funeral ser- vices were conducted by Messrs. W.H. Harris and S. McEwen. The esteem in which our brother was held was shown by the large number attending, including former business associates, and Christians from all the surrounding Assemblies, Mr. Harris announced the opening hymn- ! have a home above. from sin and sorrow free," etc., and following prayer, he read Psa. 37:37, "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace."

Then I Peter 4:17, "What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God." He contrasted Mr. Rae's peaceful end, with the end of those who die in their sins. Mr. McEwen read Psalm 23, calling attention to three things in the psalm, "A Happy Life," "A Happy Death," "A Happy Eternity." These all being true of Mr. Rae. The company then sang, "Here o'er the earth as a Pilgrim I roam." At the graveside, one of Mr. Rae's favorite hymns was sung, "How bright that blessed hope, Jesus will come."

It is estimated that some 700 people were present, and about 100 automobiles followed the bier to the cemetery. Mr. Rae has finished his course, he kept the faith, and ended well. WHOSE FAITH FOLLOW.

Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, Hector Alves, Jr.

Sources

• Words in Season (WiS): 1940-8