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James Rae

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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 SmithFile:James_Rae_-_WiS_1940.jpg]] 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 thatOn June 9th, Jimmie?" was the reply. "Oh mother," said he1940, "The Son of God loved me-and gave Himself for me." Mr. James Rae often saiddeparted to be with Christ, that under the influence of such men as John Smithat North Bay, Donald Munro, and others like themOnt., he got a good start in his spiritual life68th year. When going around from door to door with tracts Born inAberdeenshire, Scotland, and inviting born again at the people to come to the meetingsage of 15, in Portage la Prairie, Man., a work sometimes very discouragingwhile Mr. [[John Smith]] of Cleveland, he would often remarkOhio, "There is a word was conducting meetings in the Scriptures that I have proved to be true for over fifty years, it is place. He was alone in Provhis room reading Gal. 142:23; 'In all labor there is profit20, '." That was the tenor The Son of MrGod who loved me, and gave Himself for me. James Rae's life; "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.'' (Rom. 12:11). Being very successful in the shoe businessThe light from heaven dawned on his soul, and there and then he did not let that interfere trusted Christ as his own Saviour. He ran to his mother with his service for the Lordwords, preaching the Gospel"Mother, and taking care of the church of GodI am saved. "

When a comparatively young man"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 came west to Vancouver in 1898. There was no assembly often said, that under the influence of Christians here thensuch men as John Smith, Donald Munro, and so others like them, he immediately set out got a good start in his spiritual life. When going around from door to door with tracts and inviting the people to find any who had come to the far west from assemblies 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 other partsProv. The result of this effort 14:23; 'In all labor there is profit'." That was the beginning of a Testimony to the Name tenor of Mr. James Rae's life; "Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord Jesus Christ that has continued and greatly increased until the present. At that time Mr'' (Rom. 12:11). Rae wrote to his young wife whom he had left Being very successful in Manitoba till the shoe business, he was sure of did not let that interfere with his courseservice for the Lord, preaching the Gospel, "I have found. a place to stay till and taking care of the Lord comeschurch of God."

In the earlier daysWhen a comparatively young man, Mr. Rae preached the Gospel with Mrcame west to Vancouver in 1898. John M'Fadyen, Mr. W. J. McClureThere was no assembly of Christians here then, and others; and since retiring from business some years ago, so he gave all his time immediately set out to find any who had come to the service far west from assemblies in other parts. The result of this effort was the Lord, ministering beginning of a Testimony to the Word to Name of the Lord's people, Jesus Christ that has continued and preaching greatly increased until the Gospel in tents and in halls with Wpresent.HAt that time Mr. Harris, R.W. McCracken, Hector Alves, and others. Just prior Rae wrote to his home-call, Mr. Rae young wife whom he had it laid on left in Manitoba till he was sure of his heart to preach the Gospel to some of the family connections and others, at Chapleaucourse, Ont"I have found. 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 place to be a very strenuous one for our brethren, and stay till the day after the meetings closed, Mr. Rae was stricken with a heart attack from which he never recoveredLord comes. "

On hearing of their father's serious illnessIn the earlier days, those of Mr. Rae preached the family who were not Gospel with himMr. John M'Fadyen, took an airplane from Vancouver for North Bay, OntMr. W. As MrJ. Rae got weakerMcClure, and others; and sinceretiring from business some years ago, he longed gave all his time to go home the service of the Lord, ministering the Word to be with the Lord's people, and said to those standing by his bedsidepreaching the Gospel in tents and in halls with W.H. Harris, R.W. McCracken, "Why do you try to detain meHector Alves, I long and others. Just prior to go his home." Then a little later, "I cannot wait any longer, say good-bye to the childrencall, and tell all that love the Lord, I will meet them in heavenMr." When told by Rae had it laid on his sister that heart to preach the plane in which Gospel to some of the family were comingconnections and others, at Chapleau, would soon be hereOnt. This was a new field for Gospel work, and so he said, "I cannot wait for along with Mr. J.F. Pearson, rented a hall and began meetings there. Because of the nature of the country and some of the planepeople who came, my plane is waiting the effort proved to be a very strenuous one for meour brethren," and the day after the meetings closed, Mr. Rae was stricken with a few seconds later his soul took its departure to be with the Lordheart 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 suffered great pain during got weaker, he longed to go home to be with the Lord, and said to those standing by his last days upon earthbedside, "Why do you try to detain me, I long to go home." Then a little later, "I cannot wait any longer, but desired say good-bye to continue his daily reading of the Scriptureschildren, and spoke of tell all that love the Lord, I will meet them in heaven." When told by his sister that the things plane in which some of God till the end. Just a short time before he was called home family were coming, would soon be here, he quoted that verse in Jude 24said, "Now unto Him that I cannot wait for the plane, my plane is able to keep you from fallingwaiting for me, " and a few seconds later his soul took its departure to present you faultless before be with the presence of His glory with exceeding joyLord."

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 thatverse 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

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