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With Christ

Mrs Helen Aikman, aged 84, was called home on 19th July after an illness patiently borne. She was saved as a young girl sheltering under a tree during a storm, and was baptised some time later. After her marriage to Alex she was associated with the saints in Larkhall for a short period of time and then for approximately 60 years was with the saints in Ashgill, bearing a bright testimony, and being well respected in the village. During her years in the assembly at Ashgill many saints benefited from her kind hospitality. She is sadly missed by those of the assembly and also of her two daughters and their families for whom prayer is requested.

Mr William Groves Galloway, aged 90, was called home on 12th August after a short illness. Willie (Bill) Galloway was a beloved brother. He was a member of the assembly in Dennistoun, initially known as the Porch Hall, from 17 years of age until his homecall. During the Second World War he was conscripted to serve with the fire service in Orkney and in the coal mines in Fife. On his marriage in 1952, his wife Margaret joined him in the assembly where they both faithfully served the Lord - he was for many years elder, treasurer, correspondent, and organist. He also took a great interest in the Lord’s servants abroad and at home. Suddenly, in the year 2000, he had a stroke from which he never fully recovered. However, after rehabilitation, he managed to be out at all assembly gatherings. Latterly, as his frailty increased, this was limited to Sunday mornings. Remembering his Lord was the highlight of his week. The homecall of his wife in April left him bereft and for him now it is very far better. Willie, with his late wife, spent the last few years being cared for at the home of his daughter, Alison, and her husband David. His son Kenneth and son-in-law David paid loving tributes at the thanksgiving service which followed the burial, and his three grand-daughters sang a hymn in appreciation of a much loved grandfather. There were also tributes from William Rew, Geoff Ruston, and Alan McGregor. Willie Galloway was a remarkable brother, approachable, discreet, who bore quietly, with humility, consistency and faithfulness, the tremendous burden of assembly testimony over the years. He is now in the presence of the Lord he loved and so faithfully served.

Mr David (Davy) Gamble, aged 79, was called home on 23rd July. Davy was born into and brought up in a Christian family in Belfast and, with his siblings, he attended Sunday School as a boy. However, Davy got deeply involved in things of the world and for many years was far away from God. It was not until 26th November, 1977 that he put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Soon afterwards he was baptised and, with his wife Eleanor, went into fellowship in Ballyduff assembly. In March, 1986 Davy, Eleanor, and their daughter Beth moved to the assembly at Kingsmoss. He loved the preaching of the gospel and had great concern, and prayed much, for members of the family, many of whom are unsaved. He did not enjoy good health, but attended assembly meetings when he could, although for a number of years he had not been able to be at any meetings. His funeral services were conducted by Mr Stanley McGowan and Mr Fred Sweeney, assisted by other local brethren. Prayer is requested for Eleanor, their daughters Lorraine, Beth and Carrie, and all the family circle.

Mrs Agnes (Nancy) Gribben, aged 92, was called home on 21st August after a long illness. She and her late husband, William, were saved in 1968 at meetings conducted by the late Mr Thomas Love in a portable hall beside their home. Mr Love was living in a caravan and the weather being inclement they offered him a room in their house. Subsequently they were persuaded to attend the meetings where both were saved. Shortly after this she and her husband were baptised and received into the assembly in Dromore where they were consistent members for many years. Mrs Gribben has been in a care home for about 10 years. Her large funeral was from her daughter’s home and conducted by local brethren, Mr D Graham and Mr B Tinsley. Prayer is requested for her family and her grandchildren.

Mrs Adeline May Hooks, aged 88, was called home on 11th August. She was saved as a young girl of 14 on 25th September, 1938 following a gospel meeting in Tullyroan Gospel Hall, when Mr Johnny Cowan was the speaker. Baptised shortly afterwards, she was received into the fellowship of the Tullyroan assembly. Upon her marriage in 1944 to Carson Hooks they were in fellowship in Matchett assembly, Belfast, moving in 1962 to Dunmurry assembly. Our dear sister was a faithful and consistent member of the assembly even following the home-call of her husband in 1999. A lover of the gospel, ever rejoicing in the truth and the good of John 3.16, she was an "ornament of a meek and quiet spirit". The funeral service was conducted in the hall by Aaron Colgan and at the graveside by David Gilliland assisted by local brethren. She was lovingly cared for at home by the family for whom prayer is requested.

Mrs Rachel McClelland (née Mawhinney), aged 95, was called to be with Christ on 7th September. She was saved as a girl of 15 years while attending gospel meetings in the Gospel Hall in Bellaghy, Co Londonderry, in 1932. Some time later she was baptized and received into fellowship in the local assembly. For many years Mrs McClelland and her late husband, William, who was called home in 1984, were very faithful members of the Bellaghy assembly. They took an active interest in the spread of the gospel both at home and abroad, and also had the great joy of seeing all their family of four sons and two daughters saved. Mrs McClelland’s son James and his wife Amy serve the Lord in Nova Scotia, Canada, and her daughter Rae and her husband Uel Ussher labour in Venezuela. A very large congregation attended her funeral services. In the home her son James gave a warm tribute on behalf of the family while James Martin preached the gospel with Tommy Craig closing in prayer. At the graveside the gospel was faithfully preached by Wesley Martin with Samuel McBride sharing in prayer. The family appreciate the prayers of the Lord’s people.

Mr Albert (Bertie) McCullagh, in his 80th year, was called home on 30th August after a lengthy period of illness. Saved at the age of 17 through the preaching of Mr John Elliott in Co. Fermanagh, he was baptised and received into the fellowship of the Lisbellaw assembly where he remained for 60 years until his homecall. A quiet and faithful brother, he was a valued member of the fellowship, attending and contributing at the assembly meetings until declining health prevented him. He bore his illness with tremendous courage, strength and dignity, his Godly patience a testimony to all who cared for him. He was much loved and is greatly missed by the assembly and his family circle. His well-attended funeral service was conducted by Mr T McNeill and Mr B Glendinning with local brethren assisting.

Mr Jack Millar, aged 95, went to be with Christ on 30th August. Our brother was born again through the preaching of W P Nicholson in 1938. After some time he was baptised and received into fellowship in the assembly at Donaghadee, Co Down. After a period of exercise he joined the assembly at Ballyhay in 1997 where he remained until his homecall. Jack loved the assembly dearly and was a regular attendee at the various gatherings. He attended the Bible Reading on the evening of his homecall, and his carer discovered his body in his home the following morning. Jack was faithful until the end. His funeral took place on 1st September with James Martin, Cecil Williamson and Robert Eadie sharing in the services. Prayer is valued for many of his relatives and friends who are still not saved.

Mr James Smyth, evangelist, was called home on 19th April, aged 92. Jim, as he was known, was saved under deep conviction at Coopers Corner, New Bliss, Ireland, and since that day could never understand why the Lord Jesus Christ died and suffered so much for him. He was in fellowship with the saints at Drum Gospel Hall County Monahan, but moved to England for a short time with his mother, and then relocated to Scotland where he was in happy fellowship at Innerleven Gospel Hall, Fife. He was involved in all the work of the assembly and was preaching over a large area when he was in employment. His desire was to seek commendation from the assembly to full time service for the Lord, and was commended by Innerleven Gospel Hall. He moved to England where for a short time he was involved with the Counties work. In fellowship in Cobham, Surrey, he preached the gospel around a large area and was also involved in Tent work. Spending a good amount of time in Scotland, he was exercised to return north and made his home at Livingston where he was in fellowship at Gospel Hall, Deans South, Livingston. He was much appreciated in the local assembly and laboured widely in Scotland. In the local assembly his exhortations on a Lord’s Day morning were refreshing. There are many in assembly fellowship today who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ through his preaching. One his favourite expressions was, "It is good to be saved", and the words of the Apostle Paul could be ascribed to Jim: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course". Even in declining health his conviction was always in the things of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had an interest in all who attended to him, and took opportunity to pass on a word in season to them. One desire was that he could preach one more gospel message. He looked forward with anticipation to meeting the Saviour whom he loved. Please remember in prayer his dear wife Nessie, their family, Ruth and Kenneth, and the grandchildren.

Mrs Isobel Swarbrick, aged 87, was called home following a recent period of illness at Ayr Hospice on 20th August. By the grace of God, she was saved as a girl of 15, in 1940, in Fraserburgh. After moving to Ayr, she was soon baptised and received into fellowship, where she enjoyed many years of happy fellowship initially in the Gospel Hall, James Street, and then the Gospel Hall, Prestwick Road, Ayr. Isobel was a quiet sister but very knowledgeable in the Scriptures, and she continued steadfastly in fellowship with the saints in Ayr until a few months prior to her home-call during which time she was lovingly cared for by her daughter and son-in-law. She will be greatly missed by her family, including her 3 daughters, 2 sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as her friends, many of whom attended her funeral service.

Mr Henry (Harry) Watson, aged 79, on 28th August. Saved at the age of 25, Harry was baptised and added to the Tylefield assembly in Glasgow. Our brother has been in fellowship with the believers meeting in the Gospel Hall in Cullen for the past 20 years. Never enjoying good health, his health problems, although increasing with advancing years, were borne without complaint. Harry was a quiet consistent brother, who, when he was able, was always ready to use his practical skills to help friends and neighbours. Please remember his widow, Agnes, in prayer.

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