For Marion M'Naught, on occasion of the illness of his wife
[Marion M’Naught was daughter to the Laird of Kilquhanatie, in Kirkpatrick
Durham (see Letter XXV.), the representative of an ancient family, now extinct,
and connected also with the
house of Kenmure, through
her mother, Margaret Gordon,
sister to Lord Kenmure. She
became the wife of William
Fullerton, Provost of Kirkcudbright,
and was a woman extensively
known and held in honour
by the most eminent Christians
and ministers of her day, on
account of her rare godliness
and public spirit. We find in
“The Last and Heavenly
Speeches of Viscount Kenmure,”
that by the special desire of
that nobleman (who was her
relative), she was in continual
attendance on him as he lay on
his deathbed. Her name is
sometimes spelt “M’Knaight,”
or “M’Knaichte,” the modern
“Macknight.” She had three
children — one daughter, Grizzel,
and two sons, Samuel and
William, — who are often
affectionately remembered in
Rutherford’s letters to her. The following epitaph was inscribed on her tomb, in
the churchyard of Kirkcudbright: —
“Marion M’Naught, sister to John M’Naught of Kilquhanatie, an ancient and honourable baron, and spouse to William Fullerton, Provost of Kirkcudbright, died April 1643, age 58.
Sexum animis, pietate genus, genorosa, locumque
Virtute exsuperans, conditur hoc tumulo.”
The tombstone was lost sight of, but in 1863 was discovered again in removing the earth for a grave close by. It was only in 1860 that her house (in which the meeting between Blair and Rutherford took place) was pulled down. It stood at the foot of the High Street, which was then the principal street of the town.
A relative of this lady’s husband, Fullerton of Carlton (see Letter CLVII.), wrote on her the following acrostic: —
(Append. to “Minute-Book of Committee of Covenanters.”)]
(Inward Conflict Arising from Outward Trial.)
L OVING AND DEAR SISTER, — If ever you would pleasure me, entreat the Lord for me, now when I am so comfortless, and so full of heaviness, that I am not able to stand under the burthen any longer. The Almighty hath doubled His stripes upon me, for my wife is so sore tormented night and day, that I have wondered why the Lord tarrieth so long. My life is bitter unto me, and I fear the Lord be my contrair party. It is (as I now know by experience) hard to keep sight of God in a storm, especially when He hides Himself, for the trial of His children. If He would be pleased to remove His hand, I have a purpose to seek Him more than I have done. Happy are they that can win away with their soul. I am afraid of His judgments. I bless my God that there is a death, and a heaven. I would weary to begin again to be a Christian, so bitter is it to drink of the cup that Christ drank of, if I knew not that there is no poison in it. God give us not of it till we vomit again, for we have sick souls when God’s physic works not. Pray that God would not lead my wife into temptation. Woe is my heart, that I have done so little against the kingdom of Satan in my calling; for he would fain attempt to make me blaspheme God in His face. I believe, I believe, in the strength of Him who hath put me in His work, he shall fail in that which he seeks. I have comfort in this, that my Captain, Christ, hath said, I must fight and overcome the world, and with a weak, spoiled, weaponless devil, “the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John xvi. 33, and xiv. 30). Desire Mr. Robert to remember me, if he love me. Grace, grace be with you, and all yours.
Remember Zion. There is a letter procured from the King by Mr. John Maxwell to urge conformity, to give the communion at Christmas in Edinburgh. Hold fast that which you have, that no man take the crown from you. The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.
Yours in the Lord,
S. R.
Anwoth, Nov. 17, 1629.