The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-11-07
IN MEMORIAM
Macdonald Resolution Adopted by
Saturday Night Club.

Saturday night was devoted by the
club of that name to the memory or
the late John Macdonald, founder OF
the organization. Each member OF
the club paid tribute.
The following resolution was adopt
ed and ordered spread upon the rec
ords:
The founder of this club, of thirty
three years existence, is gone, but the
organization goes on indefinitely. IL
is fitting that something OF formal
nature regarding this man-John Mac
Donald-who passed away October i,
should be spread upon our RECORDS
Hence these resolutions--certainly not
perfunctory in spirit altno they Follow
typical custom of expression OF the
regard in which men OF more than
ordinary life have been held.
The Gentleman from Kansas, as
he was always known to us at these
meetings, was really the "Gentlenan
from Scotland; yet he was true
American, with high ideals, giving in
spiration to others and seeking 1t him
self Over his desk, where he was
daily wont to work, three busts still
repose: those are of Burns, of Scott
and Lincoln, and typify his love of
things Scottish, and equal love for
things American.
He was born February 6, 1843, On
the Island of Lewis. one of the He-
brides, made famous by DIR. Samuel
johnson, and nearby the beautiful is
land of Skye. He lived sufficiently
long in the Highlands of Scotland to
become proficient in reading, writing
and speaking the Gaelic language
Once annually. on New Years day, he
remembered his friends by the dis
tribution of his card with Gaelic mot
toes. To the card was attached sprig
of purple heather grown near .iis
birthplace. The notices were typical
of his daily greetings to his acquaint-
ances: Many Blessings to You"
Every Day to You; "A Good Year
to YOU; "A Blessing to Thy Soul and
Victory"
as well constant church attendant.
His faith in immortality was expressed
in beautiful tribute to his mother,
which appeared in his paper, The
Western School Journal. five years
ago. following the demise of the moth
er who had lived to the wonderful age
Of 81. Her son paid her periodic Wis
its and many partings seemed the last,
but were often renewed. He spoke of
her good deeds in the mountain par
ish; OF her administration to the sick !;
her Christian counsel to the erring;
her help to the unfortunate; her hos
pitality to the needy; her words of
cheer to the respondent, closing with
this reference to his letters to his
mother:
The correspondence is forever closed
on earth, but there remain blessed
memories. These memories and the
firm hope that we shall meet again, 1
would not exchange for all the wealth,
bliss and power this old world can
give or take back"
The Gentleman from Kansas"
came to the state in 1870. two or three
years after he lived in New York
whence his emigration from Great
Britain: since then, during these forty
six years. he lived in and about the
capital of Kansas.
A natural teacher, he filled many
places high and low in that vocation
country schoolmaster, a county su-
perintendent of schools. a member of
the state board OF education, president
of the Kansas Teachers association.
president of the Educational Press As
ISOLATION of America and a member Of
the board of directors of the National
Education association. For a quarter
of a century ne was editor and owner
of The Western School Journal, a Pc
riodical for teachers
He founded this Saturday Night club
thirty-three years ago; IL was his own
idea, and the customs and conducI he
laid down for it at the first meeting
are those followed since and to this
tine 1t was his thought that it Should
be a cultural club. and 1t was his plan
that paper should be presented by
OfC iilCftlDtE at tdCu llttllnk ana the
same subject discussed by each mem
Der. at is thus" he said, I'VE will
get the many sides of the question and
be better able to gather accurate and
correct Information"
Even in those early days he saw the
present weaknesses of the members
and suggested then an occasional ban
quet was good for the soul and body.
From the very first, he was selected
as the critic, generally for this eve
mi ~ nd he
first to the one presiding at the meet
ing where he last met with us. had the
temerity to ever appoint another critic
unless he was presiding. had the paper
/ of the evening or was absent. The
latter was a rare occasion, for he was
devoted to the club and to its mem
bers. Leading a life which might be
termed lonely by some, he took greai