William Paton MacKay
Born: May 13, 1839, Montrose, Scotland.
Died: August 22, 1885, Portree, Scotland.
This is the testimony of Scottish doctor, W. P. MacKay, author of “Revive Us Again.” In his own words,
My dear mother had been a godly, holy woman, quite often telling me of the Savior, and many times I saw her on bended knee in prayer for my soul’s salvation. But nothing had made a deep impression on me. The older I grew, the more wicked I became…
One day a seriously injured man was brought into the hospital. His case seemed hopeless, he seemed to realize his condition for he was fully conscious and asked me how much time he had left to live. I gave him my opinion in as cautious a manner as I could.
“Have you any relatives whom we could notify?” I asked.
The patient shook his head. He had only one wish, it was to see his landlady because he owed her a small sum of money and also wished to bid her farewell. He also requested that his landlady send him “The Book…”
I went to see him on my regular visits at least once a day. What struck me most was the quiet, almost happy expression constantly on his face…After the man died, some things about his affairs were to be done in my presence.
“What shall we do with this?” the nurse asked holding a book in her hand.
“What kind of book is it?” I asked.
“The Bible of the poor man…As long as he was able to read it, he did so, and when he was unable to do so anymore, he kept it under his bed cover.”
I took the Bible and-could I trust my eyes? It was my own Bible! The Bible which my mother had given me when I left my parent’s home, and which later, when short of money, I sold for a small amount. My name was still in it, written in my mother’s hand…
With a deep sense of shame I looked upon the precious Book. It had given comfort and refreshing to the unfortunate man in his last hours. It had been a guide to him into eternal life, so that he had been enabled to die in peace and happiness. And this book, the last gift to me from my mother, I had actually sold for a ridiculous price…
Be it sufficient to say that the regained possession of my Bible was the cause of my conversion.
Maranatha - Awaiting Christ's Return 
Wow…what a great excerpt.
Makes me want to get that book…and it makes me want to be even more thankful for the Precious and Priceless Word of God! I pray in my dying days I have a testimony of having the privilege and opportunity of relying on God’s Word for comfort and peace.
What a blessing – thanks for posting this.
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Last Sunday May3rd I was at a small church in Pembrokeshire and the preacher that day began by announcing the hymn Revive us again.As he did so he also told us,briefly, about William Mackays conversion. My friends and I were thrilled with this example of how God moves sovereignly in mans salvation! I was stirred to google and find out more andwas delighted to read this testimony to God’s love and grace.
I found a short tract tucked away in my old Barnes commentary today as I was preparing to preach… it was of William Mackay’s conversion. I was thrilled to find it and read it. I shall use his story in the near future with the young people at our church.
Mark O’Byrne
Newquay Cornwall UK
A dear friend of mine from Virginia who loves the Hymn Revive in us again filled me in on William P .Mackay. I read up on internet and have to say that this story touched my heart, tears to my eye’s. How awesome that that lovely man had this present given to William form his mum and has it now for keeps.
God does work in mysterious ways.
I am finding God each day and hope to get close to him.
A beautiful story.
God rest the man who passed away who am sure is smiling down on us.
Thank you to my dear friend Janice Rahm from the U.S.A for sharing this Treasured story with me.
Patricia Mackay Inverness
I am about to use his story tonight at our Wednesday night service. I believe these great stories truly bless people. I know they bless me.
We have been reading through James Banks Devotional Prayers for Prodigals 18 times today. On the last page in Conclusion is the story of William P. MacKay. It always gives us hope and makes us cry while reading it. We pray our son will come back to the Lord and we will be able to see him and his family again soon. We went 6 years not seeing them and we had a brief 10 months getting to know our grandchildren until the middle of April of this year.