Garth RattrayHIS STORY began just over 84 years ago in the salubrious hills of rural St. Andrew in a small, little-known, unassuming district with the fittingly regal name of King Weston on November 20, 1916. Although he left this earth on February 10, 2001, his spiritual legacy will live on in those who knew him and even in those who knew of him. I am telling this story now because he would not have wanted it written while he was still here. I am also telling this story now because it would be selfish of me to keep this knowledge to myself, because some may otherwise never know what true greatness was manifest right here among us and because it is truly awesome and inspirational.
It is a story about a boy who was called to serve, a boy who never once disobeyed his Heavenly Father, a boy who turned his back on this world, a boy who sacrificed himself just because he was told to do so. A bright little boy who discontinued his physical/mundane education for a spiritual/Heavenly one. An intelligent little boy who realised that all here is truly vanity and that the only real treasures are in Heaven.
At 14 years of age this boy was spiritually conscious enough to recognise his Father's voice. Some told him that he was "mad" because, after all, he was hearing voices. Some said that he was possessed because, after all he did obey the voices. For those who only see with physical eyes and hear with physical ears I suppose that would be correct but we all know the famous quote, "Those who have eyes to see let them see and ears to hear let them hear."
This boy forsook everything and entered the church. He chose the Baptist faith for it was within that environment that he was able to experience and express his spiritual best. He grew into a man and until his final day denied himself the pleasures of the flesh for his Father's sake. This purity of spirit, mind and body made him the perfect conduit/channel through which the Spirit of God worked wonders for 70 years.
During his early life he was sent to preach and teach the Word on sidewalks, in other churches, in the valleys, on the hills, in the bright of the day, in the dark of the night, in the rain and by the river's edge. Not once did he shirk his duty to the Lord, not once did he murmur and complain in spite of the vicissitudes of leading an itinerant existence for much of his formative years.
He was finally instructed to build his own church and named it the Mount Carmel Apostolic Baptist Church. If walls could talk they would speak of the daily trek of people from all over Jamaica and from all over the world who travelled many miles just to seek spiritual counselling and help. They would tell of the sick in mind, body and spirit who have been rescued, of the many souls that were saved and the many lives made whole again. The walls would tell of the inspirational services and the innumerable bona fide instances of healing that have taken place there. But if you had asked Reverend McCaulsky about the many wondrous works, he would just say that he had nothing to do with it, the Lord did everything.
Reverend McCaulsky was an ordained minister of religion with a duly registered church. He domiciled all who came to him in need. Although he remained celibate all his life, he raised hundreds of boys and girls as his own. All grown now, they are the beneficiaries of his altruism. In his younger days, he accommodated GCE "O" level classes for those willing and able to attain that certificate, even now the church is home to a Basic School.
He was referred to as Dada, Mr. Fitzie, leader, healer, father, brother and friend. He was a prophet, preacher, healer, advisor, counsellor, guide, spiritual mentor, shepherd and safety net to all; but most of all, he was a man of God who held steadfast to his faith until the day that he graduated from this world into the next.
Volumes could and should be written about the life of this man but suffice it to say it was truly inspirational. If anyone had any doubts about the power of God they needed to have met Reverend McCaulsky. I had the sad duty of pronouncing his body as "dead". A funny word, "dead", for no one can truly die. The soul is eternal but we need this physical experience to grow spiritual. We must remain here until we too graduate but not many of us will graduate with First Class Honours as did Reverend McCaulsky.
Dr. Garth A. Rattray is a medical practitioner with a family practice.
