A TRIBUTE TO MR BASIL DANE by Rev Ivan Foster, his former minister before his retirement
Tributes were paid to two long time members of Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church who recently went to be with the Lord.
This service, at which Rev Jonathan Creane preached, may be viewed here.
A TRIBUTE TO MR BASIL DANE
At his funeral service in Kilskeery FPC, 30th October, 2021.
“ His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant,” Matthew 25:21.
Faithfulness is a virtue we all here in Kilskeery would attribute to our brother Basil, now gone to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening past.
I first met Basil in 1968 when he started attending the meetings in Lisbellaw Free Presbyterian Church where I had been ordained and installed as minister back in April of that year. He had been to the Ulster Hall to hear Dr Paisley and then decided to check out the Lisbellaw meetings. He was not saved at that time but he later testified of the kindness shown to him as a stranger by my uncle, William Foster, who did ‘door duty’ in those days.
He attended for a short time and then in mid-September 1968, he sought the Lord and was saved. There are some of us who can still remember him, his boys and his little blond-haired daughter attending the meetings.
Mrs Dane was saved during the opening mission in Bethel Church, August 1972, when Rev Alan Cairns was the preacher.
Basil was an Enniskillen native, attending the Model school and enjoyed being involved in the Sea Scouts and the Boys Brigade. He was also a member of Enniskillen Pipe band. He was a member of the Ulster Special Constabulary before its disbandment. His skills as an electrician served well when Bethel Church was being built. He also drove the children’s bus for Bethel Children’s Crusade, something he loved dearly.
Basil always had a love for the people and witness here in Kilskeery and shortly after the services started here he transferred his membership here. He, his wife Florence and daughter Amanda were loyal and devoted members of the congregation from that time. He continued in his faithful attendance, whenever he could, nearly right up until the Covid-19 infection interrupted the attendance of us all. Failing health finally stopped him attending the meetings but he and Florence thoroughly enjoyed the recording of the services until his final stay in hospital.
Basil was a good singer and he could be heard participating in the worship in our services. Today, he is where no earthly congregation can match the singing that is taking place.
The old hymn puts it like this:
There is singing up in heaven such as we have never known,
Where the angels sing the praises of the Lamb upon the throne;
Their sweet harps are ever tuneful and their voices always clear,
Oh, that we might be more like them while we serve the Master here.
Holy, holy, is what the angels sing.
And I expect to help them make the courts of heaven ring
But when I sing redemption’s story they will fold their wings,
For angels never felt the joys that our salvation brings.
Revelation 5:9 states: “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
Today, Basil is amongst those who sing as they never have sung before, words such as these.
Some of us here are looking forward to joining that choir one day. Do you have such a hope?