201237

Generation: C

George Matheson, "The Blind Preacher"

There is a longer biography of George Matheson in the archive.

Summary from the book "Life of George Matheson, DD., LLD., FRSE." by D. McMillan. Hodder and Stoughton. Published 1907.

Doctor George Matheson. Born 27/3/1842 at 39, Abbotsford Place, Glasgow. Died 28/8/1906 at North Berwick. Buried in Family vault, Glasgow Necropolis.

Dr. George was one of eight children. First educated at a small school in Carlton Place. Then, after the move to St. Vincent Crescent, he went to Glasgow Academy, at that time in Elmbank Street and now the site of the Glasgow High School. He then went to Glasgow University which was in the High Street. He graduated BA in 1861 with Hon. distinction in Philosophy, and MA in 1862.

He always had impaired vision. He used powerful glasses and sat near a window in school. After University he was dependent on others. He was never entirely blind, but only saw shadows. Had inflamation at the back of his eyes. He had the reputation of being a great optomist, with a bouyant and inspiring spirit. Many of his congregation did not realise he was blind, although at one time he almost succumbed to dispondency. He was greatly helped by his eldest sister who wrote his essays at his dictation, and his early sermons. He had a marvellous memory. His sister ran the house for him and helped with the parish. He wrote hundreds of articles and many books with the help of a secretary and latterly by braille and typewriter. His publishers were T. and T. Clark, Blackwood, Jas. Nisbet, Cassell and Jas. Clarke, latterly Hodder and Stoughton.

At first he was assisstant at Sandyford church where he surprised everyone that although blind he could cope with any duty imposed upon him. His first charge was Innellan. He earned the reputation as a famous preacher and to look as though he read the lessons, so that many never knew he could not. Many came to Innellan year after year for holidays, because they liked to hear "Matheson of Innellan" and his name became a household word in Scotland.

He wrote the famous hymn ("Oh Love that wilt not let me go") at Innellan in 1882, on the day of a sister's marriage. He wrote it in about five minutes and it did not require any retouching. He had the impression it was dictated to him by an inward voice. He always said that the hymn was greatly indebted to Dr. Peace who wrote the music which he composed sitting on a beach in Arran. The hymn committee asked him to change only one word. In the line "I climbed the rainbow in the rain" he had to substitute the word "Traced" for "Climbed"!

He was summoned to preach at Crathie in 1885 at the Queen's own suggestion. She was so impressed by the sermon that she asked to have it printed. It was "The Patience of Job".

He was called to Edinburgh-St. Bernards church in 1886, which was filled to overflowing every Sunday. He resigned after 11 years.

He died on holiday at North Berwick in 1906.

George Matheson's Hymn

The Tune is St. Margaret, by A.L. Peace

O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, That in Thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be.

O Light that lightest all my way, I yeald my flickering torch to Thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day, May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from Thee; I lay in dust life's glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red Life that shall endless be.

Dear Mr. Mackay:

I know we've "spoken" in the past with regards to the Mathieson geneology. I also know you said the info you have is what your grandfather did. My question to you, do you have any other info on the William Matheson b 1778 and married in 1802 and died in 1803. Did he leave a child? We are still trying to establish our link with the preacher George Matheson and still trying to find our William Matheson's parents. Our families are connected, as you stated that your grandfather was a 2nd cousin to the preacher and our gr grandfather was a first cousin to the preacher. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated as, we are at a "dead" end. My e-mail is : ihunter@post.its.mcw.edu

Kind regards and thanks much,

ILKA