Matheson, George, an able and greatly
honored minister of the Church of Scotland,
was born March 27, 1842. He entered
Glasgow University in 1857, when he was
but fifteen years of age. He spent nine
years at the university--five years in the
arts and four years in the study of divinity.
He was licensed to preach in 1866.
Dr. Matheson, as is well known, was entirely
blind during the greater portion of
his life. He was probably born with defective
sight--at least his mother discovered
this fact when he was eighteen months
old. In his early boyhood, by using strong
glasses and a strong light, he managed to
read; but his sight continued to fail, and
when he entered the university, at the age
of fifteen and one-half years, he was almost
blind and had to depend upon the
sight of others. He died August 28, 1906.
He was never married. His life was full
of literary activity. His contributions to
the literature of theology are among the
ablest and most widely read volumes that
have appeared from the English press
since 1874, when he published his first volume.
Considering the limitations under
which he had to do his work, his industry
and productiveness were marvelous; and
the strength and quality of his work were
as notable as the number and frequency of
his publications. Among his twenty-five
published volumes one was titled Sacred
Songs, 1890 (third edition, 1904). About a
dozen of Dr. Matheson's songs have found
a place in Church hymnals, but only one
has gained universal popularity. This song
of resignation, love, and trust is one that
only a great sufferer could write.
| O Love that wilt not let me go |
481 |