Abstract
The name of George Matheson probably brings first to
mind the hymn, "O Love that wilt not let me go." However, a great .
many more people remember him as "the blind poet -preacher" of
Innellan, and later of St. Bernard's, Edinburgh.. That he was
regarded by his contemporaries as a respected writer on theological
subjects - a Baird lecturer and invited by the University of
Aberdeen to be a Gifford lecturer - is to a often overlooked.. So
it is that this thesis represents an attempt to investigate the
theological thought, preaching, and poetry of Matheson. It seeks
to describe and evaluate his work in each of these three fields,
as well as to estimate his influence.
Are there any people interested in Matheson today? The
Reverend D. Gordon McLean, present minister at Innellan, tells me
that over two thousand people each year visit the Church and the
Manse at Innellan,,to see where Matheson lived and worked. Likewise,
the Reverend A. Diack, present minister at St. Bernard's Church,
Edinburgh, says that he receives constant requests for information
about Matheson; indeed, one woman from Wisconsin, U.S.A., wrote to
him requesting facts for a play she was writing about this famous
Scot. There is also a controversy which has grown up concerning
the date of composition and the circumstances under which Matheson
wrote his hymn, "O Love that wilt not let me go," This controversy
has resulted in letters to The Scotsman from time to time since
Matheson's death in 1906.
Matheson has been the subject of one large biography,
The Life of George Matheson, by Donald Macmillan. In addition, there
have
been several biographical sketches in the form of magazine
articles. There have also been those who have written of their
experiences and conversations with Matheson, and have thereby
provided additional facts concerning him. Some of these facts
have not been noted by Macmillan, but are included in the
Biographical Sketch of this thesis. However, those who have written
brief articles on Matheson's life and work have had objectives
different from those I have had in view.. Writing primarily for
the popular religious public, they have not attempted to analyze
Matheson's thought and work with any degree of thoroughness, nor
have they had the advantage of almost a half century in which to
estimate his influence. This thesis, in addition, incorporates
material from letters and various documents, and from private
conversations with several who knew Matheson intimately - which
information is not to be found in Macmillan's work or in any of
the periodical sketches.
