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George Matheson
George Matheson (March 27, 1842 – August 28, 1906) was a Scottish preacher, hymn writer, and theologian whose ministry overcame blindness to inspire congregations across Scotland for over three decades. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, to George Matheson, a prosperous merchant, and Jane Matheson, his second cousin, he was the eldest of eight children. Educated at Glasgow Academy and the University of Glasgow—graduating with a B.A. in 1861 and an M.A. in 1862—he lost nearly all his sight by age 20 due to a degenerative condition, yet pursued divinity studies with his sisters’ aid, earning a Bachelor of Divinity by 1866. Matheson’s preaching career began as an assistant at Sandyford Parish Church in Glasgow in 1866, followed by his appointment as minister of Innellan Church on the Argyll coast in 1868, where he served for 18 years, earning fame as “Matheson of Innellan” for sermons memorized and delivered to crowds of up to 2,000. In 1886, he became pastor of St. Bernard’s Church in Edinburgh, ministering there until 1899 with a reputation for radiant faith despite his disability. His sermons, preserved on SermonIndex.net, and books like Unspoken Sermons and Studies in the Portrait of Christ blended theological depth with devotion, while his hymn “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,” written in 1882, reflected personal sorrow after his sister’s wedding and a broken engagement due to his blindness. Never married, he died at age 64 in North Berwick, Scotland, from a stroke.
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Sermon Summary
George Matheson shares his life story, detailing his birth in Glasgow, Scotland, and his struggle with deteriorating eyesight that led to near-total blindness. Despite this challenge, he excelled academically with the help of his sisters and graduated from the University of Edinburgh, eventually becoming a minister in the Church of Scotland. He served in Innealan for 18 years, where his remarkable memory allowed him to preach without his congregation realizing he was blind. Later, he became the pastor of St. Bernard’s Church in Edinburgh, dedicating his final years to literary pursuits, including the publication of 'Sacred Songs'. Matheson's life exemplifies resilience and dedication to faith despite personal challenges.
Short Biography
Born: March 27, 1842, Glasgow, Scotland. Died: August 28, 1906, Avenell House, North Berwick, Edinburgh, Scotland. Buried: Family vault, Glasgow Necropolis. Born with poor vision, Matheson’s eyesight gradually worsened until he was almost totally blind. However, he was academically gifted, and his sisters learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew to help him study. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh (MA 1862), then became a minister in the Church of Scotland. He pastored in the resort town of Innelan for 18 years; due to his ability to memorize sermons and entire sections of the Bible, listeners were often unaware he was blind. In 1886, Matheson became pastor of St. Bernard’s Church in Edinburgh, where he served 13 years. He spent the remaining years of his life in literary efforts. His works include: Sacred Songs (Edinburgh, Scotland: W. Blackwood, 1890)
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George Matheson (March 27, 1842 – August 28, 1906) was a Scottish preacher, hymn writer, and theologian whose ministry overcame blindness to inspire congregations across Scotland for over three decades. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, to George Matheson, a prosperous merchant, and Jane Matheson, his second cousin, he was the eldest of eight children. Educated at Glasgow Academy and the University of Glasgow—graduating with a B.A. in 1861 and an M.A. in 1862—he lost nearly all his sight by age 20 due to a degenerative condition, yet pursued divinity studies with his sisters’ aid, earning a Bachelor of Divinity by 1866. Matheson’s preaching career began as an assistant at Sandyford Parish Church in Glasgow in 1866, followed by his appointment as minister of Innellan Church on the Argyll coast in 1868, where he served for 18 years, earning fame as “Matheson of Innellan” for sermons memorized and delivered to crowds of up to 2,000. In 1886, he became pastor of St. Bernard’s Church in Edinburgh, ministering there until 1899 with a reputation for radiant faith despite his disability. His sermons, preserved on SermonIndex.net, and books like Unspoken Sermons and Studies in the Portrait of Christ blended theological depth with devotion, while his hymn “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,” written in 1882, reflected personal sorrow after his sister’s wedding and a broken engagement due to his blindness. Never married, he died at age 64 in North Berwick, Scotland, from a stroke.