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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 emphasizes that true remembrance of our past sins comes only after we have received a new heart from God. He explains that the process of transformation leads us to reflect on our previous wrongdoings only after we have experienced spiritual renewal and growth. This memory serves as a reminder of God's grace and the journey we have taken from sin to redemption. Matheson encourages believers to focus on moving forward and pressing toward the prize, with the understanding that reflection on past failures is a gift that comes later in our spiritual walk. Ultimately, he highlights the importance of recognizing our past to appreciate the depth of God's mercy.
Scriptures
When We Remember
"A new heart also will I give you. Then shall ye remember your own evil ways" (Ezek. 36:26,31). The prophet says that the memory of our badness only comes after we have become good. "A new heart will I give you; then shall ye remember your own evil ways." One would have expected the opposite statement. We should have looked for such words as these: "You must expect for a little to be troubled with old memories. You must not be surprised, when you are in the first stage of reformation, to experience the remorse of conscience for bad deeds in the past. When your new nature is complete, when the weaning process is over, when you become accustomed to the corn of the land, you will forget all about your struggles and failures; you will remember your shortcomings no more." The prophet says it is only then you will remember them. He says the valleys of your life will not become visible until you have scaled the height and stood upon the mountain's brow. And truly he is right; experience cries "Amen!" The memory of sin is the latest gift of my Father. His earliest gifts are incentives to move forward; they rather discourage a retrospective view. God says to the beginner, "Forget the things which are behind; press toward the mark of the prize!" But when the mark of the prize is won, when the top of the hill is gained, then for the first time He says, "Look back!" Then, for the first time, memory wakes, and our yesterday appears; and the valley of the past looks lowly and the shadows of the past seem deep. We beat upon our breast and say, "O wretched man that I am!"
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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.