REV. DUNCAN MATHESON, KNOCK, LEWIS, AND LATTERLY OF GAIRLOCH.
DUNCAN MATHESON was born at Plockton, in the Parish of Lochalsh, about the year 1793. His parents and the rest of the family removed to America when he was very young, but he remained in this country. He came under the power of the truth when he was about twenty years of age, and began to study with a view to the ministry immediately after. Mr Alexander Kennedy, brother of Rev. John Kennedy, Redcastle, took a special interest in him, and in this home he found always a warm welcome. Even at this early stage of his Christian career he was considered by those competent to judge to be a true follower of the Lord Jesus. The corruption of his nature, though he was not given to open sin, weighed so heavily on his conscience that he considered himself the chief of sinners, to whom it seemed hopeless that pardon would ever be extended. His conversion made him an honest man even in the merest trifles. He could have no peace until he made reparation for anything he had done amiss to his fellows in his unconverted days. The same principle regulated his conduct during life. He, like a true Christian, had a perfect dread of debt and of defrauding any man, and though he had a large family and a small income, he kept out of difficulties, and lived honourably. He educated a family of seven—five daughters and two sons—and though he had neither poverty nor riches, he managed, like the Psalmist’s “good man,” to guide his affairs with discretion.
Mr Matheson was licensed by the Presbytery of Dornoch, 23rd November 1830. On the 27th September 1831, he was ordained and inducted to the pastoral charge of Knock, as successor to the Rev. Robert Finlayson, who had been called to Helmsdale. Mr Matheson laboured here for twelve years, and his labours among the people were greatly blessed. At the Disruption his congregation, which held him in the greatest respect, followed him to a man. In the year following the Disruption (1844), he was called to the Free Church of Gairloch, and inducted there on the 24th day of July 1844. Here he laboured to the day of his death, and won from the Lord’s people a place in their hearts that was a treasured memory to them long after he went to his rest. Even to this day his name is mentioned with the profoundest respect in Gairloch and the surrounding district. His intimate knowledge of the corruption of the human heart and God’s great remedy, which were emphasised in his preaching, made him a true son of consolation to the Lord’s people. His sterling honesty of character and his well-known faithfulness begot a confidence in his hearers that was not easily shaken. His favourite themes in preaching were faith, repentance, and the death of Christ. He, as a true servant of Christ, shunned not to declare to his people the whole counsel of God. He was an earnest student of the Word, and studied the Scriptures earnestly in the original tongues. In theology he read Turrettine, Maitracht, and other noted Calvinistic theologians. He was also a diligent student of church history, and was familiar with the contentions of the Church generally, and particularly in Scotland.
His manner left the impression that he was hasty and overbearing, but he had a generous and tender heart, which revealed itself on more intimate acquaintance with him. He was stern in rebuking sin, and having no fear of man when the honour of his God was concerned, he was not deterred from doing his duty by the consideration of the proprieties and conventions of a hypocritical politeness.
His consideration for others comes out in a story told of him. A friend, on one occasion, in course of a conversation on the Widows’ Fund, happened to say to him that it was unjust that he should be made to pay the annual premium seeing his wife, who had died, would not benefit. “When I was a young married man,” was the reply, “I was often afraid I might be removed suddenly from my wife and family. I had the satisfaction then of knowing that this small provision was made for them, and now I am willing to pay for the comfort I then enjoyed.”
The deep spirituality of his mind came out in his conversation. All who came in contact with him were impressed with this feature of his character. In connection with this we quote from a letter sent to his daughter after his death by the Rev. George Stevenson, Pulteneytown, with whom Mr Matheson stayed when preaching to the Gaelic-speaking fishermen at Wick. “My wife and myself,” says Mr Stevenson, “often spoke of the precious seasons at family worship, and of the remarkable spirit of devotion which rested on your father when he led our devotions; his exercise was always fresh and varied, and marked him out as one that had constant communion with God. I had also many pleasant walks with your father, and enjoyed much his conversation, which was always about religious subjects, and which showed him to be deeply versed in the Scriptures, and to be constantly feeding on them for himself, as well as gathering treasures from them for the edifying of others.”
Mr Matheson was confined to bed for twelve months before his death, and passed through a fiery ordeal from the great Accuser. The tempest-tossed and weary Christian set about examining himself in case after all matters were not right with him. One day he thought he heard a voice narrating the incidents of his life, and ending with the announcement—”Now you need not believe a word I said, for I am the father of lies.” From this time onward the Tempter ceased and he had peace. As Mr Matheson had no bodily suffering, it was easier for him to wait patiently for the coming of the Lord. “I am here dying without pain,” he said, “my days are like a shadow that declineth, and I am withered like the grass.” He passed to his everlasting rest on 12th December 1873, in the 80th year of his age, and 43rd of his ministry.