*The above letter was written from hospital while Mr. Matheson was a patient during last war.
General Infirmary, Leeds, 1917.
MY Dear Friend,—Your kind and very welcome letter of 31/3/17 arrived per post the other day from France, by which I was pleased to learn of
fairly good news of your family, though you do not seem to be regaining too much strength, yet as you mention, “It is a great blessing to be still in the land of mercy, where the Lord prepares lost souls by nature, for the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” All the stones of Solomon’s Temple were moulded and sharpened in the quarry, before being taken to the building. What a great blessing to be taken under the hammer of love, though nature does not like the law hammer of Providence, and trial hammers. Yet those who are taught from above, will learn the deep lesson that Paul learnt. All things will work for their good. He knows the measure of soul and body trouble, that is good for them. Christ used to visit the famous family at Bethany yet He allowed sickness and death to enter, and though He was absent in the body, His heart was there, which He proved by His marvellous miracle and compassion. What a mystery, the God-man weeping for worms of the dust. Oh! to touch the hem of the mystery and to know what it is by soul experience—the humility and love of Mary lying at His feet.
Well, dear friend, let us not get tired of thinking and writing and meditating about Christ the Saviour of lost sinners. Where did Joshua get his wonderful wisdom, but by reading and searching the Holy Scriptures (see 1st chap. Joshua verse 8). Yet it is legal and lawful to introduce other harmless news. Likely you would have heard before now that I have been laid aside by illness, from fighting along with my dear fellow soldiers. After coming out of the trenches at Arras, I got sick, and was sent to hospital where I was for about a fortnight, and from there was sent to Leeds, five weeks last night, suffering from bronchitis, army name for a bad cold, of which I am quite clear, but pain started in both my legs since over three weeks. I call it rheumatism, but the army calls it trench fever. I suffered some pain, but am recovering nicely and expect to be convalescent soon as I am daily (except Sabbath) going out for walks.
When I read of the great Arras battles, and me in comfort here I should like to be low and weep for the Lord’s kindness to me, and also to remember the many careless soldiers facing eternity in a very light and blasphemous spirit. I am not going to give much of my battlefield experience but I can say to the praise of God, His Word has proved to be a comfort and shield and strong armour, though at other times I was afraid I should fall into the cruel hands of Saul some day. The carelessness and lightness of Lowland, Highland and West Coast soldiers, grieved me very much. Oh! may God in His great mercy open their eyes to see their great delusion. The Lord has His mighty preachers out in our dark day, but we give a very deaf ear to them. I refer just now to the sword, and to many weapons of destruction, on land and sea, and now famine is creeping up like a snake, to try will we come down from our high platforms and call upon supreme power and use man-power as our duty. Let us be still and know that God is righteous in all His doings, and blessed be His name for endless ages, that the reins are in His hand, and He can steer everything for His own Glory and the good of His cause. Oh, when will He leap over the mountains of provocation, individually and as a nation, He means to do it and promised it for His own name’s
sake. Oh, let us seek earnestly and abundantly in His name, for the surety is rich and strong. But I often say, no wonder though His own little flock would have a sad and sorrowful countenance, like Hannah and Nehesiah.
I do hope there are a good few of Gairloch race of Adam, often in secret. Oh, let us pour out our hearts to Him. Well my dear friend, it is easier to give an advice, than put the advice into action. But let Free Grace make us suitable for praying, worshipping and preparing us for an, endless eternity, which seems so trifling in our dark age.
Quite a number of patients here, but no word of a Bible, but plenty amusements, the fiddle, piano, vain songs, and dances going on three times a week, among the dying, wounded and sick, some very low and in pain, some coming out of chloroform, and this age tries to remedy the poor sufferers, by such evil actions. How far from the advice of the Apostle James, “If any is sick let him send for the elder.” Is it not time for me to stop writing, and use economy in paper? I was very pleased your wife got to Dingwall Communion—may the seed sown be blessed. Oh, may He send out seed-sowers as Peter who had such an handful on the day of Pentecost, and was planted in the souls of the great sinners of Jerusalem by the Holy Spirit.
I got a letter from Rev. Cameron, Glasgow, after Dingwall Communion and he said he had a very happy season there (the happiest he ever had there). I also received another solemn and kind letter from him last week. He is a great wrestler for the British Army. Oh may they have precious times at his solemn ordinance and may they also be guided at the Synod, re supposed union, which is far from being ripe. Iron and clay cannot be joined said Daniel. Oh let us all have the prayer of David—”Hold up my goings, Lord, me guide in those Thy paths Divine.”
Give my warmest regards to the dear Gairloch friends starting with John MacKenzie (Joiner), Kenneth MacPherson, John MacDonald and all his household, John MacDonald, and when you see him, Osgood MacKenzie, etc., not forgetting your brothers Alex and Donald and families, and your neighbours I knew in business. Where is Kenny MacKenzie, P.O.—is he still on English soil? Pleased your own boys are well. Oh to be armoured by grace, and let every one do his duty for his guilty nation—there is a blessing in it yet. Evildoers will not prosper long. David was praying “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end.” Shall be very pleased to hear from you again. Trusting none of the dear Gairloch boys have been lost in recent battles.
Your ever loving friend,
Kenneth Matheson.