THE late Mrs. Mary Matheson, Carminish, Dingwall, died on the 23rd day of July, 1949, at the Raigmore Hospital, Inverness. She was in her sixty-seventh year at the time of her death. Her birthplace was the island of Scalpay, Harris, where her father laboured at the time as a Missionary. Over a long period of years before her end, she was far from being in a robust state of health. On quite a few occasions, her case was regarded as being beyond recovery. One of these was in the early years of her married life when the first child was born. Those with her then were remarking to one another in low tones that there was little or no hope of her recovery. She heard them, however, and told them that she had reason to believe that she had from the Lord the promise that she would not only be spared, but see her children’s children. This promise was fulfilled to her. Her closing illness began when visiting her son, Ian, and his family at Strontian. It became essential to have her removed for adequate treatment to Inverness, but her condition proved, in the holy providence of the Lord, to be beyond all remedial measures, and she passed away on the morning of the day stated.
As to her spiritual experience at the time of her awakening to soul-concern, we regret that no information can be given. It is probable that those, as her father and mother, to whom she may have expressed her mind, are now passed away. Her father and mother were highly respecting God-fearing persons—the former being for many years, as was already indicated, a Missionary in the island of Scalpay, then in South Harris, and lastly, in the Glendale district of Skye. Mrs. Matheson, the subject of this notice, was gifted with no ordinary strength of character. This undoubtedly helped her in her prolonged condition of ill-health. She was often advised not to risk going so frequently from home to attend communions. Her love to the Saviour and to the habitation of His house constrained her, when at times it did not appear advisable for her to venture from home.
It would be unbecoming to conclude this notice without referring to the hospitality shown by her late husband, who passed to his rest in August, 1943, and herself, to friends of the cause of Christ, on Communion occasions and at other times. At Communion seasons, their home was full to overflowing. She complained in one of her last letters of her being unduly anxious to have things in good order when she should rather be earnest in seeking to have her mind taken up with the love of Christ. We remember her remarking to us, as she lay in an ambulance on the way to her last operation, that she had indeed her faults, but added, “I am not without hope in Himself.” She had her own share of soul-trials. She was not ignorant of the enemy and his devices. The great Shepherd causes all things to work together for the good of His people, and presents them at last without blemish, before Him, in love. Her remains were interred beside those of her late husband. A large number of men and women who loved her in the Lord were present.
May the Lord bless the members of the bereaved family, as He did their worthy parents—and likewise the several relatives, that they also, through faith and patience, may inherit the promises.—D. A. Macfarlane.