MRS. Matheson was born at Glencoe, Ontario. Her maiden name was Mary Taylor. Her parents emigrated from Southern Argyllshire.
At how early a period of her life she was savingly changed, or under whose labours, is not known, but that she was a gracious woman became patent to all who had the privilege of her acquaintance. One of her sons told us that one of the earliest things he can recollect is, how she used to pray beside him when putting him to bed, and that she made use of the Lord’s words: “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not,” in her pleading with the Lord for him. What a blessing to children to have such a mother!
On a certain occasion a young man conducted himself with considerable levity in her presence. She calmly exhorted him to refrain from levity; but he endeavoured to defend himself by saying that he did not consider his conduct as sinful. She with much gravity, which continued to be one of her characteristics to the last, quoted the words: “Strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” This man confessed long after, that he could never forget the solemnity and authority with which Mrs. Matheson spoke the above truth to him.
Being of a meek and retiring disposition she shrank from controversy; but when God’s truth and cause were assailed, she was firm and immovable as a rock. No compromise, no surrender, was her motto in the things of God. The value she placed on Christ Jesus and Him crucified and on the field in which she found Him, viz., the Bible, made all things small in her eyes. She did seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
In the matter of family discipline she was very prudent, and always seconded her godly husband’s admonitions and corrections. Mr. Matheson had on one occasion, that may be given as an example, to use the rod in correcting one of the boys, the boy expecting sympathy from his mother went to her weeping. She told him that she felt sorry for him, but that she was quite sure that, if he did not deserve it, his father would not have whipped him. This clearly shows that she was possessed of wisdom, the want of which has ruined many families.
Mr. William Matheson, her husband, entered into his eternal rest in the year 1909. A notice of his death appeared in our Magazine for that year. The following year her health showed signs of declining, but she did not become so weak as to be unable to leave her bed till last November. She gradually became weaker until the end of her earthly pilgrimage arrived on the 19th May last. She departed in hope of a glorious immortality beyond death and the grave. Her mortal remains were laid to rest beside her husband’s in the burying ground of Lochalsh; there to await the blast of the trumpet that will awaken the dead on the great day of judgment.
We desire to express our sympathy with all the members of the family, and would remind them of the instruction and godly example set before them by their parents, and of the account they will have to render to God for their privileges.
N. C.
THINK, my soul, what a charming path, a glorious prospect, Jesus cut through the shades of death, of hell, for me: in His death I see the price, in His life I see the path, in His ascension I see the proof, of my eternal bliss: truly “His ways are ways of pleasantness, and all His paths are peace.”—John Brown.
HE that cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself; for every man has need to be forgiven.—Herbert.