OWING to various circumstances the following brief obituaries were postponed till now, and although overdue, friends who knew our late elder and his worthy wife may be glad to read some particulars of their Christian Character.
The late Mr. Duncan Matheson was born in the Parish of Snizort, Skye, in 1853, and passed away at the advanced age of eighty-four years. From early youth he appears to have been careful in his conduct and when a young man he went South like many other Highlanders to earn his living in Glasgow. We understand from information given by Mr. Murdo Matheson, Banker, Stornoway, his son, that he became a member of Main Street Free Church during the ministry of the late Rev. Evan Gordon, who was assisted for a time by the late Rev. Neil Cameron, St. Jude’s, Glasgow. No doubt there are many still living who remember Mr. Cameron’s faithful exhortations in that Church.
About the year 1893 Mr. Matheson returned to Skye and took up residence in Portree and associated himself with those who formed the Free Presbyterian Congregation. Having made a firm stand for the integrity of the church’s constitution, which was changed by the Declaratory Act, and for the fundamental doctrines of the gospel, he adhered to that position faithfully to the end, unlike the children of Ephraim of whom it is written “that when the day of battle was they faintly turned back.” There is much need of the same firmness now when the Church is being assailed from different quarters.
We do not know what means were employed to bring him to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus but it was evident by his consistent walk and love to Christ’s cause and house that the gospel was precious to his soul.
Like many of the Lord’s people he had his share of afflictions, trials, and temptations, but he was delivered from them all. His exercises in prayer showed that he knew that it was grace alone that could deliver from the power of sin and knowing the plague of his own heart he was dependent on Christ for salvation and for strength to overcome spiritual enemies. One notable characteristic was his love of the means of grace. Like David he loved God’s ordinances and delighted in waiting on Him. This is a mark of all true believers. They feel it is good for them to be where the Saviour meets with those who truly seek Him and the means of grace are refreshing wells to their souls.
Our departed friend was ordained to the eldership in 1920 and diligently performed the duties of his office for over sixteen years. He was able to attend public worship to the last and was in this respect an example to old and young. After a few days illness he passed away peacefully to be, we believe, with Christ.