(The following letter was written by the late Kenneth Matheson, Dingwall, to John MacKenzie, Gairloch, It appeared in Vol. 50 of the Magazine).
O.P. Ward.
General Infirmary.
Leeds, England.
21-4-17.
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 yourself 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 those who were 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 shaped in the quarry before being taken to the building. What a great blessing to be under the hammer of love, though nature does not like the Lord’s hammers of providence and trial. Yet those who are taught from above will learn the deep lesson that Paul learned — “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 of Bethany, yet He allowed sickness and death to enter. Though He was absent in the body yet His heart was there, which He proved by His marvellous miracle and compassion. What a mystery! — the God-man crying for worms of the dust. Oh to touch the “hem” of the mystery and to know by soul experience the humility and love of Mary.
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 Joshua 1:8).
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. I was sent from there to Leeds five weeks ago 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 more than three weeks (which I call rheumatism but the army calls French fever) from which I suffered some pain, but I 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 lie 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 that His word has proved to be a comfort and shield and strong armour to me, though at other times I was afraid I should fall into the cruel hands of Saul some day. The carelessness and lightness of Lowland and Highland and West Highland soldiers grieved me very much. Oh may God in His mercy open their eyes to see their great delusion.
The Lord has His “mighty preachers” out in our dark day but we gave a very deaf ear to them. I refer just now to the sword and many weapons of destruction on land and sea, and now famine is creeping up like a snake to try if we will come down from our high platforms and call upon a Supreme Power and use “man-power” as our own duty. Let us be still and know that God is righteous in all His doings. 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 jump over the mountains of our provocations as individuals 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 our 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 Nehemiah. I do hope that a good few of the Gairloch “race of Adam” are often in secret prayer. 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 and worshipping, preparing us for an endless eternity which seems so trifling in our dark age. Quite a number of patients are here and have no word of a Bible; but there are plenty of amusements — the fiddle, piano, vain songs and the dance going on three times a week. Among the dying, wounded and sick there are some very low 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 elders of the church.”
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 it 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 Synod re supposed Union, which is far from being ripe. (Iron and clay cannot be joined, said Daniel). But, 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 friends of Gairloch starting with John MacKenzie (Joiner), Ken. MacPherson, John MacDonald (Opinan) and all his household, John MacDonald, Sand, when you see him, Oscar MacKenzie etc., not forgetting your brothers Alex and Donald and their families, and your neighbours I knew in business. Where is Kenny MacKenzie P.O. Is he still on English soil? Pleased your 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 pleased to hear from you again. Trusting none of the dear Gairloch boys have been lost in recent battles.
Your very loving friend,
KENNETH MATHESON.