The Life of George Matheson, D.D. By D. Macmillan, D.D.
(Hodder and Stoughton. 7s. 6d.)—George Matheson was one of the ablest of the men who have within the last half-century created in the Presbyterian Churches of Scotland so remarkable a school of theology. His ministerial life lasted for a period of forty years. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Glasgow in June, 1866, and became assistant to Dr. Macduff, of Sandyford Church, in the following year. Here, however, he stayed for little more than twelve months, taking the charge of Innellan, a parish in the Dunoon Presbytery. Innellan was a quiet place, where the pastoral duty was light, and there during the fifteen years of his ministry he did some of his most important work. In 1886 he was called to the charge of St. Bernard, in Edinburgh, and here he continued for the twenty years of life that remained to him. His great gifts as a preacher were now more in evidence, but his activities as a writer were not intermitted. His biographer says that " in the Church of Scotland there are no posts for preachers." Every man has to do the whole work of a pastorate. We cannot but think that it is a good thing. The preacher pure and simple is apt to lose touch of the humanity to which it is his business to address himself. And as a matter of fact the average preach- ing of Scotland is better than that of the English Church, while it is not less rich in preachers of the first class. Dr. Matheson's theological position might perhaps be defined as that of a moderate Modernist. In estimating his work it must not be forgotten that he was practically blind. He had a certain power of sight, which was curiously variable ; but for all acquisition of knowledge—and he acquired very much and put it to excellent use—he was dependent upon others. Dr. Macmillan has given us a touching record of a great life, which was singularly fruitful of good in adverse conditions. It would have been convenient if he had included a bibliography.
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