George Matheson (1842–1906) was a Scottish preacher and hymn writer.
Born in Glasgow, Matheson studied classics, logic, and philosophy at Glasgow. He graduated with first-class honors at age 19 but became utterly blind within a year from an incurable condition.
Matheson studied theology and Christian history and got an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the University of Edinburgh. He served as a preacher in Innellan near Dunoon 1868–86 and at St. Bernard’s Parish Church in Edinburgh 1886–99. In 1890, he became a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Matheson is the author of the famous hymn, “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go;” it remains popular with Christians who, beset with loss and tragedy, stay grounded in their faith. His works include Searchings in the Silence: A Series of Devotional Meditations (1895.)
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We conquer – not in any brilliant fashion – we conquer by continuing.
—George Matheson
Topics: Perseverance
Men ask for a rainbow in the cloud; but I would ask more from Thee. I would be, in my cloud, myself a rainbow—a minister to others’ joy. My patience will be perfect when it can work in the vineyard
—George Matheson
Waiting with hope is very difficult, but true patience is expressed when we must even wait for hope. I will have reached the point of greatest strength once I have learned to wait for hope.
—George Matheson
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