THERE has just passed away to his eternal rest, a distinguished servant of the Crown―Sir Robert Edwin Matheson, P.C., L.L.D., Registrar-General for Ireland, and one of the most brilliant holders of that high office.
But what was of infinitely more importance was that he was a humble believer on the Lord Jesus Christ.
A winter scene in the Wicklow Mountains is reminscient of his zeal. At the close of a Gospel service in a farm-house, this eminent man was seen bareheaded in the open air, pleading with intense earnestness with some young people to decide for Christ as their Saviour.
It was late, and a friend said, “Sir Robert, you will lose the train from Greystones.”
“I don’t mind,” he replied. “I will walk to Bray” (which he did).
Again he was warned, “You will lose the Bray rain.”
He replied, “I don’t mind, I will walk to Kingstown.”
He was in earnest, and rightly so. In his own case in comparison to eternal realities, it mattered little that he held such an exalted position. The eternal was more to him than the transient. Heavenly blessing weighed more with him than earthly glory. Wise man!
It was the knowledge of this that led him to be so much in earnest with these young folks, probably country lads and lasses connected with the land, but their souls were precious.
Sir Robert’s conversion occurred as follows. He was traveling in Scotland with his father, when they had to wait for some time at a country station.
The young man entered a churchyard to while away the time. Led by curiosity he removed some weeds from a gravestone and read:
“Here lies the body of Robert Matheson.”
The coincidence set the young man thinking. What if it had been his body lying beneath the grass, where would his soul have been? The train of thought led to his conversion. He trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, and was not only saved himself, but anxious, as we have seen, for the salvation of others.
Unsaved reader, we are really anxious for your salvation. Will you not be anxious about your own salvation?
Alas! our anxiety will not save you. You must be anxious for yourself. You must trust the Lord Jesus for yourself. He is the only Saviour, and He said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)).
Will you not come, and that just now?
THE EDITOR.