Introduction
Born: October 17, 1833, West Hackney, London, England.
Died: December 23, 1899, Portsea, Hampshire, England.
Born: October 17, 1833, West Hackney, London, England.
Died: December 23, 1899, Portsea, Hampshire, England.
Matson was educated first under the Rev. J. M. Gould, and then at St. John’s College, Cambridge. Subsequently, he studied under Professor Nesbitt at the Agricultural and Chemical College, Kennington.
In 1853, he underwent a great spiritual change. Leaving the Church of England, he first joined the Methodist New Connexion body, then the Congregationalists.
After theological training, he entered the ministry and held several pastorates, including Havant, Hampshire; Gosport; Highbury; Portsmouth, and others. He retired in 1897.
We are girt about with shadow;
Nothing here is sure;
Sunshine o’er the greenest meadow,
Passing clouds obscure;
Fairest night brings foulest morrow;
Joy is prelude oft to sorrow.
Falsehood dwells in fairest feature;
Lies are glossed with art;
Truth oft weareth roughest nature.
Who can read the heart?
That we see, is only seeming;
That we do, we are but dreaming.
Life and Death are strangely mingled:
Blossoms hide the grave;
Each from each can scarce be singled,
They such likeness have;
Life to Death is ever giving;
Dying seemeth truest living.
When the wind is sweetest blowing,
Plague is in its breath.
Wisest sages have no knowing
Of the lore of Death;
That great ken, the deepest hidden,
Cometh to us oft unbidden.
Yet, are lights of Heaven blending
With the shades of Earth;
Death is evermore ascending
To the gates of Birth;
Faith can peer beneath the curtain;
The uncertain is made certain.
William Tidd Matson
Poems, 1858