A Generous Soul - Part 11

John Watson (3 November 1850 – 6 May 1907), was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He is remembered as an author of fiction, known by his pen name Ian Maclaren. I'm currently reading his short story collection "St Jude", but am also fascinated by his life. Here was a man who stood out against a narrowness in his creed, and who was indeed "a generous soul".

The Life of The Rev. John Watson, D.D. "Ian Maclaren"
A Generous Soul
By W. Robertson Nicoll

Boy and Pepper Pot

He wrote to my husband offering to preach for him, and gave us a memorable day both at Church and at home. During dinner on Sunday, our six-year-old boy, who was sitting next to Dr. Watson, upset his glass of water, and overcome with shame, took refuge under the table weeping and saying " I can't come out, I'm far too ashamed."

Watson, seizing the pepper-pot and a broken piece of bread for purposes of illustration said, " Athol, here's a shipwreck! Look how the waves are creeping over the vessel. Ah ! it's going to be wrecked. See, there's a lighthouse, come and see if we can't save this poor ship," and by degrees the sobs ceased, and a tearful but deeply interested face appeared from under the table. 

Not a glance was cast in the boy's direction, and the rescue of the vessel proceeded, till all was peace and joy. He understood the boy's nature so well even during that short visit, and urged us not to let him work too hard when he went to school.

At home he was the soul of good humour and kindliness. He possessed the habits of a business man, and nothing fretted him like casualness. Morning prayers over, he read the paper and his letters either before or during breakfast. At nine he was ready for his study. He typed answers to his correspondence, and then worked on till lunch. The afternoon was spent in visiting the congregation, or in fulfilling some business engagement. His evenings latterly were almost always occupied, but in the earlier part of his ministry many were free. He loved to see his young men, and he was especially successful in winning their confidence. He used to say : " If you get young men into your study, let them smoke. It is as a man lights his pipe that he gives you his confidence." 

In his library he was perfectly happy. He loved books, and he bought them. He had some dozen or so valuable first editions, and a fine collection of beautiful art books, though he was never extravagant in his hobby. He had the book-collector's reverence for books. He never marked a book all his life, and could not bear to see one ill-used, ill-cut, or in danger of getting soiled. He could not read a dirty library book; in fact he was altogether aesthetic as a reader or collector. He never tired of imploring young men to read, and regarded systematic reading as a great factor of success.