TheCapn – If your matrices seem to have the same pin out as these ones
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5mm-LED-Dot-Matrix-ROW-ANODE-RED-2088B-8x8-60x60mm-16-pin-2-pieces-/120975133462?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item1c2aae0b16
then try this attached circuit schematic. Also have a look at marco-c”s Parola for Arduino project
http://parola.codeplex.com/
as it’s the best Max 7219 project that there is period.
Note - The M part of the matrix pin numbers just stands for Matrix 
