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Andrew Bonar
Andrew Alexander Bonar (1810–1892). Born on May 29, 1810, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Andrew Bonar was the youngest of seven brothers, including hymn-writer Horatius, in a devout Presbyterian family. Orphaned by his father at seven, he struggled with faith until finding assurance at 20 through William Guthrie’s Saving Interest of Christ. He studied divinity at Edinburgh University, was licensed to preach in 1835, and ordained in 1838 at Collace, Perthshire, serving 18 years. A friend of Robert Murray M’Cheyne, he co-wrote a mission report on Palestine’s Jews in 1839 and authored M’Cheyne’s memoir, a lasting Christian work. Joining the Free Church of Scotland after the 1843 Disruption, he preached in a tent until a church was built, fostering revival during the 1839–1840 Kilsyth movement. In 1856, he became minister at Finnieston Free Church, Glasgow, until his death on December 30, 1892. Married to Isabella Dickson in 1848, he was widowed in 1864 after having six children. Known for expository preaching and fervent prayer, Bonar’s ministry bore a guiding principle from Proverbs 11:30, as he wrote in his diary, “He that winneth souls is wise.”
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Sermon Summary
Andrew Bonar encourages Miss Anne Whittit by sharing the importance of being used by God, despite feeling sidelined like Jonathan. He emphasizes that God continues to work through her and urges her to remain steadfast in her faith and service. Bonar reflects on the joy of spiritual nourishment and the significance of prayer and community in their shared journey. He expresses gratitude for her updates and encourages her to keep sowing seeds of faith. Bonar also shares news about the new church opening, highlighting the ongoing work of God in their lives.
Scriptures
Letters: Miss Anne Whittit (2)
GLASGOW, 19th March 1873. DEAR MISS ANNE, —Many thanks for your narrative of the Lord's doings. I was so interested that I just told all over at my prayer-meeting, with a few remarks as I went along. You see the Master has not cast you aside. You are not treated as even Jonathan (holy, humble Jonathan) was treated; for after he had been used to take the garrison and rout an army— 'one chasing a thousand'—you remember he was put in the background (the safest place! for spiritual pride does not flourish so well in the shade), and you hear of no other great exploit done by him. Nay, he had so far lost his first faith that he could not face Goliath, though once he faced a host. Be thankful, then, that the Master is using you still. Go on, from strength to strength. It will not be long before 'He shines out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,' and those who have won souls shall stand very near Him. Hillhead is quiet. Believers still believe, and seek to be of use to others. . . . Pray for us in Finnieston. There are only now among us two families of the Hillhead people . . . so that I do not see or hear so much as I used to do of your old vineyard. With kindest regards to Mrs. Sandeman, whose heart will be enlarged at the work in Perth, —Yours in the Lord, ANDREW A. BONAR. P.S.—Write again whenever you have such good news to tell. What is the name of the lane where the old woman stays? and what is her name? The Bible tells us the name of the street where Ananias found Saul of Tarsus. GLASGOW, 21st November 1878. DEAR MISS ANNE,—No fear of any one robbing you of spiritual food so long as you do not steal from poor Israel, and bring down to the Kingdom of grace what belongs to the Kingdom of glory. Many thanks for the 'green and tender grass' you send a handful of! The Lord's own bosom ('the bosom of the Father,' Christ's own place, not the beloved disciple's place, but the beloved Master's place) is in very truth His 'tender mercies,' and the 'tender grass' of the green pastures. Do you know I have been thinking that the Lord makes our earth His heaven! For is it not written, 'My delights were with the sons of men' ? What a pleasant interesting case that is which you relate. Go on, sowing and reaping, working and praying, and praising. . . . Pray for us here. Our new church is to be opened D. V., on 1st December, just twenty-two years since the old one was opened. How many things have passed since then! Your Jordanhill friends began a prayer-meeting that very day, and it has gone on to this hour! Hallelujah. —Yours truly in the Lord, ANDREW A. BONAR. May 'Elmbank' be at all times to you 'Elim-bank.'
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Andrew Alexander Bonar (1810–1892). Born on May 29, 1810, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Andrew Bonar was the youngest of seven brothers, including hymn-writer Horatius, in a devout Presbyterian family. Orphaned by his father at seven, he struggled with faith until finding assurance at 20 through William Guthrie’s Saving Interest of Christ. He studied divinity at Edinburgh University, was licensed to preach in 1835, and ordained in 1838 at Collace, Perthshire, serving 18 years. A friend of Robert Murray M’Cheyne, he co-wrote a mission report on Palestine’s Jews in 1839 and authored M’Cheyne’s memoir, a lasting Christian work. Joining the Free Church of Scotland after the 1843 Disruption, he preached in a tent until a church was built, fostering revival during the 1839–1840 Kilsyth movement. In 1856, he became minister at Finnieston Free Church, Glasgow, until his death on December 30, 1892. Married to Isabella Dickson in 1848, he was widowed in 1864 after having six children. Known for expository preaching and fervent prayer, Bonar’s ministry bore a guiding principle from Proverbs 11:30, as he wrote in his diary, “He that winneth souls is wise.”