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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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Andrew Bonar encourages believers to rest in the grace of Jesus, emphasizing that His grace is an inexhaustible source of comfort and strength. He reminds us to draw from this well of free love, especially during times of sadness due to personal sin or the struggles of others. Bonar also reassures that God is aware of our journey through life's wilderness, providing safety and guidance, and encourages a deepening love for Christ as we grow in grace. He concludes with a hopeful reminder that the wilderness will end, and we will see the beauty of the King.
Letters: A Friend in Blairgowrie (2)
GLASGOW, 2nd Sept. 1859. DEAR FOLLOWER OF THE LAMB, — He that believeth shall not make haste. Go on quietly resting in the grace of Jesus, for His grace is like a full well which you may draw from and yet no way exhaust. Sit beside this well, and when your soul is sad because of sin in you, drink of this free love again. Sit beside this well, and when your soul is sad because of sin around you, drink of this well again. Yes, sit there always, and when the coldness of backsliding ones grieves you, drink of this well of free love again! Is it not a cure for every evil? Does it not also put hope and expectation into your soul? Sit there and pray on. Sit there and praise! Pray for us here. We have some drops from heaven on our pasture.—Yours in the Lord Jesus, ANDREW A. BONAR. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GLASGOW, 1st January 1875. DEAR FRIEND, —Thanks for your letter—it is always acceptable, and I try in return to pray for you as you desire. Is not this a word that we may use as Israel did: 'He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing' (Deut.2:7). All this is true, and oh, what a comfort is here, 'He knoweth!' for it tells us that He will see to our safety and will order all for our good. And soon now the wilderness will be over. 'Thine eyes (yes, your eyes) shall see the King in His beauty,' and that is the very heart of heaven. I think Christ grows more and more precious every day—His person, His obedience, His blood, all, all in Him. O to know His heart of love, and to be able to love Him as He has loved us; I mean, to love Him with all our heart, as He loves us with all His heart. . . . Let this be our watchword this year, 'Grow in grace!' 'The Lord is at hand!' Yours truly in the Lord, ANDREW A. BONAR.
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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.”