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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 comforts the Leiper sisters in their grief, reminding them of Jesus' promise of resurrection and the hope that lies in believing in His purpose. He encourages them to set aside their doubts and focus on the glory of God that will be revealed, assuring them that their brother Lazarus will rise again. Bonar emphasizes the joy and thanksgiving that will accompany the resurrection, where they will reunite with loved ones in perfect health and beauty, with Christ at the center of their joy.
Scriptures
Letters: The Misses Leiper, Crossford (1)
GLASGOW, 17th Feb.1886. DEAR SISTERS 'in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ' ! Do you not hear the Master saying, as He points downwards to our earth and to your dwelling, 'Our friend Lazarus sleepeth! but I am going to awaken him out of his sleep.' Your brother shall rise again, and that day is coming nearer and nearer. Very likely you may be ready to say in your mourning, 'Lord, if Thou hadst only shown us this or that, we might have been better prepared for the stroke!' Martha and Mary had each of them, her 'If Thou' —but Jesus quietly put that 'if ' aside, and turned their thoughts to their Lord's gracious purpose in it all. 'Said I not unto thee that, if thou wilt believe (for I do not ask thee to feel at present that nothing could be better than what has happened, but simply to believe it is so), thou shalt see the glory of God? What a glorious morning will the Resurrection be! Not a tear, not a regret, nothing but joy and praise and thanksgiving as we meet one risen friend after another restored to us in everlasting health and holy beauty, with our Elder Brother in the midst smiling on us with infinite affection as He reminds us, 'Said I not unto thee that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? '—Yours truly, with deepest sympathy, 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.”