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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 writes to his brother William, encouraging him to explore Jerusalem and its significant sites, such as the Mount of Olives and the Pool of Siloam, while reflecting on the spiritual truths they represent. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with the history and presence of Jesus in these holy places, suggesting that such a journey can be healing for the soul. Bonar also humorously notes the inaccuracies in a map of Jerusalem, while expressing his hope that William will encounter the divine as he wanders through these sacred locations.
Letters: Mr. William Bonar His Brother (1)
COLLACE, Tuesday Morning. (probably written about 1845) MY DEAR WILLIAM, —Here is a neat plan of Jerusalem and the country round, to which I have added a few names. By means of it you may 'walk about Zion and tell the towers thereof,' just as you do at Morningside to the towers of Edinburgh Castle. As you come up from Bethlehem and go in at the 'Zion-gate,' you may sing one of your hymns: - 'Pilgrim burden'd with thy sin, Come thy way to Zion-gate,' etc. Notice where I have put up a cross. I think it was thereabouts that Calvary stood—not at all where they now show the Holy Sepulchre. Notice also Scopus. It was the camp of Titus when he first of all came to besiege the city. Now, dear William, wander up and down and round about Jerusalem. It is fine fresh air. Climb the Mount of Olives and visit Bethany on the other side. Drink in all the truths they will suggest. 'Jesus Christ the same ... to-day.' There are two mistakes in the plan. The Mount of Olives is made too low a great deal at the one extremity, and there ought to be not a smooth plain but a deep valley between Aceldama and the hill of Zion. The deep valley was Gehenna—the valley of the son of Hinnom. May you meet the King as you wander in these holy spots. May you meet the Man of Sorrows in Gethsemane, and may you be met by Melchizedec— the true Melchizedec—in the King's dale, the valley of Jehoshaphat. See, also, to get a drink at the Pool of Siloam, and eat a little of the ears of barley that grow on Mount Zion, at the spot marked No. 27, where we plucked some six years ago. The above is my prescription for an invalid— Jerusalem. air, Siloam water, Zion barley; and you may add Gethsemane olives. They will do you no harm.— Your affectionate brother, ANDREW A. BONAR. P.S.—When you are done with Jerusalem, journey on to Collace. You know Collace-hill is very like the hill of Samaria.
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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.”