Letters: Mr. Robert Noble, Clapham (1)
Andrew Bonar writes to Mr. Noble about the passing of two members of their congregation, reflecting on the value of a useful life and praying for spiritual guidance.
Andrew Bonar writes to Mr. Robert Noble, sharing the sorrow of losing two beloved elders from their congregation, George Jackson and William Ralston, who both served faithfully and have now passed away. Bonar reflects on the impact of their lives and the hope of eternal rest and reward in Christ, expressing a deep sense of loss akin to that of John the Apostle in his old age. He emphasizes the need for spiritual wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ amidst the trials faced by their community, while also noting that his family remains in good health despite the surrounding sickness.
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GLASGOW, 14th Dec. 1891.
MY DEAR MR. NOBLE,--You sympathise with us, I know, though far off; and so I write to tell you of another stroke on our congregation. Last week George Jackson, (an elder in Finniston Church for many years) who to the last was always with us in spirit, if not in presence, was laid in the grave; but we did not think that another bereavement was near. William Ralston died (also one of Dr. Bonar's elders, and well known in connection with his work in the Bethany Hall) on Saturday evening! Influenza and erysipelas combined carried him off after only four or five days illness. What a useful life he lived! what a calm rest he now enjoys! what a bright crown awaits him in the day of Christ!
I feel as I suppose John the Apostle felt in his old age--all his fellow-disciples gone before him. But I have no visions in my old age,-- only I pray much (O you, brother, must help me in this) for what Paul calls the 'Spirit of wisdom and revelation (it is "apocalypse ") in the knowledge of Christ.'
Remember me and mine. We are in health as a family, but on every side sickness is to be met with among our congregation. . . . Your brother in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Christ,
ANDREW A. BONAR.
Sermon Outline
- Sympathy and Bereavement
- Reflections on Life and Death
- Prayer for Spiritual Guidance
- Closing Thoughts and Prayers
- Remembering the Writer and His Family
- Praying for the Congregation
- The Bright Crown of Eternal Life
Key Quotes
“What a useful life he lived! what a calm rest he now enjoys! what a bright crown awaits him in the day of Christ!” — Andrew Bonar
“I feel as I suppose John the Apostle felt in his old age--all his fellow-disciples gone before him.” — Andrew Bonar
“I have no visions in my old age,-- only I pray much (O you, brother, must help me in this) for what Paul calls the 'Spirit of wisdom and revelation (it is 'apocalypse') in the knowledge of Christ.'” — Andrew Bonar
Application Points
- We can take comfort in the knowledge that those who have passed away are now in a calm rest and await a bright crown in the day of Christ.
- We should pray for the 'Spirit of wisdom and revelation' in the knowledge of Christ, as Andrew Bonar does in his letter.
- We can learn from the example of William Ralston, who lived a useful life and now enjoys eternal life.