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.
Transcribed from Reminiscences of Andrew A.Bonar D.D.
first published
LONDON, HODDER AND STOUGHTON,
27 Paternoster
Row
1895
HTML transcription files copyright © 2001-2006.
Jane Newble
September 2001