The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-10-16
AN HOUR WITH HoRATIUs BoNAF-


Dr. Bonar tenderly loved children and
wrote sweet hymns for them. How keenly
those in Edinburgh will feel his loss! Being
in that city q few years since, it was my
good fortune to hear him address an assem-
bly, Of Sunday. school children, and, before
he entered the pulpit, sing with them some
of his children songs. When he went up the
long pulpit stairs, the children caught the
inspiration Of his presence, and sang with
new strength and impressiveness. As has
been said, his personal appearance and bear
ing reminded one Of his hymns-'tender,
sweet and tranquil"
His long white hair made him look yenera-
BILE, but he had no other mark of old ege His
prayer was as simple as child. HIS voice
was low, quiet and persuasive 1t had de-
cided Scotch accent, but was clear and
pleasing. His whole manner was suggestive
Of his lines:
Calm me my God, and keep me calm;
Let Thine outstretched wing
Be like the shade of Eim's palm
Beside her desert spring.
He leaned over the high pulpit and spoke
for nearly an hour, in a quiet manner, yet
with a magnetic power that riveted every
eye. The children looked steadily in his
face. The address fastened itself upon my
mind. He road with the children the first
part of the third chapter Of Johr. His
manner of reading the Scriptures with them
was to me novel as well as interesting,
though judge it to be a Scottish custom.
He read There was man of the Phari-
sees named"-here he paused, and the chill
dren responded, "Nicodemus." 'Ths same
came to Jesus BY night" responded the
children. So, through the reading, the
children read the word at which he paused
Ill., on6 Y,rop, r,tuesq rpnuirp6 and
the fact that they did not know the word Mt
which he would stop, made the 'strictest at
tention necessary OH their part. Occasion
ally he would say, very kindly, "Be careful,
children"
The reading over, he spoke of the two
questions which NicodemuS asked Jesus. The
first was one Of curiosity: How can a man
: be born when he is old?' The second, one Of
intense persona interest: "How can these
things be-" as if he had asked, "How can l
be born again9 He then, in a most interest
ing manner, told the story Of tine lifting up
of the brazen serpent and portrayed yividly
the scene of the suffering lsraclites. He de-
scribed painting illustrating that scene;
where some were turning their backs to the
brazen serpent, though sorely bitten, Others
war, employing physicians to heal them,
whi!o others were binding up their own
wounds, and few were obeying the com.
m"n:ls of Noses to lock to the only source OF
help. Then he went on: "Must that old
man look? Yes. Must that young man look!
Yes. And that young woman? Yes. Must
that boy look, and TINT girl' Yes. Must
that mother, carrying her poor little slnitten
boy in her arms, turn his face so that he can
lock? Yes. How long must they look-a
year? No. A month? No. A day? No, not
day. An hour? Not an hour. A minute?
T har,lly think it. Only just look, and in
q moment they will be healed"
Ishall not attempt to tell how he showed
to the children that:
There's life for look at the crucifled One.
1t needs the tender persuasive tones of that
vocs now hushed, the large, soft dark eyes,
now closed, to give the emphasis. This
was memorable Sabbath evening hour to
the three Americans who were present.
This sweet and impressive hymn writer has
Joined the heavenly choir. Whata welcome
he must have! How easy for him to take
up the new song; and even his earthly. face
would not seem out of place in that choir.
Praise Him above, We heavenly host
we are singing here; and now he is respond
ing there. Where is the Christian heart he
has not helped, and to whom has he not en-
deared himself?--1hc CongregrttonaHst.