000 - Memoir of the Rev. Archibald Bonar, Minister of Cramond

MEMOIR OF THE REV. ARCHIBALD BONAR, MINISTER OF CRAMOND. IN attempting a short sketch of the life and character of this excellent man, and eminent minister of Christ, we feel ourselves as about to recall the living image of a friend and fa­ther, endeared to us by many delightful as­sociations; and we only regret our utter in­ability to convey to those who knew him not, an adequate idea of that sterling worth, and that attractive loveliness, which threw an overpowering charm around his character and ministrations. The Rev. ARCHIBALD BONAR was de­scended from ancestors who, for several generations, had been distinguished minis­ters of the Church of Scotland. His great grandfather, JOHN BONAR, was, for up­wards of half a century, minister of the parish of Torphichen, in the presbytery of Linlithgow, having been ordained there in 1693, and having finished his course on earth in 1747. He was characterized by ear­nestness and energy, combined with much Christian simplicity, in his public appear­ances as a preacher; by unremitting fidelity and zeal, in his private Iabours; by steady attachment to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of Scotland; and by singular piety and child-like humility, in his private walk as a man and as a Christian. The writer of this memoir conversed several years ago with an old man, in the parish of Torphichen, who remembered him well; re­hearsed several anecdotes characteristic of him, and of the times in which he lived; and spoke with warm interest of the profit and the pleasure which never failed to attend his catechetical labours and his pastoral visits. The later period of his ministry was a time of much difficulty and trouble to the church. He felt as every true lover of Zion will feel, in the divisions of Judah; and often, as my old friend informed me, did he give utterance to his feelings in public, by reading, or causing to be sung, "the four score Psalm," as he usually termed it;-a portion of Scripture beautifully descriptive of a state of depres­sion and division in the church, and admir­ably expressive of the feelings and the prayers of those who "mourn for the afflictions of Joseph." When in 1742, the remarkable revival of religion in the west of Scotland took place, Mr. Bonar, though then much enfeebled both by age and bodily debility, exerted himself far beyond his usual strength to make a journey to the spot, that he might personally witness what he had heard of by report, and contribute, by his latest efforts in the pulpit, to promote the important and in­teresting work. Mr. Whitefield, on his visit to Cambuslang, takes particular notice of those ministers with whom he had inter­course; and among others he mentions, with peculiar affection, "good old Bonar," whose heart was warmed by the revival, and the evening of whose days was cheered by the prospect of better times. * *Gillies’ Life of Whitefield. The elder son of Mr. Bonar of Torphichen, and the grandfather of Mr. Archi­bald Bonar, was JOHN BONAR, minister of the united parishes of Fetlar and North Yell, in Zetland, where he was settled in 1729, and died in 1752. He was a man of eminent classical attainments; a complete master of Greek and Hebrew; and well acquainted with Chaldee and Syriac; and all his acquirements he steadily and suc­cessfully applied to the understanding and elucidation of the Scriptures. He was also respected and esteemed by all who knew him, as a warm and impressive preacher, and a minister who adorned the doctrine of our God and Saviour, by a suitable life and conversation. His son JOHN was minister, first of Cockpen and afterwards of Perth, where he died in the midst of his days and use­fulness, in 1761. Mr. Bonar, of Perth, was highly esteemed and respected, as a man of superior talents; and the several publications which he gave to the world afford ample ground to hope, that if his life had been prolonged, the church would have derived most essential benefit from his future labours. His "Observations on the conduct and character of Judas Iscariot," first published in 1750, has been lately republished, with a short account of his life. This work went through two editions at the time of its first appearance; and is deservedly esteemed, as containing an ingenious, and at the same time, satisfactory argument in favour of the divine mission of our Lord, drawn from the conduct of the apostate disciple.

ARCHIBALD BONAR was the fifth son of Mr. Bonar of Perth. He was born at Cockpen, on the 23d of February, 1753. His constitution was naturally so feeble, that he was scarcely expected to survive the period of infancy. But by degrees, he ac­quired strength, and though he never was robust, yet he enjoyed such a measure of health, as enabled him to undergo the studies of youth, and the toils of maturer age. He was too young, at the time of his father’s death, (1761,) to be sensible of the loss which he sustained by that event; and it was wonderfully supplied by the af­fectionate assiduity, and prudent manage­ment of his mother, who was spared, for ten years, to be a blessing to her family, and who, with her children, have given an interesting proof of the faithfulness of God, when he says to the departing saint, "Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widow trust in me." The rudiments of his education, he re­ceived at the High School of Edinburgh. From that seminary he went to the Uni­versity; and in both, he made a respectable figure among young men who have since risen to distinction and eminence in the world. His mind was very early under the influence of religion. He experienced the power, as well as acquired the knowledge of saving truth: and made such rapid progress, both in the science and the practice of the gospel, as to attract the notice and admira­tion of all who knew him. His serious views were confirmed and quickened by the intercourse which he had with Mr. George Whitefield, and Mr. Joseph Townsend, of Pewsey, who, at that time, were occasionally in Edinburgh, and visited in his mother’s house. Mr. Whitefield marked his piety with much satisfaction, and held with him many instructive and encouraging conversa­tions. Mr. Townsend, also, who was nearer his own age, and full of zeal for the gospel, formed with him a close and affec­tionate intimacy, which could not fail to be both agreeable and useful to him. He always spoke with gratitude and delight­ of the benefits he had derived from both; but while he gave strong testimony to those superior apostolic qualities, with which the former was so conspicuously endowed, yet he acknowledged still greater obligations to the latter, who, in his public addresses, and in his private converse, had a warmth of devotional feeling, as well as a power and an energy in declaring the counsel of God, which was admirably calculated to awaken, to interest, and to impress the mind of the youthful Christian. Mr. Townsend has, since that period, risen to deserved celebrity in the literary and religious world, as a tra­veller, a geologist, and a divine. The profession for which Mr. Bonar’s friends had at first intended him, was that of the law. And with this view, he was placed in the office of one of the clerks of session. He was diligent and attentive in discharging the duties of his new situation. But his inclination led him decidedly to the work of the ministry. He declared his anxious wish to devote himself to it. And at last, with the entire approbation of those to whom he looked for direction, he re­nounced all views of a secular line of life, and entered upon those studies which were requisite to fit him for being a minister of the Church of Scotland. Having gone through a full course of philosophy and theology, at the University of Edinburgh, he was, with high approbation, licensed by the presbytery of Edinburgh, to preach the gospel, on the 29th October, 1777, and preached his first sermon, on the 16th No­vember following, in the New Gray Friars’ Church. The feelings and views which actuated him on these occasions, are recorded in his diary, and show what importance he attached to the work in which he was en­gaging, and what anxiety he had to perform it diligently and efficiently. The hopes of his friends were not disappointed. His talents and piety soon raised him to deserved elevation in public opinion. Highly acceptable as a preacher, and greatly esteemed as a Christian, he speedily acquired popularity of no ordinary kind; and nearly about the same time he got the offer of two parishes. He rejected the one which had the largest emoluments, because it was also the heaviest charge; and prefer­red the other, which though a considerably poorer living, held out to him the prospect of more comfort and usefulness. This was the parish of Newburn, in Fife. Its situa­tion was pleasant; its extent limited; its inhabitants not numerous, but of plain man­ners, well-informed in religious truth, regu­lar in their attendance upon ordinances, and disposed to cherish every degree of respect and attachment to their minister. Among this affectionate people, he was ordained, 31st March, l779. The solemn rites of ordination were, in his case, accompanied with many interesting and profitable exer­cises of self-examination; devout medita­tion; and earnest prayer. For days and nights previous to the event, he "wrestled with God;" and while, with fear and trem­bling, he undertook the charge of the souls of men, he went forth to his beloved people in the strength of the Lord, and conveyed to them with boldness, yet with affectionate earnestness, the message of eternal salva­tion. At Newburn, Mr. Bonar continued four years; and he often spoke of these years as the happiest portion of his life. Newburn, he used to say, had indeed been a Bethel to him; and much as he felt the goodness of God in his subsequent changes, he never could forget what he had enjoyed, both as a Christian and a minister, in that peaceful solitude.

He was most laborious in discharging all the duties of the pastoral office; and there is reason to think, that the ardour of his studies, and the unremitting eagerness with which he engaged in other departments of duty, rather injured his health, and mate­rially impaired a constitution not naturally robust. In 1781, on the death of the Rev. James Morison, the successor of the celebrated Dr. Witherspoon, in the Low Church parish of Paisley, Mr. Bonar was nomi­nated to the vacant charge. It so hap­pened, that just at the same time, his valued friend, Dr. Snodgrass, then one of the ministers of Dundee, had received the offer of the Middle Church of Paisley, which had been newly erected. The Commis­sioners appointed for the purpose made ap­plication to both at the same time; and al­though the consideration of having such a man as Dr. Snodgrass for a colleague, had no little weight, still Mr. Bonar felt a great repugnance to dissolve the endeared con­nexion with his people at Newburn, and declined the call which had been thus ad­dressed to him.

It so happened, that very soon after his settlement at Newburn, he had been called to preach in the Outer High Church of Glasgow, at the introduction of his much­-esteemed friend, Dr. Balfour, as successor to Mr. Randall, now the venerable Dr. Davidson of Edinburgh. Having been thus brought under the notice of the Chris­tian public of Glasgow, in circumstances peculiarly interesting, he was soon after urged to accept an offer of the North West Church, then vacant, by the removal of Dr. Findlay to the Divinity Chair. Reluctant as he felt to quit his country retirement, he looked upon it as a duty to comply with the call which had thus been repeatedly ad­dressed to him; and accordingly, after tak­ing a solemn and affectionate leave of his parishioners; he was settled minister at Glasgow, on the 17th July, 1783. His labours in that city were uncommonly ac­ceptable and useful; and he found, in the attention and attachment of his congrega­tion, proof that his labours had not been altogether unavailing. But, in a short time, he found also, that the unremitted and extensive ministerial labours connected with his situation, as well as the constant and unavoidable bustle of a town life, were likely to prove injurious to him. His health was impaired, and his constitution likely to suffer. The Church of Cramond, near Edinburgh, having become vacant, in 1784, an offer was made to Mr. Bonar of the charge, by the late excellent and distinguished Lady Glenorchy, who had known him from his youth, befriended him in his studies, and during her life, retained for him the sincerest esteem and respect. Mr. Bonar cheerfully embraced the opportunity thus providentially presented of leaving the harassing and incessant hurry of a town life, and again exercising his labours in a country station. On the 19th April, 1785, he was accordingly, with the unanimous consent, and much to the satisfaction of the parish, settled minister of Cramond.

He often expressed the satisfaction he felt in this change; a change which gave him the quiet of the country, yet in a situa­tion sufficiently near for enjoying the so­ciety of his valuable friends in Edinburgh. Above all, he was happy in the field of use­fulness now before him, in a place entirely suited to his disposition. The people loved him as a preacher and as a man, and anti­cipated from him all the benefits which may be expected to flow from an able and faith­ful minister of the gospel-an anticipation which was largely realized, and in the fulfilment of which, many are now rejoicing around the throne. Here, therefore, he resolved, and he adhered to his resolution, that he would spend his remaining days. Nor did he spend them either idly or in vain. He took great delight in preaching the gospel, and conducted his pulpit duties with great earnestness and fidelity. He was diligent in visiting and catechising his parish, and in bestowing those various at­tentions which a Christian people are en­titled to look for from their pastors, and which no conscientious pastor will ever think of withholding. The fruits of his labours were soon perceptible, in the growing con­cern which was felt for religion, and in the evidence which many gave, by their life and conversation, of their having received the truth in faith and love. In the beginning of 1787, Mr. Bonar was visited with a severe domestic trial, in the death of his wife, after an illness of several months. She was the sister of the Rev. David Black, late of Lady Yester’s Church, Edinburgh, and a lady, in all re­spects qualified to be the helpmate of such a man as Mr. Bonar. Their union was cemented by a congeniality of sentiment and feeling; and the stroke of separation was peculiarly trying. Mr. Bonar fully mani­fested the resignation, the faith and hope of a Christian; but it was long before his serenity was fully revived. An illness fol­lowed, which unfitted him for duty for several months. Having gradually reco­vered strength, he gladly resumed his la­bours, with a sermon somewhat in the manner and spirit of one of Dr. Watts’, entitled, "the Privileges of the Living above the Dead," pointing out the strong and peculiar calls to active exertion in the work of God, arising from deliverance out of trouble, and restoration to health, after the near prospect of death.

After remaining more than five years a widower, Mr. Bonar married again, in 1792. His second wife was a cousin-german of his own, by whom he had a pretty numerous family, and who still survives to feel and to bewail the loss of one of the best of hus­bands. Their eldest son was cut off at the age of seven, towards the end of the year 1800. The anguish which Mr. Bonar felt on this occasion; the anxieties which agi­tated his mind; the consolation which he derived from the exercise of faith, of prayer, and hope; and the entire resignation with which he was enabled to give up his dear child to the disposal of his heavenly Father, are all expressed with beautiful pathos in the pages of his diary, and present him to our view in the most interesting light in which a Christian can be contemplated. The rest of his family were spared to him; and they are still spared, to follow the steps of their venerable parent; to be a comfort to their excellent mother; and to enjoy, we trust, the favour and the blessings of "a father’s God." In 1796, he published the small treatise entitled, "Genuine Religion the best Friend of the People." The title was adopted from a name at that time much as­sumed, and much misapplied by certain political associations. But in the treatise itself, the subject of politics is no way touched upon. The sole aim of the work is to exhibit in a brief, but impressive man­ner, the nature of religion in regard to doctrine, practice and experience; its impor­tance in all the relations of life, and the means of promoting it in individuals and in communities. The work was most fa­vourably received; and has passed through several editions in Scotland, besides being printed in America, at the advice, and under the charge of Dr. Morse, of Boston, the celebrated geographer of America. In 1802 and 1806, Mr. Bonar was called to lament the loss of two much-esteemed friends, the Rev. Mr. Paul, of St. Cuth­bert’s, and the Rev. David Black, of Lady Yester’s, Edinburgh. To both of these eminent servants of Christ, he had been long and fervently attached; and he was called to pay the last affecting tribute of regard to them by preaching their funeral sermons: both of which are published, in the two volumes of Mr. Bonar’s sermons afterwards noticed. The death of these two intimate friends, one of them his cotemporary, the other se­veral years younger, impressed Mr. Bonar with strong presentiments that his own la­bours might ere long draw to a close. In 1809, his health began to decline, in con­sequence of a bad cold, which left the seeds of an asthmatic complaint, which in time proved too powerful for his frame. For a good while, however, his ministerial labours suffered little interruption; and during two or three succeeding seasons, a change of air and of scene for a few weeks in summer re­cruited his strength. In a letter, which I received from him, dated November 26th, 1811, there is the following passage which, as it shows the state of his mind at the time, will be read with interest by all who knew the estimable writer.

-- "I preached the day after yours came to hand, in our newly repaired church, and there got a fresh cold, which I struggled with to the following Sabbath, and was en­abled to preach again, and to hold a long session after, in the Manse. But next day my last year’s complaints returned with greater violence than ever, and for some days, neither I nor any of this family ex­pected I would revive, especially as I had been so feeble during the summer, and my complaints had, for two months past, been assuming a more alarming aspect than formerly. But, oh my dear brother, I rejoice to inform you that my mind was most com­fortable amidst all the gloomy prospect of leaving my flock, and dear family, and, friends. The everlasting gospel; the faith­ful saying; the all-fulness of Jesus; and the hope of glory, were brought delightfully to view, and yielded both peace and joy in believing."

After this illness he was mercifully re­stored to some measure of strength, and with occasional help from his friends, was enabled to go through the public duties of the parish. In the summer of 1813, he was not only able for these, but also for taking some new measures for the spiritual benefit of his people. This will appear from a short extract of a letter which I had from him, dated 27th July of that year.

"It will give you much satisfaction to learn that I have founded a Cramond Bible Society; and it is meeting with far more encouragement than I expected." "Our Session are cordially uniting with me in some bold measures for repressing the profanation of the Sabbath, and I have great hopes of prevailing upon all the Innkeepers through the parish, (by privately and mildly dealing with them) to shut up their houses from Saturday night, at ten o’clock, to Monday morning at six. This would be a great reformation here." The subject of the spread of religion both at home and abroad was always upper­most in Mr. Bonar’s mind; and when, in 1796, the religious public in Scotland were loudly awakened to the duty of attempting something for the salvation of heathen and un­enlightened nations, he cordially co-operated in the establishment of the Edinburgh (now the Scottish) Missionary Society, although from local circumstances he was prevented from taking any active part in the conduct of its affairs. It was on the establishment of this Society that he took occasion to write in the Missionary Magazine, a very excellent "Letter to a Lady," in defence of Missions in general, and the plans of the Edinburgh Missionary Society in particu­lar. The establishment of the British and Foreign Bible Society, several years afterwards, was beheld by him with singular pleasure; and, although prevented, by local circumstances, from establishing an auxiliary in its support, till 1813, its progress and triumphs were never absent from his heart, or from his prayers. In the beginning of 1815, he resolved to publish a volume of those discourses which had so long delighted and profited his hearers. On this occasion, he wrote me in terms expressive at once, of the elevated devotion of his heart, and of the amiable plea­santry of his temper and manners.

"Did it not greatly surprise you," says he, "when you heard that the parson of Cramond, who has so long and so loudly testified against glutting the market with printed sermons, intends being an author.

"I trust, however, that my motives for this measure, which, I confess, appears odd to myself, are such as I need not disavow. For more than three years past, my health has been extremely feeble and fluctuating; so that I have not been able to carryon my former course of visiting or examining in this extensive parish. I therefore earnestly wished to leave some memorial of the truths which I have uniformly taught; on which I have founded my own future hopes; and from which I have long derived strong con­solation." The volume was published in 1815; it was received with distinguished approbation by the public, and has already gone through three editions. A second volume was pub­lished from his MSS. after his death, and the discourses which it contains are distin­guished by the same excellences which characterize the first. We do not know two volumes of sermons better adapted for the private and domestic perusal of Chris­tians, and of Christian families; and we envy not the man who can rise from their perusal with any other feelings than those of profound veneration for the author, and affectionate interest in his truly Christian instructions. The second volume is accom­panied with a well-written memoir of the author, with several extracts from which we have taken the liberty of enriching the present narrative. It was drawn up by the author’s younger brother, the late James Bonar, Esq. F. R. S. a gentleman of distinguished classical and literary attainments; and who united in a manner rarely exemplified, the character of a profound philosopher with that of a humble Christian.

During the winter of 1815, and the be­ginning of 1816, Mr. Bonar’s weakness increased; and it was very evident, both to his family arid friends, that his continuance in the world could not be long. During the whole of his last illness, the strength and ardour of his faith were conspicuous; and every thing that he uttered breathed the spirit of one longing for immortality. It was his last attempt to repeat the fol­lowing lines of one of Dr. Doddridge’s Hymns:- "I’ll speak the honours of thy name With my last labouring breath, Then speechless clasp thee in my arms, The antidote of death."

Nature was at length exhausted; and on the 8th of April, 1816, without any violent pain or struggle, he entered into his eternal rest. The regrets and the tears of an af­fectionate people, and a large circle of friends, attended his remains to the tomb; and a small monumental stone, in the church-yard of Cramond, marks the spot where his hallowed dust has been deposited, till the morning of the resurrection dawn. In person Mr. Bonar was of a slender make, and rather under the middle size. His features were pleasing and animated, and his countenance indicated great mild­ness and benevolence of heart. When in the pulpit, or engaged in the devotional exercises at a communion service, his eyes were uncommonly keen and penetrating. His natural abilities were excellent, and might have fitted him to excel in any branch of pursuit. But his talents and acquire­ments were all consecrated to the cross. In company he was lively and cheerful; entering freely into the ordinary topics of conversation; noticing with warm benevo­lence every individual, even the youngest or meanest in the company; and ever anxious to turn the familiar intercourse of life into a profitable channel. The natural sweet­ness and amiability of his temper were heightened and purified by the charities of the gospel. To the poor he was a constant and substantial friend; and with every scheme that promised to contribute to the temporal or spiritual good of his fellow­-creatures, his heart did ever beat in unison. Of him it may with peculiar propriety be said, "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith." He liter­ally "walked with God:" and no one could long reside under the same roof with him, without feeling himself in the presence of one who breathed, as it were, an, atmos­phere of piety; and who, by the equanimity of his temper, and the heavenliness of his soul, enjoyed a felicity with which a stran­ger cannot intermeddle.

We may here advert to a particular cir­cumstance, which occurred between twenty and thirty years ago, as illustrative of the estimation in which the character of this eminent servant of Christ was held, even by those who were not immediately connected with him. The Rev. David Williamson, a respectable dissenting minister at White­haven in Cumberland, when publishing a volume of "Lectures on Civil and Religious Liberty," was pleased to dedicate them "to the Rev. John Newton, of the Church of England, and the Rev. Archi­bald Bonar, of the Church of Scotland," as examples eminently illustrative of the prin­ciples and character which ought ever to distinguish Christians and Christian minis­ters. His discourses, from the time that he was licensed as a preacher, were remarked for a complete acquaintance with the word of God, enlarged and consistent views of evangelical doctrine, and a deep experimen­tal knowledge of the Christian life. No person can peruse his valuable volumes with­out being charmed with the good sense, the scriptural arguments and illustrations, the practical and devotional strain, the beautiful simplicity, and the spiritual unction, which pervade their contents, and give to them a power and an eloquence which at once improve the understanding and win the heart. To the delivery of his sermons he paid par­ticular attention; and all who heard him can testify how much it pleased, affected, and interested the audience. It was, indeed, hardly possible to listen to him with indifference, when roused to warmth by the truths he was uttering. Upon com­munion occasions especially, the deep and solemn attention with which his exhorta­tions and prayers were received could hardly be exceeded.

One circumstance, at all times, gave pecu­liar force to his ministrations-the perfect knowledge which his congregation had of the sincerity and unaffected feeling from which he spoke. He preached the doctrines of the gospel because he believed them and loved them, had felt their infinite value to his own soul, and ardently wished for nothing so much as to see them equally impressed upon others. His life was a practical commentary on the doctrines he preached. While he "al­lured to brighter worlds" by his doctrine and instructions, he "led the way" thither by a conversation and a conduct "becoming the gospel." His doctrine was decidedly Cal­vinistic; but he afforded a very striking illus­tration of what has been not unfrequently questioned by its enemies, that the strictest Calvinism may be associated in close connexion with all that is attractive in the graces of the Christian character, and with all that is pure and elevated in the morality of the Christian life.

During the closing scene of life, Mr. Bo­nar felt a good deal of that pious anxiety, which every faithful pastor must feel, regard­ing the spiritual interests of his flock, after his removal from them. His latter days were soothed by the well-founded impression that, on this vitally interesting point, his ar­dent wishes and prayers would, in all human probability be gratified. They have been gratified to their full extent, in the ap­pointment to the charge of such an able, laborious, and every-way apostolic minister as Dr. GEORGE MUIRHEAD.

R. B.

PAISLEY, June, 1822.