Letters: Mrs. Mudie (1)
The sermon encourages believers to rejoice with those who rejoice and to find comfort in the promise of reunion with Christ in the face of loss and sorrow.
Andrew Bonar writes a heartfelt letter to Mrs. Mudie, expressing his surprise and sorrow at the passing of Mr. Mudie, a man of God known for his faith and love. He encourages Mrs. Mudie to rejoice in the hope of eternal life and the promise of reunion in Christ, reminding her that the time until they meet again is shorter than it seems. Bonar emphasizes the comfort that comes from the Holy Spirit and the assurance of seeing God's glory even in times of grief. He offers his prayers for her and her family, affirming their shared tribulation and faith in Christ's kingdom.
Text
GLASGOW, 5th June 1891.
MY DEAR MRS. MUDIE,
--I was altogether taken by surprise when the news came, 'Mr. Mudie is gone!' --gone to the 'mountain of myrrh and hill of frankincense till the Daybreak.' You do not know how many of Christ's friends here and elsewhere will miss him. All of us felt, when we were privileged to have his visits, that we had among us a man of God, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost,--full of brotherly love also in no ordinary degree, and bright in spirit with the hope of soon meeting his Lord. But, dear sister, shall not you and yours lift up your heads and 'rejoice with them that do rejoice ;' rejoice with him who to-day sings before the Throne:
'His presence fills each heart with joy.'
And then the Day of our Gathering together in Christ, how near it may be! Samuel Rutherford would have reminded you as he reminded a dying friend: 'Ye will not sleep long in the dust before the Daybreak. It is a far shorter piece of the night to you than to Abraham and Moses.' Nor will the Comforter forget to bring you many a message from our sympathising High Priest who spoke that word at the grave of Lazarus, 'If thou wilt believe, thou shalt see the glory of God' in this bereavement. We will pray for you all, that your consolation may abound.
Meanwhile, believe me your companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Christ,
ANDREW A. BONAR.
Sermon Outline
- The Passing of a Man of God
- The Call to Rejoice
- Comfort in Sorrow
- The promise of the Comforter
- The message of hope from Christ
Key Quotes
“''His presence fills each heart with joy.''” — Andrew Bonar
“''Ye will not sleep long in the dust before the Daybreak.''” — Andrew Bonar
“''If thou wilt believe, thou shalt see the glory of God'' in this bereavement.” — Andrew Bonar
Application Points
- Trust in the promise of Christ's presence filling each heart with joy, even in the midst of grief.
- Rejoice with those who rejoice and find comfort in the nearness of the Day of Gathering.
- Believe in the promise of the Comforter bringing messages of hope and consolation from Christ.