I have always felt sorry for Andrew Bonar. Whenever his name is mentioned it seems to be with the suffix "brother of the hymnwriter" or else "biographer of M'Cheyne". Yet Bonar's own diary is a spiritual treasure, and dare I say it, maybe even more so than M'Cheynes. Although just a wee man, he was a spiritual giant. I am a big man but a spiritual pygmy in comparison

-It is not great talents that God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus

-Led to pray yesterday very much for the Holy Ghost, and to pray for Him to be poured upon Collace. In the morning was specially impressed with the awful fact that by losing one hour of prayer a day by not rising early, I lost twenty days of prayer in the course of a year (Sun 22nd July 1838)

I wish to pray from this date every Sabbath morning before going out to preach, and every time I go to preach, to stand still a little and praise teh Lord for sending to sinners His glorious Gospel, godd tidings! (Sabbath Ist Oct 1843)

-By the grace of God and the strength of his Holy Spirit I desire to lay down the rule not to speak to man until I have spoken with God; not to do anything with my hand till I have been upon my knees; not to read letters or papers until I have read something of the Holy Scriptures. (Fri 29th Sept 1848)

-The more I have been able to make God my chief joy the less do I feel tormented with earthly desires. (Tues 19th June 1849)

-Also, I see more reason to be humble before other believers, however far behind they may sometimes seem, for that one spark of faith may be kindled into a bright flame any moment; and then with Christ for the fuel of the fire, oh! how these souls that seem now so low and feeble will burn and shine in the kingdom of God (Sat 16th May 1863)

__________________
Stuart
Elder, Lambeg Baptist, Northern Ireland, UK

In Him the fulness of the Godhead dwells in bodily form and in Him you are complete (Col 2.9-10)

The sacrifice of a broken heart doth please Him but the sacrifice of a broken Christ alone doth satisfy Him (Richard Steele)