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Night of Weeping
Does God correct his people? The church is being influenced by materialism and selfism. Some Christians believe that God shows his approval by the amount of material blessing they receive whilst on this earth. The concept of a God who would use poverty or pain in order to help them grow spiritually is totally alien, if not blasphemous. Yet God tells us in Hebrews 12:6 (quoting Proverbs 3:11f) that 'whom the Lord loves, he chastens'. In Revelation 1:9 we are told that we are 'brothers and companions in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ'. The path of the Christian is not an easy one, but it is one of great reward - just as Christ's path was. As Bonar says in the preface ' the way is rough, and the desert blast is keen.' But, for those who accept God's chastisement, 'He will satisfy their craving souls; He will turn their midnight into noon; He will give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness,'
- GenresChristian
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
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106 people want to read
About the author
Horatius Bonar
562 books42 followersHoratius Bonar (19 December, 1808 – 31 May, 1889) was a Scottish churchman and poet.
The son of James Bonar, Solicitor of Excise for Scotland, he was born and educated in Edinburgh. He comes from a long line of ministers who have served a total of 364 years in the Church of Scotland. One of eleven children, his brothers John James and Andrew Alexander were also ministers of the Free Church of Scotland. He had married Jane Catherine Lundie in 1843 and five of their young children died in succession. Towards the end of their lives, one of their surviving daughters was left a widow with five small children and she returned to live with her parents. Bonar's wife, Jane, died in 1876. He is buried in the Canongate Kirkyard.
In 1853 Bonar earned the Doctor of Divinity degree at the University of Aberdeen.
He entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland. At first he was put in charge of mission work at St. John's parish in Leith and settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the time of the Disruption of 1843, and in 1867 was moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church (named after his teacher at college, Dr. Thomas Chalmers). In 1883, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.
The son of James Bonar, Solicitor of Excise for Scotland, he was born and educated in Edinburgh. He comes from a long line of ministers who have served a total of 364 years in the Church of Scotland. One of eleven children, his brothers John James and Andrew Alexander were also ministers of the Free Church of Scotland. He had married Jane Catherine Lundie in 1843 and five of their young children died in succession. Towards the end of their lives, one of their surviving daughters was left a widow with five small children and she returned to live with her parents. Bonar's wife, Jane, died in 1876. He is buried in the Canongate Kirkyard.
In 1853 Bonar earned the Doctor of Divinity degree at the University of Aberdeen.
He entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland. At first he was put in charge of mission work at St. John's parish in Leith and settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the time of the Disruption of 1843, and in 1867 was moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church (named after his teacher at college, Dr. Thomas Chalmers). In 1883, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 16, 2024
When I read this tract by the redoubtable Christian apologist Horatius Bonar, it HIT ME WHERE I LIVE.
How many evangelical works can we say that of? Not many. But the real key lies in our own receptivity. If we’re not ready to DROP EVERYTHING for a good book, it may well leave us cold.
Same thing goes for personal encounters with the Divine Spirit. If we’re NOT ready to meet Him, the experience may only appear to be one of sweet serendipity.
But, no - actually, the most fertile side of us for a heavenly encounter is on our personal Dark Side of the Moon.
Remember that blockbuster album from the 1970´s by Pink Floyd? God loves to meet the Loser, the Derelict, the hopeless Outcast in all of us UP CLOSE - just like that face-to-face encounter with Moses that scalded his appearance and flatlined his ego.
I had a dream of such an encounter last night. No, no - there was no bright shining moment, for the time of this encounter was in my alert DREAMTIME. And sure, it involved a mental voyage through my mental “dark side of the moon” as is the way with MOST dreams, so the atmosphere was gloomy...
But it was as if the Spirit was painting a picture with my own memories in an encounter with my deepest sensibilities.
It was a bleak and somewhat lonely dreamscape, as I think most dreamscapes often are.
But it CONNECTED ME WITH ALL MY INNER HURTS, making me understand that a lofty Kindred Spirit FELT THEM TOO.
Just so, Bonar’s 19th century tract deals with the inner and outer deprivations of a suffering family who find a sense of unbreakable resilience in their faith. But its tenor is traditionalist - not modernist - so his hints of Victorian sensitivity may not be attuned to modern ears.
Be that as it may, the takeaway message from all this is that our closest meetings with God are often in the loneliest places.
And those encounters can be the Most Productive.
How many evangelical works can we say that of? Not many. But the real key lies in our own receptivity. If we’re not ready to DROP EVERYTHING for a good book, it may well leave us cold.
Same thing goes for personal encounters with the Divine Spirit. If we’re NOT ready to meet Him, the experience may only appear to be one of sweet serendipity.
But, no - actually, the most fertile side of us for a heavenly encounter is on our personal Dark Side of the Moon.
Remember that blockbuster album from the 1970´s by Pink Floyd? God loves to meet the Loser, the Derelict, the hopeless Outcast in all of us UP CLOSE - just like that face-to-face encounter with Moses that scalded his appearance and flatlined his ego.
I had a dream of such an encounter last night. No, no - there was no bright shining moment, for the time of this encounter was in my alert DREAMTIME. And sure, it involved a mental voyage through my mental “dark side of the moon” as is the way with MOST dreams, so the atmosphere was gloomy...
But it was as if the Spirit was painting a picture with my own memories in an encounter with my deepest sensibilities.
It was a bleak and somewhat lonely dreamscape, as I think most dreamscapes often are.
But it CONNECTED ME WITH ALL MY INNER HURTS, making me understand that a lofty Kindred Spirit FELT THEM TOO.
Just so, Bonar’s 19th century tract deals with the inner and outer deprivations of a suffering family who find a sense of unbreakable resilience in their faith. But its tenor is traditionalist - not modernist - so his hints of Victorian sensitivity may not be attuned to modern ears.
Be that as it may, the takeaway message from all this is that our closest meetings with God are often in the loneliest places.
And those encounters can be the Most Productive.
December 10, 2022
Written to the family of God. As such He dwells in the midst of it, cares for it, and watches over it. His dealings with it are those of a father - fond yet strict - loving yet wise - sitting among His children, having His eye on each, and ordering in his gracious wisdom all the concerns of His household.
September 7, 2022
Knyga, kurią labiausiai verta skaityti kančios laikotarpiu. Dieve, kur Tu?! man patiko daug labiau.
March 9, 2019
I don’t necessarily agree with everything Bonar describes about Christ’s character but I’m allowing the cultural and generational difference to account for that.
May 26, 2020
A little book filled with biblical words of comfort for those going through the valley of afflictions.
December 28, 2023
Joni Erickson Tada found this book to be very helpful to shape how we think about our sufferings and God. I would agree.
July 27, 2025
Horatius Bonar wrote "Night of Weeping" about 175 years ago. It has been variously subtitled "When God's Children Suffer" or "Why God's Children Suffer".
Even today, in many parts of the world, it is dangerous to be Christian. But even where it is safe, the genuine Christian should expect and will experience suffering. This may take many forms, of course, and degrees of severity. Some lose friends for proclaiming God's truth. Some are imprisoned, tortured, or killed. Some are afflicted with illness or disease. But a Christian whose life is untroubled and one of ease should question his level of commitment.
Why is this? The great apostle John who wrote "God is Love" was cast into boiling oil. It is said he miraculously survived, but the other apostles were martyred by one cruel means or another. Why this universal "Problem of Pain" of which C.S.Lewis writes?
When Bonar wrote so long ago, it was much more readily assumed that man was sinful and in need of correction. This correction implies deprivation and maybe even painful consequences. Paul goes so far as to say,"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". 1Tim.3:12. Why?
We must think of God as perfect Father, perfectly loving and unrelenting in His fervent desire to drive out our selfishness, our sinfulness. If we regard sin as an obsolete, archaic concept with no real meaning, God will not trouble us, He will let us be. We are not His children.
But if we will know the Father in His goodness, His greatness; He will be known by us, but not without cost, and the cost will not be small. There will be a new you, transformed, reborn. There will be inner peace, joy. But only if we submit to the Father and His Word until He calls us home.
This short work of 111 pages can be read in one or two sittings. Bonar expands upon these themes in various ways and rather poetically. This was my third reading and perhaps not my last. The lessons are timeless, but easily forgotten.
Even today, in many parts of the world, it is dangerous to be Christian. But even where it is safe, the genuine Christian should expect and will experience suffering. This may take many forms, of course, and degrees of severity. Some lose friends for proclaiming God's truth. Some are imprisoned, tortured, or killed. Some are afflicted with illness or disease. But a Christian whose life is untroubled and one of ease should question his level of commitment.
Why is this? The great apostle John who wrote "God is Love" was cast into boiling oil. It is said he miraculously survived, but the other apostles were martyred by one cruel means or another. Why this universal "Problem of Pain" of which C.S.Lewis writes?
When Bonar wrote so long ago, it was much more readily assumed that man was sinful and in need of correction. This correction implies deprivation and maybe even painful consequences. Paul goes so far as to say,"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted". 1Tim.3:12. Why?
We must think of God as perfect Father, perfectly loving and unrelenting in His fervent desire to drive out our selfishness, our sinfulness. If we regard sin as an obsolete, archaic concept with no real meaning, God will not trouble us, He will let us be. We are not His children.
But if we will know the Father in His goodness, His greatness; He will be known by us, but not without cost, and the cost will not be small. There will be a new you, transformed, reborn. There will be inner peace, joy. But only if we submit to the Father and His Word until He calls us home.
This short work of 111 pages can be read in one or two sittings. Bonar expands upon these themes in various ways and rather poetically. This was my third reading and perhaps not my last. The lessons are timeless, but easily forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews