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Follow the Lamb
Nineteenth century pastor and hymn-writer Horatius Bonar is most widely known for the rich treasury of hymns he bequeathed to this world; but a growing number of believers today are finding inspiration in this hidden a powerful handbook for living the Christian life. It was first penned to give new believers a broad orientation and firm footing as they were sent off on their brand new journey with the Master. In today’s tumultuous spiritual atmosphere, new believers and mature believers alike are finding solace, direction and affirmation in the wisdom and guidance of this big-hearted man of God who himself walked in the footsteps of the Lamb.
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 1969
172 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Horatius Bonar
563 books43 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 5, 2024
Werkelijk één van de mooiste boekjes die ik ooit gelezen heb! Bonar is heel evenwichtig, scherp en praktisch.
July 14, 2025
Great little book for new converts….”it is a great thing to be a Christian. Be His witnesses; be His mirrors; be His living epistles.
O Christian, your life is a book; it may be a volume of larger or smaller size. Conversion is but the title-page or the preface. The book itself remains to be written; and your years and weeks and days are its chapters and pages and lines. It is a book written for eternity; see that it be written well. It is a book for the inspection of enemies as well as friends; be careful of every word. It is a book written under the eye of God; let it be done reverently; without levity, yet without constraint or terror.
The grace of God is your strength, as it is your joy; and it is only by abiding in it that you can really live the life of the redeemed. Be strong, then, in this grace; draw your joy out of it; and beware how you turn to anything else for refreshment, or comfort, or holiness. Though a believing man, you are still a sinner; a sinner to the last; and, as such, nothing can suit you but the free love of God. Draw continually on Christ and His fullness for this grace.
Let the righteousness of the Righteous One be your daily covering.”
- -Horatius Bonar
O Christian, your life is a book; it may be a volume of larger or smaller size. Conversion is but the title-page or the preface. The book itself remains to be written; and your years and weeks and days are its chapters and pages and lines. It is a book written for eternity; see that it be written well. It is a book for the inspection of enemies as well as friends; be careful of every word. It is a book written under the eye of God; let it be done reverently; without levity, yet without constraint or terror.
The grace of God is your strength, as it is your joy; and it is only by abiding in it that you can really live the life of the redeemed. Be strong, then, in this grace; draw your joy out of it; and beware how you turn to anything else for refreshment, or comfort, or holiness. Though a believing man, you are still a sinner; a sinner to the last; and, as such, nothing can suit you but the free love of God. Draw continually on Christ and His fullness for this grace.
Let the righteousness of the Righteous One be your daily covering.”
- -Horatius Bonar
December 12, 2025
A lovely, simple, and very helpful little book.
“Let us grow daily and hourly. Let us grow down; let us grow up. Let us sink our roots deeper; let us spread out our branches more widely. Let us not only blossom and bud, but let us bring forth fruit, ripe and plentiful, on every branch. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8).”
“I do not fill the cup of peace out of anything that is in myself. Christ has filled that cup already, long, long ago, and in love He presses it to my parched lips. Let me drink from it at once, for all the peace of God, the peace of heaven is there.”
“Let us grow daily and hourly. Let us grow down; let us grow up. Let us sink our roots deeper; let us spread out our branches more widely. Let us not only blossom and bud, but let us bring forth fruit, ripe and plentiful, on every branch. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8).”
“I do not fill the cup of peace out of anything that is in myself. Christ has filled that cup already, long, long ago, and in love He presses it to my parched lips. Let me drink from it at once, for all the peace of God, the peace of heaven is there.”
February 25, 2025
A book written over a century ago that is so relevant it could have been written yesterday. Good for new Christians and mature Christians alike. Scriptural, solid, powerful.
May 26, 2021
A good devotional about holiness from Bonar. It’s not quite as good as *God’s Way of Peace* because it’s a bit more moralistic and pietistic but it’s still worth reading.
October 13, 2017
A challenging read that calls for a relentless pursuit of holiness. Some may strain with the 18th century text but the pietist appeal is worth the effort.
The value for me is in hearing an uncompromising appeal to avoid sentimentalism and plunge into a relationship with Christ. There are strong calls for disciplined living that fall short of common legalistic pitfalls. While the work may not be a la mode for modern sensibilities it brings a devotional warmth that draws the reader towards this historical view of absolute surrender to Christ. It’s singularity portrays the depth of love that launched great revivals.
The value for me is in hearing an uncompromising appeal to avoid sentimentalism and plunge into a relationship with Christ. There are strong calls for disciplined living that fall short of common legalistic pitfalls. While the work may not be a la mode for modern sensibilities it brings a devotional warmth that draws the reader towards this historical view of absolute surrender to Christ. It’s singularity portrays the depth of love that launched great revivals.
September 4, 2018
A very short book by nineteenth-century pastor and hymn writer Horatius Bonar, this was a book on how to live for Christ, aimed at new believers to prevent floundering and bumbling and having to learn much the hard way. It is based on his many years of pastoral care for new (and mature) Christians.
Most of it was soul-feeding and stirring and solid. It felt "more like solid meat than spiritual milk," but it continually drew the reader back to the basics, and instructed the reader to, at every point of stumbling or struggle, to "remember the fundamentals" (to use a sports metaphor - mine, not his.) It is good advice!
The message is well laid out in a chapter and outline format, but at the same time it wasn't at all dry; it was a powerful call to both mind and heart!
I would have given it five stars, but for the occasional finger-wagging legalism, often in footnotes, but occasionally in the primary text, re: issues, things, that he sees as playing with fire, but which many modern readers would see as "fundamentalist legalism." I wrote in the margin, "Where is it written?"
Overall, I would highly recommend this book for any new believer, as a study alongside a mentor to help sort out the troublesome bits, and to any established Christian believers who would like a refresher course in the basics of the faith, the critical Biblical truths that serve as anchors and landmarks for a walk of faith. It is filled with Scriptural references for his points. Reading it I'm reminded of the apostle Peter in his second letter to the churches in Asia, a passage I call, "The Parents' Pledge" but which applies to all of us:
"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you known them and are firemly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Chriset has mad clearto me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things."
Follow the Lamb articulates the inheritance parents and pastors long to impart and leave to their children, both natural and pastoral. It is a boon to those "whose hearts are on pilgrimage."
Most of it was soul-feeding and stirring and solid. It felt "more like solid meat than spiritual milk," but it continually drew the reader back to the basics, and instructed the reader to, at every point of stumbling or struggle, to "remember the fundamentals" (to use a sports metaphor - mine, not his.) It is good advice!
The message is well laid out in a chapter and outline format, but at the same time it wasn't at all dry; it was a powerful call to both mind and heart!
I would have given it five stars, but for the occasional finger-wagging legalism, often in footnotes, but occasionally in the primary text, re: issues, things, that he sees as playing with fire, but which many modern readers would see as "fundamentalist legalism." I wrote in the margin, "Where is it written?"
Overall, I would highly recommend this book for any new believer, as a study alongside a mentor to help sort out the troublesome bits, and to any established Christian believers who would like a refresher course in the basics of the faith, the critical Biblical truths that serve as anchors and landmarks for a walk of faith. It is filled with Scriptural references for his points. Reading it I'm reminded of the apostle Peter in his second letter to the churches in Asia, a passage I call, "The Parents' Pledge" but which applies to all of us:
"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you known them and are firemly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Chriset has mad clearto me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things."
Follow the Lamb articulates the inheritance parents and pastors long to impart and leave to their children, both natural and pastoral. It is a boon to those "whose hearts are on pilgrimage."
January 11, 2025
Some good wisdom and theological truth here. However, you will also encounter Bonar’s disdain for things like the theatre, dancing, and other forms of entertainment. At some point this book became a hunt for aphoristic theological nuggets amidst the landscape of pietism.
May 5, 2020
Small book with some good thoughts
I enjoy reading books by this author. He is serious and passionate in his writings. He is writing to help not to make money. Challenging.
I enjoy reading books by this author. He is serious and passionate in his writings. He is writing to help not to make money. Challenging.
August 21, 2024
Helpful Advice on Every Page
There isn't a chapter this book that doesn't have helpful advice. The chapters are short but powerful. There is much to glean from this book.
There isn't a chapter this book that doesn't have helpful advice. The chapters are short but powerful. There is much to glean from this book.
August 15, 2025
I liked this but some of what he said threw up the red flags of legalism but I don't think he was a legalist.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews