Night of Weeping and Morning of Joy

by Horatius Bonar

This book compassionately expounds a biblical view of suffering, showing how it is a part of belonging to God's family, how to cope with it, and how it benefits the believer. The second part of the book shows how God leads believers to rejoice in the present and future joys of the living church in fellowship with the resurrected Christ.

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Theology

240 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2008

About the author

Horatius 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.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical meditations on suffering, grief, joy, and hope by a nineteenth-century Scottish pastor; the kind of book that’s worth reading slowly over many Sundays and keeping readily to hand thereafter.

[Cheyenne Langevelde · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most convicting and beautiful books I have ever read. The hope is so tangible! Truly a must-read for any child of the faith.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful work on suffering in this life. Both before, at, and post conversion into the Body of Christ. Addressing why we suffer in each phase, and the various ways that suffering is used by God. Of course as with all things a few points of disagreement, but it is a beautiful look into the ways in which suffering can be turned to good as all things are by God.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, inspiring, convicting, and now one of my most favorite books! Horatius Bonar has an amazing perspective on the family of God that is timeless, and his writing style is musical, poetic, and grounded in scripture. This is one I will ponder over again and again.

[Tech Nossomy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mode of thought for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had its moments. I thought the first half was better than the second half.

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio of this book in the midst of suffering and found it to be a great comfort. I don't know if I have ever read anything on suffering as good as this. It is filled with Scriptural truths, written beautifully and full of wisdom. I highly recommend this book!