Title: The Night of Weeping
Author: Horatius Bonar
Publisher: Christian Focus
ISBN: 185792441X
Pages: 159
Reviewer: Dennis McKinsey
Summary of the Book
The Night of Weeping is a book for members of the family of God who are experiencing afflictions and trials. Bonar explains that chastening draws the saint away from the ways of the world and toward the holiness of God. “The thoughts that follow are designed to assist them in interpreting God’s ways, not merely in finding comfort under trial, but in drawing profit from it” (12).
Overview of the Chapter Contents
1. The Family is made up of those who have been born of the Spirit of God.
2. The Family Life is one that is lived by faith.
3. The Family Badge reveals itself in the cross that each member must bear.
4. The Family Discipline is education for eternity.
5. The Family Rods are used to correct, to chasten and to bless.
a. Bodily sickness.
b. Bereavement.
c. Adversity.
i. “We should learn not merely to submit to the rod, but to kiss and welcome it” (73).
ii. “We should learn not merely to praise God in affliction, but to praise Him for it” (73).
6. The Types of Chastening in the Scripture are many. The author gives several examples.
a. The corn dried by the fire in Leviticus 2:14.
b. The beaten gold on the Tabernacle furniture.
c. Widowhood.
7. The Proving reveals the deceitfulness of the believer’s heart that he may know the evil that still cleaves to him.
8. The Rebuking of Christ demonstrates His gentleness with the believer.
9. The Purifying Process gives the believer the holiness of Christ.
10. The Arousing awakens the believer from sleep upon the world’s enchanted ground.
11. The Solemnizing draws the saint away from the levity of those who want to cover over their uneasiness.
12. The Warning can be found in affliction.
a. Do not love the world (I John 2:15).
b. Do not be covetous (Luke 12:15).
c. Keep away from every appearance of evil (I Thess. 5:22).
d. Do not hold grudges against others (James 5:9).
e. Do not worship idols (I John 5:21).
13. The Recollections of past trials remind us of the goodness and greatness of God.
14. The Consolation is remembering the glory that awaits the believer after the trials are past.
15. The Eternal Results are that the saints will reign with Him in complete holiness.
Recommendation
The Night of Weeping is a book that every child of God must read. Who is the saint to whom trials are scarce? Where is the believer that is not afflicted on every side? If such a life is not his, then his spiritual pedigree is in question. Bonar’s book will give the genuine Christian practical advice about gleaning the most from chastening. Do you merely want spiritual milk? Then go to the cow of superficiality to drink. Do you want tender spiritual meat that is full of flavor? Then ruminate on the words of this book as you savor the riches of God’s grace.
Note: Chapel Library, a ministry of Mount Zion Bible Church, offers the text of this book free of charge here.
