I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY

Born just before Christmas in 1808, Horatius Bonar was one of 11 children.  He and 2 of his brothers became outstanding preachers.  Bonar studied for the ministry at the University of Edinburgh.  He was ordained as a pastor and began pastoring in Kelso.  He later moved to Edinburgh where he became one of Scotland’s most famous preachers. 

Bonar began writing hymns at his church in Kelso.  Many of his hymns were especially written for children, often introducing these hymns to the children in Sunday School.  The children never protested because they loved his visits and his exuberant leading of these songs. 

Where did his love for children come from?  He and his wife had lost five of their children in rapid succession.  But God gave him hundreds of children in his Sunday School.  Besides that, some years later, one of his daughters was widowed and returned home to live with her parents.  She had five young children!!  God had given him 5 children with the opportunity to help them grow up in Christ.

Horatius wrote his hymn, I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY, for his Sunday School children in 1846.  The first half of each of the three verses are based on three wonderful promises of Jesus.  The last half of each verse frames our response to that promise.  It is not just for children to learn that Jesus is our witness to God’s truth and His promises.

Won't you respond too, when you sing Bonar's wonderful hymn...I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY.