DEDICATIONTO
FREDERICK T. ELLIS
At one time My CURATE
Many a time My HELPER
For all time My FRIEND
FOREWORD
WHOSO embarks upon a sincere and serious study of this Epistle lays himself open to much humbling of heart. Yet that same heart will soon - perhaps on account of its very humbling - find itself enraptured with what it here shall find. The Life, the Light, and the Love of the Fellowship will make him bless GOD that, by His grace, he ever came to belong, and pray GOD that, by His power, he may ever seek properly to behave.
Many titles for the Epistle have been suggested by its various expositors. For my own part, I have for long felt that its early discussion of "fellowship" is the clue to the whole. I have recently found corroboration in words of Dr. Marvin Vincent of New York, who wrote, "the keynote of fellowship pervades the Epistle." If I have seemed, in places, over-dogmatic in support of my own interpretations, forgive the wrongful spirit - but study the point all the more carefully, in case I am right!
May the Divine Head of the Fellowship deign to use this Study, in spite of all its faults and shortcomings, to the blessing of some of its Members.
G. H. K.
CHRIST Church Vicarage, Beckenham
A PRAYER OF THE FELLOWSHIPMASTER, speak! Thy servant heareth,
Waiting for Thy gracious word.
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth,
MASTER, let it now be heard.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee.
What hast Thou to say to me?
MASTER, speak! Though least and lowest,
Let me not unheard depart;
MASTER, speak! for, oh, Thou knowest
All the yearning of my heart,
Knowest all its truest need,
Speak! and make me blest indeed.
MASTER, Speak! and make me ready,
When Thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady,
Still to follow every word.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee,
MASTER, speak, oh speak to me.
Speak to me by name, O MASTER,
Let me know it is to me,
Speak that I may follow faster,
With a step more firm and free,
Where the Shepherd leads the flock,
In the shadow of the Rock.
- F. R. Havergal