Chapter I: Preface

George MacDonald said in an address, "The longer I live, the more I am assured that the business of life is to understand the Lord Christ." If this be true, whatever sheds even a little light on the character or life of Christ is worth while.

Nothing reveals a man's heart better than his friendships. The kind of friend he is, tells the kind of man he is. The personal friendships of Jesus reveal many tender and beautiful things in his character. They show us also what is possible for us in divine friendship; for the heart of Jesus is the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.

These chapters are only suggestive, not exhaustive. If they make the way into close personal friendship with Jesus any plainer for those who hunger for such blessed intimacy, that will be reward enough.

J. R. M.

PHILADELPHIA.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

I. THE HUMANHEARTEDNESS OF JESUS
II. JESUS AND HIS MOTHER
III. JESUS AND HIS FORERUNNER
IV. JESUS' CONDITIONS OF FRIENDSHIP
V. JESUS CHOOSING HIS FRIENDS
VI. JESUS AND THE BELOVED DISCIPLE
VII. JESUS AND PETER
VIII. JESUS AND THOMAS
IX. JESUS' UNREQUITED FRIENDSHIPS
X. JESUS AND THE BETHANY SISTERS
XI. JESUS COMFORTING HIS FRIENDS
XII. JESUS AND HIS SECRET FRIENDS
XIII. JESUS' FAREWELL TO HIS FRIENDS
XIV. JESUS' FRIENDSHIPS AFTER HE AROSE
XV. JESUS AS A FRIEND

All I could never be,
All men ignored in me,
This I was worth to God.
BROWNING.

But lead me, Man divine,
Where'er Thou will'st, only that I may find
At the long journey's end Thy image there,
And grow more like to it. For art not Thou
The human shadow of the infinite Love
That made and fills the endless universe?
The very Word of Him, the unseen, unknown,
Eternal Good that rules the summer flower
And all the worlds that people starry space.
RICHARD WATSON GILDER.

THE FRIENDSHIPS OF JESUS.