Kept for the Master's Use

Frances Ridley Havergal's classic devotional manual is full of instructive revelation; readers learn how a great many aspects of our lives fall under the influence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Using her gift for eloquence both in verse and prose, Havergal discusses sequentially the myriad aspects of humanity's affinity with Jesus. Topics such as our intellectual abilities, our wealth - both literal and figurative - and our capacity for love and compassion each receive chapters. Terms such as 'Almighty' are explained with depth and meaning, that we understand intimately their true nature in the context of faith.

Havergal is careful to note that the Master 'keeping' these aspects of our personalities is not an act of control; his 'use' of what is given further benefit the humble believer. We are shown how those who surrender their will to God find themselves imbued further - whether this be a capacity for emotion and virtue, or knowledge of our existence and the world around us, or a will to do greater things mindful of the Christian precepts.

The final portion of this book contain a selection of relevant poetry by Frances Havergal concerning the divine. Several of these are festive in tone, celebrating such occasions as Christmas, New Years and the Sabbath with a pure and happy tone, while others imagine the thoughts of God as he presides over his creation.