In the June 1918 issue of the monthly magazine, `The Berean Expositor', Mr. Charles H. Welch began a verse by

verse analysis of the epistle to the Hebrews. Thirteen years were to pass before the exposition saw completion.

It is most fitting therefore that this monumental work should be recast in book form. This book is a welcome

addition to the many others which came from his pen, and is a further testimony to his life's ambition to honour the

Word of God.

The breadth and depth of this study will become evident as the book is read, and as many facets of truth are

brought into clearer focus.

This book is sent forth with many prayers that the `God Who spake in times past' will speak again through the

meaningful interpretation of this portion of `The Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever'.

A.C.L.

A primary principle emphasized by Charles H. Welch in his prolific writings is the need to note to whom the

books of the Bible are addressed. Nevertheless, equal stress has been placed on Paul's dictum that `All Scripture is

inspired and profitable... '. Whereas we might have thought the epistle to the Hebrews had no great import for us

Gentiles, yet on examination, we find there a most important message for us today, as brought out in this very

thorough exposition.

We anticipate in brief. There is the vision of striving for something better that God encourages us to seek. What

a God is ours that looks down and helps us to enter by faith the joys He has set before us. The epistle opens with the

reminder that God Who in time past spake by the prophets, has come closer to us in speaking through His Son. We

see a better Sacrifice, a better High Priest, a better Covenant. Chapter 11 gives the list of faithful witnesses who

endured the hardships of this earthly pilgrimage but looked for a better reward in resurrection life. Their faith was

the absolute conviction that the things they hoped for were true and real, and for them this faith was the title deeds of

an inheritance as yet unseen.

For ourselves, we are enjoined not to stay with the foundations of our faith but to go on and build upon them

with the good material pertaining to the will of God. Our own lives, short or long, are before us. With God's help we

can let Him fill us and enable us to do and to be all for which we have been created and redeemed. Dare we look at

the opposite to this, namely - WASTE - wasted time, wasted opportunities for Christian service?

May this study of such a vital book of the New Testament reach us out of the past and mould our plans for what

portion of life is left to us.

We take this opportunity of rendering thanks to all who have so greatly assisted by reading the proofs and

preparing the indexes.

L.A.C. April 1972