I trust I shall shortly see thee.
The sweetness of Christian fellowship
1. Its foundation--peace. This is the bond of the Christian community. It cannot exist without concord. Divisions drive away the Spirit of God, and open the door for envy and malice.
2. Its sacredness--not with ink and pen. It is a hidden desire which can only be expressed in a manner suitable to its own nature. It may take many forms to show itself, but it cannot be fully realised without personal contact.
3. Its well-wishers--the friends greet thee. A sincere desire for the welfare of each other is a strong feature in Christian morals.
4. Its individual regard--greet the brethren by name. Each person received attention irrespective of wealth or position. (The Weekly Pulpit.)
Greet the friends by name.
The friends
The word “friend” does not often occur in the New Testament, being swallowed up in the more endearing one of “brother.” (J. Wesley.)
Greet the friends by name
The good pastor imitates that Good Shepherd who “calleth His sheep by name.” (C. Wordsworth.)
True friends scarce
The friendship of most men in these days is like some plants in the water, which have broad leaves on the surface of the water, but scarce any root at all; like drums and trumpets and ensigns in a battle, which make a noise and a show, but act nothing; mere friendships in pretence and compliment, that can bow handsomely, and promise emphatically, and speak plausibly, and forget all. (J. Spencer.).