Publisher's note:

James Morgan (1799 – 1873) was the minister of Fisherwick Place Presbyterian Church, Belfast from 1828 until his death. Morgan alludes to 1 John 5:13 where John gives his purpose in writing, – “that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.’ This is the theme he tracks, seeking to apply the text as a means of assuring all true believers of their standing in the Lord Jesus Christ and to challenge them to seek both greater communion with Him and holiness of life.

To read these lectures on 1 John is to join his congregation and to enjoy his pastoral concern for their souls. There is a deceptive simplicity in his comments; he is never complex in his modes of expression or thought, and yet there is a wealth of profound material here. His handling of the repeated references to brotherly love is outstanding. In each case he draws fresh insights from the surrounding context so that the material retains its freshness throughout.

This is a book that may be read as a help to devotional reflection but will be equally valued by preachers alongside the renowned commentary on 1 John by Robert Candlish.