relationship between one servant of the Lord and another. Paul was an "under-rower",

and gladly accepted the office:--

The lowest office is mentioned first. He could only be a witness, and an apostle, as he

recognized the Lordship of Christ.

John Mark was given to Saul and Barnabas as their "under-rower". But he failed, and

left them when the course was set for Pamphylia (Acts xiii. 5, 13; xv. 38). It is

extremely difficult to find those engaged in Christian service who are willing to occupy

this lowly place of "under-rower". Yet unless one is recognized as director and leader

and another as subordinate and a helper, how can the work go forward?

When we remember that Paul himself so gladly took this lowly place, both at his

commission (Acts xxvi. 16) as we have seen, and in his own voluntary submission--

"These hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me"

(Acts xx. 34) we cannot but feel it a privilege to be entrusted with the same

"under-rower's" place.

It was the glory of the Son of God that He was like a man "under authority"

(Luke vii. 8), and the servant is not greater than his Lord. We bless the Lord for the

ministry of humble hands and hearts, known by few on earth but treasured in heaven.

Surely the believer whose doctrine includes the words, "Not I, but Christ", can be given

no office, however lowly, that cannot be accepted gratefully as a means of glorifying the

Lord and of following in His steps.