The Hidden Life

Adolph Saphir’s classic meditation on chapter four, verse eight of the Book of James is treasured for its poignant spiritual assessment of the New Testament.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” is the message at the heart of The Hidden Life. For the author, these words summarize most perfectly the exactness of God’s message through the New Testament. With this as his basis, Adolph Saphir proceeds to discuss how to live with the Holy Trinity in mind. Yet his contemplations are rich in their variety; he visits such topics as Eastern mysticism found in religions of India and Islam, the discussions between God and Biblical figures such as Nicodemus, and the message brought by Christ to humankind.

The meditations herein are supported by references to chapters of the New Testament, together with a variety of quotations from spiritual authors of antiquity and early modern times. Though his inquiry is winding with touches of eclecticism, Saphir never loses sight of the objective: growing closer to the spiritual essence of the Lord and Jesus Christ. 

The Saphir family converted from Judaism to Christianity when Adolph was a child. Intellectually apt, Adolph gained a Master’s degree from Glasgow University, and went on to serve as a minister and missionary of some renown in the 19th century. Glasgow University made him an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1878.