# Dedication explained — The Imitation of Christ

> Chapter companion for The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

## What happens

The author dedicates the volume to the Rev. Craufurd Tait, reflecting on his ordination and expressing hope that the Spirit which inspired the original author will continue to inspire him and the Church.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grace and Divine Dependence

The prayer for the Spirit to inspire the dedicatee emphasizes reliance on divine grace.

## Character check-ins

### Rev. Craufurd Tait

The dedicatee, who has made a profession and been ordained.

### Thomas à Kempis

The original author of the work, mentioned as being inspired six hundred years ago.

### God the Father

Implied as the source of the Spirit and the one to whom the vow is made.

## Key lines

> I write this on the evening of the day on which, I believe, you have made a good profession before many witnesses, and bound yourself by a solemn vow to the Lord.

I am writing this on the evening of the day you publicly declared your faith and committed yourself to God through a sacred promise.

_Describes the occasion of Craufurd Tait's ordination._

> May the Spirit which inspired its author six hundred years ago continually inspire you, and the Church of which you are now an ordained servant; and may He enable you, as a scribe instructed unto the Kingdom of God, to bring forth out of your treasures things new and old.

May the same Holy Spirit that moved Thomas à Kempis centuries ago now inspire you and the Church you serve, equipping you to share both ancient and new wisdom from God's kingdom.

_A blessing for the dedicatee's ministry._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/dedication
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters