Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-09-06
From the Hartford Wa:chman
COMMUNION OF CHRISTIANS.

Communion in respect to the followers
OF Christ, We may suppose. means some
thing more than agreement i'll articles OF
faith and modes of discipline. Something
, more than the act of communicating in the
sacrament Of the Eucharist. 1t means fel-
lowship il iovs and in sorrows, in conflicts
and in victories, in labors and attainmcnts,
in every thing, which pertains to Christian
character, duty or experience. This is the
view which Paul seems to have taken of the
subject when he SAYS. (i Cor. l. 4. of the
Falhcr ofmcrcies and the God ofal com.
fort, "Who comforter us in all tribulation,
that we may be able TO comfort them which
are in any trouble bv the comfort whercwlth
we ourselves are comiortcd of God" This
is to say, the comforts which we receive from
above ought not to be concealed nor shut
up in our own bosoms, but impaired to our
brethren, according to the principles of the
Gospel and the example Of its Author. And
that this principle of participation applies to
the whole circle Of Christian expert
ence is evident from the following words Of
the same inspired apostle, q Cor. II. -,
26.) "For as the bod V is one and hath ma
nv members, and all the members of that
one body, being many, are one body, so is
Christ.-And whether one member suffer
with ii, or one member be honored, all the
members rejoice with it," This is Christ.
| ian communion, and the church relation.
ship, is both designed and admirably adapt
ed 10 promote this communion. In the
visible church the followers of Christ be-
come known to each other rs such; there
, they are brought to unite in solemn acts of
worship, which, while they draw their hearts
nearer to Chris, the centre of spiritual at
traction, draw them also nearer to each
other; there they are bound TO each other
as well as to the Great Head of the church
bv most solemn covenant VOWS; there they
! recognize the fact that they have a common
interest and aim. IS ii not TO be expected,
; therefore, that Christians thus situated will
feel towards each other, as they feel towards
no other persons, and that they will be pre-.
pared for nearer and interesting commu.
. Mon on all the principal points OF their ex-
perience? Bul 10 enjoy this communion
in its full sense, it is necJ.ul not only TO have
feelings prepared for ii, but also to have free
communication in regard to the subjects Of
it. | am rot in favor of telling experiences
in mixed assemblies, because human nature
will generally not bear up agaiustthe prompt
ings of pride, and the account will SAVIOR
more of vanity than truth.
But liz more private Christian intercourse
how can some very emphatical injunctlonS
Of the Saviour and his apostles be complied
with, unless there be i free communication
of experience? How can impart the
comforts which the God of comfort gives
me, to nv brethren unless | speak Of them? ?
How can all the members Of the body suf-
fer or rejoice with each unless their sorrows
and their joys are communicated How
can Christian friends pray intelligently and
earnestly for each other, unless they know
something ofeach others hopes and fears,
conflicts and victories! Would not the
most happy results be likely to follow free
communications among the followers of
Christ? And is it not an evil greatly to be
lamented in most or all of our churches,
that Christians arc such strangers to each
other, strangers, mean; as christians. If
one member of the body Of Christ has
found comfort and support under deep at.
Fiction from special view of God, or any
particular passage of scripture, how happy
would be the influence O.. impartng this
comfort to all the members, some OF whom
in similar circumstances, may not have
found the same consolation? How espe-
cialv would this practice be calculated to
benefit the weaker members, and put them
in possession the attainments osthe strong!
lfone member has found method fsuc-
cesslully resisting any particular temptation
how interesting might be the discovery TO
others who are now under the buttetlngs oi
the adversary, and see not q way OF escape
lfone member has learnt by experience how
to overcome worldly spirit and to lay
aside every weight, aud deny easily beset-
ting sins, how interesting and useful might
be the information to those that are vet i'll
conflict? o how sweet and blessed would
be the communion Of Christians ifthey would
bring the principles and spirit of the Cos
pei into this daily intercourse Witness
the happiness of Bunyan's pilgrims while
they went on their wav conversing on their
common interests and dangers. And here
let me drop one suggestion as the conclu.
.;, of tbecz ra,,oorl,S Would rot social