The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-07-15
wounded aud missing.


I
The authority appealed to, for the prac-
tice or celebration Il the Eucharist or Losd's
supper. as usually termed, was the injunc-
| ton or direction Of our Savior TO his Apes
ties at the conclusion Of the feast Of the
passover or his last supper with them on the
night previous to his Erucihxion, as record
by ST. Luke. Chap. XXI, 18th and 20th
verses; in which il Is stated, that after Civ
ing thanks and breaking and distributing the
bread TO them, be said; /" this do in reInen-
brance OF me- . "And likewise of the cup
after supper, saying this cup is the tesla
ment in my blood, which is shed for you. .
What is to be understood by these dcclara-
tons or command, dc il may be properly so
termed) Of our Sailor, by those who profess
to be his followers or discisples, and deem
bis injunction sacred and insist upon strict
observance or comnemoIation Of that rite or
ordinance as they tsrm il, il differently con-
strued and practiced by different dcnomina-
tons; as by the Roman Catholics who in all
cases adopt the literal construction Of the
text, it is considered that the command
therein embraced extends only TO the bread
which is solely to be administered or distrib-
uted 10 the commandments or rather TO the
laity. whilst the wine is reserved for the
Priests only, and although the observance Of
the rite 10 handed down IL not mostly de-
rived from aud through hem, most Of the
other denominations administer or distrib-
ute both of the emblems, 50 called, to all
the commandments alike; but they have
adopted different forms or mSdes in the adj
ministration Of the same. But what was
intended by our Savior, BY his direction or
charge TO his Apostles above referred to, MS
il appears "a me is to be differently coustiu-
cd or unders oed, from either Of the atoxe
erpositions. Il cannot be supposed Sat Bat
took place ON that occasion should be liter
ally and strictly initiated aud performed, aud
also followed down through all successive
ages BY all Of bis protested disciples and fol-
lowers; and in conference merely with his
Apostolic brethren; as it would in effect be
wholly impossible il expedient. 1t will be
noticed thai il was their last supper together,
and 10 celebration Of the Jewish passover,
consisting Of a variety Of articles Of food
besides bread and vino, and partaken Ia
reclining posture, which it would be difficult
If not impossible 10 assume at the present
day. But the occasion was an interesting
one, being the last communion which be held |
with his Apostolic brethren, before he left |
them In the flesh: and be improved Il to adj |
nonish them to live together in bro,herly
love. harmony. mutual kindness and SYM
patby, TO condeseend TO each other and 10 |
promote their mutual welfare and bappi- [
ness; and to practice charity, Kindness and |
hospitality not Gully amongst themselves, but
10 their fellow creatures at large; and above /
III be gave them TO understand by his partic-
ilar charge, that all the blessings they en-
Dyed. were derived and received In and thru
lsm. as the author and giser OF them ALL
That the administration VI bread and wine
's performed by ,nin, Was never designed BY
iia for strict laltation. or TO be observed in
uiure ny bis disciples and followers as
lite " ordinance, Is very evident from the
act. that We do not learn that the Apostles
n their day ever administered IL, in form
md Kind to any Of their brethren or prose-
ytes, but we learn that coon after the a.,
ension Of onr Savior, the christian brethren
disposed Of all their sepera,e property, and
onserted everything which they possessed
nto common stock, and lived together
nd eat together Ia common; and that in
'rooess Of time, certain Of them in their M
srcourse with each other and especially at
heir meals. became very irregular aud dis
rderly. 70 such an extent or degree that
be Apostle Paul deemed Il expedient 10 re-
rove them, and particularly 10 his FIRST
pistle 70 the Corinthians, Chap, XI, l7th
ere; and be warned sbd admonisned them
herefor, and told them their conduct was
Inconsistent With fhe directions given By cur !
aslor, al Wbst Was called the Lords sup ,
sF, aiiuding TO his last supper before his
rueihxion, and above referred to, and cites
be directions then given by Christ to bis
Ifostles On that occasion. 10 the language /
nd words adopted By ST. Luke, and proba-
u copied therefrom. and 10 show and con-
iAce them that oar Savior intended 10 apply
hat be then said On that occasion to his
postles. to ah oecssisns Ehsneyer bic dis
pies shouid come together 70 parsake II Z,
aeir food, IS be wAs the source from whence
Sey derived all their temporal as well e.
piritnAl feod, and their enpymeuis and !
smforts. And i is very evident that on al !
ssae occasions for which that Teprpef was !,
sstowea, and The Lords supper referred 10. /,
a. there Kas nc administrator, a. ons
Aase for the reproof uss. that they partook I
iheiF sood cut u coarse aud order; aud I
se Apostle sIggesaed y thess ihGs q asesd
hieii and preseHi sneb iftesahra7s tizeY
sgei 'e 80 . Aaas e - iheEsslles,
grxFnNs