National Republican., 1873-10-06
CHURCH OF TIL. EPIPHANY.
The Euchar1stic Feast.

Yesterday, at II q. M, o large and intelli'
gent audience assembled at this church tc
hear the pastor, DIR. Watkins. 1t being com.
munion Sunday, the pastor appropriately
chose for his text the words OF Christ to hii
disciples, do this in remembrance OF me.
The speaker said that we deem 1t pleasure
and holy privilege to comply with the dying
requests Of friends whom we hold dear in
this life. Thus Christ has left us this his
parting request and counsel before he passed
into that unseen glory to be forever with the
Father. He felt how each soul struggling
amidst earth's cares would, need token Of
his love, and therefore left US his name as the
central remembrance to cheer and support us,
and enjOincd upon us to take of bread broken
and wine poured out as emblems of his
broken body and blood spilled for the remis-
sion Of the sins Of the world. Aud now, after
ninteeen hundred years Of faithful observ-
ance, since Its first institution In the upper
chamber amid sighs and tears, In cayerns
ard forests, on ships In tho midst of great
waters, In school houses and prisons, by
hearthstones, everywhere, at all times, In the
face OF every danger, this simple rite has
maintained Its
ORDAINED PERPETuITY,
and can never be set aside. Let us ask why
not observe itl Some object that Its observ-
ance recurs too often, and urge that II con
fined to once or twice each year II would pos
sess great solemnity and impressiyeness.
Such Is not tho truth. The apostles par
took Of this blessed sacrament every Sab
bath, while Its observance was maintained by
the Church for several centuries four time:
each week and on every saints day. During
these years IL was ordained that any Christ
ian who turned his back upon the spread
table should "be communicated for bring
Ing contempt on the Shurch Of God" Why
not as well put of prayer and reading the
with the Sabbath altogether? Is tho argu.
ment not as fair, or. rather. Is 1t not equally
weak"
Il IL urged by some that to receive thii
sacrament, and then fall away from grace Ii
worse than never TO take II. IL this Is true
then you are the worse for every effort
which you have ever eXcrted 10 become bet
ter, But such Is not the case. Ours Is fle
duty to try to be as good as possible, and rely
On God 10 keep our feet from falling.
Others claim that partaking Of this holy
sacrament viii avail them nothing Of good.
How, my friend, can you know this, not hav-
Ing tested the blessed fruits which we gather
In the Observance OF this sacred duty to aid us
In holy living,
II Is alleged by some as n reason why they
should not partake OF the Lords supper that
they may bring reproach and disgrace on the
church afterwards. Your subsequent sinful
life cannot shame the church, but only your
self. Your profession is all right; 1t Is your
practice which Is all wrong. This good act
does not Increase your evil conduct Judas
was not so bad man ss his wicked heart
must have made him had he never known or
seen the Lord.
Others excuse their neglect Of this religious
- duty because OF many inconsistent ones who
partake Of the sacrament. This Is no excuse
TO you or me. God knOweth the hearts and
secret lntents Of each and II Is our privilege