The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-22
For the Central Presbyterian.
Kneeling at the Lords Supper
By Rev. James w. Shearer.

EPlScopatiGn In attending your com
munlon service this morning, l noticed
that your communicates do not kneel,
but sit during the administration of this
sacrament. Why is this?
Presbyterian Because we aim to fol-
low Scripture example. KneeIing at the
Lords Supper was unknown in the early
Church. 1t was received from the Church
of Rome and perpetuated by court au-
thority against the protest and remon-
STRANGE OF large part OF the most pious
and learned divines Of the Established
Church OF England early in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth At the convocation,
when the English liturgy was revised and
settled, many of the most pious and learn
ed divines entreated that kneeling at the
eucharist might be abolished, or at least
left optional or Indifferent. And when
those divines appointed to report on the
subject brought in a report leaving the
posture in the eucharist Indifferent, the
Queen drew her pen over the clause max
ing it Indifferent, and thus made kneel
ing binding on the whole Church. Thus
we see that this custom received from
Rome, was made binding merely by royal
authority, in opposition to the action of
the convocation. We, as Presbyterians,
agree with the majority of this E piscopal
eOnvocation before they were overrufed
by the Queen and court clergy, that the
table posture" is to be preferred in this
sacrament
EplS.-We have no express command
on this subject, and surely in such ques-
tions the Church has the right to decide
Indifferent things
Pres.-This is what we object to. The
Queen and the court clergy were not will
ing to leave the posture in the eucharist
as a matter of Indifference, but insisted on
prescribing k1aeeling as binding. We DO
Ject to this because it is admitted by all
that keeling was not the mode in which
it was first administered. No one doubts
that when instituted, our Saviour and his
apostles posture was that in which they
were accustomed to receive their ordi-
nary meals. l need not quote what the
evangelists say " Now when the even
ing was come he sat DOM with the
twelve = X and as they were eating,
Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake
it and gave it to his disciples" Matt.
XVI: 20 and 26. Now if our Saviour
himself adopted this posture, may we not
conclude that on the whole it is best or
at least, that it is admissible?
EPiS-But did not they recline on
couches at the table according to the Gus
tom Of their day? Why then, do you
not recline'also2
Pre8.-We see no sin in reclining if
any one chooses to do So The eating Of
the bread and wine signifies feeding by
faith upon the body and blood Of Christ
Naturally it was partaken Of Just as they
were accustomed to take their ordinary
meals. 1t is our custom to sit, and not
recline at meals. Therefore, we sit at the
communion table. Kneeling seems to us
inappropriate at the Lord s table.
Epis-How so2 1t seems to me very
suitable for this solemn sacrament.
Pres.--In answer to this let us enquire
what is the eucharist? 1t is essentially
feast Of joy, love, and Thanksgiving.
at is intended to be sign Of love, con
fdence, and afectionate fellowship be-
tween each communicate and the master
Of the feast, and between all the mem