The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-22

bers of the body. 1t is intended also to
be an emblem, and means of that spir-
ltual nourishment which is found in feed
ing by faith, and il spiritual sense, on
the body and blood of the Redeemer set
forth In this ordinance as crucifed for
us. Or. Samuel Muller) And it has
been well asked, In what nation do men
eat and drink upon their knees ?"
EPtS.-But kneeling indicates humil-
lty and penitence, which becomes us in
every approach to God, and certainly in
no case more peculiarly than when we
celebrate the wonders of grace and love
manifested in the Saviours dying for us.
PreS.-Very true. Humility becomes
us always. We urge the spirit of humil-
lty at all times. But the essential nature
of the eucharist is JOY. 1t is character
lstlcally feast of confidence, fellowship,
Joy, and thanks. So the posture in which
1t was first given was one which indi-
Gated gladness, feasting, and affeotionate
intercourse, and we deem it right to fol-
low this example. Certainly we cannot
approve any authority which says we
must not come to the table like Christ
and his disciples, but must come in a
kneeling posture. Again, look back in
history, and we find that the custom of
kneeling at the Lords Supper originated
in gross error, and is adopted to nourish
gross error and superstition.
Ept@.-We have no such superstitions
about it.
PreS.-We do not charge intelligent
Christians with superstition when they
thus kneel in communion But we do
declare that the custom arose in error
and superstition and is adapted to nour-
ish error. However intelligent Chris
tlans look upon it, this custom has been
and will be, Inexperienced by ignorant
minds so long as it is used. DIT is very
certain that kneeling at the Lords table
was unknown In the Christian Church for
a number of centuries after the apostolic
age. : The most ardent friends of
kneellng do not pretend, so far as is now
recollected, to find an example of this
posture, in the whole history of the
Church, prior to the thirteenth century
That is, not until the Papacy had reached
the summit of its system of corruption.
And accordingly, in the Greek Church,
which separated from the Latin before
the doctrine of Transubstantiation arose
kneellng at the communion is unknown
In short, kneeling at the Lords table was
not introduced until Transubstantiation
arose; and with Reconsideration it
ought by Protestants to have been laid
aside. When men began to believe that
the sacramental elements were really
transmitted into the body and blood of
the Redeemer, there was some color of
apology for kneeling and adoring them
But when this error was abandoned, that
which had grown out of it ought to have
been abandoned also" CDR Samuel Mil
ler.)
EpiS.-We teach no such doctrine of
Reconsideration. Your argument is of
no force against us.
,R'es.-We do not charge you with
holding any such doctrine. But you do
hold to kneeling at the sacrament, the
historical origin of which is certainly
coupled with this doctrine and arose from
it. 1t seems to us that all such associa-
lions should be given up as a proper
guard sagainst any such spperstitious
ideas, especially in land where Romish
churches and influences are found. AS
long as they are observed there will ever
be among the ignorant, and especially
among those raised with Familiarity with
the doctrines, teachings and practices
of Rome, a misrepresentation concerning
them, and a consequent tendency towards
error.
EpiS.-In the convocation to which
you alluded awhile ago, there was
rubric allowed, declaring that by com
munion in the kneeling posture no wor-
ship of the elements was intended.
Pres But this rubric or marginal
reference was all that the directors to the
practice Of kneeling could obtain. They
did not feel it sufficient and rightly so.
This action of the Queen and court clergy
greatly grieved the opponents of this
practice in England, and also among for
eign Professionals. "The learned Beza
wrote to Archbishop Grendal on the sub
jet, in style of respectable, but firm
remonstrance. If, says Beza, you have
rejected the doctrine of Transubstantia-
tion and the practice of adoring the host,
why do you symbolic with Popery and
seem to hold both, by kneeling at the
sacrament? Kneeling had never been
thought of but for Reconsideration.
The archbishop replied That though
the sacrament was to be received kneel-
ing, yet the rubric accompanied the SER
Ill ...f-