Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-05-15
&eadiua fur the $abbath.
CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
(Original.1

| CONDUCTED BY
REV. ROBERT LATHAM.
| [orIginall
SPRING COMMUNIONS.
- In the upper section of the State of South
Carolina and in some sections OF several
other States, there obtains in many churches
a custom which, although designed for good,
is certainly of doubtful prOpriety. The GUS
tom referred to is that of celebrating, in a
kind of holiday picnic manner, the sacra-
ment of the Lords Supper, some time du-
ring the months of April or May. This
custom of observing the Sacrament Of the
Lords Supper, during the Spring season,
dates back to the early settlement of the
country. It has generally been confined to
Scotch and Scotch-Irish communities. Ii IS
probable that it had its origin in Scotland.
By the Scotch it was introduced into Ire
land, and by the Scotch and Scotch-Irish it
was introduced into America, where it has
been perpetuated, but in a different form
and with different design.
For long period after the reformation in
Scotland, ministers of the gospel were by no
means as numerous as they are at present IN
eyery quarter of Christendom. At stated
times, and at such places as the exigencies
of the times would admit, it was the custom
in Scotland to hold protracted meetings.
The ministers of the surrounding country
all collected and preached for several days,
both before and after communion Sabbath.
The people for many miles distant, tempo
rarily abandoned their daily vocatlons, and
attended these sacramental meetings. These
were the palmy days in the history OF the
Church of Scotland. Every sermon preach
ed ON the occasion, was kind of brief epit-
ONE of the doctrine of the Bible. In fact,
it cannot be said that they were brief sum-
maries of the gospel. On the contrary, the
sermons preached on those Scotch sacrament
al occasions were, each in itself, a oody OF
divinity. >.
| Since those Scotch sacramental occasions
the circumstances of Christianity have been
greatly changed. At that time there was
possibly need for those protracted services,
| in connection with the observance of the
sacrament of the Supper. Now there's in
the providence of God, no need of such pro-
tracted services. Camp meetings at one
time, was prominent characteristic of
Methodism. No doubt, these Camp-meet-
ings once were beneficial, and as such were
owned and blessed by the Head of the
Church. Their day has passed. The same
| is true with regard to the Scotch sacrament
al services which were, at an early period,
introduced into this country. Their day has
passed. - i
In every community in our country there
is Church in which the ordinances of the
Christian religion is statedly, at short inter-
walls, dispensed. Such being the case, no
individual is laid under the necessity of
travelling fifteen or twenty miles on the
Sabbath, in order that he or she may join IN
public worship of God. Hence, those who
travel long distances to church on Sabbath,
usually 20 to hear something in which they
feel more interest than they feel in the Cos
pei of Jesus Christ. Their object generally
is to see and be seen. ,.
This is kind of negative evil-a kind of
semi-religious desecration of the Sabbath.
Such, however, is not the character of the
popular Spring Communions. They assume
positive character. Like the coming Of
circus, their arrival is looked forward to
with intense anxiety. For the coming
event extensive preparations are made, but
it is largely of such kind and character as
to be better adapted to the ballroom than to
| the house of God. New dresses are bought
and the resources of the people are freely
expended in providing grand picnic din
| the sanctuary is spent in idle, not to say
| wicked, testing and foolish conversation.
The Sabbath is desecrated, and the house of
God and the Ordinances of Gods worship
polluted. Those who have come to the
| house of God for the purpose of celebrating
the triumphs of the Lord of glory are dis
| turbed by those who have come from dis
| tant sections of the country, that they might
revel in the gala-day festivities of the occa-
sion.
Sometimes, at these Spring Communions,
Satan seems to be marshal of the day. His
troops appear for inspection, uniformed and
round, and the usual results produced. This
| is sad state of things and demands the Sc
rious consideration of Gods people. We
are commanded to avoid the appearance of
evil. Is it not time for something to be
done to divest these Spring Communions OF
their sinful attendants?
No objection is urged against the time
honored custom of observing the Sacrament
of the Lords Supper in the spring. None
can be urged. No reason can be given for
converting the solemn service Of the supper
into secular feast, and the Sabbath into a
day of hilarity and mirth,
Let all things be done decently and in or =
der is according to the Scriptures. Much Of
the conduct at these Spring Communions is
neither decent nor in order. 1t is highly
unbecoming at any time and at any place,
and especially is it so at the house of God
on the Sabbath.
All things considered, it would, no doubt,
be more for the glory of God and conse-
quently for our ediication if the Sacrament
of the Lords Supper were observed by each
congregation quietly. Then there would he
nothing to distract the minds of the VOL
shippers or interfere with their devotional
services.
THE ONLY SAFE WAY.-The pilot of
United States revenue-cutter was asked if
he knew all the rocks along the coast where
he sailed.
He replied, "No; it is only necessary to
know where there are no rocks"
Would that all our young men and boys
were as wise as this pilot He did not al
tempt to know aboutall the rocks, and to see
how near he could steer to them and not
wreck his craft. He might have said, "Oh,
Pm tired of going this monotonous round
day by day and year by year; I believe I'll
try new track. Some say this is the only
safe track, but Pm going to see for myself"
That is what the boy says when he wants to
break away from parental restraint, or when
tempted to drink the first glass, or smoke
the first cigar or cigarette. Total abstinence
from all alcoholic liquors and tobacco is the
safe way.
HOME LIFE,-The banes of domestic life
1, Ic;& oyifxy ho