The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-29
THE LORDS SUPPER.
Twenty-third Anniversary Sermon Of Rev.
nr IL lnupS

Tweuty-third Anniversary Sermon Of Rev.
DIR. IL. :. Jones.
Rev. L. S. Jones, pastor of the Provi-
dence Welsh Congregational church.
Yesterday celebrated the twenty-third
anniversary of his pastorate of that
church, and in view of his long connec-
ton with the district and great popu-
larity, a large congregation attended
last evan'-g, when the reverend gentle
man delivered a sermon to young peo-
pie.
His remarks were based on Luke xii
19-the teachings of the Lords Supper
In the course of his sermon DR.. Jones
said:
Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul
make mention of the Institution of the
Lords Supper. The evangelist John
does not, probably because when he
wrote the gospel this institution had
become part of the settled experience of
the church life. The truth which is
taught in a specific act and concrete
form in the Lords Supper is shown
where he says: Verify, verify. l say
unto you, except ye eat the flesh of the
Son of Man and drink His blood, ye
have no life in you.
What the Object Is.
"Our object should be to get at the
true idea, as far as possible, of the
teachings Of this important institution,
through Scripture. Itlsone of the healthy
signs of our times that we commence
to find out Christ through His own his
tory and not through the great thicketS
of theology, creeds, discussions. etc.
We hold that our Lord instituted two
special sacraments for the use of the
church. The ordinance of baptism and
that of the Lords Suppes. He institut-
ed the one after his resurrection and
just before His ascension; He institut~
ed the other at the end Of His earthly
career and just before His death. Bap-
tism Is a symbol of regeneration and to
be celebrated only once, as people are
born only once; the Lords Supper Is a
symbol Of how the regenerated person
Is maintained and consequently it is to
be repeatedly celebrated.
"The Lords Supper Is Instituted with
a direct view to His death. Everything,
almost, connected with 1t bears the
life fully prepared for such q death.
He connects His death and the forgive
ness of our sins together. This is the
only basis on which true forgiveness
and reconciliation can be possibly given.
Here Christ gives us a new tandard to
live by. "A new commandment ! give
unto you, that ye love one another as |
have loved YOU The disordered and
abnormal society cannot possibly be re.
stored but by this law Of sacrificing self
for the sake of others BY the celebra-
ton of this institution the church
recognizes this remedial law of self
sacrifice and in all her saving work
exemplifies 1t.
Both these elements, the bread and
the cup. are to be appropriated indl-
viually by the believer and that In com
munion with one another. The progress
of the world has been all along like
Observation-Disclosures In both its feet
and hobbling along, to its best ability,
now on the one foot and then on the
other The two funda mental principles
of true progress are the development
of the individual and the organization
Of society. Humanity cannot be per-
fected but along the line of these two
principles.
Pledges Of God and Man
This institution is a pledge of fidel-
ity. 1t is the binding of covenant.
solemn oath that binds heaven and
earth together. On Gods side It is a
pledge of forgiveness, remission of sins
and sustained acceptance; on mans
side 1t is a pledge of obedience, faithful
ness and conservation. On Christs
side 1t Is a pledge that God has re-
ceived Him as a mediator, and that He
will receive us through Him. BY 1t
your faithfulness is tried, your useful