The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-03

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renewed again in the visible presence of
Him who first broke the bread and
poured the cup. The sacrament is one
Of anticipation. Within it's form is con
tanned the remainder of the blissful fell
iowship Of all the faithful, and associa-
ton with their Lord himself. In that
day there viii be no lurking foes to be
escaped, no shadow Of treason. or faith
Iessness to cloud the occasion, no inn
pending sorrow to sadden hearts. We
fail to partake Alright Of the Lord
Supper if it does not fill our hearts with
hope OF eating and drinking it anew in
the kingdom.
Backward forward and then inward
this celebration points. Various beliefs
cluster about this sacrament, and
myriads count it a cleansing from sin.
but all agree that it incites the noblest
spiritual impulses, and awakens dorm
ant aspira tons after the best in life
Let a man examine himself" is the
injunction of Holy Writ concerning the
Lords Supper; and the feast should al
ways lead to profitable introspection.
Whatever inspires purity of heart in
the individual naturally is the surest
contribution to the welfare Of the whole
So this memorial has served mankind.
A Traitor at the Feast.
An air Of mystery. enveIops the plans
feast. He wanted to be free, during
these last hours with his dearest
friends, from the Interruptions of his
enemies, who hourly grew more
bloOdthirsty. The needed privacy he
had secured by prearrangement with
some disciple, possibly Mark. This
friend was to meet the two disciples
who were to make arrangements for
the feast, and they would know him
by the pitcher of water upon his
shoulder. Without questions they were
to follow him and ask d certain ques-
ton, possibly a sort of code. All this
was doubtless to prevent Judas from
knowing in advance the exact spot, lest
he should give warning to the priests.
The tragic undertone Of the great
story is the black fact Of the presence
of Judas, the traitor. Among the
twelve closest friends, one was false
and Jesus knew it. The hatred of the
Pharisees, and their murderous plot
ting with the priests. did not stab him
to the heart like the knowledge that
one Of his own, who shared with him
the common dish. was willing to sell
him for price.
The squabbling Of the disciples over
the chief seats at table was bad
upon the sensitive spirit of the great
Teacher who alone knew how sacred
and momentous was that houri-but
this was due only to their cTudeness
and ignorance, which would later be
OutgrOWn; it was not downright evil.
1t was made the occasion of the great
lesson in humility when the Master of
US all, fully conscious of his divinity,
took upon himself the office Of a. slave
and with his own hands washed the
feet OF the pickering Jealous, prideful
disciples I have given you an ex-
ample" ne said most pOintedIy.
knowing that his Master knew of
his peFfldy. though he had with lying
lips just protested his innocence, Judas
went forth to his evil deed We Won
der sometimes how it is possible for
Christian America to produce such
wfckedness, for churches to be torn by
Observation-Disclosures for bad men to sit
wear after year in church Offices for
men to attend divine services and then
go forth to sill. How Is it possible for
them to resist such holy influences?
Yet here was Judas who for more
than two years had followed in the
personal train Of the Lord himself.
now going out to make traffic Of his
Masters murder,
When Hearts Open.
Every sensitive person knows what It
is to be chilled by a. hostile presence. We
getting on our nerves. There is some
deep psychological reason for this.
Many fine natures, like flowers, can
blossom only in the sunshine of love and
appreciation. Few can be at their best
in the presence of opposition. Even
Jesus seemed under constraint so long
as Judas sat at the table. But when
the latter had gone forth, his heart over
flowed in mellow, tender words. Then it
was, at the close Of the regular Pass
over meal. that ne instituted the new
memorial Supper for his friends.
There is self-contained anguish in
this story. Jesus was gong to leave his
dear ones. and by a bloody way He
knew it full well. Thoughts Of his own
death and their bereavement filed him.
So he opened his heart to them in full
ness. There must have been a sob in
his voice as he gave them the bread
that was to signify his broken body
and poured forth the cup that should
forever represent his blood On this
mystical sustenaEce their spirits were
to be sustained, until faithful to his
memory ard eager for reunion with
him. they should eat and drink anew
with him in the kingdom where good
ness has no enemies and covetousness
and hate cannot enter
Communion With Christ.
Terse Comments upon the Uniform
Prayer-meeting Topic of the Young