The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-07

never wise. Since the Founder of
Christianity designed a symmetrical
life for His friends, this monument
which He established points forward
to a goal to be attained. The feast is
to be kept until 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 contained the re-
mfnder of the blissful fellowship +
all the faithful, and association with
their Lord himself. In that day there
will be no lurking foes to be escaped.
no shadow of treason or faithlessness
to cloud the occasion, no impending
partake Alright OF the Lords 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 be-
liefs cluster about this sacrament, and
myriads count it a cleansing from sin
but all agree that it incites the no.
blest spiritual impulses. and awakens
dormant aspirations after the best in
life. Let a man examine himself" is
the~injunction of Holy Writ concern
should always lead to profitable in
trospection. 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 envelops the plans
made by Jesus for the keeping of this
feast. He wanted to be free, during
these last hours with His dearoSt
friends. from the Interruptions of His
enemies, who hourly grew more blood
thirsty. The needed privacy He had
secured by pre-arrangement 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 question they were
to follow him and ask a certain thing,
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.
When Hearts Open.
Every sensitive person KNOWS what
it is to be chilled by a hostile pres
ence. We speak colloquially of GER
tain characters getting on our
nerves." There s some deep psyche
logical reason for this. Many fine
natures. like flowers. can blossom
only in the sunshine of. love and ap-
probation. 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
overlooked in mellow. tender words.
Then it was at the close of the regu-
lar Passover meal, that He instituted
the new memorial Supper for His
friends.
There must have been sob in His
voice as He gave them the bread that
was to signify His broken body. and
poured forth the cup that should for
ever represent His blood On this
mystical sustenance their spirits were
to be sustained, until faithful to His
memory and 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.