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Chosen no: R-1793 a, from: 1895 Year. |
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THE MEMORIAL SUPPER
Our
advice that the little groups meet as usual for this celebration on
the evening of April 7th (see last issue) and that there be not a
deserting of the home meeting to attend larger gatherings, was not
from any lack of cordiality toward all. Solitary ones, deprived of fellowship and meetings, who may find it convenient to
meet and celebrate with us, will be very warmly welcomed.
SPECIAL
HOURS FOR ALLEGHENY CHURCH SERVICES ON SUNDAY, APRIL 7TH.
BIBLE
HOUSE CHAPEL, 58 ARCH ST.
Preaching
service at 10.30 A.M. to be followed by a baptism service, and that
by a German service.
At
7 P.M. a Prayer and Testimony meeting of which the central thought
shall be the Apostle's words, "I determined not to know anything
among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified."--`1 Cor. 2:2`.
At
8 P.M., after explanatory remarks and prayer, the Memorials of our
Lord's body and blood will be served.
The
afternoon is recommended to be used for personal and private
meditation upon the great transactions which closed our Lord's
ministry, and led up to the all-important finishing event, his death,
by which our ransom was secured. And let us not neglect to
make it a time of self-examination, as well as of communion with our Lord in the spirit of prayer. "Watch and pray, lest ye
enter into temptation," said our Master on this occasion; and
experience has repeatedly proved that at this season every year God permits Satan to specially sift the wheat. (`Luke 22:31,32`.) Let
us not only avail ourselves of the great Mediator's aid (`Heb.
7:25`), but also seek to be so filled with his spirit that in the
sifting we may be able to come off conquerors, through him that loved
us and bought us with his own precious blood.
In
coming to the evening meeting we suggest that each seek to continue
the meditation and avoid general conversation.
All
who trust in the precious blood of Calvary, and who are fully
consecrated to the Lord, will be cordially welcome.
AS
TO SERVING THE MEMORIAL EMBLEMS.
A
Brother writes, inquiring for an appropriate order of service in
connection with the celebration of the Memorial Supper, and, as the
subject may be of interest to many, we publish a portion of our
reply, as follows:--
After
opening the meeting, let as competent a one as is present give a
little talk upon the import of the ordinance and then on the emblems,
beginning with the bread and what it symbolizes--informally, and just
as lengthily or briefly as circumstances indicate, endeavoring to set
forth the real meaning of what is done. Follow with the remark that
the Lord, in instituting the Memorial, first gave thanks; then either
return thanks yourself or ask some one else present to do so. Then
follow with some such expression as the following,--After having
eaten the Passover Supper, the typical lamb, our Lord "took
bread, and blessed it, and break it, and gave to the disciples, and
said, Take, eat; this is my body." Suiting the action to the
word, break a piece of the bread (preferably "unleavened bread"
purchased from Hebrews, or else soda-biscuits, which are unleavened),
and hand it to those who will serve it, or serve it yourself,
according to the size of the company.
It
is generally well, we think, to have a little interim of silence for
meditation--a few moments. Then let some one give thanks for that
which the cup emblemizes. Then say, "And he took the cup, and
gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for
this is the blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins." (We advise, as preferable, either grape
juice or a mixture of the latter with a very little wine and
sugar,--so little that the flavor of the alcohol cannot be
detected--as a safeguard for any who may have had in the past a
craving for liquors.) After passing this emblem, again leave a little
space for silent reflection, and then say: It is written, "And
when they had sung an hymn, they went out." Let us do
likewise,--in thought following the course of the Lord during that
eventful night in the Garden of Gethsemane, the prayer with the
disciples and admonishing them to watch and pray, the betrayal,
arrest, trial, crucifixion, etc.
Sometimes
it may be found profitable, instead of speaking, to read from the
WATCH TOWER--Mar. '91, page 36; March 15, '95, page 71.