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r—^ m ^ Sir , YOUR correspondent's remarks on the abolition of the sacramental
tfest in our Inns of Court , [ XX . 738 J contain a striking evidence of the growing liberality of the age , and I would hail this liberality as a proof of more correct views of the nature of this test than What have formerly
prevailed . In the examination of the history of the Sacrament or Supper of our Lord at its commencement , we find in it no act of worship , no ceremonial of a religious nature otherwise than the gratitude and thankfulness of our Divine Master for his food ,
and according to his uniform custom upon other occasions . We will not now stay to inquire whether this repast was the Passover with a new designation imperative on the Jewish proselytes to Christianity only , or whether it was intended for universal
adoption . Its history , its mystery , and its sacredness , ( the last a term , in Dr . Johnson ' s opinion , that ought to be exclusively applied to the Supreme Being , ) form altogether one of the most lamentable proofs of the imbecility of the human understanding , to which the Christian Church in all its
periods has been too prone . Avoiding , therefore , the adoration of the host adopted by the Catholic Church , the creeds and confessions of faith attached unto the Supper of our Lord by many of the modern and reformed sects , and f < the order of the holy
communion / ' as by law established , I would briefly inquire into that view of the subject which Beems now to limit its celebration to the professed members of a particular society , as an avowal of the tenets there propagated , or a test of church membership therewith connected .
The universal prevalence of this rite is by some adduced as a perpetual and standing evidence of the origin of Christianity . Does not the adoption of it , by all Christian communities , apart from " its shewing forth the Lord ' s death until he come / '
demonstrate the i importance that has ever been attached unto it as a badge of Chrktiun , fellowship ? But in the
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ratter sense , and perhaps the only feasible : one , does it prove any doctrine , develope any opinion , illustrate any argument , or lessen the influence of any error connected with our common profession of Christianity ? M it is of practical importance only , it
derives its efficacy , as all other motives to virtuous conduct must do , from fitness , propriety , or the obligation of obedience enforced by a divine commandment . Allowing , therefore the authority of the lawgivei ^ of 4 &e church for its institution , and-apart
from its idolatrous perversion , m&p not all Christian communities adopt * with equal propriety , their own foroa of celebration ? But still farther , may not any sincere Christian , if equally well-informed , join with equal satisfaction , or with equal propriety , any other denomination of the Christian
community into which the great body of the Church is divided , in the accustomed form of the administration of this rite belonging to each £ Does participating with a Calvinist make me a disciple of Calvin , or with the Church of England make me a
Trinitarian ? On the contrary , does not my participation prove that I am ready to acknowledge the members of one or the other church as my brethren > In this point of view , the Supper of our Lord amongst his real followers
is analogous to the pipe of peace smoked in the wigwam of the North American savages . Far from requiring any uniformity of opinion or declaration of faith peculiar to a class , its requisites are brotherhood , benevolence and peace .
This mode of consideration , I am glad to learn , is not greatly at vari - ance with that of Milton ' s , developed in his " Treatise of Christian Doctrine , " respecting this ordinance . It may likewise be alleged as an apology for the test required by law for
elig ibility to offices of civil trust or emolument . Supposing such a test necessary , could the legislature in a Chpstian community have ordained one less objectionable ? The homogeneity of the term Christian is claimed by all the various classes under which
man has been arranged and identified as a follower of our Lord * In all these classes the ordinance o $ his Supper has been perpetuated / Could a badge of Christian fellowship be de-
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, On ih * Moral arid CTmstian UseofUe Lords ' Supper * 39
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possible' to be . Now , however , I would not derogate from Christ , as yet I can ' t see thro all that . What has followed on it ?
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1826, page 39, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2544/page/39/
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