each other. It was evidently intended for other and more important purposes. It was to be a perpetual memorial to his disciples of his bleeding and dying love, conveying the assurance, that although absent in person, yet he is ever mindful of their interests. And while it represents in appropriate and affecting emblems his unparalleled compassion, it gives vigour to their faith, animates their hope, and increases the ardour of their devotion and love. Hence the " cup of blessing which we bless, and the bread which we break," are not mentioned as means by which saints are to commune with one another, but by which they are graciously assisted to commune with Christ in his sufferings and death. It is greatly to be lamented, that the controversy concerning the prerequisite for suitably communicating at the Lord's table, has given rise to incorrect views. The attention of Christians has been diverted from the chief design of the institution, that of "discerning the Lord's body," and fixed almost exclusively upon it, as the divinely constituted medium for manifesting their fellowship with each other. Thus weakening its legitimate effects on the heart, by considering that as its leading object which, at most, is only incidental. But, my friends, if we are sincerely desirous of living in communion as becometh saints, there is a more excellent way, than even assembling together at the Lord's supper. It is better enjoyed, and more nobly illustrated in kind Christian intercourse; in abstaining from all unnecessary causes of strife; in bearing with each other's errors and imperfec tions; in mutual disclosures of our fears and hopes, our joys and sorrows; and in affectionately aiding each other onward, in the path to heaven. Should such be our conduct, then will ours be the communion of saints, although we may be connected with different sections of the church universal. If the remarks which have been made in this discourse are just, we learn the importance of constantly guarding against a hasty and uninformed judgment of other denominations. We should never substitute suspicions for facts, nor ascribe to others sentiments which they uniformly and publicly disavow. As the consequences may be more extensively injurious, so it is far more censurable to circulate evil reports against a whole sect, than it is to take up a reproach against our neighbour. In the latter case only one may suffer, in the former the religious character of thousands is involved. Nor should it be deemed a sufficient apology, that we thought we were speaking the truth. We should be sure that our repre sentations are true. Let us, my friends, cultivate that "charity, which thinketh no evil; which doth not behave itself unseemly; which rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." If we should hear any thing said to the disadvantage of another denomination, let us think it possible that it may be untrue; and if necessary that we should form our opinion, or act in relation to such a statement, let us do it understandingly, impartially, charitably. Our text furnishes us with a laudable example of candour. The Jews were strongly prejudiced against Christianity; but when in Rome, Paul sought an interview with the most eminent among them, and they said, "We desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against." Their conduct is worthy of our imitation. Let us, then, never attempt to promote truth and piety by bitterness, and wrath, and evil speaking. Such a course is directly adverse to the benignant and peaceful spirit of Christianity. It widens the divisions which unhappily exist among good men, and what is still worse, it confirms unbelievers in their prejudices against the gospel: For, instead of being compelled to exclaim, "See how these Christians love one another!" they point with triumph to their dishonourable quarrels. We also learn that popular opinion is no test of truth. The first Christians were every where spoken against. To the Jews, the cross of Christ was a stumbling-block; and to the Greeks it was foolishness. The doctrines which the Apostles preached were spoken of as the babblings of ignorant men; and their practices brought upon them the charge of an unnecessary singularity. They were esteemed fools for Christ's sake. They were "buffeted, reviled, persecuted, defamed, and made as the filth of the world and the offscouring of all things." But amid all this clamour, and ridicule, and opposition, they were right. They had the truth on their side, and were approved of God. If you are desirous of knowing whether the views and practices which distinguish our denomination from others, are correct, neither ask the many nor the few, the learned nor the ignorant, the rich nor the poor, but search the Scriptures. "To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." We are willing, nay, we are desirous, that our sentiments should stand or fall, as a just investigation of the Bible shall determine. Let it be your concern, brethren, to show by a kind temper, and a godly conversation, the excellence of your principles. "If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above. Put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of Him that created him." We trust you will need no "epistles of commendation," to exalt you in public estimation. Let your conduct so speak for you, that you shall be known and read of all men, as "the epistle of Christ, written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart. Ye have received the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore walk ye in him. And as you have been buried with him in baptism, show also that ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Then, although we may be absent in the flesh, yet we shall be with you in spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ." |