In 1 Cor. xv. 11, &c. Paul is clearly stating the whole Gospel-"That Christ died for our sins, &c." but not a word of the Supper being instituted. We learn the Gospel was before preached unto Abraham; and they who then believed, ate the flesh and drank the blood of Jesus, by faith, as believers now do. There was always life in the blood of "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Abel brought no less a sacrifice than Jesus; and we can bring no more. David said, "He would take the cup of Salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord;"-yet no Supper was instituted. See Luke, ii. 29, 30. Under the Levitical Sacrifices the priests are said "to eat the bread of their God," as well as "to offer the bread of their God." Lev. xxi. 21, 22. Ezek. xliv. 7, calls "the fat and the blood-offering bread." Jesus says, "The bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth light unto the world." John's silence upon this subject so long after, with his decision of the true bread, not its elements, as found in his sixth chapter, demonstrate the Supper to be a human ordinance, and powerfully prove the necessity of the immediate, continual, secret, spiritual presence of the Most High, by faith in the heart of every believer. "It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing."

Paul's beautiful charge to Timothy, in which nothing is wanting to form a most excellent, devoted Minister, and faithful Servant of God; there is no mention of the

Supper-this could not be an omission, it would be inexcusable even in Paul-the types had ceased, and "touch not, taste not, handle not, which all are to perish with the using," could not then, now, or ever, content the immortal soul, whose "life is hid with Christ in God." Bread and wine were brought to Abraham by Melchizedek, King of Salem, King of Righteousness, and King of Peace. This Paul mentions to the Hebrews, without the slightest allusion to the Supper.

The church of Rome administers but one kind-the bread-"man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."-She styles herself the mother church! "But where shall

wisdom be found?"

A young dying Christian refused the Supper, saying, "He would not drink of the fruit of the Vine until he drank it new in his Father's kingdom." "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." Numbers of believers die that taste not these elements. Many are circumstanced by distance, or other causes, that they cannot receive; others very rarely -now such must live in direct disobedience to the command, if the supper be commanded. Does the Lord command, and place his children under impossibilities? No, he does not-the command cannot be found. This subject has caused more bloodshed, according to history, than any other religious difference; and decidedly more division in the now existing church.

H

When communicants assemble to commemorate the love of Christ, many forget the new commandment, of "love one another” and give not to his brother, the the right hand of fellowship; but shut him out, with, "Sir, you cannot sit down here." Gal. ii. 9. Not so our Lord; his invitation is ever ready." Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

The Sacrament may be considered as a sort of Protestant absolution, not divested of self-love; as all ceremonies have a tendency to withdraw the heart from Jesus, and give self-satisfaction. Differences arise, congregations separate: the Church that Christ has ordained of peace and love, its principle is lost in human ceremonies, traditions, and formalities.

As for such objections, as, "I never can believe, God would permit his people, his own beloved people, to be in such an error :" it stands upon equality with this objection: "I hardly can believe, if this ordinance were ordained of God, he would permit his child to receive these elements, and before the time of rest become intoxicated, or swear, and take that holy name in vain, he had outwardly professed to honour at the altar a few hours previously!" "In vain ye do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Be it allowed, the abuse of what is good, is no argumen against its use; yet the number of unbelieving communicants greatly exceed the faithful followers of Jesus. The unconverted receiving the Supper must be abomi

nation in the sight of God; and his children eat him not in elements. "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world; why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not, taste not, handle not: which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men ?" See Isai. i. 14; and Amos, v. 21.

If the enquiry be made-What end is expected by setting aside the Supper?-It will be the breaking down a barrier of division between believer and believer, that now causes a cruel separation; and of more closely uniting brother to brother, so fulfilling “The message, that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." Our Lord has promised the Comforter he does not come, and cannot come, where division reigns, Peace being his legacy to his peaceful followers and to believe and love is the perfect bond of union between God and our brother.

"Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" that the foregoing evidence accords with Scripture Truth, before he departs from even the tradition of his Fathers; although it is only an established

custom.

Now, Lord, if this subject be of Satan's device and not according to the Word, and the Truth—bring it to nothing let none suffer by it; but if it be according to thy word, set up thy light in the heart of every reader, to their real comfort, and exalt to Glory thy own

Great Name, for ever and ever, world without end,

Amen.

"Whatsoever doth make manifest is light."

STRANGLING.

"BUT flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall you not eat." Gen. ix. 4.

"It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood." Lev. iii. 17.

"Moreover, ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.” Lev. vii. 26, &c.

"And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth or catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh, the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off." Lev. xvii. 13, 14.

"Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life, and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh. Thou shalt not eat it thou shalt pour it