This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ...so entirely transformed the rite 'from its original character and purpose that they might, with no greater exercise of Christian liberty, have discontinued it altogether. Somewhat similar is the position of the members of the Society of Friends in our day, with reference to that which is commonly spoken of as the Lord ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ...so entirely transformed the rite 'from its original character and purpose that they might, with no greater exercise of Christian liberty, have discontinued it altogether. Somewhat similar is the position of the members of the Society of Friends in our day, with reference to that which is commonly spoken of as the Lord's Supper. In its original institution it seems to have grown out of the Paschal feast, and our Lord, Himself a son of Israel, and speaking to eleven Jews, seems to have given them a new and hallowed association with Himself in all their future observances of the great national rite. Something more general than this, something resembling the common meals of the sodalitia of the empire, or those which formed part of the Eleusinian mysteries, seems to have characterised the AgapoB or love-feasts described by St. Paul. Neither exactly corresponds with the sacrifice of the Mass, as introduced at an early period into the Christian Church. Everything in reference to this rite seems to depend on the way in which we interpret the words of Christ, "This is My body; this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you." Is He in these memorable words using one of His vivid illustrations drawn from external objects, as when He calls Himself a Vine, a Door, a Shepherd? Or did those words of consecration then work an unseen miracle, transforming the bread into flesh and the wine into blood, and has that miracle been repeated millions of times since in the great historic churches which claim to have been founded by His apostles? It is a question not to be solved by logic, still less by the rhetoric of scorn on either side--a question which has brought the havoc of fire and sword into fruitful kingdoms--a question which will perhaps not recei...
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