April 9

This do in remembrance of me. - Luke 22:19.

HOW many persons who would be considered Christians live in the neglect of this command! Sometimes this neglect may be greatly influenced by superstition; it may arise from the disproportionate share of solemnity and danger they attach to the same in distinction from all other religious ordinances and exercises. They read that “he who eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body;” and they do not remember that he who sings, and that he who reads, and he who hears, and he who worships, and that he who attends any other religious ordinance or exercise, unworthily, also increases his sin and condemnation. And if these persons were to act consistently they would turn their backs upon them all.

We read in the Gospel of Matthew, “When the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment; and he saith unto him, Friend, how earnest thou in hither, not having a wedding-garment? and he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away and cast him into outer darkness.” This they read; but why do not they read what the king did to those who did not comply with the invitation? What did he do with these? “He sent forth his armies and destroyed them.” Therefore neglect is as critical and dangerous, yea, it is more so than improper attendance.

Is there any thing hard in this command? If we had a dear departed friend who had left us an emblem or memorial of himself, should not we highly prize it? Suppose it to be the picture of that friend, and that it represented him in the act of dying in consequence of his endeavouring to save us from fire or from flood; and suppose he delivered this to us with his own dying hand, saying, “When this you see, remember me,” and we should throw it into the lumber-room, and there leave it, and never wipe off the dust or bring it forth to look upon it and kiss it and weep: what would be thought of our kindness to the memory of that friend? And such a memorial have we in the Lord’s supper. It is the only representative of him he has left in the church. He exhibited it when dying. He delivered it on the same night in which he was betrayed. Jesus then took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat this my body, which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me.”

Is he not worthy of everlasting remembrance? Is not his death of such importance that it can never be exhibited enough, exposed enough? Have not his people found that walking in this commandment has been profitable and delightful, in reference to which they have said, “I sat under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet unto my taste”? And when the dear picture has been presented before them, they have been thrilled with holy joy, and have said,-

“Let all our sacred passions move

While we rehearse his deeds.”