copal Communion in Scotland, the words "Thanks be to Thee, O GOD," or "Thanks be given to GOD," are also repeated after it. 12. REASON of the change of posture during the reading of the EPISTLE and the GosPEL.Since "all SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of GOD" (1 Pet. iii. 16), the Gospels have no higher authority than the Epistles, and therefore the difference of posture does not indicate any precedence or preeminence on the part of the former; but the EPISTLE and GOSPEL are thus read in a sitting and standing posture respectively, with a view to evince a higher degree of reverence for OUR LORD than for His Apostles. Probably the custom arose out of the ARIAN HERESY (315 A.D., condemned by Council of Nice 325 A.D., so called from ARIUS, who died 336 A.D.), which rejected the DIVINITY of CHRIST. For a like reason, it may have been determined to read the EPISTLE before the GOSPEL; in order that the teaching of the servants might prepare the way for that of their Lord. LESSON THE TENTH. The Service for the Holy Communion. ORIGIN AND IMPORT of the Name, by which the SACRAMENT of the LORD'S = SUPPER was designated in the PRIMITIVE CHURCH. In the Early CHURCH, the Sacrament of the LORD'S SUPPER was commonly termed The EUCHARIST (from the Greek ivyaquoría, Eucharistia thanksgiving), with reference to the Gospel account of its institution, according to which our BLESSED LORD, on the night that He was betrayed, "took bread, and when he had given thanks (evyaQuorioas, eucharistesas, literally having-giventhanks), he brake it and said,” etc. Likewise after Supper "he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them," etc. The term EUCHARIST signifies therefore THANKSGIVING, and thus very appropriately represents the character and nature of the SACRAMENT, which our CHURCH properly regards as the Christian's most holy SACRIFICE of PRAYER and THANKSGIVING. 2. SENSE in which the EUCHARIST is termed a SACRIFICE, and the LORD'S TABLE an Altar. Under the GOSPEL-COVENANT there is no longer Altar, Priest, or Sacrifice in the OLD TESTAMENT sense of those terms, CHRIST, our great HIGH-PRIEST, having offered himself, once for all, as a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole World, upon the ALTAR of His CROSS. The LORD'S TABLE has however been very generally, and from a very ancient period called an ALTAR, but only figuratively with reference to the sacrifice of Thanksgiving offered thereon. So general in early times and indeed for three hundred years after Christ was the use of this name, that History only supplies us with one instance, in which it was called Table, and this in a letter of Dionysius of Alexandria to Xystus of Rome about 250 A.D. When Athanasius, in the Fourth Century, called it a Table, he felt it to be necessary to state that he meant what was commonly known as the ALTAR. Subsequently both names came to be used, the one in reference to the oblation, the other to the participation. It was always placed altar-wise in the most sacred part of the Church, and fenced in with rails, to protect it from any irreverence. "Custom (says Dr. Bennet) has generally prevailed that it should stand in the CHANCEL, and our governors manifestly approve it. And if in the Chancel, it should be close to the East wall, the shorter sides, or ends, of it pointing Northward and Southward." 3. NAME more especially chosen by our CHURCH to designate the Lord's Supper Origin of this term. Among the names by which the SACRAMENT of the LORD'S SUPPER has been designated by different Churches, that of the HOLY COMMUNION, which seems to have been more generally selected by our Parent-Church of England, has also been adopted by ours. It is manifestly derived from ST. PAUL's account of the SACRAMENT, when he speaks of the bread and wine received sacramentally as the "COMMUNION (in Greek, xo wvía, koinonia) of the Body and Blood of CHRIST" (1 Cor. x. 16). The meaning is that, in the celebration of this Ordinance, Christians hold Communion with their Redeemer, and with each other; and thereby become partakers of the benefits, which by His precious Blood-shedding He has obtained for them. "This name (writes Dr. Nicholls) is given to it, partly, because we testify our Communion with CHRIST our HEAD, partly because it unites us together with our fellow-Christians, and partly because all good Christians have a right to partake of it; hence, with ST. CHRYSOSTOM and ST. BASIL, to communicate' (xowvwveiv― koinonein) is the common word to express the participation of this SACRAMENT." 6 - 4. PRINCIPAL DIRECTIONS laid down by our CHURCH respecting the administration of the HOLY COMMUNION. Our Church directs that none shall be admitted to the receiving of the HOLY COMMUNION who are notoriously evil livers, or who are at open and malicious variance with their neighbours; that at the time of COMMUNION the Table shall have a fair, white linen cloth upon it; that the minister shall give notice of its cele |