L. F. STARR by L. F. STARR

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1909

L. F. STARR

By L. F. STARR

The Lord’s Supper—No. 3

L. F. STARR

UNSPEAKABLY precious to the church are the words, “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come.” The communion service points to Christ’s second coming. It is designed to keep fresh the hope of the church in the minds of the followers of Christ. “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” These words of promise inspire in the hearts of his believing children hope of his coming again, and of the meeting by and by in the kingdom of God. These words we are never to forget. The love of Christ, with its restraining power, is to be kept continually in our memory. We see by faith the scenes surrounding his shameful death on the cross, and the glories clustering about his second coming, which express the love of God in our behalf. The Lord is present on every occasion when the humble ceremonies are performed. He is the unseen witness. He reads every heart, with its concealed purposes, its wrong-doings, its sins.

Is any sin cherished? Let it be cut away from the soul by confession. The first look, the first act of contrition and repentance that you direct toward Christ, does not escape his notice. Do not think that you can escape your obligations because you have differences with another. We can not lie unto our own souls; we must meet this obligation. Let us examine ourselves. Let us say with David, “Against thee . . . have I sinned.” And let us say, “God be merciful unto me a sinner.” Do not cast away the name that you bear; do not throw off your obligations; do not repudiate your vows. The Bible tells us that the last state of such a man is worse than the first. Come repenting, thoroughly and sincerely, and not again to take up the same sins as soon as the service is over. The ordinances that point to our Lord’s humiliation and suffering are regarded by many as a form. But they were commanded for a purpose. Our eyes need to be anointed with eye-salve that we may see. We are ever in need of his righteousness. We need often to study the mystery of godliness.

Let all behold, in the infinite sacrifice of Christ, a long-suffering Saviour, who holds out every inducement for all to receive him, repent, and be cleansed from the defilement of sin. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray,” is the

faithful admonition of the Word. We must also understand that because we suppose one to be in error and sin, we are not to divorce ourselves from him, and refuse to have any association with him. The example of Christ will not sustain any one in such conclusions. “The heart knoweth his own bitterness.” We little realize what trouble lies buried in the heart of a fellow traveler; neither do others understand the bitterness of our own hearts. If they did, their criticisms would be less severe.

Many souls might be saved by faithful, kindly efforts on the part of their brethren, but a careless separation of brethren leaves the tempted one exposed to the darts of Satan, and drives him upon the devil’s battle-ground to be wounded and torn by the enemy. To leave the careless, tempted one when we might help him is not Christ’s way of doing. He sought to restore, not destroy. Hear his words: “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” We care not what words may have been spoken between brethren, or what feelings may be in the hearts of believers toward each other; the question is for each one to examine himself first, before eating the supper. As a result of that examination, can you take these material emblems so as to receive the grace you need? Take Christ in his divine atonement for sin; take him by faith, and come with praises on your lips; look up into his face and realize that all is peace between God and your heart, and that to-day he is your Lord and Master. O, let us go into the spirit of communion with our God and communion with his people!