THE BREAD AND WINE by J. P. Henderson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 28, 1892

THE BREAD AND WINE.

By J. P. Henderson

BY ELDER J. P. HENDERSON.

THERE is no ordinance in our church services more sacred than the one that calls for the use of bread and wine. The solemnity of it demands the most thorough preparation, both spiritually and in material arrangements.

When the children of Israel were to meet the Lord, they were commanded to cleanse themselves and wash their clothes (Ex. 19: 10, 14); and in sacrificial offerings everything blemished or defective was forbidden (Lev. 22:20–24).

The services of the old dispensation were typical of those of the new, and the principles involved have no less force and are just as obligatory now as then. When the type met its antitype, a change of ordinances took place, but it is the same Saviour to be held in remembrance and the same attributes of divine perfection to be symbolized. Such can only appropriately be represented by perfect emblems.

The use of leavened bread was forbidden in the sanctuary service. Lev. 2: 11; 6: 17. Leaven, in the New Testament, is frequently used as a symbol of spiritual uncleanness (1 Cor. 5: 7, 8), and it seems inappropriate that it should enter into that which is to represent purity and eternal things. Leaven is the result of decay. It has death in it. It is generated by decomposition.

Christ is a living Saviour. He never saw corruption. Acts 2: 27. He died of a broken heart. Ps. 69: 20. His blood is incorruptible. 1 Peter 1: 18, 19. Sin never entered the vital elements of his precious life, hence death could not hold him. Acts 2: 24.

The passover was a feast of unleavened bread. Luke 22: 1. The Lord's Supper was instituted at its close (Matt. 26: 26–28), and the unleavened bread was blessed and broken as a matter of consequence. It was to represent a pure, incorruptible Saviour, and similarity must exist between the emblem and that which is emblemized. The same is true of the wine. It is given as an emblem of his shed blood. Sweet wine only can fitly represent that which is incorruptible.

Fermentation is an opposite element from life. Wine in that condition is elsewhere forbidden in Scripture (Prov. 23: 31), and its use in the sacrament could not possibly be an exception. The following recipes for preparing these emblems are given, that those who have need of such help may clip and preserve them for reference. The first is in substance from the question column of the Review, noted a short time since. The other is kindly furnished by a lady who is very successful in making sweet wines.

UNLEAVENED BREAD.

To a cup of sweet cream, in quantity to supply the occasion, add a little salt, and stir in flour until made into soft dough. Knead thoroughly, say twenty minutes. Roll out to one-half inch thick. Cut half through the dough into squares of about one-half inch in size. Bake in a moderately hot oven. Some add a little sugar to flavor.

SWEET WINE.

Pick, stem, and wash the grapes thoroughly. Cook in their own juice until well dissolved. Strain through a cloth, removing all seeds, etc. Add a quart, more or less, of sugar to the gallon, as it suits the taste. Again boil, skimming off the sediment until it is thoroughly cleansed. Can while hot in glass or earthen jars. If properly sealed, it will keep for years.—Workers' Bulletin.