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SERMON XIV.

THE LORD'S SUPPER.

MATT. xxvi. 26-28.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins.

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It is a disheartening thing to undertake a task which has often been attempted before without success. It is a disheartening thing to enter upon a topic which has already been presented in every possible form, and viewed in every possible light without producing under any, those practical results which were expected from its discussion.

Such a topic is that which the words

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of the text suggest. To enforce upon all Christians the propriety of a regular attendance at the table of their Lord, the most impressive eloquence-the most convincing argument-the most urgent and searching appeal-have been employed each in turn, or all combined together, again and again. And to what purpose?-Let those answer the question, who have been compelled from time to time continually to contrast the crowded church with the deserted altar-whose hearts have felt a glow of Christian joy as they cast their eyes over the multitudes who throng the house of the Lord --but whose joy has been turned into sorrow-disappointment-dismay--when they have beheld the smallness of the number who will hear their Saviour's voice, and partake of that feast to which he has so pathetically invited them.

In some work on the duties and responsibilities of the pastoral office, it is suggested as one test of a minister's success, that he should observe the proportion which the communicants among his

flock, bear to those who turn their backs on the table of the Lord, and mark whether that proportion increase or diminish. And this perhaps may be no very inaccurate criterion.-But to how many congregations can it be applied, and yet leave us satisfied with the conclusion we should be obliged to draw ?— If the efficacy of the word preached, and the sincerity of those who hear it, are to be tried by the numbers brought to the supper of the Lord-to how great a number will it appear to have been preached in vain ?-Let us consider the question as addressed to ourselves, my brethren, let us try our own conduct by this test. Mark the numbers, who from sabbath to sabbath, assemble within these walls—who worship with seemliness and decency, and listen with attention to God's word. It is announced that all things are ready, and they are bidden to the supper.-Behold! with one consent they begin to make excuse. The proportion left to gather round the board is so small, that we are constrained to ask

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in the language of our Lord-" Were there not ten cleansed-but where are the nine 1?"-Were there not, but lately, fifties and hundreds in this place, acknowledging their need of a Redeemer, and professing their gratitude for redemption-openly declaring their sinfulness and weakness, and praying for the aid of God's grace-and are these all who remain to give glory to God?—Are these all who will trouble themselves to commemorate that sacrifice for which they are so grateful, after the manner which the victim has prescribed-or seek that grace which is so needful to them, in the ordinance which the Almighty Giver of grace has instituted for its supply? What can be the depth of this gratitude?-What can be the sincerity of this desire of aid?

But I wish not to use the language of reproof, how much soever the occasion might seem to warrant it.-I would speak in sincerity-but I speak in sadness also.

1 Luke xvii. 17.

-It cannot be doubted but that every one who habitually neglects the communion of the body and blood of Christ, is guilty of a grievous sin.-It is equally undeniable, that there are many members of this congregation who do habitually neglect it. As he who is set to watch, and must hereafter give an account for their soulsI would remonstrate with them in fear and trembling.-I would address them under that awful sense of responsibility, to which the following passage of Scripture should give rise, in the breasts both of minister and people.-I have already cited the passage on more than one occasion--but if it were repeated until every word were remembered both by you and me, we ought not even then to weary of it. "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel, therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life-the same

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