PAGE 44

First, the brothers and sisters who wish to keep the Lord's table after the ordinance of Christ should assemble in a suitable place, at a suitable time, so that there be no division, and that some shall not come earlier and others later. This would cause delay in the gospel teaching.

Then they must provide the table with ordinary bread and wine. As to whether the cup be silver, wood or tin is of no matter. The participants should be properly dressed and sit down together without gossip or strife. Each man should first examine himself and privately confess his sins to God. It is not improper for the whole ecclesia to kneel and with heart and voice seek God in prayer at the beginning of the meeting.

Now let the president and the people sit down. Let him open his mouth and explain the Scriptures about Christ, so that the ears of his hearers might be open, that he may kindle the hearts of the participants to burning devotion.

Let the servant of the word choose an appropriate passage and from it strive earnestly to present the death of the Lord to the assembly and his amazing kindness to us. Let the ecclesia be kindled by this exhortation to hearty devotion, edified and instructed in brotherly love -- so that on the Last Day we may come before the judgment seat of Christ with a reckoning of our stewardship and that sheep and shepherd alike may be saved. To this end, all contentious and abusive words should be laid aside. And so that time is not wasted uselessly in human vanities, members should bring their Bibles so as to share with each other thoroughly God-given words.

Each now has fellowship with the ecclesia in the breaking of bread. If a brother or sister attaches any importance to the sufferings and death of Christ, to the shedding of his blood, to the pardon of sins, to brotherly love, to fellowship with God, to fellowship with the heavenly host, to the worldwide ecclesia of Christ outside of which there is no salvation -- then so much the more importance will all such attach to the partaking of the bread and wine at the Lord's table. Whoever makes a mockery of the Lord's table, him will the Son of man mock, before God and His angels.

PAGE 45

The president then gives thanks for the bread (or another appointed) in some manner as the following: "We give Thee praise and thanks, Lord God, creator of heaven and earth, for all the kindness Thou hast done to us. And especially that Thou hast so heartily loved us, that Thou didst give Thy dear Son for us, even unto death. So that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but should have eternal life. May we remember him in this bread. Mayest Thou be praised and magnified for ever, to all eternity. Amen". And so in respect of the wine.

Then the members resume their seats to hear the conclusion. 126