Article January 12, 1935 Issue

Sacred Communion

NELLIE B. MACE

In replying to a question asked her about administering and receiving the communion, in the Church of Christ, Scientist, Mrs. Eddy referred to the Master's last supper with his disciples before the crucifixion, and then said (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 90, 91): "His spiritually prepared breakfast, after his resurrection, and after his disciples had left their nets to follow him, is the spiritual communion which Christian Scientists celebrate in commemoration of the Christ. This ordinance is significant as a type of the true worship." And she explained further, "It is imperative, at all times and under every circumstance, to perpetuate no ceremonials except as types of these mental conditions,—remembrance and love; a real affection for Jesus' character and example."

After their meeting with the Master in the light of his great victory, the disciples more clearly grasped the significance of what Jesus had taught them throughout his ministry. Reawakened to a deeper love for the Christ, Truth, which he revealed and manifested, they went forth, as he bade them do, themselves to demonstrate with increasing certainty the power of Spirit to redeem men from the beliefs of the flesh. They now knew better than they had known before that life is spiritual and deathless, for they saw and acknowledged that Jesus had proved the fact of immortal being.

Christian Science not only emphasizes remembrance of Christ Jesus, the beloved Way-shower to men, but also requires the evidence of spiritual healing as a proof that God and His Christ are understood as ever present. Communion such as this is celebrated not alone on stated occasions, but continuously in spiritual worship. At certain intervals communion is observed in the branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, and one feature of this service is the reading of the Tenets of The Mother Church, written by our Leader. These Tenets, which may be found on pages 15 and 16 of the Church Manual and on page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," present the important points in the teaching of Christian Science, including acknowledgment of the one God, one Christ, and man in God's likeness; of Jesus' atonement, and of the obligation of each member to pray for "the mind of Christ." The spirit of these Tenets, lived, leads thought to continuous communion with God, as the only Life, the source of man's perfect and eternal being. And as thought is thus held in sacred and habitual communion with God, human lives are made better and, step by step, redeemed from bondage to beliefs of sorrow, sickness, and limitation, in whatever phase of discord material sense may claim to impose.

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