ngly. Delay, moreover, seems inconsistent with
the pilgrim-character of the people of God.

(2) More believers can be present on the Lord's days than can attend
on week evenings. The importance of this reason will appear from
considering how everything which concerns the Church should be known
to as many as possible. For how can the saints pray for those who may
have to be excluded,--how can they sympathize in cases of peculiar
trial,--and how can they rejoice and give thanks on account of those
who may be received or restored, unless they are made acquainted with
the facts connected with such cases?

(3) A testimony is thus given that all who break bread are Church
members. By attending to Church acts in the meeting for breaking of
bread, we show that we make no difference between receiving into
fellowship at the Lord's supper, and into Church membership; but that
the individual who is admitted to the Lord's table is therewith also
received to all the privileges, trials, and responsibilities of
Church membership.

(4) There is a peculiar propriety in acts of reception, restoration
and exclusion being attended to when the saints meet together for the
breaking of bread, as, in that ordinance especially, we show forth
our fellowship with each other.

Objections answered.

(1) This alteration has the appearance of changeableness.

Reply. Such an objection would apply to any case in which increased
light led to any improvement, and is, therefore, not to be regarded.
It would be an evil thing if there were any change respecting the
foundation truths of the Gospel; but the point in question is only a
matter of Church order.

(2) More time may thus be required than it would be well to give to
such a purpose on the Lord's day.

Reply. As, according to this plan, Church business will be attended
to every Lord's day, it is more than probable that the meetings will
be thereby prolonged for a few minutes only; but should circumstance
required it, a special meeting may still be appointed during the
week, for all who break bread with us. This, however, would only be
needful, provided the matters to be brought before the brethren were
to require more time than could be given to them at the breaking of
bread.

N.B. (1) Should any persons be present who do not break bread with
us, they may be requested to withdraw, whenever such points require
to be stated, as it would not be well to speak of in the presence of
unbelievers.