(2) As there are two places in which the saints meet for the breaking
of bread, the matters connected with Church acts must be brought out
at each place.

IV.--QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO THE LORD'S SUPPER.

(1) How frequently ought the breaking of bread to be attended to?

Ans. Although we have no express command respecting the frequency of
its observance, yet the example of the apostles and of the first
disciples would lead us to observe this ordinance every Lord's day.
Acts xx. 7.

(2) What ought to be the character of the meeting at which the saints
are assembled for the breaking of bread?

Ans. As in this ordinance we show forth our common participation in
all the benefits of our Lord's death, and our union to Him and to
each other (1 Cor. x. 16, 17,) opportunity ought to be given for the
exercise of the gifts of teaching or exhortation, and communion in
prayer and praise. Rom. xii. 4--8, Eph. iv. 11--16. The manifestation
of our common participation in each other's gifts cannot be fully
given at such meetings, if the whole meeting is, necessarily,
conducted by one individual. This mode of meeting does not however
take off from those, who have the gifts of teaching or exhortation,
the responsibility of edifying the church, as opportunity may be
offered.

(3) Is it desirable that the bread should be broken at the Lord's
Supper by one of the Elders, or should each individual of the body
break it for himself?

Ans. Neither way can be so decidedly proved from Scripture, that we
are warranted in objecting to the other as positively unscriptural,
yet--

(1) The letter of Scripture seems rather in favour of its being done
by each brother and sister, 1 Cor. x. 16, 17. "The bread which we
break."

(2) Its being done by each of the disciples, is more fitted to
express that we all, by our sins, have broken the body of our Lord.

(3) By attending to the ordinance in this way, we manifest our
freedom from the common error that the Lord's supper must be
administered by some particular individual, possessed of what is
called a ministerial character, instead of being an act of social
worship and obedience.

[Before brother Craik and I left Bristol for the consideration of the
above points, things wore a gloomy appearance. A separation in the
church seemed to be unavoidable. But God had mercy, and pitied us. He
was pleased to give us not merely increased light, but showed us also
how to act, and gave us a meas