The Ordinances
The Two Monumental Pillars—The ordinances of baptism and
the Lord’s supper are two monumental pillars, one within and one
without the church. Upon these ordinances Christ has inscribed the
name of the true God.—
Manuscript 27 1/2, 1900
.
The Lord’s Supper a Continuing Memorial—The symbols of
the Lord’s house are simple and plainly understood, and the truths
represented by them are of the deepest significance to us. In instituting
the sacramental service to take the place of the Passover, Christ left
for His church a memorial of His great sacrifice for man. “This do,”
He said, “in remembrance of Me.” This was the point of transition
between two economies and their two great festivals. The one was to
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close forever; the other, which He had just established, was to take
its place, and to continue through all time as the memorial of His
death.—
The Review and Herald, June 22, 1897
.
Feet Washing More Than a Form—We do not come to the ordi-
nances of the Lord’s house merely as a form....
He has instituted this service, that it may speak constantly to our
senses of the love of God that has been expressed in our behalf....
This service cannot be repeated without one thought linking itself
with another. Thus a chain of thought calls up remembrances of
blessings, of kindnesses, and of favors received from friends and
brethren, that have passed out of mind. The Holy Spirit, with its
quickening, vivifying power, presents the ingratitude and lack of love
that have sprung from the hateful root of bitterness. Link after link of
memory’s chain is strengthened. The Spirit of God is at work upon
human minds. The defects of character, the neglect of duties, the
ingratitude to God, are brought to the remembrance, and the thoughts
are brought into captivity to Christ.—
The Review and Herald, June 7,
1898
.
Heart Preparation—In the early days of the advent movement,
when our numbers were few, the celebration of the ordinances was
made a most profitable occasion. On the Friday before, every church
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