A FRIEND has sent us the following:—How Popery is introduced into so-called Protestant churches, little by little, and with no opposition from members who have little or no backbone, may be illustrated by Finchley Presbyterian Church, London. What has taken place within the last twelve years or so? A table in front of the pulpit with a vase on it, which, in course of time, will be blasphemously called an altar—a Jesuit brand in front of it with I.H.S., but to show off better is now hung in front of the pulpit. A reading desk introduced, pulpit removed from back to side, collection now termed “offering,” plates with collection: the minister comes down from pulpit and asks a blessing on the coin; choir stands when minister goes up to pulpit to preach. Communion—Christ’s example of breaking bread discontinued, and bread cut into small squares which can easily be changed again into wafers as used in Popish and Episcopal churches. No Communion cups, but small glasses, single. Good Friday introduced.
Ministers and Sessions forget the command given to Moses about the tabernacle: “See that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.” What a responsibility rests on ministers and sessions who make such alterations of Christ’s example. We thoroughly agree with our esteemed correspondent’s strictures, and regret that too much of the same order of things exists in Scotland.
Oh, that I were where I shall sin no more.—
Rutherford.