September 16
COMMUNION
“As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew
the Lord's death till he come.”—1 Cor. xi. 26.
The last dear supper of the Lord,
Where He is sitting yet
The Priest, the Sacrifice, the Word,
Is still for Christians set.
And somewhere it was always spread
By spirits true and fond,
The outpoured wine, the broken bread—
One bright continuous bond.
For Love could never let its name
Or use in darkness lie,
The inextinguishable flame
Without which earth would die.
There wealth and poverty were one,
The world forgat its toys;
And, in that memoried Service done,
All shared commensal joys.
And now goes on the Holy Meal
Wherein we each have part,
Whate'er our place, and sets its seal
On every humble heart.
There is no time nor troubled mood,
To which it cannot give
Our needy souls the Blessèd Food,
By which alone we live.
