Intercommunion
SIR,—It is indeed true, as Mr. Boycott.claims, that •" different people believe different things about the Holy Communion." It is also obvious to any honest observer that there are greater differences, on this subject, between schools of thought within the Anglican Church than there are between many Anglicans and many of their Free Church brethren.
But Mr. Boycott surely should not add the misleading claim that "to Anglicans the Holy Communion is" (my italics) "an offering, oblation and sacrifice" (with evident reference to the central act of consecration). The language of our Reformed Prayer Book carefully restricts such a description to the unique and never to be repeated sacrifice of our Lord on the cross.
There is indeed a sacrifice at Holy Communion: "This our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving." There is an oblation of "ourselves, our souls and bodies," which " we offer and present . to be a reasonable, holy and lively sacrifice unto thee." In such a sacrifice and oblation what Free Churchman will not gladly participate?
Of course, the service means much more than that, both to Anglicans and to Free Churchmen. But this is not the place for an exposition of that fuller meaning.—Yours faithfully, R. W. Howaan. St. Peter's Hall, Oxford.
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