"Dear Bro. Willis:

Will you please print this letter in the Truth Magazine?

Subject: The "second supper"

The practice of observing the "second supper" is almost universal among the churches of Christ today.

Where is the commandment, example, or inference given in the New Testament for this observance?

Some of our brethren will quote Acts 20:7 as authority for this practice, yet the only examples I find in this Scripture are (1) the disciples came together upon the first day of the week, to "break bread," and (2) Paul preached unto them until midnight.

Other brethren will reason as follows: many industries operate parts of their plants seven days per week, therefore, those brethren who are employed there must work on the first day of the week if the work is available.

They reason further, that since it is difficult for these brethren to come together with the other disciples at the morning worship to "break bread," the church must provide them an- opportunity to "break bread"; thus the "second supper."

If I work upon the first day of the week, am I justified in God's sight in being absent from worship? If I am, why is it necessary for the church to provide me an "opportunity," by having the "second supper?"

Most companies give the applicant for work a form to fill out, and among the questions to be answered is one as follows: "Do you have any objections to working on Sunday?" We answer YES or NO. What our answer is determines our faith toward God.

There may be brethren who work on the Lord's Day who may fear they would run into "hard times," financially, if they were to give up this work. Have we forgotten what Christ told His disciples? "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33).

And we read in Psalms 37:25, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

When and where the observance of the "second supper" originated in the church of Christ, I do not know.

Christ has given us an invitation to be with Him on the Lord's Day, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).

It would seem an act of gross disrespect for me to absent myself deliberately from worship when Christ has said He will be there.

Frankly, isn't this observance of the "second supper" weakening the faith of some brethren?

I am writing this letter hoping that the churches that have the "second supper" will search the Scriptures for the authority far this practice.

"Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and theefor we be brethren" (Gen. 13:8).

TRUTH MAGAZINE X: 3, p. 12 December 1965