The Historical Development of the Book of Church Order

Chapter 58 : The Administration of the Lord's Supper

Paragraph 1 :

58-1. The Communion, or Supper of the Lord, is to be observed frequently; the stated times to be determined by the Session of each congregation, as it may judge most for edification.

DIGEST : The substance of the current PCA text remains remarkably close to that of the 1645 Directory for the Publick Worship of God. The precise wording of the current PCA text dates to _________. BCO chapter 58 was received as having constitutional status at the Ninth PCA General Assembly (1981).

BACKGROUND AND COMPARISONS :
PCA 1973, DfW 11-6, Adopted text, as printed in the Minutes of General Assembly, p. 159
and
Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, DfW 11-6, Proposed text, p. [72]
The Communion, or supper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently; the stated times to be determined by the Session of each congregation, as it may judge most for edification.

PCUS 1933, DfW XII-1
The Communion, or Supper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently ; the stated times to be determined by the Session of each congregation, as it may judge most for edification.

PCUS 1925, DfW XI-1, § 347
and
PCUS 1894, DfW XI-1
The Communion, or Supper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently; but how often may be determined by the session of each congregation, as they may judge most for edification.

PCUSA 1797, DfW VIII-1
The communion, or supper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently; but how often, may be determined by the minister and eldership of each congregation, as they may judge most for edification.

The Directory for the Publick Worship of God (1645), "Of the Celebration of the Communion"
The communion, or supper of the Lord, is frequently to be celebrated; but how often, may be considered and determined by the ministers, and other church-governors of each congregation, as they shall find most convenient for the comfort and edification of the people committed to their charge. And when it shall be administered, we judge it convenient to be done after the morning sermon.