Communion Tokens. 117 



honour of God, and als in the Quier of Dumfries of divers silver 

 chalices, vestamentis, and utheris ornamentis of tha things and 

 right service ane greate Ewcryist of silver ... 3 silver 

 chalices, twa ungilt, and a great chalice doubilgilt of purpour 

 valouss and of werk of gold quhilk wer put in plaice, etc." He 

 protests that the silver shall be put to its " origin, purpose, and 

 use," and asks " Instrumentis " accordingly. Needless to repeat, 

 the labour was without effect and the plate disappeared like the 

 plate of other places. On the subject of the Sacrament a century 

 passes by in silence. Our next extracts are from the Dumfries 

 Kirk-Session Records. On Thursday, 30th August, 1655, the 

 following entry is made : " The Sessioun have resolved that some 

 of their number be eased and laid by for a tyme and that some 

 others may be brought in which is to be gone about after the 

 work of the communioun is perfyted. The Sessioun doe appoynt 

 these persones following to attend upon the work the nixt 

 Sabbath, to witt Baillie Graham and Baily Edgar to attend upon 

 the Breid, John Taylyer and James Moffat for filling the stoups, 

 Robert Richardsone and John Coupland for filling of the coups, 

 Robert Glencross and John Burges are to attend the collection for 

 the poore and gathering the tickits, Harbert Burges to attend the 

 wyne, Robt. Crechtoun be joyned with him." 



These appointments were duly carried out on Sabbath, 2nd 

 September, 1655. On the Thursday thereafter another meeting 

 of Session was held, of which the minute runs thus : " Thursday, 

 Sept. 6, 1655. The elders being present these following are 

 appoynted to attend the work of the Communion the nixt Saboth. 

 Bailie Cunyngham and James Cunyngham are to attend the Breid, 

 James Muireheid and John Corbet for the coups. John Taylyer 

 and John Mulligane for the stoups, Robert Glencross and John 

 Burges to collect for the poore and receave the tickitts, Harbert 

 Burges and Robert Crechtoun to see the stoups filled and to 

 attend upon the wyne. John Coupland and John Sharpe are to 

 keep the passage end." The celebration of the Supper on t\vo 

 successive Sabbaths was, no doubt, a common occurrence in 

 parishes where large numbers were wont to present themselves as 

 communicants. It is interesting to note the references to the 

 time-honoured custom of " seeing the stoups filled " and " attend- 

 ing upon the wine." Whether the custom survives or not in any 

 of our town or country churches the writer does not know, but 



