Last Sacrament?

[BettyO]

I know it seems like I'm burning up the board today and I apologize - but since it's "hanging day" - I've been wondering about some things -

For those Episcopalians out there.... Lew Powell was a good ol' Baptist although he did attend the Episcopal church of his girlfriends, the Branson sisters....and of course Reverend Dr. Stryker did come (albeit rather late - about 12 noon) to see the boy in the death cell. We had a discussion I think last year about the possibility of the Episcopal Service for the Condemned being read to perhaps Powell and of course to Herold who was Episcopal.

Is it possible that the Sacrament was perhaps given to Powell - even though he wasn't a member of the Episcopal Church? By Sacrament I mean like Communion? Can Communion be given by an Episcopal minister to a non-Episcopalian?

What do you all think? Just curious.....

Thanks!

[L Verge]

As an Episcopalian, I can say that today, anyone who has been baptized in the name of the Lord in any church is welcome to receive communion in the Episcopal Church. However, I am 99% sure that such was not the case in 1865 - or even up to the 1980s.

The Episcopalians were just as strict as the Catholics as to who could receive the sacraments (until one of the 20th-century Ecumenical Counsels changed things). The Last Rites would not have been administered to a non-Catholic either. Brother Powell may have gone to church with the Bransons, but I'll bet my Book of Common Prayer that he did not approach the altar rail!

Just as a personal aside, it has driven my daughter crazy that my grandson has been allowed at the altar rail since he could walk! He began receiving the wafer (he called it the cookie) when he was about five and we allowed him the wine when he was ten. My daughter is furious because she had to spend months in confirmation classes (catechism) before she could be confirmed and allowed to take communion at age 12. I'm not sure they even have confirmation classes anymore.

[BettyO]

Thanks, Laurie!

[LincolnToddFan]

In the Roman Catholic Church, a non Catholic Christian may receive the Last Rites of the Church, but only in the most extreme emergency. For example, a dying soldier on a battlefield being tended to by a Catholic chaplain...or there was a truly horrific situation many years ago here in California where a plane had crashed into a residential area. A priest walked among the wounded and the dying, administering the Sacrament to them.

Children do not approach the Eucharist until they have been prepared to do so, usually around ages 7-8.

If Powell and the others had not had access to any Protestant clergy on execution day, they probably would not have received the Catholic Eucharist but they would definitely have been prayed over and anointed by a priest if they so desired.

Betty, today is uncomfortably hot and humid, approaching 95 degrees. Just as it would have been on July 7, 1865.

[BettyO]

Thanks, Toia! The thought just hit me today, wondering if Powell had received any sacrament from Dr. Stryker, who was an Episcopal minister. A minister of his own Baptist faith was also with young Powell. I personally think that Stryker was there in relation to any messages Powell might have left for his lady friends who were Stryker's parishioners. I'm sure that there were messages; particularly since Powell was supposedly engaged to Mary Branson (15 years his senior!)

[MaddieM]

Thanks, Toia! The thought just hit me today, wondering if Powell had received any sacrament from Dr. Stryker, who was an Episcopal minister. A minister of his own Baptist faith was also with young Powell. I personally think that Stryker was there in relation to any messages Powell might have left for his lady friends who were Stryker's parishioners. I'm sure that there were messages; particularly since Powell was supposed engaged to Mary (15 years his senior!)

So the last rites were perhaps given in the cells? Do they do last rites for prisoners?

[L Verge]

This is the modern practice of the Episcopal Church, but I don't think it was this liberal in 1865:

The Episcopal Church: Last Rites
by Andrew Lisa, Demand Media Google


Unction may be given to anyone during any phase of an illness or injury.
The Episcopal Church is the American counterpart of the Church of England, which is also called the Anglican church. There are seven sacraments in the Episcopalian religion: baptism, holy communion, confirmation, confession, marriage, ordination, and finally, unction, which is often mistakenly referred to as "last rites."

UNCTION
According to the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, "Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God's grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body." Virtually all Episcopal churches have clergy available to visit hospitals, nursing homes or residences to perform the sacrament, and most hold services of healing at the church throughout each week. The church points out that they seek to offer spiritual healing and cleansing, not a cure for disease.

APPROPRIATE TERMINOLOGY
The Episcopal Church recognizes several names for the sacrament, including the sacrament of the sick, anointing and extreme unction. The church rejects the term "last rites," as inaccurate because it is not reserved for terminally ill or mortally injured people, as it is in the Catholic Church and some Protestant denominations. The sacrament may be sought and received by anyone who seeks healing due to a sickness of the body, mind or spirit.

PROCESS
The sacrament may be sought at any point during an illness, recovery or prior to a surgery. Anointing always consists of a clergyman reading from the Scripture, praying and anointing the receiver of the sacrament with sacred oil, sometimes called Oil of the Sick, and sprinkling them with holy water. The rite may, but not necessarily be coupled with the rite of confession. The rite of holy communion may also complement the sacrament of unction.

THE PRAYER
Ministration of the sick is outlined in the Book of Common Prayer, pages 453 - 461. The sacrament is received with the following words: "As you are outwardly anointed with this oil, so may our heavenly Father grant you the inward anointing of the Holy Spirit. Of his great mercy, may he forgive you your sins, release you from suffering, and restore you to wholeness and strength. May he deliver you from all evil, preserve you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

[Gene C]

With a Baptist minister available, I doubt Paine would have received sacraments from an Episcopal minister.
Betty, I think your right, Dr. Stryker was there in his capacity as a minister, but also to carry messages
I wonder if he was ever followed by gov't detectives.

Have you turned up any pictures of the Branson sisters yet?

[BettyO]

I honestly think that Stryker was there to carry messages for Powell to the Branson ladies.... no certified photos yet - I'm still looking. I did find a photo of Mrs. Branson's sister -

[LincolnToddFan]

Hi Laurie-

I had no idea that the Anglican/Episcopal faith recognized seven sacraments. I was always taught that after the Reformation they rejected the idea of seven sacraments and only retained Baptism and Holy Communion as sacraments.

Thanks for the heads up!

[Gene C]

Frightening isn't it. As a good ol Baptist, Lewis is probably realizing he is facing eternal torment and damnation for what he has done. He is fortunate in one regard. For the believing Christian, he had time to think about what he had done, repent of his wrong doing, and try to reconcile with God, finding comfort in his faith, trusting in God's grace, mercy and forgiveness. Perhaps that knowledge gave him the courage to face the gallows and death bravely.

[BettyO]

On the gallows, Gillette told Powell that he had absolute faith in the fact that he would be received in Heaven - so I'm sure that the boy was comforted in that. It surely gave him the courage to meet his end with dignity, grace and courage.

[ReignetteC]

Frightening isn't it. As a good ol Baptist, Lewis is probably realizing he is facing eternal torment and damnation for what he has done. He is fortunate in one regard. For the believing Christian, he had time to think about what he had done, repent of his wrong doing, and try to reconcile with God, finding comfort in his faith, trusting in God's grace, mercy and forgiveness. Perhaps that knowledge gave him the courage to face the gallows and death bravely.

Your summation is a wonderful example of God's limitless grace, Gene. It reminds me of the quotation by author Philip Yanecy: "Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part." Even to Lewis.

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Frightening isn't it. As a good ol Baptist, Lewis is probably realizing he is facing eternal torment and damnation for what he has done. He is fortunate in one regard. For the believing Christian, he had time to think about what he had done, repent of his wrong doing, and try to reconcile with God, finding comfort in his faith, trusting in God's grace, mercy and forgiveness. Perhaps that knowledge gave him the courage to face the gallows and death bravely.

Your summation is a wonderful example of God's limitless grace, Gene. It reminds me of a quotation by author Philip Yanecy: "Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part." Even to Lewis.

[HerbS]

I was told by a Catholic Priest,in the 1970's,"We are all God's Children,go ahead and get the Sacrement".However,that was then and this is now!