LOVE-FEA.STS (AcaAPiE, ante), are now celebrated, 1. by the Moravians, in strict accordance with the primitive custorn and on various occasions, generally in connection with a solemn festival, or preparatory to the communion. Hymns are often used that have been composed and printed expressly for the occasion. In the course of the meet ing, a simple meal of biscuit and coffee, or tea, is served, of which the congregation par take together. In some churches the minister makes an address at the close. 2. Wesley introduced the observance among the Methodists, appoiuting one evening in each quar ter for the men, another for the women, and a, third for both together. The food is only plain cake and water. Only members of the church attend, and admission is secured by tickets. The same rule is nominally established in the Methodist-Episcopal church, but is not strictly enforced, members of the congregation also being admitted.
The feast is celebrated at the quarterly conference, under the charge of the presiding elder, or, iu his absence, of the pastor of the church. The service begins with reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer. During the distribution of bread and water, of which all partake, persons so disposed relate their Christian experience. A. report con cerning the prosperity of the church is made by the pastor, and the names are read of those who have been received, excluded, or dismissed by certificate, of those who have died, and of those who have irregularly withdrawn. 3. Love-feasts after the primitive order are held in some, at least, of the Baptist missionary churches. At Berlin, Prussia, where they are held quarterly, they serve as an occasion for general social assembling in which coffee and cake take the place of bread and water.