What is "to fence the tables"

Fence \Fence\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fenced (f[e^]nst); p. pr. & vb. n. Fencing (f[e^]n"s[i^]ng).]

1. To fend off danger from; to give security to; to protect; to guard.

   To fence my ear against thy sorceries.
   --Milton.

2. To inclose with a fence or other protection; to secure by an inclosure.

   O thou wall! . . . dive in the earth, And fence not Athens.
   --Shak.

   A sheepcote fenced about with olive trees.
   --Shak.

   To fence the tables (Scot. Church), to make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table.
   --McCheyne.