Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-06-07
INDIVIDUAL CUPS
A Subject That is Agitating
Church Circles.
VIEWS OF DELAWARE DIVINES
Some Favor and Some OPP
pose the Innovation.


scientists nave Tor long tlmc been
advocating and instructing the church
that some reform was needed in the
administration of the sacrament of the
Lords Supper. They hold that there is
danger in the use of single communion
cup passed from mouth to mouth
through congregation of varying
healths.
There seems TO be no doubt that there
is danger in the method used, yet the
reform suggested is not being SO very
freely adopted.
Fastidious persons have refused to
drink from cups placed at public foun-
tains and water coolers, and have allowed
their thirst TO be unquenched until they
could find cup less frequently used by
all types of people. In refraining from
the use of the latter they do a wise
thing, though the drinking from the
same communion cup is nearly US dan
gerous. There will not be so many ut
tho communion table TO touch the cup
with their lips, but when it is first filled
with the wine it is never rinsed nor its
rim wiped until empty. At fountain
every one uses free supply Of water in
washing the cup before drinking its con-
tents.
The reform generally suggested is
that of an individual cup for each com.
municant. The first impression would
cause many to disapprove the method,as
In large churches there would neces-
sarily be so many cups as to cause con-
siderable trouble, but with the innova-
ton there would be many suggestions
made on this subject that would make
the handling of the cups very easy.
individuals communion cups were first
adopted by a Baptist church at Rochester,
N. Y. The method met with general
approval among the members and
Presbyterian church in the same city
followed the example. The matter
created great stir among religious
circles, and so strong is the local senti-
ment against the old method that it is
predicted all the Protestant churches in
that city will adopt individual cups.
In order to ascertain the views Of the
preachers of this Peninsula, reporter
Of the GAZETTE addressed communi-
cations to them, and received the replies
| quoted below in answer to two ques-
lions submitted, viz:
"Are you in favor of adopting, for
the sake of hygienic church reform,
separate cups for each communicate in
| the administration of the sacramento"
do you think an adoption of this
| method would cause communicates to
think less seriously of the occasiony"
The replies are generally opposed to
amy change in the service, although
many are emphatic in their statements
for any hygienic reform and are favor
able to individual cups.
THE REV. VAUGHN S. COLLINS.
4 The Rev. Vaughn S. Collins, pastor
of Nov Castle NJ. L. Church, says
"Yes, liam heartily in favor Of indi-
vidual cups. The question is not a new
one to me, and privately have men
toned and advocated it for five years oil
more. Individual cups are not only
demanded for hygienic reasons but fol
other reasons If not equally imperative
at least equally suggestive.
"In mYjudgment it is a most unwise
proceeding to force upon humble, sincere
Christians of refinement and culture
kneeling IN humility at the altar of theii
God something which under the same
circumstances in any other situation
they would refuse absolutely to touch.
Bad form should certainly not b(
encouraged by any ceremony OF thu
church of God much less in its mos
holy solemn.service. So much humiiia
ton have felt in passing the one cuI
to 100 or 200 communicates that hav'
almost thought it wise to refuse the cur
altogether rather than pass it under suct
circumstances. Gladly will l endors,
any movement to bring about reform
| in 81 ,natter an imnOrtantn
THE REV. DIR. MARKS.
The Rev."L. Marks, d. D., pastor o.
Hanover Presbyterian Church, Viii
mington: "The proposed change Il
individual cups does not strike me yer,
favorably either for hygienic or othel
reasons. AS O sanitary precautlon l DE-
not see the necessitySor advantage il
such a radical departure from the tim
honored custom. l am In sympathy
with the efforts of scientists and physi
clans in their efforts to prevent tn,
spread of disease, but, are we not il
7 danger of running the microbe theory Il
extremes?
"Would the proposed reform not hay
the appearance of fastidiousness rathe
than desire to prevent contagionl |
would be departing from the example o
. our Lord and His apostles. The one
ness of the disciples was emphasized, i
seems to me, in the original use Of on
cup, and change from the well-estab
! lished custom would tend, l fear, t,
} make some of His disciples think tina
others were fastidious and over particu
, lar In the observance of the ordinance
I and might thus lead to feeling Of les
regard for it. | can hardly think tina
5 the all-wise and gracious Saviour, VIII
5 has regard for the bodily as well as tn
8 spiritual welfare of men, would hav
I given his sanction to manner of oh
serving the institution which would
: dangerous to His disciples in any age o
the world"
PRESIDING ELDER SMITH.
! The Rev. Alfred Smith, presiding eide
l Easton M. Il. district: "Thc idea of in
dividual cups strikes me as being i'm
practicable. Nor is that all. To IN
one of the most beautiful features of tn
:. service would be destroyed, mainly, tina
4 Of eating from the same place and drink
: ing from the same cup, which is a toxic
: not only of our love to Christ but ais
t to one another. am not sure, however
2 that would not vote to have separat
! cup for those who wear long hair upe
a their upper lips and detile their mouth
i with tobacco. However, l don't see hoy
= we can do anything that would not b
fruitful of more evil than the ills froI
which we suffer. am interested
i know what my brethren in the ministr
9 have to say about it."
. THE REV. j. II. HOWARD.
a The Rev. j. II. Howard, pastor of A:
bury NJ. L. Church, Wilmington: THE us
OF cup for each communicate is On
tirely impracticab!e, even though an