The Washington times., 1894-07-15
GERMS In THE COMMON CUP.
Individual Chalices Already Adopted
in Many Presbyterian Churches.
DISEASES IN COMMUNION WINE
DR.. G. Forbes, Of Rochester, an Eminent
Bacteriologist, Strongly Urges the Discon-
tinuance Of the Common Goblet from
Sanitary and Scientific Standpoint

W
byterian church, OF Rochester, N. Y, lew
weeks ago, looking toward tho abrogation Of
the goblet in the communion service, and the
Substitution of the individual chalice. The
change was not at first lavorably considered.
but gradually the people assented, and now it
is an accomplished fact: The movement
started in Rochester became extensively
known, and many other Presbyterian
churches in other cities have adopted the new
process of administering the wine i'll the holy
communion.
1t has leaked out that several Washington
churches contemplate discoBtinuing the use
OF the common goblet. and in its place pro-
viding an individual cup for every commune
cant. This will be very drastic change in
the communion service of Washington
churches. From time immemorial the use of
the common cup has been sacredly observed,
and the people are so used to the practice
that the change will not be made without
some opposition.
1t is stated that danger, dread and terrible,
Turks in the common goblet, that the wine, the
memorial OF an historic and sacred event be-
comes a channel for the transmission Of
several serious and deadly diseases. Promf-
nent physicians state that the bacteria of
tuberculosis. diptheria, and other contagious
lodge in the mouth, and are transmitted to
the wine by means OF ephithelium scales
which frequently drop from the lips of COM
municant into the common goblet at the COM
munion service. These scales swim on the
surface o: the wine, unnoticed, and If a COM
municant in healthy conditiCn should be
unfortunate enough to swallow one, the germ
will take root in his system, and may spread
with fearful effect.
In passing the cup through the congrega-
ton both the healthy and unhealthy drink
from it. If an invalid communicant should
happen to be suffering from any of the dis
eases mentioned, or some others Of greater
or lesser deadly effect, that lodge their
germs in the mouth, the most liable thing
will be to drop the ephithelium scale into the
wine. and then pass the goblet to his other
neighbor, who in the performance Of his re-
ligious duty takes the wine, drinks it un-
suspectingiy, but in doing SO may be imbibing
a horrible germ. which will entail long suffer-
ing. probably shatter his constitution, and in
the end kill him.
DR.. @. Forbes. OF Rochester, an eminent
bacterivlogist was in the city yesterday and
talked with TINES reporter. He has done
more than any other man in America to bring
about the change. He is member OF the
Central Presbyterian church of Rochester.
which was the first congregation in the coun-
try to adopt the new process. He was also
sent by his church TO the general assembly of
the Presbyterian church in Saratoga to in
struct that body about the change and the ne
cessity Tor making it, and was very favorably
received. He said to the TINES man yesterday:
''There is no doubt that every evangelical
church in the land, particularly Presby-
terian churches, will adopt the method
now generally in vogue in Rochester.
Western New York, New York city.
Albany, Philadelphia. Boston. and else
where. The new process of administer
ing wine is demanded by the highest scien-
tific and sanitary reasons. After a careful in
vestigation into the dreSs of wine left
after communion service at several churches.
Rochester, my microscope revealed twenty
two living microbes any one of which could
have worked incalculable harm in the system
OF any person who happened to imbbe them.
No one can tell the number OF germs taken
by the commandments on the Sunday that the
examination was made. nor the results which
will follow. This uncleanly habit of slipping
from the same cup has been in practice for so
long that i'll its career it must have caused
the death of thousands. However the prac-
tice of partaking of the communion in wine
is of such ancient origin. and it is so in
terwoven in the fiber of religion that it is
difficult matter to make the people see the
necessity for adopting the new form"
DR.. Forbes then gave description of the
new communion outfit. which was sanctioned
by the general assembly OF the Presbyterian
church. He said that sixty small silver
chalices about twice the size of thimble are
placed in a three-tier tray in small rungs.
The chalices are protected when filed with
wine by dust-protecting covers. The length
of the tray is twenty-four inches and it is
about five inches broad. narrow handle
reaches across the tray, so that the elders
distributing the wine may carry it with
ease. In giving the wine each communi-
cant takes a cup and after drinking the wine
leaves the cup in the pew. Enough cups are
provided for each church so that every mem
Der has one. He states that 1000 of these
miniature chalices may be filled by pecul- |
iarly constructed device i'll the space OF half |
an hour
Several clergymen OF the Presbyterian. |
Episcopal, and Methodist churches in this |
city have been interviewed on the matter. but |
until it is laid before the governing bodies of |
their respective churches they refuse to ex-
press an opinion on tine advsabilty of the |
change. From a sanitary standpoint, in view |
of the results shown by scientific investiga-
ton. nearly all, however, admit the need for |
the change.
The matter will be laid before the govern
ing bodies OF nearly all the Washington
Presbyterian churches during the coming
Fall when the pastors and elders return to
the city.
AtN