The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-05-16
DEATH IN THE CUP.
DISEASE GERMS DISCOVERED NY
DIR. FouBEs.
That Is why Certain Rochester Churches
Now Have Cup for Each
COMMUNICATE.

There is a new method of administer
ing the communion recently inaugu-
rated in the Central Church at Roches-
ter, n. y, which, bitterly opposed at
first, has won its way into favor with
the members, and has been initiated by
other churches in the vicinity. The
reform was initiated by Dr. Forbes, pro-
fessor of chemistry in the Rochester
University, who is member of the
church. Rochester has recently been
going through process of hygienic re-
formation in various lines, and the cru
SADIE against the general use of the
communion cup marks the most radical
change yet made.
Upward of 800 communicates par.
ticipated in the communion at the
Central church, which has a larger con-
gregatioh than any other Presbyterian
church in the city. 1t is an orthodox
church, and resents any efforts at
| change in its creeds or services. AS in
most churches, the communion wine
is handed around in large cups,
each commitment taking sip and
passing the cup on to his neighbor.
When DIR. Forbes appeared at meeting
OF the governing board of the church
and declared that this system was not
only offensive but also criminally
dangerous, and that in the interest of
decency and the general health some
change ought to be made at once, he
stirred up a hornets nest about his
ears. The older and more orthodox
( declared that it was little short of inn
pious to think of making any change,
and that the danger was purely myth
cal and began and ended in the i'm
agination of few health fanatics.
Very WE'LL" said DIR. Forbes: "Tll
prove that the danger is real if you will
give me an opportunity. After the
next communion turn over to me one
of the cups, with what wine is left in it,
for analysis and examination"
There was some opposition to this,
but finally the Board decided to give
DIR. Forbes the opportunity desired, and
the communion cup was turned over to
him. With another chemist he analysed
the wine, with results that rather sur
prised him. Then he appeared before
the Board to make his report
Gentlemen" said he, "the analysis
and tests made by another gentleman
and myself have confirmed my fears.
We have found in the communion cup
the undeveloped germs of twenty two
diseases. l now leave it in your hands
to judge whether you will change your
form of communion or continue it in
the present way, with the knowledge
that in participating in this solemn rite
you lay yourselves liable to nearly two
dozen more or less dangerous diseases,
ranging from typhoid fever down to
mumps."
An animated and rather bitter discus
sion followed, but the Doctors little
dragnet of science, with its catch of
twenty-five different specimens, was too
much for the church people, and by.
giene won the day against orthodoxy,
About 400 small cups were bought, and
the communion wine is now handed
around in these cups, set on trays, only
one person drinking from each cup. The
Brick Church, another large Presby-
terrain Church, has emulated the exam.
pie of the Central, and other congrega.
lions have announced their intention OF
following in the reform.