New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-31
INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION CUPS.
THE DANGERS OF THE COMMON CIIALrCE NOT
IMAGINARY.


To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: An article recently appeared In The Tribune.
copied presumably from the editorial columns OF
.'The Geneseo Sword and Shield" In which the
author seems needessly disturbed over change
introduced by pastors OF several prominent churches
In Rochester in dispensing wine at the sacrament
OF the Lords Supper. This change consists In using
a large number OF very small silver cups arranged
In suitable frames or holders 10 take the place OF
the ordinary chalice which ia indiscrminately
pa ssed from mouth TO mouth OF the commandments
The writer OF the article above referred TO. hopes
that 1.-THE common chalice which has reposed peace
fully on the bosom OF centuries. and which mas
communicated health TO 30 many million hearts
will not be set aside He asserts. also, that the
idea OF change is based on senseless cry ana
II generally adopted is likely TO rob the service
Of ia SYMBOLISM and afIlIct It with irreverence
This sentimental view Of the matter may satisfy
n certain class OF individuals who naturally oppose
any sort Of innovation. or who nave never Fie"e'
this one from a sanitary standpoint, but Is not
likely to satisfy others who have given the SUD
tor, serious thought AMI consideration. The Ei-
tor Of The Sword and Shield IL mistaken IN sup
posing that the plea for a change Is based on
a sense,ass cry" on the contrary. 1t Is based on
sound sense well supported by scentihc IN
vestlgaton as well as careful obserVauoh
Thousands OF individuals participate In the COM
munior service with mouths throats ana lungs
I'm n diseased condition. and there IL no law 10 pre-
vent IT, The oral secretons in many instances are
loaded with germs OF disease. and where such Is
tho case the frequent touching OF tongue to lips
keens the latter coated with unhealthy exudatlons
circulars have iugt been issued by the Board OF
Health Of New-York CITY and sent TO every resident
nhvslclan from which the following extract IL
quoted: The communcabty OF pulmonary tn-
herc,ilosls has been thoroughly established anu
ronerallv recognized by the medical profession
throughout the world that the Boarl OF Health
has determined that the time has arrived when ac-
tive steps should be taken toward It's prevention
e,c Then follow explicit directions for physiciahS'
nurses and medical inspectors 70 observe ana thsr
attention IS particularly directed to the DANGEROUS
.,.,ra % tho snuta from mouths OF cOnsumptYes
t,aa,ina an individual with liberated sore
throat or diseased lungs ana fou' preaIn -
HE ~ nor lbs to the chace and the next instant
- on,hfrl COMMUNICATE tasting. the contents OF the
same vessel Many physician ms come - ~. 90
Tho s,yh,es, self-lnAictel cut or an abrasion or
crack IN the skin. II touched WIN we posD r ~
matter will make sad work Ana YET now InanS
50 to the communion service with lips '"apP'''
Cracked or with cold sores .,,.,., ,,,ss or1
nlei with pure crystal water. should be present,
TO OF modths in the usual desreg9 cond',ion
ness or uncleanliness. what wouid De the ~
y, The margin OF the vessel and dr"gs towari tne
last? It would hardly reGu,s s,, gydna that
reform IN the way OF tldlness wOud n urs'l
How reformed Proas osn st bs,r lps to the
common chace7 AMI who can Know no" nia nv, ~ ~
ci,rized communities have been caused or COZ,
trected in drinking from common ana uhcleahy
vessels % ",
Thee is little danger that the INTRODUCTION OF M,
dlvilual communion cups Will aihict me stI.t ~
,,i,h Irreyerence" nor has such proved 10 ne, ne
case in churches where the change has are1iy De-
adopted I; ia only necessary that churSn h 90,
80 co,vincel that the common chace snouh oe So
aside when other and FAR more satisfactory
| Of dispensing the wine viii be adoptel AN d neH''"
| mi substitute. 80, -,,,,,,,,,or from
| ~ II Robbins OF bingham. Mass: Veierrr.IunF
| 90 no microbes OF the MOUTH. published IN me
Tribune last month It Is suggested va, me liz
So lr~iosel IN transparent capsules am heapeu I'M
| D-,n.s 4, n suitable chalce In the kpiscopa
Church the minister could place capsGIe e hro a
Tbe service would thus be free from anything FAY
-, the semhance Of untdiness. or tnianSering .il'
| health OF people participating. ( T. r
| New-York July rs. 1894