The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-11-24
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XzAIA REHG il
INDIVIDUAL COMMUNION CUPS.

We do not approve of this new-fangled
improvement" on the time honored GUS
toms of the Church. A custom which
reaches back to the very institution of the
sacrament ought not for any light reason
to be brushed aside. 1t is not, OF course,
essential that we conform in all minute
original supper in the Jerusalem chamb-
er. Some of them we cannot pos
sibly follow now. All the more important
is it that we retain what we easily can, and
that the flavor of the first century be no
more disSipatad than is necessary. In all
the Churches of Christendom until now
"the cup has been passed from hand to
hand. Why this breach of that unity?
Why this departure from that which has
been ''sanctlied by the word OF God and
prayer Ior so many centuries? Why this
olfense against the simplicity OF the Cos
pei? The multiplying OF machinery and
apparatus has proceeded too far. There is
already Ill lloSl NHuIcheS Hlole IaIdpilcI-
MALTA than power, more harness than horse,
more shaftng than steam. We see no
occasion for an increase in this direction.
We see, also, in the present movement
for individual cups an uncalled-for empha
sizing OF the divisions of society, and mis-
taken concession to the too prevalent ten
dency toward cleavage ON personal or class
lines.
The danger in this direction to our unity
as people, no one need be told, Is very
great 1t is ii danger that threatens Church
and State alike. The communion table
has been hitherto jealousy guarded as
the most powerful protest against this
whole spirit, Us the strongest possible wit
ness that the Church is one from top TO
bottom, from center 10 clrcumterence-Iha
it is a brotherhood within whose sacred
circle no distinction OF black OF white, rich
or poor, male OF female, young OF old, bond
Judice Or patronage or pride OF purse have
been permitted to have their way in this
matter, it has been felt by every true
hearted, unsophisticated disciple that the
religion Of the lowly Nazarene has been
misrepresented. Caste barriers in India
have been Frustrated at the communion
table. Shall we erect them here in Amer
lea
But it is said there is danger, forsooth,
of physical contamination and the spread
of disease by the ordinary cup that goes
from mouth TO mouth. Mountains out of
molehills! Some triiling chance OF IA Slight
unpleasantnesS once i'll life there possibly
may be- But he who on this account STAYS
away from the communion, or radically
it that he may not be obliged
to touch his lips or any part of the same
vessel which his brother has touched
has got life very much out of perspective
\ similar fussiTess carried through every
part of the manifold operations and exper-
fence where equal danger threatens him
him that he would wish he had never been
born. The danger is intinitesimal, utterly |
of consideration. If we once
begin on this line, where shall we come
out? We shall be told next-indeed we
are already told-that it is vulgar and peri
lous to shake hands promscuousy, since |
more or less dirt, which is all one with
disease, is sure to linger in the average
palm. Therefore this seal of brotherhood
must be prohibited in the interests of
health. At the next step, it would seem
certain, must be to assert that, since in
crowded church or prayer-meeting there is
sure to be more or less foul air it would
be wrong to run the risk of such associa-
ton. In short, the Church and all its gath
erings would speedily disappear were
these foolish whims to be INDUCED We
predict fol- this latest notion a very brief
course in very restricted sphere. 1t is an
over-retinement which the sturdy common
sense of the millions will certainly not toll
erate.-Iion's Herald Methodist)