Evening journal., 1918-10-24
Peoples Column
THE EPIDEMIC AND THE CHURCHES.


made in your news columns that tn,
closing order OF the Board Of Healtl
Is TO be lifted the latter part Of thi:
week, is certainly very welcome TO The
thousands OF people In Delaware who
nave felt the severe deprivation In
VOWED In the cessation OF church sery.
ices during the past three weeks.
With great respect for our health
authorities, and every desire to sup
port them in their fight against infec-
tlon during the prevailing epidemic,
nave very strongly felt that the clos
ing order was far. too stringent, and in
the version issued by the State Board
OF Health, very unfortunately worded
II schools and churches must needs
be included i'm the same category with
saloons and moving picture shows, they
should certainly not be characterized
as among the places OF public assembly
mot necessary for the public welfare"
50 unfortunate a "slip Of the PEN on
the part Of the author Of that order
would imply a most unfortunate state
OF mind. The continuance of all forms
OF business looking 20 material profit
and physical convenience 80 including
many which involved large risk OF
spreading the infection-were regarded
by the authorities as unavoidable. But
schools and churches are grouped with
pool rooms and saloons, seeming TO i'm
ply that mental and spiritual culture,
education, public worship, sacraments,
and the preaching Of the gospel, are In
the same class with cheap amusements
and other unnecessary and undesirable
forms OF self-indulgence.
But apart from the question OF mere
words. Has the absolute closing OF
schools and churches helped in the
checking Of the disease? As the re-
suit Of close and constant contact with
unfortunate victims Of the epidemic, I
am thoroughly convinced TO the con-
trary.
Psychic conditions have proved TO be
a very large factor in the problem. The
fatal character Of the epidemic has been
manifestly due I'm no small degree, 10
the impaired powers Of resistance due
20 the nerye-racking strain under
which the whole world has lived dur
ing the past four years. The disease
itself is not newt seems TO be peri
Odically epidemc-but never before in
this country has IL been so vlrulent or
so fatal. But / venture the assertion
that even i'm our own community, hun
dreds Of people have been literally
scared into illness; and ! have myself
seen young children without a single !
symptom Of any physical malady what |
ever. betraying actual panic about the |
epidemic, as a direct result Of the un- |
wonted interruption Of the usual and |
normal habits Of their life.
II Is well worth noting that in the |
city Of New York, which is the most |
cOngested spot on this whole continent, /
the health authorities have refused to |
issue any closing orders, but have dealt |
with the epidemic as they treat other |
infectious diseases, and the epidemic /
has been less fatal and under better
control in New York than I'm any other
large city in the country.
The order TO close churches Is with
out precedent in my experience, and
totally contrary TO historic custom in
such circumstances. Usually the well
people are eXhOrted 10 gather in their
respective place Of worship at times
Of great sickness and mortality, and
offer special prayers TO Almighty God
in hebalf Of those who are afflicted.
This is not an occasion for discuss
ing the objective efficiency OF prayer,
but there cannot be the slightest doubt
hWUMI It's EuUIEEAlNk tUNAIN. lAAEIt II /
nothing more soothing 10 anxious minds
and perturbed spirits than a quiet hour
given TO worship in the House Of God.
Prayer and sacrament are veritable an
tidOtes against panic and despair. and
actual preyentives OF that unfortunate
hysteria which has formed so large a
factor in the present distress.
Also let it be noted that during the
aanNnre n1nrn~.rrnnn frQfnnH !
nurses. and scores Of voluntary work
ers, have been constantly exposed to
this disease-sone Of them have sue
cumbed TO the nfection-especially
nurses, who have been unable TO take
copiOus doses OF fresh air (the best
possible disinfectant) between their
various calls and duties-but the great
OF this great band Of workers
have been immune from the disease
and ] do not happen to
know a single case where they have
carried the disease TO any member OF
their households. Equally notable Is
he fact that the disease has penetrated
and even proved fatal, In places where
caution has been observed
In the effort 90 keep infection out.
In the face Of such perplexing and
apparently inexpllCable facts, we must
confess TO a large degree OF human
ignorance touching origins and prevent
ives Of this unfortunate visitation. And
surely those Of us who are consistently
Christian will look to Almighty God for
he aid which only He can send us in
his and like emergencies.
IL seems that we are TO be permitted
% resume the privilege Of public wOr-
hip next Sunday. The churches should
'e thronged with sympathetic worship :
'ers. The peril which seems TO have
pent its force in our own community,
5 by no means allayed everywhere.
thousands OF sufferers need our prayers
n their behalf. And we ourselves need
he Strengthening and consoling infu-
noes Of our religion-c0mmunion with
nc another before GOd-to restore and
D maintain that spiritual pOise and