Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-25
Open Churches for Public Worship

Open CnufcneS 10r fuDQc worship.
The authorities ought to transfer the
churches quickly from the class of pro-
hibited places of public assembly to the
class of stringently regulated places of
public assembly. This transfer should
not await the distinct and great de-
crease of influenza which will justify
the complete emptying of the prohio-
tied class and open the churches only
along with the theaters, schools and
bmovies.
The authorities have been compelled
ITO make distinction between prohib-
Fitted and regulated crowded assem-
sblages, a distinction based upon the
Spurposes of the assembly. For exam
sple, the crowding of an imperfectly
ventilated room by war-workers in a
government department is not pro-
;bibited, because the inmates are war
workers. The crowded department
store or 1unchroom is not prohibited
because the assemblage is viewed as
necessary. Men must eat and be
tclothed. The crowded poolroom is not
prohibited.
The churches should be transferred
from the prohibited to the regulated
rlass: O Because intelligent stringent
regulation can prevent absolutely the
Rrp1rIiny of xhn oh vi
Nean eliminate or reduce to minimum
the danger of germ distribution
through such assemblages; and (2)
Because the purposes of church as
semblages are such as to entitle them
TO be the very last to be absolutely
forbidden by the civil authorities.
The churches are in the main high
eeilinged, well-ventilated structures
As rule they are used only during a
few hours of the week, and are not
crowded, except on Sunday morning
tJudieious regulation, limiting the num-
Der participating in a particular serv-
ice and distributing the morning con-
igregation through the several services
of the day, would absolutely prevent
dangerously crowded church assem-
blages. The purpose which brings men
and women together for public wor-
ship is sufficiently gripping to cause
the worshipers to submit cheerfully to
any health precautions required as the
alternative to closing Gods house. If
the use Of the simple anti-infuenza
rmask by the limited congregation were
directed the order would, of course,
be faithfully obeyed.
Since effective regulation of church
assemblages to protect the public
health is thus clearly possible, these
gatherings should no longer be prohib-
tied. The purposes of church assem-
blies lift them naturally from the pro-
Inhibited to the regulated class
Except in case of absolute, demon
1trated unavoidable necessity public
worship in the churches should not be
prohibited by the civil authorities, be-
rausc there is involved a certain in
ifringement in spirit and effect of the
free exercise of religious liberty. The
authorities know that through national
land civic loyalty their prohibitive or
rder will be obeyed. They should be
reluctant to prevent men and women
jfrom doing that which their con
isciences and, in the belief of some of
f'them, Gods command impel them to
do. And where national necessity has
q compelled such a prohibition, the very
5nstant that the compelling national
necessity relaxes in the slightest the
prohibition should be lifted, for rea-
sons which do not apply in the case of
S,ny other occupant of the prohibited
elasS.
Incidentally and as subordinate
consideration, the churches in their
lime work of Strengthening the spirit
of patriotic devotion and sacrifice,
tNhether of life or eff service or of
tam oney, are war workers as much as
.'the girls IN the crowded rooms of gov
rernment departments. In the influence
tof the churches upon the minds and
souls of men, in quoting through
strengthened faith in God the panic
sfear in which epidemic thrives the
l-hurehes are potential anti-inhuenza
workers. fit to cooperate helpfully
twith our doctors and our nurses. of
Whose fine record in these times that
etry mems souls we are all justly proud.
Under proper safeguards to protect
fnhe public health let the churches
quickly begin fully functioning again,
10 fight epidemic, to help to win the
war, to strengthen faith in God, to
save mems souls.