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The Individual Cup

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 1, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 44.

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The Individual Cup

By H. H. Burkholder

[The following article, contributed to The Welcome Visitor by Elder H. H. Burkholder, president of the Ohio Conference, deals with a subject which is agitating the minds of many of our people. We believe that the reasons here presented in favor of the use of the individual cup at the communion service are worthy of candid and thoughtful consideration.—Ed.]
At our recent camp-meeting many of the local church elders present spent an hour each day in the study of various questions concerning government, order, and discipline in local church management. It was the writer's privilege to attend these meetings, and he believes the time was well and profitably spent.
One of the questions quite thoroughly discussed was the use of the individual cup at the communion service. The purpose of this ordinance should not be robbed of any of its sanctity by indifference or neglect on our part. Neither should the communicants be deprived of the full enjoyment of the sacrament by a failure to conduct this service in the most careful and impressive manner.
With a knowledge of the fact that many of the diseases of the present time are either contagious or infectious, we believe it to be the inalienable right of every individual to protect himself in every consistent way against contamination, and to use every precaution to preserve his health. This position, with the knowledge, too, that it frequently occurs that persons well advanced with tubercular trouble are present at communion services, and wish to share its enjoyment, which should not be denied them, it was the unanimous opinion of all present that the use of the individual cup at communion services should be encouraged in all our churches. This can be done with but little expense, and the results will be far more safe and satisfactory in the end. This plan is already in use in a number of our churches, and is well liked wherever tried. Personally, I favor the use of the individual cup, and most heartily approve the action of the local elders in this matter.