MODE OF ADMINISTERING THE SACRAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11202, 24 October 1899, Page 3

MODE OF ADMINISTERING THE SACRAMENT.

VO THE EDITOR. • ,~/V s ", 10 Anglican Synod is in session m Auckland at present, I would crave a small spaco m your widely-read columns to call attention to the unclean and unhealthy mode of administering the Sacrament in most of our churches. A caso has just been brought under my notice of a lady who died of cancer in the mouth, contracted through using a communion vessel after a man who had this terrible disease. Some of tho more sensible of our clergy us© a napkin to wipe the edge of the vessel after each communicant has used it, but I regret to say that this custom is the exception rather than the rule. In a country parish not more than 20 miles from Auckland, three poor old men with sore lips are the most regular communicants, and as they invariably make a point of going to tho rail first, ladies coming after them usually turn She vessel round to avoid the part they imagino these devout old men used ! Tho chances are, however, that some of them at least may give the cup a turn too many. Hoping that turtning the light on this rather unsavoury subject will bring about some distinct reform,—l am, etc., Vestryman.