The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-04-10
THE QUAKER FUNERAL.

| MI word was heard, nor q farewell -jet
As her cnrse Nas Cansisn'd to IL dsVelilus
N"r aiehr vas zen IL escape from the "yf
Tho viii g,lef every heart was ,Veluuz
Yet many fair Countenantes were
sad. and MANY eyes were suiiusrd
aud fixed, aud the handkerchief was
oft applied 10 conceal the weakness
of our nature, dlsobcdlent To the
rigid prrcepls If the Friends disci-
pine. 1t was yesterday that ! stop
ped to witness funeral in the
Friends bnrying ground. aid was
much struck with the snlcmuiiy II
the cercmony.-l'ho grave was un-
usually deep, and the coffin Of a plain
but rich aud uncmbcllishrd matrli-
al. About the grave were placed
pieces OF dry boards for the specta-
tors 10 stand upon without inCon,r-
nience from snow or ice. The corpse
was carefully deposited in it's snbIu-
nary abode, by friends or ronneX-
ions Of the deceased. \ pause Of II
few moments ensured. marked by the
deepest interest Of specChlees AID
unutterablc feeling, in the cuntem-
platoon of the last earthly view of
departed worth. A bundle of straw
WAS then strewed upon the Collip,
to prevent the hollow aud heart rem
ding sound of the first :. kn AIDED
clods,' dropped with such partomi-
mic eXaCtneSs at the funeral rites OF
other christian scCts, when are con-
mitted " ashes to ashes ana dust to
dust"
The assembled friends then lent
an helping hand to cover their de
ceased neighbor forever from hunau
view the males preserving finn
serenity Of countcnanCe, in conform
ity with their tcnets, aud the females
absorbed in the dIsniled and silent
ma Iesty of grief. To suppose the
absence Of feeling, we've to presume
something above or beneath human
| ity.
The grave was made by TIC last
preceding, to the regular and indis-
criminate succession in which they
arc all disposed through the differ
cnt ranges of the field, with nothing
to distinguish it from any other
mound of our mother element, and
:. not stone 10 tell where they lie"
Nor does mourning badge OF to-
ken. Of the smallest possible kind,
ever appear on their raincut, or va
~ the even tenor oi their way.
| bad just passed a gay hearsc. be
decked Wit, gIldcd trappings, urns,
aud nodding plumes. in gorgeous
array drawn by caparisoned horse.
copied no doubt from some theatrical
pageant. s. much i" pride, pomp,
and circumstance, in the obscuncs
Of an ordinary funeral, savors to my
notion, so much of folly and vanity
in the living, rather than SORROW or
respect for the dead, that it appear
ed like solemn burleSqne, OF mock.
cry Of every thing serious, mcIan-
choly, or religious.
Every sentiment of unostentatious
religion, domestic economy, and ra-
tional consistency combine to sane
ton the flneraI ceremony Of the
Friends. They mourn not as those
without hope they repinc not at tie
wisdom or justice Of the Deity aaaI
they submit in practical acquies-
cence with the prayer Of "tby Will
be DONE" Without reference to a
ny other peculiaritics Of this highly
respectable denomination, may We
not contemplate their example in tins
particular with unieigned aad Just
appreciation, and consider il as per.
suading in q So still small Voice" all
their fellow christians To IS go and
do likewise ~ II.
rSlaiesmuu.