The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-15
THE UBLIC.
The Turner'S, society.

hO uInCIce oVNACkys
This word Turner is derived from the French
word toMrrer, to turn, and tournament, mock
fight, or military sport, and is expressive of the
athletic exercises practiscd by the members Of the
society, But the Turner's are something more
than athletes. They have social organization
which is represented to combine principles averse
to Christianity also
The following funeral address, translated from
one OF the German papers of Louisville, for the
Journal of that city, is an exhibition Of the views
Of death and Immortality entertained by this So
ciety:
FUNERAL GRAFTON OF THE TURNER JuNGsT.-
Friends: When here at the grave of our young
friend John Hubner speak a few words, l do it
in the name of the Turner Society existing in this
city, the members of which advocate progress
even in religious matters Do not therefore OK.
pect any canting remarks in the tenor and spirit
Of the church. Our views of human existence
Tits origin and Observation-Disclosures essentially from
those Of any Christian or other sect. We do not
believe in the Immortality of the essence of the
soul different in kind from the dissolution of the
body. For US neither body nor spirit is lost. In
the universe, nothing, not even an atom, is lost;
but everything is liable and subject to varied
changes Of forms. 1t is merely the form that
changes. This is equally applicable to all things,
animate and inanimate; to man, endowed with
reason, the lord of creation, well to the low
est creature-to the grain Of sand upon the sea-
shore, as to our planet, the earth itself.
The spirit of our brother--the soul, if you
choose e. whatever of knowledge, experience,
and skill he possessed, continues to live in the
spirit of the whole human race now and in the
future. The body, becoming dust and ashes,
simply returns to the primitive element of the
mother EARTH the same earth from which every
Al: al. Al,
and support of its physical parts. This is merely
a brief outline of our religious views. They are
in the spirit of the age in which we live, and
based upon the results Of science, experience and
reason. And this beleSt trust, not only affords
composure, but we find in it a beautiful, gloriou,
consolation, an elevation of heart and mind
which we esteem infinitely superior to oil the delu
Isions of the fantastical and fanatic. Our young
friend has departed home to his rest at age al
which, ordinarily, not only the pleasures and en-
ioyments of the world, but also its and it
care, begin. Much that is desirable might have
been in reserve for him. Many right and noble
work for his kindred, his fellow-men, and fol
himself, he might have been able yet to project
and accomplish. Fate decreed it otherwise, and
for this we mourn.
We heartily sympathize with a faithful sister
for the loss she has sustained through an early
death; and in order to give expression to this SEN
timent we are here. In him has died an honest,
worthy man, who might also have become an
honest, useful citizen. In him also our Turner
Society has lost an excellent, though youthful,
member. Indeed, whoever is acquainted with
the principles Of our society must, from that fact
draw the conclusion that John Hubner was an eff
ficient man and an excellent Turner. man
that carries within him intellectual aspirations
and warm feelings will never Join Turner Socic-
ty. Let us not, therefore, remember him only
here at the grave, but let the remembrance be a
lasting one The good qualities of the deceased
deserve and demand it. But thou, excellent
young friend, rest gently-and peace to thy
ashes! ts' .#a5ei 5 aHtE
BY order of the Turner Society. 4u8}fE
ALBERT JUNGST, Speaker