Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-28
The Silent Funeral.


death; and she was now brought home to be
buried among her kindred.
Friends went in large numbers to the
house of mourning. In an upper chamber
lay the mortal remains of Abigail b. r..
reminding those who beheld her in death,
"She is not dead, but sleepeth." Slow y |
descended to the lower room, where found
Friends reverentially sitting, with their broad
hats on, as silent as the grave itself. 1t was
time of reflection, and of awe and, doubt
less, of prayer. 1t was good to be there.
After the lapse of half hour, heavy
footsteps told that the time of burial had ar
rived. Not'a word was said* Many
heart was full, too full for utterance. The
young wife was brought out for her final
resting place, with funeral 81 lemnity. Sitting
where could see all L looked on, less IRON
curiosity than with anxious and unrestralned
sympathy. Following the dead was the
weeping and manly husband with his mother
less children Then the afflicted parents
came, who had watched over their dear
dau Inter in infancy and youth, and were
now tc cradle her, for her final sleep, in the
grave. My heart beat for her old friend, the
father, now full Of years. as, with deep NOV
ing sadness, he slowly followed the precious
body, in company with the dignifed and
mourning partner of his joys and sorrows
Then, accompanied by her respected husband,
came one whose Friendships [ had formed in
the glory of her youth, and with whom Lnow
sympathlzed, as never before, with Christian
fellowship. A member If my own church, |
; rejoiced that she, with others, could adore
her Savior in that hour of desolation. As
the relatives moved out, tears flowed from the
eyes of Friends; increasing yet more when
the younger brothers and sisters followed
their loved one to the grave. Not woId
was said.
Venerable men and women led, on foot,
the long procession, which went side by side,
with the score of carriages and wagons, fl lied
with the relatives. In that solemn and i'm
prcssive procession were the leaders of the
Orthodox Friends Church, some Of the
precious saints that serve their Lord on the
earth The aged, the midlc-aged, and the
young kept pace together through the streets
All was silent.
We came to the gate Of the old Friends
meeting house, and there, where Abigail had
worshipped in her youth the God of her fa-
theirs, no stop was made for worship now
She was carried on in the religious attitude
of the last sic to the hallowed sanctuary Of
the grave.
We gathered around the opened burying-
place. The black cloth on the coffin with
its silver plate, told the story of worldly
, competence; but the coffin itself told the
! end of all things here below. 1t was placed
on its supports, Immediately over tho empty
grave. Hearts melted but not word was
said.
After minute Or two, the sexton put
bands under the coffln and another interval
occurred 1t was sorrowful scene hot u
# word was said.
!. The coffin was then lowered into the grave
" The sound was speech; but not u word was
d uttered
!. Another interval and the outer covering
e for the coffin was lowered down, We heard
h but not word was said.
a Some straw was then thrown into tho
,r grave, to break the fall Of "oarth to earth.
g. Not word was said.
o Another interval occurred. when tho me'
G took their spades, and commenced filling
1t the grave. During this sorrowfu process
ID not word was said. Solemnity was Eel
,e and seen. Husband, mother, and sister
Of were ia tears Old Friends meditated il
n sympathy young ones were learning les
ye son of wisdom. God was among us. 1t wa
cs a melting time. | thought of Abigail's hon
Id orcd grandmother, Il Deborah among Friends
e, long since in her resting place. | thought Q
I's sweet Edith Laurie, whose mortal dust la
k under the ncighboring turf. | thought Q
e Emlen, and Cox, and Grelct, and other dc
d. parted Friends. thought of my own fathe
it. and mother, reposing in my native land fc
he the awak cning of the resurrection.
longed to utter, in that Quaker burying
ground, a few thoughts Of love and comfol
to mouruers. But Christian ceremony seen
le- ed to forbid. was expecting to hear til
TX sweet tones of Eliza Quincy, or Hanna
nc Mott, or Rebecca Atkinson, or the strongC
'u' voice Of Harrison Anderson. But rot wor
lre was said. The assembled throng was as s
lent as the Wondering form of Abigail Ba
'a' ker, the grandmother of precious memory
HIS The Holy Spirit was present; but to FrienC
10" there seemed no call for speech.
OF The grave was now filled. Relatives toe
ess the last look of affection at the new-ma(
ny mound, and then passed to their carriages
The throng Of solcmnized spectators con
20
ION The dead were silent not more than the Ii
ey ing were.
tie In passing out Of the burying- ground tt
c." second carriage came quite near to me.
led looked up. Unexpectedly stood face to fa
me before my old friend, the father of his burit
Ire child. My heart sank within me under h
led look OF bereavement. instinctively unco
the cred my head, and slowly, solemnly, and re
rne erentally bowed myself in his presence
out Not word was said. I hope he understoc
ad- the action, although doubtless rare one
,ok the burial-yard behind the old Quaker me,
he ing-house. | might live long without bei
me able to show him more sincerely and nj
- urally my affection. God bless him. al
etc his!
the walked home from the burial solemniz
saw with holy thoughts and memories and ;
for though not word was said, sha NJ new
re- forget the silent funeral of Abigail B.
up on the sixteenth day of second month, 1856
was -Presb Mag.
ave
SO some devotional exercises were had in a priv
are below. 49, NV M ~ "
will .-----
The CHIEE LEARNING. excele
)me Richard Baxter said ;f bic o L.t Nv,