Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-10-05
BY Rev. lie. Campbell. as

The Trustees under whose supervision
these grounds have been laid out, and
thus far brought TO completion as burial
place for the dead. we Ministers OF the
Gospel and others are now assembled IN
the use ofapproPTiate services to transfer
them 10 their sacred trust.
A tender respect for the bodies of the
dead is an instructive feeling OF the human
heart. that has manifested lseli among all
nations, and in every stage OF society.
The fierce savage OF the forest, no less
than the refined subjec. Of polished
kingdom, regards with emotions OF pro-
found veneralion. the spot where his an
cestors sleep in death.
An eternal separation between tie Nv
ing, thinking principle Within and The
body, tina, has been lis medium OF CON-
municatinn with the world, and the COM
panion Of lis joys and sorrows, Is senii-
ment from which the mind recoIls, and
enicr,ains, if ever sincerely, with great
reluctance. Mans nature Involuntary
shrinks al the idea, that any part oil his
curiously,and wonderfully wrought frame
should absolutely perish, and cease TO e1-
list.
Under the PatGiarchial dispensaliOn,
whatever may hare been the degree OF
light enjoyed, in regard to the future con-
dition Of the body, we learn from the Sa-
cred record, that Abraham was moved 10
purchase from the Sons OF Heth as bu-
rial place for his beloved Sarah, "the field
of Ephron, which was in Machpelah,
which was before Manre, the field, and
the cave which was therein, and all the
trees that were in the field. that were IN
all the borders round about" There al
so he was buried, with Isaac and Rehec-
ca, Jacob and Leah. The children OF Is
rsel on their departure from the land oil
Egypt, carried up with them the bones Of
Joseph for inierment in Canaan. SO al
so al later period, when Israel became
a great kingdom, they had their "royal
sepulchres, aud fields Of burial where
their monarchs End others were inferred.
But il is the prominent position, that The
Gospel has assigned to the great doctrine
OF the resurrection Of the body, which has
inspired increased respect for the remalns
Of the dead. Our blessed Lord declared,
81 am the Resurrection and the Life he
that beIleveth in Me, though he were
dead, Yet shall he live" God the Son
has honored our bodies by assuming the
form and fashion Of man in his glorious
incarnation. The bodies Of the Saints
are members of Christ and temples of The
Holy Ghost; and we are encouraged to
look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall change our vile body, that il
may be fashioned like unto his glorious
body, according TO the working whereby
He is able even TO subdue all things unto
Himself. With the Evangelical church
of all ages, we believe in the resurrection
of the body, "(or the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead shall be raised incompatible,
and shall be changed.
Such being tho secret hope Of humani-
ty, in reference 10 the future existence Of
the body, hope justified, and made man
i(ess by the clearer light of revelations.
And such being the example OF holy men
Of olden time, and the tender Spirit Of
the church, we feel it 10 be meet and prop
or, and are strongly urged thereto by de-
cency and propriety, as well as by Scrip
lure, 10 provide a resting place for the re-
mains of the dead where lhey may rePose
in security, honor and peace.
Prompted by these considerations we
therefore do now separate from all COM
mon use, these grounds, and do solemnly
consecrate them under the name and title
of Elmwood Cemetery, as place Of bu-
rial for the bodies of the dead, IN THE
NAME OF THE TRIUNE COP, FATHER, Son
AND Holy GHOST. AMEN.
Over these beautiful grounds, may the
Spirit of Peace unbroken reign. Here
may the bodies Of the departed rest in
undislurbed security; and TO this now hal
lowed spot may affection bring in future
days, her offerings of tears, and gaTlands
10 The memory of the dead. And there
rest in hope, We who fall asleep in Jesus,
until the scepWe of death be broken, and
the voice OF the Son Of God shall bid you
awake TO EVERLASTING LIFE.
The exercises were then closed with
the Benediction.
The Burial Lots Of the Cemetery are
now ready for distribution and there will
be an opportunity ofered,on the grounds,
this evening from TO 5 o'clock for the
selection and purchase Of lots.