The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1868-07-30

The Cemetery.

visit the Westminster Cemetery on last
Sabbath, 10 pay onr last sad respects 70 the
earthly remains Of our deceased friend, Mr..
Joshua Smith, our feelings may DO better
imagined than described at the present de.
sccration Of this city Of the dead. . Had IL
not been for the notice at The gate, inform.
ing the public that visitors must procure
tickets to visit the Cemetery, Of certain
hours, as well az Forwarding all parties from
walking anywhere except 10 the ruads or
paths, we would have concluded that we
were visiting some old, neglected grave
yard, which had long since been forgotten
and given upt to tho undispatcd growth Of
weeds and grass, which now almost conceal
the stones which are intended 10 mark the
resting place Of departed friends. Judging
from present appearances We must believe
that no such instrument as scythe has
been used within the ground this season /,
and as 10 roads aud paths, we think il some
action Is not taken the present incumbent,
dgnihcd by the appeIlaiion Of ssrson, viii
not be able TO find them himself, unless DO
be guided by the numerous large plea Of
stones and dirt which are heaped up ia The
center Of tho walks, and which render il
dangerous for an individual 70 drive over
them, much less funeral procession at
tended BY any number Of vehicles.
Thia then ia tho present condition Of the
place that contains the remains Of many Of
our hearts dearest idolsi We are aware
that this Cemetery as yet Is too young 70 DO
adorned as we would wish il, but surely II
Is not too young 70 be kept free from the
rank growth Of weeds and grass. and other
distractions which stand as monuments 81
willfal neglect, ct The same time, speaking
IN trumpet tones, that those Ia whose hands
the interests Of The Cemetery arc placed are
not doing their duty.
IL this condition Of the ground Of The
Cemetery was sufficient cause for commen,
on the occasion Of our visit, what must have
been the feelings Of many who stepped IN
sidethe old church whose time honorel walls
have stood the storms Of century, This
ancient and sacredsedi6ce, which our fore.
fathers erected and dedicated 70 the Most
High within whose walls their oriaons were
offered 10 tho Great Arrhisecs Of the Uni.
verse, and their psaIsns ofpraise chansed 70
Him who rules and reigns forever, this
consecrated building. We say, IN which out
fathers knelt and prayed, 70 have lived 70
sec outraged and desccrated 10 a manner
almost too shameful TO contemplate much
less to describe or speak of This IL nov
converted into huge chicken coop, an *.
tensiye henery for the propagation Of fowisl
o roresf o temporal Around that alsAl
where our fathers and mothers once rever.
emily kneli TO parlake oflha Holy Eucharist,
and where many Of tho citizens Of this CON.
munisy were dedicated 70 God "a Hol,
Baptism, may nov be found boxes and bar
rels systematically arranged for the accom-.
modation-of aocks Of fowls. Even the pull.
pit In which The ministers Of God once stood
70 cIpound The Scriptures, has NOT escaped
the insult tina, Is offered 10 this .emple q
God and last but not least, the Old Lllble,
the holy word Of God, which sim lies apoa
the railing Of the pulpit, and which, upon
opening, We found vas s'pFesenicd to shs
church" many years ago by citizen o.
Baltimore, --evcn flis has become The roosf
ing place Of iillhy fowlsi
! We turned with sicsening shame from the
Dissertation which has como upon this old
Sanctuary Of God, aud fell hamiiia,od ii
the shocking evidence which Il gave Of tha
deep desenaracy to which we can descend
Turning from this scene u bIushins
shame, We saw tender y,rein depoaitin,
carefully beautiful bunch Of flowers upon
fresh made grave. Pious deed Il waa
But ere her footsteps so. beyound the gase
her gifl TO the memory Of the departed MA,
rudeiy scratched from its place, and sea,
tered over the desecraicd grave by ths
ycafhered occupants Of the Church aud
| Cemetery
Messrs. Editors, our object IN pen nina
this communication IL selfeyidest. Wewani
70 write those chicken coops' ont Of ths
old Church N the Cemetery. thai the reilei
Gus sensibililies Of th ID entire conmunit,
may cease 70 be shocked every time they
enter that relic OF the past, or tread npor
the grounds devoted 10 the rcpoae Of ID,
dead. T.is Dissertation may be mat ter o
Prcm and convenience 20 some who have
charge OF tho Cemetery, but can Il BE- tole +
sted IN christian community such, as West
minister is1 Let those who arc responsible,
do their duty, aud abate this ramdalism.
SrocKH0iDER.