Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-01-05
For the Jou rnal
Where Shall We be Buried


Where shall these way-worn bodies find rest,
perfect repose and exemption from the tolls and
agtations Of wearied life? This grave question
occasionally comes to the mind Of every seriously
rejecting man and woman, and whole communi-
ties may sometimes be interested in it, as public
concern Of importance. This question of place
may not in all cases be determined by individual
choice though in most cases may be. But where
will we choose2 on hillside, on plain, or in the
lowly yalley' With what surroundings With,
or without decorations? Near the pleasant walks
of busy life, or remote? On sunny or shady side
Will we have monumental display, or only the
humble tombstone, unlettered with praise, tC
mark our resting-place?
In one view Of the subject it matters little
where these decaying bodies may moulder int
dust. The wisdom and power which called then
into being, can again recall to life the dust (where
ever it be) which before had been created in life
In the resurrection the sea and the land will alike
" give up the dead which are in them" All will
come forth to life, without precedence or prefer
ment on account of place or manner Of burial
Then why be anxious about matters which we d,
not suppose can affect the condition of departcC
souls
Though this may all be true, as relates to tn,
departed-the dear kindred and friends we cherisl
in memory--we must not we cannot. cease to re
spect the loved forms, though now cold, inanimatt
tenements of souls dear to US. In memory tn,
spirit is associated with the form, beautiful to III
while inhabited by the living soul, and we cal
hardly cherish thoughts of the one without tn,
other.
The grave is not the habitation we anticipat,
with much pleasure, except we have becom,
weary of life, or look to the final resting place n,
adorned by some extraneous charms, that the in
eyitable but unwelcome abode may be made al
inviting as possible.
Undoubting faith in the resurrection as
truth of revelation should increase, not dimin
ish, our care and respect for the remains o.
the dead. Though the resurrection of the dead
seem too great mystery for the belief of some
few if any can doubt that it be q doctrine OF reye,
lation. " But some man will say, How are the
dead raised up, and with what body do They
come? That which thou sowest is not quickencd
(does not germinate) except it die" The apostle
elucidates this mysterious subject by familiar
illustration-the termination of grain. alt i.
not quickened except it die" at, 1.-THE body
is sown in corruption it Is raised in incorrup-
ton. 1t is sown in dishonor ii is raised in
glory 1t is sown in weakness it is raised il
power" That which is sown is not identicaly
the same that shall be, but it is that which
" shall bear grain" So the body which is planted
in the grave may not be idontically the same dust
which snail constitute the resurrected body, yet
it shall be so identical in likeness that it will le
recognized as the same individual being Ask
the entomologist, is there more mystery in the
glorious resurrection of man than in the meta
morphosis of the butterfly from the pupa? OF
even more strange than changes which occur in
the earlier stages of his own existence7 But our
whole being is full of mystery. Can finite be-
ing know all his own existence, especially all his
future2 Or can he "by searching find out" the
Infinite?
But believing in the high destiny revealed to
man, we will hope to be honored with reputable
burial near the hallowed sepultures of departed
kindred and friends.