The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-10-14

The following paper, signed we believe,
by all the Protestant Clergymen of this
city, has been placed in our hands for
publication; .......
The undersigned Clergymen Of the city
of Wheeling desire TO lay before the pub.
lie the following paper on the subject Of
funerals, 1t has been prepared and sign.
cd, and is now published as the result Of
a meeting of Protestant ministers called
for the purpose of considering the matters
to which itrelers.
In dealing with a subject which is In
every way 50 delicate, we desire to avoid
q sentiment or an expression which could
wound the feelings OF any person, and
especially Of the bereaVed. Nothing
which Is stated here Is TO be construed as
an allusiOn TO any particular case in the
past. We wish also to disclaim any
attempt TO dictate in regard to a
matter which must be lett In the
end tOsthe Tree choice OF the families and
friends OF those who decease among us.
Sill, In the discarge of our official duties
we very frequently arc brought into con-
tact with what seems to us to be at least
inexpedient methods of paying the last
marks OF respect to the dead. And we
know ONO other body of men from whom
advice on this subject may so apprOpri.
alely come, or TO when the public will be
so likely to listen, We are the more en-
couragGd 10 lay our views before the PEG
pie by the belief that they are already
widely entertained, and need only TO- be
presented in proper way in order to so.
cure conformity 10 them in practice, at
least 10 n good degree.
There aPo two brincipal things to which
we desIre 10 cali attention. The first of
these IL he hr1g erpend,tuTes ,bIich are
nccessitated in ne Sdv of hire for carriages,
according 10 he present ILdn Of conducting
our funerals, Ii seems TO be understood
Tint except in rare cases, there must be
conyeyances furnished sufficient for all
who will consent TO 20 TO the grave The
objections to this are many. Except where
= peculiar circumstances require more, all
that respect for the dead and sympathy
for the haroaved demand OF any besides
tho immediate relatives and close friends,
Is that thOy should meet at the house or
the church where the religious ser
vices are conducted before the body
Is taken to the grave. II this
was once commonly understood, there
would be no need for long trains OF
carriages, Again, tho presence OF q
mixed multitude at the grave, where the
last leave Is to be taken Ofthe dead, seems
to be hardly In harmony with that peculi-
arly tender and solemn scene. When we
come to bury our dead out Of our sight,
how much preferable would II be 10 be lett
alone with God and those who feel some
thing Of our own grief Why should we
bring the world with us to gaze at the
spectacleY But one Of the strongest OBJ
iections to the habit Is the heavy burdens
of cost which 1t incurs, often upon
those who are really not able to bear
them. In case OF death we all
desire 10 avoid whatever might
b. interpreted as lack Of respect Tor
our departed relatives, or rs mean toward
their friends. The consequence iS, that
In keeping with tho prevailing custom,
not only the rich but those who are In
less atflient circumstances feel compelled
to provide numerous conveyances at o
heavy expense. Often debt IL thus left
hanging over the head of widow, or
orphan children, who are almost In dan.
ger Of suffering for bread.
Whatever change IS made must begin
with the more wealthy. They can afford
to set an example. As soon as 1t Is set by
them, and not till then, those who have
less Of this worlds goods will follow 1t.
We would therefore call upon them to
begin the needed reformation. May we sug-
gest that hereafter II shall DO the custom
for all the friends Of the deceased 10 meet
at the house or church for religious servi.
ces. Then when carriages are necessary,
let only sufficient number TO convey the
relatiyGs and close friends to the grave,
form t6eprocession. And IL others wish
TO accompany the remains, let them pro.
vide their own ConveyanCes. But as
general rule let the privacy of the final
farewell be respected.
The other the two things IN which
we desire TO call attention IA The habit of
hdping funerals on The Sabbath. We con.
cede IlIat This ia in some caspa nnSvoiJa.
bic. But In other cases we have
thought that the Sabbath has been
chosen when an earlier or later date
would have answered, Inasmuch "a
the Sabbath Is Inc day on which
Tho clergy perf0rm their principal In.
bors, Mo custom IA especialIy moi suited
TO their convenience Ilut a weiphtier
reason for AVOIDING The Sabbath "a The
tendency Of This habit To Destroy the Quiet
of the iay, and sometimes IN convert Il
into a season of pomp and parade. We
advise, therefore. that when 4 Ia nrac,ica.
BILE. orr funerals shail MT iske Mace mn
ihe T,nrd's iav' ~ '''''N r'''NN v"
i D. w FtsuER