Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-10-30

fall Into mutual embraces and even ineorpo-
rate with each other IN the grave. Oh! that
we might learn from these friendly ashes not
to perpetuate the memory OF Injuries, not to
ncuriah the malignant fever of passion tina
there Gay be as little animo5ity In the land Of
dead.
Yonder white stone, emblem Of innocence
II covers, informs the beholder OF one who
breathed out its tender soul almost In the In
slant OF receiving 1t, crowned with glory ere
the conflict began.
and the blasted expectations of an lndulgent
father. The youth grew up k a we1-w6tered
plant he rose high and bid fair for manhood:
But Just as the cedar began to tower and
promised ere long TO be the pride OF tie wood
and prince among the neighbortng uee5-alas!
the ak was laid on the root, the htal blow was
struck, and all its branching honors tumbled
into dust. Lit fancy, or do I really hear the
passionate mother in an agony OF arhiction
taking her final leave OF the darling Of her
soul? In broken accents. Interrupted by
many q sob, I hear her cry: 90 Absalom, my
SON, my only beloved, would to God had died
for thee"
Ask the woman there why she is clad in the
garb OF sorrow. "Beneat that monument
across the entrance rests the companion OF my
youth, is her mournful answer In her the
lover weeps, the wife mourns, the mother
grieves. She needs not the direction OF INFINITE
wisdom to jeremiah: leave thy 1atherless
children, 1 will preserve them alive, and let
thy widows trust in me"
But have I come hither TO be overcome BY
the solemnity of my s~ufroundlngsT Snan l
an the hearts OF a living assembly entirely
with the awful voices issued forth from the
sanctuary, wherein the congregation OF the
dead are buried? Have you called me hither
to turn my eulogy into an elegy upon the
shadows Of death2
why should l bestow my reflective thoughts
upon the dry bones, like Hezekiel in his Wis.,
ion; why speak Of the body, for which no re-
surrecrion morn will ever dawn, whilst the
spirit lives forever, soaring upward 70 It's
source. vet holding communion with the Wv
ID perception ola vivid recollection. In ear
ly life, with al our friends around as, hearing
their voices, cheered by their smiles, death
and the future world are TO US misty and re-
mote; but as we advance IN our journey upon
the rugged road OF life, and voice after voice
is hushed. and form after form vanishes nom
our side, our shadow falls almost solitary on
the hillside of lie, the soul, by the necessity Of
its being, tends TO the unseen and spiritual,
and pursues in another life those who 1t seeks
IN vain in this. One of ths deepest and most
imperative cravings OF the human heart as 1t
follows its beloved ones OeyOnd the veil Is for
some assurance that they are happier than we-
These impressions are the gales OF sweet and .
healing thoughts, which wave over the river I
ofdeath and make bereavement lose half OF
its bitterness. And 1t is thus, my dear hearers,
that we stand upon the grave OF our brother
without tears; il is thus that we dedicate this
monument to-day to his sacred memory with !
the mingled feelings OF revived sorrow and re-
posing satisfaction. tits the spirit which OUT
lasts all; the faculties Of the soul which make
man immortal. the perfection Of moral excel |
lency which reveals to him the treasure OF eIer-
nal salvation. |
Eleven years ago Simon Tuska came
amongst you. For ten successive years he was
your guide, counsellor and brother. Nearly a
year has drawn TO its close since you have con-
signed his body to the silent rave. To-day
you nave witnessed the unwilling of one of tne
monuments placed to the honor OF his memo
~. Issy one Of his monuments, because he
has erected in your hearts and in the hearts Of
these little ones, far superior 70
this, more glorious and OF greater merit than
the pyramids and obeliszs OF Egypt To-day, |
1, upon whom the mantle OF his calling has
fallen, feel, with the proudest satisfaction, that
the memory OF his virtues has also reared itself
a hOlV Lpmnla within the domain of nv soul. Il
though the features OF his cOuntenance were
never reflected upon the apple of my eye.
To erect monuments upon the graves OF
prominent men and beloved friends, was al |
ready a custom with the ancient Greeks and
Romans. Thus Homer wttnesseth OF Patroc-
lus' tomb:
And cast the deep foundation around the pyre. |
High In the midst they heap the swelling bed
or rising earth, memorial Of the dead"
When persons OF eminent virtue died, they |
deposited their ashes in urns, which were ire
quentiy adorned with garlands and flowers
similar to the one we behold upon the pedestal
OF this monument
A urn of gold was brought,
"Wrapt in soft purple pals and richly
wrought;
In this the sacred ashes were inferred"
But what a vast d Inference in the distinction
OF honor conferred upon warriors like Patroc-
ius and Hector and the dedication ola monu-
ment 70 the names Of a beloved and esteemed
teacher in Israel. There the conclusion OF q
blood-marked life; here all peace, love and no.
Bile deeds.
This IS holy ground, for in it sleeps Simon,
the righteous, the faithful shepherd of his
flock. The motto of Simon Hazadik was also
his motto. Upon three things the spiritual
welfare Of the world does rest-upon the tora,
worship and beneyolence Trad1tion tells u3
that Simon HaZaiik, Oticiating as high priest
in the temple of Jerusalem, beautlned the
house of God, and restored the dignity OF
priesthood to its original purity. Like unto
him the much-lamented Tuska has done. As
a high priest In the temple OF humanity, ne
wore the radiant shield Of Trim and TuInina
OF reason and knowledge upon ms IaltnIui
breast, which assisted him in his calling and
caused him to be one of those who enjoy the
glorious privilege TO reform the religious lie OF
Israel and restore Judaism to its original
and simplicity. False words were
never found upon HIS lips; true conyietion
did he cling to you, children of
Israeli His whole ministerial activity was de-
voted 70 you no other congregation enjoyed
the fruit Of his lahors. But nave you also
discharged your duty, Blessed the members OF
a congregation who thus honor their minister.
Jewish minister, he loved all the children of
humanity. We saw in him the ardent lover
OF liberty, the enemy OF bigotry and intoler-
hard to gain success in the procla-
OF his message, his spirit conquered at
last. But, alas the body had to surrender.
Nevertheless, brethren,
Weep not for him.
Seraphs bore him inward
From whence his message came"
And We brethren of the mystic tie, who honor
the memory Of your brother by your presence
on this occasion. we all realizs with you the
your fraternity has sustained. On Friday
evening he went out from the sanctum sane
forum OF the temple, where he had offered up
a prayer 70 Almighty God, never, meyer to re-
turn again. But, my brethren, he a4left be-
hind the trestlebosrd, w~hereupon he wade The
designs for the creation CT a spiritual temple,
not made with hands, eternal In the heavens.
Carry out these designs, II you wish to perpet-
uate his memory. Nender h~ve-pOinted star,
lUhfeh erpung the mOnnmanE translates i'm /
portant lessons to you, but gives only q faint
of his Masonic virtues. And the
sons Of the Covenant. too, miss the presence of
him who so mildly worked and watched for
the physical and spiritual welfare OF Others.
Read the motto we have written upon the pill
and make II your own-for you also, viii
De inhabitants Of this resting plRce-in order TO
attain peace in the regions oflight; /
"Wachend und wirkend i'm Geiste des reinen
LIGHT 8 unserer gottlichen Iehre; ruht seine
Seele Zetzt I'm ewigen frieden."
To us all may this occasion be an
Incentive to reneWe labors in the culture OF
Diety, harmony, bTotherly love and friendship
Upon the grave, and before the monumental
|. good ana noble, let us revive good resoiutNs
md noble sentiments, so that the lifeiess mar
DE become animated through our holy feel ]
ngs. Upon his sacred spot, brethren Of the {
o. gregaton B'na Israel" let us-me and
ou-dra nearer tae sweet bonds of love and
toward each other, so that the re-
nembrsnce Of the departed be perpetuated in 8
initiate his virtues, and adhere to the spirit OF !
lis teachings. Though his eyes, once beaming :
With intelligence, are closed though his lips I
re silent. that once proclaimed Jehovah's l
Ove though its body Is now deserted Of its \
immortal inhabitant, and is reduced TO a
enseless clod, yet let US often journey to his
rave, as messengers Of his bereaved widow 8
nd children, to ofer up a silent prayer 70 the 8
nemento Of hisspirlt.
Masonic ceremonies followed, then the
trewing of flowers all around the base Of q
he monument by the children, until 1t ,
vas almost covered. The ceremonies Of :
be evening terminated by an eloquent =
by the Rabbi Ssmfeld, and then =
be large congregation slowly retired, and 4
sft the beautiful monument alone in its ),
Tory, with the shadows of fast approach !,
~ night gathering around it, just as the .