The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-26
LYRIC HALL.

Tho Decoration of Soldiers' Graves-ser-
mon by the Rev. o. Ii. Rockingham.
All the possible vagaries of the weather have no
eject upon the congregation at Lyric Hall. The
attendance was large and select yesterday morn
Ing. The Rev. Mr.. rockingham preached on the
decoration Of soldiers graves which takes place
on next Friday. This observance, he began, has
grown into an institution, and we appeal to the
hearts OF men and women to mingle In the as
ISOLATION. We have few solemn festivals but
this has elements in it SO tender and
grave that the significance Of it cannot
be lost, and 1t touches the most solemn parts OF
our souls. The association of flowers with the
grave has very deep significance. The graves OF
the old and young, the worn and faint at heart,
are decorated alike with flowers. Even grim
orthodoxy covers its casket with these
BENEDIcTIoNs OF NATURE.
This association OF flowers with gravestones
shows the new birth of a sentiment in connection
with nature. Death has always been associated
with nature. The idea OF nature that 1t repre-
apower OF darkness and OF itself deadly. Nature,
SIN ana evil We're always associated together. The
natural life was the sensual life. Death
q nature, and is the doctrine of the the
Church to-day. The flower fades because the
breath Of the LORD blew upon it. What new
light Is thrown upon nature now and upon all
natural things All modern poetry Is full OF ma
ture beauty and freshness, and science Is de-
voting itself to the study OF nature. Even the
preacher scatters flowers through his sermon.
Does not death share the glory OF this transfgura.
ton When the human organization becomes
sn5 tor r. the souls the golden chain
s s oe snapped, tne BOND broken ana the use
less frame committed to the dust
DEATH OPENS THE DOOR
into the future taxes away the useless and in
capable, ana the fresh bright and strong. 1t Is
death issues an invitation to the new conner to the
feast OF life. He must learn natures laws and then
the young VIII not be taken away. Flowers show
tender feeling towards the dead, and they
preach sermons in their own way. The ceremony
OF putting flowers upon the
GRAVES OF SOLDIERS
s very appropriate gilt because the flowers ex-
press tenderness and pity. They drop tear on
the grave, and it is one that must interpret ITSELF
nor crown them with laurels but simply drop a
tear OF gratitude and regret. They were not all
heroes. Some were adventures with little thought
lor the country IN whose cause they Tell. They all
obeyed the same decree and were at last covered
by Mother Earth. they expiated the same errors
and stood side by side. They were all soldiers and
moved to the front when the order came There
fore spread flowers on all the graves Did our dead
alone leave home and family Some entertain Z
ieeling Of distinction between the dead that keeps
them from participating in the services. Did NOT
restitution and death mean as much to them as
70 usY What wcrld OF sorrow Is buried in the
CONFEDERATE GRAvEsl
Let the Northerner drop tear into Southern
grave and the Southerner one into Northern
grave. Inc very war that made our sorrow made
theirs, and II they dug our graves we dug theirs
Nature makes no distinction. The grass is as
green and the dew glitters as brightly on their
graves on ours. Heroism on the one side i'm.
pied heroism on the other. 1t was struggle OF
heroes. They were Americans and brothers,
cause OF their country, but were overwhelmed by
numbers at last. They fought in an unholy cause
ana were rebels and traitors against their mother
country-agalnst the government that had always
wished them wel. They were the Champions OF
slavery and despotism But were we all innocent
ana they all guilty The past is past and let IL be