The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-04-24
at'heelina &egl5ter.
BUKIALOF THE DEAD.

The Presby &c rian Ministers ADOPT n
Funeral Code-DispIsy and Extra
yasance Deplored-sundaY Funer-
IL, Objected 40.
The Presbyterian Ministerial Associa-
ton, of Pittsburgh, met Monday after
noon in the Session room Of the First
Presbyterian Church, and was opened
with devotional exercises by the Pres
ident. Last week the subject of funerals
was fally discussed, and committee was
appointed to bring in minute, expressive
of the sense of the Association upon the
subject. Rev. A. Williams, d. D., snd
Rev. &. V. Mccoy read papers, which
were adopted, AS expressing in the main
the views of the Association, The fol-
loving is the paper Of Rev, Williams,
ID
The Presbyterian Ministerial Associa-
ton having Insturely considered the SUD-
iect of funerals and their abuses, adopt
the following IS an expression OF their
views:
l. The cost Of funerals, as ordinarily
conducted, has become an oppressive
burden, especially on families IN moder-
Ate circumstances. The costly burial
caskct, the long array OF carriages, the
tull suits OF mourning apparel, ETC., which
fashion requires, form an aggregate OF
expense which many reluctantly submit
to rather than approve.
We recommend, therefore, to those
who are able to endure these expenses,
that in their funeral arrangements they
set an example of plsinness sud SIM
phcity, which others less able may be IN
duced 10 initiate. A funeral is DO place
for vain display, which is but mockery
Of real sorrow. Let the coffin or casket
be not of the most costly sort, and be
conspicuous for the absence OF gaudy dec
grafton, which good taste condemns.
Let tue funeral be private, carriages
being provided only for the family
and near relatives. If others choose
to Join the procession let 1t
be in carriages of their own providlngi
and let this become the fashion through
Ihs example of those who are able to set
he tas hions. Also, let IL be given out
that costly floral decorations are not eI-
oec,ed from friends. As to mourning
apparel, let the unnecessary and un.
,eemly black be discarded, especially by
aides, as q summer gsrb, and II any
badges must be worn. let them be simple
and be soon laid aside. True sorrow
needs no such expression, and full mourn
ing is often worn when the heart Is not
sad.
> The appointment Of funerals on the
Lords Day should be discouraged, ex-
cept in cases where 1t may seem to be
absolutely necessary. Pastors are a.
WAYS busy on that day, and should not
be required to perform this extra service,
The Sabbath is often chosen as a funeral
more for the sake of display than any
thing else, especially by those outside OF
any church, and who have no claim on
tie minister's time; and while 1t may
not usually bs we'll for minister to re-
fuse TO attend such funeral, the parties
concerned should at least be expected to
confer with him beforehand rs 70 the
most suitable hour.
3. Funeral sermons should not be
preached, except in extraordinary cases.
let u brlet address suffice, and let that
not be babtually lsudstOry, lest eulogy
should come to be always expected. Let
comforting words be spoken to the
mourners in private, and not as part OF
the funeral address. Funerals IN church
should not be encouraged, as saVorlng OF
display and as implying the expectation
OF sermon.
4. Let the last look and leave taking
both by the family and friends, be at
tended to ana the coffin closed bsiore The
service commences, and thus needless de-
Isy and other Inconvenience Will be
avoided, The temptation to vain dis
play of costly casket and sdornmenls
will thus a.sO be removed.
8. In any attempted reforms, let them
not be too radical, or be lndlscreetiy
urged. Funeral costumes are OF slow
Growth. and are connected with our most
tender feelings, and cannot be suddenly
changed. The good sense OF our people
should be appealed to on this subject at
other times than In their moments OF sor-
row. The cooperation OF the eldersAiP
and of iudicious ladies, should be invoked.
Well TO do people should be urged to set
the example, for the sake Of others who
need to be delivered from the tyranny OF
vain and costly funeral customs. Itmay
be well a'so TO preach a sermon on the
whole subject.