Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-02-11

an era IN this worlds history which we
have left behind. 1t is a sad thing,
however, that we have such a gloomy
relic of former days among us as the
black garb, by which the brightness of
many life is blighted. 1t IS a mere
matter of fashlon-worn by the ma
jority Of the world for no other cause.
l have known a widow driven to wear
black, for which she had an adherence,
and which her husband had never al
lowed her to wear, by the fact that
people would think she did not treat
his memory with respect" She could
not face Mrs. GTatRdy. 1t is through
the dread of this same parsonage that
many spend the last cent they have in
order to procure black clothing. The
poor copy the rich. A man dies, and
perhaps, after handsome funeral is
paid for, and the family attired in black,
there is not as much money left as.win
buy loaf of bread. This fashion Of
"going in blacK'' is most tyrannical
custom. 1t is like contagious disease.
Minds which we would SUPP 1se inca
pable of the infection take it, and so on
the first bereavement, a whole family,
even to the little ones, are in black.
One can see that there may be states
of mind to which black clothing is ae-
certable, but inasmuch as these are un-
healthy states, it is not well to foster
them. There is but one event of which
all are Sure-that called Death. Our
friends may look for, and long for, and
expect our birth, but until e are really
arrived hither from the invisible world,
all is uncertainty. Not so with the
great messenger through which the
way is opened to the great Beyond.
We cannot be happy while we live in
dread OF this great translation, nor can
we be happy if we fix ourselves in
state of rebellion against Gods laws,
when it bears out of our sight for a
time our dearly loved ones. Every
moment that we live some Of our great
human family are passing away, but
the sun shines, the flowers bloom, all
nature is as beautiful as before. The
great march Of life goes on. 1t is well
for us if we keep our souls attended to
the harmony of Gods law, so that we
can keep step when the music changes.
l have said we can never be happy
in state of rebellion to the manifest
will of our Heavenly Father. This we
certainly are when we go about envel-
oped in mourning.
There is no good side from which to
contemplate the. custom. 1t is often
too mere mockery. Perhaps, iii ad-
dition to the wearing Of black, it may
be the fashion OF a city to "bow the
windowsn y for a year, or longer, after
a bereavement. Where the custom Of
the place sanctions heavy outside win
dow shutters, the opportunity is very
favorable for this mode of EXPRESSING
grief. 1t is not unusual to see houses,
for years together, with the shutters tied
by black ribbons, the ends Of which are
carefully pushed out for the contempla-
tion of passers by. 1t is quite impos-
sible that God will leave us so comfort
less in our loss, but that a good mea-
sure of fcheerfulness will in little while
be our portion, and so it happens that
the front of house may be decked in
the habiliments of woe. = and its oc-
cupants, in their black garbs, are hav
ing quite lively time within. That
IHCJ OuOulu udfO q lAF0lJ OIAhC 10 O
grand and natural thing. We need not
try to contend with the inevitable
The cheerfulness is all right it is this
knocking Of woe = that is wrong. Then
too, mourning is unhealthy. No one
can get healthy breath Of pure air be-
hind black Grape veil. Much inno-
cent life is crushed out by it, materially
as well as spiritually.
There is a world Of vanity in this
same garb. People are exceedingly care
full to have the eract right fashion for
their especial phase of grief. Flounces
may be worn in one way plated, we
think it is-but in no wise may they be
worn gathered; things must all be very
nice and harmonize well in the early
stages Of grief, for 'people look at US
so when we first 60 out''
During the sacred period, when the
loved form from which the spirit has
just departed, remains with US, what a
desecration it seems to have the mind
distracted by thoughts Of our clothing.
How paltry and utterly Insignificant
an occupation.--P Progress.