The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-04-04
for the manner in which he wept at
his. daughters grave.

| !ol VIC HauHSI LII WulCh uc Wcpt w
his daughters grave.
We see that the most excessive
demonstrations for sorrow have at
tended an era in this worlds history
which we have left behind. It is a
sad thing, however, that we have
such gloomy relic of former days
among us as the black garb, by which
the brightness of many life is
blighted. It is mere matter of
fashion--Worn by the majority of the
world for no other cause. I have
known widow driven to wear black,
for which she had an sabhorrence, and
which her husband had never allowed
her to wear, by the fact that "people
would think she did rot treat his
memory with respect She could
not face Mrs. Grundy. 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 funer-
al is paid for, and the family ettired
in black, there is not as much money
left Us will buy loaf of bread. This
fashion OF !.sgoing in black" is most
| tyrannical custom. It is like q con-
tagious disease. Minds which we
would suppose incapable Of the infec-
ton take it, and so on the first be-
reavement, 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 ac-
ceptable, but inasmuch as these are
unhealthy states, it is not we'll to fos.
ter them. There is but enc event OF
which we all are surc--that called
Death. Our friends may look for,
and long for, and expect our birth,
but until we are really arrived hither
from the invisible world, all is uncer.
tainty. Not SO with the great mes
senger 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 time orr 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 we'll for us if we keep our
souls attended to the harmony of
Gods law, so that we can keep step
when the music changes.
have said we can never be happy
in etate of rebellion to the manifest
will of our Heavenly Father. This
we certainly are when we go about
enyeloped in mourning.
There is no good side from which
to contemplate the custom. 1t is
often too mere mockery. Perhaps,
in addition to the wearing of black,
it may be the fashion of city to
''bow the windows" for year, or
longer, after a bereavement. Where
the custom of the place sanctions
heavy outside window shutters, the
opportunity is very favorable for this
mode of expressing grief. 1t is not
unusual to Gee houses, for years to-
gether, with the shutters tied by
black ribbons, the ends of which are
carefully pushed out for the contem-
plation Of passers by. 1t is quite i'm
possible that God will leave US SO
comfortless in our loss, but that q
good measure Of cheerfulness will in
a little while be our portion, and so
4
it happens that the front of n house
may be decked in the "habilimcnts
of woe,' and it's occupants, in their
black garbs, have quite a lively time
within. That they should have a
lively time 'is q grand and natural
thing. We need not try to contend
with the inevitable. The cheerful
ness is all right; it is this knocking
of woe" that is wrong. Then too,
mourning is unhealthy. No one can
get a healthy breath of pure air be-
hind black Grape veil. Much inno-
cent life is crushed out by it, materi-
ally as we'll as spiritually.
There is world of vanity in this
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