Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-18
The Cremation Of lhe FUTURE.

49, 49, ANA "AAAAAgH
It is not a disagreeable journey on
which We now propose to take our
leaders. 1t is to witness the final dis
position OF friends remains in the
ideal crematory furnace OF the future
science having already perfected
the mechanical appliances necessary
in conducting it in the way we de-
scribe. Our friend has died and through
the usual announcements we learn that
the last rights will be performed in
the oolumbarium at a given hour.
Repairing thither az the appointed
time we first pass through a grove Of
stately trees, the soothing musmur Of
whose rustling leaves brings peace and
quiet into the hearts OF those who
mourn and gather to pay the last trib.
ute. Within the grove stands a mas
sive building Of gray masonry whose
architecture shows no striving after
ornamental effect, and whose solid
proportions give a sense OF eternal
permanency. A few small windows in
the simple frieEe which crowns its
walls do not destroy this effect and
their plain stained glass clashes in no
wise with the harmony Of color be.
tween the sky, the trees and the gray
stone Of the Temple Of Rest. About
the dorio pillars of its portico green
vines twine fondly as though they, too,
would do their share OF robbing death
Of all its hideousness. To this place
loving hands have borne the body OF
our friend. No coffin lends its horror
to the journey from this earthly home
to here, where eternal sleep awaits
him. A flower strewn bier gives poetic
carriage TO this short and final journey.
Entering the broad portal thesoft deep
Dotes Of an organ charm the ear. Tie
eye takes in most imposing sight.
The entire interior Of the building is
one impressive room with walls. hoor.
ceiling, all Of white and spotIess
marble. The view. is not a dazzling
one, for the light is subdued and comes
in varied colors through the windowsa.
the top. On either side Of the cham
Der stand few memorial statutes
real works Of art-each one Of them
keeping alive the memory Of some one
who in bis life was either good or
great. Many Of the marble slabs In
the sides and floor Of the temple bear
in plain, suhken letters, & name and
two dates. Behind or beneath them
are inches containing urns where rest
the pure white ashes Of the beloved
dead. On a simple dais 10 the middle
Of the room lays the body Of our be.
loved friend. The hour has come and
about it are gathered those who knew
and loved him while he lived. The
scene, the surroundings, the subdued
music Of the organ, the absence Of
everything to jar upon the taste or
senses, brings on a mood Of solemn
contemplation. No thought Of physi-
cal corruption jars upon our memories
Of the dead. The opening words Of
the speaker are said, hidden choir
tremendously chants Of hope and life,
and new the end has come. With the
words ashes TO ashes" a white pail is
thrown over the dais and We have
locked upon our friend for the last
time. The dais noislessly sinks
from sight, short hour is spent in
listening to a funeral Grafton or 10
contemplation, until the dais. still
covered with the pail, rises from be-.
low. The pail removed, we see upon
the dais an urn-prOvided beforehand.
and containing the ashes Of our frieod.
This is now sealed into one Of The
inches and the ceremony is over. This
is not pure Imagination. Modern n
vention has robbed incarceration Of all
lts Objectionable features. Never an
OF late years could the world well and
simply solve the problem of what 10
do with its dead. The whole process
can be carried on as we have pictured
and without single revolving feature
in any mart Of IL