The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-27
ORDINATIONS IN AMERICA.
Rapidly Coming Into Practice in This
Country and Europe.
From the Nelo York Press.


The practice of cremation steadily con-
tinues to gain ground in the Eastern as well
as the Western Continent, Already 1t is
common in Italy, France, Spain and the
majority Of the smaller foreign countries as
well as the larger. A dozen or so cremato-
ries have been opened within the last year,
and at least double that number are in proc
aSS of construction.
In some European countries, Italy, for in
stance, there is scarcely a city without one
of these societies. When "A society is once
formed it is only a matter of time before a
Crematory is built.
This seems wonderful to those who realize
how deep-rooted was the prejudice against
the system, aud how radical was the change
that the idea of cremation involved Yet,
despite it's inauSpicious beginning, the strong
sentiment against it and the many obstacles
i'll its path, the reform has already obtained
a strong footing IN this country and III the
Old World.
When the New York Crematory Society
was organized in 1881 there were only four
crematories in existence one at Washing
ton, Pa, and three in Europe.
In different parts of Europe to-day there
are over twenty-five crematories. London,
Paris, Copenhagen, Florence, Venice, Ores
den, Brussels, Rome and many other
smaller towns all boast of their crematorles.
Another country in which the form lnds
favor is Germany During the last year over
5000 signatures appeared on petition lald
before the Reichstag.
Public interest has long been awakened in
France and England There is about to be
erected in France a handsome and commo Ii
Gus crematory, and an eminent physician III
his lectures estimates that il will be able to
consume about 5000 bodies annually. This
is about tn average number of deaths in
the hospitals of Paris during the year. The
bill which provides for the cremation OF the
dead has already passed the Chamber of
Deputies ana is now before the Senate, and
there Is no DOUBT but that it will become a
law.
The movement has not gained much head
way in England, on account of Parliament
airy opposition, strong religious or rather
supersttious objections and the unfortunate
| incarceration of Lady Dixie A more fav r
able change has taken place lately, and the
leaders of the reform, like Sir Henry Thomp-
son and several other well-known English
men, who are strong and enthusiastic sup
porters o. cremation, think that it is only a
matter of time when the reform Will gener-
ally be adopted.
Many people in this country who strong
" object to cremation are surprised to see
tle ucduNdS VIG III d'IlCo mas SdiiiVu ~ G
They did not think it would be adopted on
account of our having ample room for bury
ing grounds and cemeteries At the present
time there are about twenty societies in the
United States, and all of them have put
their principle into practice, and have
erected large and spacious crematories.
Besides that at Fresh Pond there are insti-
buttons at Pittsburg, Washington, Pa, Buff
falo, Cincinnati, Detroit and Lancaster
Others are being erected at Davenport,
Iowa; Philadelphia, Baltimore and San
Antonio.
The Fresh Pond Institution was opened
for the public about two years ago. In that
time there have been cremated over l5C
bodies, and there are about q dozen apph-
cations on hand at the present time.