New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-12
A CONFERENCE AT GRACE CHAPEL PRAISES THE
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A CONFERENCE AT GRACE CHAPEL PRAISES THE
EFFORTS OF THE REV. MR.. LAWRENCE.
The Rev. Frederick Lawrence, vicar Of Nestow,
York England and secretary Of the Church OF Eng
land Burial Funeral and Mourning Reform Associa
ton addressed conference held yesterday at Grace
Chapel Letters we're read from ministers who had
been invited TO be present rcgrcttng that they were
unable to take part in the conference owing TO theE
absence from the city or previous engagements
Mr. 1awrence said in part that the Christian life
beginning on earth was an onward progress with no
dlsrup ton death being the Bishop OF Lincoln had
said. Not end but event In life, new star,
with an extended knowledge and purer love"
Christian funeral therefore, should show forth mo
Christian principles Of faith and hope. The essenta
part of man was not the perishabe body, but the
imperishable soul While. therefore, that which haa
been the temple Of the Holy Ghost should be dealt
with reverenily there should be attempt to delay
its burial or preserve Il I'm solid coffin or Vault
Christian burial was no fttng occasion for an ex
ravagant display Of symbols suggestive only OF ucah
and despair Though no nCgardly spirit should be
shown at such time, for the burial was loves last
Office in this world yet the gifts should dignity the
funeral rather than recothe death with horrors
few flowers plucked from the garden would show
forth the love of God and tell Of the Resurrection
and all the symbols and memorials used should speak
Of Christian faith and Christian hope
The burial service of the Church Of England offered
suggestions OF a mode Of dsposng of the dead, which
II properly and completely carried out, was IN ac-
cordance with sound science. II the CONN was Oh
a perishable nature" according 10 sir Lyon Playfair,
II the graves were not too crowded, the dead would
be resolved into air and into ashes as certainly 10
three years as they would be in furnace In the
course Of an hour and in both cases without injury
to the living By assembling at the grave rather
than at the house OF mourning the funeral should be
made as little trying and Inexpensive a. possible
10 the bereavcd. The society, therefore, Appeared
earnestly for moral and material support, ana LOT
prompt and united action on the part OK all VINO
professed and called Themselves Christians.
The Rev. DR.. William r. Huntington, rector OF
Grace Church presided at the conference. Az the
clo-c OF Mr. Lawlcnces words he expressed MS sym
uathy with the aims OF the society The lev. Ut
Reginald r. starr. assistant rector OF 81 InOnlas
Church. spoke briefly the burden Of expensive
funerals to the poor. lie offered resolution that
the aims Of the society be Endorsed by tho conference
and that Mr. Lawrence be thanked for his Kindness.
Father Allen. of the Holy Cross Mission, said that
II the mode Of burial could be simplited great dea
would be accomplish for the benefit OF the poor
4 miniature cofiin made OF compress d pup
fas tened together securely By bands OF ron Was
shown for Inspection. ,
Mr. Lawrence started last evening for Montreal
He viii sail for England In a few days 70 attend an
important meeting the Burial Reform society,
which is to petition Parliament TO institute an IN,
quiry by Royal Commission into the CONDITION OF
cemeteries and other burial places In England