Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-02-05
From the Richmond Dispatch, Jan 2sth.
Funeral Reform.

From the Richmond Dispatch, Jan 2sth.
Funeral Reform.
In the following communication the Rev
MIR. Moser treats a subject which must bt
regarded as one worthy of the consideration
of the entire community. When such mer
as compose the Evangelical Alliance tell us,
after studying the matter, that great re-
forms are needed in our funeral and funereal
customs, it is time for us to begin the good
| work. We especially commend what Mr..
Moser says as to the wearing of mourning
apparel.
[FOr.the Dispatch.l
Dear Editor,-Since you have so kindly
called upon me to give to the public a full
er expression of my views upon the GU
| neral Reform" question, now agitated by
the Evangelical Alliance of Richmond, /
consent, but with feeling of hesitancy en-
gendered by the delicateness of the subject.
In order to be brief shall take it for
granted that the readers of the Dispatch
have carefully read and considered the pub
lished discussions of this subject by the al
lance at its December aud January meet
lngs, and especially the admirable report
presented by the Rev. Dr.. Hoge as well as
the commendable editorials of both the Dis
patch and Times
From these it will be seen there is great
unanimity among US in the belief of the
existence of forms and customs injurious
and extravagant and grevious to be borne
practiced among us on funeral occasions,
and that movement tending to reform is
eminently in order.
At the same time it is not the Intention
of the alliance to dictate what should be or
oh nn1d ho fup
but only to create spirit of freedom that
will allow all to elect for themselves as to
forms and places of service, quantity and
quality of flowers and carriages to be used.
and color and costliness of attire to be
worn.
1t can hardly be denied that under the
present iron-bound customs very few, if
any, have this freedom, except at the risk
of adverse criticism and feeling Of singu.
larity akin to shame.
How often has it been the case that in or
der to be in the fashion expenses were in
CURED hat depleted the purses of the sur
viving and rendered the loss doubly severe,
or debts we're contracted that could dot
possibly be paid, to shame and sorrow
the bereaved.
No one is more willing than to honor
the dead-to pay to the memory of our de-
parted friends that respect and love proper
and due. But in the long and sometimes
ostentatious parades, in the superabundance
of flowers, and costliness of dress. is there
not dscoverable a vein of human pride, a
manifest desire to the honor the living rath-
er than the dead?
And is there not also growing tendency
to weigh ones good and measure ones sor-
row by the magnificent display of eXtrava-
gance on these solemn occasions?
How much more appropriate at such
times to have the miDd and heart free from
ali that is vain and worldly. but filled with
the sweet promises of the Gospel-contem-
plating not so much, the separation as the
reunion in better world than this.
cannot too strongly express my disap-
proval of the custom of wearing super
abundance of mourning attire. 1t seems
foreign to the spirit of Christianity If we
believe, as we almost always do, that the
departed loved one is gone to be with the
Lord-to be clothed in white in the home
of the soul (see Relations ill.,, 4), surely we
should not clothe ourselves in the dark
habiliments of death and seem to the world
thus to have no hope. The heart broken
despair that originated the custom in ages
past should not be perpetuated by Chris
tian people in this Christian age and Chris
tian country. The long black veil is not
only unseemly to Christian faith but is also
positively injurious to physical health-not
producing i'll. l.health and often
weakness of sight. For these and various
other reasons we cannot too earnestly hope
the practice will soon be among the things
of the past, as is the custom of hiring mourn
ers for the dead.
Hoping that you, Mr.. Editor, along with
the editors of all the papers throughout the
land, will join the Evangelical Alliance of
Richmond in agitating this funeral-reform
question until all shall feel free to cast aside
customs that had become law and once
more exercise themselves in that freedom
wherein Christ hath made us free.
am with respect, ]. s. MosER.
610 North Eighth street, Richmond, jan
uary 81, 1890.