Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-28
IEor the Dispatch.l

Dear Editor,-Since you have so kindly
called upon me to give to the public u
fuller expression of my views upon the
SsFuuerai Reform" question, now agitated
by the Evangelical Alliance of Richmond.
\ consent, but with a feeling OF hesitancy
engendered by the delicateness OF the sub
Seci.
In order to be brief ! shall take it for
granted that the readers of the Dispatcl
have carefully read and considered the
published discussions of this subject by
The alliance at its December and January
meetings. and especially the admirable re-
port presented by the Rev. DR.. Hoge az
well as tho commendable editorials OF both
the Dispatch and Times.
From these il will be seen there is great
unanimity among us in the belief OF the
existence of forms and customs injurious
and extravagant and greyious to be borne
practiced among us ON funeral occasions.
and that q movement tending TO reform Is
eminently in order.
Al the same time il is not the intention
of the alliance to dictate what should be or
should not be done on funeral OCCASIONS,
but only to create spirit of freedom that
viii 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
II can hardly be denied that under the
presept iron-bound customs very few, II
any, have this freedom, except Mt the RISK
of adverse criticism and feeling OF singu-
aarity akin 10 shame.
order to be in the fashion expenses were
Incurred that depleted the purses OF tho
surviving and rendered the loss doubly
severe. or debts were contracted that could
not possibly be paid, to the shame and
borrow of the bereaved.
No one is more willing than TO honor
Che dead-to pay to the memory OF our de-
parted friends that respectan and love proper
and due. But in the long and sometimes
ostentatious parades. in the superabun-
dance of flowers, and costliness OF dress. is
there not discoyerablo u vein OF human
pride, q manifest desire to honor the living
Father than the deadl
Aud ia there not also growing tendency
20 weigh ones good aud measure ones sor-
row by the magnificent display Of extraya-
gance on these solemn occasions?
How much more appropriate ut such
times 10 have the mind and heart freefronl
al that Is vain and worldly, but filled with
che sweet promises OF tho Gospel-contem-
plating not 80 much the separation as the
tehnioc in q better world than this.
i cannot too strongly express my disap-
proval OF the custom Of wearing super
abundance Of mourning attire. 1t seeins
foreign TO the spirit Of Christianity. IT we
believe, rs we almost always do. that the
departed loved one is gone TO be with the
Lord--to be clothed in white In the hons
of the soul (see Revelations hi. Al, surely
We should not clothe ourselves In the dark
habilimentsof death aud SEEN to the world
thus 10 have no hope. The heart-broken
despair that originated the custom in
nges past should not be perpetuated
BY Christian people in this Christian age
end Christian country. The long black
veil Is not only upseemly 10 Christian faith
but is also positively injurious 10 physical
heaith--not infrequenfiy producing Ill
health and often weakness Of sight. Fol
these and various other reasons we canno'
too earnestly hope the practice viii soon
be among tho things Of the past, as is Me
custom Of hiring nourners for the dead.
Hoping that you. MIR. Editor. along with
tho editors Of all the papers throughout
the land, will Join the Evangelical All.
anoe Of Richmond Ia agitstins this fune
fal-xefoYm question until all shall feel fres
~ east aside customs that had become law
and once moro exercise themselves In thai
{ 6eedob wherein Christ hath made us free
am with respect, J. 3. MosEE.
90 nwA EiyAA stssf, Ricluncnd, Va, Jan
pAxy n. lsso.