The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-04-10
HOnOrlng the Dea d.

Honoring the dead has been a custom of
the people as far back in history as we can
trace. Among the Hebrews, to be deprived
of burial was thought to be one of the great
est marks of dishonor or causes of regret. It
was customary for the nearest relatives to
close the eyes of the dead and to give them
the parting kiss and then to commence the
wailing for the dead. which continued at in
tervals until after the burial. custom still
prevails in the east of hiring women for
mourners, who praise the diseased aud by
doleful cries and frantic gestures, aided at
times by sympathetic tones of music, strive
to express the deepest grief. Some of the
grandest structures in the world have been
tombs; such are the Pyramids of Egypt. the
castle of St. Angelo, Cecilia Mitella, and many
other temples susttered over Hindoostan and
other eastern countries. Thus the respect
paid by the living to the dead in ancient times
has preserved for the world many magnificent
products of architectural genius and labor. =,
Modern ways of honoring the dead differ
somewhat from those of the ancients. When
ever person of high rank. as a soldier or
statesman dies bells are tolled. flags placed at
half mast, and the whole nation mourns
while the remainssof the person are taken to
the burial ground and inferred with great
ceremonies after which monument is erect
ed % his memory. "
Formerly among the Chinese. whenever a
person dies, the friends mourned for him a
certain length of time, then the funeral ser
vices were held. The corpse was placed in
| the grave which was left open and then a
feast was spread. at which all the friends and
okok;r md ,.hi1n notl thnvv
occasionally threw a dainty piece of sweet
meat into the grave for the spirit of the de-
parted one. After the feast the grave was
closed. but the mourning was continued for
some time.
Until within the present century there was
a practice of giving series of expensive en-
| tertainments to guests at Scottish funerals.
but all this is now dispensed with, or nearly
so. The giving of costly entertainments was
not however confined to Scotland Taking its
rise in ancient customs which were perpetu-
ated by the Anglo-Saxons the practice Of con.
Stunning meat and drink in a species of gloomy
| festivity at funerals was common in England
and ireland, and carried to great extremes
at the deeease of persons Of distinction.
Among the Africans of the Gold coast the
custom once prevailed that whenever a chief
of the village died, the cries of his wives OF
which ne had great many, Immediately
spread the news throughout the village; the
favorite wife distinguishing herself by bel
grief and not without a cause, for after the
| funeral the priests took her and delivered hel
to some negroes who bound her hands ant
feet. then tossed her into the grave and thu
body of the husband upon her and then fillet
the grave with stones.
But these were heather rites some Of whicl
remain to this day; but all honor is due t.
Christian enlightenment so fully developed il
our times. The Christian people provide re
spectacle funeral services and interment. af
ter which a tombstone or monument is erect
ed at he head of the grave. To us this SEEM
sufficient for at the most it can but mark tn
resting place Of our departed friends, an
show to the world our respect for those W,
loved ond whose memory We cherish.
| FRANK CLAYsON.