The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-03


had but two days before given birth to a
son, sat in one corner of the room behind
a screen, ON the floor, and the rest of us
sat on the floor before the coffin. In
many places it is customary to nail the
lid Of the coffin down, the strokes of
hammers jarring cruelty upon the scene.
l have not said that the funeral was last
evening, on the same day as the death,
and beginning 1880 p. m. at the house.
Last evening they used screws for the
coffin, but pair of pincers and a piece
of iron banding was their nearest APP
proach to a screw-dTiver. A few verses
of Scripture were read after Christian
song, and prayer was offered. Another
song and short address followed,
whereupon, as is usual, a paper was read,
giving the name, age, and briefly the i'm
portant events of his young life. A
hymn, and thel people were allowed to
see the remains, whereupon people filed
outdoors with lanterns and formed a
line in couples. Five men carried bam-
boo poles with white and red streamers
six feet in length, upon which was the
name of the deceased. Four men fol
lowed them carrying the cofiin-Kago
style-upon their shoulders. Behind
these came friends in a long line. Mr..
Nagata lived close by small river which
flows through Tottori-the Fukurogawa,
it is called.
Along this river we walked for half a
mile in the quietude of evening with
heavy black clouds in the distance, while
sheets of lightning appearing and disap-
pearing as if to light us on our way. 1t
was half-past eight as we went along.
For fully mile and half we walked
with large drops Of rain anon baptizing
us as it were, but not drenching We
went up stone steps, up, up, up, steep,
broken steps, pauses were made. AT
last on the summit of the hill we rested.
1t was dark, save for faint light in the
heavens above and flashes intermittent.
With these lights one could discern the
valleys around and distant mountains.
A funeral at night A burial on noun
tain! Around, the stones of departed
idolators! Here, a freshly planted Ro-
man Catholic cross! Above, the play OF
nature! The little hymn books, the
Christians Vdde mecum, as much as the
Testament, are brought out from Their
sleeves and t1cS y out over the valleys
60 the notes of slf1stian Followers. ]
stood apart in the darkness and watched
the scene-truly novel to me.
A prayer and they raised the coffin to
the edge of the grave. But-a thing moi
to be astonished at in Japan-it was toe
SMALL 1t was only three and one-hali
feet deep, think, and it was too short.
At once two men entered and began with
their picks to enlarge. One man came
out and a man naked, save for his loin-
olnth at,tara1 ap1 -, fayrv Inn .ac he
work was done. The coffin was lowered.
1t did not go down perfectly level, and a
man jumped down upon it to make il
comparatively even. Dirt was rapidly
thrown in and then 1 saw with wonder
that the tomb-stone-at least Temporal
ry one-had been brought along, consist
ing of a wooden post, square-cornered,
four inches on a side perhaps, and about
five feet long. This they placed over the
centre of the coffin after few inches of
earth had been thrown in, and when all
was replaced the post stood three feet
above ground perhaps and on it were
written in large Chinese characters the
name and other items of interest. 1t
was about 1920 p. m. when l reached
home and it was much later for some.
Hundreds are going down TO untimely
deaths through consumption. It is a
cheering thing however to have them die
Christians.
The mother of this unfortunate or for
tunate as he may be called is not a be-
lever in eternal life but in humiliation.
We hope she may yet see life, through
her husband and another son who are
Christians. His Bible and hymn book
were put in the coffin with him-a gen.
eral practice. We part with such young
men with grief, and yet they are to be
congratulated on many accounts. Very
cordially, let me remain yours,
G. M. SEVERANCE.
KoTARo.
Kotaro was what his name was and his ago was
seYP1teen
When he LEFT the earthly clay home for the home
where saints are seen.
Life for him on Japan soil was nore than spirit
could maintain,
Wrapped in body rail and nerVeless, prey to
wind and snow and rain.
But indeed pleasant soiourn in the flesh God
Little pain and little sorrow;-he had rather lived
in mirth.
Years before he left fair earth for passage all u1-
seen
To the realm Of living spirits found by those
called "blest,"
He had learned the love OF Jesus, he had Joined
the Christian Church;
And the Doshisha enrolled him for the work Of
that same church
He had seen a loving brother led to preach the
word OF God,
And his father, glad in faith. giving up his sons
toGod.
In the midst Of happy planning, thinking how to
mankind
wond'ring when his mother, also, and his little
brothers, blind,
Blind to Christian Revelation and the need Of q
"Eew Birth"
Would the Light, the Love Of Jesus, and His
Power and win perceive,
Wondering thus, and trusting, even, that at last
they all would be
In a world all peaceful, lovely, one unbroken
family,
Kotaro gave up his breathing, ceased the con
fict Nature made,
Gave earth's breath 10 other uses, sought the
Spiritual breath.
shl his Enclosed eyes were shining, still his lips
were parted vide
Yet In language men on earth use, Il was said,
"Why. he has diedi"
But It seemed he must be there yet; whence
could 90 this life 20 soonl
IL would seem he must still speak there. even as
a heav'nly boon.
This at least was felt quite certain that the same
Who had known on earth earth's language would
In heay'n the heavily know.
80 the friends about his body rested satisfied with
And assured themselves with saying that his
spirit was In bliss.
While they sewed the "weedsn Of mourning, while
they ranged the flowers in shape,
NVhfla thew mi al