The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-14


adopted.
The Ministers Association o. Richmond
and Manchester. having learned that the
Young Mems Christian Association. Of
this city. is in great need Of funds for
its work. We do hereby earnestly urge
upon an our people the necessity Of com
ing 20 the help of this institution. which
has done and is doins such a great and
noble work for the young men Of Rich
mOnd.
DIR. HOGE's ESSAY.
Tho next event was an essay by Or.
Ilogo on Funeral Reform, which was
listened TO most attcntivcly, and az the
conclusion OF which motion to have the
same printed in the papers was adopted
and vote Of THANKS rendered 10 DI.
ll0ge.
Following is the fun text Of DR.. Hoges
paper.
When n the providence Of God the
lerearcmonts come which take 50 much
OF The music and fragrance and sweet
ness out ot life. and when sorrow has
awakened the tCudcrcst and most sacred
emotions OF the heart. We dare not dictate
90 tle m0urucr how the inevitable grief
should express itself. nor lay down arbi-
trary rules as 90 the manner in which the
last. sad rites of respect and affection for
tac departed should be performed.
Few subjects demand more considerable
and delicate handling than funeral
usagcs. OF more dcferential regard for
the traditions. the sentiments, and the
preferences OF others.
lu the discussion Of such theme all
assumption of superior wisdom is unwar-
rautable. AIN that gives even the intlma-
ZION oi dictatOrial spirit IS unpardon-
able. The advocates OF funeral reforms
must not claim a. refinement of feeling
or "a more delicate sense OF propriety than
that of tho public TO which they make
their appeal bit must cOnhne themselves
TO the consideration of what is most in
harmony with the religion they profess,
with what is due TO the sorrow Of the
beIcatcl. and what will most cOnduce 90
tle good of the entire community
appreciate tho courtesy of the Minis
teI4l Union of this city in requesting me
10 prepare a paper on this important
theme 1 recognize. too, the difficulty ana
dclcacy OF the task assigned TO me. and
I'm -he discharge of the duty / can only
state the conclusions to which 1 have
come after long consideration OF the sub
Ject. ana see. remembering, as l do, the
be ready 90 surrender any or all Of mine
81 they are proved 70 be untenable.
There seem to De some usagcs in the
conduc, ol funerals which an who have
given the subject any thought are unani-
NOUS lu agreeing may be changed with
adt4uturr. and there are other usages
with regard 20 which different opinions
are entertained.
Ia the natural order Of such a discus
sion wo may consider these separately
beginning with the reforms about which
there appears TO be "a general approval.
TIE PROPER TIME.
First. As to the proper time for holding
funeral services.
Whenever practicable. it is desirable
that they should bee held on some other
day than The sabbath.
1t is admitted az once that there are
circumstances which make the intermcnt
necessary on that day. and when such is
thc case au discussion on the subject is
iIlc. But to select that day when DO such
necessity exists is 10 Doe deprecated Tor
many reasons DO entails a. vast amount
OF unnecessary labor. as ls evident from
The number of persons employed iu their
different Nocations. in making preparation
TO- the funeral and in conducting Il 10
i' CLOSE.
e. dissertation OF the day I'm other
Isl equally evident. Some of our
cemeteries aro througed on Sundays as IL
they were public parks. When an inter-
mcut takes place crowds OF unsympathe-
tlc llicts gather about the grave-somc-
times with lcyity which is painful 10
the hcielved. When there is military
funeral on sunday there is often am ac-
compauyus rahblc that outnumbers the
soldiers Boo the procession.
Do The time for the funeral should be
fixed at tho hour OF the regular service
in the church. then many who are not
interested in the event are disappointed
at such substitute for their ordinary
worship; and IL the time for the funeral
81 tAei Boa thc interval between the us
lal services. then an undue amount Of
labor is imposed OH pastors whose regular
du'ics on that day sufficiently tax their
time and strength.
FUNERAL EXPENSES.
Second. Tho cost OF funerals
Here probably all will admit that re-
form 81 possible. practicable. and desir-
able. We live at q time when the diff
Guilty Ci obtaining employment IS iucroas-
ile with Tho increase of population and
OF inouopoles which make the rich richer
ana the poor poorer. a large proportion
Of tho people aIe iu straltened circum-
stances. a man may ordinarily regulate
lis household expenses according to his
means oi living. but hc finds this privilege
taken away when "a death occurs Ina his
family. because ot the pre, alling custom
which demands such expensive prepare
lions fog The fIeural Many "a family
S. sfralteacI for months after the fu-
neral fol want a. means of supporting the
living. because Of the amount expended
iu huryire the dead.
This could best Dee corrected il the rich
would see the example OF as much cCcn-
omv in funeral expenses as is consistent
with the respect and love they cherish for
Tho departed ard 10 is not beyond the
province of tho pulpit 20 urge a diminu-
ton OF cNimvaeant display al une
which speaks $50 imprcssiycly OF the emp
illness and vanity OF all that b. seen ana
temporal
Third. Exposure at tho grave.
Since funerals must occur at all seasons
OF thc year. and often when the weather
is most Indictment the question arises.
how can thls dangerous exposure be avoid
CdT To stand with uncovered heads for
quarter OF half an hour on the wet ground,
possibly amidst rain and slcct and bitter
wind. subjects the officiating clergyman
aud friends Of The deceased 10 unneces-
tary discomfort and danger Some are
BOW sleeping 600 orr cemeteries who would.
IN an probability. sim be among the
living but for such disregard OF the ma
iuul laws Of health. IL may be suggest
cd therefore, that after the religious ser
Vices are concluded the company should
retire only those remaining whose duty
30 is to see the intcrmcnt properly conduct
cd. that The ladies remain IA thcif car
itarca. and that mono should be expected
90 stand with uncovered heads IN winter
storms. after the prayers are omdcd-nor