Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-06-19
MARRIAGE OF THE DEAD.

Il has often been observed that the
views, traditions and religious rites OF
pagan nations give evidence OF cem-
mon origin, and to the close student II
will also appear that this fret source
was that fountain spring OF eternal
truth, to which our progenitors had
access by divine revelation. The d.
vsrsity OF religious forms, many OF
which are mostly gross aupers,itions, 10
due to the tendency to dsgeneracy to
which every human being is subject-
ed, and which can be overcome only
by constant supply OF the new ma
terial needed for progress.
II all pagan religions were known
and their forms and doctrines under
stood, 1t would appear, probably, that
they all have preserved some part OF
the true religion which God had first
revealed to man. Everywhere we
find traces of the moral law, OF the
Priesthood. OF the idea OF an atone
ment, andiof immortality. Even the
ordinance of baptism has left Its im-
print on the religious observance OF
some pagan nations.
The belief In life after this Is well
illustrated in an Asiatic custom to pei
form marriage ceremonies for the
dead, rite so real to the observers
thereof that the living families OF the
deceased persons thereby are con-
sidered united In the bonds Of relation.
chip.
Upon this subject q geographical
msgaxine, Globus, contains an inter-
esting article. 1t 10 there stated that
Colonel Yule In his observations upon
marriage for the dead believed 1t 10 BIS
OF Chinese origin, and that 1t Is still
practiced In the northern part Of
China. 1t appears, however, the arti-
Gle goes on to say. that the custom
was originally introduced into Chinn
by the Tartars In the 18th CEN
fury before Christ 1t Is htst
mentioned by Chinese author
Ksng Yu.chi, IN a book written by
him In the year l126, where he speaks
OF it as new thing which was utterly
unknown In China In his younger
days, that 10, before the Tartars had
entered his country.
or the ceremony Itself the author In
the Glebus says the candidates must
have died unmarried. The parents
on both sides apply to the so-cslled
"Kweimer," which means "nego,ia.
tor OF marriage among the spirits" who
arranges all the details. The wedding
ceremony between the dead son
OF one family and the dead
daughter OF the other ia celebrated at
the grave OF the spirit-bridegroom or
spirit.bride. A contract 10 drawn up,
signed by the parents Of the bridal
couple, and then burned with great
aolemnity, In the belief that the BUSH
ness transacted between the living
will thus become known to the dead
and receive their assent as obedient
children.
The custom 10 mentioned by Marco
Polo, and was received as one OF his
travellers tales, but recent investiga-
tons have proven that his statements
are correct
1t is curious to reflect that the
great truth concerning the eternal
duration OF the marriage contract should
be found in the innsrmos. depths Of
the pagan world, far away from the
centers of Christian illumination, and
that at time when professedly Chris.
tian organisations come suspiciously
near, not only regarding marriage cove
nants as earthly transactions merely,
but even foIbidding them, regarding q
single state as q superior degree of per.
feotion. But may. we not con.
clnde that this fact is an evidence that
the eternal nature OF the covenants
between man and woman was one OF
The earliest truths taught by Coo 10 the
human family. and that 1t, notwith-
standing tho lapse OF ages, has not
been entirely bio,tei out Of the con-
sninuaupRs Of man?