New-York tribune., 1901-06-10
NOW ! LAY NE. "
WHO OBJECTED TO THE sUGGEs-
TTON OF DEATH
TION OF DEATH

The Mothers Club is revolutionizing the train
ing of Children said a grandmother lately II
will question no longer if with propriety may be
called old fashioned old lady. My recent visit
10 my grandchildren-ny first personal acquaint-
with them-has settled the matter. The night
after arrival my little grandson, five years old,
insisted that grandmother should put him 10 bed.
When he is snugly tucked in said his mother,
he viii begin grooming Kipling's 'Mandalay' his
favorite recitation just now. For long time It
was The Hunting of the Shark" His rendering OF
''Mandalay'' is original with him. and you will
think it musical sure. After 'Mandalay'
comes Our Father'-that he will say with you.
line by line. he lies his pillow
Now. being old fashioned grandmother I had
positive convictions concerning blanket prayers
but suppressed them. as I try to be wise mother
in-law.
When the curly head was on its pillow and
the light turned low, the little fellow began
peat The wind is in the palm trees and the rest
of il in his quaint way. Then crossing his hands
his breast. he said Our Father When that
was done expected him as a matter of course
70 { ioA3W WI win no" lay me, but he had never
heafG H. and before could repeat II he was sound
asleep
mother dear, that belongs the past like teaching
want our children 10 kneel when they ask us for
oR Inc me- MoPerS , Club has taught us that
suggestion in the line. If l should die before
the chids mind! I remember 100 well the Iong
hours have lain awake lest | should die in nv
sleep The model parent OF to-day has advanced
beyond the convictions Of the model parent of yes
terday, when TO impress upon a child A fear OF
death and TO keep in his remembrance that he must
surely die was the duty of every good father and
mother
Think Of the funerals children were made TO at
tend when you were chld-the funereal selections
OF the old school readers the horrible gloom that
feI upon home whenever death crossed the
threshold the clocks stopped. the pictures covered
or turned 10 the wall and all the rest Perhans he
fulfiment OF the promise There shall be no more
death is nearer than many suppose: for what is
death when robbed of the fear of it-that fear
which has been positive cult for centuries? I
for believe that the blessed day is coming when
10 die Will be simply passing on, and. outside of
the circle Of the dear of the departed il will
be almost without observation Certainly there
VIII be welcome absence of funeral pageants, the
complete annihilation of the ashes after cremat
doing away in time with sepulchral urns and
chapels for their preservation. Memorial monu-
ments will then be in some form contributing to the
worlds betterment. The wearing of mourning will
be a thing Of the past and that blemish many a
fair rural landscape. the neglected old graveyard.
will have dsappea red. Funeral professions will
more 20 bout streets.
Now. when had recovered somewhat from my
amazenent at my daughters arguments. Why not
a revision Of the little prayer under such serious
condemnatio I ventured to suggest. So now the
little fellow il saying:
Now ] lay down to sleep;
! pray Thee. Lord, my soul TO keep:
When in the morning light l wake.
Lead Thou my feet that l may take
The path of love for Thy dear sake.