The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-02-02
CREMATION
OR BURIAL 2.
F.J.LowreyBefore
Social Science
Club.
Local Conditions and
What They
Mean.
interesting Discussion Followed
the Paper and a Lunch
interesting Discussion Followed
the Paper and a Lunch
Ended All.

Cremation of the dead was topic
ynost interestingly discussed last even
ing at the residence of w. r. Castle
at the regular monthly meeting of the
Social science Club. f. J. Lowrey read
q carefully prepared treatise on the
subject, citing local conditions as po-
tent reason for the establishment of
the cremation process in the islands
The discussion showed that majority
of those present were in favor of ere
nation.
Among those present at the meeting
were: DR.. S. E. Bishop, Prof. Brigham,
Rev. w. NJ. Kincaid, Prof. w D. Alex.
ander, f. S. Dodge, A. F. Judd, DR.. L.
E. Cofer, DR.. n. B. Emerson, DR.. W.
IT Mays. A. n. Campbell, JOS. Elmer
son. DIR. C. B. Cooper, DR.. Whitney. T.
Give Davies, Chief Justice w. F. Frear,
Rev. o. P. Emerson, w. L. whitney
Mr.. Heden1ann, Prof Scott, G. M.
Cooke. Rev. o. H. Gulick, f. j. Low
rev. Judge Hartwell and Rev. w. p.
Westervelt.
After the meeting a tempting lunch
was served on the lanai. comprising
salads, cakes, blancmange. fruits and
coffee
Mr.. Lowrey's paper, which was read
by the author, is as follows:
The subject chosen for the eVeolns
;s a grave one and while announced as
Cremation, might perhaps nave peen
more appropriately given as DISPOSE
tion of the Dead.
The paper is not presented as giving
.nv s1acialIy new points to those VINO
have given the matter thought and at
tention. but it is with the hope that
;,+erest. NAV be aroused or the SUD
5ect and some action taken by the
Community which shall be productive
of good. z.zuoua
The subject of how best to dispose
of dead bodies has had consideration
of all ages and periods, ana various :
raasons and circumstances have leo
+o difserent conclusions at olhereh'
times. - ~
Al the present time the custom III
general use is that of earth ouIiei
# has become established hFilllS
through long use and there Is stioH
feeling in the minds Of the majority Oh
people that having existed Tor SO iois
If must be the right way, ana they ~
not favor any innovation Ihere Is VI
3ba mart of many a sentimental leetihs
of respect for the old custom, anu VIZ
must admit there is on the part Oh
large number strong prejudice asaihs
any other disposition.
Among the primitive Aryans 1t
flames as they believed that IN ina
-Ta-- onIv could the body be changed
into a spirit.
Dur;ng the early centuries the Gus
ION, of cremation was in general us
ara ar the commencement of the Chrls
+ian era. it is said to have been IN
nrevailing custom in most countries
tho principal exceptions being Egyp'
Juaea. Persia and China. In the Hrs'
eohaIniug was resorted to with sue
cess which probably could not be 90
+einad in most places, the climate De
inc specially favorable there. IL /" =
5ea sepuIchers were used, ana III Fei
e;a fro was so reverenced that the
would not feed it with oecoliiposlA
+.a- Having a similar reVerenc
for earth and water, the oodles VI III
dead were placed where they Woulu
devoured by beasts and birds OF pies
china at this time practiced eart
burial but it was, and is there 10 I'M
day. rather burial on earth tnah !
earth. as the whole surface OF III
country shows 40
There seems to be little doubt Una Una
+ba influence of the ChrIsta
religion was against the custom
% cremation, and belief in the resurreS
ton of the body had no doubt ITS ped,
ing on the feelings of those earn
Christians.
Admitting that there is objection
a change, based on prejudice supel
stitfon. or sentiment for custom
long established usage, the matts
should at least have careful considers
ton in its various aspects.
That with the coming of death, come