The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-09-13

at Medical SchOOI-O1icers Elected
 Dinner Lust Evening.
 The seventeenth annual convention of the Connecticut Funeral Directors as- sociation was opened ill the banquet hall of the Y. NJ. C. A. building at 9:45 o'clock yesterday morning, over 200 members being present when the meet ing was called to order by President Charles Fable of Westport, who, after few brief remarks, was followed by Rev. John D. Coyle of St. Johns R. c. church, this city, who opened the ses- sion with prayer.
 The reading of the reports of the various committees, of Secretary James r. Bennett of this city and Treasurer H. W. Crawford. showed the associa- tion to be in an excellent condition both as regards finances and member ship. Delegates were present from all over the state, and the report of the committees on applications showed that there were large number on the wait ing list.
 The principal address of the morn ing session was by Rev. John D. Coyle, who took as his subject, "The Relation ship of the Funeral Director to the Family and Clergy" Father Coyle's address was warmly applauded, and after the roll had been called, the dele gates adjourned to the Yale Medical school, where Dr. Carl l.. Barnes lec- tured and gave practical demonstration on "Arterial, Cavity and Needle En- balning," after which a recess was taken for lunch until 1:30 in the after noon, when another session was held at the Y. M. c. A. building
 President Fable of the state associa- tion delivered an address and the re- port of the delegates to the national convention will be submitted There was another practical demonstration by Dr. Barnes at. the Yale medical school yesterday afternoon on Notes and Ex- periments on the Subject of Discolora- tion." and later the visitors took a drive to points of interest.
 Last evening dinner was served at Hills Homestead, savin Rock, and the delegates were addressed by William Boardman of Brooklyn, N. r., and Rev. F.. c. Tu!lar of this city.
 Sessions will be held both this morn ing and afternoon when the election of officers and delegates to the national convention will take place.
 Rev. John D. Coyle in his very able address, spoke of the relations of the clergyman and the funeral director, said: t.
 Ut is then all-important that both di- hirrI ception of the sacredness of their call ing, for look at it is we may the office of the funeral director is become a calI- ing like that of the cIergyman-the one divine, the other human. Religion and its ruiorical ceremonies are the office of the clergyman. To. him belong, as plen- ipotentiary of the Most High, the care of the spiritual affairs of men, the lift ing up of the boWed-down heart of the mourner and concern for the future happiness of the mourned. The funeral director is exercised about the details and temDoralities of that cadaver which, though now inanimate clay, was erstwhiIe the, temple of the domi- mating and everlasting spirit. Both are the servants of the people, and as such in all things consistent, it is ours to serve the people faithfully and con- scientiously The robes, the escutch- cons and highest titles to honor for the clergyman is to be gentle, courteous and compassionate to all. Assuming the role of responsibility, in all that concerns the honorable and efficient l laying away of precious remains is what makes for the success of the fun eral director, and in this success which calls for little to be desired, is l to be found the assurance that the fun eral director is come to stay, and ele- yates his position to the status of 8 profession.
 'In this, as in all other professions 1 there arise dangers from over-confi- dence.
 Beware then of remissmess and lax. | ity because of perfunctory perform. ances of the self-same and oft-repeateC duty, for familiarity begets contempt | Is there need of correction in the ser. vice? To be honest with ourselves wt must admit that there is always room for improvement.
 True, the clements of respect anC veneration are ever old, but alway wearing phases new, and equall! changeable are the customs of ages ant times. We must ever keep pace witt the age in. which we live. What wa good and acceptable a few days agon is effete to-day; And so If you would b, in at the finish you must be equipped with the best that the age affords.
 ''Lopp off. cut out. eliminate the SUI perfluous extras in a word, all that sa vors not of parsimony and which would in no way detract from the respect du, to the living and the dead. You should without pedantry or affectation labo to destroy that spirit of social rivalry S detrimental to the best interests O Christian family life Moderation in al things. In this present day of rivalr, the dead mans popularity and esteen is measured by the length of the fun era1 cortege and the extravagant dis play of floral offerings. What nor senseless than that foolish waste o natures blooms, to be borne fror house to chancel and thence to tn grave in a bedraggled and wilted condi tion. Not that am opposed to the del icate offering of friendly tokens t
 show respect for the dead. Let these b
 confined to the home. Some howerin l plant or shrub that will hosnaak in if