MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 489 



crude shapes and inscribed with cruder characters of any particular credit 

 to those who erected them, or do they awaken any particular pleasure in 

 remembrance of the departed? But some of those trees that have grown 

 up there because of sheer neglect of the premises, are really beautiful, and 

 had they been planted there in remembrance of dear ones gone before, 

 would they not be treasures to those who are left, far beyond the cold mar- 

 ble or the lifeless granite? 



I remember, years ago, a newspaper item that asked the question, " Who 

 ate Roger Williams?" and then a description followed of the attempt to 

 disinter the remains of that distinguished pioneer liberal. They found 

 that the root of an apple tree near by had penetrated to the bottom of the 

 grave and following the line of the trunk of the body had bifurcated, tak- 

 ing the line of the lower limbs, and its growth had completely absorbed 

 all there was of the earthly remains of Roger Williams. For generations, 

 men, women and children had enjoyed the fruit of that thrifty api^le tree. 

 The question of who ate Roger Williams was certainly a pertinent one. 

 And isn't it a delightful thought that when we have left this tenement, all 

 there is that belongs to eartli can be taken up and transformed again into 

 living tissues, the fruits of which can strengthen and delight multitudes 

 of people. In this transformation we know no end. We can trace an 

 immortality that is worthy of a monument, and when the monument itself 

 becomes the means of per^jetuating this immortality, is it not glorified? 

 Then why not plant a tree above the grave of the one you loved; it will be 

 a constant reminder of affection, and a delightful tribute to the dead, an 

 attractive symbol to the living. 



Don't picture to me a kingdom of Heaven with streets of gold enameled 

 with rubies or saphires. Don't try to make yourself believe that future 

 happiness is dependent upon sitting in a golden rocking chair, even if it 

 is embellished with opals and jasper, but rather, dream out a scheme of 

 Heaven where beautiful, symmetrical trees shall temper the brightness of 

 the sun. Let the immortal ijraises that perhaps you desire to sing be 

 rendered more sonorous by the delicate sound of the wind pursuing its 

 course through their branches and wafting pleasant harmonies through 

 the fields elysium, and above all things so live up to the ideals of this 

 dream, that you shall be fitted to enjoy such a glorious environment as 

 you have pictured. In order to do this, and that your preparation may be 

 Qomplete, plant lovely trees of the earth about your own premises, bring 

 to yourselves and your loved ones all the attractions that the wide diversity 

 of tree and shrub growth presents to you on every hand. I am not so 

 certain but with this kind of a preparation one could slide into the next 

 world and scarcely feel the transition. Surely he who loves God with all 

 his soul, his mind and strength, will be in harmony with nature's most 

 attractive features; and the love of trees that tipifies all that is noble 

 and beautiful in man, can help to place us in harmony with the great 

 center and source of life. 



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