THE MODERN CEMETERY. 
23 
The system of grass paths has proved a com- 
plete success both in economy and appearance, and 
the flowering shrubs which have been liberally 
planted are becoming noticeable features of the 
cemetery. The number of lots under perpetual 
care is 2,718, and annually 688. Four new green- 
houses, costing $10,724.47 have been completed. 
The Permanent Fund now amounts to $16,- 
863.93, an increase of $5,798.94. The Perpetual 
Care Fund has been increased $34,595.03, and is 
now $543,825.96. Receipts for lots and graves am- 
ounted to $44,886.50; for use of chapel and receiv- 
ing tomb and chapel, $3,725; for annual care of 
lots, $9,344.40. In the expenditures there is a 
sum of $180 for labor cleaning headstones. 
4 = cKenATiOH. =? 
In a circular recently received from the Cincin- 
nati Cremation Company, the following advanta- 
ges are set forth, which commend themselves: 
There is none of the dangerous exposure of 
mourners to the weather, which attends open air 
services in cold and wet seasons; none of the jar 
upon the sensibilities of the friends which accom- 
panies the throw'ing of earth upon the coffin. The 
health of the living, which is often seriously as- 
sailed by the nearness of decaying bodies to 
habitations, is scrupulously protected by reducing 
the bodies at once to harmless ashes; an end which 
is accomplished by burial only after a very long 
period of corruption; wdiile in times of pestilence, 
or in contagious diseases, the spread of infection is 
wholly prevented by cremation. And on the score 
of economy, the great and burdensome cost of the 
funeral is diminished, as the active energies of all 
friends of the system are being directed toward en- 
couraging simpler coffins and an inexpensive last 
disposal of the ashes in urns. 
The price charged by this company for inciner- 
ation is $25, which includes the use ol chapel, 
when desired, and a plain receptacle for the ashes. 
A correspondent of the Manchester, N. H., 
Atucrican has gathered the opinions of four of the 
leading clergymen of that city on the subject of 
cremation. It is interesting to note in this connec- 
tion that the clergy in many localities are falling 
into line in favorable discussion of the question. 
Rev. W. C. McAllester, pastor. First Baptist 
Church; “I am in favor of this mode of disposing 
of dead bodies, and I believe that it is onl}- a ques- 
tion of time before cremation will be adopted as the 
best and most practical way of solving a difficult 
problem. It shocks the sensibilities of the people, 
I know, to have the bodies of their friends burned, 
but it is like other great innovations, the people will 
overcome their prejudices in time.” 
Rev. W. H. Morrison, pastor. First Universalist 
Church: “I am a firm believer in cremation and 
always have been. I believe in it for sanitary rea- 
sons and I can see no possible objections to this 
method of disposing of the bodies of our dead from 
a religious point of view.” 
Rev. Francis S. Bacon, People’s Taberaacle: “I 
can see no objections to cremation, and I am in fa- 
vor of it for many reasons. From a religious stand- 
point I believe it makes no difference as far as the 
soul is concerned what becomes of the body.” 
Rev. W. H. Ramsay, Unitarian Church: “I 
believe cremation is the only rational and sci- 
entific method of the disposal of dead bodies, and I 
believe that in time the civilized people of the world 
will come to view the matter in this light. It has 
always been my wish that my body should be dis- 
posed of in this manner after my death, and as I 
said, my opinion is that this is the only rational and 
scientific method of disposing of the body after the 
soul has departed from it.” 
* * * 
Miss Frances E. Willard places herself on record 
as follows: 
‘‘I have the purpose to help forward progres- 
sive movements even in my latest hours and 
hence hereby decree that the earthly mantle which 
I shall drop ere long when my real self passes on- 
ward into the world unseen, shall be swiftly un- 
folded in flames and rendered powerless harmfully 
to affect the health of the li\ ing. Let no friend of 
mine say aught to prevent the cremation of my 
cast-off body. The fact that the popular mind has 
not come to this decision renders it all the more my 
duty who have seen the light to stand for it in death, 
as I have sincerely meant in life to stand by the 
great cause of the poor, oppressed humanity. There 
must be explorers along pathways, scouts in all 
armies. This has been my ‘call’ from the begin- 
ning both by nature and by nurture; let me be 
true to its inspiring and cheery mandate even unto 
the last. ” 
The New York legislature has just been asked 
to amend the law passed in 1888, whereby the sel- 
ler of a monument placed in any cemetery of the 
state has a lien on such monument for any purchase 
money remaining unpaid, by permitting large mon- 
uments to be sold for debt by public auction in the 
cemetery itself. While there were many consider- 
ations in regard to the old law which entitled it to 
approval we object decidedly to the proposed 
amendment. A serious conflict of ideas would im- 
mediately result. 
