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Show EXTRAVAGANCE AT FDNKEAL3. The association of Mvthodist ministers, min-isters, Washington, are again wrestling wrest-ling with the old matter of extravagant , displays at funerals. This has been a subject for discussion for generations, proclaimed against, it seems to be on the increase rather tbaa declining. A false pride in which people have been educated, and a deeire to exhibit ex-hibit love and s respect for the departed are responsible for these displays. There is also a mistaken idea that the wealth of the family is indicated and its Bocial Btanding Bhown by the expense and "style" of its funerals. Comparatively few people oan afford the costly burial caskets, the expensive crape and other mourning insignia, the carriage hire and the leads of flowers to be seen at modern funerals. This expeus usually comes at a tiine when, of all others it ought not to be incurred. Death usually follows siok-uo;s, siok-uo;s, incident to which is an increased outlay for medicines and medical attendance and luxuries for the buffering; buf-fering; muh time is lost, and in most cases the financial affairs of the living are Btrained all they can reasonably rea-sonably bear in trying to restore the sick to health. This expeneo is unavoidable, and such as is dictated dic-tated and demanded alike by duty, affection and desire. In many in stances great sacrifices are undergone, and extreme self-denial endured in order to supply the wants of the sick. If death follows, the bereaved relatives rela-tives are in no condition to incur the tremendous expeuae of an ostentatious funeral; but they must do so, if they have to burden themselves with heavy debts, or their "respectability" will suffsr at the hands of society, and they will be lacking in internal a flee tiou for the dead. We are all frequent witnesses to funeral displays that we know the parties cannot afford. The Washington Methodist ministers, minis-ters, last week, after a long discussion discus-sion ol the subject, adopted some sensible resolutions that the ministers ot Dther denominations and the publio generally would do well to heed. They declared that in their official and privatu intercourse, they would endeavor to restrain the evil, which is certainly a growing, one. They also made a number ef recommendations, recom-mendations, among them that the weaiinc of mourning apparel be restricted re-stricted to those sustaining the nearest relationship to the dead; and that the use of crape and other insignia of mourning at the funeral be dispensed with, that in the choice of a burial cuket or coffin and itsjadornments, in the use of flowers in the form of wreaths, crosses, anchors, and bouquets, a conscientious economy and commendable simplicity be exercised, that hacks be provided only for the ethciating clergymen, pall-beat era and the family, and that at the close of the funeral services ser-vices in the church or house the bereaved be allowed to bury their dead in th privacy of grief; that, in the securing of these much needed re forms on the one hand, persons of wealth and all burying societies and orders that have accumulated funds set an example of economy and simplicity; sim-plicity; and cn the other band, those who cannot aflord these needless expenses ex-penses exsreise a manly independence independ-ence in f)liowin the dictates of their own judgment and conscience. |