JOHN MATTESON by John Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 19, 1871

JOHN MATTESON

By John Matteson

Funerals.

It is not wrong to follow customs so far as the principles of truth and righteousness will admit. But the moment established customs would lead us to step over these limits, followers of Christ should refuse to bow down to such dumb idols.

Means which might do good to the poor, and further on the cause, are often uselessly expended at funerals.

Messengers are sent off, sometimes in the night and through the cold and snow, fifty miles or more, to get a preacher. The messenger endangers his own health, and the minister must expose himself, or be called away from much more important and useful labor, spending two or more days, and means for traveling to the place and back. And some are so anxious to get a funeral sermon preached, that it must be done, even months after the death of the person. This reminds me of a custom in a certain Protestant church. They put a long stick down on the coffin, if the minister is not there at the time of burial. When the minister comes the stick is pulled up, and, through the opening thus left, he throws three little shovelfuls of fine soil, pronouncing, at the first motion, these words: Of dust thou art; second, unto dust shalt thou return; third, and, from dust shalt thou again arise.

I would advise the brethren to use a little judgment about this matter. If no minister of our own faith can be had in a reasonable way, or is within reasonable distance, ministers of other denominations can most always be found, who, when they are notified a little concerning our faith, generally will be willing to avoid dwelling on points of difference. And, if such cannot be had, the dead sleep just as soundly, and can be buried just as well, without the minister. And the bereaved mourners might sometimes get more comfort in the word of God, if they would take pains to search for themselves, and lean by faith upon the blessed promises there brought to view, than where the same has to be brought to them second hand.

Let us try to use judgment, and act out the principles of love and justice to the living, independent of custom.