JOHN FROST AND CHRISTIAN. BURIAL.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2723, 9 April 1866, Page 5

JOHN FROST AND CHRISTIAN. BURIAL.

To the Editor of the Dahy Southern Cross. Sib, — A word on the above subject. It Beems to me that, so long as the clergy are so few in number in Auckland, and have so much to do, there must inevitably be sometimes such delays as took place in the case of poor John Frost ; and, if interment is to be ordered so very soon after death, they will be continued.. Surely to prevent such indecent hasfce, and for a hundred other reasons, a mortuary chapel is wanted, or a church with a crypt beneath it, in which bodies might be laid as soon after death as convenient, there to rest until a suffircient time had elapsed to prove life to be extincfc, when the last rites might be reverently performed. On sanitary grounds alone such a place is most necessary; for nothing can be worse for the living than to be (as in the case of the poor they are) crowded together in a small house for many hours, with the dead body in their midst. All churchmen must feel very strongly the infinitely greater solemnity and beauty of our burial service when performed, as it is intended to be, partly in the church ; it often then takes the character of a most impressive service with those who seldom on other occasions are found within the walls of the house of God. Why cannot we have a church ? We can it we will only make a united Christian effort, as it is our duty to do. If it were used as a parish church, the people of the neighbourhood would without doubt subscribe largely to it. I am sure you would do the same for a cause you have taken up so warmly. As a memorial to those who lie all around, it would be most appropriate, and relations and friends, whether here or in England, would come forward. I am willing to pledge myself to give the same sum as any other forty persons may be willing individually to give or collect towards this object. In order that my suggestion may stand on its own merits, I shall only at present subscribe myself, Englishman. [We trust the members of the Episcopal Church in Auckland will act on the very practical suggestion made by our esteemed correspondent. If a mortuary chapel had existed, the scandal which John Frost's burial gave rise to could not have occurred. Moreover, it must be apparent to any one conversant with the subject that the present church accommodation is not sufficient for the wants of the community. —Ed. D.S.C.]