USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati Cemetery of Spring Grove: reports forms, etc > Part 7
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The day laborer has his object in view, the possession of which is, to add to his comfort and happiness, and the comfort and happiness of his family. It may be articles of food, of clothing, or some other thing for domestic use. This would be a small object in the estimation of others, but it is a matter of importance to him. The same principle operates upon the man who struggles for the ascendency, in any of the great lines of human action. His hopes are ardently enlisted, and he desires this or that position or object, to consummate his happiness. His aspirations are the same, except in degree, as those of the day laborer. They are, in fact, both day laborers. Alike in their pursuits, they are alike in their disappointments. During this action, time moves onward with a steady and an unchanging progress. Day and night succeed each other, and so do weeks, and months, and years. And during all this hurry and tur- moil, we are strangely prone to forget that we are mortal. Death, which is ever approaching us from the first breath we draw, is seldom anticipa- ted. This, to a rational being, would seem to be impossible; but it is true. Death, which should seldom be out of our thoughts, seems scarcely ever to be in them. We endeavor to cover it from our view, by a thousand interesting objects, which attach us more strongly to life. Our friends fall on the right hand and on the left, and yet we think ourselves secure. We fortify this belief by many reasons, every one of which is fallacious. But death must come at last, whether we are prepared for it or unprepared.
It is here, at the end of this career, and here only, that we can make a just estimate of life. When an individual starts in this race, everything
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before him has a pleasing and satisfying aspect. The way is gilded by all the beauties of nature, and all the pleasures of hope. No clouds, nor darkness rest on the future. But at every step, he finds the object of his pursuit eludes his grasp, or brings with its possession disappointment. And thus he toils onward, seeking enjoyment from the world, and find- ing none that fills his hopes, until he is in the vale of life. And having come to the close of life's journey, he is brought to contemplate the place set apart for his last home. A grave is now all that the world can give him.
From this point in his history, he looks back on the past, and how changed is the picture ! The gilded scene has vanished. Its beauty and satisfying nature disappeared as it was approached. The distance at which it was at first viewed, gave a deceptive brilliancy to the prospect. But, having realized it, he now knows how to appreciate its value. In the world, he has found ingratitude, deceit, and selfishness. Neither wealth, nor popularity, nor eminent station, caused that restless principle within to be at ease. And, with the wise man, he is ready to say, " van- ity of vanities ! all is vanity !" And now, on the verge of death, he casts a long, troubled, and anxious look beyond the grave. But having been engrossed with the scene through which he has passed, down to this closing hour of life, he sees nothing cheering in the future. The black- ness of darkness rests upon it. And yet he is conscious that that future is his, and that it is of an endless duration. All his life long, he has been grasping at shadows; and now all before him is substantial and un- changing. This new view has broken upon him with the suddenness and force of a thunderbolt ! And now there is no time for reflection. Death is at hand ! he feels his cold embrace !
We should learn instruction from the past, the present, and the future, from the lives, the deaths, and the graves of others. The events of this day should teach us a lesson, never to be forgotten. They should come up in our memory, to influence our conduct. We should think of them when we lie down at night, and when we rise up in the morning. Here, in this consecrated ground, the dead shall repose until the last hour of re- corded time. And many of us shall be among these dead.
These trees, which have withstood the storms of many years, shall fall into decay and disappear, and others which shall succeed them shall also fall, and their successors, again and again. Spring, with its fragrant and blooming flowers ; the deeper and richer foliage of summer ; the yel- low leaf of autumn, and the leafless trees of winter, shall here succeed each other, the long line of centuries. The cold winds of winter, and the refreshing breeze of summer, will pass over this ground and its silent
NAPBARET
RESOR'S MONUMENT.
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inhabitants. Nature will move onward, governed by its established laws, until that point in the world's history shall be reached, when time shall end. And then, at the sound of the trump of the Archangel, the dead shall rise from their graves, and both small and great shall come to judg- ment. The bodies here deposited shall rise, and mingle in the general throng of mortals. The most obscure will not be overlooked ; nor will the most distinguished on earth escape the scrutiny. Cæsar and Lazarus, Bonaparte, and the humblest slave, will stand alike before the judge. And every one shall be judged, according to the deeds done in the body.
This scene is too sublime for human conception. It is too mighty ! The history of the world here closes. The final destiny of all who have lived upon it, is pronounced. God, our Creator, is the judge. For the first time, the incorruptible body opens its eyes upon eternity. And who can comprehend eternity ! We can only measure duration by the pro- gress of time. But time is no longer ! Its vicissitudes are closed for- ever. All things are ended that have an end-all things that remain, remain forever. There is a progress in happiness, and a progress in misery ; but the states of happiness and misery are unchangeable. The seal of eternity is impressed upon everything.
There is no subject which does not sink into nothingness, when com- pared to man's probation and final destiny. To close our eyes and hearts to this subject, or to pass it over lightly, is no mark of wisdom. It should receive the profound attention of every one, as the most absorbing mat- ter which can occupy the human mind. It embraces all that is lovely in life, and all that is desirable in eternity. All the duties we owe to soci- ety, to ourselves, and to our country, are better discharged by a deep and practical acquaintance with our obligations to our Creator. This know- ledge, properly used, will shed a steady and an increasing light on the path of duty.
If thus armed against the sorrows of life, we shall not shrink from death. Whether his mandate shall come at the hour of midnight, or at the dawn of morning, we shall receive it with resignation and hope.
Our last earthly home, we have here selected ; and how small is the possession !- a few feet of ground ! This is all we can occupy, and it is all we can claim of earth. But we look for a better inheritance. The Savior has sanctified the grave, and broken its chains. He rose from its dominion, and we shall rise from its darkness and power. And if we shall have filled up the measure of our duty in this life-in these bodies, made incorruptible and spiritual, we shall realize a glorious immortality
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in Heaven. It is only through the dark and lonely grave, that we can hope to attain a bliss so unspeakable and inconceivable.
This hope should cheer us through the journey of life, whether the way shall be smooth or rugged. It should support us under the heaviest and deepest calamities to which we are exposed. Under its influence, we should view the grave as the opening portal of Heaven. It was the full enjoyment of this hope, which enabled Paul to say, in view of martyr- dom, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith : Henceforth there is laid up for. me a crown of righteous- ness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day : and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
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DIRECCI DYL
J.C. ROGERS' FAMILY MONUMENT.
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GRAVES FOR THE FALLEN BRAVE.
The patriotic defenders in arms of our laws and institutions are en- titled to all the honors a grateful country can bestow on its benefactors. These honors all pure patriots are ready to bestow, in such forms and such measure as may be appropriate for the giver and the receiver.
The Directors of this Cemetery, desirous, in their corporate capacity, to co-operate with their fellow citizens in bearing their testimony of gratitude to the defenders of our Country,-that gratitude which now springs spontaneous from every lover of freedom,-have granted one of the most beautiful and appropriate places in their grounds as a burial place for those soldiers who die in defense of our Constitution and laws, in battle or otherwise. They confidently hope that a suitable monument will there be erected, which will tell the passers-by of those sacrifices of life by which our country has been preserved from the desolation prepared for it by unprincipled traitors, stimulated by disappointed ambition,-" that sin by which the angels fell." A monument erected on that site will be the most conspicuous in the Cemetery, and will tell the beholders
How sleep the brave, who sink to rest With all their Country's wishes blest.
* There HONOR comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay ; And FREEDOM shall awhile repair To dwell a weeping hermit there.
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NECROLOGY.
The founders and consecrators of Spring Grove are passing from earth, leaving their bodies to be laid in the beautiful grounds where they had selected the places of their last rest. Of some of these, the memorial is inscribed on marble and granite ; and of some it is proper to make mention in our present record.
J. T. BROOKE.
At the dedication of the Cemetery the prayer of consecration was by the Rev. JOHN T. BROOKE, D. D., who, on the 19th day of August, 1861, obtained the blessing of rest from his labors, and was numbered among the dead who die in the Lord.
After a life of devotion to the service of the Saviour whom he loved, he was called from a state of bodily infirmity and suffering, which he had long endured with exemplary patience and resignation, to enter into the joy of his Lord, as a good and faithful servant who had done well with the talents committed to his charge.
While rector of Christ Church in this city, as well as in other churches previously, and subsequent, his unsurpassed eloquence in the pulpit attracted the admiration, as the purity and gentleness of his life and conversation excited the love and esteem, of all who enjoyed the privilege of hearing and knowing him. The purity of his style in the pulpit, like that of his life in the fulfillment of secular duties, was an example worthy the attention and imitation of those who like him are called to the holy vocation of teaching the pure and perfect way, and exhibiting it by example as well as by precept. His prayer, which solemnized the dedication of the Cemetery, is given on a previous page, and those who knew him best and loved him most will fondly fancy that the deposit of his mortal body in its sacred soil will be a further consecration of this holy ground.
ETHAN STONE BORN'AT STOCKBRIDGE. : BERKSHIRE COUNTY ... -MASSACHUSETTS
;OCTOBER> -ABIGAIL MARIA DAUGHTER BRA REVI ELEAZER STORRS, OF JAKOISFIELD, IN THE SAME COUNTY WAS BORN FFP BLITTA. MONUMENT OF ETHAN STONE. ٠٢ بييه [ 87 ] JOHN McLEAN, Whose address at the dedication of the Cemetery of Spring Grove is given in this volume, became a tenant of the "City of the Silent" on the sixth of April, 1861, having, on the fourth of that month, closed a long and useful life, most of which had been devoted to the public service of his country. In the various offices which he filled, the honor conferred on him by. their bestowment was not so great as the honor conferred by him, npon those offices, through the purity of heart and strength of mind brought into exercise in the fulfillment of the duties they required. The vigilant, untiring labors devoted to those duties, he considered to be assumed by the acceptance of the trusts committed to him by his coun- try. Of these, one of the highest and most honorable, was that of Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, which office he filled during the last thirty years of his life. In this office his decisions were luminous, intelligent expositions of the laws and principles of justice, on which they were founded, being perspicuous in style and marked by strong common sense. The loss to our country-to the world-of a judge so upright and learned, with a mind acute and powerful in dis- cerning the right, and with firmness of purpose in its establishment, is peculiarly painful at this period, in which passions and prejudices are roused to an extent beyond example, and are powerful for wrong, and for the infliction of wide-spread evils on our country. ANDREW H. ERNST. Among the earliest of the efficient and active promoters of the estab- lishment, and the regular progress, of our Cemetery, no one of those whose remains now repose in its shade, has contributed more to its suc- cess and prosperity than ANDREW H. ERNST, by the devotion of his time, and of his physical and mental labor to the object of making it- what it has already become-the most beautiful among the many rural beauties by which Cincinnati is surrounded. His name is entitled to a distinguished place among the departed worthies of our association. The Ohio Pomological Society, of which he was President, at its last session appointed a committee to prepare an eulogy on him, and the [ 88 ] following extract therefrom is interesting as among the various testi- monies of his worth : " The improvement and tasteful decoration of that ornament and pride of our city, the 'Cemetery of Spring Grove,' was an object of his un- ceasing cares and labors from the period of its proposal to public con- sideration ; and there, amid the beauties of Nature in her loveliest mani- festations, we laid his mortal remains- "' And bade his gentle spirit rest.' " There, beneath the fadeless evergreens and beautiful flowers of the varying seasons, is his appropriate resting-place ; and may his memory, preserved ever green in our souls, stimulate us to a course of life which will beautify and adorn our country, by continually adding to her high- est ornament, viz .: Citizens possessing the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, and patriots who shall adorn society by their virtues." STATUE OF EGERIA. The Statue of Egeria at the fountain, executed by our fellow citizen, Baker, in Italy, formerly in the exhibition room of the Western Art Union, has been presented to the Association by WALTER GREGORY, Esq., and is erected on the island in the lake. A resolution of the Board, expressive of their sense of this liberal and tasteful donation, has been unanimourly adopted. DRY SEP. 21. 1837 AGEC 34 YEARS. WALTER GREGORY'S MONUMENT. [ 89 ] THIRTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES, TO THE LOT OWNERS OF THE CEMETERY OF SPRING GROVE. Since the last Annual Report many improvements have been made on the grounds by the Landscape Gardener, and by individuals on their Lots. The Lake has also been completed. About the usual average number of Lots have been sold, and a better taste appears to prevail in their adornment. A very important addition has been made to the Cemetery, by the purchase of sixty acres of land on our North line, running up to the Graytown road. This makes the whole quantity, including 14 acres South of the Hamilton Road, 280 acres. The price paid for this last purchase was $450 per acre, and the reserved fund and other funds on hand were used in payment. About $4,000 is yet unpaid, but secured by the individual notes of the Trustees. It can readily be paid from the sales of Lots during the ensuing year, without interfering with any ordinary improvements. The reserved fund and other funds can soon be replaced from the sales of Lots, and the land purchased affords the most ample security for this purpose. The sum, when realized, from the sale of three acres, in lots at present value, will more than pay for the land; and that from four acres more, will pay for improving the whole addition of sixty acres. This pur- chase was not made until after a year's reflection, and a consultation with a great number of the Lot owners, all of whom, without hesitation, recommended it as prudent and judicious. The Reports of the Superintendent and Landscape Gardener, here- with presented, afford a detailed statement of the departments under their charge-and that of the Secretary, of the financial condition of the Cemetery, all of which will be found interesting to the Lot owners, and to such other persons in the community as take an interest in this public benefaction. 12 [ 90 ] At the last annual meeting the Trustees were directed to have pub- lished 2,500 copies of the Proceedings and Statistics of the Association, including the last Report, and a list of all the Lot owners. That pub- lication has been completed, and is now presented in the small volume before you; each Lot owner is entitled to reccive one from the Secre- tary by calling at the office of the Cemetery. An election of four Trustees is required to be held to-day-as adver- tised-the term of service of K. Yardley, D. H. Horne, and S. C. Park- hurst having expired, also that of Mr. J. P. Foote-who was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Wm. Neff. R. BUCHANAN, President. CINCINNATI, Oct. 5, 1857. FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES, TO THE LOT OWNERS OF THE CEMETERY OF SPRING GROVE. OFFICE OF THE CEMETERY OF SPRING GROVE, Monday, October 4, 1858. In presenting the fourteenth Annual Report to the Lot owners, the Trustees are gratified to be able to state that the improvements on the Cemetery grounds for the past year, have been extensive and tasteful ; and that its financial condition is prosperous. A considerable expense was incurred in grading and gravelling the Winton and Greytown roads, on our eastern and northern boundaries, and in planting a hedge on these lines of the new purchase. Some expense will also have to be incurred in grading and gravelling the road from Cumminsville to our Western line, during the present autumn, the subscription by property owners on that road being insuffi- cient. A.H.SMITH. A.H. SMITH'S MONUMENT. BY O, BOLLES [ 9] ] The improvements on the grounds, now in progress, are the enlarge- ment of the Lake to three times its present size; and laying off the flat land south and east of it, into ornamental sections, with undulating surfaces, somewhat similar to those south of the Railroad. These sec- tions are to be used at present as nurseries for trees, for the accommo- dation of Lot owners, but will hereafter be wanted for interments. Sufficient water to supply the Lake, it is believed, will be furnished by the springs surrounding it, and those on the new purchase on our Northern line. A fall of sixty feet from the latter to the Lake, will afford a handsome jet for a fountain. A beautiful sketch of this im- provement will be found in the frontispiece of the volume of our pro- ceedings, now before you. Complaints have recently been made, of infringements of our Rules and Regulations, on the Cemetery grounds. The Trustees are gratified to find the Lot owners so watchful and jealous of their rights, for it is the best guarantee of vigilance in future. The Regulations adopted by the Board, are strict and salutary ; and, that no one may be ignorant of them, they are printed on the back of the tickets of admission ; and yet, some, our own Lot owners, with these tickets in their pockets, have, thoughtlessly no doubt, trangressed our rules. Watchmen, with the powers of Deputy Sheriff, attend night and day to protect the grounds. The officers and work hands are charged with the duty of enforcing good order ; but, owing to the great extent of the Cemetery, it is difficult to have a watchful care over every part of it at the same time, and irregularities will occasionally occur. Now that public attention has been especially directed to this matter, we hope to have a better observance of our Regulations hereafter. The Association is indebted to Mr. George Selves, for the handsome present of a beautiful pair of Swans, imported by him from England, to adorn our Lake. The Reports of the Landscape Gardener and Superintendent are herewith presented-the first contains useful suggestions for the improve- ment of Lots, and the latter some valuable statistics. The Secretary's Report, also, appended, presents a favorable condition of our Finances. R. BUCHANAN, President. - [ 92 ] ! ADDITIONAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR PROPRIETORS OF LOTS. SECTION 1. Trees on private or individual lots, shall not be planted within six feet of the boundary line. SEC. 2. Wooden trellises are prohibited on the grounds of the Ceme- tery. SEC. 3. Heavy loads will not be allowed to enter, unless by permis- sion of the Superintendent. SEC. 4. The office hours shall be from 9 to 12 A. M., and from 2 to 4 P. M., from the 1st of October to the 1st of April ; and from 8 to 12 A. M., and from 2 to 5 P. M., from the 1st of April to the 1st of October. SEC. 5. Posts, at the corners of lots, must be not less than two and a half feet in length, and not more than six inches out of ground. SEC. 6. The Superintendent is instructed in all cases where marble dealers, or persons erecting monuments, leave implements or mate- rials on any lot, or adjacent ground, to notify such owner to remove such obstruction or incumbrance without delay, and if not promptly done, the Superintendent is to remove them to the watch-house, section, or some suitable place, at the expence of the person leaving them. Resolved, That the various undertakers of the city be notified that the drivers employed at funerals be requested to remain quietly in their seats during the performance of funeral ceremonies, and that their em- ployers will be held liable for any infraction of the rules of the Ceme- tery by any person in their employ. And that the Police at the Cemetery be instructed to arrest any per- son offending any of the above rules. --- TORRENCE MONUMENT OF GEO P. TORRENCE HEURE ROLE [ 93 ] The Duties of the Superintendent, and of the Landscape Gardener, as defined by the Directors, January 6, 1859. The office of Landscape Gardener shall be denominated, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE GROUNDS, AND LANDSCAPE GARDENER. It shall be his duty to superintend and direct all improvements in the Cemetery, such as grading, planting, trimming the plants and trees, laying out avenues, and keeping the grounds, lots, and avenues in proper order. To employ and have entire control of the hands, subordinate officers, except those required by the Superintendent of burials for burial pur- poses, and to pay them their wages. To have charge of all horses, carts and tools belonging to the corpo- ration, and to make such rules and regulations as he may think best for the most economical administration of the Cemetery, not inconsistent with the Constitution and By-laws of the Association, and subject always to the approval of the Directors. He shall be required to keep a record, in a book prepared for that purpose, detailing the number of hands employed, and the labor per- formed ; to keep a separate account of the amount expended for the various departments under his care, and at each monthly meeting of the Board of Directors, lay it before them for examination. He shall make a weekly transcript, showing the number of hands employed, and the amount paid, to be put on file by the Secretary. It shall be his duty to keep an account of the property, tools and implements ; and annually make out and furnish to the Board an accu- rate inventory of the personal property of the Corporation. He shall be at liberty to improve and keep in order private burial lots, provided the owner has paid the amount agreed on, in advance, to the Secretary, as required by the rules, and the improvement be in har- mony with the system adopted by the Board. He shall keep a journal, on the margin of the record, of the weather on the morning of each day, and of the time of planting the various trees in their proper places, their time of flowering, and such other matters of interest as would be useful for future reference. He shall furnish a transcript from his record, weekly, showing the [ 94 ] amount of labor, with the items done for individuals, so that bills may be made out and collected. He shall be accountable to the Board of Directors only, for the faith- ful performance of his duties. He shall have free use of an office at the entrance gate, and the neces- sary fuel for the same, but not for his private dwelling ; neither is he to use the Cemetery hands, horses, carts, or implements, for his own private purposes. Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.