Funeral orations. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Mar 1882 · Sabato Morais Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Funeral orations. Morais, Sabato. Philadelphia, PA. Mar 1882

Author

Morais, Sabato

Date Created

1 March 1882

Location(s)

United States -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia

United States -- Pennsylvania

Format

4 pages on 1 sheet

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?

Language(s)

English

Source

Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies

Sabato Morais Collection, Box 11, Folder 7

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p30c4t401/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p30c4t401

Provenance

Transfer of Custody from the Hebrew Education Society, 10 March 1913.

Is Format Of

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/judaicadh/morais/main/TEI/SMBx11FF7_23.xml

content

For a funeral
Wherever we turn, death stares us in the face. We see in every direction, the ravages it occasions. Yet, we act as if we alone were proofs against its fatal strokes. Perhaps wise Providence has it so ordained, alike for our own good, and for the welfare of society. Did Should we suffer our minds long to contemplate the bereavements, which our neighbors have sustained. Did Were we to dwell on the thought, that the evil which has this day happened to our fellow-being may befall us on the morrow, we might become unfit for the discharge of our various duties, and live a constant death in the fear of an approaching death. Bu though the grave may have closed o'er the remains of infants and of youths, and we barely noted the occurrence. Not--withstanding that we may have accompanied the aged to their final homes, and continued unaffected, still our feelings will be aroused at the startling tidings, that a mother has left for ever the innocent creatures, under her guide and affectionate vigilance, that the sweet hopes of a husband were dashed against the

stones of the consuming pit; aye: that a home was rendered desolate, because its leading spirit vanished away. Then we are pained at heart; and together with our instinctive sympathies for the afflicted, will blend the distressing apprehension that we also perchance may be made to endure a similar calamity. Such sentiments must needs prevail at this melancholy hour, destined to witness a separation as woful as the sorrows it brings in its train are numerous and grievous. Yesterday a week ago, I visited my deceased friend, dwelling yonder, and gratified at the filial attention of all his offspring, I bestowed a meed of praise upon his eldest, who administered to the relief of to the hapless father. Today I am called upon to offer consolation to that same son, destitute of his main comfort. Mrs Elias De Casseres, while enlivening her surrounding, and giving imparting thereto a moral tone, was marked by the Destroyer as its precious victim. Three days sufficed it to change one healthy, young and dignified mien into an inanimate corpse. A short period it was, working the misery of years. For, how shall five children thrive without maternal care?

How shall he whose energies are necessarily bent on acquiring the means to support his dear charges, supply the place of her that regulated the household, and aided her life's copartner in his pursuits? The trials which the Lord has laid upon you, bereaved family! are severe. But I would have spoken selfishly, if only to express my condolance. I do desire you should know the feelings I entertain as a friend, but I am more anxious you should benefit from my words as a messenger of our religion. To you, mother of departed, our faith directs itself, and bids you rise above your grief. You must summon fresh courage powers, and with an activity surpassing your age, labor for the growth of those tender plants, alas! so early deprived of their natural culture. Teach the progeny of your daughter to love her memory, and practically to show reverence to her whose loss we all bemoan, by a conduct eliciting universal commendation. Join the father in his efforts to do that which will be acceptable to the living, and refreshing to the soul of her that has departed died. And you disconsolate husband, look up to God

for strength and fortitude. Your heart has been lacerated, but He wounds and his hands heal up. The urgency of your duty should keep you erect amidst crushing sorrow. Your manhood must not yeild to the pressure of adverse circumstances. For the sake of the sainted one you loved, and for the sake of those she bore unto you, sup--press every sentiment which might impeded the accom--plishing of your important task. Do it well, my friend! and you beloved children of Elias Caroline De Casseres! You are unable fully to realize the misfortune you have suffered. But you can understand, that hte mother so fond of each and all of you, has gone from your midst. Try by your affec-tionate behaviour to solace your father in his trouble. He needs all the devotion of which you are capable. Be certain that the tokens of your attachment, combined with your improvement at the school, your obedience at home, and your kindness to one another, will prove the greatest comfort he shall receive on earth, beside that which he draws from the blessed belief that points to immortality.

Identifier

p30c4t401

identifier

SMBx11FF7_23