The above has no value whatever as evidence for inhumation; since at the times when the books of Moses were written the inurned ashes were also deposited in the dust, i.e., the earth. The preservation of urns above ground is a much later custom. The above citation has no reference to the destruction of a body by fire or decay, but directs simply that the final remains of man, the dust, be placed in the earth. At least, this Bible passage might be urged against columbaria, but it has no bearing whatever on cremation.
If we should have to follow the Bible in all things, we would have to give up most of our modern inventions. For instance, the day of agricultural machines would be over, and we would have to tread out corn with oxen as of yore.
It must be remembered that the early Christians practiced many things which Christians now do not practice; and they abominated some things which Christians now universally practice. For instance, the early Christians did not worship in temples or churches: they abominated temples as either pagan or Jewish; they hated art and condemned statuary and painting, especially in connection with religion; they destroyed many masterpieces of ancient art which were not religious, besides some that were; and they burned all books save the Bible. But these notions are no longer a part of Christianity, and were never part of its true faith.
When the Romans and Greeks knew better than we know, we exercise no compunction in adopting their practices. Our boys are taught from the classics; artists study the models of Greek, that is, pagan, art; much of our philosophy is heathen, and more of our jurisprudence. The ancients were wiser than we in practicing incineration. Why not, then, imitate them in this respect? Granted even that cremation were a “pagan custom,” not to adopt it when it has been conclusively demonstrated to be superior to burial, simply because it is of heathenish origin, shows nothing but miserable narrow-mindedness.
If cremation is a “pagan custom,” how about interment? Earth-burial to-day is practiced by more heathens than Christians. Or are not those whom we choose to style pagans in the majority? Would it not, therefore, be far more correct to denominate inhumation a pagan custom?
Dr. Neil declares:—
“It was once considered an eminently Christian virtue, entitling him who practiced it to the honors of canonization, to discard the use of soap and water; and this kind of mediæval piety prevails a good deal yet, notwithstanding the good old Roman practice of ablution. I do not find, however, that even Christian sanitarians object to the more frequent use of the bath because it was the pagan practice.”
Inhumation is claimed to be the Christian method of disposal of the dead par excellence because Christ was so disposed of.
“By the same sort of reasoning,” says the Medical Times and Gazette of London, England, “might it not be held that crucifixion has been so consecrated that it ought to be the mode of capital punishment in Christian countries?” Moreover, as the Rev. H. R. Haweis informs us, “Christ is no example to us, for according to Christian belief he rose from the dead and saw no corruption.”
It is exceedingly interesting to read what Christ himself said about burial.