The cremation movement in the state of Michigan was begun by the author of this volume immediately after he returned from the incineration of his mother. By repeated newspaper articles I continued to awaken a lively interest in the reform at Detroit, and was supported in my undertaking by all the leading newspapers of the city; even a publication only a few days old declaring in favor of cremation. None but the purely religious journals opposed the scheme. On the 7th of August, 1885, a meeting was held at a public hall in the City of the Straits, for the purpose of discussing the question of cremation and of forming a cremation society. The meeting was well attended, nearly 100 persons being present. Dr. J. H. Carstens was chosen chairman, and Dr. H. Erichsen as secretary. The meeting was opened by Dr. J. H. Carstens. Two plans, he said, had been proposed for the consideration of cremationists; one of these was the building of a crematory, the other, the formation of a society, each member of which would pledge himself to provide for the incineration of his body. I then made the address of the evening, giving the main arguments for incineration as opposed to earth-burial. My statements were followed by remarks of a similar nature, made by several of the gentlemen present. A motion was then made by Dr. J. E. Emerson, a prominent physician, that the chairman appoint a committee of three to prepare a constitution and by-laws for the organization of a cremation society in Detroit; and three gentlemen were appointed as such committee. The following agreement was thereupon prepared, and received 27 signatures:— “We, the undersigned, do hereby unite ourselves into an association for the purpose of providing facilities for carrying cremation into operation.” Then the meeting adjourned, subject to the call of the committee. The entire time of the committee was taken up by the formation of a stock company, which proposes the erection of a crematory. Influenced by flattering prospects, the promoters of the project had prepared by Messrs. Spiers and Rohns, architects, plans for a handsome crematorium. The chart shows three divisions, viz.: the exterior of the building, the main floor, and the basement. [Illustration: CREMATORIUM AT LANCASTER, PA. (Exterior View.) ]