We think of Eden and the first coming of death.
The grave was fittingly in the garden, because nature too is subject to the law of decay and death. The flowers fade and men die. Meditative souls have ever gathered lessons of mortality there, and invested death with an alien softness by likening it to falling leaves and withered blooms. But the contrast is greater than the resemblance, and painless dropping of petals is not a parallel to the rending of soul and body.
The garden's careless Wealth of beauty and joy continues unconcerned whatever befalls us. One generation cometh and another goeth, but the earth abideth for ever.'
The grave is in the garden because all our joys and works have sooner or later death associated with them.
Every relationship. Every occupation. Every joy.
The grave in the garden bids us bring the wholesome contemplation of death into all life.
It may be a harm and weakening to think of it, but should be a strength.
