Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-06-29
RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY.
NO 10.
THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT.
"7Hou shalt mol KiH.r

Thou shdH mol hM
This precept forbids the taking away of the life Of
any sensitive intelligent, existence. The comman.
mand is absolute without the least exception, as it
stands in the Decalogue; and it is universal extend
ing to every rational and moral agent implies that
every sensitive and every Intelligent, being derived
is aIistence from the Omnipoen, Creator, has
right deprive 1t of that existence, except that Be-
ing by whom il was bestowed And whatever excep-
tons to the universally Of this law may be ad-
mi,,ed they be admitted only on the authority Of
the Lawgver himself who is the original foundation
Of existence to all creatures The principal excep-
tons to this law the following; I. The man who
has violently taken away the life Of another, is COM
handed by the authority Of God, TO be put to death
Whose sheddeth mans blood, by shall his blood
be shed" This is the dictate of as well as Of
revelations; for human power recall the depart
ed spirit, reanmae the liieess corpse and ade
q1ate compensation ever be given for such a
crimes 2 The LIFE Of the lower animals is permitted
by the same authority to be taken away when these
animals necessary for our food OF when they en-
danger our existence This permission first grant
ed, Immediately after the flood, to Noah and his de-
scendan,s: "God said TO Noah and his sons, every
thing that moveth shall be meat for you: even as the
green herb have given you all things" Without such
positive grant from the Creator. man could have had
no more reh, to take away the life of sheep
feast on the flesh of his feow-men To take away
the life of any sensitive being and to feed lis flesh
appears incompatible with a state of innocence; and
therefore, no such grant gwen TO Adam IN para
disc nor does il appear that the Anediluvians, not
wihssndng their erroneous crimes, ever toasted on
the flesh Of animals. II appears to have been gram
suited only to the degraded of man after the del
uge and it is probable, that, he advances In tho
scale OF moral PERFECTION in the future ages OF thu
world the use of animal food will be greatly laid aside
and he will return 10 the productions Of the vegetable
kingdom the original food Of manand as that wh'c
best suited the rank Of rational and moral intel
ligence. And perhaps it may hive an influence, il
combination with other favorable circumstances Il
promoting health and longevity. But although the ~
fenor animals are IN the mean time subjected TO on
use permission is granted to treat them with harsh
ness nor cruelty or to kill them for the sake of spo
and amusement. And therefore, the man who wanior
" takes away the lives Of birds hares, fishes, and oil
er animals for the qualification OF taste IL
hunting fishing, can scarcely be eXeulpaed from u
charge Of a breach OF this commandment.
The above the principal exceptions which II
Creator has made in reference to the law under cons
Grafton. And /, may no, be improper TO remark, tina
besides the direct act oimurder, every thing that Leaf
To 1t, tina, has tendency endanger life, is to
considered forbidden in this commandment.
unkiDdness and harsh treatment exercised towards sc
wants, DEFENDANTS, and brute animals, 10y which Il
may be shortened rendered inolerabe-sll iuno
and reyengeiu passions, which may lead TO acts oil
olenoe-all quanelng, fighting, and boxing, either
beta, for the qualification of hatred OF revenge
wishes for the death of others, and all conrivances
Their direct indirect TO compass the destruction
our neighbot-all criminal negligence by which o
own hie, the life Of others may be endangered
destroyedevery species OF dTUHtenHe's aud 'Hie"r-
aAoe-snd all those actions by which murder may
committed as probable effect, as the burning OF
habied houses and the throwing OF the Instruments
death into tie midst Of a crowd-are To he regarded
involving the principle OF murder, as well as The dF
Of suicide, duelling, and assassination and G.
consequently, as violations OF TIA, Law which eiieT
10 the secret purposes OF the heart as well as TO the
temal actions. Even unreasonable anger malice
scurrlIty, are declared by SAVIOR TO lie spec
OF murder. ~wbosoever is angry With his brother vi
, -, -. a.. -,
.No-hhstsASag the conscientious here sailed me As'
opUeIful .betksT Creator has oososded In hn ne "
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