Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-04-19

CdH Ue uCStfOyeu1 MSteflaI DOOleS,
by chemical forces, may be decoln
posed but not single atom of
matter can be destroyed--and it
this be true of iEert matter, which
is entirely destitute of sensibiiity
and intelligence, how much more
50 of the intangible spirit which
cnanated directly from God him
self 2
The anuihilation Of either matter
or spirit is absurd in the highest
degree-it is unscriptural and IN.
philosophical-it is the relic of an
ignorant and barbaric age. Matter
and spirit may change form, and
mode of existence, but they never
cease to be-nor can they.
While man was in his pristine
state, and was pure and holy, God
! associated with him i'll the Garden
of Eden the inferior animals, for
the purpose of contributing to his
happiness ; nor have they been
disassociated since his fall. There
is mutual dependence existing be-
tween the two-neither could be
happy without the other. And
whatever of priva'ion and sufferings
the lower animals endure was en-
tailed upon them by man their lord.
The Apostle says, ''The creature
Itself was made subject to vanity,
not willingly; but by reason of him
who hath subjected the same in
hope" And he also asserts that
"lhc creature Ultimately shall be
delivered from the bondage cf COZ.
ruption into the glorious liberty OF
the children Of God" The Divine
Being has tender regard for
every thing He has made, and
makes provision in His providences
to meet the wants and make happy
every living creature. His special
providences. His loving kindnesses
and tender mercIes are over all the
works of His hands. "Behold the
birds Of the air: tor they SOW not,
neither do they reap, nor gather
into barns; YET yonr Heavenly
Father feedcth them" Not even
a sparrow can fall to the ground
without His knowledge. "He
opcneth His hand and filleth all
things living with righteousness. "
"Feeding the young ravens when
they cry INTO Him." He sendcth
the springs into the rivers that run
among the hllls," to "give drink to
evely beast of the field" and that
even 'the wild assess may quench
their thirts." St. Paul asks the
question, "Doth God take care for
oxen g" Most assuredly He does, for
He hath commanded, "Thou shalt
not muzzle the OK that treadeth out
the CORN" showing thereby that
the OK is Justly entitled to his food
for the service he renders man, aud
to deny him this wonld be a gross
} act of injustice, and violation OF
the Divine precept.
The inferior animals have their
hopes and fears their loves and
dislikes their pleasure and pains,
us we'll as man. And we also find
that they are apprcciative, and even
grateful for favors, and kindness
shown them by man. Take fol
example the noble and faithful dog.
who keeps watch for his master day
and night +; if you but throw him y
bone, he will show unmistakable
, evidence of his gratitude, even fol
SO small q favor. Separate him
from his master, and he is at once
: perfectly miserable and if you
: were to offer violence to his master
he is not slow to come to his rescue
even at the peril of his own lite
in fact, he is perfect model O
fidelity and affection to his owner
Most OF the inferior animals are
susceptible of education, ard il
F.; many instances display better judge
Z ment than sSmc men. But we are
| wont to say that they act from in
2 stinct, and not reason. This is no
fair /; if man see danger approach
, ing and sound the alarm, all are
ready to say that this is a rationa
and humane act on his part; but i
a a dog do the same thing most mcr
will say he did it bv instinct. Nov
e if it was rational and humane ac
I on the part of man, why is it no
! such on the part of the dog 2
If we analyze the actions of th'
r dog, the horse, the OK, and many 9th
: er animals, an! the motives whicl
: seem to influence them, VIC are boun.
to admit that they are not devoid o
!. reason. Even the simple owl is ia
better prognosticator of approacllin,
, changes in the weather than man
}, And it would he well for some mel
with all their bosted attainments t,
i heed the admonition of Solomon
a "Go learn wisdom from The ant" /
was the good pleasure of God to pre-
i, serve account OF the inferior animal
from destruction, as well as man
) when He destroyed the world b,
a water and reason as well as Reyela