The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-26
ENDowING CATS AND DOGS.
That the Thing Is Done shows the
Growth of Christian Altruism.
North uecfor, Cb yicfion

Northwestern Christian.
Some years ago, when discussing the sin
gular uses to which singular people dedi-
cate their money. we hazarded the specula-
ton that some man may yet endoW a hos
pital for cats and dogs. OF course, we
learned some time since that that very
paper, which we receive regularly, is a
paragraph r%eciting, as mere matter of
course, the proceeding. of the annual meet
Measom presiding" The annual report
''discloses an increase in almost every di-
%recton. The number of lost dogs received
during the year was q, 72S. an Increase of
1920. New homes have been found for 3, 400
dogs, of which 2,02S were purchased, and
,427 were restored to their owners Thu
cat department fourished, 440 having been
rescued from feline v%agrancy, though their
reassuring definiteness which the generous
naturalist might desire. The capital in
vested in these homes was not stated in
this annual meeting, though we observe
that the chairman made an appeal for
more funds" That very fact suggests that
the corporation must be doing well. We
hence the call for more money. 1t is a
bad sign when any good institution has
for more money. When kindly human
plans are sure to enlarge and wants are
as certain to outrun treasures. That is
true OF all good work, from cat hospitals
animal missionary spirit. 1t is not nearly
SO queer as it may at first appear to be.
Whatever touches a mans heart may be
mentioned in his conversation and pray
ers. Praying is often more easy than Civ
ing and, since some of those London peo-
pie are also giving literally, we may safe
ly conclude that they are praying quite
earnestly. if we may judge by the bene-
vance of benevolent Indications. Inc ben
nevolent feelings may prompt prayer, while
the kind-wishing passes into the kind-do.
ing stage, deeds, prayers and money are
all assured.
Therefore we are speaking in all good
faith and sincerity and with due gravity
when we congratulate the world upon the
advent of the dog and cat hospital. These
les for preventing cruelty to animals. The
scripture. says that the merciful man is
kind to his beast. He, then, who is kind
to his beast is merciful, and he who begins
by cruelty to animals is apt to end in want
beings. The boy who delights to torment
a helpless and speechless dog needs ex-
postulation. appeal, explanation and argu-
have prompt application of the physical
castigation which he likes least, just as
the dog least likes his juvenile tormentor's
cowardly haZing. One can see how men
will endow hospitals for horses and cat
tie, for these are beasts. of burden and
these is simply kind to himself. Dogs have
claims through their companionship with
like Belgium, where the dogs draw more
carts through the streets than horses do,
the dog hospital and home idea must seem
more natural, easy and sensible. We have
hope for men so long as they are moved
in the least toward kindness to the weak.
Barbarism and heathenism do not care for
the helpless and weak. even among men
and women. Care for the aged is as prompt
among Christian nations as the same care
for children. Achild has prospective value,
but heathenism allows its offspring to grow
up as best they can, with the dogs and
cats, and quite like the dogs and cats.
Egotism has no heart, conscience. or any
other lovely thing. Christian altruism sees
Good as the universal Father and all crea-
lures alike as His children. All larger
American cities contain fends who are will
ing to cut a human throat to obtain five
dollars. Our churches labor to extend
mans interest in man, while corrupt city
government tends to sap the roots Of all
human safety, even while 1T is encamped
under the shadow of Gods temples. When
heavens law has universal jurisdiction all
citizens of whatever age or rank will be
as safe in their homes as is the canary
bird in your. parlor that tucks his. fluffy
head under his yellow wing and dreams
of the happy isles whence his forefathers
came.