The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-20

Do animals have souls? That is the ques-
ton that has troubled the theological world
for many years, and in spite of the fact
that the most learned men have given their
most serious thought to the problem, 1t Is
practically no nearer a solution today than
1t was a generation or two ago.
OF late, however. there has been very
decided revival of interest in this subject,
and the columns of the religious press have
been used freely for the presentation of
theories that would never have been drearn-
ed of a few years ago. In fact, it has long
been the accepted opinion that the chief
difference between man and the lower ami
mails was to be found In the fact that the
latter possessed nothing more than ma
terial body, the end of which was the grave,
whereas the more fortunate human being
had been given a soul or spiritual body
that would continue to exist after life
should cease.
This has been the belief of the mass of
religious people, and there are few children
who have not been brought to take this
view of the matter. That this is the opin-
ion of the entire religious world, however,
has now been shown to have been far from
the truth, for not few clergymen have re-
Gently come forward to advocate their be-
lief in the Immortality of the lower AMI
mails, and while the question itself is natu-
rally one that man can never decide, there
Is reason to believe that the world may yet
change its opinion upon the subject and
that the time may not be far distant when
those who believe that man alone has a
soul will be in the hopeless minority.
This recent revival of interest In this sub
ject is due to the position that has been
taken by several clergymen of prominence
In the religious world. The leader in this
new school of thought may be said to be
Rev. Forbes Phillips, clergyman, whose
writings under the name of "Athol Forbes"
are known wherever the English tongue is
read. few months ago this gentleman
astonished his congregation by openly in
siSting that he was of the opinion that an
lmals had souls, and the persistent man.
ner in which he has expounded his belief
has led to the widespread discussion that
has resulted in winning many converts to
his theory.
Mr.. Phillips does not base his opinion up
on sentimental grounds, but uses argu-
ments and illustrations in support of his
opinion that must appeal TO a mind used
to logical methods of reasoning. He quotes
Scripture to prove that the writer's OF the
Bible never for a moment believed that
their animals would not enjoy Immortality
with them. Job spoke of the spirit of the
man and the spirit of the beast, and other
of the prophets made use of expressions
that showed plainly that this was one sub
ject upon which all men held the same
opinion. But Mr.. Phillips finds one of his
strongest arguments in the origin ana defi-
milton of the word paradise a word al
ways used TO denote the future life. 1t is
found In all the ancient languages from
the Sanskrit TO the Greek, and in every IN
stance 1t implies the same thing-a beauti-
full park or pleasure garden inhabited by
every kind of harmless beast and bird. Here
man may spend eternity surrounded by
those whom he has known and loved dur
ing his life on earth.
This opinion is by no means new one
although it has not been accepted by mod
ern Christians In nearly every instance
the eastern philosophers agreed that II man
was immortal and there was any lie pc
yond the threshold of the lows, animals
must be destined to enjoy similar late
Mr. Phillips does not stop with the re-
Igious side OF the question, however He
calls science to his aid, and from 1t draws
arguments that none of his opponents have
vet been able to overcome. On one oeca-
sion he said:
"Science tells us that the structure which