The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-20
MODERN THEOLOGY
RECEIVES A REBUKE.

we call the body is composed of atoms in
perpetual fiux, constantly disintegrating,
constantly passing away. The body of
childhood is not the body of early youth.
Once in dozen years the whole anatomical
structure of the body is changed. But the
identity of man remains the same in spite
of all. Memory will. the inner conscious
ness, are all there. We change the materi-
al, but mans true self remains. Death is
the final dissolution of partnership between
spirit and body If this argument is sound
1t applies equally to man and beast
Take another view of life as merely a
force. No force can be lost in the universe
What is the relation of animal conscious
ness to the mighty life which pulses
through things temporal and eternal? Why
should II cease, or come under the excep-
tional law of humiliation? Again, we be-
lieve in just God. Surely there is some
compensation for our dumb friends for
what they suffer here, some reward for
their loyalty their faithfulness, their cour-
age and the higher faculties they manifest.
ITO the practical mind and to the con-
templative mind the same thought occurs
and is entertained. This moral conviction
of future, which protests against the ex-
tinction of life with the dissolution of the
atomical embodiment, to the logical mind
must also include and protest against the
extinction of the life of other animals as
well as that of man."
opened discussion that has extended into
every denomination of the religious world,
and ii Is safe to say that there are thou
sands of people today who believe in the
Immortality of animals who held a contrary
opinion until this English clergyman COM
menced to expound his doctrines so elo-
quently. That he should have met with OPP
position is only natural, but at the same
time he has had no lack of support, and
one of his most emphatic apostles is Rev.
Charles ]. Adams, of Staten Island, New
York
Mr.. Adams is another clergyman who
does not believe that the doctrine of re-
demption is limited to the men, women and
children of the universe. For many years
he has made close study of the domestic
animals. He has become the intimate per-
sonal friend of the dog, the cat and the
horse and while he, too. can present argu-
ments in support of his theory, it may be
said that his belief is based mainly upon
his knowledge of the animals themselves.
He has satisfied himself that they are both
conscious and self-conscious IN the pres
ence of death, and 1t Is chiefly upon this
discovery that he has come to believe that
they are also immortal.
1t was only few years ago that animals
were regarded as brutes incapable of feel
ing the joys and sorrows that went TO make
up life for that superior animal man.
Gradually, however this opinion has been
changed. II mas DeeH iouhu 'iit'' "'i.i'
possess remarkable memory. IT has been
decided that they have the power of rea-
son. sometimes developed to a considerable
extent They are benevolent or otherwise,
criminal or honest, and these traits OF
character are just as fully established in
the animal as they ever are in man. The
monkey may be a criminal with hatred in
his soul Today therefore. the man OF
practical mind has a very different opinion
of animals than that which he held some
years ago, and it is far from impossible. in
the light of past events. that the belief in
the immortality of these animals should
vet become the general opinion of the
thinking world.