The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-22

n oeenng with this subject of kind ness 10 animals how striking the words m Ensiands greatest journal, The spectator: As nothing can repay the services end the friendship of faithful beasts. 70 nothing can relieve us of TO- sponsibflity in the untold sufferings we nave too often allowed creatures out of sight to suffer oniy for want of interest. The perfect tenderne ness o Divine Love is embodied forever in the image of the hen gathering her chickens under her wings. We can- not fathom the purpose of tn sse short lives, too often doohed to sorrow, who whose comprehension is bounded so nar- rowly by our senses. But the claim that these inarticulate things make on our protection and sympathy Is one that no human creature with a heart and conscience should dare to with stand The mysteriousness of the bond that links these dumb lives to ours makes their claim more urgent Because he hath pity on every living creature, therefore is man called holy.' Twice these dumb creatures were companions of, the Creator: when our Lord was born in a stable and when the wild beasts watched in the desert the loneliness of that awful sanctity."
 Another reason for kindness to I character. It uplifts and ennobles us. Conversely. as Wordsworth truly sings: He who feels contempt for any living
 thing hath faculties That he hath never used, and thought
 with him
 q repeat, kindness to animals re- acts upon us and prompts us to be kinder to one another And so St. Thomas Aqulnas rightly. says: He uIx- -tA,. ka sA disposed to exercise the same feelings towards his fellow creatures" An act of Kindness to them. you observe. Is two-foId in its nature. 1t helps them and 1t helps us. It has an outward effect. for 1t spares others pain and suffering. This we may call objective. It has an inward effect. for 1t in- creases in us gentleness. tenderness, compassion. This we may call subjec- the universal mor4l truth that good act helps the one<for whom it is done, and helps likewise the person who does it. Of course, as I need not point out. this Is by no means the highest motive which should move us to kihd- ly treatment of or helpless fellow- creatures Of the animal kingdom. I mention 1t however because. so weak are we all when it comes to doing right that we need all the helps we can possibly get.
 As you know, there was recently organized Tn our community a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani- mals. Have you ever thought about it? Are you members of 1t? Do you intend to do anything to help 1t. either in the way of personal service, or finan cially? Tn word. do you feel any in- terest at all in it, or any responsibility towards it? Do you realize that mal- treatment of the brute IS in some re- spects. worse than maf-treatment of men? Certainly. 1t is far more coward ly, for men can retaliate as well as defend themselves. On the other hand. the brute is helpless and can do mo- thing but suffer in silence. Of course. you feel kindly in a vague sentimen- tai sort of way, towards all dumb creatures. This Is we'll so far as 1t goes. But, is there to be any practical application of your kindly feelings? Remember. they will not apply them selves. You must do that.
 Remember, in life's work, what you feel about a thing does not count for much. It Is what you do that counts. Thus alone can your genuineness and sincerity be proven. and at the same time be of service where service is needed. May you be enabled to realize the truth God teaches us through Sol- omon. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast May you be enabled to obey the injunction God gives us through Christ. Be ye therefore merci- ful as your Father also is merciful. To this end. let each of us make his own the prayer. o. blessed Jesus. who has taught us that not a sparrow fall eth without the knowledge of our Fath- CT in Heaven. quicken our sensibilities. we beseech Thee. with a recognition of His watchful care for the fishes of the sea, the birds of the air. and the beasts of the field. and teach us to bear ever in mind our accountability to our Fath- CT in Heaven for our treatment of Ills dumb creatures, so that we may a1- ways deal justly and mercifnlly towards them, remembering that He will exact our stewardship of them in the last great day Grant this. we beseech Thee, oh merciful Savior.'