South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-22
.DEVOTES SERMON
To HUMANE WORK
Rev. H. B. HoStetter Says
Man Who Abuses Dumb
Animals is Deficient.

Humane Sunday was observed
Sunday morning at Westminster
Presbyterian church, when the pas
tor Rev. II. y. Hostetter. spoke of
humane work and paid high tribute
70 the American Human society and
its South Bend branch. He touched
upon the anti-cruelty movements in
the country and cited a number Of
scripture passages which urge com
passion towards all dumb and help
less creatures.
I'm the parliament Of religions
held in Chicago during the Worlds
fair the Buddhists Of India hurled
at the Americans this accusation.
You Christians are cruel 20 ami
mails Could they not make out
pretty clear case against us if they
set out 10 do IL? And while in
Oriental countries they have gone 20
superstitiOus extremes, wOrshipping
the COW and deifying snakes and
crOcodiles. have not we permitted the
pendulum 10 swing out shamefulIy
in the opposite direction? The Bible
sets us right at this point. Let us
confess our sins and turn from our
neglect and cruelty.
Are Deeply Sensitive.
The lower orders OF creation are
deeply sensitive TO pain and have
their inalienable rights as truly as
we. The man who can see innocent,
helpless beings abused and tortured
and not feel his wrath rise Is sadly
deficient. He is lacking in some OF
the fundamental traits that go to
make up "A true manhood. The chiv-
alrous person will champion the
cause of the weak and defend the
defenseless, and Z is on the generous
vasis OF chivalry and justice that
humane societies and movements
are proceeding.
There is a still deeper reason for
the cultivation OF kindness towards
all Gods creatures Every cruel i'm
pulse that a person INDUCES reacts
viciously upon his own disposition.
The man who beats a brute beats
brutality into himself. The club re-
bounds upon his own character 10
inhict a deeper cut The hardened
criminal of mature years is often
but the logical outgrOwth of cruel,
needless. heartless bOyhoOd. Instruct
the children in their treatment of
pets and see TO it that they do not
deal harshly with even the homeless
dog or stray cat. What a boy does
with dumb animals today may have
a determining influence in his deal |
ings with mankind later on.
Touches on Child Problem.
In speaking of the work among |
children Rev HOstetter called at
tention to the large number Of or
ganizations here in South Bend that |
are devoting themselves to the child /
problem. The Orphans home. the |
Children's dispensary, Epworth and /
ST. Joseph hospitals, with their spe-
cial provisions for babies, the Asso-
ciated Charities. the Florence Crit !
renton circle, parent-teachers' clubs |
and recreation centers.
the board of health. board of chill I
lren's guardians, together with
dozens of lodges, schools and |
churches, are all devoting themselves /
I'm part at least TO the culture and
protection OF the child
This is as il ought TO be" said
Rev. Hostetter The hope OF the
world is i'm it's children. For the
,hildren's sake. at least. I want TO
commend the movement that is on
here in South Bend for better hous-
ng. The city council took wise ae-
ion Tuesday evening. There is close
between the habits OF
child and the place it inhabits other /
factors enter in. of course. but mill
ions of children, even in this land
,f wealth and opportunity, are being
reared i'm novels and subjected 20
conditions that are against both
health and morals Employed in
damp mines and poorly ventilated
shops. deprived Of the education and
recreation essential 10 normal
growth. stunted in mind and body.
they mn the land with a saddened
citizenship. choke our slum districts
and provide the raw material from
which the great army OF criminals,
.ramps and paupers is annual re-
-ruited. To high heaven their wrongs
cry out for redress. We are response
BILE. Patiently and courageously let
rs attack the wrongs and close not
until they are righted.' I