Samuel Sharp
An Essay in Condemnation of Cruelty to Animals
「1851」Samuel Sharp, An Essay in Condemnation of Cruelty to Animals「Google Books」(London, 1851).
In the following Essay, having for its object the inclination of Men’s minds to a more humane and considerate treatment of Brute Creatures, the Author has endeavored to establish the following several grounds for condemning Cruelty to Animals:—
First,—Religious grounds; in support of which, the Author had attempted to sketch of the divine scheme of creation— endeavoring to show that God’s design in regard to animal life was the most perfect for producing the greatest aggravate amount of animal happiness, and for extending it to the greatest number of individual creatures—and contending that cruelty to animals is a frustration of this Divine intention, and constitutes, therefore, and offence against the Deity himself.
Secondly,—Moral grounds; and the arguments used under this head are–that, as, by the subjugation of animals to Man, the later derives incalculable benefit, while the former suffer essential detriment, Man is bound, in gratitude, to make strenuous exertion to alleviate the evils of their deteriorated condition, and to promote their happiness—that cruelty to animals tends to violate the mind, and to brutalize it towards the human species—that Man, requiring mercy, and praying for it on the plea of being merciful, stultifies that prayer in withholding mercy from animals—that cruelty to animals is gross injustice–and that cruelty exercised upon animals because they are helpless, is a malignant cowardice, meriting the scorn and indignation of all right-thinking Men.
Thirdly,—Grounds of Expediency—because cruelty to animals is ever attended with deterioration in value, resulting from the detrimental effect of pain or distress upon their physical frame; and under this head, it is contended, for reasons given, that no servant is faithful to his master and to himself who is cruel to his master’s animals.
Cruelty to Animals…
In conclusion, the possibility is urged, that all who strive to promote a general kindness of feeling towards the animal creation, may be aiding a benevolent design of the Deity for restoring it to is pristine condition of happiness, and may be furthering the advance of the world towards that Elysian state of harmony, happiness, and live, which it enjoyed before the fall of Man.
Appealing thus to all classes of men, against this crying evil of Cruelty to Animals, on the ground of this being irreligious, immoral, inhuman, and inexpedient,—alike opposed to the will of God, and to the character, feelings, and interest of Man; we may further urge, that every one who forwards the good work of promoting an universal kindly disposition towards brute creatures, may encourage the high and satisfactory thought that he is possibly aiding, and under Providence is perhaps a part of, the appointed means for gradually fulfilling a benevolent design of the Deity, for restoring the animal creation, to that perfect state of happiness, which it enjoyed before it was overshadowed by the overwhelming cloud of evil, that descended upon the world at the fall of Man!
We have not deemed it well to attempt to state any of the various ways in which Cruelty to Animals may be avoided, or their happiness promoted: very many we might have enumerate; but probably more, and perhaps the most important would have been omitted. If, however, we could succeed in pointing the animus of our reader to the object we have in view,—in instilling into his mind and abhorrence of cruelty to, and a wish for the happiness of, the poor brute animal,—if we could induce him to avail himself of the numberless opportunities which, doubtless, occur to every one—hourly to some, daily to most—of exercising a benign influence upon the condition of creature a little lower than himself,—no specific information would be requisite, no further explanation would be needed. If we should succeed in implanting in the hearts of men the seed we wish—a desire for the happiness of the animal world—we should not fail to gather the fruit we pray for, in an improved condition, and in an advance towards happiness, of all creatures lower than man in the scale of animal creation.
But a still higher consequence would possibly result: men’s mind might gradually be led, by a desire for the happiness of animals, to a consideration for the happiness of their fellow creatures. The doing-unto-others-as-we-would-be-done-by might perhaps become the rule; and that universal harmony and love—so much fabled, but never realized–might at length become a truth!
Thus, in the mercy of God, the world would ultimately resume the triform existence it possessed when fresh from its Maker’s hands: beautiful it still is, and must ever e, in spite of Man’s many defacements—happy it would be, in its abundant animal life, thus cared for by human kind—and intelligent in Man, its lord; who, sharing with the animal in the happiness of the present, would look for a higher happiness of the present, would look for a higher happiness beyond, depending therefore upon the hope which is in Christ!
