TREATMENT OF FARM-STOCK. 27 



ed and reverend clergyman who represents so faithfully 

 his heavenly Master among you. I am sure that he and you 

 will j)ardon me for giving utterance to an unpleasant fact, 

 which has occasioned me no little pain, as well as astonish- 

 ment ; to wit, that the clergy, as a rule, have not given to 

 this humane cause which I serve, the consideration and sup- 

 port which we have a right to expect of them. I will not 

 assume that this apathy arises from a belief that this vast 

 portion of God's creation is soulless, and hence beyond the 

 sphere of their recognition. I only state my experience, and 

 leave you to provide an explanation, if you can, while I relate 

 to you an appropriate anecdote. 



The other day, in New York, a gentleman was presented to 

 me, who is doubtless known to you by the peculiar humor 

 which characterizes his writings, — I mean " Josh Billings." 

 " Bergh," said he, after the formalities of presentation were 

 over, " I have long desired to meet you, and take you by the 

 hand. I am in full sympathy with you," he continued, " and, 

 as an illustration of that fact, I will relate to you an incident. 

 I met a clergyman, the other day, and our conversation 

 turned on the work you are doing. To my amazement he 

 poo-poohed the thing, and said there was too much fuss 

 made about these senseless animals ; that they were made to 

 labor and to suffer ; and that was all there was in it. ' Look 

 here, parson,' said I, ' it is my opinion, that however religious 

 you may think yourself, even though you were as pious as 

 that entire godly city of New York together, nevertheless 

 it is my belief that you can't get into heaven on a sore-back 

 horse. You may make a dash, and try to get through the 

 gate ; but you will be sure to find some of Bergh's men there, 

 who will drive you back. They may let the horse in ; but 

 there isn't a ghost of a chance for you ! ' " Mr. President, I 

 will conclude by repeating these beautiful and appropriate 

 lines, with which most of you are doubtless familiar : — 



" A man of kindness to his beast is kind; 

 But brutal actions show a brutal mind. 

 Remember, He that made thee made the brute, 

 That gave thee speech and reason, formed him mute : 

 He can't complain ; but God's all-seeing eye 

 Beholds thy cruelty, he hears his cry. 

 He was designed thy servant, not thy drudge, 

 And know that his Creator is thy Judge 1 " 



