INTRO D UCTION 1 9 



his innocent and trusting companions, constant and 

 true as they have been from infancy to death, fail 

 of some similar eternal reward ? 



The most eminent scientist of this country, 

 Agassiz, thoroughly believed in the immortality of 

 animals. More than one hundred and seventy 

 English authors, lay and clerical, uphold it and 

 have written in its support, and the belief is gain- 

 ing ground steadily. Whoever desires light upon 

 the subject and approaches the perusal of Dr. 

 Buckner's book with a sympathy for all God's crea- 

 tures, will not fail to obtain the solace which his 

 spirit needs, and a much enlarged sense of man's 

 responsibilities towards his humbler fellow-crea- 

 tures, with an additional interest in them and in 

 their welfare. 



Dr. Buckner claims with justice that animals 

 were given us as companions to contribute to our 

 gratification and reasonable service, and moreover 

 shows that God breathed into their nostrils the 

 breath of life as He did into ours; and that the 

 Scripture conveys and reiterates the assurance that 

 they possess, with mankind, souls, and shall be de- 

 livered from the bondage of corruption into an 

 abode of future happiness. 



