62 THE IMMORTALITY OF ANIMALS 



Perhaps Christ was born among the cattle, the 

 sheep, the camels, and the dogs, in order that He 

 might, in some way unknown to us, alleviate the 

 condition of poor, forsaken, fallen animals. He rec- 

 ognizes in them qualities similar to His own. He 

 speaks of them as possessing sensitive natures capa- 

 ble of happiness and misery, and therefore enjoins 

 the duty of kindness and mercy towards all living 

 creatures. 



Rev. Dr. Talmage in speaking on this subject 

 makes the following beautiful remarks : " Behold in 

 the first place, that on the first night of Christ's life 

 God honored the animal creation. You cannot get 

 into that Bethlehem barn without going past the 

 camels, the mules, the dogs, the oxen. The animals 

 of that stable heard the first cry of the infant Lord. 

 Some of the old painters represent the oxen and 

 camels kneeling that night before the new-born 

 babe. And well might they kneel. Have you ever 

 thought that Christ came, among other things, to 

 alleviate the sufferings of the animal creation? 

 Was it not appropriate that He should, during the 

 first few days and nights of His life on earth, be 

 surrounded by the dumb beasts whose moans and 

 plaint have for ages been a prayer to God for the 



