262 THE IMMORTALITY OF ANIMALS 



their children, as considerate and loving parents 

 will do. On this same principle, to hear a person 

 call a bird a "sweet little darling," a cat, a "dear 

 little pet," a horse or dog a " nice, dear good fel- 

 low," etc., portrays a tender, loving disposition 

 which goes to make a peaceful, happy home. 



The peculiar lessons taught by Christ may in all 

 cases be applied with the greatest power to ac- 

 complish the reformation desired. That great law 

 of the Divine administration so distinctly pointed 

 out in the words " blessed are the merciful ; for 

 they shall obtain mercy," ought never, for one mo- 

 ment, to be forgotten by any class of men. 



Throughout the whole moral dominion, the rule 

 may be considered as holding good, that the qualities 

 which men display in their conduct, draw down on 

 them a corresponding manifestation of blessings 

 in the righteous dispensation of heaven. Those who, 

 throughout all their conduct, show mercy to the 

 whole family of the Creator, have a distinct assur- 

 ance that they too, in their time of need, shall ob- 

 tain mercy. 



As in the societies of man, just and benevolent 

 rulers, who maintain the rights and secure the 

 happiness of their subjects, render their power 



