MEANS OF PREVENTING CRUELTY 26$ 



of every being within the sphere of our in- 

 fluence ? 



Do not justice and rectitude require that we re- 

 gard the rights of every living creature, and furnish 

 them a competence of sustenance and comforts 

 when we have deprived them of the means of pro- 

 curing it for themselves ? Every place in the 

 Bible where God has revealed His will on this sub- 

 ject is distinguished for its tender care of the des- 

 titute, the afflicted, and the helpless. 



The Bible enjoins kindness and compassion to all 

 the creatures placed under our power, in such in- 

 stances as the laboring ox, harmless birds, rest on 

 the Sabbath, and relief of the distressed. 



" Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out 

 the corn," is a striking instance of minute attention 

 to the feelings and comforts of those humble min- 

 isters of good. We are thus taught the general 

 spirit we should cherish ; we are specially taught 

 that every creature which toils for our benefit, 

 should receive a liberal participation in those bless- 

 ings which we enjoy through their labors. 



In the same spirit of compassion it is commanded, 

 " If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the 

 way, in any tree, or on the ground, thou shalt not 



