MEANS OF PREVENTING CRUELTY 267 



every age, is justly denominated the universal hol- 

 iday for man and lower animals. 



It will suffice in this connection to notice one 

 more important humane lesson taught in the Bible. 

 " If thou seest the ass of him that hateth thee lying 

 under his burden ; thou shall surely help him." 

 The natural principle of sympathy confirms the au- 

 thority of this command, and shows its equity to 

 every feeling mind. It requires us to relieve an 

 oppressed or endangered animal and for fear the 

 fact of its belonging to an enemy might be a less 

 inducement, the command was made plain so as to 

 remove that objection. 



Every animal that may be in a situation of op- 

 pression or suffering is to be relieved, and that 

 without regard to whom it may belong, though it be 

 to our worst enemy. These precepts were given to 

 teach humanity towards the inferior creatures ; 

 and if this spirit was recognized under the let- 

 ter of the law in those early days, it must 

 surely be made more in accordance with the 

 gospel, which is so particularly a system of love 

 and mercy under the Christian dispensation. 

 The present time is proverbial for the advance- 

 ment made towards a higher standard of be- 



