REV, LEANDER S. KEYSER. 39 
SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS. 
BY REV, LEANDER S. KEYSER. 
Many persons seem to be possessed of carnivorous, or at 
least semi-carnivorous, proclivities. They do not appear to 
be happy unless they can see blood flow. From the small 
boy with his air-rifle to the professional collector, they have 
an itch for killing. The other day I encountered several 
doughty lads who had just shot three Chipping Sparrows, and 
when I asked them why they had committed such a wanton 
crime against the bird creation, they became mute, unable 
to assign any reason whatever for their conduct; for, of 
course, like their fellow-slaughterers of larger growth, they 
did not like to admit that it was their natural depravity— 
otherwise, unnatural meanness—that prompted them. I am 
sometimes tempted to believe that the strongest argument 
for the theory of the evolution of the human family from 
lower animals, especially wolves, hyenas and other blood- 
thirsty creatures, is their propensity to pursue and kill. 
Be that as it may, it still is man’s business as a moral and 
rational being to overcome the carnal inclinations of his 
nature. He must set up a stout Captain Resistance in his 
soul, as Bunyan would have it, who shall guard well the 
portals against external foes, and quell any mutiny that may 
arise within the gates. It is not in place, perhaps, to deliver 
a moral lecture at this hour, but I may be permitted to say 
that it might be a good and necessary moral discipline for 
the man or boy who is tempted to shed innocent blood, 
stoutly to stay his hand. 
