Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI MEANS OF PREVENTING CRUELTY --AN EARLY HUMANE EDUCATION NECESSARY Some of the forms of cruelty--Man should seek a better pastime than sporting at the sacrifice of suffering--Kindness is an indication of greatness. Let Us next consider some of the means by which the sin of cruelty to animals may be corrected. As the propensity to cruelty often makes itself apparent in very early life, all who have the early training of the youthful mind ought to make it a distinct object of their care to check such tendencies. No parent or teacher can be considered as doing his or her duty who does not repress such tendencies by instilling better and wiser views of humanity. Mark with displeasure every act of neglect and cruelty; teach the children to view all living things as objects of God's care, and that He is interested in their happiness and displeased with any evil that is done to them. Some leading views and predominant inclinations never fail to take possession of the young while the mind is pliant and flexible and these become habits and are moulded into character, either virtuous or vicious. It is the natural tendency of many children to be cruel and to do all sorts of mischief; consequently if the business of an early education was more thoroughly understood and proper restraints used to prevent cruelty, there would be fewer criminals to contend with. J. W. Cottrell, general superintendent of the Detective Association of America, made the following statement: "With twenty-five years' experience as an officer, I know of but few criminals who were taught to love animals, and searching for the cause of crime, I find that the lack of humane education is the principal one." George T. Angell, President of the American Humane Education...