LECTION 38 - Iesus Condemneth the Ill-Treatment Of Animals.
Iesus Condemneth the Ill-Treatment Of Animals.
1. AND some of his disciples came and told him of a certain Egyptian (a son of Belial) who taught that it was lawful to torment animals, if their sufferings brought any profit to men.
2. And Iesus said unto them,
Verily I say unto you, they who partake of benefits which are gotten by wronging one of God's creatures, cannot be righteous: nor can they touch holy things, or teach the mysteries (of the Kingdom) whose hands are stained With blood, or whose mouths are defiled with flesh.
3. God giveth the grains and the fruits (of the earth) for food: and for righteous man truly there is no other lawful sustenance for the body.
4. The robber who breaketh into the house (made by man) is guilty, but they who break into the house made by God, even of the least of these are the greater sinners. Wherefore I say unto all who desire to be my disciples, keep your hands from bloodshed and let no flesh meat enter your mouths, for God is just and bountiful, who ordaineth that man shall live by the fruits and seeds (of the earth) alone.
5. But if any animal suffer greatly, and if its life be a misery unto it. or if it be dangerous to you, release it from its life quickly, and with as little pain as you can, Send it forth in love and mercy, but torment it not, and God (the Father-Mother) will shew mercy unto you, as ye have shown mercy unto those given into your hands.
6. And whatsoever ye do unto the Cast of these my children, ye do it unto me. For I am in them and they are in me, Yea, I am in all creatures and all creatures are in me. In all their joys I rejoice, in all their afflictions I am afflicted. Wherefore I say unto you: Be ye kind one to another, and to all the creatures of God.
7. AND it came to pass the day after, that he came into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
8. Now when he came nigh to the gate (of the city) behold there was a dead man carried out the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
9. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her,
Weep not, thy son sleepeth.
And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still.
And he said,
Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
10. And he that was esteemed dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came an awe upon all: and they glorified God, saying,
A great prophet is risen up among us; and God hath visited his people.
LECTION 38. -"Death" here, as in other cases, is a state of trance or suspended animation, not easily distinguishable from death even by the physician. A circumstance often leading to the revolting fact of burial alive -a fate, however, not so utterly hopeless in the East, where the dead are buried earth to earth in their shrouds, as in the countries of the West, with the modern and barbarous custom of closed coffins, with covers fastened down, and seven feet of earth over them. It is now ascertained by the more advanced and enlightened medical men, and others, and their official reports, that five per 1,000 must, in these English countries, come to this terrible fate, as there are yet no efforts made to prevent it, as in France, Holland, and other countries, where more rational and civilized practices prevail, and where it is found that five per 1,000 come to life, before actual interment, or show signs of premature burial after, when exhumed.