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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1785-1837] Romantic Age » Rev. Henry Brindley

Reverend Henry Brindley

Annual Lecture on the Sin of Cruelty Towards the Brute Creation

"To The Rev. Henry Brindley, Lacock, in the County of Wilts. Reverend Sir, The benevolent part which you have taken in behalf of the Brute Creation, by instituting an Annual Lecture on the subject of their injuries and sufferings, must excite a grateful sentiment in every feeling heart. I have complied with your request in making the following discourse public, in the hope that it may prove, by the grace of God, an humble means of alleviating the sorrows of the animal race. To your patronage I beg leave therefore to dedicate it: if it should contribute to promote the end which you have so much at heart, and, above all, if it should in any degree advance the cause of our common Lord and Master, I shall feel an increased satisfaction in subscribing myself, Your faithful Brother, in the fellowship of the Gospel, LEGH RICHMOND. Brading, Nov. 20, 1801." [Rev. Legh Richmond, A Sermon on the Sin of Cruelty Towards the Brute Creation (1801)]

This sermon, the object of which is similar to that of the preceding, was preached at an annual lecture, instituted by the Rev. Henry Brindley, of Lacock, Wilts, for the benevolent purpose of lessening the injuries and sufferings of the brute creation. The preacher considers cruelty to the inferior animals as the consequence of the fall, and humanity towards them as the effect of "recovery to a state of grace." Some, perhaps, may think that education is more concerned in this matter."—review of "A Sermon on the Sin of Cruelty Towards the Brute Cretion, by Rev. Legh Richmond," Annual Review 1 (1802): 205.

"A LECTURE 'on the Sin of Cruelty towards the Brute Creation,' was instituted in the year 1799, by the Rev. Henry Brindley, of Lacock… Since that time it has been preached at different places; at Bristol, and in the neighbourhood of that city; at Frome, and an adjoining parish; it has been preached several times in the cathedral church of Exeter, at Crediton, and other parishes in the country of Devon. It has been generally delivered on the Sunday before Shrove-Tuesday; but the benevolent institutor has not confined himself to an annual lecture, for he has generally had two discourses preached every year; and the compliment which he pays those clergymen who are so obliging as to undertake the office is three guineas a lecture. We should also add, that the worthy founder does not limit his benevolent exertions to a particular district or diocese; but would gladly extend them to any town, where a lecture on the subject might be expected to do good." [review of "The Seventh Day, A Day of Rest for the Labouring Cattle by the Rev. Charles Toogood," Critical Review 7 (1806-Mar): 323]