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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1785-1837] Romantic Age »

Joseph Lathrop

Memoir

[1796] Joseph Lathrop, "Sermon XXVI. The Fearfulness of our Frame Illustrated and Improved," in vol. 1 of 5 of Sermons on Various Subjects, Evangelical, Devotional and Practical Adapted to the Promotion of Christian Piety, Family Religion, and Youthful Virtue [1796; Worchester, 1809; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks) 320-331.

If God has given us dominion over the beasts of the earth, we ought to exercise this dominion with justice and humanity. Noxious and mischievous animals we doubtless have a right to destroy, but never to torture with wanton cruelty. Beasts, which are capable of labour, we may employ in our service, but not treat with passionate severity, or unmerciful rigour. Creatures, whose flesh is nutritive to the human body, we are allowed to slay for food; but not to torment with lingering death. In a word, we may never put any creature to unnecessary pain. To do this is morally wrong. It discovers a want of humanity. "A righteous man is merciful to his beast." God, in the law which he gave to the Jews, provide, that the labouring cattle should have their seasons of rest, as well as competent supplies of food. He guarded them against that cruel treatment, which they too often are liable to receive from unfeeling masters. (323)

If man is made superior to the beasts, he should conduct in a manner becoming his natural superiority. He should show himself a man a rational being. He should exercise a government over himself, restrain his passions, regulate his appetite, keep his body in subjection, cultivate the powers of his mind, look forward to futurity, and act with a serious regard to his eternal existence. David says, "I will instruct and teach thee in the way, which thou shalt go. But not as the horse or mule, which have no understanding, whose mouth must be held in bit and bridle, lest they come near to thee." Reason is the dignity of man. Then only we maintain our dignity, when we act as reasonable beings. If passion and appetite triumph over reason, we lose our superiority to the beast, and become as the horse or mule, which has no understanding. (324)