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Legh Richmond

1772-1827

1801 | Rev. Legh Richmond, A Sermon on the Sin of Cruelty towards the Brute Creation Preached in the Abbey Church at Bath On February 15th, 1801, (Bath, 1801); Online at Animal Rights History, 2003.

Sermon on the Sin of Cruelty towards the Brute Creation

For since the dominion of man over the various brutes of the creation was an express gift of God; since God himself is all merciful, and bestowed this right of government upon man when he in conformity to the likeness of his Maker was merciful also; it is a direct and necessary conclusion, that mercy and kind treatment is due from man to every animal, and that all wanton and needless cruelty towards them is and must ever be an abomination in the sight of God.

Cruelty to animals and cruelty to man are more nearly allied than many may be willing to allow: where the one exists in the heart, the other is never wholly absent.

Since the wrongs of this injured animal once found an advocate in an angel of the Lord, it cannot be a subject unworthy of a Christian preacher to enforce: happy would it be, if the once inspired eloquence of Balaam's ass might effectually plead the cause and lessen the sufferings of her hapless race through all succeeding generations!

And here let it be remarked, that in this as well as in every other species of sin, all partake in the guilt who knowingly allow the cruelty to be committed; nay, it will be laid to our charge among the sins of omission, if we neglect to prevent the perpetration of every inhuman act to the very utmost of our influence and authority.

Whilst you are pleading the rights of the animal creation, you will also promote the best interests of Christianity in the hearts of your children…remind them that 'in respect of creation, the beasts of the field are our fellows;' consequently, their sufferings have a natural and just claim to fellow feeling on our part. If…you effectually convince them that the brute animals were born to be the humble dependants on our goodness, not the devoted slaves of our tyranny…you will have fulfilled a most blessed part of your children's education

The public attention was excited about two years ago by the introduction of a bill into Parliament, for the purpose of suppressing the abominable practice of Bull-baiting. The benevolent Promoter of the measure had the thanks and good wishes of every individual who had any concern either for the morals of the lower classes, or the comfort and happiness of the brute creation. But, strange to relate, the eloquences of a very able and ingenious Speaker was powerfully exerted in opposition to this simple and unexceptionable proposal of humanity ; and I am grieved to add, that eloquence so successfully prevailed that the bill was rejected.

What opinion then are we to form of those amusements, whose very foundation is laid in barbarity and bloodshed? and where mobs are collected together to riot and feast in the unrestrained indulgence of a cruel appetite ? Such practices are much better calculated for training up men to be partakers in the bloody rites of Moloch, than disciples of a merciful and benevolent Saviour. They ought therefore in every place, and in every variety of appearances they may assume, to be discouraged and suppressed as nurseries of vice, corruption, and impiety.

1802 | review of "A Sermon on the Sin of Cruelty towards the Brute Creation [1801], by Rev. Legh Richmond," Annual Review 1 (1802): 205.

1807-Nov/Dec | Leigh Richmond, "A Sermon on the Sin of Cruelty to the Brute Creation; preached in the Abbey Church at Bath, on February 15, 1801, By the Rev. Legh Richmond, A.M. Sermon on Genesis I. 26," pts. 1 and 2, [reprinted in] Methodist Magazine 30 (1807-Nov): 497-501; (1807-Dec): 540-52;