God’s Covenant with Beasts (1897)

AUTHOR: Clubb, Henry Stephens

In this artcile Clubb links veg*ism and animal welfare with Christianity, explicitly characterizing them as ethical issues. The article is based on a “Discourse Delivered June 20th, 1897, at Christ Church” in Philadelphia. It is a short meditation on Hosea 2:18 (and subsequent verses) concerning God's covenant with all animals, which Clubb glosses as “a promise ... that there would be a time when the incessant war carried on against them should cease” thus indicating the “cessation of slaughter” (135). But the “carnivorous or diabolical nature” of humanity contravenes this covenant, as “it is almost impossible for any of these creatures to escape a cruel and untimely death, or the most intense suffering which is worse than death” (135). Only when humans cease to inflict suffering and death on their fellow creatures will there “be a thorough and complete harmony and understanding between the heavens, the interior, divine nature, the exalted nature, and earthly nature” (135). In other words, “[w]e cannot have peace and continue slaughter” (135). Since “[w]e cannot enjoy mercy ourselves if we will not practice it on others ... the ultimate redemption of the world is to be accomplished by the establishment of the humane principles of loving kindness towards all creatures on the earth” (136). In conclusion, Clubb expresses his hope that “the vigorous movement in Europe and America to abolish vivisection and other forms of cruelty and the movement to abolish slaughter” constitute important steps in this direction (136).