History of Beasts

Excerpt

The cat is a very useful domestic animal. She destroys the rats and mice, which otherwise would do much injury. God has formed her to live among men. How soft her fur is! How quietly she lies and purs when she is treated kindly! How patiently she will sit, for many hours together, and watch for her prey! It would be well if little boys and girls would sit as still while they are learning their lessons.

The Dog takes care of his master’s property; he follows him about, and will not let any body hurt him. Should a stranger come, he barks, to let his master know it. He is easily taught a great many useful things. A shepherd’s dog will not let the sheep go astray. It would be well if little boys and girls were always as faithful to their parents as the dog is to his master.

The cow is a very valuable animal, and useful in many ways. I dare say you like to have her milk for breakfast, and to eat sometimes a piece of beef at dinner. The skin is tanned and made into shoes; the horns are made into many useful articles; the bones make combs, and many other things, nearly as well as ivory; the hair is used in making mortar, with which our houses are plastered and made warm. How wonderfully has God provided for the convenience of man.

The Fox is a cunning and mischievous animal. He is troublesome to the farmer, frequently killing his geese and chickens. People are obliged to go, in great numbers, sometimes, to hunt them out of their holes and hiding places.—Do you remember what our Saviour said of himself? “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.“

The Goat is a useful animal when tamed, and it is very cruel for little boys to teaze them. Their milk is very wholesome, though not as good as that of the cow. “The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats.” When Saul persecuted David, he was forced to hide among the rocks where the goats were found. Read 1 Samuel, xxiv. 2.

The horse is a noble and useful animal. He is very strong and active. The Psalmist says, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of our God.” This is to teach us not to trust in any thing in this world, however good or great it may be, but to look to God alone for strength and protection.

In eastern countries, the Ass is a much larger and stronger animal than it is here. It is not easily tamed, but it is very useful, and one of the most patient of beasts when it is tamed. Job says, “Vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.” Job, xi. 24. For we are all naturally inclined to do what is evil and wrong, unless our hearts are subdued by the power of divine grace.

In the Bible, Christ is compared to a lamb, because lambs were sacrificed as an offering for sin. John the Baptist pointed out Christ to his disciples, and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.”—Think upon what Christ suffered for you, and pray that you may love him, and that he would cause you to hate sin, and to do his will....