Page:Bible testimony, on abstinence from the flesh of animals as food.pdf/25

 which was thus consecrated. But we have a few remarks which forcibly tend, if we are not much mistaken, to show that flesh-eating can derive no sanction, from the Bible account of sacrifices especially when we are willing to listen to a rational and consistent interpretation of these Jewish ceremonies. Every one will be apt, on the first thought, to wonder how so horrible a rile,—an ordinance so repugnant to some of the finest and the strongest feelings of human nature, as that of sacrificing innocent animals, could ever have been tolerated among mankind, and especially by the then most civilized portion of them, for a single moment: much more, how it could have been so extensively and constantly practised among the various nations of antiquity, as history seems to indicate was the fact. We are of the number of those who do not believe that the Israelites, in their integrity, ever offered living animals in sacrifice, or that commanded any such rituals; and we think our principles are borne out by Scripture Testimony.—A satisfactory theory of the origin and nature of sacrificial worship is among the great  of modern religious science; and surely it must be agreeable to every intelligent and candid mind, to contemplate so curious a subject in a light which invites and gratifies the understanding rather than excites feelings of horror. To enter fully however into inquiries necessary to such an investigation would require a volume of itself; a mere sketch, chiefly for the purpose of supporting our statements is all that we can here offer.

We will first see what the Scriptures say in relation to animal sacrifices being by. I need scarcely say the prevailing opmion upon this subject is that they were' instituted by Divine Appointment. But David says "Thou desirest sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest  in burnt-oflerings, ,