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RESURREOTION.
487
true sense of all such injunctions has been grossly misunderstood by mankind. In vain shall we plead the cause of our mute fellow-beings on the score of morality. When mind is steeped in selfishness and ignorance, it is not liable to be influenced by any considerations of tenderness and mercy. We, therefore, turn to the Holy Bible to see how far is the idea of an animal sacrifice supported by the authority of Jehovah and Jesus themselves. It will be noticed that the first recorded Biblical sacrifices are those of Abel* and Cain, but, as has been already demonstrated, they are not to be taken literally. There seems to be no divine injunction in support of the institution. According to Revd. F. Watson, D. D. (see the Cambridge Companion to the Bible) :
" No divine command can be quoted for the institution of sacrifice, but from its adoption in the earliest times by all nations, its diving origin may be inferred."
But we shall see that, far from being supported by divine commandments, the practice of shedding the blood of innocent beings is actually condemned in the Bible. Samuel was among the first few who raised their voice against the animal sacrifice. In his mild language,
“Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
* The reason why Cain's sacrifice was not while Abel's was acceptable to the Lord lies in the very nature of the faculties which they signify and represent. Cain is reason engaged in the study of the World of matter and form, hence of the not-Self. As such, it is opposed to the well-being of the ego; hence, the Lord, .e., the inner Divinity, is not pleased with Cain's offering. But Abel is Faith which aspires to attain the perfection of Gods and leads to freedom and bliss. It enlarges the spiritual ego, and leads to the development of will in the right direction. Its sacrifice, or offering, that is, the fruit of its labour, is, accordingly, accepted by God.
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