We would not be understood to speak of the good of adherence
to this system, otherwise than as the result of obedience to laws
in intimate relation with the greatest happiness of the human
constitution ; but claiming thus much for it, it will be seen that
it involves important consequences to the physical and moral
peace of the world. We fear it is vain to regard mankind
as the sole object for the exercise of the principles of peace, and
to say that when these prevail in relation to him, unity and
harmony of purpose will characterize the conduct of men, whilst
the fact is overlooked that the conduct of mankind is powerfully
influenced for evil by the cruelties and mistaken practices
carried out towards the bnite creation. We contend, then, for
our system, as essential not only to the harmonious relations of
man’s nature necessary to secure happiness, but also to his har-
monious relation to the external world intended to surround
him ; and that the degree in which man practically acknow-
ledges the importance of these and other kindred principles,
will be that in which the peace and harmony of the world can
exist. It is therefore no objection to this that the world seems
disorganised and contentious to the last degree, ever involving
itself in acts the very opposite to those we would advocate as
incident to the fairer and better history of man living in full
accordance with the laws of his being. The discouragement of
knowing the world as it is, necessarily ever detracts much from
the philanthropic effort to make it what it ought to be ; but
though our views have to be judged of in the disadvantage of
erroneous practice (requiring, if fully apprehended, to be exam-
ined with clearer perceptions than those influenced by the
system against which we are contending), our strongest hopes
are buUt upon the convictions which the practice of our princi-
ples will necessarily produce, and to this practice we believe
facts such as we have stated wOl, day by day, lead the enlight-
ened and reflective of all classes.
Our system, then, is the result of no new doctrine, but of
principles established in human nature, and of a practice as old
ns the history of man. Vegetarianism, in its mission, thus
INTRODUCTION.
43
emphatically protests against the slaughter of animals for tho
purpose of human subsistence, and, in putting the prevailing
practices of society upon their trial, it invites the attention of
the world to the principles of benevolence on which it is based.
Our duty is thus performed ; and, admitting the defects
of this exposition of the Vegetarian system, we would earnestly
commend the system itself to the attention of our readers. We
again call attention to the excellent work by Mr. Smith,
already referred to, as well as to “Lectures on the Science of
Human Life,” by Sylvester Graham, of America, in which
further and complete views will be foimd, concluding our
present notice in the mild but emphatic words of Howard, one
of the greatest philanthropists the world has ever know, who,
a few months before the termination of his arduous and benevo-
lent life, left the following as the result of his long experience
of the merits of the Vegetarian practice of diet : — “lam firmly
persuaded that, as to the health of our bodies, herbs and fruits
will maintain nature in every respect far beyond the best fiesh
meat.
Page 30
Presented as published in 1891. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
We would not be understood to speak of the good of adherence to this system, otherwise than as the result of obedience to laws in intimate relation with the greatest happiness of the human constitution ; but claiming thus much for it, it will be seen that it involves important consequences to the physical and moral peace of the world. We fear it is vain to regard mankind as the sole object for the exercise of the principles of peace, and to say that when these prevail in relation to him, unity and harmony of purpose will characterize the conduct of men, whilst the fact is overlooked that the conduct of mankind is powerfully influenced for evil by the cruelties and mistaken practices carried out towards the brute creation. We contend, then, for our system, as essential not only to the harmonious relations of man’s nature necessary to secure happiness, but also to his harmonious relation to the external world intended to surround him ; and that the degree in which man practically acknowledges the importance of these and other kindred principles, will be that in which the peace and harmony of the world can exist. It is therefore no objection to this that the world seems disorganised and contentious to the last degree, ever involving itself in acts the very opposite to those we would advocate as incident to the fairer and better history of man living in full accordance with the laws of his being. The discouragement of knowing the world as it is, necessarily ever detracts much from the philanthropic effort to make it what it ought to be ; but though our views have to be judged of in the disadvantage of erroneous practice (requiring, if fully apprehended, to be examined with clearer perceptions than those influenced by the system against which we are contending), our strongest hopes are built upon the convictions which the practice of our principles will necessarily produce, and to this practice we believe facts such as we have stated will, day by day, lead the enlightened and reflective of all classes.
Our system, then, is the result of no new doctrine, but of principles established in human nature, and of a practice as old as the history of man. Vegetarianism, in its mission, thus
emphatically protests against the slaughter of animals for tho purpose of human subsistence, and, in putting the prevailing practices of society upon their trial, it invites the attention of the world to the principles of benevolence on which it is based.
Our duty is thus performed ; and, admitting the defects of this exposition of the Vegetarian system, we would earnestly commend the system itself to the attention of our readers. We again call attention to the excellent work by Mr. Smith, already referred to, as well as to “Lectures on the Science of Human Life,” by Sylvester Graham, of America, in which further and complete views will be foimd, concluding our present notice in the mild but emphatic words of Howard, one of the greatest philanthropists the world has ever know, who, a few months before the termination of his arduous and benevolent life, left the following as the result of his long experience of the merits of the Vegetarian practice of diet : — “lam firmly persuaded that, as to the health of our bodies, herbs and fruits will maintain nature in every respect far beyond the best fiesh meat.