They will learn to respect each other's rights,
and crime of all kinds will be diminished.
Upon teachers and parents a great responsibility rests. They are forming
the minds and the habits of the coming generation. Upon their
instruction may depend future peace or war, good citizenship or a low
standard of patriotism and morals.
With the best intention of implanting the humane idea, teachers
sometimes indirectly teach what is not really humane. For example,
physiology lessons are sometimes illustrated by parts of dead animals,
which must be obtained from a butcher's shop or a slaughterhouse.
This is not directly cruel, because the animals are already dead, but it
is not refining to the sensibilities.
Sometimes the teacher enlarges on the special use of animals for food.
It is unnecessary to lay emphasis on the use of animal food, when we
remember that the number of people who live without it is constantly
increasing, and that these people maintain at least as high a standard
of health as those who make use of it; indeed, it is claimed that their
health is better and that they are more likely to be free from certain
diseases to which meat eaters are subject.
The Bands of Mercy are valuable in teaching young people the highest
ideals of life, and in showing them that the universal law of love is
the only law which will bring what we all desire, "Peace on earth, and
good will to all.
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