THE
VEGETARIAN MESSENGER.
INTRODUCTION.
One of the most promising features of this eventful and hopeful period of the world, is its diffusive character and tendency. Principles which in the past have been discovered by the few who have dared to dive into the causes of things, who have studied human nature in themselves, and have been bold enough to declare the results of their investigations with but little chance or hope of immediate approval or adoption; principles which have been cherished by the philosopher in his solitude, the poet in his reverie of ecstatic contemplation of a "Golden age," either of the past or the future; principles which have warmed the heart and lighted the eye of devoted philanthropists, who have desired their universal dissemination, but without the means of fultilling that desire; principles which have been thus loved and practised by a certain portion of the thinking part of society, at different times and in different parts of the world, are now being disseminated among all classes, and meeting with responsive feelings in the hearts and consciences of millions of the human race. The principles of Temperance, Peace, and Universal Christian Charity, are pleasing instances of this interesting phenomenon. In this position do we find the Vegetarian Principle: it has long been the theme of the deep student of human nature; it has been advocated, to a greater or less extent, by the physical and metaphysical philosophers; it has made its appearance on the pages of remote, ancient, and modern history; it has been frequently referred to, and even made the leading feature of valuable scientific and psychological works; it has not unfrequently been clothed in the richer language of poetry, for there are few of “nature's poets" that have not shrunk with horror at the unnatural and cruel conduct of man towards those he was designed to protect, or who have not looked forward with joyful anticipation to that happier state of man of which it can be said:
"No longer now
He slays the lamb that looks him in the face ;"
it has assumed various names and forms at different periods of the world; its value has been understood and appreciated in proportion as it has been adhered to in practice, and the period seems at length to have arrived for its more extensive dissemination; the principle of diffusion is now to be brought to bear upon it, and it is with the hope of humbly assisting to accomplish this, that we have ventured the first number of the Vegetarian Messenger.
Our Object is to make this periodical a messenger of Truth in relation to the food of man; because we believe that the success of all truth is greatly promoted by the practical application of right principles to those daily habits which exercise so great an influence on the lives and characters of men.
Our Plan is to issue occasionally a sheet uniform with this, containing such matter as is calculated to enlighten the public mind upon the Vegetarian System, in the form of Reports of Meetings or Lectures, Essays, Reviews of New or Old Books, Correspondence, &c. As we aim more at completeness in the information we convey, than at variety of articles, we shall sometimes devote a whole number to a single report or essay, so that it will, in fact, frequently constitute a very cheap edition of what would, under other circumstances, be published only in an expensive form; and thus, whilst the Vegetarian Advocate remains the medium of information, more particularly interesting to Vegetarians, such as condensed accounts of meetings and the transactions of the Vegetarian Society, the Vegetarian Messenger will be adapted to, and largely distributed among, the members of the various religious and philanthropic societies, and those friends to whom Vegetarians may desire to impart a knowledge of their system.
Under the influence of the merciful principle which we have espoused, we trust that every expression which we may use in the advocacy of that principle, will be characterized by charity and forbearance towards those who may differ from us in sentiment or opinion. We are more confident in the power of truthful kindness, than in that of forceful argument. We will quarrel with none; whilst we would seek to win all to the love and practice of that truth and virtue, by which men become free and happy.
