Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1894 — COMMON TO ALL. [ARTICLE]

COMMON TO ALL.

No Religion Which Lacks the Idea of Sacrifice. It is a curious thing that mankind has never known any form of religion in which an idea of sacrifice did not play a prominent part The objects of sacrifice have been various ana valuable in every part of the world. The Kamschatkans, however, offer nothing valuable to their gods but what is valuable to themselves. The Copts kill a sheep, lamb, or kid at a marriage for the use of the guests at the bridegroom’s house. Palmer’s Koran refers to the ancient custom of human sacrifice as either extinct or abolished by Mohammed. The most valuable sacrifice that can possibly be made is the human being, common among the savages of the South Sea Islands. In Mexico, the brutality of the practice was excused by the fact of the victim being an enemy. Cattle are next esteemed in valpe, and the largest ox in herds is selected. The Soo Soos, of West Africa, are so careful to propitiate their deity that they never’ undertake any affair of importance until they have .-acrificed to him a bullock. Other edible domestic animals are held worthy of the honor of sacrifice. The American Indian sacrificed dogs on the borders of difficult roads or by the side of rapids. In China the animals slain are bullocks, heifers, sheep, and pigs. Bullocks, goats, and sheep were the chief sacrificial animals of the Jews, selected with great care, to be without blemish. An actual sacrifice of something the owner valued is the general practice. We cover the coffin of the dead with flowers; the grave is often lined with them. Reverence and respect go with these tributes. The custom is a form of sacrifice and will not soon pass away.