MAHATMA Gandhi once made the remark that a nation could be judged by the way that the people treated animals.

We are told through the Word of God, in proverbs 12:10 "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel".

Indeed, the RSPCA report, highlighted in your paper, makes for disturbing reading.

This is merely one area that acts as a spiritual and moral barometer of the nation - and one that is rapidly sliding down the scale.

We are given governments to rule over us by God, but are given the freedom of choice to choose those in authority. If we continually elect spiritually corrupt governments, then no amount of education will reverse the growing tide of evil now threatening to swamp this land.

If we select those, whose outlook is true and upright and personally turn to the Lord, then the Lord will bless the land.

ANDY HOPE-HALL,

Worcester