286 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



the same time to conduct himself in an immoral manner. This in- 

 stinct is the most effective incentive to civilization. It underlies all 

 our material and moral progress ; it is the source of most that is good ; 

 it is the whip driving us onward and the reward enticing us along the 

 straight and narrow path. It is human affection, the social instinct. 

 It is a feeling, to be sure, differently developed in different races, tribes 

 and individuals, but it is present to some extent in all. It is a feeling 

 which develops as one grows, extending outward from oneself. It is 

 at first for parents, brothers and sisters, then for wife and family; for 

 blood relatives ; for tribe or nation ; and finally for the race. It is the 

 feeling of kinship. It is one of the strongest basal instincts of 

 humanity. 



The real origin of morality in the past has been this basal instinct; 

 and it must continue to be an effective cause of morality in the future. 

 Eor the love of offspring of which this instinct is part is one of the most 

 fundamental in animals. Religious beliefs may develop or thwart this 

 instinct, but they are powerless either to suppress it entirely or to take 

 its place. If we should take away all religious belief, the belief in a 

 personal God, in a future life, in rewards and punishment in such a 

 life, we should not disturb this fundamental basis of moral conduct in 

 the least degree. The instinct of human affection would still exist as a 

 powerful aid to morals, one which has always existed, which always will 

 exist and which is without any essential connection with any religious 

 belief whatever. 



Eeligion and science have a certain relationship to this fundamental 

 instinct. Eeligion in certain ways, but unfortunately not in all, has 

 acted as a stimulus to this instinct in each individual, and it has pre- 

 sented a moral code enforced by a system of rewards and punishments. 

 The actual effect of the Christian religion on morals has been both 

 good and bad. The rapid development of this religion at the outset 

 was very largely owing to the fact that it appealed to and stimulated 

 this fundamental instinct. The teachings of Jesus appear for the most 

 part to have been directed chiefly to this end. " This is my command- 

 ment, that ye love one another." His whole life was a teaching by 

 precept and example of the blessings of human affection. It is this 

 element which has made the religion live ; which is accountable for what 

 good it has done in the world ; which makes it unique among religions. 

 The appeal of the religion was primarily to tlie feelings, but it was 

 just as effective an appeal to the reason, if only one perceived that the 

 real basis of all good conduct was affection. 



If the early Christians had contented themselves with following 

 Jesus's teachings in this particular, their religion must always have 

 been a power for good in the world. But it happened that metaphysical 

 speculation gradually wrapt around, concealed and weakened the force 



