A Story Outline of Evolution 



nations were able to read and to write. The kings asserted 

 authority over them and like dumb driven cattle, they had 

 to obey. They had no other place to go. The nations 

 would flourish for a time and then fall into decay and finally 

 leave the stage of human action to be taken up and occupied 

 by some other person who claimed and asserted the divine 

 right to rule. The common rights of humanity, as yet, had 

 no leader to point the way to greater freedom of action for 

 the common masses. The common people had not, as yet 

 secured a charter guaranteeing to them their civil or politi- 

 cal rights. 



As the nations rose and fell and as our civilization 

 advanced step by step, there appeared from time to time 

 upon the stage of human action great characters whose lives 

 and deeds have helped to shape the destiny of the human 

 race. Superior talents and favoring circumstances have 

 given to a few men since history began that special recogni- 

 tion which is called immortal by which their names and 

 deeds have been preserved and transmitted from generation 

 to generation and whose lives have furnished examples of 

 inspiring, helpful deeds as models for our emulation. These 

 few immortals since the beginning of our civilization have 

 identified themselves with great human principles in which 

 men of all ages and men of all races are interested. They 

 have helped to advance the progress of civilization and to 

 relieve the oppression and suffering of humanity. Their 

 names have passed beyond their country, beyond their lan- 

 guage, beyond their race and beyond the centuries in which 

 they lived and now stand as guideposts directing the path- 

 way of human progress. These immortals did not carve 



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