4 o8 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



as the universe ; and it is on these methods alone and with them alone, 

 the universe is built. All evolution is a process of more and more suc- 

 cessful union, and more and more effective cooperation. All manner of 

 living is a fabric of cooperating services. In every sphere of nature, be 

 it chemical, or physical, or organic, or social, or "spiritual," and at 

 every stage in its progress, evolution is achieved through union, not dis- 

 union ; through construction, not destruction ; through sympathetic and 

 harmonious action, not discord; through organization, not disorganiza- 

 tion; through cooperation, not competition; through the bondage of 

 service, not the license of freedom; through service that leads the way 

 to more service, not through dominion and freedom from service. 



The processes that produce evolution, as distinct from those that 

 do not, are essentially benevolent and moral processes, for evolution is 

 a progressive triumph of right, or successful methods of self giv- 

 ing. Every forward step is a constructing and a conserving process, 

 whether it be the union of cosmic matter to form solar systems; or 

 atoms to form chemical compounds; cells and organs to form a body; 

 or man to form society. In all cases the forward step is the result of 

 a successful giving, or surrender of self, to form. a part of something 

 that is larger, and better equipped for a wider service. Every living 

 thing has its two great periods; one when it is receiving all it is, the 

 other when it is giving all it has. The broader, more elaborate, each life 

 is, the longer and more elaborate is the process of giving by the pa- 

 rents, and of receiving by the offspring; and the better all organs of 

 both parent and offspring cooperate for a wider service of the whole. 



Nor does "blind chance" rule in nature, for the dice are loaded in 

 favor of things in the right time and place, as against those in the 

 wrong time and place; in favor of things that cooperate and serve, as 

 against those that do not cooperate and serve. In its broadest sense, 

 union, even if it is primarily by " chance," tends to become progressive, 

 or cumulative, because of the increased stability of each new product of 

 union. Both union and cooperation are cumulative and directive; 

 cumulative, because order tends to exclude from itself whatever is in 

 conflict with it; directive, because the larger unit tends to control the 

 smaller unit, and to incorporate it into its own system. 



Progressive union and progressive cooperation, or progressive benev- 

 olence, harmony and service are, therefore, inherent properties of life 

 and matter. 



IV. Creation, Evolution and Service 



Thus union and cooperation are the great creative, the great con- 

 structive, and the great conservative forces in nature. They tend to 

 give community of action, and harmony of action to her constituents; 

 to give stability and rest. They express themselves in an evolution that 

 leads toward completion; toward the fulfilment of the inherent possi- 

 bilities of nature; toward perfection. 



