Man in the Light of Evolution 



healthy man. Otherwise he dissipates his pow- 

 ers and fritters away effort In things of no real 

 significance. He becomes insignificant himself. 

 Arrest of development and loss of power through 

 lack of one chief and worthy purpose and end 

 is a fatal danger of the individual and of society. 



Whatever be our theories concerning vital 

 force or energy, it reminds us of a great master 

 attempting to bring grand music out of a very 

 Inadequate instrument.^ It seems to be strug- 

 gling continually to clothe itself in a more suit- 

 able body, to express itself In all its strength and 

 beauty in worthier forms. It rises from mire 

 and water Into air and sunshine, unfolds one 

 physical power after another. It unmasks Itself 

 and behind the physical we see the transcendent 

 glory of the moral and spiritual. These are the 

 powers which are now shaping the body and 

 molding thought and speech to their own high- 

 est ends. Yet we must take nothing for granted. 

 Are these promises and visions merely the dreams 

 of youth? Is what we see afar off solid moun- 



^ Compare Cope, E, D., " Primary Factors of Evolution," 

 Chapters IX and X. 



90 



