Man 171 the Light of Evolution 



This much seems clear. Certain, even very 

 metaphysical, statements have a direct influence 

 on our lives and change them for good or evil. 

 Whether Galvanism was good or bad, it could 

 " set up a line of battle." So could Moham- 

 medanism. Moral and religious creeds have 

 molded men's lives and habits. This is Indis- 

 putable. Even Mr. Haeckel freely grants that 

 our religious creeds have done much harm. 

 They seriously affect life, and are anything but 

 negligible quantities. 



If the system of thought molds men Into con- 

 formity with environment, they will survive, and 

 the creed will endure and develop with them. 

 Even nations superior to them in physical power 

 or in martial discipline and prowess may be 

 won over to accept It from them. If the 

 creed or theory molds men Into conformity with 

 environment, It must be because It corresponds 

 to or embodies objective reality In at least a very 

 fair degree; It must be In the main an approach 

 toward truth. If not truth itself. If the creed 

 or theory leads to nonconformity to environ- 

 ment, the race w^Ill perish sooner or later and Its 

 creed be forgotten. Thus moral and religious 

 creeds and systems are slowly tested and verified 



134 



