Man in the Light of Evolution 



than we, their success will be sure. Evolution 

 gathers momentum in its course. 



We have found that man's share and work 

 in the process of evolution is the higher develop- 

 ment and complete supremacy of the moral and 

 religious powers, just as it was the business of 

 the worm to develop viscera, and of the lower 

 vertebrates to add new muscles and motor nerve 

 centers. Wealth, learning, and civilization are 

 Important chiefly as they contribute to this end. 

 Failure to make the highest supreme is degen- 

 eration and means extinction. 



But as we look out on this whirl of social life 

 we are puzzled and become confused. It Is too 

 near us to allow of any perspective in our view 

 or picture. We wonder whither it is moving, 

 or whether it has any meaning or goal. We are 

 confident that there is progress as well as degen- 

 eration. But whether the progress Is In America 

 or China we are not quite sure. Society Is not 

 the same In any two states, cities, or towns. In- 

 deed, every Individual may be said to have his 

 own society or social circle, apparently inde- 

 pendent of his state or clime and of the govern- 

 ment or social usages under which he lives. 



Society tends to become more complex and 



i88 



