Manifest at io7is of Obligation. 267 



without which the species could not exist, and the 

 necessity of which it would be impossible for them 

 to learn from experience. It is difficult to see how 

 acts thus performed, are higher in their nature than 

 those that are preceded by Obligation founded on 

 comprehension of relations and rational choice. 



We thus have these four possible manifestations 

 of obligation. 



First, — As requiring man to choose the end for 

 which he was made, when that is comprehended. 



Second, — As impelling him to every act that is 

 judged to be a means of securing that end. 



Third, — Impelling to certain acts when no re- 

 lation is, at the time, perceived between them and 

 that ultimate end which, when comprehended, obli- 

 gation commands us to seek. 



Fourth, — As laying its constant and ever in- 

 creasing demands upon the comprehending power to 

 furnish the best conditions for its action. 



In all these respects its analogy to animal In- 

 stinct is very striking and beautiful, — Obligation 

 having for its aim the spiritual, or higher life of 

 man, as the instincts of animals relate to the phys- 

 ical life. 



First, — The leading instinctive impulses of an- 

 imals, are those which demand the preservation of 

 life — the life of the individual and the continuance 

 of the species. 



Second, — There is an instinctive impulse to do 

 all things that are seen to be connected with the 

 preservation of the individual or the species. 



