OF GROWTH IN TREES. 99 



world and its inhabitants, and, as the result of their labors, 

 we have now a social organization called civilized society. 

 There certainly can be no question as to the necessity of 

 further improvements. These must be founded on Nature. 

 Whilst we live, then, let us employ ourselves usefully, and 

 help to diffuse science, peace, prosperity, and contentment. 

 Let us try to build up a noble social tree. 



If we study the economy of labor amongst these leaves, 

 we shall find that they "help each other along." The 

 lower leaves on the shoot, for instance, prepare the sap 

 or nutrient material for the leaves above them, the little 

 twigs assist to develope the branchlets, and the branchlets 

 aid in the growth of the branches. In point of fact, the 

 whole tree may be regarded as a " Mutual Aid Society ;" 

 and thus should it be in this world. 



The tree is all the time changing its form, and in like 

 manner society is ever changing its aspect through all its 

 ramifications. Through want of life-energy and industry, 

 some are losing gradually that social position to which 

 they were elevated by their ancestors. They are rapidly 

 losing the sap* for which all are contending. This is now 

 being diverted away from them to other channels, to indi- 

 vidual shoots and branches, where there is more vital ac- 

 tivity, fofr sap is always attracted to these parts; these 

 stranger shoots are becoming more and more conspicuous 

 in the social tree, and will soon overtop and conceal them. 

 It is thus that the rich sometimes become poor, and the 

 poor rich. 



But there are other causes which effect great social 

 changes in a community. Sometimes the form of a tree 

 changes in consequence of storms ; its branches are broken 

 off by powerful winds. And what man is sure for one 

 moment against calamity ! This is so well known, that the 

 words " in prosperity prepare for adversity" have passed 

 into a proverb. How frequently have the fruits of years 

 of toil and privation been lost in a single hour ! 



* Sap, or dollars that circulating medium so necessary to the develop- 

 ment of individuals and societies in civilized communities. 



