46 DISCOVERY 



Christianity in Huxley that if it were parcelled out 

 among all the men, women and children in the British 

 Islands there would be enough to save the soul of every 

 one of them, and plenty to spare." 



The man who lives a moral life merely because he 

 wishes to save his own precious soul is little better than 

 an expectant Hedonist ; for his motive is personal 

 profit. He may be saved from punishment hereafter 

 by being negatively evil, but his life will be of no benefit 

 to the human race unless he is positively good. What 

 existence awaits us across the dark river we cannot 

 say ; but we do know that here on earth each thread 

 of life is intended to contribute to the web designed by 

 its Creator. 



Science may not be able to provide a complete code 

 of ethics, but it does teach that every action carries with 

 it a consequence not in another world but in this 

 to be felt either by ourselves or by others, in our own 

 time or the generations to come. The knowledge that 

 effect inevitably follows cause in Nature makes the 

 student of science circumspect in all 'his dealings with 

 her. In the sublime words of Francis Thompson : 



All things by immortal power 



Near or far, 



Hiddenly 



To each other linked are, 



That thou canst not stir a flower 



Without troubling of a star. 



The man who keeps this thought constantly before 

 him, and understands the altruistic principle suggested 

 by it, cannot act lightly towards others or himself. 

 But neither this principle nor any other stimulus to 

 high endeavour can have any significance in moral 

 philosophy unless it is put into practice or creates a 



