208 COMTE TO BENJAMIN K1DD PART in 



from it his best strength, seeking not to destroy, but to 

 fulfil. Yet even he is likely to be proscribed, insulted, 

 hated, and perhaps killed. Not till after his death will 

 men recognise the truth of his words ; then they will 

 quote them against his successors. 



Mr. Sutherland deals not so much with the growth 

 of moral ideas as with the history of moral behaviour 

 and the growth of character. The doing of what is 

 right concerns him rather than the knowledge of it; 

 these are distinct problems. His belief is that we 

 grow better because the vicious and sensual and 

 violent die off, leaving few children. If there is any 

 other evolutionary factor, it is so paltry in extent that 

 we may safely disregard it. Natural Selection B is 

 to smuggle in Natural Selection A concealed in his 

 pocket, or is to disguise himself as his big brother. 

 There is no such thing as a new life for the repentant 

 sinner, and there is no influence (to speak of) between 

 man and man. The filthy remains filthy still, and the 

 righteous remains righteous still. We are born good, 

 or else we are damned into the world. Elimination is 

 first among moral forces ; the rest are nowhere. 



What is a truer theory of man's advance in actual 

 goodness ? We help each other by influence, example, 

 magnetism. And inwardly we are drawn or driven to 

 righteousness partly by the bitterness of sin, partly by 

 (not the pleasures of virtue, but) the beauty of holiness. 

 It would be impossible to say which has the more power. 

 The great inspiring personality who helps the multitude 

 of little lives may be unoriginal and hackneyed in 

 thought. It is the glow of spiritual goodness, plus a 

 mysterious personal endowment, perhaps of the nature 

 of sympathy, that constitutes greatness and efficiency 

 in this department. But the " worthy little men " are 



