'SOCIAL EVOLUTION 259 



laws by which they are evolved, by which they live, 

 and the laws external to the human being. In a word, 

 to teach man the structure and functions of his own 

 organism, and the relation of that organism to external 

 objects. This is religion. We must regard humanity 

 as a universal brotherhood, as indeed it is, and to 

 encourage each other to produce from our surroundings 

 that condition of things which shall promote the great- 

 est amount of possible health and happiness for every 

 being which is born. 1 This undoubtedly we can do. 

 This is altruism, living for a future, higher, terrestrial 

 condition of things. But to create disease and misery 

 for the purpose of curing a, few of the sufferers, for this 

 is our present aim, is illogical and inhuman but it is 

 Christian that is in the phase in which we accept 

 Christianity fashionable Christianity. 



What a sad spectacle European civilization presents 

 at the present moment ! Europe armed to the teeth. 2 



1 " We live in a world which is full of misery and ignorance, and 

 the plain duty of each and all of us is to try to make the little 

 -corner he can influence somewhat less miserable and somewhat less 

 ignorant than it was before he entered it." (" Lay Sermons, 

 Addresses, and Reviews," Thos. H. Huxley, LL.D., F.E.S., 1893, 

 p. 125.) 



2 " Just cast a glance at this society, and tell us whether it acts 

 from virtuous, divine, or even moral motives ? Is it not, in fact, a 

 helium omnium contra omnes $ Does it not resemble a race-course, 

 where everyone does all he can to outrun or even to destroy the other ? 

 Are we not tempted to say of this society what Burmeister says of 

 the Brazilians : ' Everyone does what he believes he can do without 

 incurring punishment. He cheats and abuses others as much as 

 possible, being convinced that they would do the same to him. Any- 

 one who acts differently is treated as an idiot ' ? Is it not the most 

 refined egotism which is the spring of this social mechanism ; and 

 distinguished authors, who bast know human society, do they not 



s 2 



