RATIONAL LIFE 265 



said as to homology of structure; every stage in 

 physical development can be traced in harmony with 

 those of the ordinary animal life, of any grade you 

 may select. Thus, during the successive stages of 

 embryonic life, as we have seen, there is exact analogy 

 with the embryonic life of the animals. Pass thence 

 to contrast mature life, in the several cases, and what 

 do we find ? During this more advanced period of 

 existence, there is no analogy in the life of the 

 animals with the rational guidance of the physical 

 life in man. The separation is complete. Nevertheless, 

 this difference does not imply that man is separated 

 from physical law. There is no such modification of 

 law, nor is there exemption of any physical life from 

 its dominion. Man is subject to physical law, exactly 

 as are the oxen, and even as the rabbits of the field. 

 To him animal wants, and appetites, and passions, are 

 just what they are to these. But to him, the pro 

 prieties, the regulations, the restraints, the virtues even 

 of a physical nature, are realities, and of the highest 

 significance too. This is a first interpretation of the 

 dignity of manhood. But for these characteristics 

 of a sovereign intelligence in the physical sphere, the 

 power of man s higher life could not become mani 

 fest, could not find room for itself, could not 

 breathe freely, nor find scope for its energies. What 

 human life is, we know ; and we are well aware that 

 it could not be what it is, without its power to take 

 possession of the animal nature, so as to establish 

 dominion of reason. All men, indeed, do not practise 

 rational restraints. We know it. But we lament it, 

 and we condemn the neglect, as irrational and wrong. 

 We spend no such lamentation and condemnation 



