320 EVOLUTION AND MAN S PLACE IN NATURE 



the whole aspects of life turning to condemnation 

 animal struggle for existence, disregarding, or tramp 

 ling under foot, the strivings of those weaker and less 

 favoured. It is a law which breaks the line of Evolu 

 tion, as it marks the limits of organic action, symbol 

 of muscular force and animal passion, which by con 

 trast we call brute force. This is a law which shows 

 the distinction of the human race, placing within every 

 life the title to personal rights, and constituting every 

 man agent in the executive of the moral government, 

 which predominates in the present order of things. 

 This is a law by application of which human rights 

 have been rescued from the cruel hand of oppression. 

 This is a law which, in the course of the centuries, has 

 ended autocratic dominion, has broken up the feudal 

 system, and has prepared the way for acknowledg 

 ment of the common rights of humanity, with the 

 common responsibilities of rulers and subjects. 



It is only natural that man so placed so working 

 under rational law so guided by light of reason so 

 warranted to be judge at once of himself and of other 

 agents placed with him under common law, so ap 

 pointed to be a guardian of all life s highest interests, 

 including the interests of all the animals around 

 him, should above and beyond Nature, recognise the 

 Supernatural. These two are rationally conjoined. 

 There is no morality without law; no law without 

 government; no share in work and administration, with 

 out share in pains and penalties; and no fixed order 

 without Supreme Power, personally sustaining moral 

 order. It is all clear enough. The whole human race 

 has seen it, more or less plainly. Hence the Religions 

 of the world. These, however they may differ, tell us of 



