THE EVOLUTION OF MORALITY 



rather the teaching and life of Christ were not 

 merely the most sublime expression and exempli- 

 fication of moral truths which long preceded its 

 advent, let us inquire into the beginnings of mo- 

 rality. 



If we seek the very beginning, there is perhaps 

 some temptation certainly I feel it to find 

 somewhat more than metaphor in Shelley's familiar 

 poem "Love's Philosophy." One is inclined to 

 find morality expressed there is no reason why 

 one should not say prefigured even in the inor- 

 ganic world, even in the state of things that pre- 

 ceded the advent of life upon the earth. So pro- 

 foundly true, and so perfectly expressive of the 

 idea which I have attempted to embody in the 

 preceding paragraphs, are these lines of Shelley's, 

 that I must quote them ; and, as it seems Philistine 

 to dismember verses so delightful, I must quote 

 them entire: 



"The fountains mingle with the river, 



And the rivers with the ocean; 

 The winds of heaven mix forever 



With a sweet emotion; 

 Nothing in the world is single: 



All things by a law divine 

 In one another's being mingle; 



Why not I with thine? 



" See the mountains kiss high heaven, 

 And the waves clasp one another; 

 No sister flower would be forgiven 

 If it disdained its brother; 



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