THE RELIGION OF NATURE 



across the boundary line which now separates 

 them from us. 



Our knowledge increases every day, and to fu- 

 ture generations the means whereby the power of 

 conscious thought can be awakened in other ani- 

 mals may be a commonplace, both in theory and 

 practice. 



But perhaps such power can only be possessed 

 and exhibited by animals which have been raised 

 by our aid above the natural struggle for exist- 

 ence. We have seen how man himself, when he re- 

 verts to the habits of a hunting animal, loses not 

 only all sensibility as to the feelings of other 

 animals, but also ceases to " suffer " from his own 

 hardships. We have seen, too, that savages have 

 risen very little above the level of animal existence, 

 although in their use of language, the habit of 

 self -decoration, and the religious sense, they pos- 

 sess all the germs of civilization. 



Nor, in spite of the enormous advances which 

 we have made in other ways, can we ourselves claim 

 to have left the savages far behind in our attitude 

 towards other living creatures, since even now 

 many of the most exalted and respected members 

 of civilized society find their favorite pastime in 

 killing for sport. 



They are not necessarily to be blamed for this. 

 They are merely following a natural instinct 

 [174] 



