38 Contemporary Evolution. 



through other manifestations when humanity has ceased 

 to be/' 



In connection with workings of and self-devotion to 

 merely an abstract humanity, the following words of Mr. 

 Mott* may be quoted with advantage : 



" The hope of progress, to have any powerful influence 

 upon us, must be the hope of something in which we 

 ourselves, or those who are really dear to us, can share ; 

 not the hope that a higher race of beings will inhabit the 

 earth long after we have done with it. If I heard that the 

 Emperor of China was a much better and nobler being 

 than myself, I do not feel that I should be much elated by 

 the news. Even if I congratulated himself and his sub- 

 jects, my personal feelings would be rather grim. In like 

 manner, the knowledge that my own lot, and the lot of 

 those I love, was a very miserable one compared with 

 what my descendants would inherit a thousand years 

 hence, could not give me a very cheerful view of life in 

 general. Nor is there any selfishness in this, for selfish- 

 ness does not consist in highly valuing our own happiness 

 this is surely what the angels do but in being willing 

 to sacrifice the happiness of others in order to secure our 

 own. 



" The hope of improving the condition of others in 

 whom our affections are interested is indeed one of the 



* See " Origin of Savage Life," p. 43. 



