88 HUMAN NATURE AND BRUTE NATURE. 



grasp upon the world ; it may flicker for a moment in 

 the mind that kindles it, as a light under a bushel, but 

 it cannot shine before men that they may see its good- 

 ness and glorify their Father in heaven. We see the 

 proof of this in races of men that have no printed books, 

 no symbols for writing, and but feeble imperfect lan- 

 guages. Civilization is wanting to them ; their worship 

 is degraded ; in their habits and general morality they 

 rise but little above the brute creation. Moreover, 

 century after century they continue without making 

 any apparent improvement or advance. Contrast or 

 compare with these the lower animal creation, and it 

 will be found, if not in its separate members, still in 

 the whole group, not to fall so infinitely below 

 humanity as human beings have long been pleased to 

 imagine : for the lower animals can be taught to re- 

 cognize man as their superior and friend, though his 

 mind is beyond their comprehension, and a similar 

 recognition is exactly what we men have to attain to 

 in regard to God ; they can be taught by pleasure and 

 pain, motives by which we ourselves both in childhood 

 and in age are taught, motives by which God Himself 

 declares that He teaches us, if we are to believe His 

 word. 



That they are capable of our virtues has been shown 

 in a notable instance ; that they are capable of our 

 follies is clear in the conspicuous vanity of the peacock ; 

 and no weakness cleaves more pertinaciously to the 

 human mind than this of vanity, which is often found 

 combined even with the noblest intellect. That they 



