216 Evolution of Society. 



principles and status, but which attempt failed at an early 

 day, and has never since been renewed with any prospect 

 of success until now. Indeed, however desirable, it cannot 

 be successfully accomplished until not only the " hells " are 

 converted into "benefit," but the devils themselves are con- 

 verted into saints. These are precisely the undertakings 

 that Evolution proposes, — admitting, however, that their 

 accomplishment is work for the ages. 



The wisdom of the ancients was not equal to it, because, 

 to them, nature and nature's life-giving Creator seemed, 

 everywhere, at all times, to inextricably mingle malignity 

 with kindness, not showing natural affection for his children 

 in the State ; and therefore they compromised by accepting 

 poor human justice established in Contract, instead of the 

 permanent Divine Justice established by the God of the 

 Universe, which they sought in vain to find. 



If Evolution has not already discovered hoAV and what 

 this justice is, and how it works, it at least points out the 

 direction in which the promised land lies, and therefore the 

 future hope of mankind in society seems to rest in its hands. 

 Evolution places millennial conditions upon a scientific 

 basis, and thereby makes them practically possible, taking 

 them out of the domain of dreams and the visions of seers. 

 It may therefore justly be called the gospel of good-will to 

 mankind as declared by Science — since fatherly benefi- 

 cence is its key-note in contemplating and setting forth the 

 character of the Infinite Ruler of the universe. Perhaps 

 the most important work of Evolution is the bringing of 

 human knowledge and achievement to the assistance of the 

 Divine law and purpose, and directing them as one force 

 for the development and Avelfare of human society. 



Misleading bias of many kinds has already been men- 

 tioned. Doubtless it interferes in all human affairs, but 

 probably to a greater extent in the consideration and treat- 

 ment of matters directly relating to society than elsewhere. 

 Yet when bias is rectified or counterbalanced, errors of 

 method still appear in the study and practical management 

 of society. Mechanical principles and analogies furnish 

 partial but not complete solutions. Evolution, in addition, 

 brings to our aid the principles and analogies of organic 

 life, by treating society itself as an organism, or at least as 

 super-organic in its nature. 



Paramount importance is given to Biology, as a prepara- 



