MENTAL AND SOCIAL EVOLUTION 137 



by the interaction of natural readjustments, on the 

 same principle that the law of evolution operates. 

 The reason of man can advance to the point of estab- 

 lishing a currency, uniform in weight and purity; but 

 its real value as currency in the purchase and sale of 

 commodities is beyond the reach of legislation. 

 Fifteen years ago it would buy fifty per cent, more of 

 wheat, bacon, butter and eggs than it will now (1912). 

 Then it was a dollar in the market. Now it is about 

 sixty cents. So it is with everything man reasons out. 

 If it is in accordance with the natural law of evolution 

 that is, the law of rhythm of motion, and consequent 

 readjustments constantly going on, not only in the in- 

 organic, but in the organic universe, it is righteous; 

 otherwise it is unrighteous, and must be readjusted. 

 Man is very gradually growing, as the ages elapse, into 

 closer harmony with the natural laws of the universe. 

 The method of development and constant effort, is the 

 law of life itself; which likely is all there is of life. 

 When it ceases, there is no more life, but a stillness or 

 want of motion similar to or the same as that condition 

 which we now call death. 



ALL EVOLUTION ALIKE. The method of man's evolu- 

 tion has been the same as cosmic evolution, the struggle 

 for existence, and the survival of the fittest. When 

 he came to aggregate with his fellows into a society 

 for better protection and mutual enjoyment, the sav- 

 age elements of his former "tiger and ape" methods 

 still clung to him. It was difficult for him to rise to 

 the requirements of civilized life, and in doing so 

 the old habits to a certain degree, such as indiffer- 

 ence to the cries of the weak, clung to him. These relics 

 of the past condition are called by the present average 

 of men, sins. They do not know that they are naturally 



