Evolution of Society. 229 



Mr. John A. Taylor: — 



There is nothing more pathetic than the contemplation of Her- 

 bert Spencer's work, unfinished as it is; and as it will probably re- 

 main. "Social Statics," one of his earliest works, is one of the 

 most remarkable books ever written, though very imperfect in the 

 author's eyes. He started with some accepted scientific ideas, 

 which he attempted to apply to the existing social status, and 

 went on from these to his elaborated theory of the social organism 

 — an aggregated humanity. But in many things he has been able 

 only to furnish the outline of a work which must be completed by 

 others. When such a master-mind treats the subject of Sociology 

 with so much diffidence, it is hardly to be expected that we should 

 sound its depths in an evening's discussion. Though Spencer is 

 not to be charged with empiricism, there is evident throughout 

 his work a great yearning to meet the practical wants of humanity. 

 We may all well strive to emulate his spirit in this respect. What 

 I most admire in Mr. Spencer is the courage with which he attacks 

 the errors and abuses of our conventional life and thought. To 

 uplift the race, we must not only be willing to study methods, but 

 we must have the courage of our matured convictions in the appli- 

 cation of the results of our studies to the affairs of life. We are 

 justified in cherishing a noble discontent in regard to present im- 

 perfect social conditions, but we must also wisely strive for their 

 betterment. And we must be patient in looking for results. All 

 remember Spencer's words in the closing chapter of his "Study 

 of Sociology," to the effect that students must not be discouraged 

 by the lapse of time before society becomes perfect. So long as 

 we are working in the right direction, we may well be hopeful for 

 the future. 



Mr. Henry S. Bellows: — 



It seems to me that this question has been treated too much 

 from the outside — that too much stress has been placed upon the 

 influence of environment. There has been too little consideration 

 of the inner forces — the forces of innate character and organiza- 

 tion, in the development of society. I think outside pressure is 

 not the cause of social aggregation, but that this is the result of a 

 law of association which is not the product of external pressure. 

 Out of this law of association, which is a part of the nature of in- 

 dividual man, the necessity of government arises. 



Mr. William Hanson: — 



Mr. Hanson, at the President's suggestion, gave a brief account 

 of a society in Atlanta, Georgia, of which he was a member, which 



