Proofs of Evolution. 313 



developed ; then the difference would be a vanishing quan- 

 tity. 



The higher animals, in common with man, manifest joy, 

 sorrow, love, hate, fear, courage, fidelity, gratitude, jealousy, 

 memory and reason, and these qualities are clearly shown 

 in their actions. One dog will watch another at his bone 

 without interfering with the right of prior possession ; but 

 once let it be abandoned, and the watcher's paw upon it, 

 let him take it who dares ! This is a recognition of the 

 principle of ownership and property-right, and therefore 

 contains a glimmer of conscience. With the development 

 of the larynx and the brain in man came speech and con- 

 science, and all the heights of mind. 



CONCLUSION. 



The final question which demands our attention is, How 

 does man stand to-day, affected by Evolution ? By it we 

 are chained to all the past ; we are pledged to all the future. 

 We are a part of Universal Life, of life supreme, of life 

 eternal. We have always been coming ; we will always be 

 going. Our influence for good or ill will be everlasting. 

 The difference between the atom and the All is one of 

 degree, not of kind. We are kindred at once to the highest 

 and to the lowest. 



The crown and jewel, the bloom and fruit of Evolution 

 is moral grandeur — is conscience. Like mind, motive, 

 reason, will and language, it was lowly born, and has risen 

 from the manger of consciousness. It is the collected in- 

 heritance of the best tendencies of life. 



Evolution insists on the importance of this world, and 

 yet from Love that stands waiting to clasp its idols in a 

 future life, it takes no hope. 



Evolution is sweeping from the world a crude and cruel 

 theology, giving forth a promise of "sweetness and light," 

 ■ — of better social conditions and individual progress. The 

 old theology worships the Unknown, and prays to change 

 the changeless. It believes at least in " Theological selec- 

 tion," insuring the survival of the " elect," while the tropic 

 storm of pain sweeps over all the rest. Evolution has 

 entered every pulpit, and softened every harsh voice, and 

 is hopeful of the time when to creedless moral beauty, man 

 will concede a crown. 



