



advantages of even the most perfect official organization can make up for 

 the happy freedom enjoyed by the child in a well-ordered home. Here, 

 under the influence of loving parental discipline, he learns two lifelong 

 lessons, hy imitation and oliedience: (1.) How to be himself. () How 

 to adapt, himself to others different, from himself. 



TWO LANDMARKS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY LIFE. 



This is a subject of such importance that it is worth while devoting to 

 it some further consideration. For how long has family life existed? When 

 did it take its rise? What motives led to its institution? 



WHEN DID FAMILY LIFE TAKE ITS RISE? 



In the effort briefly to answer these questions we shall find it necessary 

 to travel back a long road through the ages. The path we must follow leads 

 through the whole huge world of animal life, away into the dim distance, 

 where we can just, perceive the beginnings of family life among creatures 

 so remote from human beings as insects, fish, and reptiles. 



LANDMARK (1). THE GROWTH OF THE SOCIAL INSTINCT. 



This landmark is conspicuous all along the road. To it reference has 

 lieen already made in these pages, for it represents the gradual realization 

 of the advantages associated with co-operation for comfort and safety. The 

 perception that in unity lies strength forms the foundation of all social or 

 community life; and the earliest form of human community is what we call 

 a family. 



HOMKS OF MANKIND IN TIIK PAST. 



Overhanging Tret 1 Sholtor. 



Tiltod Hock Sholter. 



The idea of union for mutual (irti'tintaye is so familiar that we rarely 

 pause to consider it. Children soon observe the fact that insects, birds, and 

 beasts form themselves into groups: they see swarms of bees and shoals of 

 fish, flights of swallows, herds of deer and flocks of sheep, at different seasons 

 of the year or at the different places they visit. 



Where numbers are large and the groups are compact, even though the 

 individual members are as defenceless as fish or as timid as sheep, they are 

 told that dangers can be faced or difficulties can be overcome which would 

 otherwise mean injury or death. 



Another substantial gain from group life is less generally recognized 

 namely, the iKlvuntnyc* ichich folloir tlirixion of labour. Of this fact each 

 nest of ants or herd of deer serves as an illustration. The setting-apart of 

 certain ants to tend the larva 1 , while others gather food, and yet others play 



