192 The Morality of Nature 



upward, from lower to higher forms, as is the evolution of 

 physical structure. 



And parallel with the achievement of moral ideals set up 

 by the knowledge of good and evil, and which is a gratifica- 

 tion of mind even in its instinctive process; there comes that 

 for which they are originally conceived, before they are 

 perceived ; which is the material benefit and prosperity. We 

 may see on every side in the higher civilization a triumph 

 of material good over material evil which is amazing. The 

 ever active hostility of nature is softened and warded off in 

 the higher civilization so that storm and frost, and heat and 

 hunger, and enemies and wild beasts, and in some measure 

 disease and accident, no longer terrorize or even affright 

 those who enjoy all that their racial humanity can do for 

 them. The children and the aged; under the protection of 

 those who are strong and fortunate, are guarded against 

 these formerly bitter trials. To those who successfully 

 realize modern possibilities, these evils, formerly dominant, 

 are as outer things, heavy upon those less fortunate, and 

 sufficiently familiar only to stimulate pity and help. And the 

 most fortunate workers who thus protect them, enjoy the 

 same immunity in different forms and degree, in their 

 mutual service and support of association. Now this truth 

 stands true of certain persons, in spite of all the suffering 

 that remains unchanged for others; and it is the result of 

 altruistic co-operation, in spite of all the contradictory hard- 

 ness of heart elsewhere, that without pity strips the defense- 

 less to clothe itself and its progeny, in a parasitic luxury. 



By even small example the fact is established that the 

 civilization of altruism can do all these things; and it stands 



