Aspiration in Evolution is Morality 375 



evident present incomplete development, which makes evolu- 

 tion of such import to the moralist. The stupendous conse- 

 quences produced by each step in that direction which past 

 life has taken, are only suggestive of what may be expected 

 from it. And noteworthy in this connection is the clear ma- 

 terial foundation of the principle, in the fundamental biologi- 

 cal substances and processes of human nature, and the 

 manner in which that principle, resting on purely material 

 value, rises in evolutionary development into a high charac- 

 ter, which if not spiritual, is certainly, in purport, at one 

 with spiritual aims, and may be looked to as a means of lift- 

 ing animal nature into phases of what is called spiritual value. 



We see that alliance which is based upon sex, developing 

 virtues of almost ideal character, courage and devotion, 

 honor and faith, affection and gratitude, and self-effacing 

 altruism, and sacrifice ; and calling out in turn duty and unity 

 and co-operative power. All these things appear in evolution 

 to grow normally into larger capacity. As they appear in 

 conduct in the lesser individual life they are understood to be 

 human virtues, but in their unseen possibilities of evolution 

 they are of almost divine nature and capacity. Just as the 

 human life is revealed, as not only noble, but as becoming 

 nobler; so is human conduct seen to be not only lofty, but 

 as soaring continually higher. 



It is evident that life in evolution is forever reaching to- 

 ward a higher future. Life of little consciousness, and of no 

 self-consciousness, has no care for yesterday, and no thought 

 of tomorrow ; yet even this in normal evolution is rising in 

 scale by inherent forces upward. Although the conditions 

 may, in changing, make sometimes for a preference of a 



