130 SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT SCIENCE AND LIFE. 



changed. Formerly it was behind — but now it is before. 

 The desire for perfection now lures us on, not back. 

 Hence the importance of this disposition and this power 

 to throw off any clogs that may hinder that advance. 



What has existed and does exist, is no prima facie 

 reason for its continued preservation. Its usefulness in 

 the past does not of itself entitle it to an indefinite exis- 

 tence in the future. The importance of the theory of 

 evolution as effecting human life is, that it gives us a 

 reason for abandoning past usages without any offensive 

 disrespect to the usages themselves. According to the 

 laws of life they have served their functions — they have 

 rendered useful aid to man at one stage of his growth; 

 but through their help he has advanced beyond them, 

 and they must honorably give way to their successors, 

 whom they have as much called into being, as a father 

 his children. 



But though this be true, we all know perfectly well 

 that it is not an easy thing to get rid of old ideas, prac- 

 tices, prejudices. They are never surrendered without 

 a struggle and often a struggle so convulsive as to 

 threaten the existence of society itself. And yet, if the 

 law of evolution be true and we are to avail ourselves of 

 it, these things must be parted with. If society have 

 not vitality enough to get rid of them, when they have 

 served their purpose, it is certain that such a society will 

 decline. Revolution is preferable to death, no matter 

 how much blood may be shed in it. 



Fortunately these are not the only alternatives, there 

 can be and there is the peaceful revolution of opinion, 

 and to give strength to this should be the desire of every 

 good citizen and every lover of his kind. 



There are problems pressing on us for settlement to- 

 day, that require all the openness of mind, discern- 

 ment and patient attention that men are capable of, in 



order to solve them. The past cannot give us much help 



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