Mind in the Lower Animals. 185 



form of mind which, so far as the signs go, may be denied to the 

 lower animals. 



4. But finally, it may objected that it cannot be sustained on 

 the score of utility. Of what use would a hereafter be to crea- 

 tures who do not show any signs of needing or wanting it, and 

 who show so little capacity for improving it, to be of any good 

 end? Notwithstanding the acknowledged possibility of educating 

 certain animals, yet the great fact remains, that the lives of all 

 the lower animals are almost wholly automatic. Their lives are 

 not spent in struggles after the practical attainments of ideals, 

 and in an apparent sacrifice of the present for the future, in a pur- 

 posive exercise of will, to the end of the chastening and subjection 

 of their sensual natures, and the elevation, expansion, unlimited 

 refinement and development of their higher faculties — faculties 

 ■which, indeed, they do not have as compared with men — in the 

 pursuit of moral and esthetic good, which often have their final 

 object concealed, either in the immediate future or even in another 

 state of existence, and in a rational sacrifice of self for others. 

 I say the great fact remains, that the lives of beasts are not open 

 to any such way, but in following out the dictates of mere pro- 

 pensities, and these are usually, though not always, selfish. Their 

 lives and faculties are developed for them, rather than by them. 

 Of what use would a future life be to such creatures? It is true 

 there may be a use for them hereafter which we do know of^ 

 but we are not permitted to go outside of our knowledge for pos- 

 itive purposes. "We should never permit ourselves to use a mere 

 negation in a positive manner; we cannot properly use our ignor- 

 ance as against our knowledge, however imperfect that knowledge 

 may be. We do not know, as compared with men, that the lower 

 animals show no signs of desiring a future life, only at best a de- 

 sire for a continuance of the present one, and they do not show 

 any considerable capacities for improvement or rational enjoy- 

 ment. But it has been and is different with men in all ages. 

 We all have, I hope, a desire to live hereafter, that is, after 

 death ; and as a rule men have in their average estate shown capaci- 

 ties for the acquisition and use of knowledge and for enjoyment 

 which are too vast for the short and uncertain measure of this life.^ 



