HIS FUNCTIONAL RELATIONS, 99 



interactions of individual opinion. It is well, there- 

 fore, to bear in mind that this individuality — whether 

 in nations or in individuals — ^is a thing that may be 

 directed, but cannot with impunity be suppressed; 

 a thing that, as it has existence in nature, so it must 

 have exercise in the performance of those functions 

 which nature has rendered imperative. 



There can be no greater delusion, therefore, as re- 

 gards man's functional relations, than the expectation 

 that either individuals or nations wUl ever be brought 

 to the same beliefs, or to one common course of 

 action. So long as there are aboriginal differences or 

 individualities, so long will men and nations continue 

 to differ in thought and practice, and through these 

 differences continue to_£liciiJilie. true and progressive. 

 No doubt, the higher man's knowledge, and the 

 nearer his approach to truth, the less will these 

 differences become ; but to endeavour to suppress 

 them in conformity with any conventional notions 

 were a bar to all activity and improvement. It may 

 at first sight seem an evil that there should continue 

 to be differences and contentions, but the contentions 

 arise from a misconception of the purport of this in- 

 dividuality ; and not till men have learned to look 

 upon it as a thing to be respected — a gift to be 

 directed and not to be suppressed — will it have its 

 full efficiency in the promotion of human progress. 



