CONCEPT OF HISTORY 235 



formula, through ^vhieh, with a certaiu degree of aceuracy, the liue luay 

 be projected beyond the present. Viewed in this light, history becomes 

 not merely a teacher by comparison or by analogy, but interprets the 

 development of present conditions, and also furnishes a key to the future. 



Earely has the range of historical account included all influences 

 actually involved. Largely by reason of the fact that the world is so com- 

 plicated, there is no connected statement which shows the happenings as 

 a whole with their interlocking connections. All records are merely 

 pieces, or pieces of pieces, limited to one phase of the subject, limited to 

 one portion of the world, and limited to a small space of time without 

 relation to what precedes or follows. True world history scarcely exists. 



Analysis of the elements composing the fabric of history, considered in 

 its enormous complication and as a world problem, shows that there can 

 l)e no question regarding the need for every element of knowledge which 

 may be brouglit to bear, for interpretation of our present situation and 

 I'equirements, and for guidance of mankind in decisions on those greater 

 problems demanding for their proper settlement a foresight reaching over 

 periods including more than a single generation. We need light with 

 increasing brilliance and in many dark corners. 



Present world questions will be solved in part by men who trade and 

 men who study those who trade, in part by those who do politics and 

 those who rule, and those who study rulers and politicians. But the 

 (mly view that can show us where we are and whither we ride is one that, 

 with other items, includes at least the outlines of the path over which wc' 

 have come. 



Purpose of Paper 



The point of my story in this paper is that the farther back we see 

 the path clearly, and the better we know our progress over it, the more 

 certain we are to eliminate the minor curves and determine the true 

 direction and the rate of speed 'to expect. 



I am suggesting that the deepest view of history is desirable for pur- 

 poses of most fundamental decisions ; that, no matter how far back this 

 vision leads us, if it continues to add to knowledge of what w^e are by 

 showing us how we came to be. it is desirable and should be secured. 



( 'oNTiiii'.i'iioN OF Till-: Scii:xcKS TO PTistory 



The sciences especially concerned with historic sequence are astronomy,, 

 geolog}', geography, paleontology, biology, and anthropology. Astronomy,. 

 with its broad conceptions of stellar evolution, concerns us because it 



