130 The Lesson of History 



it is in all governments to-day in the van of progress 

 in our Western civilisation. 



We think it will be acknowledged that thus far we are 

 dealing with historical fact. Benjamin Kidd has dealt 

 with these points in such a fascinating way that, after 

 a study of his book, one feels impelled to advise every 

 one desiring further and detailed evidence to read and 

 absorb the facts and ideas contained in " Social 

 Evolution." It is he who has discovered and revealed 

 the true lesson of history, and without his teachings on 

 this subject the study of the past and the present would 

 have been impossible from the scientific standpoint ; 

 it is therefore necessary to borrow from this most in- 

 teresting and suggestive volume, if the teaching of the 

 lesson of the events and epochs of past ages is to be 

 satisfactorily expounded. He shows how the creation 

 of this caste of slaves, who were utilised to the utmost 

 limit without consideration of any kind, and being born 

 into this lot remained there without hope and without 

 freedom as long as life lasted, resulted ultimately and 

 of necessity in the disintegration of the state. This 

 caste of slavery was considered a vital element of the 

 continuance of power and empire, but eventually like a 

 canker it sapped the vigour of the body politic ; it was 

 like " a goodly apple, rotten at the core," and ere long 

 passed away as a thing of naught. 



In our Western civilisation as it exists to-day it is 

 evident that a different conception of the state — of the 

 body politic — pervades men's minds. Slavery as such 

 has been abolished in all countries which can be 

 described as leaders in the van of civilisation, acknow- 

 ledging the sway of the Christian religion, and enlight- 

 ened by the great liberating movement of the Reforma- 

 tion. And it will be observed that it has been abolished 

 only as part of, and in consonance with, the progressive 

 social amelioration of all classes of the community, and 



