296 



EXPLANATIONS. 



ity to the meaner creatures also. Life is everywhere! 

 one. The inferior animals are only less advanced types 

 of that form of being perfected in ourselves. Constituted 

 as its head — with a peculiar psychical character and des- 

 tiny by virtue of that position — we are yet essentially 

 connected with the humbler vehicles of vitality and in- 

 telligence^ and placed in moral relations towards them. We 

 are bound to respect the rights of animals as of our human 

 associates. We are bound to respect even their feelings. 

 And from obeying these moral laws, we shall reap as cer- 

 tain a harvest of benefit to ourselves as by obeying any 

 code of law that ever was penned. The rule of force 

 and of cruelty has hitherto prevailed in this department 

 of the world's economy as between man and man; but 

 the day of true knowledge will bring a better rule here 

 also, and the many good qualities of these patient and 

 unresisting ministers of our convenience will yet be ac- 

 knowledged and dwelt on by all with admiration and love. 



Is our own position affected injuriously by this view, or 

 can our relation to the universe and its Author be pre- 

 sumed to be so ? Assuredly not. Our character is now 

 seen to be a definite part of a system which is definite. 

 The Deity himself becomes a defined, instead of a capri- 

 cious being. Power to make and to uphold remains his 

 as before, but is invested with a character of tranquillity 

 altogether new — the highest attribute we can conceive in 

 connection with power. Viewing him as the author of 

 this vast scheme by the mere force of his will, and yet as 

 the indispensably present sustainer of all; seeing that the 

 whole is constructed upon apian of benevolence and jus- 

 tice, we expand to loftier, more generous and holy emo- 

 tions, as we feel that we are essential parts of a system so 

 great and good. The place we hold in comparison is 

 humble beyond all statement of a degree; yet it is a cer- 

 tain and intelligible place. We know where we stand, 

 and have some sense also of our chronological place. 

 The years of our existence occupy a space in that mighty 

 series, during some earlier portion of which this globe, 

 since the theatre of glories and of sorrows numberless was 

 moulded into form. Arithmetic could state, if we knew 

 it, the connection between the birth of a babe which saw 

 the light an hour ago arid the time when the elements or 

 our astral system began to resolve themselves into those 

 cou ntless orbs, one of which is^Man's, the stage of his long 



