168 GENERAL SIR CHARLES WARREN, G.C.M.G., F.R.S., ON 



4. Geographical conditions affecting a nation 



5. Eevelation and religion, as contrasted with superstition 



and errors. 



6. The direct interposition of the Almighty exercised in the 



sight of the whole world. 



(1) Eacial Characteeistics. 



It is well understood that races possess permanent and 

 dominant characteristics which differ in each. Children in a 

 family, however they may differ in appearance, disposition, and 

 temper, possess potentially the same character — that of the 

 race. Vicissitudes and struggle for existence may dwarf a 

 tribe, but it will regain its standard condition when it returns 

 to favourable circumstances. A tribe may at one time be 

 strung up to a high pitch of excellence, and at another time it 

 may slacken off to a very low pitch, but it cannot change 

 absolutely beyond its limits. Some races are born to dominate 

 and some to serve. History gives instances of races which 

 under trials have shaken off their sloth, as did Israel at the 

 Exodus, the Spartans and the Sikhs ; but it was all within limits 

 which could not be exceeded. Influences affect different races, 

 and affect even the same race, differently under different circum- 

 stances. A timid, feeble tribe, to-day, suffering any amount of 

 indignity and oppression, may to-morrow, by indiscreet hand- 

 ling, be converted into an enthusiastic fighting race in defence 

 of their rights or their homesteads, for which they will struggle 

 to the last. Or they may catch on to some religious idea under 

 one of the fanatical leaders that arise from time to time. 

 Geographical conditions affect different races differently, stimu- 

 lating some to exertion and reducing others to sloth. In the 

 long run, however, race characteristics must tell, and can never 

 be eradicated, though the race itself may be destroyed. 



As to the Chosen Eace, the raw material of their character- 

 istics cannot have varied very much from that of other Semitic 

 tribes, but training and early habits and customs, and the 

 application of the Law, have given them a strong bias against 

 the worship of false gods. 



(2) The Effect — 

 (a) of Tradition and Civilization in the Past. 



Tradition has a very potent effect on all races, and the rulers 

 realize and act upon it. By tradition a race is induced to 



