The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-25

Of evolution as much as the behest OF
faith. SO while men toiled and battled
and grasped and kept, there crept In
and dwelt at the heart Of them COW
etous desire for that most exquisite
form OF pleasure that Is the reward Of
helpfulness and the prize Of renuncia-
ton. Ethical laws slowly made their
conquering way; religions that embody
them stormed or smiled or wept their
courses across the world; the slow. deep
thoughts OF centuries confirmed the
change as consonant to mans nature
and dignity, and the higher standard Of
conduct established itself in brain and
conscience, though the kingdom Of the
lower had not passed.
II is In some such middle state, on
some such plateau of the long journey
that the human race is massed today.
The viii to acquire remains, but ac-
QUESTION simply for It's own sake is con-
demned. II has been long since the mere
miser commanded aught save contempt.
We labor for support, II is true but also
because labor is a law of wholesome
living; and we labor also that knowledge
may run to and fro. that the totality of
all that makes for human elevation may
be Increased, that we may surpass in
many why's our fathers. that the world
may be better as we'll as richer for our
service, that the common lot may be
raised In the average, that education
and comfort may increase and suffer
ing find relief and progress show itself
divine. IT is the altruistic idea in which
the human aspiration. expressed direct
" through the religious sentiment sees
It's earthly goal. Into harmony with
that the commercial instinct Will be de-
veloped finally. The longing to acquire
so that we may minister 10 the needs of
others less capable or less fortunate Is
it's ultimate perfection.
All science and all knowledge tend 70
this conclusion. We are learning the
unity OF force. We are resolving in our
laboratories matter into that primordial
element which doubtless lies below It's
countless forms. We are studying neg
lected psychic forces that hold the key
to many mysteries We are perceiving
the indissolubie union of religious belief
with conduct. We are acknowledging
more and more the tremendous sweep
and sway OF ethical laws. The moral
consideration in its widest and most i'm
personal sense has a power unfelt before
through all the ages. We catch glmpses
OF universe OF love and law. and dlmly
grasp the truth that they are one. This
Is the modern view OF evolution, and by
It's past we may forecast its future. II
Is safe TO trust the forces that have
made us what we are; to believe that
nature does not reverse her operations:
TO know that the uplifting OF the worli
which, in the long view, has known no
interruption, Ii for our time and FOR
eternity. The man. the hour. the cir
cumstance may perplex and discourage.
1t is the beauty, the comfort. the unas-
sailable refuge OF life that we can scan
the space between the eternities that
environ us and find there the works OF
an uneeasing purpose. How shall II
falter or swerve from It's fixed coursep
OF the world. of humanity and OF the
traits that IT is sloughing of or taking
on II is true by all the logic Of knowl-
edge as OF faith that 1.-THE best is yet to
be: the last OF life. for which the frs,
was made"