The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-06-28
The Evolution otthe Mind.
nv Pcrley Pcdis'~ 'fSlnHfnnn. Kansas

sistently discussing the princi-
pies and laws of evolution. tt is
considered an established fact
that, throughout eternity, upon
this earth, and IN every part of
the universe, there is continual
change, improvement and devel-
opment. This same great prin-
ciple has unerringly held true In
the history of the human mind.
From the time when man was
created, there has taken place a
steady growth in the efforts and
results of the intellect. First,
primeval barbarity held sway in
every nation. Then, during the
lapse of centuries, the rude mind,
influenced by surrounding con-
ditions, established the second
form of early civilization. That
age of development was charac-
terlzed by the massiveness of the
works which were erected by
man, The structures illustrate
how small part the mind of man
played 10 their erection. The
mounds IN the United States, the
ancient heaps of earth and stone
in Babylcnia and Assyria, and the
Pyramids of Egypt still stand as
silent witnesses, bearing evil
dence of that laboriousage. When
the fever of building had past,
the mind entered upon the third
period of its advancement. 1t
turned to broader fields of work.
The chaotic mass of ideas was
classified. Governments were
improved. 1t was during this
period that the republics of
Greece and Rome, and the far.
famed empire of the Montezumas
reached their climax in civiliza.
ton. After this period of intel
lectual progress, a reaction came.
Humanity-the light of the natur.
al world-seemed to sink below
the historical horizon, and a uight
of ignorance covered the earth.
The result of this age to human
life was fatal beyond estimation.
Nevertheless, during this period,
the greatest of problems was for
ever solved. The scepter which
had so long been held by the
Graeco. Italian peoples, was Civ
en-, not to the fierce Huns or Van
dals, but to the brave liberty low
ing Teutons-a race destined to
march like mighty phalanx
down through the ages. And
this people has moved onward,
preserving and developing every
intellectual talent, and ever wild
ening It's influence, until at the
present time we see 1t enveloping
the globe.
Now, admitting that there is an
of the mind, and that it
has been sufficiently demonstrat.
ed in the successive eras of his
tory, let us ascertain the effects
Of the mind at the present time
on the universal works of man.
Some one has truly said, "It is
mind that moves the world"
Then, in order to com prehend
the powerful influence of the
mind in human affairs, let us con-
slider separately the effects of
each active faculty of the intel
lect. Believing these faculties to
be religious tendency, intellect
nal ability and inventive faculty,
we shall so discuss them.
Religious tendency and in. born
instinct of all mankind, Is the
first and greatest element of de.
yelopment.
Influenced by faith in a Su.
preme beng, man has performed
ais greatest works. From the
block of marble he has chlseled
ais ideal of Divinity; and on the
canvas has placed his fancy's pur
EST picture. The world S sublim-
sst literature has been written by
men of faith. So inspired, blind
Milton wrote his paradise Lost"
3unyan, IN lonely cell in Bed
ord jail, like a heavenly dreamer,
composed his immortal Pilgrim g |
Progress; and Harriet Beecher |
stowe gave a whole race It's first |
sweet note of freedom. Poets of |