ese powers through social activity. For it is only through social
co-operation that a new power is brought into existence, namely,
achievement by mutual aid. This assertion does not ignore the fact
that the mutations of progress arise from the brain centres of
geniuses, and that by following up these mutations by social action
they may become productive and furnish opportunity for progress.

_The Central Idea of Modern Civilization_.--The object of life is not
to build a perfect social mechanism. It is only a means to a greater
end, namely, that the individual shall have opportunity to develop and
exercise the powers which nature has given him. This involves an
opportunity for the expression of his whole nature, physical and
mental, for the satisfaction of his normal desires for home, happiness,
prosperity, and achievement. It involves, too, the question of
individual rights, privileges, and duties.

The history of man reveals to us somewhat of his progress. There is
ever before us the journey which he has taken in reaching his present
status. The road has been very long, very rough, very crooked. What
he has accomplished has been at fearful expense. Thousands have
perished, millions have been swept away, that a single idea for the
elevation and culture of the race might remain. Deplore it as we may,
the end could be reached only thus. The suffering of humanity is
gradually lessening, and destruction and waste being stayed, yet we
must recognize, in looking to the future, that all means of improvement
will be retarded by the imperfection of human life and human conditions.

The central principle, however, the great nucleus of civilization,
becomes more clearly defined, in turn revealing that man's happiness on
earth, based upon duty and service, is the end of progress. If the
achievements of science, the vast accumulations of wealth, the
perfection of social organization, {457} the increased power of
individual life--if all these do not yield better social conditions, if
they do not give to humanity at large greater contentment, greater
happiness, a larger number of things to know and enjoy, they must fail
in their service. But they will not fail. Man is now a larger
creature in every way than ever before. He has better religion; a
greater God in the heavens, ruling with beneficence and wisdom; a
larger number of means for improvement everywhere; and the desire and
determination to master these things a