The first is involved in the great fact that such is man's nature as
bestowed by the Creator, that only in the society of his fellows can
that nature be developed into all its grandeur, and thus bestow and
receive the utmost amount of happiness. The old adage, 'the more, the
merrier,' might be truly amplified in many ways. When numbers are
engaged in common pursuits, common interests, common views, common
joys--each one zealous, earnest, life-giving and life-receiving--the
happiness of the whole flows in upon each, and multiplies it a
thousandfold.

Now if we look at history, keeping in mind the fact that the sole end of
the Creator is the happiness of his creatures, and that this happiness
is multiplied in proportion to the number of those who can be brought
into accord and concert of action (and action, too, as diversified as
possible)--looking at history, we say, under the light of this fact, it
would seem as if Providence, in the course of human events, was in the
continual effort, so to speak, to bring mankind into ever closer, more
harmonious, and more multiplied and diverse relations; ever striving to
mass the human race more and more into larger and larger communities;
the different portions of which should still retain all the freedom they
were prepared for, or needed to enjoy, while at the same time, they were
in close but free membership with the common body and its central head.

We say that this seems to be the aim of Providence; while on the other
hand, there is just as evidently to be seen the working of an opposing
force, viz., human selfishness, human ignorance, individual ambition,
ever seeking its own at the expense of others. A selfish, energetic,
and ignorant spirit of individualism (as distinguished from an
enlightened, large-minded, _social_ individualism, which only becomes
more marked and healthily developed by wide social intercourse), has in
all ages tended to split up society into smaller parts, animated by
mutual rivalry, jealousy, and hostility. When these antagonisms have
been carried to a certain length the evil cures itself, by the rise of a
despotism, which, as the instrument in the hands of Providence, brings
all these clashing communities under a strong government, that binds
them over, as it were, to keep the peace. By this, leisure and
opportunity are given for the cultivation of the arts, the sciences, and
industries, which tend to humanize men, and lessen the restless war
spirit.