Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/668

 654 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

to class, from people to people. It is thus, for example, that the use of soap or underwear or forks or wedding journeys becomes common.

But the fact is that the van of the procession is not content to be followed by who will and at such pace or interval as pleases him, but actively urges and forces the stragglers to close up ranks. In other words, the progress of a folk is not mere imitation of example, but partly response to insistent suggestion. In the classic world, it is true, the tlite was fain to draw apart for the pursuit of its refined enjoyments and leave the rude mul- titude to its gross pleasures and brutal amusements. But such cleavage betrayed old race lines. The^/z'te of Israel never stood so aloof; and Christianity was born with the imperishable instinct to impregnate the meanest man with its soul. At one time even the church seemed about to fall under the sway of an intellectual syndicate that echoed the sneer of Basilides : " I speak for one in a thousand, the rest are dogs and swine." But the democratic instincts of the church threw off the yoke of the gnostics, and the tlite went on with the great missionary task of spreading their desires and valuations throughout society. For a thousand years a proselyting church sought to leave upon every man, even the nethermost slave and serf, the impress of its notions of life and conduct. Then secular culture became missionary and proselyting, and for three centuries we have seen it striving by means of education to imbue every human being with those tastes and views we term " civilized," or at least equip him with that knowledge of letters that shall put him en rapport with the tlite of the race. Thus Prospero busies himself with the teaching of Caliban.

Let me be understood. It is not society that kindles strange longings or invents new pleasures, but individuals. Society can only await these Prom^theans and spread broadcast the fire they have stolen from the gods. If a people can provide no Mite to discover the ideal goods, the higher tastes do not develop. Where, as with Carthaginians or Turks, the initiatives are lacking in those desires, aspirations, interests, and pursuits which consti-