Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 85.djvu/412

408 as the universe; and it is on these methods alone and with them alone, the universe is built. All evolution is a process of more and more successful union, and more and more effective cooperation. All manner of living is a fabric of cooperating services. In every sphere of nature, be it chemical, or physical, or organic, or social, or "spiritual," and at every stage in its progress, evolution is achieved through union, not disunion; through construction, not destruction; through sympathetic and harmonious action, not discord; through organization, not disorganization; through cooperation, not competition; through the bondage of service, not the license of freedom; through service that leads the way to more service, not through dominion and freedom from service.

The processes that produce evolution, as distinct from those that do not, are essentially benevolent and moral processes, for evolution is a progressive triumph of right, or successful methods of self giving. Every forward step is a constructing and a conserving process, whether it be the union of cosmic matter to form solar systems; or atoms to form chemical compounds; cells and organs to form a body; or man to form society. In all cases the forward step is the result of a successful giving, or surrender of self, to form. a part of something that is larger, and better equipped for a wider service. Every living thing has its two great periods; one when it is receiving all it is, the other when it is giving all it has. The broader, more elaborate, each life is, the longer and more elaborate is the process of giving by the parents, and of receiving by the offspring; and the better all organs of both parent and offspring cooperate for a wider service of the whole.

Nor does "blind chance" rule in nature, for the dice are loaded in favor of things in the right time and place, as against those in the wrong time and place; in favor of things that cooperate and serve, as against those that do not cooperate and serve. In its broadest sense, union, even if it is primarily by "chance," tends to become progressive, or cumulative, because of the increased stability of each new product of union. Both union and cooperation are cumulative and directive; cumulative, because order tends to exclude from itself whatever is in conflict with it; directive, because the larger unit tends to control the smaller unit, and to incorporate it into its own system.

Progressive union and progressive cooperation, or progressive benevolence, harmony and service are, therefore, inherent properties of life and matter.

Thus union and cooperation are the great creative, the great constructive, and the great conservative forces in nature. They tend to give community of action, and harmony of action to her constituents; to give stability and rest. They express themselves in an evolution that leads toward completion; toward the fulfilment of the inherent possibilities of nature; toward perfection.