Page:The Philosophy of Creation.djvu/32

 exception to a stated principle be found, it is conclusive that there can be no such principle.

Evolution, Natural Selection, and Survival of the Fittest have been more fully discussed in the prologue of this work. It has there been demonstrated that Natural Selection is Divine Selection, and that Survival of the Fittest is the Survival of the Useful. Since the prologue is a separate publication, it may be serviceable to give here a brief statement of some conclusions there reached.

Nothing is clearer than that among the multitude of seeds and varieties of plants striving for root and room only a few relatively can exist. Among animals preying upon one another, and contending for existence in times and places of scarcity and want and in adverse climate and condition, there is a "struggle for existence." And nothing is more certain than that as a rule the hardy and strong, which, other things being equal, are the best fitted for that struggle, survive the longest. But throughout the world's struggle, there has been an end in view, the service