ABSTRACT
If we look at the structure of society, we see it is based on the fact that man has certain needs-of food, shelter, and clothing, etc.—which can be satis fied more effectually by co-operation and division of labour than by isolated, individual action. The man who earns his own living does so by rendering services for which he is paid : he cannot benefit him self without benefiting others to some extent. That
274 is the law under which he lives, a law not of his own making, nor always to his own liking, but a law inherent in the nature of things, and part of the purpose, if purpose there be, in the scheme of things. As a free agent, man may co-operate with his fellows and take his share of the divided labour, or not, as he wills; but those peoples which have carried the principles of co-operation and organisa tion furthest have fared best. They have availed themselves of the opportunity offered them, and have survived. The failure of the rest to do like wise has not impeded the fulfilment of the Divine purpose that men should help one another. On the contrary, those who decline to help one another voluntarily place themselves at a disadvantage in the struggle for existence, and are slowly, but surely, crowded out by those who fulfil the Divine purpose less unsatisfactorily, and in consequence tend to inherit the earth.