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.