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ANCIENT CIVILISATION ｛5｝ ｛6｝
There is a theory abroad in the world just now about the origin of the
human race； which has so many patent and powerful physiological facts to
support it that we must not lightly say that it is absurd or impossible； and
that is； that man's mortal body and brain were derived from some animal
and ape…like creature。 Of that I am not going to speak now。 My subject
is： How this creature called man； from whatever source derived；
became civilised； rational； and moral。 And I am sorry to say that there is
tacked on by many to the first theory； another which does not follow from
it； and which has really nothing to do with it； and it is this： That man；
with all his wonderful and mysterious aspirations； always unfulfilled yet
always precious； at once his torment and his joy； his very hope of
everlasting life； that man； I say； developed himself； unassisted； out of a
state of primaeval brutishness； simply by calculations of pleasure and pain；
by observing what actions would pay in the long run and what would not；
and so learnt to conquer his selfishness by a more refined and extended
selfishness； and exchanged his brutality for worldliness； and then； in a few
instances； his worldliness for next…worldliness。 I hope I need not say that
I do not believe this theory。 If I did； I could not be a Christian； I think；
nor a philosopher either。 At least； if I thought that human civilisation had
sprung from such a dunghill as that； I should； in honour to my race； say
nothing about it； here or elsewhere。
Why talk of the shame of our ancestors？ I want to talk of their
honour and glory。 I want to talk； if I talk at all； about great times； about
noble epochs； noble movements； noble deeds； and noble folk； about times
in which the human raceit may be through many mistakes； alas！ and sin；
and sorrow； and blood…shedstruggled up one step higher on those great
stairs which； as we hope； lead upward towards the far…off city of God； the
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perfect polity； the perfect civilisation； the perfect religion； which is eternal
in the heavens。
Of great men； then； and noble deeds I want to speak。 I am bound to
do so first； in courtesy to my hearers。 For in choosing such a subject I
took for granted a nobleness and greatness of mind in them which can
appreciate and enjoy the contemplation of that which is lofty and heroic；
and that which is useful indeed； though not to the purses merely or the
mouths of men； but to their intellects and spirits； that highest philosophy
which； though she can （as has been sneeringly said of her） bake no bread；
sheand she alone； can at least do thismake men worthy to eat the bread
which God has given them。
I am bound to speak on such subjects； because I have never yet met； or
read of； the human pany who did not require； now and then at least；
being reminded of such times and such personagesof whatsoever things
are just； pure； true； lovely； and of good report； if there be any manhood
and any praise to think； as St。 Paul bids us all； of such things； that we may
keep up in our minds as much as possible a lofty standard； a pure ideal；
instead of sinking to the mere selfish standard which judges all things；
even those of the world to e； by profit and by loss； and into that sordid
frame of mind in which a man grows to believe that the world is
constructed of bricks and timber； and kept going by the price of stocks。
We are all tempted； and the easier and more prosperous we are； the
more we are tempted； to fall into that sordid and shallow frame of mind。
Sordid even when its projects are most daring； its outward luxuries most
refined； and shallow； even when most acute； when priding itself most on
its knowledge of human nature； and of the secret springs which； so it
dreams； move the actions and make the history of nations and of men。
All are tempted that way； even the noblest…hearted。 ADHAESIT
PAVIMENTO VENTER； says the old psalmist。 I am growing like the
snake； crawling in the dust； and eating the dust in which I crawl。 I try to
lift up my eyes to the heavens； to the true； the beautiful； the good； the
eternal nobleness which was before all time； and shall be still when time
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has passed away。 But to lift up myself is what I cannot do。 Who will
help me？ Who will quicken me？ as our old English tongue has it。 Who
will give me life？ The true； pure； lofty human life which I did NOT
inherit from the primaeval ape； which the ape…nature in me is for ever
trying to stifle； and make me that which I know too well I could so easily
beea cunninger and more dainty…featured brute？ Death itself；
which seems at times so fair； is fair because even it may raise me up and
deliver me from the burden of this animal and mortal body：
'Tis life； not death for which I pant； 'Tis life； whereof my nerves are
scant； More life； and fuller； that I want。
Man？ I am a man not by reason of my bones and muscles； nerves
and brain； which I have in mon with apes and dogs and horses。 I am
a manthou art a man or womannot because we have a fleshGod forbid！
but because there is a spirit in us； a divine spark and ray； which nature did
not give； and which nature cannot take away。 And therefore； while I live
on earth； I will live to the spirit； not to the flesh； that I may be； indeed； a
man； and this same gross flesh； this animal ape…nature in me； shall be the
very element in me which I will renounce； defy； despise； at least； if I am
minded to be； not a merely higher savage； but a truly higher civilised man。
Civilisation with me shall mean； not more wealth； more finery； more self…
indulgenceeven more aesthetic and artistic luxury； but more virtue； more
knowledge； more self…control； even though I earn scanty bread by heavy
toil； and when I pare the Caesar of Rome or the great king； whether of
Egypt； Babylon； or Persia； with the hermit of the Thebaid； starving in his
frock of
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