Mysteries of Life; A Book for Boys and Girls (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1916. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI THE MYSTERY OF PAIN And still we love the evil course And of the just complain; We tread upon life's broken laws, And murmur;it our self-inflicted pain. 1. Why was the world created? The question, For what purpose has the world been created? has been often asked. And not unreasonably. For though it would be unreasonable to suppose that we can understand the whole purpose of the Creative Mind which is obviously so far above our own and operates through ages and ages, it is quite clear that we must understand something of that purpose before we can joyfully and with goodwill fill our particular place in the general scheme. The question has received very various answers, and some answer or other (usually unexpressed in words) underlies and prompts the conduct of every one. You must judge among these answers for yourself. It is quite natural that some, looking at the beauty and the happiness of the wild creatures, should have answered that the world was created 188 for its own beauty and the happiness of its inhabitants--that it is a great garden, a Garden of Eden, which Man has to maintain in order and beauty, happy himself and surrounded by happy creatures. I don't say this is untrue; for if we find the right way to happiness there is a sense in which it is quite true. But it is not in full accordance with the facts we see around us. It is true that the creatures are happy: there are among them no rich and no poor. All are beautiful of their kind. Among wild things all are healthy, all are obviously enjoying life. When you reflect that nearly all die what we should call violent deaths, by falling a prey to other animals, it seems as though they could hardly be very happy But every one who observes closely the habits of the wild things can se...