results than another. But this is no reason for discouragement in the pursuit of the less practical science, for what is last to-day may become first to-morrow. Thus we see that the practical character of any theoretical science is a variable quantity, and no science is to be judged unpractical merely because as yet it has borne no useful fruits. The seed-sowing must precede the harvest, and it is not always the most rapidly maturing crops that bring in the largest returns.
Now applying what has been said to ethics, we may say that ethics is a theoretical science, as all sciences are. Its practicality is hard to estimate, but is undoubtedly great. Not that it has any great money value, but money values are not the sole values. The practical value of ethics consists largely in two ends it gains. First, it secures a progressive liberation of the mind from the bondage of moral prejudices, many of which not only are irksome, but are serious bars to progress in civilization. It requires but little knowledge of the world to convince the open-minded observer that some of the heaviest weights men carry in the race of life are moral weights. Morality is itself not a handicap—far from it; it is one of the things without which no civilization is possible at all. But not all types of morality are equally conducive to human welfare. The morality of unenlightened benevolence, which requires that no beggar shall be turned from the door without a gift of some kind, has pauperized many a man who if alms had not been forthcoming would have turned his hands to useful work. The morality of Pharisaic condemnation of all fallen women has shut the door of reform in the face of many women who have loved not wisely but too well. The morality of alcoholic prohibition has closed law-abiding saloons, to open joints where all vice thrives. The morality of "Sunday closing" has in New York given rise to the Raines Law Hotel, and put a premium upon brothel-keeping. These are but a few instances from present day life in our own country of the incalculable harm which certain prevalent types of morality can work in a commuity. If we look to other places and other times, we can multiply instances without limit. Now one of the most potent correc-
