The last word of science harmonizes with the first word of the
gospel; the doctrine of sacrifice has been scorned in many
quarters as being unscientific. Such a disparagement is no
longer countenanced by scientists, for they now point to the
principle of utter abnegation of self as one of the most potent
of natural laws. We are told that one portion of a flower is
sacrificed for the sake of the flower as a whole. The rose
multiplies its petals, but the blossom that is thus beautified
never comes to seed. The flower dies in its new beauty, but a
more glorious stock has thus been produced. So it is also with
insect life. The bee toils night and day for weeks without sleep
or rest, wearing itself out. Its life has nothing to do with its
own pleasure, but is entirely surrendered for the good of the
community. So science has furnished unexpected sanctions to the
doctrine of sacrifice.
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