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cation of the principle of solidarity or community of interest. In this broader sense, the organization of the family, followed by the community, by society- and the State, were the first manifestations of the same principle.

Insurance prevents the crushing of the individual by disaster of a financial nature, so far as it applies, by apportioning his loss among persons who appeared to be subject to the risk of such disaster. Each, bearing a small part of the loss, determined in advance, carries no more than he can bear. Business men, though prudent and not wildly venturesome, who are freed in this manner from the fear of disaster, dare to essay that which would otherwise be most dangerous; and thus great enterprises are encouraged.

The practice of insurance was brought about not by an appeal to ahruistic sentiment but by purely business considerations. It is worthy of note that even the most of the insurances upon lives were at first for security of creditors. Sentimental charity had interpreted "Bear ye one another's burdens'' to mean "Bear ye others' burdens." Insurance came about by a recognition of a truer interpretation of the command, and one that made it a practical rule for wise living. The new meaning, which was perhaps all along the true meaning, is: "Bear your share of the common burden and your own burden will be borne by you and the others." This principle has by some been thought to be applicable to a scheme of general cooperation, perhaps too repressive of individual freedom of action. Business men have recognized its applicability through insurance to the bearing of unexpectedly- heavy financial burdens under given con-