238 LAW AGENCY AND DIVINE AGENCY. 



modes or laws of action came to be such as we see them. The 

 remarks now to be offered will, at the same time, illustrate 

 the direct agency which God has in the process of creation, and 

 furnish the foundation of a true understanding of the doctrine 

 of Providence. 



One feature of the present subject has already been pre- 

 sented, under an illustration which may again be called up, and 

 carried out into further particulars. A builder, before pro- 

 ceeding to the outer construction of an edifice, first conceives 

 the general plan, and ideally perceives the general appearance 

 of that edifice in his own mind. This conception is the arche- 

 type or pattern according to which the edifice, as an outer ob- 

 ject, is to be erected ; and its erection is a mere clothing of the 

 archetype or pattern, with outer material investiture. But this 

 clothing of the archetype can not be accomplished except by 

 the voluntative and energizing influence of the soul, spirit, or 

 mind of the builder acting among the materials to be wrought 

 into the physical structure, which action may be either through 

 the medium of the builder's own muscles, through the minds 

 and muscles of others, to whom his commands may be given, 

 or through a suitable machine which he has previously de- 

 signed and prepared. And when the building is thus erected, 

 it stands as an exact correspondent and embodiment of that 

 particular form and degree of intelligence and volition, which 

 were requisite to the conception of its plan, and the con- 

 joining of its materials. After the building is finished, 

 however, the builder withdraws all further action and influ- 

 ence from it, and it is left as a mass of perfectly dead and 

 motionless materials ; but could he permanently infix in 

 it such portions or degrees of his own energizing spiritual 

 essence as would be requisite to keep it in repair, and to con- 

 stantly refine and improve it, and to develop its ultimate 



