LECTURE V. 



NATURE AS A MANIFESTATION OF MIND. 



THE subjects already discussed should 

 have prepared us to regard nature as 

 not a merely fortuitous congeries of matter 

 and forces, but as embodying plan, design, 

 and contrivance ; and we may now inquire 

 as to the character of these, considered as 

 possible manifestations of mind in nature. 

 The idea that nature is a manifestation of mind, 

 is ancient, and probably un:' /ersal. It proceeds 

 naturally from the analogy between the oper- 

 ations of nature and those which originate in 

 our own will and contrivance. When men 

 begin to think more accurately, this idea ac- 

 quires a deeper foundation in the conclusion 

 that nature, in all its varied manifestations, is 

 one vast machine too great and complex for 

 us to comprehend, and irr plying a primary 

 energy infinitely beyond that of man ; and 

 thus the unity of nature points to one Crea- 

 tive Mind. 



in 



