80 



Tlie Origin of Force. 



come. Force, then, is the scientific equivalent forthepowor of God. 



The force which held the primordial ether motionless, and preserv- 

 ed its equilibrium until the time came for disturbing that equilib- 

 rium through the introduction of motion, was just as active, persistent 

 and potential an agency as was the imparting of the first primal 

 impulse, when orderly and systematic disturbance of the original 

 equilibrium occurred. The preservation of the equilibrium of the pri- 

 mordial ether, and its disturbance, were alike acts of the Will exerted 

 deliberately, restraining motion on the one hand and regulating it on 

 the other. 



There is no scientific doctrine more firmly established than that 

 of the persistency of force or the conservation of energy. Force being 

 but the scientific equivalent for the power of God, "the persistency 

 of force " is simply the scientific formula for expressing the infinite 

 energy of the Divine power. This energy must have been directed 

 with Infinite wisdom when first called into exercise; for if the force 

 applied to the primordial ether had been either less or greater than 

 it actually was, the results would have been entirely different. 

 Effects are always in exact ratio to causes. Successive chains of 

 events, or manifestations of force, derive their character from the 

 primal moving impulse. The phenomenal is simply the revelation 

 and realization of the forceful, the same as the billiard ball reveals 

 and realizes the power behind it. The real is but the expression and 

 embodiment of the ideal. In the beginning, therefore. Infinite 

 intelligence, forecasting the succession of the ages with unerring 

 vision, adapted the primal impulse so as to secure the precise mani- 

 festations of power revealed in the production and peopling of our 

 globe. 



The momentum imparted to primordial ether must have had its 

 origin in Divine power; the character of that momentum must have 

 been determined by Divine intelligence; its relation to matter or 

 ether must have been adjusted with Divine wisdom. This Divine 

 Force must have been conscious of possessing an existence distinct 

 from that of the matter to which it applied its energies. Self-con- 

 sciousness is the essence and evidence of personality. To hold other- 

 wise, would be to make Force a monster power, \vithout consciousness 

 will or emotion — a heartless, grinding, revolving wheel, remorse- 

 lessly crushing the pitiable and sensible creatures of its blind and 

 unthinking ceaseless action. Against this horrid hypothesis, the judg- 

 ment of mankind revolts. 



