34 



Nor there only. In the adaptation of the material universe 

 to the human mind ; in the felicitous agency of the one in 

 calling forth the dormant faculties of the other ; in the higher 

 harmonies of man with his material domicil ; we recognize, 

 if possible., still more distinctly, the agency of Him, who is 

 alike traceable in the order of the material universe, and in 

 the happy arrangement of the human mind. 



But do all evidences of the existence of order rest here ? 

 It would be indeed extraordinary, if in this vast material 

 theatre so orderly arranged ; if with these actors so systemat- 

 ically constituted ; if with these adaptations and harmonies 

 existing between the actor and his theatre of action ; the per- 

 formance itself should display nor order, nor arrangement, nor 

 plan, nor system. It cannot be so. In the great volume of 

 human actions the Creator has also left a record of himself. 



In proof of this assertion let us boldly interrogate history. 

 Let us ask it to furnish evidences of the same profound or- 

 der ; of the same regular arrangement ; of the same mighty 

 plan ; of the same comprehensive system ; leading us irresist- 

 ably to the conclusion, that the material world, that the hu- 

 man mind, and that human acts, all originate from the same 

 source, because they all exist subject to the same law, the 

 law of order. 



This is the task I assume on this occasion. Its magnitude 

 is sufficiently apparent. Let it serve then as an apology for 

 the brevity that I shall be compelled to resort to. 



I can hold in little estimation the intellect that is content 

 to stop at the mere event, or that seeks no higher warrant for 



nator. Acts and events are of little consequence in them- 

 selves considered. It is only as the evidences of things- not 

 seen that they become important. They result necessarily 

 from the spirit of the era in which they occur,. and indicate 

 Its true direction. From the characteristics of its events 

 must the predominating spirit of an era be collected. They 

 are the true form under which its peculiarities are develop- 



