642 The Interhond of the Seen and the Unseen. [November, 
absent in other parts. Nature in a particular sense has 
manifestations of catastrophic events, yet in a general sense 
there is a manifestation of steady and universal formation. 
The anatomy of the Animal Kingdom teaches an important 
truth — “ original and eternal design .” From the considerations 
of Cosmic relations and phenomenal display a convidtion is 
produced in the mind that there is an inherent and 
necessarily intelligent Principle existing, because a contem- 
plation of the whole discloses a united chain of harmonious 
development displaying order and progression, — all of 
which must be conceded as the production of the Great 
Positive Mind. 
Mechanical principles constitute the united adtions and 
forces of Nature; and here only can the mechanic receive 
instruction, for do what he will he can only develop the 
principles contained in them. 
“ Reasoning from the established axiom that there must 
be a Beginning or a First Cause to produce corresponding 
ones, it follows that either Matter has existed from all 
eternity or else the essence of an Intelligent First Cause. 
One or other of' these conclusions must of necessity be 
drawn from the indications which all external substances 
and forms present. The idea is indisputable that something 
must have originally existed to produce that which does 
now exist. . That matter and motion must have existed in- 
dependently, or that the Great Cause must have been the 
Productor of that which does exist. The mind is there- 
fore led back from effeCt to cause, until it conceives of 
the First Cause, or rather is compelled to admit the existence 
of such.” 
The sum of the arguments, for many pages, shifted and 
changed in all manner of ways, and an almost endless 
repetition of that which has gone before (yet all conveys to 
the reader a feeling of astonishment that such enunciations 
should have proceeded from an unlettered boy), is that the 
whole Cosmos was designed to individualise Intelligence, 
from which Individualisation is manifested Spirit ; that 
the creation of the whole Universe was for this end, and 
that each change, inorganic and organic, was but a pro- 
gressive step; that all the fadts of Nature show design; 
that the Great Positive Mind is eternal; that Matter, the 
produdl used for its purposes, is also eternal — because of its 
origin ; so Man, its ultimate as Intelligence or Spirit, is 
also eternal. 
Fte claims to have proved an Intelligent First Cause , “ and 
