THE GREAT HARMONIA. LECTURE I. THE MISSION OF MIND, CONSIDERED AS A MOTIVE POWER. IN approaching the examination of a subject so profoundly important, as the mission of the human mind, we should not, for one moment, allow our thoughts to wander, or our reason to fail to perform its appropriate office. In the first place, I desire to remind you that there are many positions from which man can contemplate his fellow-man. Among others, he may be regarded as an object of sympathy and commiseration, and, also, as an object of admiration and profound reverence. I will not now tarry with any unnecessary classifications; but proceed to announce my design, on this particular occasion, to examine and contemplate the human mind as a mechanic would study a motive power-as a source of action, of condensed strength, of manifold influences. I am impressed to begin with this external and material view of the mind, because it is commencing at the foundation principles of motive power, so far as man is concerned with the physical world about him. It is generally admitted that "knowledge is power." Consequently, if we acquire a correct knowledge of man's men tal constitution and mission, it is evident that we will be all the more capable of overcoming obstacles and accomplishing exalted designs. That man is the masterpiece of creation-that he is the imperial lord of the several kingdoms of life and activity-that he is an epitome of all known forms and structures—that he is a microcosm of all nature, in its broadest sense-are no new affirmations to those who have studied the vast generalizations of the Harmonial Philosophy. But why is man thus exalted? Why does he stand upon the towering apex of the visible creation? Is it because his head is more beautiful than the head of the lion? Is it because his face is so diversified with beautiful features, with graceful curves, and harmonious undulations? Is it because his anatomy is a finer piece of chiseled sculpture than any form which is known in the spacious academy of nature? Certainly not? But why? Because when from his head, and face, and structure, departs the indwelling principle which has enlivened the whole tenement and given to every feature its beauty and expression, then the power and perfection of man are gone, and the golden flame, which causes him to shine superior to all other things, is extinguished to all outward perception. But what conclusion are we to draw from this fact? I reply, we are constrained to acknowledge that man is superior to all other developments in nature, because he possesses a greater motive power, a deeper source of feeling, and a higher mental organization. His mind is the foundation of his supremacy; this is the source of his seeming omnipotence. Without further remark on this head, let me impress your understandings with this principle,-viz., that man is the ultimate and highest development in nature; consequently, that all below man must of necessity enter into the composition of his being. If man is composed of all substances and principles which exist below him in the constitution of Nature, then it follows as a consequence, that he is the focal concentration and sublimated condensation of all the powers and principles which live in the vast organism of the objective world. Matter and Mind have heretofore been supposed to constitute two distinct and independent substances the latter having no material origin. But it is coming to be seen that TRUTH IS A UNIT, that Nature is every where consistent with herself, and that mind is the flower of matter, as man is the flower of creation. From the depths of the sea, from the foliage of the valleys, from the fruit of the fields, from the animal kingdoms of the earth, gush forth the elements and essences which enter into and constitute the human mind. That which is grain to-day, may to-morrow form a portion of nerve and muscle; on the third day it may become an element of life; on the fourth, a sparkling thought. The evening breeze, ladened with the fragrance of many flowers, may breathe into our nostrils the breath of life; and, by the simple process of inspiration, it thrills our blood, causes our hearts to beat vigorously; then mounts to the brain, and takes up its eternal residence in the domain of mind. The Sun sends forth its rich, effulgent rays, and the waters dance with new life; the flowers ope their ruby lips; the fields, bathed in the soft radiance, sparkle like seas of diamonds; and every thing receives and enjoys the vivifying emanations, according to its capacity, its requirements, and its degree of life. And after each mineral compound, and vegetable organism, and flower, and vine, and animal, has refined the elements sufficiently, then man receives them and converts their finer qualities into his thinking principle. Thus man is the great reservoir into which all powers and substances flow; and it is, therefore, true that he is, in his physical and mental constitution, the source of great motive power and mental supremacy. The mission of mind is consequently high and God-like. Standing upon the topmost round of the visible creation, and being a connecting link between the material and the spiritual—a little lower than the angels—the Mind is the master of all beneath, and the certain prophecy of much above! Man is destined to put all enemies under his feet. By enemies, I mean, all obstacles and barriers to human progression and hap piness. The motive power of mind is mighty; because its source is knowledge. The strength of nations does not consist in a hereditary monarchical government; in extensive navies and numerous armies; in gigantic castles and impregnable battlements-but in the liberty, unity, and enlightenment of the people. Great physical strength is frequently combined with ignorance; and uniformly it shrinks from the power of knowledge, and cowers down, with the overpowering conviction of innate weakness. David's intelligence slew the physical giant; so, one profound student of nature will put to flight ten thousand priests whose only strength consists in their ecclesiastical organizations, and in the superstitious ignorance of their devotees. When the powerful mastiff has given expression to some impulse which displeases the little child by its side, see how, before the uplifted hand of that commanding child, the dog bows, with its eyes full of genuine contrition, and entreats for mercy. But why is it so? Is it because the dog is less powerful than the child? Nay; for the dog possesses twenty times more physical power. What, then, subdues the stronger body? It is the stronger MIND! The child possesses that irresistible motive power of intelligence which the dog can not withstand. Did the horse, or lion, or tiger, or elephant know the superiority of their physical strength, over that in man's possession, how quickly would they rebel against the enslaving purposes to which they are applied. But man can capture, train, and manage these powerful animals; because his superior knowledge gives him superior strength, therefore, he conquers. The mission of the human mind, as a motive power, is to subdue the soil, exterminate all unwholesome developments of the vegetable and animal world, and change extensive plains into gardens of health and comfort. By the magic of MIND, the rough places will be made smooth, the crooked straight, the wilderness to blossom as the rose, and the cold, damp, pestilential winds, that now sweep over the earth, and spread consumption and famine in every direction, will be ultimately changed into a healing influence-calm as the evening zephyr, breathing over the gardenized fields and vineyards of the land, fraught with sweet perfumes. See what MIND has already accomplished! There was a period in the remote history of mankind, when lakes and oceans flowed without a single indication of human life upon their bosoms-when the deep Mediterranean, "That tideless sea, Which changeless rolls eternally," gave no evidence of man's immortal skill in the science of navigation. But now behold upon the waters how proudly sails the ponderous vessel, at whose helm stands the strong and fearless mind of man, which conquers all opposition among the elements, and guides the ship to its proper destination. And those lakes and rivers that once rolled in idleness and reflected only the foliage and outlines of craggy cliffs, or the clouds that move above, and the sun, the moon, and stars, are now the common highways of nations, conveying from place to place the perfections of art on their laughing tides, and lending their elements to augment the speed of transportation. Yea, the MIND of man has not only spread its power over the sea, and converted the watery element into the vapory air which moves the mighty engine; but it has |