Traces of the plan of our being so far as revealed in the mental plan and in the preparation therein for the precepts and doctrines of Christ : The state intermediate and the agencies mediatorial

Front matter

Traces of the plan of our being so tar a le plan of our being so far i

Cornell University Library

The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library.

Preface To The Second Edition

In this edition, the title has been slightly changed to express more clearly that for ■which the enquiry was made, to ■wit:

The PiiAU OF Our Being (so far as it is revealed).

Not to say that it is the plan of all rational beiag biit that it is ours.

In its construction it is found to begin in an intermediate state, and is carried on and completed on premises and among agencies that are mediatorial.

The great questions which ■were constantly coming up before me and asking for some kind of solution thirty years ago, ■were chiefly these, to wit :

Why are we brought into being separate from the immediate presence of our Creator ?

Why must the Father's child he horn and hrought up away from the Father's house ? And, more especially, if there is to be any risk or peril, and the land a strange land.

"Why must we grow up amid material things, and make our home here and get our attachments here, if, after all, our real home is not here, and our future is to be among the thiags that are spiritual ?

A partial answer to these questions, such as presents itself along the lines of thought here followed, is sketched in these outHnes, and forms The Plan of Oub Being, as here presented.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

The order in which the particiilars of the plan present themselves is as follows :

(1). The intermediate state is found to be involved in the conditions of being. That is to say, these conditions ask for suitable premises, and the only premises that meet the call are seen to be intermediate.

(2). The conditions demand not only intermediate premises on which to begin the proceedings, but they call for intermediate agencies which shall be constant, perpetual, and unceasing in their activity (pp. 34^35) to carry on and complete the plan for the first term of its duration.

(3). It is found that the premises themselves can be so formed as to fully provide all the agencies and accomplish all the purposes required.

Coming from God, we enter into being in this intermediate state, and our plan of being is here continued and completed on these prepared premises, and the premises and the body of flesh and blood, are in their several ways mediatorial. That is to say, God is not only everywhere present in all things He has created, but he is everywhere present mediatorially.

We may say, therefore, that there is in the plan of our being an impersonal mediation, on a lower and different plane and of a different order, which precedes and prepares for that which is personal.

This being pointed out in its proper place (p. 35), the terms are not used elsewhere in this enquiry, for the obvious reason that in ordinary use they carry a meaning already exclusively appropriated to the immediate, spiritual personal action of the Mediator. But we must see and find Him in all things, before we can comprehend the plan of our creation.

The condition which demands for us mediation, in its lower and impersonal form, is precisely analogous to the mediation of space, distance, and prepared atmosphet'e, to render the light and heat of the sun endurable and available.

L. W. M.

CoHOES, N. Y., June, 1884.

PEEFACE.

As the writer of a book is an interested party and identifies himself with his work, he is not able to see the bearings of it as clearly as those whose interest lies wholly in the facts or arguments presented. For this reason, advance copies of this book were sent to a few friends, that their statements might be taken as part of the preface. The responses, so far as received up to the time of this writing, are herewith annexed, and I desire to place here my hearty thanks to the writers for their kindness in presenting an estimate of the book for which the reader will care a hundred fold more than for any thing which I can say.

I desire, also, to express here my obligations to the works of Presidents Hickok, McCosh, Seelye and Bascom, and to the foreign and home contributors of the Princeton Eeview.

The inquiiy here presented (and on my part finished) had its beginning in a lecture, entitled "The Body as a Residence," delivered at Cooper Institute, as one of a course, before "3'^ Protestant Episcopal BrotTierhood," about the year 1856, and has been an absorbing study with me, in the short intervals of a manufacturing business in Cohoes, and in the retirement of ill-health, from that day to tliis.

The reader is requested to notice that it claims to be a study of outlines only, not an exact, precise, systematized and finished treatise.

It is a search for the plan of our being in the conditions of being. No more and no less.

In the Second Part,. the mental structure is seen to prepare the way for the Christian structure, and the plan of our being is found completed and perfected in Christ.

L. W. M.

North Side, Sabatoga Co., N. Y., Augmt 27, 1883.

ANNEX OF LETTERS AND EXTRACTS.

From those to whom advance copies were sent.

L. P. HIOKOK, D. D., LL. D.

Amhekst, Nov. 22, 1882.

L. W. Mah'spield: —

Dear Priend : — Pres. Seelye has been reading to, and with me, your Mental Plan, from proof-sheets stitched and sent to him, a chapter at a time, when he is at liberty. We have finished Part First with interest and much satisfaction. Clear, concise and quite comprehensive. Shall finish the remainder ere long, and will write you again. Think the book will be read and noted.

Most cordially,

L. P. HIOKOK.

Second Letter.

Amherst, Dee. 19, '82.

Dear Friend : — Pres. Seelye and myself finished the reading together of your Mental Plan yesterday. We both alike, highly appreciate the work, and found almost nothing to criticize, but all to approve and admire. The Second Part seems as well sustained as the First, and is clearly a finishing adjunct to it, making the Plan to possess ideal completeness. We think its clear, though condensed, statements will be readily taken up by any who may study them attentively. Larger type, broader margin, etc., would have helped its earlier introduction, but the sterling worth of the speculative thought will push its way to many readers in the simply neat attire now given.

Vi ANNEX OF LETTERS AND EXTRACTS.

President Seelye will soon write you. We have very much enjoyed our joint reading and discussion of your original, able and very safe and scriptural mode of speculative investigation. With most cordial respect and esteem,

L. P. HICKOK.

HON. JULroS H. SEELYE, D.D., LL.D.

President of Amherst College.

Amherst College, Nov. 16, '83.

My Dear Friend : — Tours of the 8th inst. was duly received, and also a copy of your book. I am reading this daily, to Dr. Hickok, at such time as I can command, and though we have not yet gone very far into it, we have both received much interest from it.

Will write you again when its perusal is completed.

Very truly yours,

JULIUS H. SEELYE.

Mr. L. W. Mansfield.

Second Letteb.

Amheest, Bee. 23, '83.

My Dear Sir : — It has been with much gratification that I have read with Dr. Hickok your "Outlines of the Mental Plan," etc., a book which seems to me both true and thoughtful.

It is written on a high plane, and it gives a broad vision in clear air.

I do not doubt that it will benefit any one who will closely follow it, and must thank you myself for the pleasure it has afforded me.

It is one of the few books which, amid the constant engrossment of my many duties, I have been able of late to read through.

ANKEX OF LETTERS AND EXTRACTS. TU

(Later.), I am much interested in the quotations you give me respecting the book, and I trust the fruit of your labor may be found in the larger knowledge of Christ to many souls.

Very truly yours,

JULIUS H. SEEL YE.

PRESIDENT BASCOM, UNIVERSITY OP WISCONSIN. ;

The Mental Plan is a book likely to give satisfaction to those who love to retrace the path that has been opened by experience guided in their new enquiry by comprehensive ideas of reason.

JOHN BASCOM.

ISRAEL WARD ANDREWS, D. D., LL. D., President of Marietta College.

Mabiktta, O., Hbv. 34, '83.

Mt Deab Mansfield : —

I am glad you are going on with the work {Pres. Andrews Jiad seen thefirsi part in MS. several years since, in larger form, from which this is condensed. L. W. M.) and I will examine it as soon as I can. A beginning has already been made.

Very sincerely yours,

I. W. ANDREWS.

Second Letter.

Marietta, 0., Dec. 8, '82.

I have now read through the first part of the book carefully, and have looked a little into the second, and as you said that you might need it soon, I send you this, now, as my estimate, which you can use, as from me — to-wit. : I

This work is what it purports to be, a search for the plan of our being, in the conditions of being. Man, in his two-fold na-

Vlll AITNEX OF LETTERS A.ND EXTBA0T3.

ture, mental and physical, and •with reference to his material surroundings, has been considered from an a priori point of view. The work proposes to be but an outline, and it -will necessarily require, on the reader's part, more thought than if the ideas had been presented with greater fullness. In the working out of the plan, the author has shown great skill, and the whole is characterized by logical consecutiveness, and by great exactness of language. The careful study of the proposed problems of human existence, as here presented, can hardly fail to quicken the intellect, and to beget a profounder sense of the wisdom of the Creator and the essential worth of the creature as he was intended to be.

The work is a very thoughtful one, and has been written in a most reverent spu-it.

ISRAEL WARD ANDREWS.

PROF. JOHN F. WEIR, N. A., Yale College.

New Haven, Thariksgitiing Day.

My Dear Mr. Mansfield : —

Tour little book reached me several days ago and also the copy for — , which I handed to him.

I have myself hardly more than dipped into it, but that was sufficient to show me that a keen-scented speculative mind was exhibited in the thought, and the tendencies were all in a direction with which I have sympathy.

It is an exceedingly suggestive little volume — perhaps not formulated quite rigidly enough to be used as a text-book, but all the better for that to one who knows that the subjects of which it treats can best be so viewed.

I should regard it with this superficial acquaintance as perhaps best suited for those who would see in it the mat&Hdls

ANNEX OF LETTEBS AND EXTBAOTS. IX

for fresh thought in the directions indicated, — a book for masters rather than for pupils.

"The Divine Philosophy" has been for many years— for my ■whole life — the most absorbing delight with me, but of modern thought, I find the best inspiration in Swedenborg's works. As to what may be termed ' ' religious thinking, " it seems to me his ideas permeate the recent modern mind, without denominational distinction. (Quite likely, I have never read Swedenlorg. L. W. M.)

Tour little tract I liked - (" ITie Spiriiical Body,") and read it aloud to * * * and when we came to the incident of driving out into the sunset, we concluded that meant a good deal as an illustration of the heart's influence in the conceptions we form of the after life — or rather the higher part of the same life, for life is one.

Tes, I like your higher flights into that rarer atmosphere where things may be seen clearer, when the eyes are opened, and I write thus familiarly and without apology, for the reason that when minds sympathize, formalities are dispensed with.

Cordially yrs,

JOHN F. WEIR.

G. STANLEY HALL, Ph. D.

(Postal.) I regret very much to be entirely unable to read any thing not bearing in its most direct way on just my work which does not begin at Baltimore till the last of June.

Next summer I shall hope to derive much pleasure from its careful perusal, all the more, if, as you surmise, you difiEer from me.

(This was in reference to his views on the education of children, in an article in the Princeton Besiev), Vol. 58, Jan. 7, '83.)

Just now my mind won't run in any other channel or take

X 'W^ ANNEX OF LETTEES AND EXTEA0T8.

hold of any thing, however admirable, which does not cover my laboratory work, which is a new departure, and soon to begin at Baltimore.

With best wishes for its success.

Yours respectfully and with regret,

G. 8. HALL. \

HON. EX-JUDGE JOHN K. PORTER.

Mt Dear Mk. Mansfield : —

I owe you my hearty thanks for your thoughtful and striking outlines of the Mental Plan. It is in such vivid contrast to earlier and brilliant writings of yours in another direction, which I have in my library, that I marvel at the varied productiveness of a mind which can deal so gracefully with the beauties of nature and the charms of domestic life, and so profoundly with the problems of Psychology and religious faith.

Mine has been so crowded a professional life, that I feel wholly incompetent to deal with issues such as you discuss. As every old lawyer would be, I have been charmed with the keen analysis and intellectual acumen which mark the book, but it belongs to a higher range of thought than the disputatious spirit of my profession can at once accept as a full solution of the difficulties which surround all such questions. I shall take the book abroad with me in the spring, and renew the careful reading which it so richly deserves, when I can give it more careful thought than the present condition of my health will permit. With cordial regards, faithfully your friend,

JOHN K. PORTER.

Anoatok, Lamcastbb Co., Pa., Dee. 30, '83. Ms. Mansfield: —

Dear Priend : — I write a hasty note to acknowledge the receipt of " The Mental Plan." I hoped to have read it through before this time, but have been hindered. My first glance was made in the cars, and at that time I read the prefatory matter and the first two chapters. I am strongly attracted by it, and shall read it all with much care and interest.

I want to thank you for the gift, and I hope for pleasure and profit in reading it. I can see and feel that it is thought out by yourself, and is handled with a precision akin to mathematical process and demonstratiou.

I am glad to hear from you again, and have often wished to

write to you.

Yours truly,

C. W. QUICK.

SAMUEL C. BAETLETT, D. D., President of Dartmouth College.

Hanover, N. H., Dec. 23, '83.

Mr. L. W. Mansfield: —

My Dear Sir: — Some little time ago I received your letter and your book, " The Plan." I had hoped for leisure before this to examine the book as carefully as its condensed thought would seem to require.

But the pressure of my engagements is — and is to be — so great that I must content myself with the rapid glance, sufficient, however, to recognize its thoughtfulness and evangelical spirit. With thanks, I am,

Tours very sincerely,

S. C. BAETLETT.

XU AKNEX OF LETTERS AND EXTRACTS.

PROF. JOSEPH LE CONTE, M. D., LL. D.

University of California.

Bbrkblby, Cal., Jan. 2, '83.

My Bear Sir : — Tour little book reached me while we were just commencing our term examinations. This accounts for some delay in reading it. I have now done so, and I have been very greatly pleased.

The book is an admirable and condensed presentation of what I regard as a most fundamental truth, viz. : on the one hand the perfect adaptation of nature for the education of man, and on the other, the structure of man's mind perfectly adapted to receive sucli education.

Given a morally responsible being, it is impossible to conceive how he can be educated in any other way.

Perhaps you may have observed that I have touched on the subject but very lightly and popularly in some of my Sunday lectures in the volume entitled ' ' Beligion and Science, " especially in that on Freedom, on Holiness and on Probation. * * 10, 11 and 17.

It is true, there is in this, as in every thing else, another mode of viewing the subject, — that man being evolved from nature must be adapted to nature, or man living in a material world could not survive except by gradual adaptation of mental structure to nature. But even this, it seems to me, amounts to the same thing. From the point of view of evolution, nature is the preparation for man, and man the goal and completion of nature.

Your little volume seems to me a condensed and logical statement of the most important truth, and admirably adapted as a basis of instruction in that most important of all departments.

You must bear in mind, however, that my experience in

teaching has been limited to science.

Very truly yours,

JOSEPH LE CONTE.

Mr. L. W. Mansfield.

College op New Jersey, Pkinceton, Jan. 6, 1883.

ANNEX OF LETTERS AND EXTBAOTS. XUl

JAMES McCOSH, D. D., LL.D., D. L., President of Princeton College.

Bear Sir ; — I take it very kind that you have sent me a copy of your little work.

You enunciate important truth.

I approach the same truth in an inductive manner. You do it in a deductive manner.

You have an excellent adviser in Dr. Hickok or President Seelye. Yours ever,

JAMES MoCOSH.

Mr. L. W. Maitsfibld.

REV. WALTER THOMPSON,

Rector of Grace Church, Waterford,

154 FiKST St., Tboy, Jan. 9, '83.

Mt Deab Mr. Mansfield : —

The time allowed me is much too brief to give more than a passing judgment on your book (part second).

There are many things in it which have my most unqualified indorsement. True, there are many views to-day as to the manner and method of spiritual manifestations, but no man should deny the reality of a spiritual manifestation because he himself has not experienced one. If we would know God we must do His will; if we do His will He will reveal Himself to us through the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit. It seems to me that you develop this thought in your book, associating the redemptive work of Christ with the administrative mission of the Holy Spirit.

You deal with mysteries, and you base your argument on "the incarnation, the greatest of aU mysteries " (p. 195), and "the explanation of all mysteries." Yes! in the incarnation

Xiv ANNEX OF LETTEES AND BXTBACTS.

of Christ, God brought the life of God into the very life of man, and fixed it there.

He gave us a new birth, a spiritual baptism, the gift of tlie Holy- Ghost "invisibly present to lead and guide into all truth" (p. 74).

I hope what I have said will serve your purpose, and more. I think you have developed some thought, which, without making any claim in that direction, is, in reality, thoroughly churchly, in its tendency and in its positive teaching and on a pretty high range.

Much in your book I like ; perhaps because much that there is therein is of the same nature as the teaching I give my people in the church at Waterford.

Paithfully yours,

WALTER THOMPSON.

REV. N. B. REMICK,

Presbyterian Pastor and Editor of " Light and Life."

Dear Brother: —

The more I examine your "Mental Plan" the better I am pleased with it.

Beginning with the proposition that the Great Creator has a plan in creation, and that accordingly man is made or endowed in accordance with a wise and gracious plan, you show most conclusively that man is made for the service of the Godman, and for the enjoyment of eternal blessedness.

You deal with deep truth and broad subjects, but in language so simple, the thoughtful reader will have no diflSculty in comprehending them. Pages 155 and 156, throw great light upon the subject of prayer, in certain directions, wherever He has planned for us to help ourselves.

You must give me the privilege of a closer study of the book. A more striking title would be of use, employing this as a subtitle. Yours fraternally,

N. B. REMICK.

ANNEX OF LETTERS AND EXTKACTS. XV

REV. ALEXANDER DICKSON,

Author of" All about Jesus," and " Beauty for Ashes.''

LANSINGBtJRGH, Jan. 11, '83.

My Bear Brother: — I have been reading once more your little book entitled "The Mental Plan," and must confess that I am not competent to sit in judgment on such a work. There is "nothing to draw with and the well is deep."

But those who can appreciate what you have written will find in your pages much good reasoning and many precious treasures.

I trust it will prove one of the most valuable works on Mental and Moral Philosophy which has been given to the Christian public.

Yours, as ever in the Covenant,

ALEXANDER DICKSON.

Mr, L. W. Mansfield.

Pairbault, Mnw., )

Jan. 15, 1883. \ Mr. L. W. MANsriELD : —

Dear Sir : — I have read your book ' ' The Mental Plan, '' and would say that in point of originality and general elevation of conception, it may be called a work of genius. The purpose of the book all good men must commend.

The thorough working out of the plan with the doggedness of its logical continuity must extort admiration. It is probably as free from fault as any a priori conception of man's existence and salvation can be.

As matter of criticism it has the minor blemish of infelicities

and even inaccuracies of theological statement, but these are 2 xvi ANNEX OF LETTERS AND EXTBACTS.

usually connected by counter statements, or by the wboleness and roundness of the entire conception as it is unfolded in the progress of the work.

I -would especially commend the tone of lofty spirituality in the second part.

Permit me to express myself your debtor for the favor of the perusal of your book.

KespectfuUy, etc.,

E. S. WILSON,

Prof, in Seabury Hall,

DAJOTEL STEELE, D. D.

Peabody, Jan'y 8, 188S.

L. W. Mansfield : —

Dear Brother in Christ : — I have examined your d priori construction of man with great interest. In fact, my attention has been so absorbed by your book that I fear the next sermon will be lean. Tour book is an original investigation which is eminently suggestive of new trains of thought to the reader.

It only partly opens the vast treasury of research, and gives glimpses of untold stores to be explored.

It is an intellectual divining rod, indicating the mines of truth yet unopened.

It suggests effectual answers to many theological errors, such as the subtle fatalism of Herbert Spencer, and the fallacies of annihilationism, second probation, and other forms of denial of the possibility of the eternal shipwreck of the soul.

It greatly reenforces the logic of Dr. Hickok, in his argument on perpetual sin and eternal goodness. (Bib. Sac. xiii, 48.)

Tour book lays a substantial foundation for a theodicy.

Jan'y 15. By a pressure of professional duties I have been kept from reading the Second Part. Thinking that you may

AKNEX OF LETTERS AND EXTRACTS. XVU

■wish to hear from me hnmediately, I send this, -without finishing, reserving the Second Part for another letter, should I have leisure to vyrite it. I am not able to do much critical reading or literary work by reason of physical debility.

Tours, in Christ,

DANIEL STEELE.

HON. WM. H. CAMPBELL, D. D., LL. D., Ex-President Rutgers College.

New BKinsiswrCK, Feb. 9, 1883.

Mr. L. "W. Masbfeeld : —

Dear Sir: — ^I received your book, the outlines, etc., and also your letter. Please accept my thanks for both.

Tour book gave me great pleasure, for I like outlines, when they are clear and distinct, needing nothing but the filling up, which any thoughtful person ought to love to do for himself. I am not sure, however, that many of your readers may not weary of your book, and just because it wants the filling up.

But I thank you for it. It is muUum in parvo, sound, well expressed, and the truths following in the right order. Toung men may get lasting good from its study, and old men, myself for example, may learn from your pages and be thankful that God's truths are well ordered, as well as sure.

Tours very fraternally,

WM. H. CAMPBELL.

XVIU AlfNEX OF LETTERS AND EXTRACTS.

PEOF. A. P. PEABODT, D. D., LL. D., Harvard College.

Cambkidge, Jan. 27, 1883.

I My Bear Sir : — ^Tour book is based on a sound and true phUosophy, and no philosophy is sound and true that does not recognize, as you do, the mutual adaptation of the human mind and the Christian revelation.

The most striking feature of your book is that it not only recognizes, but demonstrates that adaptation, which is the strongest of all arguments for the divineness of our religion and of its Author.

I am, my dear sir, very truly yours,

A. P. PEABODY.

NOAH PORTER, D. D., LL. D., President Yale College.

Yai.b College, New Haven, CoNNECTTCtrr, ) Feb. 8, 1883. ) My Dear Mr. Mansfield : — I have occasionally looked into and through your little book, and have always found something in it which interested and rewarded me. So far as I have read, the philosophy is sound and the sweep of thought is widereaching.

I cannot conceive of its being other than very useful and ennobling in its influence, as well as thoroughly Christian and Scriptural in its character. Very truly yours,

N. PORTER.

Annex or Letters and Extracts. xix

JOSEPH COOK, D. D.

TlOONDKROGA, N. Y., AuQUit 6, 1883.

Drar Sir —

I venture to accord in opinion with President McCosh, as to the merits of your volume on "The Mental Plan. " My feeling is that you might improve the title.

Yours truly,

JOSEPH COOK.

WILLIAM 0. PRIME, LL. D.

Author of "Tent Life in Egypt," " The Old House Try the Mver,^'

etc., etc.

Dear Mansfield —

The book came some days ago. It is not a book to be read in haste, and I dare not promise to finish it at once. I have found enough in it already of such interest and importance that I cannot go through it rapidly.

I have been away with my liorses, on a long journey, and find an accumulation of work that I can't put aside.

I will take up the book the moment it is possible. But don't wait for a letter from me. In my present state of busy occupation, I have not dared to take the book in hand, for when I have opened it I have been insensibly drawn along by your simple way of leading the readers' mind, and I have had to shut it up and stop reading, perforce.

I am not at all sure that I agree with you in parts that I have read, but it is quite hard to disagree. With your conclusions, of course I agree. With your foundations and methods, perhaps I do not always.

XX Annex of Letteiis and Extracts.

But this I say only from reading a page or two, here and there.

For example, I don't believe in fixed laws of nature — of physical life. I believe that Omnipotence means not alone the power to do all things, but the actual, immediate exertion of all power. Hence, what men call miracles are not departures from any laws of nature or of God. Whenever volition is the cause of a phenomenon, behind what is to our senses the apparent cause, it is obviously impossible to argue as to what that volition may do hereafter.

I only mention this belief of mine to show you what I mean by saying perhaps I do not agree always with your methods.

But do not wait for any letter from me before you publish. I will read the book when I can read it calmly and considerately, and then write you.

001irTES"TS.

INTRODUCTION — The Ckeator Bbporb all Things 18

CHAPTER I. The First Conditions

1. Immutability 11

2. Increase 16

8. Beginning at the lowest plane , 19

CHAPTER II. The Endowment

Some of the Particulars.

1. Spirit 23

2. Power 23

8. Self-activity 23

4. Its increase from without — outside of self 25

5. Whereshall it begin? 25

6. Can it begin in the presence of the Creator ? 27

7. The Creator, in creating, separates it from Himself 27

8. Protection and restriction needed 29

9. This restriction must be by some non-spiritual agency 31

CHAPTER III. The Impersonal

The Party of the Second Part.

1. Its content — force 37

2. Where shall it have place ? 88

3. Its uses and purposes 40

4. Its advantages for use, in not being spiritual 40

5. The connection of the personal with the impersonal 41