Page:The Philosophy of Creation.djvu/137

 the internal in the external, and its representation therein.

Since it is not the purpose here to define words any further than is indispensable, further development of the subject is left to the application of the laws of Correspondence in the general context.

With a thorough comprehension of these principles and facts, we may proceed to their application in the general subject of Creation.

The universe is a succession of discrete degrees, reaching from the inert rock to the active substance of the Creator. Rock is the least sensitive, the most fixed of substances, and the evident basis of creation. It is the lowest substance in the sense that it acts upon nothing except in a reactive capacity. It is dead, passive, fixed, and reactive. Water is more responsive to incident forces. Its molecules lie loosely; it is mutable, easily and repeatedly changing its form from water to vapor, and again falling as rain; thus acting upon rock and adapting it to the uses of living things. The air is matter of a still higher form. It acts not only upon rock, but upon water. It is more sensitive, its molecules lie