Page:The Philosophy of Creation.djvu/370

 Divine order, and so produce evil forms and evil tendencies, it is certain that the first people were a true expression of the creative laws; that is, they were brought forth in Divine order, and were in innocence. Being the product of creative laws, the embodiment of Divine order, and without evil tendencies, they would be delicately sensitive and favorably responsive to influx from the Creator.

It may be known that as they were not born into any knowledge, the acquisition of knowledge would be essential to their development. The important question is, as man was developed by the acquisition of knowledge and the elevation of his affections, how did he acquire knowledge, and what moved him to higher acquisitions? The nature of the human mind, which must be self-formed, forbids his having been born into knowledge superior to that of animals, though he might be instantaneously developed to any degree of physical strength. We therefore conceive of man starting his existence with nothing but appetites craving food, though having undeveloped faculties. The Natural Mind, like the earth, "was without form, and void"; "and darkness was upon the face of the deep," the Spiritual Mind. One might see the effects of rain upon vegetation, perceive the effects of various foods,