In any event, and in respect of any proposed work, we must see and
interpret certain traits in the things we are contemplating which promise points
applicable to the problem before us, and then aligning cause and effect with
the direction of our purposes, conclude upon a course of conduct that will
secure our object.
This will be apparent in what follows. We maybe conversant with corn,
as merchandise. But now we wish to grow it. Here it behooves us to be prospective,
constructive, and practical. It is a question of bread, and a living
competency. So, we must satisfy ourselves that the land is productive, and that
we have the means for its cultivation.
And, therefore, the question of labor is considered: horses and men;
their hire and board; and whether they are trustworthy, tractable, serviceable,
etc. And, if we are satisfied on these points, our prospection is completed,
and we go to work. But wherein consists the peculiarity of such informations?
Only in this: They are rational powers held in reserve for the future. They
mean business, but, for the present, it is only a proposed venture requiring
special thought. Think of it!
The farmer has to control himself, lest he act prematurely. He must
have command of natural forces, and bend them to his purposes. But in order to
this, he must know them with a knowledge so searching that he can discern the
supreme correlations existing between things individual, but capable of
co-acting, if needed in furthering a contemplated result. In other words, he
must shape his way to acts through the special considerations that go to
establish them. I foresee that my account of preparatory informations will be
imperfect, unless I allow for their effect in qualifying the mind itself for
its peculiar work. A brief exposition of this must suffice.
Every accession of such knowledge adds to the mind's efficiency; for
every efficiency is born of the mind in its proximate antecedent condition, and
so carried over into the new birth. Hence comes the fact that all our
informations become in time a psychological investment looking forward to
conduct, and finally reappearing there as the result of our previous thoughts. For
whilst thought is being trained, it is accumulating a fund of prospective informations
which are in trenched in the faculties, and held over for future exigencies;
acquisitions of the past reappearing as expert efficiencies of the present.
Indeed, if we have knowledge through an intelligent appreciation of
facts, we must found on our previous acquisitions and present dexterity; every succeeding
information being dependent on the view the mind can then take of its then
wants. Wherefore, as we grow in knowledge, we augment the reserves of
information which continue with
the soul as trained, or educated, efficiencies subject to our call. And
yet, it is still true, that when we would do something new, we shall have to
reform our outlook, somewhat. For we have to discover, and consider, not alone
how to make use of our present
acquisitions, be they what they may, but how to meet wants which are
just now responding to our sharpened apperceptions.
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