The March of Mechanism
In the first ages of the world, when Mechanism was not yet known, and human hands were the only instruments, the mind scarcely exhibited even the feeblest manifestations of its power. And the reason is obvious. As physical wants could only be supplied by the slow and tedious processes of hand-work, every one's attention was thereby completely absorbed. By degrees, however, the first rudiments of Mechanism made their appearance, and effected some simple abbreviations. A portion of leisure was the necessary result. One could now supply the wants of two, or each could supply his own in half the time previously required. And now it was, that mind began to develop its energies, and assert its empire over all things. Leisure gave rise to thought, reflection, investigation; and these, in turn, produced new inventions and facilities. Mechanism grew by exercise. Machines became more numerous and more complete. The result was a still greater abridgement of labor. One could now do the work of ten, or each could do his own, in one tenth of the time previously required. It is needless to follow the deduction farther. Everyone knows that now, in every department of labor, one can perform, with the help of machinery, the work of hundreds; or supposing no division, each could perform his own in a hundredth part of the time previously required. The consequence is ,that there has never been a period, when so large a number of minds, in proportion to the whole, were left free to pursue the cultivation of the intellect. This is altogether the result of Mechanism, forcing inert matter to toil for man. And had it been reached gradually, commencing at the Creation, and continuing till now, the blessing would have been without alloy. But unhappily the progress has not been gradual. Of late, Mechanism has advanced per saltum, and the world has felt a temporary inconvenience resulting from large numbers being thrown suddenly out of employment, while being unprepared to embark on anything else. But this evil must be from its nature temporary, while the advantage resulting from the release of so large a proportion of mankind from the thralldom of physical labor, will be as lasting as the mind. And hence it is, that we look with unmixed delight at the triumphant march of Mechanism. So far from enslaving, it has emancipated the mind, in the most glorious sense. From a ministering servant to matter, mind has become the powerful lord of matter. Having put a myriad of wheels in motion by laws of its own discovering, it rests, like the Omnipotent Mind, of which it is the image, from its work of creation, and pronounces it good.