The March  Journal carried an unsigned article by Norcross in which he discussed the significance of this edition. Why was revision necessary? Was revision, in fact, compatible with the book’s original inspiration? Certainly, he answered, if the truths presented remained the same, while the author’s continued inspiration brought further verbal clarification, new illustrative material, the development of fresh applications and implications: In the days of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, when we sat at the feet of our teacher—days that we never shall forget!—did that teacher ever instruct two classes precisely alike? Did she employ a stereotyped form of words by which to convey to us her rich, inspired thought? Far from it! and thus, the new volume seems to take us back to the College, to gather up its fresh methods and inspired sayings, so that little stretch of the imagination is required to convince us that the teacher herself again is before us, though this time in impersonal form.