The Term "Force" first used in the 19th Century

R. H Codrigton was known to have used "The Force" during his research in the South Pacific.

http://www.answers.com/topic/mana

A term indicating vital or magical force used widely throughout Polynesia. From his work in the South Pacific, R. H. Codrington observed: "The word is common, I believe, to the whole Pacific…. It is a power or influence, not physical, and in a way supernatural, but it shows itself in physical force, or in any kind of power or excellence which a man possesses. This Mana is not fixed in anything, and can be conveyed in almost anything; but spirits, whether disembodied souls or supernatural beings, have it and can impart it…. All Melanesian religion consists in getting this Mana for oneself, or getting it used for one's benefit."

Just something I learned in religion Class...

THIS. IS. AMAZING!

(sorry for the gradual all caps, but it was for dramatic effect)

That also explains the usage of the term Mana for role-playing cards...(random thought that just came to mind)
However that's a great find! Codrington's observations make it apparent he was a "Force-Sensitive", and his inadvertent admission is extraordinary. The Force in and of itself is all encompassing and eternal.

Takes me back to the IP and the realisation that the Force has been referenced (under other names) throughout human history...

I quite like the word Mana actually...

This was the first documented use of the term "Force". Called by many names for sure...

This is something funny.. the J.Witnesses describe God's Holy Spirit as God's "Active Force". Seriously.

Even if you take the physics concept of Force (the "power" that makes objects move, etc) you can see similarities, and those "force" concepts exist since antiquity.

Arguably, "the Force" is the sum of all of physics' "forces".