The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-09
-. Pull o.ophy Of si"yerI ms ass.aaes
fs ~, philosophy Of Human HaPP'-

,nh, Of slavery as ndentinef
re ph,i..ophy OF Human HaPPi-
ne-s- o.r Su.xxox IN IN,
A. SUI IE. Soeistv Of Bacon College, delivered
c,Il,ge Chapel on the 27h Of June,
q, 81 and published by request 81 the Soei'iy'
vouxe Decentralization Of the
Fin SOcietw-Having been honored
= roar partially with the privilege OF ad-
I..s;ng YOU on the present occasion, permit
s - offer YOU few thoughts on the phi
i In.0Nby of slavery as identified with the
"s;Io.oohy of human happiness.
!, viii hardly be doubted by any sane
m;nd that happiness is the end snd aim OF
49,, beipg. Ali men are impelled at all
6mss. and by every principle of their ma
So n seek this invaluable treasure, with
-" '~ which all things else, would be utterly
,.Inslsss and even life itself an intolerable
borIep Nay, MORE maintain, that no
T.,;onal or even sentient being, ever did, or
.rsr conld voluntarily undergo single pang
Of misery for its own sake. Many, in all
ssss have no doubt subjected themselves,
oG their own free will, to pnvation and un-
bsnniness in various forms, with the hope OF
avoiding thereby greater evil, or Of secur-
inc a greater good. But, that any human
hing could possibly be regardless OF hap
nineSs and alike insensble to pleasure and
nam or that he could be capable OF volun-
,.rv ,cton in such state OF insensibility,
will be credited by no person, who under
stands the philosophy Of the human mind,
or the principles, that actuate human con-
duct. By the very necessity Of our organi-
sstion, we seek happiness in all that We do.
The Bible itself never, in single instance,
coptravenes, but, on the contrary, harmoni-
sss in all respects with these principles
Hence, in order to attain to the highest viz
tue, we are required, and even obliged 10
pursue the path, that leads directly and in
iallbly to the greatest enjoyment. And. it
NAV safely be affirmed, that every precept
and prohibition of Christianity, from first
to last, tends no less to increase the happi-
ness Of him, who fears God. and keeps His
Commandments, than it does to promote his
virtue, and secure the Divine favor.
But, though all men are increasingly en-.
gagged in the pursuit ofhaPpiness, no person
can have failed to observe, that all are not
equally successful; and that none is perfect
ly successful at all times.
Now, if it be asked, why so few obtain,
in any considerable. degree, that which all
seek with untiring srdor, the answer is at
hand. They seek it in wrong way. A
few reflections will make this apparent. Ali
mans faculties, whether physical, intellec-
lual. or moral, are designed, and have a
natural tendency, when properly exercised,
10 promote the happiness of their possessor:
buI when mlsaPPIled or perverted, they have
an equal tendency to render him unhappy.
As an illustration OF this sentiment, we
may take the appetite for food. On mo-
ments reflection it will be seen, that this
appetite is designed by Infinite Wisdom and
BenevOlence for the production Of our hap
piness. But, TO attain this desirable end,
We must crafty it in harmony with all the
laws OF our nature. If these laws be viola
ted in its Qualification, there necessarily re-
suits measure Of unhappiness proportioned
to the magnitude of the transgression; in
some instances involving the most excrucia-
ting misery and even the loss Of life. The
same principle is applicable to all our fac
ulhes, whether animal, Intellectual or NOR
al. Each is productive Of happiness or mis-
cry, Just so far, and onl y 50 far, as it is ex-
ercised in harmony with the laws Of our
nature, or in violation Of those laws; that is
to say, in harmony with, or in opposition
&c, the will Of God.
II these sentiments be true, land true
hey most undoubtedly are,) then it follows,
Of necessity, that all the untold sufferines
Of the human family originate in the perver-
son oil their faculties, and in the transgres-
son Of those laws, the observance Of which
was designed and calculated to render them
happy.
Nor does this doctrine conflict with the
questionable fact, thai we inherit vita.
,ed organisation, which exposes US to suffer
ing, Independently Of any violation of the
laws Of nature on our part. For, trace the
disorder as far back as you please, you must
Ultimately arrive at a transgression Of law,
winch is the original and sole cause of this
ol'oFder' and Of all the misery subsequent
hefeon. In confirmation Of this view, il
must be manifest to every rejecting mind,
mat the healthy and legitimate action OF
every faculty pertaining to the human race,
'enos only TO happiness and, consequently,
hat all the unhaPpiness, that is in the world
must have resulted, either Immediately OF
remotely, from violated law, and the disor.
oerPrOduced thereby.
NOW, II these principles be correct, il is
manifest that course Of conduct, In perfect
harmony with all the laws, under which we
als placed by the Author of our existence,
would necessarily result in the production oil
uis h'ghest happiness Of which we are ca
Pdole' But such course Of conduct o.
necessity involves a knowledge of those
laws and disposition to regulate all oul
'0Iohs 10 accordance with that knowledge
hence the main, and the only insupera
oie barriers to human happiness, are ignor
ance OF law, and Hisubordination to its au
@OIl'y' 1t is hardly necessary to add tina
suca is the Bible method Of explaining tn,
engln OF human suffering. And it may b,
ieaflessly asserted, that every other metho,
:, ehPlalninyit is in the highest degree un
philosophical and absurd.
must be remembered, that we are no
ql'rlng here. what provision is necessar,
% Justify the Moral Governor of the Uni
verse In pardoning those, who have rebelle,
asan't his authority. That would be 3