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0nr last number, essayed hasty sketch
Of that interesting portion of the heart on
which has been bestowed the appellation
of the natural sensi6iiities !; the subject of
the present number is the moral sensibiH-
ties, or conscience.
The moral are distinguished from the
natural sensibilities by their comparative
fewness and simplicity, as we'll as by b
radical difference Of function or Office
The latter are, indeed "a host---a mighty
host the former, viewed in relation to the
natural desires and emotions, are neither
numerous nor strong. Attendant com
pensation, however, for any relative weak
ness, is afforded the conscience iii the 90
vernnental authority over every other nor
ton Of the mind, OF, in other words. the
right to govern, Of which it is natively and
inalienably pnssessed "a authority which
from 1ts very nature, aumisr u ~ ".-.s -
pulsion which disdains to maintain itself
otherwise than by suasory influence and
an authority frequently as distinctly per-
ceived at the very moment in which it is
set at utter defiance, as in those instances
in whichis accorded it the homage of a
willing obedience. In other terms, if the
natural emotions and desires are possessed
of greater might in reference te the aeill
than can be truthfully predicated of the
moral sensibilities, the latter are, never
theless, invested with authority, or right
to dominancy, of which the former are ut
terly destitute.
In the region Of tie soul now under
consideration, mental philosophers have
demonstrated emotions, which, for the sake
of distinction, have been denominatcd
moral emotions and further investigation
has ascertained and developed, in this re-
gion, one other susceptibility only---a sus-
ceptibility which has been styled the feel.
ing Of moral obligation. The former.
THAT is the moral emotions,) are. indeed,
Of very frequent occurrence but, like the
natural emotions, are of fugitive cha
racter; while the latter, THAT is the feel
ing Of moral obligatiou) is characterized,
like the natural desires, by comparative
permanently.
The emotions Of this part of-our nature
hare, with obvious propriety, been distri
buted into but two classes, viz: emotions
of moral dppyorat, and of moral disappro-
raj Among the objects towards which
both these sorts Of emotion are legitimate
" directed, are actions of ones own per-
Torrance, and various states Of ones own
mind; as well as actions performed by our
fellow men, and various states of their
minds, so far az, inzany way, We become
acquainted with their mental condition. Or
with their deeds. In more general terms,
the actions and mental states of moral D.
gents constitute the only proper objects
Of moral approval or disapproyal.
Emotions of nional appr0rdl have for
their appropriate objects, such thoughts,
feelings, intentions, and actions, as, in the
estimation Of an Individual himself, whe-
ther barbarous or civilized, are in accord
ance with the law Of supreme legislator.
in whatsoever manner, and to whatsoever
extent, that law has been ascertained by
the individual for it is obviously absurd
that an atheist should, under any circum-
stances whatever, put in the plea Of con-
science; 20 the feeling Of moral obligation
he must, because Of his atheism itself. be
an entire stranger.
Emotions Of m0raf disagproraI have
appropriately for their objects those ae-
lions, intentions, feelings and thoughts.
which, in an individuals own estimation.
Whatefer the degree Of his mental illumi.
nation, are not in accordance with the
real or supposed wiz Of the supreme le-
gislator
A most remarkable phenomenon n our
moral constitution here presents itself for
q brief considtration--we mean the want
d uniformity both IN our moral emotions
md IN the feeling Of moral obligations Of,
- popnlsr language, want of uniformity
~ the dictates Of conscience. il has been
ascertained, beyond Al reasonable doubt
that among some nations 81 theearth those
ysry deeds are held il the highest moral