The New York herald., 1871-03-06
METROPOLITAN METHODIsy CHUasn.
DR.. Newman ON Conscience.

WASHINGTON, March o. 1871.
The Rev. DR.. J. p. Newman preached to large
congregation in the Metropolitan Methodist Epsco.
pal church on the subject OF conscience. The text
was found In Acts XIV, 18-"And herein do
exercise myself, to have always conscience void
Of offence toward God and toward men," Such,
said the reverend gentlemen, is the solemn protest
OF the apostle arraigned before Roman tribunal,
charged with sedtion. heresy and sacri-
lege. Permitted to speak for himself,
without q witness tn testify In his
behalf he appealed to his own conscience in tho
language OF the text. These words evidently
recognize the
EXISTENCE AND EDUCATION OF MANS CossCIENcE
and propose to consider two points relative 10 the
existence, functions and relations OF conscience.
The subject leads us TO contemplate man as Ire was
prior 10 the fall and as he now Is under tue Christian
dispensahon. Originally, man was endowed intel.
lectually aud morally with whatever was necessary
for selfgovernment. He required external aids to
discover and MAINTAIN the path Of duty. 10 perfect
discover the moral quality OF action, such was
mans condition prior TO the lall. what Is IL now9
Conscience Is the eny quality which remains loyal
to God.
IMAaIsATIoN is CoRRuPT,
andersandlng Is contracted Judgment y
the the PASSIONS nave W gained the .scendaascy
Conscience alone Is loyal TO the Creator. Under
the Gospel 9 uspensa1n Tsp Two external x aids are
Bible and the Holy Ghost. These are 10 aid and
guide mans broken intellect. Call conscience what
you villa sense OF moral obligation, faculty OF The
soul, moral sensetbc fact OF It's existence cannot
be denied. so soon az we perceive q moral quality
In an action we feel an obligation In regard to it, II
1t be good, to do 1t; II bad not to perform 1--we
ought or we ought not. An Impulse TO do or not to
do tho action is connected with tue per.
cepton OF It's moral quality, which Is not
the result OF augmentation, bat which springs up
spontaneously Ia the soul. There are times when
him to certain qualification and conscience urging
him not TO comply, and uaon the decision depends
or the passions ont authority les on the Side Of
conscience and is for the man always to decide In
favor OF authority. Right action brings pleasure,
shame. Several objections are brought against the
universal existence OF conscience. II IS SAID tnat
some nations think thing to be right that Others
hold to be wrong. Thus
INrANTICIDE
by the Chinese is thought to be right; by the Ameri
tbis-First, this very destruction supposes the ex
istcnce OF conscience 1t Is matter OF Intention on
inheres In the intention. Nowhere IN the
world can we find men who think 1t right to
think the sacrifice or The child brings 1t happiness.
Again,.it is said some savage nations violate the
R naRass ss " %f1os
on the part OF the person who brings tue objection.
In all hearts there is moral sense responding in
some degree TO the divine law. Conscience does
not compel man to do right but to show HIM his
duty yet 1t may become SO familiar with crime TO
OF conscience are tnrceiold- d-monltion condemna-
tien, appreciation. Dr. Newman then gave several
striking Illustrations derived from history, OF per-
sons, who, needless OF
THE MONITIOSS OF CONSCIENCE,
had lived TO feel It's bitter condemnation. He next
passed ON to consider the qualities or conscience
gulng thet rs man was being ol capacities, and as
each OF his intellectual faculties 10 capable Of
cultivation, so, too, are his moral faculties. Cul.
ture OF conscience is TO be preceded by a careful
study OF God's word. There s difference
between voluntary and involuntary Ignorance. No
man Is responsible for that which he cannot help,
but where ignorance Is the result Of neglect 10 In
form the understanding the criminality acts upon
the conscience, and hence the Importance Of the
study OF The divine law Aim at reflection. Your
low moral state to-day comes from want Of renec-
ton. Men have not the moral courage TO shut them
selves up with God and their Bible and reflect upol
the deeds OF yesterday. Conscience is improved py
culture, by the study Of the character OF eminent
men.
Low IDEALS DEGRADE US.
High Ideals elevate us. CHRIST IS the noblcst
highest pattern by which man can shape his life
Conscience Is our truest friend. Men NEGLECT it,
abuse 1t and often slaughter 1t, as the wrathiul man.
wakened from his sleep by the barking OF his faith
ful dog, shot him dead from his window, While tho
assassin stood at the gate. So men often slaughter
their conscience, which warns them Of danger