The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1878-07-31
CONSCIENCE.

3
In the HERALD OF the 18th inst. is an
essay upon Conscience, written by II. B.
KinsolvIng. about which l want to say
a few things. The essay In part, is a
good one. 1t is very well written and
elbows considerable general information
and much depth and penetration. But
there are some Inconsistencies in II that
wish to point ont. Our essayist says,
with respect to particular actions, opin-
ion determines whether they are good or
illi and conscience approves or disap>
proves IN Consequence Of that determine
ton, whether it be in favor of truth or
lalsehoo,l." This is lolerably good states
ment the case. would prefer the word
judgment instead Of opinion" But as
it stands, it means that conscience APP
proves that which, in our opinion is right;
and Condemns that which in our opinion
is wrong, whether our opinion be true or
false. Then we may from an incorrect
opinion, "decide that to be true which is
false, and conscience will approve it,"
Aud it will also follow from this that
il our opinion changes. our conscience
will change its approval. Ifthere is any
unlairness in this anal ysis Of our friends
statement, l am unable TO see It. Aud as
thus analysed, endorse it. But only a
few sentences further on our essayist snys;
"rhe great Creator in His wise formation
Of man, saw fit to invest him in his fallen
state with a true, moral guide" Here
he speaks Of conscience as "a true, moral
guide" II conscience approves the opin~
IONS of men, which are sometimes false,
opinions, hos can conscience be "a true
moral guide" Does truth and morality |
change with the opinions Of men2 Or,
are they controlled by the opinions of
men? 1t is evident that the opinion OF
men differ upon the same points. Does
truth and morality differ upon the same
pointsH IL conscience Is "a true, moral
guide, We need nothing else to conduct
us to lasting peace and eternaihappiness
The bible is suPerfluous.
Again our friend says, Experience has
taught each Of us that this faculty, which
is always on the alert, never errs in its
promptiugs, and should we always follow
lts precepIs, il is certain we should never
err. According TO this, a man can never
hold an incorrect principle, or be in error,
unless he hold il in opposition to the
Of bis conscience. According
10 this it is no use to try to teach men
what is right and what is wrong. They
know that; conscience tells them all
about it. All that il necessary to Danish
al error entirely from the world, is to
induce men to be honest enough to fol-
ow conscience And what notorious
lypocrites the majority ofprofessed chris.
ians are; differing widely upon many
points OF doctrine, and all trying to make
he world think they believe what they
lOld while all except those who follow
heir conscience know that what they
lold is not the true doctrine. For accord
ng to the position OF our friend, il they
ollow conscience they will never err"
opine there are few, il any, who have :
lot changed opinions often. and that too, !
Without violating conscience.
Again our friend says, "it would seem
hat this divine light is a spark Of mans
purity, and is placed in him for q
he purpose Of guiding him back to Par
disc The fact is, man has none of his
primitive purity" And conscience it.
Ell must be purged in order that we may {
srve the living God. (Heb 9: IA Aud
conscience is capable OF leading men
, Paradise, for what purpose did God Il
i've us the bible? Did he inflct upon J.
ian the toll aud expense of writing, read
e, translatng and publishing the bible, .
order that men might learn the way to
eaven, when they have as sure a guide
their own breast, that needs no writ
&, translating or publishing, for it P
peaks to every m IN in his own language
his reflects both upon the wisdom and
Oodness Of God.
There are some other points that might
e noticed, but these are enough. Ill
Understand the position of the essay land
think do, it is this: Conscience does
OF insure right doing, but it infallibly
Oints out TO every one the way to heaven
his position l consider erroneous and
angerous TO the spiritual interests Of
zen.
1t is quite probable that our friend is
Of accustomed to put his thoughts on
aper, and may not have said just what
as in his mind But when q man puts !
imself in the public papers he becomes
lblic property. Aud such positions as
e assumes need correcting. Our friend
ems not 10 have felt the force Of his
rst statement in regard 10 conscience
lat conscience approves or condemns,
,cording to our opinions Of right and
rong; and then labors 90 prove, or
.ther ststes that conscience always dis
rus aud points out the right. .
That our friend will look over his SEN
ments, and see his errors, Is the wish Of
ANGUS