Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-03-05

Mr., EDITOR certainly feel thankful
for the complimentary notice In your last
issue, ofmy recent Lecture In Woodstock
entitled "ConSclcnce-its nature and OF
lcc In the human Soul" Hut am some,
what surprised, that failed TO make, al
least, one Of my hearers understand the
only peculiar point Of doctrine contained
In my Essay. viz, that, Conscience Is not
ajmicio', but simply an eSecWtire officer
that II Is not It's office TO decide or deter
mine the right or wrong Of actions In the
abstract, !. O., taken or regarded as scpcr-
ate from the actor, II has nothing to do
with regard TO the right or wrong Of &C.
ton, per Sc, but only with actors or moral
agents. II urges Us to do what ice Jeliere
to be right 1t makes us feel justified
when We have obcycd It's commands. II
be wrong, and fills US with rcmorsc, guilt
and fear when we have refused TO obey
its dictates" 1t Is no JudiciarH II Is
entirely Erectirc.
/ stated clearly, as supposed, that we
determine the right or wrong Of abstract
actions-not by Conscicncc--but, by con-
sidering their utility or inutility-theIr
tendency 10 promote human happiness or
welfare, on the one hand; 'unhappincss
and want Of good, on the other; while
actors or moral agents are to be regarded
as virtuous or vicious according TO their
motives, designs or Neutrality-suspicious.
ingly, as they obey or dlsobey conscience.
We decide OH the right and wrong Of &C
tions,by what we are taught by our parents
and teachers; by the general public senti-
mcnt around us; by what We know of the
divine law, whether revealed in Nature or
by Inspiration; by the law of the land
by the influence of the two moral scnti-
ments in us, viz: BENEvoLENcE and
Ifan enlightened intellect
reports crrect'y to Bcnevolcnce the effects
Of any action or course Of action, when
generally pra cticed, and Bencvolence ap- |
proves, and is satisfied with it's in haI-
nony with it-such action or course of
action is right; but, if Benevolence Is
panied by it and dissatisfied, then such |
action is wrong. The same holds true,
with sentiment, called Veneration. The
Intellect reports actions, with their
natural effects, to these two moral senti.
nents, and If these sediments approve
hereof, the actions are right; but If these
sentiments disapprovc and condemn, the
lctions are wrong, per Sc, or in their in
lcrent nature.
When the matter Is settled, in our
minds, as to certain actions being right,
md others wrong, then, and not till then,
loes Conscience begin its work. and its
JUNCTION or office Is, to make us feel the
obligation to do, what we have before
ecided to be right-to urge and command
IS to do what we believe to be our duty
and when we obey it, to make as feel
divineiy approved, and
Justified in the sight Of God. When we
ave decided or come to believe, in any
ray and sincerely, that certain actions
re wrong, then Conscience opposes our
DING them, warns, dissuades. and COM
lands us, as the authority divine in our
ouls, not to do them; but, il we disobey l
s injunctions, these its retributions fall {
n us, in the form Of conjunction, re-
orSe, moral death, apprehensions and
ar. 1t is the executive power Of the
oral law of God, in the soul. 1t is the =
own of the Almighty law-giyer and
ldge in the consciousness Of the sinners
ind. So much by way of explanation {
I'd illustration. Z. B. G