The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1880-06-25

SVsNo&aES AEs
An essay, by Clara e. Lombard. O
Port Madisor. delivered June 18th
$780, on the occasion Of her grsdustior
in the normal course of the Terriioris
University:
OF the various powers sud fscultie,
Of the mind, each one has = distinc,
Office to perform. The faculty nndei
Consideration, conscience. seems TO have
. two fold Office: first to impel rs to dc
right and forbssr from dong wrong
second. after the deed 10 doos. to sp-
prove or disapproye, according to
whether or not its iDjunctions were
obeyed. In addition to these, some
have added third Office. affirming sha,
It is this faculty that reveals to us the
right and wrong. But l think that
this 10 not the case II it wera. then
ali men the world over would consider
the same thiLgs right, aud tha reverse
for since things directly opposed to
each other carnot both be right, there
could not be such diversity in the
opiuioOs of men in regard 10 tho moral
qualities of actions as we End existicg
WOW .a..
Soms have argued. against evidence
aud the established opinion of the
world, and have atsiesi to prove. Shat
such u faculty IS conscience does n,,s
exist. They say that IT 1t we're given
to the people of one nation it would be
given to all. and that that is not the
case. Their arguments have reference
chiefly to the savage tribes. from the
fact that what they consider. perhaps,
q religious duty. we consider q crime.
An Argument has been made saying
that all are destitute of q conscisnce.
This idea has probably arisen FROM the
definition given of conscience by some
philosophers. who attribute to con-
science the discriminating power. But
since conscience does not reveal the
right and wrong. any number Of exam.
pies showing that the discriminating
power is at fault cannot prove that con.
science does not exist. The truth is
that in the case referred to the judg-
ment 10 1T fault. The fact that they
consider it q religious duty. and that
they are trying to do right. shows that
they have g conscience, and that they
are acting according to its dictates
Conscience acts according to the decis.
ions Of judgmeit; hence If the judgv
ment be at fault, The con sdesca neoes
sarily will be- OF cOurse she iu1g 1gment
depends upon circumstances. such as
habits. laws. amount of knowledge in
regard to right, etc.
But aside from these facts, if We will
notice our own states Of mind we can
not help knowing that this faculty ex-
lists. For instance, when duty impels
Us to pursue QUE course aud desire an
ether, is there not something that
strongly urges almost com ma nds-- Us
to do the former? And if we obey the
commend is there not an approving
voice within. worth more to US than
the approval of nations? And on the
contrary, If we will not listen to the
voice, are we not constantly reminded
OF the fact. until we regret the action
time after time!
Aud is no. the necessity Of the case
an argument in ito favor7 1t sesms
necessary thst No should be thus bonnd
to our duty. II it were not for this we
would IN re often act in accordance
with desire than with duty, which, as
We know, too aften conflict.
Then. since we are provided with all
that 10 necessary for our we'll being. it
must b ythst We are provided with .
faculty 10 meet this necessity. or { con.
science, the dictates of which sre felt
and known to be Of supreme authority.
This 10 something which especially
distinguishes msn fron the lower ami
mails. Without 1t We would be a. they,
snaccountable beings.
Like other fAeultie1 and : sssa Ike
the muscles and ssiBews OF the body,
conscience 10 strengthened by use
and weakened and impaired BY neg
lect. Its impulsive power follows the
same general law; for every time We
obey its impulse we not only have
gained . victory. but it. power wiA be
strengthened, % that the command will
Be even stronger the next time. If We
acted only in accordance with con-
science, after . while We would reach
that state Of hsppiness in which desire
and dnty coincide. We would also be
able to discriminate mere clearly in
regard to right and wrong. This effect
is frequently alluded to in the Scrip
turss. - it fs ssid. If any man will do
his win. hs shall kasr of the daettine, q
.hovwsnO thar thA dnsnu ri0hk In fnl1owed