The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-04-02
CONSCIENCE.

The Judicial Department OF the Human
Mind-The Memory Of the Soul.
The most familiar words are some
times the most difficult TO define.
Words that are in common use-words
that are on our tongues every day-be-
come a matter Of dispute when we
undertake to analyze and define them.
This is the case with the word con-
science. 1t is familiar word, occur
ring some thirty times in the New
and yet the precise nature
of conscience is one of the most difficult
questions in psychology or in ethics
There has been needless waste OF con-
troversy over the question whether or
not conscience is distinct and separate
faculty Of the soul. The true way OF
looking at the matter is to regard the
human mind as unit; and what we call
faculties are only SO many powers or
of applying the mind to diff
ferent objects, and of experiencing vari-
GUS feelings and emotions. Memory
is the power which the mind has of re-
calling past impressions. Imagination
is the power which the mind has OF COM
bining truths and impressions into new
forms and relations. Conscience Is the
power Of recognizing moral law, and OF
forming moral judgments. In short,
conscience is collective term for those
exercises of our rational nature which
have to do with right and wrong. 1t
designates the entire moral constitution
or nature of man. The Creator has i'm
planted in every breast the conception
of moral law. This law, like all law, is
imperative. 1t is not an advice, which
one is at liberty to accept or reject as he
pleases, 1t is law In the strict and
proper sense of the term; law which
commands and forbids under pains and
penalties. Such is the moral nature Of
man that this law carries with 1t a Di-
vine authority, and when transgressed,
there is feeling Of guilt and an antici-
patton Of judgment to come.
In other words, there is government
within us which corresponds to the gov
eminent without us. Conscience is the
judicial department Of tho human mind.
The Legislature sits yonder In the capitol
to frame the laws of the state; but in
the same capitol there sits q supreme
court to interpret the laws and admin.
lister justice. Yonder at Washington, is
the National Congress, to make the laws
for the country; and there also is the
Supreme Court Of the United States,
with the Chief Justice to expound the
constitution and the laws. So with the
moral government which God has set
up in our souls. We are under author
ity; we are under law; and conscience ID
the Judiciary; conscience 10 the supreme
court which pronounces its solemn
judgments upon human character
and conduct. Conscience approves
or condemns; 1t issues its msndamui
here, and lays its injunction there. II
says to one man: Thou shalt do this;'
and to another man: "Thou shalt not d.
that" Conscience is therefore not {
simple faculty. It is the reason en-
ployed about questions Of right and
wrong. 1t involves first, q perception
by the understanding Of moral law; ther
sum Of obligation to do what the law
requires; then q feeling Of appreciation
or disapprobation consequent upon oul
obedience or neglect.
The obvious characteristics Of thu
conscience are its independence and it!
supremacy. The conscience pronounceI
its decision not only upon overt acts
but upon the thoughts, the purposes
the intentions. 1t sits in judgmen
upon the will. If we choose wrong
conscience condemns the choice. II w
transgress law, conscience pronounce
its judgment The will may no
control the conscience, but the con
science has q right to contro
the will. Conscience has suprem
authority. The moral law is impera
tive. 1t carries with it the sense Of oh
legation. Duty is king. fought" /
the most imperial word in human
speech. The sense of binding obliga
ton is the distinctive characteristic Q
our moral judgments and the supremac
of conscience is inseparable from tn
very idea Of conscience. As Bisho
Butler has beautifully said: II it ha
power as it has right it would cover
the world. The inspired writers spea
Of q good conscience" What is a goo
conscience? In general, good cor
science must be one which fulfllls mos
perfectly the functions which have a.
ready been described as belonging to /
When we have ascertained the purpos
for which any faculty exists, then "
have rule by which to measure /,
usefulness. If conscience is our guild
in duty; il it is the ruling power i
our nature; il it is endowed with q,
thority over our minds, then the GOO
conscience Is the one which we'll pc
forms these high offices-which is faitl
full to declare the law, to apply it to Il
case in hand and to pronounce a Gle,
decision.
But particularly, good conscience
an enlightened conscience. The Co
science, not less than the reason, neet
to be instructed; for if we have given
correct analysis of the subject, the CO
science Is the reason exercised in pa
ticular direction We must recogni
our responsibility for the opinions whit
We form, not less than for the outwa
actions Of our lives There is perha