The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-30
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
IMPORTANCE or CONSCIENCE ~ IT.
TANNING \ PERFECTED LIFE
a Discourse ny Rev. II. =. Dewitt. Ph.
d., ID. H. OF First Conversational
Church, Branford, Conn.

1T was not disobedient unto the heavenly
vision. Acts XVI. -.
A peculiar feature in the life of Socrates
was his ~"daimonion." or heavenly voice.
which seemed to have great power over
him and his disciples in controlling their
action.
1t was said to exercise its power not only
In lettering Socrates from wrong conduct.
but could approve equally well by remain
ing silent concerning any favored action. IL
directed not only In grave matters. such as
his conduct be- pre- the court OF final judg-
ment and ordering him TO keep out OF prac-
teal politics. but also even in matters OF
the least moment: IL was an important fac
tor in his life. and experience taught him
that obedience 10 IL was essential.
The voice was probably that instantan-
eous conception OF results. or wealth OF Wis
ion into the future. that decides success
fully without waiting for reason. and which
is possessed by many men OF great ability
in common with Socrates.
From this heavenly voice. IL Is but q
step 10 a theme closely allied 10 IL. viz:
the conscience, both as intellect and feel
ing. All men are practically familiar with
it even IL unable properly TO define IL. or
accurately TO measure its field. Its voice
is so constantly heard in praise OF blame
that it seems almost too familiar. Though
by no means the product OF education. yet
IL is easily affected and nodded by its en-
vironment. 1t may be so developed by d.
vine influences that in obeying IL it's pos
SCISSOR shall at last awake i'm the divine.
image; or by neglect and evil powers 1t
may become SO thoroughly perverted and
dishonest as even 10 QnnroVQ nf conduct
suited only 10 demons.
To obey a dishonest or mIsinformed con-
science would be wrong In its objective
effects. but right with reference 10 the
subject. Many incidents crowd our minds
as we think of the evils resulting from
following a wrong conscience; but when
corrected. divinely instructed. illumlned by
the Holy Ghost, a mans conscience may
be obeyed with safety. Constant obedience
gives il such a momentum for right that
in many cases the wealth Of treasured
moral power purchases proper judgment
even when the reason might seem to fail.
The philosophy of the plan of salvation
shows us that from remote ages God was
in Christ reconciling the world unto Him
self. The dizziness of mans apprehension
has demanded many object lessons and
even the most explicit of the
divine will and revelations OF the nature OF
God. In the "stiIl small voice. on Mount
Horeb He encouraged Elijah and gave d.
rections for the completion OF his course.
IL the silent hours OF the night He talked
with Samuel, the obedient child. and pre-
pared him for work. So TO Daniel, to
the three chosen disciples. TO Peter on
the houseIop and II others Of His workers
He has given visions as preparation for
usefulness.
The most interesting and powerful OF
all these visions is the one which Saul
had when on his way from Jerusalem 10
Damascus to prosecute the Christians. A
vision which so revealed Christ. as out OF
the character of Saul TO bring the sublime
character of Paula vision that must have
ice real and vivid, in Keeping with Scrip
ture, or else it could not have overcome
the great prejudices OF Saul.
A man of his education, culture, refine
ment and mental power could not be de-
luded by a simple trance. or by the ply
steal effects OF the sun, or by fear when
fear constituted no element in his nature
No momentary enthusiasm or wave OF feel
ing would have held Paul up in later years,
as he was beaten with many stripes. i'm
prisoned. shipwrecked and brought TO stand
before Nero. the issue of which was for
him a martyrs grave. Paul considered it
not a vision in the ordinary sense of the
word. because it was a real manifestation
of Christ TO him. 1t presented a sight and
a voice that were ever before him and that
changed his life purpose. Ii became the
hub OF all his experiences, and when be-
fore Agrippa he said: Il was not disobe-
dent unto the heavenly vision."-which IL
the key TO his glorious career.
This vision gave TO Paul a peculiar mis-
sion. 1t was not to edify him but TO edu-
cate him for a wide missionary field. Few
men have these marvellous heavenly visions
few men are capable of using them. But
every man has a heavenly vision. There is
"A time when in some way God speaks TO
every heart and asks hat IL be given to
Him. God gives TO every man a love OF
some principle which is an element OF the
divine nature, and while he may he de-
PRAYED in all other particulars. that one
virtue he will adore. Whatever it may be.
that is his heavenly vision. IL may toe that
chastity is a mans vision: If so. while he
may be base in all else, yet in that par
ticuiar he will be manly. Possibly honest
dealing with his fellow-men IS his vision.
He may violate all OF the decalogue in
other things. yet I'm this one matter on hon
est dealing he will be true and will natur-
ally despise every man known TO be dis
honest in trade. If we make a study of the
feelings of men we will find that every man
has his peculiar moral hobby. which is his
heavenly vision. II is the hold upon the
divine nature which God has given him.
What is TO be done with IL? The answer
comes from the visions described
Socrates placed implicit confidence in his
"daimonion,' and ~strenuously sought TO
obey it. because he thought he could prove
it's Judgment invariably correct. A mans
duty calls upon him 10 listen 10 and obey
his conscience. always keeping II open to
divine instruction. 1t is the only safe
thlng for him &c DO.
Paul was not disobedient unto his heav-
emily vision. but carried IL ever before him.
Every man should tenaciously follow his
heavenly vision because IL is given him.
not for mere service. but 20 obey. 1t Is
the spark Of divine life which. IL famed
into flame, will make him wholly alive spin
itually.
Let a man seek - be perfectly honest
with his fellows. and soon he will feel
under obligation TO be honest with God
and then with himself and he viii find
that there Is something besides honesty 10
be attained. and thus. from one step 10 an
other. he viii be led on until he attains